NHL (2020-2021) v. Draft, sign, & trade.

[axeman90210]

Gotta say I'm pretty happy with the Devils after day 1. We backed up the money truck for Dougie Hamilton, but it seems like he may actually live up to that value. Adding him and picking up Graves from Colorado ahead of the expansion draft is a huge injection of talent into our defense. Those two plus Severson and Smith could potentially be a really solid top four. Adding Bernier to be the 1B to Mackenzie Blackwood could also be big for us, over the last couple seasons we've earned points at basically a fringe playoff team pace with Blackwood in net and basically been the Detroit Red Wings with anybody else in goal.

[TAC]

Hamilton is not a 9m player. Not even close. He’s definitely not an East Coast guy either. Sorry, Carolina doesn’t count. He begged out of Boston.

[SchecterShredder]

Hamilton is not a 9m player. Not even close. He’s definitely not an East Coast guy either. Sorry, Carolina doesn’t count. He begged out of Boston.

Jersey could be a good fit though. He could slide into obscurity there if things aren't going well. He's definitely not worth $9M though, no argument there. Not even close.

[SchecterShredder]

I was honestly completely surprised that Tyson Barrie re-signed in Edmonton. I thought for sure he'd have gone for a big contract someplace. This gives the Oil a good 3 year window to try to fill in the last few pieces to win a cup. With Leon and Conner hitting their prime years in the next 3-5, it's basically now or never.

[jingle.boy]

I was honestly completely surprised that Tyson Barrie re-signed in Edmonton. I thought for sure he'd have gone for a big contract someplace. This gives the Oil a good 3 year window to try to fill in the last few pieces to win a cup. With Leon and Conner hitting their prime years in the next 3-5, it's basically now or never.

  Yeah, I thought he was shopping himself around for greener pastures - maybe there weren't any?  However, you need goaltending even more than we need depth forwards.

Ok, so my thoughts ....

Players:
Hamilton contract is great for him, terrible for the Devils.  He's a $6-$7 guy at most.  D-men who are UFAs next year are licking their chops (see, Morgan Reilly, Darnell Nurse, Parayko, Werenski, McAvoy, Klingberg).
Dannault at $5.5 as a defensive specialist??  Is he really as good as he was in the playoffs?  I don't think he's worth that kind of dough at that term.
I thought I saw that Krejci was re-signed?  Capfriendly says otherwise??
Brayden Point - that's a great contract for Tampa.  They are going to be contenders for years with the core of Kuch, Point, Vas, and Hedman/Sergechev.
Based on the TSN interview I saw after the fact, it seemed like Grubauer wanted out of Colorado for whatever reason.
When did Blake Coleman become a $5M player?
Laine still betting on himself I see.  I can't help but think he's eventually gonna bust and end up either going to Europe, or being a $2M AAV kinda guy.  I just don't see his fit with CBJ.
When did Bernier become a $4M AAV kinda goalie?
Alexander Wennberg - who??


Teams
Leafs did well to shore up the goalie tandem - quality player on a reasonable contract.  I really think the loss of Bagosian will pretty big - a tough and hard player like that brings a lot to the defensive equation.  I'm sure Tampa will be thrilled to have him back at $850k AAV for 3 years.  Leafs are going to be fighting for a wildcard spot
Oil did well on the forwards; D and G are still a train-wreck.  Which Mike Smith is going to be between the pipes??  Last year's, or the year before.  Koskinen is a dumpster fire - player and contract.  Ceci... what the hell, that guy is barely a #6 d-man.  He was terrible in Toronto.  Have fun with that!
Avs... they're fucked at G.  Unless they grab Kuemper, Sakic has some work ahead of him to at least stay flat in between the pipes.
Carolina - I like their goalie signings.  Couple of top notch goalies who underperformed last year.  I think they easily are as good, if not better than what they let go.
Boston ... they are fucking solid again!  Fuck me hard.
Winnipeg is now the best Canadian team.
Philly ... I wonder if the entire city is raging at Chuck Fletcher.  I'm so glad the rumours of Martin Jones coming to Toronto didn't come true.  *phew*
New Jersey ... added some good players, but overpaid big time.
St. Louis... Did Armstrong take a day-long nap yesterday?

[Anguyen92]

Danault at $5.5 as a defensive specialist??  Is he really as good as he was in the playoffs?  I don't think he's worth that kind of dough at that term.

He will be worth it at that term if he's effective at shutting down guys like the McDavids, the Draisaitls, and the MacKinnons of the conference.  Good luck on that one.  Other than that, I don't think it's going to hurt the Kings much and it does give a bit of assurance knowing that we have a solid 2nd line Center for a certain period of time while guys like Vilardi and Byfield steps up in however long (hopefully soon, fingers crossed).  Plus, as I stated before, I think the idea of signing Danault is to lessen the defensive zone burden that Kopitar has been handling and thus have Kopi use his minutes more in the o-zone and be more effective at scoring at his age?  I don't think that route can be worth $5.5M a year, but the Kings are going to commit to it.  We'll see what happens. 

Avs... they're fucked at G.  Unless they grab Kuemper, Sakic has some work ahead of him to at least stay flat in between the pipes.

They already nabbed Kuemper.

[jingle.boy]

Well there ya go.  I hadn't followed todays news just yet.  And I see that Washington really lost a no name Defencemen to the Kracken, getting Vanacek back by giving away a Wpg 2nd round draft pick they'd earlier traded for.

[gmillerdrake]

Saad to the Blues….5 years @$4.5 a year. That’s a steal. Saad is a more consistent Schwartz……healthy, and a good defensive minded player.

I’m pretty happy with signing Saad and turning the page on Schwartz and Hoffman honestly.

Next up…..ship Tarasenko and call it even.

[Anguyen92]

That's another guy that the Kings probably should have considered.  Could have spent less money and term for Saad instead.....  They must really wanted Danault then.

Also, here's an interesting twist, despite losing to the Bolts twice in a row in the Cup Finals, Corey Perry has now signed with Tampa Bay.

[jingle.boy]

Saad to the Blues….5 years @$4.5 a year. That’s a steal. Saad is a more consistent Schwartz……healthy, and a good defensive minded player.

I’m pretty happy with signing Saad and turning the page on Schwartz and Hoffman honestly.

Guess someone woke Armstrong up. 

Next up…..ship buyout Tarasenko and call it even. suck it up

Fix'd.

Also, here's an interesting twist, despite losing to the Bolts twice in a row in the Cup Finals, Corey Perry has now signed with Tampa Bay.

He's doing the Marian Hossa!

[pg1067]

Also, here's an interesting twist, despite losing to the Bolts twice in a row in the Cup Finals, Corey Perry has now signed with Tampa Bay.

He's doing the Marian Hossa!

First thing I thought as well!

[jingle.boy]

Also, here's an interesting twist, despite losing to the Bolts twice in a row in the Cup Finals, Corey Perry has now signed with Tampa Bay.

He's doing the Marian Hossa!

First thing I thought as well!

[jammindude]

As someone who hasn’t followed hockey much since the 90s, does someone more familiar want to give me their personal assessment of how they feel the Kracken is doing in their acquisitions?

It sounds like we nailed down an incredible goaltender from what I’ve read, but I don’t know much about the rest of the team.

[jingle.boy]

As someone who hasn’t followed hockey much since the 90s, does someone more familiar want to give me their personal assessment of how they feel the Kracken is doing in their acquisitions?

It sounds like we nailed down an incredible goaltender from what I’ve read, but I don’t know much about the rest of the team.

The goaltending is going to be top notch.  The top 4 defense looks pretty solid, and good camp of candidates to fill the third defence pair.  Forwards is where you're the weakest - nothing stands out as a 'top' forward, but you've got good batch of B/B+ players up front.  Given the weakness of the Pacific Division, I think there's a legitimate chance of finishing 3rd in the division and grabbing a playoff spot.  I'd be very surprised if the 4th in the Pacific gets the wildcard.

[Anguyen92]

I, too, would be surprised if the Pacific gets a wildcard spot.  I look at the Central division, and I see 7 teams (not Arizona since they are clearly going in the tank where they are acquiring bad, but expiring contracts after next season, and getting good picks for it) where I go, "Ok, they have some flaws, but their flaws aren't as terrible as the Pacific division teams' flaws."  Five teams from the Central will make the playoffs. 

The Kraken has a good fighting chance like all of the other teams to get that 3rd spot in the Pacific division (Golden Knights and Oilers, despite their questionable off-season moves, will cruise their way to the playoffs no matter what they do now, because of how bad the division is).

[jingle.boy]

I, too, would be surprised if the Pacific gets a wildcard spot.  I look at the Central division, and I see 7 teams (not Arizona since they are clearly going in the tank where they are acquiring bad, but expiring contracts after next season, and getting good picks for it) where I go, "Ok, they have some flaws, but their flaws aren't as terrible as the Pacific division teams' flaws."  Five teams from the Central will make the playoffs. 

The Kraken has a good fighting chance like all of the other teams to get that 3rd spot in the Pacific division (Golden Knights and Oilers, despite their questionable off-season moves, will SHOULD cruise their way to the playoffs no matter what they do now, because of how bad the division is).

Agreed, except for the one modification I made. I still question the Oilers D and netminding.  If it's 2019 Smith that shows up, they're screwed.

Tim/Joe ... what are we getting in Nick Ritchie?

[TAC]

Tim/Joe ... what are we getting in Nick Ritchie?

He's kind of a stiff.

He was really only effective in the power play as he parked his fat ass in front of the net and banged home a bunch of goals. I think he had a career high in goals last year. He also won the Seventh Player Award, voted by the fans as the player that most exceeds expectations. With a few exceptions, the fans usually get this right. He was the most deserving, which proves that last year, there was really no one on the B's that exceeded expectations.  But once the game speeds up, he's lost.
He's a big guy, but he's not really nasty, but he'll mix it up if he has too.


You're getting Ondrej Kase too, who could be a nice surprise, but he's been hurt with one thing or another during his entire year and a half here.

[Hyperplex]

Fleury is in for this season with Chicago.

[gmillerdrake]

Fleury is in for this season with Chicago.

I love how that was even a thing? Dude has a contract...he was traded....you have to honor the contract. The fact that he was contemplating retiring rather than playing was BS in my mind. I'm glad he chose to play and all and honor his commitment but this shouldn't be viewed as some 'brave' move by him or something. It was close to being a dick move by not playing at all.

It'll be interesting to see how he performs under a 'lesser' team.

[Nick]

Fleury is in for this season with Chicago.

I love how that was even a thing? Dude has a contract...he was traded....you have to honor the contract. The fact that he was contemplating retiring rather than playing was BS in my mind. I'm glad he chose to play and all and honor his commitment but this shouldn't be viewed as some 'brave' move by him or something. It was close to being a dick move by not playing at all.

It'll be interesting to see how he performs under a 'lesser' team.

I think you're really off base here Gary.

A contract sets the terms of what you can and cannot do, and for who, if you choose to play. It's not indentured servitude, anyone can choose to retire at any time for any reason.

[jingle.boy]

... With both of you

It would’ve been a dick move to retire ONLY because he was traded. Yes, anyone can retire at anytime, but a contract - while not indentured servitude as you say Nick -  is a binding employment  agreement, and doesn’t guarantee which team you are employed by.

[gmillerdrake]

Fleury is in for this season with Chicago.

I love how that was even a thing? Dude has a contract...he was traded....you have to honor the contract. The fact that he was contemplating retiring rather than playing was BS in my mind. I'm glad he chose to play and all and honor his commitment but this shouldn't be viewed as some 'brave' move by him or something. It was close to being a dick move by not playing at all.

It'll be interesting to see how he performs under a 'lesser' team.

I think you're really off base here Gary.

A contract sets the terms of what you can and cannot do, and for who, if you choose to play. It's not indentured servitude, anyone can choose to retire at any time for any reason.

No, I get it Nick. But given there was zero retirement talk out of the Fleury camp prior to the trade and then the reports around the trade and how unhappy and shocked he was about it.....and that he was then contemplating retirement.....it seemed primarily based off of because he didn't want to play for a crappy team. Seemed like a pretty lame thing to do considering Fleury is known for being a stand up...nice fella. I was just glad to see he's honoring his commitment.

[TAC]

Fleury is in for this season with Chicago.

I love how that was even a thing? Dude has a contract...he was traded....you have to honor the contract. The fact that he was contemplating retiring rather than playing was BS in my mind. I'm glad he chose to play and all and honor his commitment but this shouldn't be viewed as some 'brave' move by him or something. It was close to being a dick move by not playing at all.

It'll be interesting to see how he performs under a 'lesser' team.

I think you're really off base here Gary.

A contract sets the terms of what you can and cannot do, and for who, if you choose to play. It's not indentured servitude, anyone can choose to retire at any time for any reason.

No, I get it Nick. But given there was zero retirement talk out of the Fleury camp prior to the trade and then the reports around the trade and how unhappy and shocked he was about it.....and that he was then contemplating retirement.....it seemed primarily based off of because he didn't want to play for a crappy team. Seemed like a pretty lame thing to do considering Fleury is known for being a stand up...nice fella. I was just glad to see he's honoring his commitment.

But my understanding was that he didn't want to have to move his family, and had planned on settling them long term in the Vegas area. As a long time veteran, I would have no issue if he just decided to retire for that reason. Plenty of players retire mid contract for various reasons.

[Nick]

And it's not like he wouldn't also be taking a big hit in the decision to retire. He's due 6m in actual money this year to play. Not like the old style contracts in which his final year is for 1-2m.

[pg1067]

This may be news to the general public, but given Fleury's age and tenure in the league, if Chicago gave up significant assets to get him without first having a discussion with him, they're idiots.  And, if they didn't have that discussion, I wouldn't see it as a dick move at all if he had chosen to retire rather than uproot himself (and his family).

[Anguyen92]

Well, news have cooled off as expected, but I found out in an article from The Athletic that ESPN hired Torts as a studio analyst.  I say that's a solid pick-up for what they hope they are going for.  I don't think he would be angry Torts in the studio booth since he won't have a horse to back up, but he should all right in the role.

[SchecterShredder]

Well, news have cooled off as expected, but I found out in an article from The Athletic that ESPN hired Torts as a studio analyst.  I say that's a solid pick-up for what they hope they are going for.  I don't think he would be angry Torts in the studio booth since he won't have a horse to back up, but he should all right in the role.

Torts is pretty good as an analyst. He did various stints while he was in between coaching jobs.

[Hyperplex]

I'm quietly, cautiously optimistic for ESPN's upcoming coverage. I had been watching some general YouTube NHL highlights lately and a lot of them are cobbled together sequences that pull from CBC, ESPN, NBC, and various local stations, etc. The differences are rather stark when shown abreast of each other. NBC lacked in almost all categories, even down to the camera work in some instances. Watching old ESPN footage, and almost any CBC coverage, really highlighted to me just how lacking NBC has been for the past however many years that contract was for.

[axeman90210]

Devils add Tatar for two years. Love it, we have a few promising wingers in the pipeline who aren't quite ready for the NHL, and he can bridge the gap and allow Nico and Jack to play with some legit top 6 talent while the homegrown guys continue developing.

[jingle.boy]

That's not a bad deal at $4.5M AAV.

Hard to believe that Cizikas and Palmieri are still available.  Wonder what Parise and Dubnyk are asking (holding out) for?  Same with Chara.  I don't see Thornton playing in the NHL.  His 42 year old body barely made it through 44 games last year.

[Anguyen92]

I can see Joe Thornton playing another year if the Sharks give him a league min. deal and he's up for it.  That's what they've been doing with Marleau.  Probably be the only team that may give him a deal.

[KevShmev]

My hope is that Thornton comes back and plays on a team that sucks and misses the playoffs or loses in heartbreaking fashion in the playoffs. 

[romdrums]

My hope is that Thornton comes back and plays on a team that sucks and misses the playoffs or loses in heartbreaking fashion in the playoffs. 

I'll get on that bandwagon. 

[gmillerdrake]

Same with Chara. 

I heard a rumor that the Blues had hoped to have this Tarasenko debacle solved by now and there was mutual interest in a one year deal with Chara around $800k. But they need some of that cash freed up. He and a former Blue who does a radio show now in StL share the same agent. Blues had hoped that he (Chara) could provide some grit and be a good teacher for a couple of the young D guys we have. I'd be fine with him coming onboard for a small stint.

[jingle.boy]

Nurse signed $8M/$74M    What in the actual fuck.  I'll bet Nurse's agent owes Hamilton's agent a Rolex or something.  That's ridiculous.

Rich... what's the scuttlebutt up there on that contract?