French Collection

I am at a point where an overpayment of prospects and picks is OK. You don’t need to worry about winning the trade in the long term, just get the better player now.

Some things are tough to measure. Development runway due to work ethic. Growth in size and strength. Desire to be an NHLer. Willingness to play a role that is outside of the current skillset. Team first attitude. Interviews at the combine attempt to dig into this but scouts could get a few nuggets during the year from coaches, staff, family and friends. Everyone will be promoting the kid and scouts have to glean through the information. I agree with many here that want some grit and compete if the Sabres keep the pick. Martin and Bear fit in that regard.

Kills penalties, wins faceoffs and skates very well. Good middle six player.

We know KA doesn’t take advantage of cap space or other teams who need it. This is where the adult in the room has to speak up or knock some sense into KA andTP.

Bob was making saves but giving up tons of rebounds, Oilers had no traffic. Tkachuk goal was a perfect example of the impact of traffic .

Yeah, time for them to move on from Erik Karlsson as their go to. Dahlin has been better than Karlsson for a few years now. Hedman is probably their go to because of experience but they saw Dahlin as an equal at that tournament.

Agree. I am happy that Landeskog has returned to the NHL and hope that he regains his past form. It is difficult to determine where his game is at after missing 2+ years of playing. I guess it is a sign of respect from Swedish hockey for his leadership ability and perseverance to come back.

I was talking to a guy who attended many OHL games this year. He thought that O’Brien did not really stand out. Misa and Schaefer had many WOW moments and were usually the best players on the ice. Martin was like a dog on a bone, he was relentless. Martone was big and effective but lacked the wow factor. Nothing new to hear but this continues to reinforce my take on some of the top guys.

US Open golf coverage of 12+ hours on a brutal Oakmont course. Pros shooting high 70s is relatable scoring wise but I would not break 100 there.

Walt Tkaczuk was a C for the Rangers in the 70’s. Keith broke in when people still remembered him. Calgary fans feel a pain similar to us watching Reinhart.

My father in law taught school with Bryan Murray and knew the family. He used to say they were tough and honest people who told it like it was. I don’t think diplomacy was GMTMs strong suit and the meddling was probably too much.

I agree that Chicago and San Jose are targets. Byram would have the opportunity to become their PP1 Dman and get tons of minutes. He has a lot of value to other teams without a #1 offensive Dman, Cup winner, draft pedigree, decent offense without PP time and he is still young.

There are no untouchables on this team, the only guy I would keep is Dahlin because he is a core piece that is not easily replaced. He is more than a one trick pony. If JJP returns a good piece, not futures, I move him. If he brings back a solid RHD or a #1 goalie then it is a net gain in my mind. If the return is not a forward, I would go all out to get Ehlers, a similar player but with playoff experience and more maturity. If he is part of a Robertson deal, then we get the better player. Moving JJP, Power or Byram, UPL, Quinn, Samuelsson and #9 pick could bring back some good pieces as well as a needed change of attitude.

McLeod, Broberg and Holloway were 3 homegrown guys that were entering their productive years. You are right that getting futures for these guys cost them depth and experience. Skinner was a gamble that didn’t pay off but Kapanen was a good pickup. If they don’t seal the deal this year I wonder what tweaks they undergo? Nurse is hugely overpaid, they could get similar value for half that price, imo.

I can’t see how an 18 year old can’t beef up in 3-5 years. 6’5 185 is pretty lanky, more suited for basketball.

US Open golf this week at Oakmont, near Pittsburgh. I can’t get enough of Majors. All of the top guys are playing well except for Rory McIlroy who has had a big dip in form since his Masters win, almost like an extended hangover from completing the career grand slam. Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite but this game is unpredictable. You’re not going head to head vs a competitor, you’re playing against a field of 150+ others and vs Mother Nature. Thrilling finish to the Canadian Open, Ryan Fox needing 4 extra holes to beat Sam Burns.

He had wrist surgery, ligament damage. The word was him being out for the playoffs.

Add Stone to LTIR and they can sign Bennett too.

The answer is already in the dressing room, just ask Terry.

Handcuff DeBoer with the existing assistants, goalies and they probably still miss.

Better than what the Habs did with Scandella.

Our hot tub is under the clothesline, the cover needs cleaning every day. First year this has happened.

I find that some years it was a trophy given to a centre who was never going to win an Art Ross or Hart trophy but was a good scoring C and good defensively. Since the Lehkonen days the defensive specialist wingers like Gainey and Ramsey are not really in the conversation. Same as the Norris going to a Rod Langway type, it’s now the Art Ross of Dmen.

The Canadian broadcasts are constantly talking about his defensive prowess, especially when he is not scoring. No way is he in the same league as Barkov, Kopitar etc..

I wrote that in another thread. Why wouldn’t he be happy to make a million to only play 30-40 games, with around 10 minutes per game.