HorvatToBaertschi

Due diligence from management here. If Pesce can be had for a good price, it’s worth it. No harm in poking around. I’m glad it seems like their targets are similar to what we’ve been clamoring for here on this forum for years. I trust them.

Another buyout incoming? lol

I selfishly don’t like CHL picks, they’re so boring to follow. Seems like a good kid though! Excited to see him at development camp!

Anybody think management are trying to acquire a 2nd rounder?

Lol as if we'd ever get this lucky. I call BS speculation for clicks.

Wait til we give Dumba the Eriksson contract 6x6

What about Montreal? Dubois doesn't have any trade protection, so the Jets are getting any kind of value for him since he made it clear he was a Hab summer of 2024.

All youngsters, therefore no NMC's or NTC's. Seems like the Kings and Jets saw what happened yesterday lol

Correct me if I'm wrong but Chicago HAS in fact won 2 lotteries in the last 5 years. 2019 got Dach at 3rd OA when they finished around 11th, and won last year to get Bedard. They are therefore unable to win this year. Edit: i think that would make it 6 years, so I'm probably wrong.... Nevermind, wins before 2022 don't count lol. How convenient

Familiarity with the Penguins (2 cups with JR and PA), veteran presence, big body, solid replacement for OEL.

Never forget we got a 40 goal stud, that had instant insane chemistry with Pettersson, for free. 5.5*2 is such a good deal.

Dumba is a solid top 4 RHD, but he'll obviously be too expensive for us. Clifton-like players are much more reasonable and will do the job playing alongside Hughes.

EK exposed himself for having no drive to win as soon as he signed that albatross contract for something like 15% of the cap.

After the news that the Hurricanes and Jordan Staal's camp aren't finding common ground in contract negotiations, I was wondering what all of you thought about Jordan Staal as our potential 3C, and how much it would cost to get him from free agency (in the not-so-likely event that he does enter free agency)? 34 years old coming off a 17g, 17 assist campaign, with a very strong 55.5% FO%, and 59% DZS. I'd like to think that a 3 year 4 million deal would get it done, but I honestly have no idea what it would take. Thoughts? https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/jordan-staal-carolina-hurricanes-at-an-impasse-in-contract-talks-1.1976648

In the last 15 years we also drafted in the 1st round Bo, McCann, Bourdon, Hodgson, Podkolzin, Boeser, none of which are busts.

His season-high is 17:40 in 64 games last year (2021-2022), so I don't know if that qualifies as top 4 minutes. It's somewhere between a 4D and 5D imo. However, even if he plays on a pairing with Hronek, we wouldn't be asking him to do much other than provide stability while Hronek pushes his play forward. Interestingly enough, his season with the most ATOI, is the season where he had the best underlying numbers (at a quick glance).

If a player plays out his entire career in the CHL, you probably don't want him to count against your 50 contracted spots. Usually farm teams will sign those players instead, which buys 1-2 years of pro scouting time to then make a more informed decision on a fringe player. What we did with Bains is a bit of a different circumstance, seeing as he was a local boy.

I'll agree to disagree with you on the foregone conclusion part. I think it's in the player's and the agent's best interest to proceed as they have, but it's merely an illusion. They want to maximize the value they get in negotiations with Montreal. I could completely be wrong, but to me, it's pretty much a done deal.

Hughes has been a very methodical and patient GM that has seized opportunities and hasn't knee-jerk reacted. There is no way he's going to give up any significant assets to acquire a player that has already stated wants to sign as a UFA with his team. PLD will be traded, but it'll be as a rental to a team that won't have long term plans for him. As for extension talks, Montreal has the cap space, and he fits perfectly in the age range of their core. Unless his contract demands are exorbitant and ridiculous, it's practically a done deal. The worst kept secret in the NHL.

In what world does Montreal give up prime assets for a player THEY KNOW is signing with them in 12 months? They are in no rush whatsoever, the fans want a proper rebuild.

But that's my entire point. What do you mean by Hronek from last year or from years past? He's been incredibly consistent his entire career posting .5 ppg and logging tough minutes against strong opposition.

He's been hovering around the same production, deployment, and quality of opposition since his sophomore year in 2019-2020.

Hronek being +8 where half of his points are on the powerplay, on that bad of a team, is nothing to scoff at. We have a legitimate 2D that has shown he can play 1D at a more than respectable level. Which is perfect for us because we aren't looking for a 1D, we have one of the best in the league in Hughes. I do agree that we need to find a steady defensive dman for both Hronek and Hughes, as they thrive when they can trust their teammates and push forward on attack. Let's not knock Hronek's defensive game, which is solid. Nothing spectacular but it gets the job done. His PK experience will be massive for us as well.

I mean producing .66 PPG on 22 TOI, all situations, and being +8 on a team that finished -38... I don't know how to explain any better that he was the 1D on a team in the NHL. He played the most the last 3 seasons on that team. We're not even asking him to be a 1D regardless, but he's shown he's capable.

I don't think you realize how much an improvement having a pretty average 2nd pairing guy would be for us, as we haven't had one in 10 years.