PerreaultForever

Thrown in to a package deal might be a viable option. I could see that happening somewhere if KA is going to be really aggressive, but I do not think he will be. I think the general tone of the off season will be follow the plan and stay the course. Not my plan, but I don't think KA will change it.

Wait a sec, "where no one is villified for what they say" ? So he's saying that before people (players, coaches. GMs, owner?) WERE "villified" for what they say? That's a really strange comment I've never heard before about a locker room. Makes me wonder what it means and who was villifying who. (and I think "villified" is spelled vilified but what do I know, Harrington's the paid professional writer)

I don't see it. You've listed 2 teams up there with a philosophy completely antithetical to what VO delivers. If Calgary fires Sutter maybe, but otherwise I can't see Trots or Sutter looking at VO and thinking ya, that's what we need a soft undersized lazy goal scorer. maybe the Ducks or Chicago if they're done tanking and want a temp. while their prospects develop. I still don't see us getting much in return though. I could be wrong. If KA gets a 2nd or more I will give him a big thumbs up.

Okay, but if he's that good, why'd you want him gone? We shall see.

Why would Minnesota want him? imo if he's back here next year it'll mean KA failed in free agency. It'll be a little like re-signing Anderson was this year. It's time to turn the page. As mentioned elsewhere, everything Murray gone.

and as a result Fletcher is currently looking for work 🙂 If VO was stylistically not a fit I'd say sure, but we want him gone because he is a flawed hockey player and the word "lazy" has been used many times by many people. That's not an easy sell. Certainly not for a premium price tag. I will be pleasantly shocked if we get anything better than a 3rd.

ROR was a big add, but they do not have playoff level goaltending so I doubt it.

Not far away but their key players are a little younger. No idea if they have anything left in their prospect pool. Probably not a lot. I think Tampa fades slowly but sticks around competing for another 3-5 years sort of like Pittsburgh's been doing this last while (until this year). Big question for me would be the Leafs. If they fail to advance this year will it be a firing and a big trade or two? I doubt they tear down, but they might feel the need to move at least one of the big 4.

The desire to remove him is undoubtedly real. Why do people think other teams will want a guy we don't want? They have scouts and watch video too you know.

Probably. 10-1 Foligno and Forbert are feeling a lot better in Boston too.

Boston's like that too. The bar is simply much higher in cities like that. They expect more. Washington boots the coach but not the GM so I guess they think they can have one more run???? I think Pittsburgh and Washington are both done.

I actually don't think he will be able to get much in a trade and will therefore not trade him. VO is next year's Vinnie Hinostroza.

Fair enough. Get VO 30 to increase his trade value.

So what are Sabrespacer’s thoughts on the team? Management underestimated their potential and missed an opportunity. Fill the holes and we can be in the playoffs next year. If they don't, we will be right back on the bubble (maybe in maybe out depends on luck and injuries) but right around where we are again. What is overall grade for the season? C+ Can't go higher for a non playoff team. What grade would you give Adams and Granato (including his staff)? C Adams gets an A last year but see first comment for this one. Granato on his own gets a B- as he has brought the team together and developed players well but he still needs to teach them how to defend and prevent goals, not just score them. What grade would you give the Forwards, the Defense and the Goaltenders? Forwards B (they get an A when they can play 2 way), D as a unit gets a D, but the top 3 get a B+, Goal was a D but Levi gets an A- for his small body of work. What grade would you give the Power Play and the Penalty Kill? PP B+, PK F. Who is your MVP? Tage. Who is your ROY? Power Who is your MIP (most improved player)? Cozens (Mitts gets runner up for his late season surge) Who is your unsung hero? Zemgus. Totally UNSUNG, but a solid constant and an exemplary role player. Might be his last season all the same. I get what people are saying about UPL but to me an unsung hero is more of a constant presence rather than a guy who had a hot streak but otherwise is inconsistent. Zemgus is just who he is, but you can also count on him every night to be who he is.

Damn I was hoping Tage going for 50 would give the game some meaning. Farewell to Kyle? idk, I guess I will watch so that I can say I saw all 82. Hopefully something entertaining happens.

Trade up or down might be worth exploring this year. Have to wait for the actual draft order to see where we end up.

Not surprised they were fired but I think they were in a bit of an unfair bind. Sort of like JBot with Eichel, they came in and they had to meet with and appease Crosby. I remember hearing somewhere that Burke felt they should tear down and rebuild for last season already but Crosby wanted another kick at the can, and then another and they really had no choice but to try for the playoffs again, even with an aging roster that had virtually no chance and few options to improve. Catch 22 all the way. Hope Burke goes back to being the loudmouth old guy on HNIC. He used to amuse me there with all his "truculence" comments. Watch Philly re-hire Hextall as President 🙂 🙂

Reinbacher is the best, I agree, but he will be gone before we pick (unless we move up places). Second round is probably where we can get some D for sure.

So unless we get lucky, it's lucky 13th. Axel Pelikka by Sportsnet's current rankings. Reinbacher will be gone before 13th. Too high for Oliver Bonk (2nd round pick if he slips). Not many D possibilities at that point. I kind of like Matthew Wood. Nate Danielson wouldn't upset me if he's still there at 13. I'm still BPA, but I'm hoping we can load up on several D men in this draft. If players are close, I'm going D over forward given what we already have and don't have in the system.

Oh are they back next year? I thought teams were changing 3rd jerseys every year - to sell more jerseys. But that's good if they are back every year. I love them.

The word "nothing" is a little too extreme. By not doing "anything" I suppose I should have worded that more as not doing nearly enough. Although I definitely feel he needs to make some big moves I think there is a real possibility he will stay the course of in house development. Your goalies will be Levi as the starter and UPL as the back up with Comrie sent down to Rochester. Your starting D could be Dahlin-Samuelsson, Power- Jokiharju, Stillman-Lybushkin, although he might add a lower tier FA for "depth". Maybe a Kyle Burroughs or Connor Carrick type. Maybe even Mayfield. A bottom end guy. and no forward activity at all aside from a re-sign or two and maybe a VO trade away. Not what I want, but wouldn't surprise me at all.

Nice to get the win so they could have the sweet send off for Anderson. That was a nice moment. (also happy Greenway did in fact give Tkachuk a little smack 🙂 ) and with that, the goat heads go back into the closet. Enjoy your retirement Craig.

It's definitely possible, but there are some holes that need to be filled. We all know what they are, we will see what KA does to fill them (if anything).

Starting Anderson is the classy move. Hopefully the team rallies with that and gives him a good send off. As always, somebody should smack Tkachuk. Just because.

I don't disagree with the overall assessment you made. The D and goaltenders is definitely their strength and forwards are thinner next year for sure. More likely the lines are: Marchand - ? - DeBrusk Hall - Zacha - Pasternak Frederic - Coyle - Lauko ? - Koppanen - Greer I think Hathaway might sign for a small discount as he has said he's always wanted to play in Boston and loves it there but you know, everyone has their price. Lysell is their wild card. Beecher, Poitras, Harrison all possible future centers (or wingers) but not sure any of them are ready yet (if ever). Bruins don't develop in the NHL like the Sabres. Really, one center away assuming Bergeron and Krejci are gone.