PerreaultForever

It isn't. But we should enjoy the win and debate this next year.

Relax. Before dumping on Cozens too badly for not putting up big scoring numbers consider his entire game and how his play elevates those around him. Some kids give you flash and then drop off as they learn to play a complete game. Others build slowly, but completely, and then break out. Consider Tage. Tage is 3 years older than Dylan (same argument for Krebs and those worried about him). Dylan is ahead of where Tage was at his age. I see things in Cozens game that tell me he will be one of our best in time. islanders play listless, like a defeated team before the puck drops, and we play like we're having fun, which we are. Skinner is a yappy irritant and I'd want to smack him too if I was on their team, but the team rallying around when Martin came in was a very good sign obviously. Team chemistry.

I'd consider DeSmith. He's only 30 and has played some pretty good games. Holtby's a little too long in the tooth for me. I know, Anderson is even older, but one season of that is enough. I'd rather have this issue dealt with and over and have someone for a few years straight while we wait on the kids.

I know he's not all that, but sure wish we'd managed to hold onto this guy and let Bjork go instead. Would have fit in nicely with Fitz and Joker until we got another RHD. https://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/n265325

The good news is Vegas has to play the last 3 on the road, and they are much worse on the road than at home. Might all rest on the Tuesday game in Dallas.

Ya, specifically French Connection, team knocking off Montreal in the big upset. That's the full moment with no turning back. Spirit waning last few years, but didn't quite break (but this rebuild better not be an illusion, that could do it).

How so? That Pasternak Haula Hall line was pretty impressive before Pasternak got injured. Beaners were on a big win streak led mostly by that line. Hall is a very good power forward and uses his body well to drive and control the play. Something he didn't do much of here and hence he was ineffective. That's Boston hockey, and the fans love it. If they still had Krejci and Rask they'd be solid cup contenders.

Oh come on, when we say we "hate" athletes we don't want them to die of cancer or something, we just want them off our team. The word is used pretty loosely. It just conveys a strong emotional attachment to your team's well being, and nothing more. Except for Eichel 🙂

You're not going to realistically land any decent free agents on short term deals unless nobody wants them for some reason (so best to heed that reason and avoid them too) or they are over the hill.

I hear you, but in a big way I do in fact want to rely on the probablys and I expects. I think we have to have faith in these kids and at this stage I think team chemistry and continuing to build that young core together is more important than rushing the plan.

I'd change that to "I enjoyed the second half of the season." First half had moments but was still pretty painful to watch at times. "likeable" is a good way to put it though. I used to dislike a lot of players on our team. Hated some and was just annoyed by some others (and the big 3 fall into that) but now I can't think of anybody I hate. Maybe Bjork. There's indifference to a few (Butcher, Eakin, Hayden, Pysyk) but no real hate and none of them are part of the plan moving forward I imagine. We are a few moves away (especially goaltending) but the question is will we make those moves? Or will Adams just wait for more kids to develop and eventually fill those weak spots? idk.

To be fair, Hall has 56 points, Kyle has 44. Cap hit is the same. No question it's been a bounce back year for Kyle, but Hall is the better player by far like it or not.

This: https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/golden-knights-robin-lehner-undergoing-season-ending-surgery/ Or this: https://theathletic.com/news/golden-knights-robin-lehner-surgery/0Nz9aGkBJQCQ/ Or even this: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/robin-lehner-injury-update-golden-knights-knee-surgery-report/odxv0raxeiojwrd0kcyp8vda Definitely something off about all of this.

I know, I think you are right. We have waited a long time and as we see signs of turning the corner we want to move it ahead as fast as we can. We want playoffs, or at least competing for them right up to the end, now, next season. I think it likely Adams has a longer time frame in mind and as long as it is moving (even slightly) forward he will consider it successful. I don't think they will tank for Bedard, but they might be thinking no need to not be in the lottery next year either. We will know for sure based on what (if anything) they do in free agency and into next season. you would have lost that bet.

Lehner hurt, maybe not hurt, maybe season ending surgery, maybe not season ending surgery. Doesn't that all sound familiar? Funny how Lehner drama seems to have started up with Jack's arrival. Something weird for sure.

I know this steers off topic, but solid goaltending will enhance the offense by allowing it to open up more and play from ahead more and not having to tightly defend tiny leads. I think we need a vet goalie for the next 3 years in terms of a plan forward.

See, to the stay on topic point, I don't think the offense will need enhancing next year. I expect Krebs and Cozens will be more productive, as will Power, probably Mitts. Add Quinn. It's the defensive side of the game that needs enhancing (including goaltending).

Husso's not going to be available. Holtby's way past it. No thank you. Lot's of trade possibilities but that should be left for the off season goalie threads which I'm sure will emerge.

I think the thing about Eichel (and the culture around him) was this. With Eichel the team/ownership thinking was how do we make Eichel better, and how do we make Eichel happy, and how do we motivate Eichel to give us his all. Dumped money and term at him arguably before he earned it. Gave him wingers (Skinner, then Hall, Sam all the time). Gave him a motivational speaker coach (with zero hockey ability). Always make Jack happy, do what Jack wants. And Jack was the same. All for the glory, but not so much for the hard work (quit on a back check much Jack?) The current crop are more about what do we have to do to be better and make the team better. It's a total reversal, and the way it should have been. We tanked, which was arguably foolish, but then the rebuild centered on a diva rather than on a team. Seems to be fixed now.

I'm not trying to move Mitts, I'm just looking at the roster and thinking who is valuable enough that someone might want to trade for him and yet not that valuable or necessary to the future of the team. He's the one I come up with. So just "sign a goalie". Who is that? Unless you think we can get Kuemper who is that goalie you want to just sign? Here's the list of what's potentially out there. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/goaltender/ufa/ Korpisalo and DeSmith are probably the best of that bunch that isn't over the hill but neither excites me. I'd trade trade for a decent one if possible.

I'd welcome going after Comtois, but I doubt the Ducks are interested in moving him. I'd be more interested in moving Mitts for a goalie though. We have to upgrade goaltending if we actually want to compete next year and just assuming UPL will get it done could get us into a Hart/Philly type of situation that won't go well.

So close, Eichel fell at the blueline in OT but the Caps player wasn't close enough to make for a perfect ending.

Samson Who?

1) Thompson 2) Samuelson 3) Skinner 4) Okposo 5) Tuch 6) Dahlin 7) Anderson, but it's a low bar 8 ) Thompson

I get the order/chronology of some things mixed up at this stage and there are some swiss cheese holes in my memory, but that's pretty much true for everything. Also had university years and other distractions like many people.