French Collection

Speaking of weaponizing cap space. The Wild got a fourth round pick from the Leafs for retaining 25% of ROR’s salary. Because of the structure of his deal it only cost them $75K in actual dollars for that pick, I am happy the Sabres didn’t help the Leafs but there are many other deals like that to be had, and some may net more than 4th rounders.

ROR is past his best before date but he could do well as a third liner. They are playing him with Marner and Tavares tonight though. Their goaltending will be their downfall again. I don’t think they can get by Tampa, Boston or Carolina.

Time to cash in on some games in hand.

Nadeau with 2 assists in a win. Gatineau has won 9 in a row.

Bloom missed on a shorthanded breakaway, he gets a lot of those chances.

Edmundson is listed as a scratch for Montreal tonight. I thought he would be in their top 6. Maybe trade related?

He might. If his business pursuits are more important to him, he may not sign anywhere.

7 Canadian teams but the Leafs take up 80% of the news. The old broadcast crew of Bob Cole and Harry Neale treated HNIC like a national broadcast. I’m shocked when Craig Simpson says anything good about another team. Leafblowers.

3-1 Devils over the Pens, 8:20 left in the 2nd.

HNIC is helping Leaf Nation in planning the Stanley Cup parade.

Buffalo has definitely drafted better. They need to find some D prospects now. Keep drafting F too but get some Dmen in the pipeline. I liked Nazar at the draft, his injury cost him this season. It will be interesting how he plays next year.

Teams seem to change up between those kind of coaches and players coaches. I guess they want the good cop/bad cop thing going. Bring in a softer guy after having the roster beat down by a Keenan type and then bring in a Keenan type when the atmosphere becomes like a country club.

A 19 year old draft would be better for everyone. There would need to be a mechanism for special players to option at 18 if they are a sure thing to make the NHL. Teams would get another year of scouting and make more informed choices. Late bloomers would have a better chance to get selected. Players would be better developed to turn pro post draft. I think it was Ken Linseman who sued the NHL because they were preventing him from earning a living at 19, when the draft was for 20 year olds

I get it when an elite first rounder makes the NHL and plays decent minutes. If a kid barely plays he may be better dominating in the CHL. Getting pushed around in the AHL may not be a great option for 18-19 year olds. When a kid has dominated play at the CHL, he’s ready to move on.

Leafs and Rangers picks are late ones but it will be interesting if they try and move up by bundling. Blues won’t really have a shot at Bedard but it is a good year.

I was a CHL season ticket holder for many years and it’s great to have U20 talent around. Your idea of draft +1 makes sense if the kid has outgrown junior hockey. Maybe each NHL team gets 1 annual exemption.

Games in hand mean nothing if they lose. Sharks seem to struggle vs Sabres. Let’s go Buffalo! I’ve put money on them tonight, the other two times have been wins.

I think he gets 9 games and then there will be a tough decision to make. He can make it easy by having a great start or he can get lucky with some injuries letting him get more games.

Acciari might be the better player of those two.

Speaking of Nashville, Shayna Goldman mentioned Fabbro on Sabres live as a potential RHD.

That team will have a lot of prospects next year. In Shawinigan Nadeau was a big net front presence on the PP, 17 of his 35 goals. He has 14 of 16 this year at even strength. I watched him in the playoffs last year and his short passes and his board work were good. I think he has a higher ceiling than Bloom, but Bloom is a good PKer who can score.

Leadership qualities. He has only played 20 games for them.

Anything can be fixed with duct tape.

Yes, he’s elite at his current level. He just needs to move up and continue developing. I think he will be the #1 in Buffalo in a couple of years.

My point is that the old guys have more upside adjusting to the 2023 rules, equipment, strategy and style of play. The NCAA guys are already up to speed on those fronts. The only growth left is getting a bit stronger and adjusting their games. In a limited period of time I find there is a lot more upside in HOF talents learning new things with new tools than college level guys playing a new type of opponent.