Hank

Diggs traded to Houston for pick(s)

Good catch on the Levi prediction Thorny. My arrogance has earned me a big piece of humble pie. Well played sir!

Rent free

I thought it was obvious I was referring to judging playing ability. Perhaps not? Good on you though for taking the time to scroll through my posting history and finding I was wrong on Skinner hitting free agency six years ago. I doubt anyone else would care enough to do that. I like it in your head Thorny. It's spacious, there's no clutter, and the rents free.

A few weeks ago I heard John Scott talking about John Tavares going to court with the CRA over back taxes. I can't remember exactly what he said, but something to the effect of players being taxed at 35%, but 70M of the 77M for Tavares was a signing bonus which is only taxed at 15%, putting about an extra 15M in his pockets. Scott credited (blamed?) Prime Minister Trudeau with closing this loophole, and the CRA did a reassessment and is going after Tavares for the 15M. Is what Scott said accurate? If it is, will it make it harder for canadian teams to sign/keep players?

He found his love for the game gown here in Nashville, and we're happy to have him! Honestly, I'm assuming being in Nashville puts more money in his pocket than staying in Toronto, and that's the biggest reason he's here.

To add to your point (I think?), Draisaitl may be the 3rd best center in the world. I consider only McDavid and McKinnon to be better. Is Draisaitl not considered a 1C because he happens to be on the same team as McDavid, even though he'd be a 1C on 30 other teams? Seems pretty subjective.

Regarding O'Reilly, he is the #1C in Nashville, and a damn good one.

Yes. We traded first line players for prospects. Let's trade those prospects, plus picks, for third line players. That's brilliant! 😒

After coming back from a 4-1 third period deficit to beat Vegas 5-4, the Preds points streak is up to 18 games, 16-0-2. Sabres cast-off, Mark Jankowski, has been a good 3rd line winger during this streak, scoring three goals and ten points in eleven games in the month of March.

To your point, let's not make the same mistakes. We traded top line players for prospects. Trading those prospects, plus picks, for in thier prime 3rd line players as some are advocating for because they're impatient on the develop part of draft and develop would be a mistake. You've been advocating for a number one goalie, 6K has emerged as one. You've been advocating for a top four defenceman, Adams got you a top pair defenceman in Byram. These are two huge pieces that are encouraging for next year. Still some work to be done. Glad you didn't put me on ignore Thorny. Cheers!

In my two plus decades on this board you've never seen me give my opinion on a player and been wrong.

Thier points have increased every year under Don, prior to this one. Maybe he's lost the room, I couldn't say. I won't be sad if he goes but there's been no reason to doubt him prior to this season.

Yes to both, but I wouldn't be upset if Don was let go. I think Adams is doing it the right way with his draft and develop strategy. The fact I'm in a small minority reinforces my belief. At the start of the season almost everyone on here wanted 6K waived, he's now a top 10 goalie in the league. 18 months ago most people on here wanted Mitts waived, never forgiving him for not being able to do a pull-up at the combine. Adams flipped him for a top pair d-man entering his prime, a good(possibly great) hockey trade that many said he couldn't/wouldn't pull off. A few years ago the majority on here wanted Tage waived, never forgiving him for O'Rielly winning the cup. He's a damn good player on a long term team friendly contract. We're on the right path, the usual suspects telling me I'm wrong only means I'm right.

15-0-2. Back to back shutouts. Forsberg and Sieder(first NHL fight) with a spirited scrap. Great day in Smashville.

2nd bolded: fair question. I grew up in Buffalo and loved the Sabres since I was a toddler watching the games with my dad. When the Sabres come to town i cheer for the Sabres. I've been in middle Tennessee for about 25 years (fun fact: over 80% of Fort Campbell is in Tennessee, but because the post office is on the kentucky side it's fort Campbell, kentucky. Regardless, while I was on active duty I lived in Clarksville, Tennessee before settling in Nashville after I retired. ) my Fandom is in part geography, thier the local team, thier what's on TV, local sports talk, what I can get tickets to. They grew on me. In part because I loved Pekka. In part because I appreciated Suter and Weber in thier prime, and now Josi. In part because they've never had superstar forwards, in order to win they had to develop a culture of a tough, gritty, hard to play against team. Like you, that's something I appreciate and am drawn to. In part because my wife and I occasionally play pickleball with a member of the staff and his wife. Our wives met in a zumba class and became friends. First bolded: I was one of Mitts biggest supporters and have said he was our best forward this year numerous times. Colorado never adequately replaced Kadri, they tried with Johansson but it failed. They are one of the favorites to win the cup and Mitts fill a huge hole, maybe the only hole on thier roster. They are a better team with Mitts on it then Byram. The avs also have a generational player in Makar, Toews is his partner, Byram was relegated to 2nd pair minutes. The addition of Mitts outweighs what they lost in Byram based on what they have and what thier needs were. I think Byram is a top pair defender. Not will be. Is. It's possible in three years we may look back on this trade and Adams fleeced the Avs. In general I agree with you. I wish adams would do more. I'm sure you remember I advocated claiming tolvanen, proposed giving up a kings ransom for Saros prior to the draft, and wanted various upgrades in free agency.

It is a very interesting contrast. As a fan of both teams (and a Preds season ticket holder), I find the contrast interesting. I love what Trotts has done. His biggest achievement though was getting O'rielly and Nyquist to sign as free agents. They've been on the top line with Forsberg since day one, contribute offensively, have been great defensively, provide points on the power play, and have remained healthy all season. Nashville is definitely not a playoff team, and likely a bottom five team, without these two players. Trotts even signed them to reasonable contracts. But, if Trotts was the GM in Buffalo, he's not getting those players to sign. I believe there are many very good players that would come to Buffalo once they've been winning for a couple years, it's a rabid fan base and a great place to raise a family. For a single twenty-something with lots of disposable income there's not much of a night life. Some won't care about that, but most will. Add in the losing and the weather, it's probably pretty miserable. The winning has to come first. Then we can get free agents. You're a smart guy, you know this. I think adams is doing the right think with the draft and develop strategy, for this city, at this time.

This is true, to a point, his contribution to the team is so much more than just points. I don't believe Nashville is a playoff team without him.

You guys are arguing with someone who thinks professional athletes are modern day slaves. You can't argue with someone like that.

Thier leader is Josi, but yes, O'Reilly is having a very good year, as is Nyquist. Shenn is playing well too. Trotts did a hell of a job in free agency in the off season. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year but he cobbled together a very good team that can make a deep run in the playoffs. It's been a very fun and enjoyable year to be a Preds fan.

The Preds are 13-0-2 in thier last 15 games. They really don't have alot of talent. Saros has regained his vezina level form after struggling to find his game much of the year. Josi's Norris level play is dragging along a bunch of bottom pairing/AHL level players to respectable defence. The top line of free agent additions O'Reilly and Nyquist along Forsberg have provided very solid two-way play. The middle six is cobbled together by a good third line center in Sissons, a couple young guys and some spare parts on a rotational basis. They may have the best forth line in hockey. Brunette deserves some Adams consideration, the whole is definitely better than the sum of its parts. Trotts is doing a great job in a rebuilding year, I expected a bottom five finish. I'm glad I didn't give up my season tix.

I think the addition of Byram has changed this team. I think they get a couple early goals tonight, 6K is dominant, and the coast to an easy victory.

I love afternoon hockey!!

I'm not familiar enough with Seider to have an opinion. My hope is that one day Dahlin can be as good as Josi.

Atlanta , Salt Lake City and Houston, definitely. Add in Kansas City or another mid-west team, maybe Oklahoma City or Omaha. Cincinnati or Cleveland maybe. Move Winnipeg to Milwaukee. 40 teams by 2035 should be doable. That would make for a perfect home and home 78 game schedule. I like it.