French Collection

We see the change that has been creeping in. It has been moving at a slow pace but now seems like full steam ahead. The light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train. It will become easier to attract talent that “wants to be here” once the team is good, which leads to a full barn and so on. I know I am being Captain Obvious here but KA has to be given credit for his vision and patience. Now, just find some goaltending help and at least one vet RHD.

Vesey was a big miss by TM. You would think he had some inside knowledge of the guy’s wishes, but I think TM thought he could convince him. I think KA wouldn’t make that trade. Adam Fox is the most prominent NCAA draftee that went the FA route I can think of. Calgary drafted him, traded his rights to Carolina who then moved him to the Rangers. I think he’d made it clear to them that he was going Rangers or bust. Tied their hands but they got a bit for him. I doubt anyone thought he would win a Norris.

Going to a World Championship or a World Juniors in Sweden is high on my bucket list.

Asplund and Girgs were drafted as C’s. I think they will need to work on their face off skills to replace Eakin but they are definitely an upgrade in every other area.

I enjoyed the podcast. KA was open about culture, leadership and development.

Next man up, I guess. Try another free agent or two from Europe, NCAA etc… Someone might break through. I would target C, RHD and a G.

One game at a time boys. You know they can beat the Candy Canes. Dahlin gets some good body contact on Jarvis at some point, I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten. Oh yeah, a couple of points for Rasmus as well. Let’s go Buffalo!

You managed to raise my stress level by bringing up late people. I would rather be 1/2 hour early than 1 second late. My wife, who is rarely late but never leaves a buffer for traffic, emergency vehicles, weather etc… drives me nuts. My son takes after her, but is slow, is rarely on time. I cannot be a part of him getting ready for anything, I want to pull what little hair I have left out. Watching people wait, buses honking for him etc… I am part of my own stress in this but I can’t become like them.

Edm at LAK tonight. I hope this one goes to OT with LA winning. Leafs at Dallas. Let’s go Stars!

Maybe Tuch and Krebs would get them in.

This is fun. I didn’t go along with their recommended team need. I got Frank Nazar, Marco Kasper, Ty Nelson and Sam Rinzel in the first two rounds. Offensive F, 3-4C, 2 RHD.

Good points. Some team(s) probably have a young, cheap goalie that is ready for a shot. They are tight against the cap and will want to get rid of an older goalie. I have a feeling this is KA’s move. It better be a decent goalie because UPL has holes and Anderson will be 41, if he comes back.

Ugly helmets. 5-1 loss in their own barn. No sense of desperation, I guess.

Dahlin and Power should provide offence from the back end but the thread is about superstar forwards. I say no, a balanced attack can win a cup.

Michigan could lose tomorrow, and he could sign on Friday. I think he plays the Leafs game, win or lose the Frozen Four.

JJ has been on fire. It’s time for Quinn to take centre stage again. 2G 2A is my prediction.

Leafs fans are over the moon about Auston Matthews getting 50 goals. Bossy did it in his rookie season and for 9 consecutive seasons. He would have done it for a few more if not for health issues. He also scored at a 54 goal season pace during the tighter checking playoffs.

I wasn’t sure where to put this, he isn’t eligible for the NHL draft until 2025. Michael Misa from the Mississauga Senators U16AAA team just broke McDavid’s scoring record at the OHL Cup tournament. This tournament showcases the best 2006 players in Ontario. Misa is a 2007 born player. He has applied for exceptional status. The Sabres will not be a lottery team in 2025 but I hope to see this guy light up the OHL for a few years.

Kopitar was LA’s best forward on their cup teams. He is really good but not an Art Ross type of player. He has only been over a point a game once in his career. His two way game is elite but he is not the prototypical superstar.

Teams with superstars are “sexier” for the media, but I like teams that roll 3 good lines and a 4th that can contribute. When you have scoring depth it is a mystery as to who will be the hero during the game. The Oilers need McDavid or Draisaitl to be the heroes or they lose.

He brought the Tank Stank. It will be tough for Vegas to make it. Dallas winning a few more will put tons of pressure on them. They can’t activate Stone and Martinez because of the cap, so that adds to the stress. I have doubts about Lehner, I think Fleury is the better goalie, and teammate. Lehner is the younger, cheaper option but they pooped the bed on the cap anyway.

As we’ve mentioned before, add Quinn, JJP and Power to the mix and they could have two potent PP units.

Panthers beat Leafs in OT. Down 5-1 they come back to win 7-6. Blow Leafs Blow!

I watched this, lots of information on guys I have not seen. In general they are down on OHL guys, you can tell they lost a year of development. They are not high on Geekie or Savoie for that matter. Nazar is near the top of their board. Mintyukov is top ten for them, they like him nearly as much as Jiricek and Nemec. LHD though.

Don’t forget Power. He will be a rookie but getting his feet wet this spring should help. I don’t expect tons but he is a 1st overall pick and a year older and stronger.