FrenchConnection44

What bothers me about that by Adams is who will be around this summer after these trades? (some of which involved pending free agents that signed long term deals). Second, waiting for a couple of draft picks in 2023 to develop - if they do develop! - will take years. They could have had a proven commodity in Chychrun for next to nothing, relatively speaking, and that’s not just about this season but the next two years on top of that - in which our young guys will be entering their prime. Can you imagine our defensive prowess? And then they could look at a two-way forward in free agency (and they have $72 million in cap space). I get not panicking trying to make a huge run this season. And not trading away prime assets in the system. But when you have a chance to put the team in prime without relinquishing a single player, I don’t get not making that deal. SMH. As Greg Wyshinski notes: The 6-2 defenseman, who turns 25 on March 31, loves to carry the puck and has a terrific shot -- as evidenced by his 18 goals in 56 games in 2020-21, which was his best offensive season. But some pundits have decided that because he generates offense that he does not defend well in his own zone, which is a stereotype that's misapplied to Chychrun. He plays physically along the boards, can defend the net front and has a 70% success rate in zone exits at 5-on-5. One of the reasons he was coveted was because he's a two-way defender. Se la vie

Unconscionable not to match or slightly beat that deal! Guess we are supposed to enjoy 280 goals against the next few years What a joke. I would understand not doing that two-three years ago. But now? When we need a talented defenseman. And he’s there for the taking. When is that 2023 late first rounder going to be a star player for this team? 2026? 27? Is that what Adams is shooting for?

I’d do that given that whomever they pick is not likely to be ready for 2-3 seasons. And we get Chychrun for not only this year but the next two!

That can be a factor for sure; but it just means he gives a list of teams. But they may still think if a team doesn’t give them a deal they want this year they can get a deal next year if teams bid for him. Who knows? But they are asking way above what seems reasonable. Which may mean they are in no hurry since they also have him in we contract for several years. Of course, I would love to have the dude! He’s a helluva player.

I’m not buying that as the reason for a 23 point +/- differential. Hughes plays on power plays and Schenn does not. Hughes is only +12. And both play on a team that is -36. Take Dahlin (+23) and Samuelsson (+7) on the same line. Would Samuelsson be -16 on a different line? And whatever others say, plenty of analysts rate Schenn as a quality fence set the past few years. And more than that, Schenn is a more physical player. Which is exactly what we need. But don’t have.

I don’t know why Arizona would trade Chychrun for less than they want to get - which is a high asking price - unless they are poor and need to get rid of an expensive contract. He still has two more years on his deal. No way would I give up Kulich or Savoie. But we will see. They may just say, “If we don’t get what we want we keep him til next year.”

Schenn had a +15 last year and has a +9 this year on a bad team. We got Riley Stillman who is -14 on the same team. And zero goals. Who got the better deal? #SMH

So we trade an up and coming forward prospect with size in Bloom - who was considered a bit of a steal - and get -14 Riley Stillman. The Leafs trade a 2023 3rd (which we could have done) which will take longer to develop and get +9 Luke Schenn. Great Job. Really great job.

As I pointed out in the Prospect thread, Bloom has really not had much more time against older competition than Savoie has; and it does not take into account that Bloom missed all of 2020 because of Covid restrictions in Canada. And significantly improved after that. I am okay trading Bloom but for more a than a #6-7 defenseman on a team whose defenders fall off dramatically after 5. Nevertheless, as with every trade or draft pick, there is no way to determine whether it was a useful one or not for at least a couple of years if not more. So there’s no real argument one way or another other than spitballing.

Well … we shall see.

They did. Just not one who will add much. If he breaks into the lineup.

This makes zero sense to me. Could we use a quality defenseman? Yes. Did we get one? Not based on his play. While the forward lines are a bit crowded, less so by the time Bloom would arrive in say 2-3 yrs if he continued to progress as he has. smh. Just give away quality farm talent? Adams has done well in the past but I’m not seeing this.

It's a variable but not one-to-one. There really isn't perfect parity. Otherwise teams would be all at .500. Yet, even if there were significant parity over time, whether it's parity of 6 teams or 32 teams it's the same variable. Which is my point. There's no way to argue that the level of competition is significantly more difficult.

Why would he be a more stabilizing force than Chychrun? Did they expound on that? Chychrun is under contract through 2024 and won't ruin our cap; and if he moves on then Power will be entering his 3rd season and shouldn't need a "stabilizing force" by then. It does depend on how long Tuch is on IR. But, I would not give away a ton of assets just to replace Tuch while he is injured. Now, to add to the mix of a two-way forward - which is desperately needed, imo - that would be great.

Chychrun would be a great pick up. Talented Defenseman with size. Which is needed. And still has a year left under his deal. Wonder what AZ are asking? If not asking a first then I'd be interested. Maybe we could send them Bryson and a 3rd? 😉

Bummer. Total bummer. But the more significant issue is, for how long? A 7 day IR or 30 day IR?

We have several needs. We do need defense. But we also need a physical forward who can mix it up in front and also back check. Niederreiter provides that. And what defenseman of similar calibre is out there for a 2nd rounder? Who is also under contract for next year as Niederreiter is? Which makes it even more of a no brainer! An even better deal.

A second rounder?!?! What? We could have given them our 2nd rounder (which is likely to be higher) and we still have the Flyers 2nd rounder. Come on, man.

The Bruins are having a truly great season. But they are not close to the best. Even record wise. If one takes the OT wins and turns them into ties, their record right now would be 38-8-11. The 76-77 Habs finished 60-8-12. For Boston to tie that level of domination, leaving aside OT wins, they would have to go 22-0-1 the rest of the way. And to just match those losses they'd have to go undefeated the last 23 games! In fact, the 76, 77, and 78 Canadiens had 127, 132, and 129 pts. with records of: 58-11-11; 60-8-12; 59-10-11. Incredible run. That 70s era Canadiens are the greatest team I've ever seen. Felt like it was all-star after all-star (or HOFer after HOFer) on the ice every shift. The greatest dynasty in history, imo (winning 4 straight Stanley Cups with complete domination and flare; obviously, the greatest franchise in history). I'd put the 80s Oilers 2nd among dynasties (winning 5 in 7. But, of course, the talent was also insane). Also, it's a misnomer to say the competition was not as strong in those eras because there were fewer teams (obviously, human and sports evolution entails that modern players/teams are much better athletes than those in the past but that's a different discussion). The fact that there were fewer teams did not imply the competition level was worse. Imagine all the best hockey players today not being spread across 32 teams but only 6. One can argue that more teams dilutes talent and makes it easier to win games. How insane would those 6 teams be? How hard would it be to get a win against any of the 6 and having to play each team once every 5 games? Or, imagine if the Sabres entire schedule this year was Boston, Toronto, Carolina, New Jersey, and Tampa Bay?

The OT goal last night by Nylander was just an absolute gem. Dude is an incredible player. So much talent.

Legend. How does anyone not love that dude.

Would be SO great to see the Islanders miss the playoffs after their big trade (and I have hated the Isles since the early 80s. Always resented them winning the Cup before Buffalo).

Wow! Anderson!!! And, man, I love this team! They still have needs, IMO, but I also loved the end. F*** Tkachuk! Skinner did nothing wrong. It’s not like he is sitting there on the ice looking up at the clock! He was shooting as the buzzer went off. But how about Cozens and Krebs going after him! You gotta love both those guys. I love the feistiness of Krebs and Cozens both. Hell yeah!

Great to see. Tage needs to continue to grow and get better. He could be top 5 or 4 with his size and abilities. And he’s still only 25. Tampa Bay’s scouting department have such a knack for finding great players. We should steal one of their scouts. Watching Point skate tonight - how did that guy drop to round 3? Insane speed.

You can tell that was a good no call on the alleged hook. Clearly a dive by Stamkos. He fell the wrong way from where the stick was (as if Lyub hooked his lower legs on the opposite side of where his stick was. What a sneak little B Stamkos is). Great play and shot. We had one fortunate goal but five really good ones on Vas who was just rated the top goalie in an ESPN article a couple of days ago. Lol. Not last night and not against the Sabres. Huge win. Would love to get at least a point tonight. Big game against a fellow playoff contender.