JoeSchmoe

How about Power's injury? Any updates there?

Don't like the trade but it's a done deal. We all know where Kesselring is going to play, but what about Doan? He has a Mule-esque sample size in the league of just 62GP and 28pts (which isn't bad for PPG). With it being subject to change post Byram deal and free agency, where does he fit into the lineup?

You're usually pretty well researched, so I genuinely want to know why think this. I see a guy who's got top end ability off the rush and has creativity to match. Even going back to the WJC's when he was playing with Stutzle I thought he was nearly as talented, just less hyped. I also feel like he's young enough to improve his defensive game, just as guys like Eichel and Matthews did as they matured.

I want to see the analytics of why this was a good trade. I looked through it, and it neither player are analytics darlings. Peterka has talent that can't be easily replaced.

I just had gallbladder removal surgery yesterday, so if anyone is planning on organizing a fan revolt/protest, can you save it for after the Byram deal? I'll need a week or two to recover and I really want in!

For anyone on here that wants to find the upside of Doan and Kesselring... Just remember we shipped Peterka's 68pts out the door to get it... Not to mention his potential. Dahlin and Thompson are going to want no part of this ***** show by the end of next year.

Punch in the gut. This is the new rock bottom guys.

For all his expectations, Hagens underproduced. He had two high end linemates, both of whom out produced him. Still, he'd collect his share of points by virtue of playing with them. The end story though is that Hagens was likely the passenger... Not the driver. I haven't watched him though, so the boots on the ground report may say otherwise. Hard to argue with the scoresheet though.

The worst thing in the press conference hasn't even been discussed yet. Pegula has his daughter sitting in on scouting meetings?!?!?! In what world would this be a thing for any other franchise in professional sports?!?!

"What Do You Do with a Number Like Nine?" You let that number get the neck surgery it wants and you sign veteran defense and goaltending to keep that number happy.

How many teams are in the business of acquiring futures with the forthcoming cap increases? Seems like a buyer's market.

I feel like this is something I'd like to see in the CFL. The only major roadblock though is that travel distances in North America aren't really compatible with minor league budgets. How is a minor league team from Victoria (furthest west metro in Canada) going to pay to send a team to St John's (furthest east metro). In European countries, everything is reachable by bus, which greatly reduces the travel $$$'s.

Weathermen get the bad rap, but NHL Insiders have them beat a million times over.

I disagree with the experts about this draft. It might not have a generational player like McKenna, but it's just as deep as any other draft. Keep in mind Misa played up his whole minor hockey career and was taken number 1 in the OHL draft as an Exceptional Status player. He had beaten McDavid's record for most points in an OHL cup. Schaefer was head and shoulders the #1 D man on Team Canada at the WJC (until he got hurt) which included last year's #11 overall Sam Dickinson who was touted as one of... if not the best defenseman in the CHL. Are the players 3 through 15 any different than any other year? I think there's a similar fall off from the top 2 as you'd see any other year. Remember, everyone thought 2015 was the big draft compared to 2014, but as time goes on the players from 2014 are looking better and better (ignoring that McDavid guy anyways). 😀 I think the "experts" just look at the top 1 or 2 guys, and extrapolate from there. These are all the same "experts" who had Brady Martin as a late first rounder, but overnight put him up to mid single digits after one U18 tournament. The same "experts" that completely ignore a guy like Carter Bear and his 40 goals in 56 games and despite @LGR4GM's insistence that he's one of the best motors in the draft. Meanwhile they consistantly place Jake O'Brien above him even though he has less goals in more games, about the same PPG, much lower motor, and has played on a really stacked team that would completely inflate his point totals.

I haven't kept tabs on this whole thread so maybe this was said over the 9 pages... Most people don't realize Byram's hometown of Cranbrook is geographically and demographically closer to Calgary than it is Vancouver. I would almost bet he grew up a Flames fan. For similar reasons as we do, the Flames have trouble attracting and retaining talent. They may lose Rasmus Anderson. If you're Calgary, wouldn't you consider overpaying for Byram, given you know there's a good chance he's a Flame for life?

Did anyone else notice that last night Skinner seemed to be the hardest working Oiler. Maybe it's that he's better rested both physically and mentally, but had the rest of the team had his jump, it could have been a closer game last night.

I can't say for sure what the guys would think, but in my mind some effort and losing should be better than no effort at all. It also saves one of our stars' like Tuch from doing the job.

It's about Samuelsson letting his teammates down in the moment and being mad at that. It was his battle to fight, and he chose not to. Going out there and doing it for him is just what a softee like him is hoping for.

I feel like if we had just one guy ready and willing to carry out a little locker room justice on a guy like Samuelsson, that would be the kick in the A this team needs. Sure, Samuelsson might cry his way outta town, but I'd hope the younger impressionable players would take note and get on board.

I've been saying since the beginning he deserves to go high. If he goes at 6 it's not an overdraft. I think the pro scouts are seeing the same things that anyone who's watched the kid since he was young has seen. He's got mental toughness and leadership that others don't have. You don't see this watching highlights and reading scouting reports, but the teams that will have interviewed him will for sure know.

GB still has a chance to qualify for the Olympics?

He was good. I could never understand why he didn't get more chances.

For everyone complaining about the lopsided officiating, did you not see the high stick before the 3rd Florida goal? McDavid or not, a cup for Edmonton is not in Bettman's best interest. It won't grow the game much more in Canada, and it certainly won't grow the game in the US compared to what a repeat for FLA would. It's just the same thing we see every year... Don't expect anything but the most blatent penalties to be called late in a Cup Final game... And if you're not coaching your team to play with this in mind, you're doing it wrong.

It's exciting for sure, but before you dig into your PTO, remember we don't get to see them play until training camp. I'm excited too since this would have been my son's draft year and he's played with or against a lot of the Ontario and US kids (he wasn't quite big/good enough to play major junior). But with all the lead up, I'm expecting to feel a bit of the "now what?" feeling once it's all over.

Given how much better old man Reimer was vs UPL, I could see a goalie transaction doing more for this team vs a coaching change.