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Canucks are finished

Honestly, I think the versions of those players we get will arguably be largely determined by whether or not we, as a franchise, imbibe the mindset of a team that is going to make the necessary additions to the roster it needs because we believe making the playoffs to be an urgent matter. Did Adams not speak at the end of season conference about how he had early on that sense things weren’t right when it came to the mindset of the players? Adams didn’t deny there was a complacency there? We saw this play out in real time already. Imo there’s pretty strong evidence that mindset was a reflection of the GM’s nonchalant approach to the offseason. I suppose that outside additions aren’t just necessary but vital to the success of the larger portion of the roster we are of course relying on even more. Imo it’s not a “these additions won’t matter if the core doesn’t respond anyways” situation, it’s a “the core isn’t gong to have a chance without the proper approach this offseason, anyways.” situation. A good GM here lays the chess board for success

If the cup final is EDM vs FLA, the crux/linchpin of the series will be the Barkov - McDavid line match. If Barkov is able to shut down McDavid the Oilers are screwed.

Certainly not with all those ex Sabres playing for Florida.😂

With McDavid anything is possible

Cirelli is brought up a lot in this site about an attractive player to target. I'm aware that Tampa will be squeezed somewhat in trying to work a deal for Stamkos. However, I haven't heard anything about Tampa being interested in shedding this particularly player. Tampa may be in the beginning in their down cycle but why would they shed one of their instrumental players when they are still a very competitive team? An interesting question regarding Tampa is would it be better for Tampa to lose Stamkos if his contract demands are too high if it was the reason for not being able to retain Cirelli who recently signed a long-term contract? I simply don't see Cirelli being available for any team at this point.

Everyone talked about Dallas depth but their lack of depth in defense is turning out to be key along with Little Joe doing nothing in the playoffs. I don’t think Edmonton can beat Florida.

McJesus a man among boys..

2 goals on 3 shots for the oil.

McDavid playing well. Oil up by 2.

Pp merchants

As for the Bennett goal, I presume that Toronto reviews for an obvious error like not going over the goal line. Here’s the best screenshot I saw on Twitter

Some magic from McDavid right there on the PP. Dallas with the passive PK.

This McDavid dude is pretty good. Not a flash in the pan like everyone predicted.

Unbelievable

What a goal by McDavid.

Amidst this squabbling, I am loving these articles and seeing the old newspapers and the ads. Laux Sporting Goods in the BLVD Mall. I used to walk or ride my bike there as a kid. Bought football equipment there. Bought an excellent Rawlings "Mickey Mantle" signed outfielders glove the. Bought hockey sticks and plastic ends for street hockey there, not to mention numerous mouth guards needed for hockey and tackle football. What a great childhood and (teen hood) memory. I played organized sports all the time, and I played pick up sports in the neighborhoods even more. We had a blast. The neighborhood games where every day and year round. No parents, no refs or umps, we solved our own disputes.

Yeah, they were going to maybe challenge the offside. The Rags coaches stalled and looked hard at the videos (I assume they have more angles than us) and they decided to not challenge. I'm 100% sure that the goal crossing the line was an aspect of the possible challenge as well as the very close play at the blue line. Based on watching live, there was a view behind Bennett that showed it wired into the back corner and down and out. Looked pretty convincing. They didn't show how close the offsides was though, and that was annoying

I agree. You always need top end talent.

I agree that it is time for aggression. I don’t think this is the right trade though (except for maybe in the “no other option” vacuum). I think we should buy out Skinner and use the $7.55 million in cap savings to completely remake the bottom 6 of our roster. As is, we are committed to a top 6 that is made up entirely of current players who either need to bounce back or emerge. If you buyout Skinner you can add a top 6 winger (pushing a winger down to the 3rd line) and a 3rd line centre and still remake the 4th line. Being opposed to trading #11 in a deal where you don’t think the value is correct does not mean that you are against being aggressive this off-season.

I may be confusing Gratton with someone else but while the other points you made are valid, they don’t change the fact that Punch valued talent as much, if not more then grit.

My father? Really?

Thanks for that info. I never knew that he was that high regarded by anybody. True on the Robert trade, but he also knew Robert had not hit prime yet, and Robert had more promise than Shack. He could find another Schack. Jacque Richard was a no risk rehab project. The guy had big talent, but he did not handle life in the NHL. I don't believe that he ever thought he could replace Dudley with Gratton? He got Gratton for Butch Deadmarsh in late 73. Gratton was a former FOA draft pick, he was worth a look, and Deadmarsh was not much. He traded Gratton, who was mediocre for the veteran Freddie Stanfield by Jan 1975. Stanfield had won before. Stanfield improved the top 9 spot held by Gratton, and scored 12 goals in only 32 games for the Sabres that season, which helped them immensely to get to the Stanley Cup Final series. He was wehat we call a veteran rental in today's word. But another smart acquisition. Dudley was still on that 74-75 team. Gratton was replaced by Stanfield, but Dudley was still there. Punch let Dudley go after that season because he would not pay him what the WHA was offering. All the NHL GMs let good players go, they stuck together to keep salaries down. They players all came back if they were still good enough, which is what everybody figured. Yes, Dudley was hard to replace, he never really did. Even when he came back, he was not quite the same player.

Or call it no goal at the time and get it right. As @Taro T said, if the separation is vertical and not horizontal, it could in fact not be in. I watched the replay several times and I'm pretty sure it was in. To me the trajectory looked consistent with far post-crossbar-camera-near post. But yeah, without an overhead look it's hard to tell. The players on the ice all seemed to think it was a goal though.

In general terms, we both are in accord that our GM has to be proactive in adding talent to this team this offseason. I totally agree that we have some excess assets to parlay. In how that should be done we have some space between us. We shall see.