PerreaultForever

Just thinking back wasn't this the Risto critique too? He certainly looked dumb slapping at the puck and then tripping over the goalpost. That one is going to rank as this year's dumb frustration move much like Eichel's old stick smash did before, but is he actually dumb? Probably? Maybe? Does it matter? That's why we have coaches isn't it? Work with the slower (mentally) ones. Dahlin has not been developed properly, basics were not drilled into him early (and if he is dumb that would be even more important as he'd need muscle memory and instinct and habit over thinking and reacting) and so he will always be an imperfect thing I think. Pair him with a solid defender, that's the best we can do.

Agreed. The similarity to me is the egalitarian nature of the roster. Neither is focused on a big name or a star. They have a slightly more defined top line, but most nights they roll them like we do. The big difference is the goaltending. They started there and we were what? willing to wait? I think starting with the goalie is smarter.

I agree. The thing I think we are missing is some of that high energy. While that talent develops we need more of those guys and not just meh players like Bjork. I personally like Hayden in the line up and wish we had a crazy dude like Tanev. That guy pumps them up and the energy just rises. We don't have enough energy guys imo.

Depth D men are usually in demand at the deadline so we can probably unload a few of them, but really won't get all that much back. Maybe something for Miller, but really nothing much to get excited about. Eakin maybe if somebody wants a penalty killer .

Not saying they are "that good" just that they have the foundation for a strong build. They have to add the talent bit by bit to the existing structure and concept and they will be good. I'm hoping we can do something similar now that we have no more "stars".

I don't think anyone's calling him a bust, and there is nothing wrong with sending a kid like him down for a while to get his game back on track. Worked for Mitts, worked for Tage, let it work for Dylan too. Patience.

Told ya, those Kraken are a tenacious team. They're like pit bulls just coming at ya and coming at ya. Normally don't score a lot but never rest and never quit. imo they have building a team right. Start with a really good goalie, build out from there and build a team that competes and works hard every night, if not every shift. Hopefully now that we've turned the Eichel page we can try to build something in the same way. Start with a goalie once this tank is over.

I have to see Tuch play more with us first, but at the moment I lean towards trying Tuch with Mitts for more balance. Krebs imo (and Cozens) should go to Rochester for a bit, if not the whole year. I'd leave Olofsson-Thompson-Asplund alone for this as they have some chemistry. Girgs-Eakin-Okposo is Girgs-Eakin-Okposo and will remain what it is until they trade Eakin or these guys end their contracts. That's your 4th line regardless of how many minutes they actually get. The other two lines are fluid and will be determined by which kids step up first.

Yes, definitely. I think he is exactly the type of player we have been missing and need. As an old timer, he makes me think it's similar to Mike Foligno coming here way back when. He will be an impact player and a fan favourite.

This is it. I've always said we need a few ex-Bruins to teach us how to play and build team. Was kind of thinking about ones who could lace up though...... Guess that means no Tarasenko 🙂

You're probably right, but if players on this roster didn't like him, you never know. I'm still curious to see.

Well I'm trading off players like Miller even if we are close........... We won't be under the cap in any way. It's super easy to pick up a salary dump from somebody almost any time you need it. Not a long term dump, that'd be bad, but a short term one to stay over the floor, that's easily done.

Quite possible, but it's also a pretty mediocre if not weak division. Won't take all that much to come in 3rd.

I think it's pretty clear certain people spin events for their own narrative and history gets rewritten. Eichel didn't want to be part of a rebuild, wanted out, this is obvious. But in terms of a planned rebuild that's not exactly what happened is it? Signing Skinner was a mistake, but after his big season with Jack, the plan was here's your big threesome. Signing Hall didn't work at all, but that's not a rebuild either. Hall crapping out was probably what tipped the ownership into the rebuild and different direction idea in the first place. Risto was unhappy for years. Reinhart clearly decided signing long term was out. A rebuild was a necessity as a result. It got stripped down, it got cleaned out, and now we added pieces and we have added numerous picks and the plan now works if we start to draft well. The attitude is right, the team concept is right, the seeds are planted, let's see if it grows. Bye bye Jack. You didn't say a single thing that made me wish you were still a Sabre. Your photoshop skills are very good though. I see your injury time has been well spent.

I'm curious if we will see any team reaction to the deal being done? Will it show in their play?

10-1 Vegas pulls a Tampa with somebody, probably Eichel. I mean surgery now, 3 months rehab projected takes you to middle of February, not that far from April really.............. On retaining salary, you have to ask yourself would you want one more draft pick and dead cap OR do you want the ability to sign a decent free agent to fill a hole and/or sign a blossoming youngster? I'd take the latter, you don't get both.

I didn't forget him, I'm just not sure who he'd fit in with best. I need to see him play in blue and gold for a bit, see if there's chemistry. Have to watch him closer. Initially I'd say it's unlikely Quinn and Cozens and Krebs all develop ready at the same time. Somebody will likely be faster, somebody else slower. Unless these guys don't develop as expected, there will be numerous options .

I like this line, but I'd like Cozens in Quinn's spot better. In time, I see Quinn on Mitts wing as a better fit. Thinking ahead a little........ Peterka-Mitts-Quinn Skinner-Krebs-Cozens Olofsson-Thompson-Asplund Future looking brighter.

From the recent past: https://whl.ca/article/krebs-and-cozens-named-to-team-canada-leadership-group-for-2019-iihf-u18-world-championship

As a counter, retaining salary for any length of time is a constant reminder and this gives you more of a clean slate. We will be in great shape to add players or sign kids longer term if they earn it even with the Skinner burden. Retaining salary for another pick? Not really worth it.

Finally caught up! Glad it's over! Overall I think a reasonable and fair trade. If Eichel recovers fully and plays to his potential maybe history will say Vegas won the deal, but I think we got about all we could under the circumstances and will be a better team for it. If Eichel really is a s##t and there was locker room issues due to him and such well then we will win the deal hands down and Vegas will slide. Time will tell. My guess is he racks up points and they do well but he will never take them to the promised land and in the long run we will be better. Our foundation is improving. I really like Tuch as a player and think he is exactly the type of guy we need. He is a character guy, a playoff guy, a fierce competitor, and it will rub off on his team mates. Being a local-ish boy won't hurt at all. Once he's back and healthy we are all going to love this guy. Krebs has great potential. I'd really like to see Cozens on his wing IN ROCHESTER for this season. The future is brighter. Wish the pick wasn't lottery protected as Vegas could miss this year with all their injuries but picks are picks and don't mean anything until you see what you get down the road. Helps stock the cupboard. So I'm satisfied. Not ecstatic, but satisfied. and really really glad it's over.

Bigger game for the Kraken. They are a tenacious team and hard to play against but they are very offensively challenged. Likely a low scoring game but if we play as poorly as we did against San Jose we will lose.

I suppose that's true, but if we made him captain, told him we'd mold the team around him...............ya, I know, I know, but a boy's got to dream............