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Schenn is better anyway. You need guys that can skate, retrieve pucks and make that first pass before the forecheck closes on them. Addition by subtractionz! That said (on a more serious note) - there are only a handful of teams with fewer points than the Canucks at this point - and as usual, the key veteran stabilizers (and tradeable assets) on this roster were injured heading into the deadline... And they're hosting the draft..... Results at this point are relatively unimportant / expecting them was entirely unrealistic. If they enhance their draft position down the stretch, so be it.
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LOL at the presser - bunch of armchair drama queens from LONG distance wondering if Utica is mismanaged.... Nice deal - very good prospect coming back imo - and once again, accommodated the player. Wasn't as high on Dahlen as a lot of folks around here so not that disappointed to see him go for a more complete player imo.
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don't have time to read this thread, thankfully lol. My take on this; I think the team was probably looking to move one of Edler, Tanev or Gud at the deadline, likely in that order....for whomever brought the best relative return. Moving an injured Tanev...what's the point - were they going to get value? Edler - clearly nothing he'd waive for. Stecher probably plays a significant role in moving Tanev or Gud as well - with him commanding 20 minutes a night and clearly breaking out, his minutes won't be denied. So there's essentially a pair of top 4 RHD remaining, with a depth spot to fill. Schenn as a placeholder to season's end as the team enhances it's draft position in a draft they host. I really like Woo, and Chatfield - so with Stecher forcing his way up the depth chart, it's not clear that RHD is/was the position of greatest need in the organization. That would probably be LW, particularly with Baertschi's uncertainty and Dahlen's impatience to fill his development time in the A. Pearson - I like - clearly a 20/20 type player and from a mold the team needs - mobile with some grit, capable in the hard areas, should bring some forecheck that is really needed, with the skill to bury the puck = a pretty good acquisition. Had no idea why L.A. dealt him for Hagelin - think that was a bizarre deal on their part - and considering Pearson's 9 goals this year in a relatively marginal role, it looks like a good bet that he can be a 20 goal scorer here in the top 6 while bringing some needed elements. A really good 'risk' to take imo and an understandable trade target. Not happy to see Gudbranson go, needless to say - a person and player I like. Wasn't quite the player (yet) that was hoped - yes, he had some puck moving struggles (and not exactly enhanced by playing with young, struggling partners that he was supposed to bring along. Would have loved to see more of him with Edler - they looked outstanding together and complemented each other exceptionally well imo - were the making of one hell of a hard shutdown pairing to deal with. But neither Edler nor Tanev are healthy - and I suspect the intention at this deadline was to move one of their three veteran D - two of whom are injured and one that would not waive = typical Canuck deadline luck? If we do the math - Edler, Tanev, Stecher, Hughes, Juolevi, Hutton, Brisebois, Sautner......McEneny, Woo, Chatfield.....something was likely to give. It's also possible they listened to offers on Hutton..... I also have to defer to Green - who I have a great deal of respect for and who clearly felt that Stecher had leapfrogged his way up the lineup (for good reason - it's been patently obvious that he wants to be a top 4 in the NHL and won't be denied). I think the right side - assuming they can either retain and re-sign Tanev or deal him for a young RHD principal - is relatively healthy - and may be added to at the draft this year. As for Gud - I really hope he can regain his form - unfortunately however that would be in Pittsburgh, a team I really don't care for. The typical standup comments on his part - wishing he'd been better and healthier here (the kinds of injuries he's faced are not easy to recover from - shoulders, wrists...) I wish him the best - and won't be surprised in the least if he thrives in Pitt - I could see him making an excellent partner for Maata on a good shutdown line for them...
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Thanks jazz. Truly love you guys and have had a blast in this league. So many things to like about this league. Every year around this time I check out of the country for 2 or 3 weeks - and it's always a real challenge to attend to the trade deadline. Not only is MV a great GM - but he's also great at creating player movement so I'm really happy to turn the team over to him.
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I had one or two trade inquiries - at best - this season, that I did not initiate myself (one of those without a second response from the inquirer) - so this goes both/all ways. I also had lots of assets - roster players, prospects, picks - and cap space/flexibility - so it's not like there was no deal to be made when you negotiate with me.... But the inactivity of other GMs is not why I'm resigning. I would not be able to attend to this team until after the trade deadline - and that's a waste with a base like the Jets have, particularly when there's a great option like MV who can run the team moving forward. At least I took the time to find a good replacement that will enhance this league and reduce the onus on the commish team to fill vacancies right before the deadline of all times. There comes a point at which you simply run out of avenues or interest in pursuing them - and I've already apologized for that @Baer. The vast majority of deals I've made over the years have been the result of my initiating talks - I've been one of the most active GMs in this league for a LONG time - since it's inception. I haven't been active for a few months - so I'm stepping down. Hopefully now you understand. Best of luck to you and the rest of the good GMs here. It's a great league with great folks.
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Breaking News: The Winnipeg Jets are extremely pleased to announce the hiring of @Mike Vanderhoek! Most of you will be familiar with MV - a GM of impeccable ability and reputation - but for those of you who aren't, he's as good as they make em'. I will be stepping away from GM duties (to run my health and fitness company lol...) just haven't been engaged or maintaining the day to day aspects of the club (don't think I've actually edited the roster in the new year...) My apologies for that - but we feel we have upgraded in the succession plan with a GM who will enhance the competitiveness of the club - and by extension the league. Would like to request that the great commish team here (you guys have made this league a lot of fun) give MV access to the Jets via fantrax. Best of luck - and thanks to Mike! for stepping in and taking this club forward. Thanks for the good times - and best of luck to all you Puck GMs!
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unfortunately it doesn't take a Nostradamus
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now the 'possible challenge' of accepting not being a lottery team (assuming there isn't a possible M.A.S.H.crash to end this season).... that could also be difficult for #tanknation. maybe they'll be consolded by the fact we never win in the lottery anyhow. #self-made
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We've been hearing this one for a while now. Actually though, they shot out of the gates this year when teams/games aren't as tight and you can score your way through your lack of depth. That won't be so easy as the stretch run approaches - or in the playoffs. And therefore they finally made the kind of move they've been needing to for quite some time. Their blueline depth still isn't impressive and could stand another move like this. They're one injury from being another one-and-done in the playoffs. If you're going to go out and get a Muzzin, you may as well do what it takes to add the RHD they need. A Gardiner Zaitsev second pairing is still one that they should look to upgrade - although that won't be easy with Zaitsev's albatross in the way. Can they win with this group? Of course - there's a lot of parity and things happen in the playoffs - but does Muzzin alone complete them as a contender build? Not necessarily if you look realistically at their peers.
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It's easy to be skeptical about teams that are relatively unproven - ie relative to their peers like Washington, Pittsburgh, Tampa - and play a fool's game trying to predict their performance down the stretch = 'err I think they'll faulter' - but lots of people played that tune last year, waiting for Vegas to collapse - thinking they could read them as a paper team....I'm gonna wait on reality. For me this is simply about comments like laughing at Mayfield and Pulock - which I can't take seriously when I look at them relative to Leaf blueline depth. The Isles are a pretty balanced team - with a good bottom six, reasonable scoring talent, and a blueline that has arguably better players in the 5,6,7,8 spots than the Leafs boast. Pulock, Hickey, Leddy, Mayfield, Boychuk, Pelech, Toews, Sbisa Reilly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, Hainsey, Demott. Ozhiganov, Marincin and now Muzzin. Without Muzzin, it's hard to like that Leafs blueline, period. And even with him it's hard to pretend there's separation there.
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You can save that argument for Rob Zepp. But mocking the Isles depth and including guys like Pulock and Mayfield is ironic as you fluff guys like Zaitsev and Gardiner while talking about playoff runs. The Leafs are top heavy - and have a contending top 6 forwards - there is no question about that - but the problem for them is that there are teams like Tampa that can score with them while having a FAR better and deeper blueline. So yeah, the Leafs made a good step in acquiring Muzzin, but they'll have to overcome depth deficiencies in order to get by teams like Tampa.....and at the same time, the East has a handful of teams when you include Washington, Boston, Columbus - that could knock the Leafs off as early as the Islanders may exit. It's nowhere near as predictable as you seem to believe - and the Leafs are nowhere near as distinctly better or deeper than their competition than you seem to believe. They could really stand to make another key move on their blueline - the right side could still use work.
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I don't really care about playoff predictions where the Islanders are concerned. That has next to nothing to do with the discussion. The question was whether the Leafs are so deep and complete. If you believe that, while laughing at players like Pulock and Mayfield, then you clearly have a very high estimation of guys like Gardiner, Zaitsev, Dermott, Ozhiganov. The Islander were supposed to be bottom-feeders after the Leafs took their first overall franchise player from them.... And yet the Leafs are trailing the Islanders 50 games into the season. So predicting the Isles won't go on a playoff run isn't really the point. And whether the Leafs blueine is deeper than the NYI is also debatable.
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nope. Leddy and Hickey both play more minutes than Mayfield. Boychuk plays 11 seconds/game less than Mayfield. The issue for Toronto isn't yesterday's acquisition - Muzzin - or their previous #1. It's the depth and "completeness' of the build that is the question here. Laughing at a couple players like Pulock and Mayfield suggests you don't pay any attention to the Islanders.
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Yeah - and that's where I part with your perspective that they're built deeply and completely. I still think their blueline needs work - particularly if you are going to compare them to the best in the NHL. Hedman, McDonagh, Stralman, Sergachev, Girardi, Cernak, Coburn....(Cal Foote).... Or the top 4 of Nashville....Josi, Ekholm, Subban, Ellis... You seem to be 'confused' about how good Pulock and Mayfield are....I'd take either of them in a heartbeat over Zaitsev.
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I think you'r misnaming their strengths - which imo are the top end of their lineup, and secondary scoring depth from their forwards. "Depth and completeness" however is what the Leafs need to work on - particularly on their blueline - where I'd agree with you that Muzzin helps balance and fill out that roster, but I still think they have another move or two to make - and I would not rank them with the league's best in terms of "completeness". When you look at teams like Tampa, Nashville, Winnipeg, Washington, Columbus, possibly Calgary, San Jose....I think they're built more "completely" than Toronto - whereas the Leafs are relying moreso on the top end of their roster - their two 1st overall centers and their skilled wingers. It's hard to take seriously criticisms of guys like Pulock or Mayfield when Gardiner and Zaitsev have been the Leafs #2 and #3 ice time D this year, and were #1 and #2 last year.
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I'm not really sure what you're talking about Rob. Your principal points, not understanding why Toronto valued Muzzin, were that he was a former 5th round pick, and approaching 30 yrs of age. Nothing could be more irrelevent to a player's market value after 500+ NHL games than their draft position. I suppose the first things teams will reference when it comes to Tanev is the fact he was an undrafted free agent signing. Everyone knows Datsyuks and Zetterbergs have been drafted in late rounds - nothing is more irrelevent when it comes to their values as NHL veterans. You were grasping at "straws" from the get-go. And the fact he's 29 years of age - when you're talking about a team hoping to contend in the present and immediate future - again, you're grasping at the periphery, at best. That's why I think you're whiffing hard on the deal wadr. What I've pointed out in this tread is Muzzin's performance, his experience, the type of player he is - and why I think he makes a good fit - and an upgrade to that blueline - at reasonable market value. Good for you - you don't believe the Leafs have been built to win - but oldnewsflash - there's probably no one on these boards that has been more critical of that team's 'build' than I have, so spin off on that tangent all you want but you're barking up the wrong tree with that.