FrenchConnection44

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.

Over reaction city.

UPL has talent. He needs some better coaching on positioning. But ultimately the Sabres are just getting dominated by a more physical team. And playing with poor fundamentals. Happens a lot with this young team. Granato has to correct that over the rest of the season.

We simply don’t hit. That’s the reality of the season. Haven’t all year. UPL was in bad position that first goal. But we have been very bad at back checking.

I don’t doubt that the Leafs fans bought these tickets early in the season since it’s such a close game for them. And there were probably thousands available.

When playing physical teams that can skate, we are. But still young.

Just getting physically manhandled. Which is what has happened several times this year. That’s our big weakness. Players we have, almost to the man, could add 10 lbs of muscle and need to if they are going to become a strong contender. And then play more physical. They could also add a veteran forward and defenseman - both of whom need to be physical players. Just as the Leafs added Acciari. He’s like playing a bowling ball. Like Rick Tocchet was. We just don’t have anyone who can set the tone physically. Lots of talent. and the top prospects like Savoie and Julich are not close to physical players.