Hoss

There is no ***** way this franchise should sign Samson to a one-year deal. They shouldn’t consider anything less than four years and if it’s something he pushes for you stop negotiations and trade him.

A thought that I’m not all that passionate about because I partially don’t care enough and because he’s not THAT good that I’m scrambling to retain him: What if this team commits to dealing Eichel and goes to Samson and tells him if he signs long-term he’s the captain of this team moving forward?

Which is to say his NMC is a major influence. Move him before he controls everything.

Directionless

I should probably use this tool. You use it well. I will say Vegas could be an interesting partner here ... but I want a higher ceiling than what they have to offer for Jack. They're probably a better fit for a Reinhart deal. Also, you're not getting a player and two decent picks for Girgensons. He wasn't worth a 3rd prior to injury. He wouldn't fetch a 4th straight up now. Love that Arizona trade.

The chances of this approach blowing up in their face as Eichel's NMC comes into effect next offseason and he says he'll only play for Boston is about 400%. The sports business has passed by this type of thinking because players finally realized they deserve a seat at the proverbial table.

While I think they likely did bring that second opinion up and the Sabres probably declined to go with it ... it's also possible Jack just flat wants out and is choosing this as his means of an exit. It's like when you're in a bad relationship and there's so many problems but it's the fact that she puts the toilet paper roll on backwards that gets you out the door.

This gets tossed out every once in a while during conversations like this and I always laugh. It's not an option. Ever.

I hadn't really thought about current NHL assistants much but the second I did I realized EXACTLY who I want for the job ... MANNY MALHOTRA. I give an extreme endorsement of him as the head coach but I honestly think he'd either stay in Toronto and take another job over coming here (for obvious reasons). He should be number one on everyone's list. Extremely respected as a player and his transition to coaching has been smooth with a ton of measured success. Good read-up on his ability to execute a vision and lead in areas that were outside his abilities as a player. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/power-play-dominance-just-one-aspect-malhotras-early-impact-leafs/

I'm not trading any of our key pieces not named Risto to Seattle. They literally have nothing but draft picks currently and I don't see them getting appealing enough young pieces to make me want to work out a deal. Only deal with them is a cap dump which I don't envision nor do I think it's the best way to use your young assets.

If they've learned anything those two won't be logging top six minutes at center on their own. They'll have maybe one of them on the second line at center but you've got to get another body, ideally a young vet in one of the deals, that slides in right away. A guy like Sean Monahan.

More context:

He was definitely asked. And he's probably an expert on what it's like to be in that locker room and get steamrolled by bad juju.

This has nothing to do with the actual coaching search but Dominic Moore is a guy I always thought would be a great coach and he just looks the part. He is on NBCSN right now and just seems like a dude that'd be really good behind the bench. My ideal situation is a veteran coach who can come in and right the ship but has a young assistant that is essentially waiting in the wings.

Nylander, Grigorenko, Girgensons in the first. Some 2nds that never even came close to being NHL players.

This team can’t afford to give away a portion of Eichel’s value for someone who is more likely than not to walk in a year or two. It’d be a total loss. Sure, you could do yet another trade with that player down the road but is that really the road we want to keep going down?

No. I’m not taking any possible rentals or risks here. I need all the pieces involved (aside from contracts to make the money work) to be long-term pieces. At least three years of control.

I’m in NC. They talked it about it on sportscenter and on their other shows

Shocked me when I saw every show discussing it.

This might get some rocks thrown at me for this but ... is anyone else kind of excited about this? There’s a few factors at play here, most of which are short-term thinking. 1. It’s good to have some clarity here. Eichel clearly doesn’t want to be here. No more rumors. Dude ***** hates it here. 2. It’s something to talk about for a while here and elsewhere and something to at least make us pay attention to this team for. 3. Superstar trades in sports are fun. Just to see how someone is valued in their profession and the many pieces that end up going the other way. Plus all the rumors and proposals leading up to it. None of this makes this team better (unless you absolutely knock it out of the park with the trade) ... but it’s something, I guess.

LOL at the idea of taking on salary to talk about Horvat “OR” Boeser in a deal involving Jack Eichel. There have already been rumors about Vancouver listening to offers on Boeser.

Fun fact: Ryan Miller is the final player in the NHL to have worn the goathead. End of an era.

Eichel and Risto to Vancouver for Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, Olli Joulevi and a first

Knowing this team that’s the exact return we get. And I mean exact. Those same players. But at this age.

Replying so this gif blesses people twice.