J-P

I don't think anyone really knows which OEL we'll see with the Canucks. It's interesting though that both the Sedins and JB seems convinced he'll bounce back big time. They probably know some things we don't? If I'm guessing: OEL was really really unhappy both with the franchise, the state of the team and the way the coach wanted him to play. But maybe it's wishful thinking, we'll see...

I love the makeup of the Flames. Besides a great goalie lots of complimentary players on both D and F... .. but no core players and no real team identity, so perfect for us as they should be a punching bag for years to come!

Agree with all of that but I don't think you necessarily see it as the 4th line, just the shutdown line. I actually liked how green deployed Beagle and Motte's line in the bubble, 10 mins some nights and 16-17 mins some nights depending on the situation. I would roll 3 scoring lines and give ice time to the line that's hot each night, not by assigning them line 1-3. Some games the lotto line can be reassembled when it's called for. Something like Pearson - Horvat - Garland Podz - EP - Boeser Hogs - Miller - Motte Sutter - Dickinson - MacEwen

So Larsson signs for 4x4 with Seattle and Nurse gets this contract? That is, well, interesting... Banking on Keith and Nurse to do the heavy defensive minutes looks like a recipe for disaster on paper. Let's hope it is!

As an example Brendan Gaunce was like 0.8 PPG or higher in the AHL and 0.6 PPG or so in the SHL in both regular season and playoffs (numbers from memory so not 100% correct). This is of course totally without deployment context etc but still a reasonable comparison where he produced at top level in the AHL offensively and just below that in the SHL (while still being very good). I think it's hard in general to compare Euro leagues and AHL as there are so many differences in both play and priorities. I do think it's a clear trend though that top 6 forwards are generally ready earlier nowadays (the cap also factors in of course) and less players in that category - European or not - develop via the AHL.

Tanev is a great player and has been durable for once during the two last (abbreviated) seasons. It hurt to lose him but pointing out that his contract term is a major risk once the league gets back to full seasons - and especially for year 3 and 4 of the contract where we hopefully start to contend - in no way means not recognizing Tanev's a great player. Don't think Poolman will ever reach that level, but he could be as effective with better coaching and a better D overall (and a better team and better defensive forwards as well) so I do think OP has a point, sort of.

Does Tampa or Vegas really have a bottom six or is it just top 9? The concept of two scoring lines, one shutdown line and one checking/energy line is on its way out fast. Not saying six other forwards should have more ice time than Miller, but the point is that to have three good scoring lines someone who can produce offense needs to be on the third scoring line, can't just stack up on two lines.

Love that he's coming to camp and we can decide if he's ready for Abby or not, best case scenario really for all parties.

One thing I'll say about Sutter - and yes I'm not a fan of previous contract or deployment - is that except for a short stint with the twins where he couldn't really keep up he's never had a real playmaker on his line. Guy can definitely score although he's as mentioned a black hole when it comes to distributing the puck. If we don't think about 3rd line or 4th line a shutdown line with Motte - Dickinson - MacEwen and the other bottom six being Hogz - Sutter - Podz or Miller - Sutter - Hogz/Podz seems like a rock solid bottom six with some scoring punch.

I wouldn't say "only" Hedman as he's like a quite good player with some impact on games, but yeah, I get your point

I know NM has had falling outs with the coach late in games yelling at each other. I know it was downplayed as "heat of the moment", and maybe it was, but still interesting to think about EP or Horvat or Miller openly questioning coaches decisions and yelling at them at the bench at the end of games. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/avalanches-mackinnon-explains-outburst-head-coach-bednar/

In a few years I think the idea in itself is not that far off, i.e. it will be more common to handle the number of F:s and D:s in a more dynamic fashion. Short term I think it's far fetched. And also - while playing e.g. 17 vs 20 mins might seem minor by just looking at the numbers, in reality it's a lot and all coaches know this. That's why teams want to roll 4 lines especially during the regular season. If your top 6 is constantly over 20 mins they won't last the season because of fatigue.

Can't really figure out why, but something about Schmidt's episode here just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Still think it was a good trade in the first place and I'm ok with shipping him out at status quo, but I guess my feeling is that his heart was never in it during his time here despite the media posturing.

Brilliant insight on +- for offensive players, much needed. Of course, not every bad +- is caused by chasing the game, being out late in games with an open net etc but as you perfectly described, context matters.

Think we'll have to agree to disagree here. I get your point to certain degree and also agree that sacrificing practice to play games is not good for development (guess that's one reason why there's more room for practice in the minors?), but even though practicing with pros will definitely help younger players some things you can only really learn when the games matter. PK, burying your chances when space is tighter, hitting, positioning and reading the play etc etc. It's just not the same at practice.

I think that comparison only works to a certain degree. Practice and learning from pros is vital, but for a young player gameplay is the most important thing in general in my opinion. Gameplay can't be substituted with practice and young players need lots of games to develop. Half a season at 18 in the minors with likely limited minutes seems far from optimal. That said - all players are different and need different paths to succeed. If Danila for instance has the skill and physical tools already in place and just need to adjust his game to the pro level, then maybe this is the right path for him.

This thread is off the rails, again...

Totally agree filing is not an issue, but in the rare cases where it actually goes to a hearing and arbitrator decision more often than not it leaves bad blood. So if he's signed before the hearing - which I totally expect as well - all is good. If not though, trading for an RFA and then deciding the new contract with arbitration does look bad. But as mentioned, the most likely scenario is that they had an agreement in principle before the trade was made and this will be settled well before the hearing.

I agree with this. It's still a valid point though that all else being equal OJ gets the nod because of waiver eligibility. And nothing wrong with that, just asset management. I'm hoping to see both OJ and Bone in the lineup in a year or two, but my guess is many are putting too much into Bones brief stint last season which actually was kinda mixed bag. Not sure he's ready yet. OJ on the other hand looks ready if he's skating has improved a bit. By all means, if I'm wrong and Bone is clearly the better D during camp, so be it. Nice with some depth on D, it'll be interesting to see what Woo, Keeper and Hunt can do during camp.

My guess is the numbers are not the problem but the timing. JB wants to sign the other contracts before, while Dicks understandably wants to be assured he gets a contract and can play. This way both win sorta as long as the contract is signed before arbitration actually takes place. If I'm wrong and it does go to arbitration it's not a good look for management.

Nice post! Looking at that list OEL is a bit down, for sure. Doesn't mean he's not still a very good player though. If you update the search to only include players with a cap hit up to 7 250 000 (our cap hit for OEL) things definitely look a lot better. Of course, all this depends on which level OEL plays on once here. If he returns to his best he'll be a steal at that cap hit, and if he plays poorly... Ah, let's hope we never have to dwell upon that.

Yes, it's almost a given that RFA:s that miss camp and the start of the season will pay for it by having a bad year since it usually takes them most of the remaining season just to catch up. There are exceptions or course, but not everyone is Kucherov, Mario Lemieux or Peter Forsberg and can step right in without missing a beat.

Haven't watched Ritchie enough to have an educated opinion, but from what I've seen seems like a nice top 6 fit in Toronto with two fast skilled wingers where he can be a physical presence and stay a bit higher in the ozone when needed or is he not defensively aware enough for that role?

He he, never liked Sutter's deployment on our team until the bubble playoffs but he showed his value there. As a shutdown 4c with fast wingers it's hard to argue with this signing at 1yr/1mil and good on him for sticking with us.

I don't read it that way, but ok, I think we agree on the basics that you should earn your playing time regardless of draft pedigree or nationality.