French Collection

It is not so much buying goals as it is increasing the talent level. The talents added are more offensive minded so the obvious jump will be goals for. Do not overlook a bump in production from Dahlin, who will create more offense and benefit from being surrounded by more talent. I see Skinner returning to 30 goal range which will boost overall totals and make other teams have to counter multiple threats.

Youth movement in Leaf Nation. Spezza, Jumbo, Simmonds and Bogo.

Keep in mind the Sabres will need to expose a goalie in the Kraken draft. If they have a 1A 1B scenario (Korpisalo/Ullmark), may the best man win. I like this setup with internal competition and a potential high number of back to back games.

VGK needs to move Fleury.

Offer sheet Cirelli or Sergachev. When Tampa matches the one, offer sheet type other and they will be above max cap.

He is only 1 year removed from junior hockey. Goalies usually need a lot of seasoning. Carter Hart has been the recent exception. My guess is 2 years in the AHL, if there is a season this year. A strong showing in Liiga right now would boost his confidence level.

I liked Mitts at that draft. I still have some hope for him but I see him going home to the Wild as a reclamation project for them. He has some value as a cost controlled 1st round prospect.

Simmonds, Bogosian and Vesey to the Leafs. I had a Leafs fan tell me yesterday that Bogo was a winner and would solve their RHD issues. Well he did win in his first ever playoff appearance so there is that. I didn’t have the heart to tell him he was the Sabres 5th best RHD. I just said to expect him to miss some games. They are making a big deal out of Simmonds‘ toughness. Unless he finds the fountain of youth he will get about 10 minutes a night and have minimal impact. We know he has passed his best before date, as do his previous few teams. I wish those three luck, except against the Sabres.

Signed some Hall guy, need Oates next.

Just wow!

Fleury was not my number one choice but VGK probably wants to dump him and most of the teams have settled their goalie situations and do not have the cap space. VGK is also hot and heavy for Pietrangelo, who will command big $$$. The question becomes, what is the sweetener? Marchessault? Tuch? prospects? picks? LHD (Theodore) for Risto/Montour? The other team still in cap hell is Tampa. We could get a top 6 forward cheaply there. I know there are many NMCs so I still hold out hope for Cirelli or Sergachev.

I will take Toffoli at this point but I hope it isn’t a deal that is too long. His numbers are similar to KOs and would hate to see more than 5 years to get TT signed. I know KO has had health issues but those contracts seem long for guys approaching 30. If they get Toffoli, can Zemgus be the veteran/defensive conscience on a 3rd line with Cozens and Thompson? Trade a RD for a LD and get some kind of goalie upgrade and they are close.

Eichel, Staal, Eakin. The centre spine picture is clearer. Larry would’ve been a true 4th liner now.

Thomas Greiss?

KA can make a big splash and many enemies by sending an offer sheet to Cirelli and Sergachev.

Didn’t those same fans say that about Frolik?

Plus he may still have the baggage of his girlfriend, who was the reason he was run out of Ottawa.

Any interest in Freddie Andersen as a cap dump for them?

I read somewhere that 8 guys from the Chicago Steel were drafted.

With fewer pics than most teams they should probably look at some College free agents and a few overage juniors to add some depth to the prospect pool.

Not really relevant to talent but I have a friend in Cobden who knows the family. He says Jack is a good kid from a good family.

I’m good with this pick, Germany is an emerging power and he’s one of the top juniors. Starred with Stuetzle in WJHC

Some of the names I like are: J.J. Peterka Jan Mysak C, short stint in OHL but did well Thomas Bordeleau C, link to Appert at US program Sam Colangelo Noel Gunler Helge Grans

Mavrik Bourque May be around for the Sabres 2nd pick. Is Mavrik the pick? I guess not, FU Stars.

He was a point a game player as a 16 year old, not in the OHL, but in a decent tier 2 Jr A league.