PerreaultForever

I still think this would be a big mistake. The guy might be a respected veteran but naming a 4th line player on the downside of his career as team captain would be a huge mistake for team progress. He's not a core player and he's likely deadline trade material. I still say it should be Tuch.

I don't find either odd myself. These are teams that have set the bar very high and demand more than just a good season. It's a high standard, but I'd love it if one day the Sabres could become a team with a bar set that high too. Paul Maurice is a good coach. It's a good hire. Boston's choice might be hinging on Bergeron. They can't decide if they want to go for it again (if Bergeron returns) or move into rebuild, and the coaching choice might be related to that decision.

I really don't know why some people think Ullmark would come back or that Boston wants to even move him. It's nonsense. First, I think he has a NMC. Second, Boston was not unhappy with their goaltending. The consensus view is that he will be Swayman's back up, but they have become best friends, not rivals, and it's a complimentary relationship, hugs and all. Ullmark IS NOT coming back. Sabres have to over pay Campbell and/or Husso but if neither is interested you go with best available option and hope they are adequate while also hoping they become the over paid back up to UPL in time, same as Boston's situation. The idea that Levi or Portello wouldn't sign if Buffalo has a good goalie on the roster seems weird to me and is something you don't really want. Almost every team has an established starting goalie so where does any rookie get off demanding an open spot? I don't buy that argument for a second. They will both sign. The one thing you do not do though is offer a NMC to the guy you over pay to come here. Maybe a short list of crap teams he doesn't want to go to, but not a full NMC. That could be a big mistake.

I actually think Bylsma could do a good job there and come back to the NHL in a few years the same way Cassidy did. He was good with team D and team structure. Also constructed a decent PP, if he's learned to adapt to the offensive side of the game a little he could do well. Definitely a good fit for the AHL. I know he's hated here, but I never thought it was his fault myself.

idk, maybe, but do you really think it's that difficult? Now first off, he should know better than us as he gets to talk to them one to one and can know them better than we can but some of it is kind of obvious from what we see and hear. From the top line Thompson and Tuch are no brainers. Skinner because of the contract is also here to stay (debate his core value as you see fit). Add Cozens to that for sure. On D it's Power and Dahlin and you can extend it to add Samuelsson and Jokiharju if you want. I'd also add in Krebs because of his proven leadership in junior although he isn't quite there yet at an NHL level. It would take a very good offer to pry away Quinn or Peterka so that'd be my list of no moves. That's 11 guys. I don't hate Mitts, VO or Asplund, but I don't consider them core and for the right deal they, and all others on the roster are replaceable. Give or take a name that's pretty much it. I don't particularly want to move out any other prospects or picks but none of them are proven and if we can get better now it's a consideration. Not advocating any kind of Murray style shift in philosophy, more of strategic moves balancing a roster around that core.

I wouldn't give up any real assets for him unless they were allowed to negotiate a home town friendly contract extension. I would presume IF they were actually looking to move Kane they'd have their eyes on free agency and signing others for a more immediate rebuild. They have a lot of RFAs coming up too. Which brings me to a more intriguing concept, which would be a multi player deal perhaps for Kane AND DeBrincat . If that was on the table then I'd consider some picks or prospects, maybe Mitts and/or VO or any number of possibilities. Dach might also be an interesting player to add in to a multi player deal. Chicago might not part with him but if they are impatient they might not want to re-sign him for what he wants. How to make that sort of trade work is almost impossible to speculate on as there are too many possibilities BUT the key for me would be for KA to properly identify what he sees as the true core of the team, definitely not move any of them, and then work around that with the rest. And by true core of the team you can't throw every decent player in, it's just the leaders and the ones you are relatively sure will keep developing into greatness. About 10-12 players at most.

I guess size is working against Savoie, but he is extremely talented. I could see the Flyers picking him up (they have Briere in their front office after all :)) or Detroit. Hard to say. Can't disagree with the last line, assuming Gautheir isn't there at 9.

Ya, Maroon's been a lucky bastard. After that St. Louis win he was basically just signed as cheap muscle and he gets two more cups out of it. Talk about right place right time. Not to discount his role, but guys like him are kind of interchangeable. Bogo was probably the luckiest though. Bottom to top in a hurry. Tampa's won enough. I hope it's the Avs who prevail.

It will still be 3 in a row though if Tampa loses. 3 cup final losses in a row for Corey Perry. 😉

Totally agree. No, he's not the best skater out there, but he brings other things we could use. We've already drafted for speed, and we will draft for more speed, but we need to build a complete team and I could see him being a big part of that. He won't be there at 28, I'd take him at 16 if he was still there. I figured you might say Savoie. If he did drop I think I'd take him at 9. Rather have Gauthier, but I'm taking Savoie ahead of Ohgren and the others ranked in the low teens.

It definitely was. Still, wouldn't be surprised if Tampa comes back and wins the next one 1-0 or 2-1 but we shall see. Colorado certainly looked unbeatable tonight.

If we could get Warren at 41 that'd be a steal. As I've said earlier I'd seriously consider him at 28. Admittedly high for him but I see solid potential in him in terms of filling a need (in time).

Why don't you think Gautheir will be there at 9? That's generally around where he is ranked. Who are you dropping off (maybe I'd take that guy)? Ohgren at 9 and McGroarty at 16 is likely too high for both of them BUT it's not a terrible idea. I'd be content with that plan. Ohgren MIGHT be there at 16, stress might. McGroarty almost definitely not there at 28. Trade down (just a little) at 16? Might work. Risky, but drafts always are. I really think McGroarty could be the sleeper pick in this draft (in that he will end up as a better player than several picks ahead of him in time) so I'd really like to see him in blue and gold so the more I think about it I'd say yes, take him at 16.

I really hope we land McGroarty. Looking at final rankings around I doubt it though. Probably fall between our 2 later picks. Gauthier would be fine at 9. If we landed Gauthier, Ohgren and McGroarty with the 3 picks I'd be ecstatic.

Not a chance.

Bruins interviewing Quinn. They hire him and maybe start the clock on the Eichel trade to Boston (especially after he gets pissed off when Cassidy benches him for quitting on a back check). They keep talking about getting Hall a center. and they're good buddies now 🙂

Disgruntled Bruins fans did refer to him as Butch (and Sweeney as Sundance)

Well I think we were his only offer, simple as that. It's a pretty good pay cheque so yes, some will keep going until they really can't. I hear Jagr wants to try the NHL again. Doubt there's any takers but you never know. See if anyone wants Chara next year too. bet you he'd come if we offered. It's simply good money to play a game. That's true too. The 300 wins mattered to him for sure. You're absolutely right I think on the higher AAV and term. We still should though. We need a goalie.

It's not surprising really that UFAs and UFA goalies "rebuffed" them last year. We were trading away our big names, we had the Jack problem, and we looked like a tank team. Who wants to be part of that? Hence they should have made a trade with one of those 3 goalie teams. There were options. BUT, the interesting thing will be whether or not the perception has changed yet. The team is different now. It feels like it's ready to rise. Will UFAs out there feel the same way as we do, or will they still see us as what we've been and go anywhere else? That's the big question I guess.

That's the most you can get out of him I think. It'll be interesting to see if Cassidy adapts to his game or sticks with his philosophy and Jack has to adapt to Cassidy's style (or demand out and so forth). Jack is definitely not going to turn into a Bergeron. He doesn't have the personality or character for that kind of selfless leadership and work ethic. Jack might adapt a little, sort of like Ovi did with Trotz but my money is on a personality clash and team disfunction.

Boy that Makar sure does skate smooth doesn't he? Avs in general are a fast fast team. Without the goaltending edge (which is clearly in Tampa's favour) this would be over quick. As is, might go 7 either way.

Not exactly. I'm only throwing him into the press box IFF one of the kids takes away his job. Whether or not they can do that remains to be seen, and if they struggle you have an option to go back to the veteran for any length of time needed.

So you're saying Cassidy is a moron? 🙂 There seems to be some truth to that rumour that Krejci didn't like Cassidy. Krejci is better at 2 way hockey than Jack, but he likes to let loose and play offense more. Might not be the reason, but has to be something to it. Cassidy also had a very low tolerance for defensive errors from rookies and prospects who got called up which was also part of why he was let go. I think Cassidy will bring in a solid defensive structure for Vegas and they will win hockey games, but it's not going to be what Jack wants, so it might be fun to watch that unravel.

Cassidy to Vegas. Jacky boy not going to have fun with that. Cassidy doesn't tolerate quitting on the back check from anybody.

I just don't see this problem. First, chances are one or more could easily end up on LTIR (everybody else is doing it so why not?). Some contracts could be waived and sent down in some cases. I know the Bruins had Wagner and Moore down in the minors for most of the year. That scenario comes up if you have a mid season trade where you add salary and don't need them for the floor. Kids can go up and down pretty easily, so for that 23/20 man thing I see no big deal in sitting a Foligno type with a bigger salary than a Hayden type and if he does contribute bonus. The locker room thing is a non issue imo. They will know they are fringe when they get here and everyone else will know that too. But guys like Foligno are pros and leaders. He'd help like an assistant coach and not disgruntle. and maybe you can even move him at the deadline. idk, I just can't see how a dead contract is a better move than picking up an unwanted. Going to leave it at that. Adams did it. It's done.