Hoss

Tage Thompson is very good looking and has more goals than Evan Rodrigues

Eichel just coasting lazily. He can’t keep doing this crap.

This Penguins team is significantly better than us still.

My lord I hate those icing calls. It was a matter of inches...

On Insider Trading the guys said a few interesting (non-Sabres) things: - St. Louis may look to make a “significant trade” before considering firing Yeo. - Pens open for business. Only untouchables are Crosby and Malkin. Looking to make hockey deals it sounds like. - Jordie Benn likely available in Montreal.

Dunleavy looks like he’s been crying. Also that shot on him is way too tight.

Same. I’m not interested in the complaints about two guys who aren’t producing being in and out of the lineup on a team who has won five in a row. At this point I trust Housley more than a message board who thinks ERod is something special.

This doesn’t need its own thread but the stats are more interesting than just 33 years to the day.

Both. Realistically I think this question is tougher than this board will acknowledge. Jeff Skinner isn’t Phil Kessel. I’m not confident he ever will be. And chances are the last couple years of his $8M+ salary won’t be as good as the last few years of Phil’s sub-$7M salary. I probably take Jeff Skinner over the next three years, though.

Reinhart’s draft was considered weak top to bottom. It produced: Aaron Ekblad Samson Reinhart Leon Draisaitl Jake Virtanen William Nylander Nikolaj Ehlers Kevin Fiala Dylan Larkin Alex Tuch Nick Schmaltz Kasperi Kapanen David Pastrnak Brandon Montour Christian Dvorak Brayden Point Viktor Arvidsson That’s just a list of guys who have had an impact or are off to great starts this year. It’s worth noting it’s deep (that’s all your doing, so this isn’t a post against you really) but I always feel like those statements are kinda useless. Especially this far out. The draft truly is a wildcard nobody will ever conquer with any sort of confidence.

That’s cheap for where he is performing. And I don’t think he’s just going to suck instantly.

Another name to consider as the deadline approaches: Phil Kessel. The Pens are struggling and there was talk about him being dealt in the offseason. He’s 31 and has three years left at $6.8M each.

Casey DeSmith appears to be the starter in net for Pittsburgh

Jeremy White has been consistently wrong (I still think he makes this ***** up) but that’s understandable and what I would ask for if I was Skinner. Doesn’t mean he’ll get it and hopefully won’t be a huge issue to get him down $1 million from there.

Cliff Pu not off to a great start with the Checkers. One goal and one assist in 12 games.

If you’re actively improving and the goal is to win is there ever a “win-later mode?” You’re ALWAYS in win-now mode if you’re not tanking. That doesn’t mean giving up futures for current assets but I don’t think you’ll find a person in the organization who would say anything other than a cup is the goal. You also probably don’t trade for an expiring Jeff Skinner if you’re not trying to win right now.

Someone noted it somewhere here but we do have some draft pick trades outside of the first round to consider, as well. Our second is Carolina’s for Jeff Skinner. Our third or fourth (third if Sheary gets 40 points or we trade Hunwick, fourth if not) will go to Pittsburgh. Our fifth is Detroit’s for Scott Wilson. We have an extra sixth front Toronto for giving them our sixth last year. We may have an extra third - San Jose has to give us their fourth this year or third next year for Kane. We also sent Carolina our 2020 third and sixth. Picked up a seventh in 2020 from the Stars. Some reporters have been saying picks NEXT year (2020) will be hard to come by because of the incredible RFA class and offer sheets but we know how afraid GMs are of actually doing those.

I haven’t mentioned Pavelski because I don’t imagine he’s going anywhere but boy would I love to bring him in to lead the second line. Or, more ideally, the Sharks realize they can’t keep everyone and decide to move Couture. That’s a guy I would give a ton for.

Anyone have some names in mind between now and the deadline they find appealing? I’ve mentioned Mark Stone and Artemi Panarin, the two top forward rentals on the market. I expect Columbus plans to hold the bread man unless they fall apart. Stone I think Ottawa tries very hard to re-sign but could be moved. Toffoli is a name with term I would love to bring in if you can find a way to “buy low.” I don’t think he’s the 30 goal scorer (unless with Jack) that he was a couple years ago but he’s settling in as a good all-around guy who will pot 20-30 each season. Derick Brassard could be that second-line center that easily slides down to the third line over time once Mitt’s game matures. Wayne Simmonds has always been a favorite of mine. Couple other guys I have interest in if they become available for less than a first-round pick: Justin Williams, Jordan Eberle, Zuccarello. For an idea who will be out there: https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/ufa/

But the value of those guys is the equivalent of a plastic fork. Useful. Disposable. You’d rather have a more long-term fork solution. Environmentally irresponsible. Errr forget that last part. You can find useless, useful, good and great players outside of the top ten. But the percentages are incredibly low that you find anything above useful. I want more first round picks generally but I will absolutely flip late firsts when I can add to a possible playoff team. And I don’t believe in any thinking that tells me you need to be patient because you’re young and will contend for a while. Everything changes in sports way too fast to consider five/six/seven years from now. Eichel could get hurt. Dahlin could get hurt. The guys who are developing could hit a wall. You never know. I think it’s great to make the playoffs and would be happy with the season if they made it and were eliminated early. But the Cup is always the goal when you’re in contention so adding at the deadline inches you closer to that reality sooner.

Set the hypotheticals yourself. What scenario would it take for you to do it? What scenario would it take for you to not do it?

@nfreeman I would give one up for a short-term rental such as Mark Stone or Artemi Panarin if we’re firmly a playoff team (several games over the 9th place team) but I don’t see either scenario presenting itself to us.

Making this type of move is also a good way to ensure your NHL team remains competitive at the same time your AHL team does if the assets are mainly draft picks. I don’t believe JBots should have the mindset of “best player I can get for a first is coming here” kinda deal but it’s certainly an option he can’t shut his mind off to. Chances are you don’t have to use a first at the deadline to land a piece or two that helps you lock up a playoff spot. Also, February sounds so early for the deadline for some reason.

I may not be opposed to this eventually. Going to take a massive character overhaul that I’m skeptical will come. Yea, these situations aren’t really comparable to Kane right now. Karlsson was never going to stay. Duchene was never going to stay. Skinner and O’Reilly seemed to wear out their welcome. Domi was not near what he is right now (which is an indictment of Arizona). I think it would take a ton to get Kane.

It’s not an unreasonable position but I am a little surprised at this sell at all costs mentality that’s still here. Pominville has nine goals and eight assists. One of the top scorers on the entire team and people still want him scratch/tossed aside. But ERod has done jack ***** and this place loves him. At some point production has to matter.