PerreaultForever

I always dumped on Sam because I saw him as a poor leader and an off again on again type player. In hindsight I now think his relationship with Jack held him back. He played his best hockey for us last year when Jack was out of the line up and pretty much already gone and now he's even better in Florida. He isn't a leader, not his personality, but surrounded with the right players he is a solid player. There I said it. Hell didn't freeze over. He still had to go though. House had to be cleaned. I agree with you on Tage. If I'm KA I'm not dumping a pile of money on him right now. I'm waiting to see if he brings it next year again and if he does he gets his value next contract, but no ransom demand like Skinner, just fair value for whatever level he brings.

The move to center was genius. He doesn't really hit people using that size but he's learned to really use that reach. His shot also seems more accurate this year. He's picking the corners and open spots rather than just shooting into the goalie as he did a lot the year before. Just a confidence thing maybe but it's working. Needs to work on his face off skills but otherwise he's become quite good indeed.

I think they really want to go with what they have so they are going to stick with Dahlin on the other side unless it fails miserably. So, Samuelson - Dahlin Power - Joker Bryson - Fitz. As I've said elsewhere, I'd add this guy at RHD and bump Fitz down to #7 https://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/n265362

RHD. Toughness and relative reliability, what we need. https://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/n265362

I didn't notice this at the time, but just came across it and wow, maybe we should re-sign Cody for another year after all.

Oh wow, that says it all right there doesn't it? No wonder Ullmark is doing goalie hugs now.

Preds are in according to the NHL.com site. They must hold a tie breaker on Vegas now.

Well we have to wait another night, but Dallas plays Arizona tomorrow so if they don't get a point there they don't deserve to get in, Eichel hate or not. You know one thing I noticed in this game is how often Eichel gives the puck away and then the other team gets to break out. I know he gave the puck away here, but the whole team did so it wasn't as noticeable. On a better team it really showed. I saw Nashville beat Colorado in a game this year. Really hard physical game. That would be a fun series to watch.

Except they won the Stanley Cup and ROR was the Conn Smyth winner but whatever.

Continuity will also help. Last bunch of years we've always had about half a team and the other half filled up with retreads and pick ups and maybes. Next year's team will likely look very similar to what we are seeing now. Also, adding a decent goalie would be huge. D will look better as well if we do that.

Technically he didn't. It's not like he intentionally put his foot in.

Ya, but I'd argue ROR was not a cancer. He wanted to get away from the cancer. That's certainly the way it seems in hindsight. He definitely didn't ruin St. Louis.

I would not have undone the Eichel trade. At the time I felt it should have been Tuch Krebs and 2 firsts but now the way things have gone I'm happy with just Tuch and Krebs and the picks are just free dessert. If either is a decent player we win the trade big time. ROR for me is harder to answer. Tage is younger, and it looks like he is pretty good now, but imo ROR is still the better player and more valuable to a team. Having said that, the trade had to be made so it's fine in the long run. If we could go back in time and undo the situation and never make the trade however, that might have been ideal.

Well that was a fun read, and I can't disagree with any of it. Regarding ROR, I still think it broke down when they made Jack captain. If they'd given the C to ROR maybe things would have gone differently. or in hindsight, maybe the one who should have been traded then was Jack. In any event, cleaning house was the right move and I'm glad KA did it. Now maybe we get to stop talking about draft position in December and focus on playoff possibilities. Jack can just be forgotten about, wallowing out west until he leaves Vegas and becomes a Bruin which I still think will happen one day. Then we can really relish a downfall and reversal.

I guess I'm different. I don't care about the draft pick. It'll be some guy we hope is good later. Maybe will maybe won't. I want Eichel to lose. I want him to never win. His post game comments after the home coming said all that needs to be said. Yes, I blame Eichel for our decade of frustrations. I want an Eichel stick smash. That would make my night.

Pang was crazy small. Skinny too. Remember Gary Bromley? I'm thinking he was pretty small but played some big games for a while. Small goalies have a tougher time making it, but if they have the speed and agility they can succeed. I think Levi will be just fine.

Well Hull is an exception I'd say. His foot work took him to new heights.

Last thing out of Philly I heard was they are not sure when (or if) he will be back. Even if he is back, he's far too damaged to take a chance on imo. Philly fans all feel they got damaged goods in that deal and are stuck with his contract.

Ellis has a bum hip. I would steer clear of that gamble.

You might have to be a member to read this, but this thread is a fun read from the sidelines. https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/is-the-golden-knights-problem-jack-eichel.2879670/

I love this. 10-1 he says he's not 100% from his surgery.

Although it's a sin around here you all know Boston's my B team, but I don't think they have a realistic shot. Canes smoked them in the regular season with their speed. It'll likely be closer, but not by much. Going to pull for the underdogs and whoever plays the Leafs. Looking forward to some of the nasty coming out with Preds, Minni, Calgary, Washington, Florida, even Tampa. Fair bit of scrappiness in some of these teams. If Florida wins the cup and Sam gets the Conn Smyth I may have to give it up for good. So not that. Anything but that.

Pity they won't meet in the first round. That was a possibility at one point but now I'm guessing the Leaf management is very worried instead. If it's Florida Washington, that will be a brutal slugfest.

Well fair enough, but I think that first roster all felt like they were cast offs and played with chips on their shoulders. It was a different sort of import.

Fair enough, but they are harder to find. Most of the really good team guys stick with their teams and their teams recognize their value and sign them before free agency. That's a generalization obviously and if you find a guy that's the right fit it can work, but off the top of my head I can't think of many cases where that worked. More often big name free agent signings bust or are merely okay for their new teams.