Fanuck

I don't see that happening, only for the reason that we have virtually zero cap-space to work with to bring in anyone who could help this roster right away (presumably anyone who could help us right away is either already an established player with a market-value deal already in place or RFA waiting to cash in at market value - neither of which we can afford at the moment). If JR/Allvin could've created that elusive 'cap flexibility' they've been talking about since day 1, I believe they would have done that already. That said, maybe, just maybe, a team eliminated from the PO sees a hole in their roster and makes a move they wouldn't have 4-5 months ago? A team like us, cap-strapped with obvious glaring needs (RHD/2C), in my view absolutely must use their draft picks (as opposed to trading them away) to secure assets who will eventually contribute meaningful minutes while on ELC. It's the only way we can ride out some of these high-cost-low-value contracts we have on the books. Either that or pay to dump contracts - and we're not in a position to do that unfortunately. I don't hate PlanB's idea of swapping our #11 plus a Boeser/Garland type contract to someone else near our own draft spot for their pick, just to create at least some cap flexibility presuming Allvin isn't dead-set on a specific player at #11 already.

Very good question. If Allvin and co feel there is a specific guy they want, what would the price be to get that guy? Outside of the top 3 (Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson), I personally don't see anyone worth spending the assets on to trade up for. That said, the interesting thing would be if a guy like Michkov falls to say #6 or #7 or so, would you want Allvin to swap picks with someone plus add assets to acquire him? If so, what assets would you be prepared to spend to get him? That's were it gets interesting for me.....

I could see Reinbacher playing regular minutes in the NHL way before that time-frame. He's played pro for over a year and a half already, he's physically mature, and he could be selectively recalled from Abby and paired/sheltered with a veteran d-partner as a gradual entry into regular playing time. The only question is, will he be still be available at 11?

Other than Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson there really aren't any centermen ranked in the top 15 that move the needle for me. That said I haven't scrutinized the rankings or followed other leagues like I used to do in the past so maybe there's a hidden gem in there that could be available? I think our best hope is that Reinbacher is still available - if he is, he could be BPA/organizational need all in one plus he's likely got an accelerated path to the NHL since he played a year and a half or whatever it was of pro hockey already. He could potentially be playing regularly beside Huggy by the end of next season depending on how his transition from the AHL goes - outside from the top 3 or so players in the draft this year I don't see anyone else available to us at where we're likely picking that could be playing in two years let alone at the end of next season?

What if they chose to be transparent from the beginning.......?

My thoughts are that only an organization that is as untrustworthy as the NHL and it's BOG would go to such great lengths to portray itself as 'transparent' to the general public. Other organizations that are beyond reproach don't have to try to explain to the general public that they are in fact 'honest'.

That game where he got benched and then came out of nowhere to score the OT winner - classic.

Sutter is a fossil from a bygone era. These guys do NOT know how to deal with today's modern NHL players nor today's modern NHL media and I suspect that is one of the main reasons why the team moved on from him. His style was accepted in CGY only as long as he was winning. There are very few of these guys around the NHL anymore doing any 'meaningful' jobs because franchises have simply moved on - kinda like there are pretty much zero 'stand-up' goalies left anywhere in pro-hockey - the game has moved on. Today's modern NHL stars are 'entitled elitists' - they've been groomed their entire lives to expect certain things whether they deserve them or not. In Sutter's generation, NOBODY was given anything, you only got what you earned and he can't reconcile that with today's NHL player whether it's right or wrong it is, 'the way'.

It's not who I want to win at this point, it's who I don't want to win and that would be Vegas. I could accept Coilers winning, but Vegas - nope. Whomever wins this probably goes to SCF is my guess.

Yet another virtually meaningless consequence handed out by DOPS - why does this not surprise anyone?

Bettman to his BOG "So we're being told Boston is going to take a hit next season, anyone opposed to raising the cap by 8mil to take care of this?"

It may be just me but I don't think Rathbone is anywhere near as NHL ready as some think. Watching the Abby highlights this year (sadly, never saw a game in person this season), he's making some pretty unacceptable defensive blunders quite regularly down there that would only be magnified at the NHL level. Not saying the 'b' word whatsoever, but to me he definitely is not ready for regular duty at the NHL level - his limited NHL action this season would seem to back this up, no?

Staying 'elite' and hoping to 'compete' forever simply is not a sustainable long-term plan in today's cap-dominated NHL. They extended their competitive window FAR beyond what could reasonably be expected by acquiring the best player of his entire generation....now they're likely going to be in fringe-wildcard purgatory for some time unless new ownship/management realizes you need to take a few steps back before climbing up again.

FLA took huge steps backwards after that trade, only a desperate sports betting gambler is giving them any chance whatsoever. This is likely the highest chance of a sweep in Rnd1.

Edmonton is the highest scoring team in the league this year by far, and defensively they're about the same as LA despite what some people want to believe about their team/defensive personnel. EDM offensive capabilities should be easily enough to win round 1 - that's what a generational player can do for a team. Their biggest question mark - goaltending.

Toews has a great hockey legacy no doubt. Sadly, he was the captain of his team when Kyle Beach's career/life was ruined. Unfortunately, that will always resonate with me even though I'm sure most people have already moved on from that scandal.

I have a LOT of empathy for the homeless/mentally ill, a LOT - but I also want myself and my family to be safe in my own community. There has to be a compromise that benefits both the community at large and the homeless population that respects them as humans and acknowledges they need certain supports, but at the same time - addresses the elephant in the room so to speak in that this cannot be allowed to continue let alone escalate. What it is, I don't know - but that's the job of community experts and that's why they're in their respective positions - so far I don't see much progress sadly.

Battle of the:

It's unfortunate Bo had to stoop to that level. He absolutely knew exactly what he was saying and knew it would get back to all of us here in BC - He knows the local media all too well to not realize that. He had hundreds of thousands of loyal fans here and destroyed the connection that was built over many, many hard years with one ill advised comment, which sadly he'll likely regret down the road when the resentment of the trade finally wears off. If he didn't already and I missed it, I'm sure his agent is formulating some kind of social media statement explaining how his statements were misunderstood - I'm not buying it, it was a cold, calculated resentful statement that shows a real classless side of this person I've not seen before sadly.

Meaning if Kuz supported this his entire family in Russia would be persecuted - that's how their regime runs over there......