kas23

Unfortunately, this is what we are seeing. Doesn't look like anything good will be going their way except for picks. However, they were in the driver's seat and this is the road they chose. Snooze.

This plus the nostalgia it offered Terry. He sounded like he was in his 30s again when he described what Head Job Howie play.

I'll admit, I didn't hear the interview so don't know what exact words he chose, but why would Housley talk up 2 players that are surely going to be left unprotected in a few days? It would be an odd thing to say considering what (we believe) is about to happen.

It seems young defensemen, or even promising defensive prospects, are worth their weight in gold. Heck, I bet all a team has to do to build a true contender is to draft defensemen with their 1st round picks every year. Assuming they hit on most of their 1st rounders (and hit on some later round forwards), they can flip their spare D (the ones that are good, but not elite, or their D prospects) for outstanding forwards or add them in FA. Did anyone get to ask him how he determines, or what he considers, BPA?

This was an obvious way of talking up these 2 jokers in an effort to get McPhee take take one of them. There's zero reason to otherwise single them out. There may already be a trade in place for Kane.

Geez, I would've hoped they would have spoke by now. Too busy watching the SC?

That quote is going to live for eternity.

His "first head job"????

Did he just say he signed his contract a few days ago?

"It'll be fast"

I love the hire. Listening to Pegs speak, this looks like Pegs clearly leaned on JBott for this hire. I think Pegs put the block on Tocchet.

The problem is that this can be said of any defenseman drafted. They aren't likely going to make a meaning contribution with the next 2 years, but this isn't a reason to ignore drafting them high. Maybe GMTM had that on his mind when he didn't draft defense last year.

It's only a matter of time Housley gets an NHL HC job though. If he doesn't get it this year in Buffalo, there's no need to panic as he'll almost certainly have more chances next year. And I also think that if Housley doesn't get the Buffalo job, it's not due to him being a bad candidate (or lacking NHL HC experience). He's excellent, but he's going up against a first time GM who will likely want to hire his friend.

This has Russ Brandon written all over it.

I guess it depends on what else that team is offering and how much you like the UFA.

BPA, as a term we throw around, is an invention of the media and the fans to give themselves something to write/talk about. No such consensus exists. There's 1 person per team who decides which player to draft. This selection will be colored by not only personal preference, but also system, need (yes, need) of players to fit that system, and positions within that system. So, BPA really means BPA for that team. There's going to be some "need" baked into that decision.

Would this have any impact over him being selected or not?

This is a prediction that is entirely expected though. Anyone on here would expect them to make a decision by next week. The "by" is the key word.

Don't worry, Bob Woods is apparently still employed and can continuing coaching the PP.

This would seem more reasonable if teams are at least asking to remove NMCs for every player instead of just singling out certain players to ask.

Maybe not directly, but I'm sure short messages were relayed via their agents.

But, this is what the "draft" is. Across all sports, it's seen as a way of re-distributing talent to those teams that need it most. If young players could choose their team, then this system is subverted. As for teams picking players and not having to sign them; it's true, the franchises have the upper hand. These are the rules because the franchises hold the power. It's a draft. If a player thinks this is unfair, there are many other hockey leagues where they can play. And this is totally ignoring the fact of why this loophole only exists for NCAA players.

Me too. I just think if this was going to happen, it would've already done so. I think the Ducks have a plan for how they are going to handle their excess D or they are asking a king's ransom.

Just like it's been suggested over and over on here: if the player doesn't want to sign after 3 years, they re-enter the draft and start all over again. It's really that simple. Players should have a say who they definitely won't play for, but ejecting like this should be a last resort, not end up being a reward. I know this doesn't happen often, but we've seen it happen once already (Vesey) and it's a very real possibility with Petersen - all in the past couple years. I think the young draftees are much different than those 10-20 years ago. Heck, even players' attitudes towards the game have changed. I think we're going to see this more often now.

I think this is rather odd too. Imagine the NFL Combine with no QBs throwing the ball or no RBs or WRs running?