Looking ahead at possible offseason roster moves by the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames.
What next for the Canadiens?
Are significant roster changes coming for the Montreal Canadiens this summer?
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance suggests the Montreal Canadiens attempt to re-sign pending UFA defenseman Jeff Petry, who was acquired at the trade deadline and proved a solid addition to the Habs blueline. Custance also recommends Canadiens management get in touch with Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock to gauge his interest in coming to Montreal.
SI.COM: Allan Muir believes the Canadiens need a top-line center and at least two top-six scoring wingers. He also speculates the Habs could be linked to Babcock in the coming weeks.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Dave Stubbs speculates this will be a busy summer for Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin, “who might have to shed a few assets to find another scorer that this team so badly needs.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Expect more speculation over possible summer moves by the Canadiens in the coming days. I doubt very much Bergevin will be contacting Mike Babcock. For all the complaints about Therrien by some Montreal fans and pundits, Bergevin has confidence in his coach, so much so he re-signed him last summer to a four-year extension which kicks in next season. Sure, the deep-pocketed Habs can afford to replace Therrien with Babcock, but I’m not buying into that theory.
I do believe, however, Bergevin must bolster his club’s offense, which was among the league’s worst during the regular season and struggled throughout the postseason. I don’t expect a major roster overhaul, and landing more scoring punch (especially a first-line center) won’t be easy. Still, Bergevin’s proven to be a savvy wheeler-dealer in not giving up too much to get pieces to help his club. Don’t be surprised if he targets cap-strapped teams like Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Philadelphia or the New York Rangers in search of either a scorer or perhaps another skilled top-four defenseman if he’s unable to re-sign Petry.
Bergevin doesn’t have a lot of cap space to take on additional salary, especially with Alex Galchenyuk and perhaps Petry to re-sign, which could mean shipping out a couple of players under contract to make it work. Prior to the trade deadline, there was speculation Lars Eller and Alexei Emelin were being shopped. It’ll be interesting to see if their names pop up again in the rumor mill following the playoffs.
Latest on the Flames.
CALGARY HERALD: George Johnson notes re-signing team captain Mark Giordano and inking young stars Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett to new contracts within the next two years will prove expensive. Johnson wonders if management could consider shipping out some veterans like Jiri Hudler (whose trade value would be high right now) or goalie Jonas Hiller to free up some cap space.
CALGARY SUN: Eric Francis reports Flames GM Brad Treliving wants to add depth to his defense, intends on re-signing Mark Giordano as well as RFAs like Lance Bouma and Mikael Backlund, but remains mum as to his goaltending. Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio are under contract for next season, while Karri Ramo is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fortunately for the Flames, they have a lot of cap space (over $25 million) for 2015-16, so there’s no reason to make hasty moves. Yes, re-signing Giordano (who’ll likely get over $7 million annually) will eat up a big chunk, but that won’t kick in until 2016-17. Re-signing Backlund, Bouma, Micheal Ferland and Josh Jooris will take up additonal space but they won’t be expensive. I expect Treliving could target cap-strapped teams for defensive depth, but I doubt he’ll go on a huge spending spree as he knows he must leave sufficient space to re-sign his young stars.
Treliving could trade Hiller and re-sign Ramo, but a Ramo-Ortio tandem might not play up to expectations next season. Say what you will about Hiller, but he won them 26 games this season. Unless the plan is to replace Hiller with a better starter, the Flames are better off keeping him. He only has a year left on his contract, so it’s not as though they’re stuck with him long term. I doubt Treliving ships out Hudler, who has incredible chemistry with Gaudreau and Monahan. Indeed, a three-year contract extension at $5 million per season might be workable for him.
I know it’s unlikely Montreal and Toronto ever make a large trade with each other but I wouldn’t be shocked if Bergevin at least inquires about Kessel or van Riemsdyk. JvR in particular could be a fit because of his relatively cheap contract, especially since the Leafs will probably be willing to pay half his salary and take a bad contract in return in order to get rid of him.
The Leafs will not be retaining salary or taking a bad contract back in any Kessel or JVR deal. Phanuef probably.
Yeah, the Leafs can eat some salary on Phaneuf or take back a bad contract, but if they do that they are going to want a price coming back as well in the form of a late first rounder plus a prospect or a top prospect, like a Mantha who has slipped a little.
I could see Phaneuf going to Detroit for Weiss, Mantha and a 3rd/4th. The Leafs could possibly hold 1m of Phaneuf’s salary and bump that pick up to a 2nd.
The Red Wings are not going to give up Mantha and A pick for Phanuef, even if Toronto eat Weiss caontract. Weiss has 3 more years at 4.9 mil, Phanuef is 7 years at 7 mil. The Wings come out short on this one and then give up a pick and Mantha for the Maple Leafs mistake, No way. Detroit could buyout Weiss, sign Green or Franson for less than Phanuef and keep the pick and Mantha for the same price and lesser term.
Piecing together all the various rumors, it sounds like
Phaneuf for Weiss, Mantha, plus a pick
Was the deal being negotiated. Apparently Detroit passed on that.
I could see something very similar getting done. I’d prefer Larkin minus the pick, even if the Leafs eat salary but that seems unlikely.
From what I read, the deal proposed by Ken Holland was Smith, Weiss and Pulkkinen for Phaneuf, with Toronto retaining $2M of Phanuef’s salary.
As a Red Wings fan, even I think it was smart for Toronto to pass. Other than getting out of most of Phaneuf’s deal, I don’t see how it would have helped them.
-Weiss’s deal would take up $4.9M of the $5M saved on Phaneuf for the next 3 years
-Smith is still a project Dman that may not have reached his ceiling yet, but he’s also an RFA this summer and will be eligible for UFA status next summer
-Pulkkinen is a smallish winger that has tore up the AHL, but his NHL game needs a good bit of work. He’s also out of minor league options next season and would have to stay on Toronto’s main roster, and I’m fans there would expect the moon from him
-On top of that, Toronto gets docked $2M in cap space for the next 7 years
I would imagine Nonis looked at his salary cap and saw what kind of limits he would have with another bad contract in Weiss and salary retention for Phaneuf ON TOP of having the Horton LTIR situation and Gleasons buyout.
I would imagine swapping Pulkkinen for Mantha or Larkin would have been the tipping point, but Holland won’t give those guys up as they are the best hop they have for eventually replacing Zetterberg and Datsyuk.
You need to remember that Phaneuf can still play and be very effective in the league if used as a 2-3 d-man and not made to lead. He can then play on the edge and take risks. Weiss is not that. His best before date has past and there is no value in his play vs contract. Phaneuf is overpaid but at least he can still play. There would be Weiss, a top prospect and a pick involved in this deal.
God not this Phaneuf to Detroit crap again. I would rather keep Weiss for 3 more years and the Leafs can peddle Phaneuf to another sucker…I mean team.
I hear the Jackets are looking for defense. Maybe a Phaneuf for Clarkson deal could be worked out lol
Kronwall lets keep in mind that detroits defense is full of nobodies…your 20+ year streak is about to end
Yeah been hearing about the Wings missing the playoffs for over 10 years. Might as well tell me they’re old since that would be new too lol.
That defense full of nobodies (as you put it) were fine this year without Phaneuf and were better than the Leafs defense with Phaneuf. There are better ways to improve the defense then trading for that pylon with a bloated contract.
No … Toronto is in no hurry to get rid of JVR and there is a 0% chance they would pay half of his contract to do so. I am not sure where you got the idea they wanted to move him.
Habs fans… Sigh.
JVR is a 26 year-old 30 goal/60 point winger with a cap hit of $4.25. You have a player like that named Pacioretty. Would you be trading him and retaining salary? I don’t think so.
I’m sure he’s available for a crazy price, but otherwise not – he fits into the Leafs rebuild so it makes sense to hang onto him.
JVR is all those things and a -30 player.
He is very tradeable.
Players making $5m a year who are minus thirty tend to be tradeable.
Mario was a big minus a few years think the Pens considered trading him LJ? (+/-) is a useless stat over 1 year…Id suggest some Habs would have quite a bit difference in (+/-) this year if not for Price that mean they dont play defence well? How many times this year do you think JVR was on the ice with a minute to go and the goalie pulled for an extra attacker? how many (-) do you think that accounts for for a team that won 4 or 5 games since Jan? Not saying JVR is particularly good defensively just that pointing only 1 season of +/- is useless… last I looked scoring goals is the problem for the Habs and some other teams JVR could help fix that.
Are you really comparing Mario and JVR? Seriously. Maybe you should think before you comment next time.
Joe…you sir are an idiot and obviously have troubles with reading comprehension if you think for 1 second I am comparing them as players. I am simply stating that plus minus over 1 season on any particular player is a no representation of a player. Mario had seasons of -35,-25, -18, -16…you do understand that the goal differential of a player who has 100 points yet is still minus -35 right? I am saying os good players on bad teams have bad (+/-)
Plus/minus is a team stat and doesn’t get brought up in individual player evaluation nowadays…
sure and his playoff ppg offsets that so were even again
If the Leafs are willing to give away JVR and eat 1/2 his salary, Sather needs Bergevin on speed dial! At $4.25 per, he may very well be dollar for dollar one of the top value deals out there. Obviously all cost controlled players like Johnson, Tarasenko, Kucherov etc. aside.
Bang on! hell, if the Leafs would ever deal with the Sens I’d take JVR AND his full salary in a flash. That’s the Top 6 F Murray’s been talking about since You-Know-Who was a corporal.
agreed but boy oh boy it would cost montreal a lot to get JVR i doubt they want to get kessel but JVR would fit in very well.
How bout a three way trade with Plekanic (however you spell that name) and Emelin to Boston, Lucic and Subban (the goalie) to Toronto and Kessel to Montreal?
Right?
Right?
Peace
Taking back money and a bad contract for a young big 30 goal scorer who only makes 4.25? Snap out of it habs it’s been over for yrs dynasty
habs could really use a kessel all he does is score and what do we need ??
Good luck with the search for a top line centre- bc absolutely no one else is looking for one. BTW what happened? I thought Desharnais and Plekanec were incredible centres and that a true no.1 wasn’t needed…How long before we start hearing about PK Subban in the same vain as Dion Phaneuf…yes would rather have PK but at 9 million..haha..my goodness 9 million for PK Subban- still makes me laugh..but the Leafs management was crazy…
Exactly, for all the praise of PK because he is a media darling despite being utterly classless, his play on the ice on the defensive side of the puck is mediocre and he does commit some costly mistakes. That was quite evident last night, but you won’t hear about in the media.
@Dan39
You mean to tell me you find a guy that talks in the press about how he likes to fart on goaltenders classless ?
Ummmmm , yeah , me too !
clearly you are a leaf fan and don’t watch much hoskey he has won the norris and is nominated again the reason….he is an elite defenceman since you are a loaf fan you wouldn’t know what one of those looks like
9 mill for PK and a Norris already???
Talk about being overrated.
He is below average in his own end. Yes, he is spectacular from his blue line out, but good lord is he bad in his own end.
So, think about the great d in the league, Doughty, Weber, Suter, Karlson, Larson, Keith, Hedman, Pietra.. How much better are the majority of those on this list than PK in their own end? I would say other than Karlson they are all much better in their own end. On offense, yes when not distracted he is as good as anyone in the league. With that said, maybe just maybe he cracks the top 10 overall when considering both ends of the ice.
Either way 9 mill is a terrible contract. Funny, PK wanted between 6 and 7 mill long term, but the habs and many in the NHL thought the bridge contract was the better way to go. Guess looking back that did not work out for them…
Yeah, good analysis – it’s not being talked about just yet but give it a couple years of no progression from PK and more pissing people off with his gutless, arrogant, trashy antics and he’ll be getting run out of town.
I love listening to people talk about pk that are not in a league or management position pk is a top 3 dman in the league anyway you look at it quit sounding so stupid
Lol, yeah, top 3 on any team? You surely don’t mean top 3 in the league when he couldn’t even crack the starting lineup for Team Canada. You can’t mean that, because THAT would be stupid!
lol 1 Norris already nominated AGAIN! keep thinking hes not a great dman you sound smart
Yep, you are right PK is a bum. Run him out of the league already!
Right?
Right?
Peace
I agree PKs antics are a over the top too often, but you cannot argue with his play. He is a great Dman and has improved tremendously on the D side of the puck over the last couple years. Even Karlsson said himself that PK was a better defenseman than he is, and that is pretty high praise. I challenge you to look on PK without bias and repeat those same criticisms, I guarantee it won’t happen.
totally agree sovtech pk has improved a lot on the defensive side if had a upgrade on markov as his partner he would have been a lot better plus minus
check out the analytics and you will see how wrong you are he is top 3 in every category especially in his own end….you should take up another sport maybe tiddly winks would be easier for you to understand
wooooo slow down
1. pk isnt worth 10 mil – no player is unless you got cups or your gretzky
2. pk is an run and gun dman; therefore not a true dman
3. pk is worth 6-7 mill
4. he is good to above average everywhere except defensive play were he is average to good
5. he is young and getting better
6. his improved play is direct result of solid defensive system and markov
markov???? jesus if pk had a better partner all season his stats would be way higher markov has lost a step bigtime
jello not dissing pk but before the new coach montreal wasnt a contender. (they are getting there now) and during that same time markov was injured and the habs including pk were a rollercoaster ride. Since Markov came back, subban signed contract and whole team is better (solid)
Coincidence? Probably not!
Coach system depth equals better player (subban or anyone)
What the Habs need is patience. Galchenyuk will be their number 1 center they’re looking for. It will just take a little bit of time. The Habs might not have that time though with their current roster unfortunately. Markov is getting older and so are a couple of their other guys. What the Habs can realistically do is go out and get a scoring winger who will put up 30+. Ideally for them, a 1st line center would be the perfect pickup but we all know those don’t grow on trees and the chances they are traded in the league are slim to none. The Leafs have been trying to get one since Sundin left.
Realistically they can get a first line winger or someone who can put something in the range of 30 goals in the net. That will allow them to generate offense while giving Galchenyuk the time he needs to develop into the 1c he will eventually be.
How about Kessel to the Habs lol just to hear Jello talk about how great he is.
LMAO I can hear it now…he is the great goal the Habs have been looking for.
lmao bergevin aint that stupid we have patches that scores more than kessel plays the pk and makes 3.5 million less than phil the one dimensional god
Actually Kessel has scored about 100 more goals and almost doubled Patchs in points. Kessel may be poor defensively but id say Kessel is the better goal scorer. But then again defensively when he has Carey Price to back him up, I guess his plus minus would be blown up as well.
Kessel is a good goal scorer, the problem is that he can’t do much else. I think that Montreal could use him to his strengths, however, because he would be insulated by solid defence and elite goaltending. I am not going to say he is an amazing player, but he would fill a huge void on the Habs roster.
I wouldn’t say Montreal’s defense is Solid. Offensively talented yes, Pk and markov are good on the PP. But I think that when they give up almost as many shots per game as the leafs id say goal is the only insulator there. Kessel is a Streaky player Majorly understated lol, But when his game is on there is only a very small hand full of players that have more goals namely Stamkos an O.V. in am 5 year span. also when he does make the playoffs he’s show that he’s able to hold hid own. But your right he would fill a huge void. As evidence with the lack of scoring in the playoffs.
Potting two goals in a 5-3 loss is not much of a bargain at $8 mil per if you don’t do anything else well on the ice. There’s a very fundamental reason why Kessel’s name is constantly mentioned as being at or near the top of a Leafs housecleaning.
well I think montreal and or therrion has to be committed to playing galenchuck at center next year
still think they need a top flight scoring r/w and hope they can resign Petry
eller and emelin can be packaged up and even desarnasis (51)
JVR would look good on the r/w or even kassian
maybe they play McCarron next yr and see his development
and with any luck Meiirs with the Halifax mooseheads is still undrafted when it comes to montreal turn to draft …hes a beast
final note
who ever was in charge of their pp unit needs to be fired asap
oh and they need to add the coach of the mooseheads ducharme hes very good with younger players
Kessel to Montreal for Elder , Prust , Nathan Bealieau and 2015 1st round pick.
In some alternate universe …. maybe.
I have to say I am surprised that Spector listed the NY Rangers as possible target for an offensive player. The Rangers are showing in the playoffs that you really can’t have too many players who can score.
Who would the Rangers trade that would not hurt their own Scoring?
My guess is that Martin St Louis will not be resigned and the $7.5M will be used where needed to improve the team.
St. Louis is has a $5.0 million base salary, and cap hit is $5.625. I think the only way he is coming back is a cheap 1 year bonus filled deal.
its a touhg position in some ways that montreal is in. they have prospects they could look at promoting or they could move some. they still have fucale as a trade chip to use. do they jump the gun and move their first rounder this year? they are a team with old players and some young ones. they need scoring but, unless they trade for some they are hooped
I like Pk Subban and E Karlson but no way should they be a Norris candidate, his own coach in one game only let him on the ice for 3 defensive zone face offs. I think its time to take the voting away from the writers. The writers look at numbers and get all caught up and local writers with voting rights do not watch most out of markets game. Gary Lawless writer for the Winnipeg Free Press and on air personality of Hussler and Lawless in Winnipeg said on air (the year pk won the Norris) that he voted for Shea Weber and follows it up with I never watched him play. Same season on HNIC Elliotte Friedman he said if he was building an nhl team he would start with Zdeno Chara when asked by PJ Stock if he voted for him for the Norris his reply “no”. I credit these gentleman with their honesty and Lawless defended himself I made not watch the game but I do my home work to ensure his vote is legit. My point is how many writers watch out of market games and how often if at all. What they have when they do there research is the top point getters (PK, Karlsson) lots of goals and assist, as I call them the sexy stats and then your attention is drawn to that. My point is the NHL need to find a better way to determined the winner of the prestige’s awards, writers say the fans shouldn’t have the vote for the all-star games, I’m saying maybe the writers get to vote and then it goes to a committee to review the top 5 and determined the order of 1 thru 5. Ok my rant is done. Pick me apart.
Agreed. It’s like giving a Cy Young award to a pitcher with the best hitting %, while his era is 12.00 per game.
I have no intention of “picking you apart” because I tend to agree that sports writers voting is known to be full of holes. However, I’m just curious as to why you think Karlsson and Subban don’t belong with the nominees when you compare relevant stats
Karlsson 21g 45a 66pts +7 292 shots 7.2 S%
Subban 15g 45a 60pts +21 170 shorts 8.8 S%
Weber 15g 30a 45pts +15 237 shots 6.3 S%
Doughty – 7g 39a 46pts +3 219 shots 3.2 S%
Keith 10g 35a 45pts +12 171 shots 5.8 S%
Seabgrook – 8g 23a 31pts -3 (on the Hawks!) 181 shots 4.4 S%
Chara 8g 12a 20pts 0 138 shots 5.8 S%
I wouldn’t mind having any one of them on my team (well, maybe nor Chara at that cap hit as he’s a bit long in the tooth) and I don’t really see any degree of separation except in the offensive production. What factors would you consider?
George congrats you are now a writer. That’s exactly my point you listed all the stats and your two guys top the list. I would take both of them on my team. But would you take them over; Suter, Weber, Keith, Doughty or Seabrook to build your team? Also as I mentioned PK is not but on the ice for the vast majority of the draws in his end, what does that say of what the coach thinks of his defensive zone game? The Norris is for the best all around defenseman, not the most offensive. I agree with fergy22 maybe time for two trophies if they cant find a better solution then the “sexy numbers”.
Sarcasm aside (why do you think you need that to make a point?) without the “sexy stats” the voting would then be purely subjective, i.e., the personal opinion of whoever casts the vote. If it’s a sports writer/panelist and, as you say, they don’t see all the players in action, wouldn’t their vote then become no more valid than, say, a fan (if the voting went to them) who would, in most cases, vote on a “team favorite” basis.
George, I didn’t say the fans should have the vote. I said the writers can have the vote and their should be an awards committee set up (ex-nhl players) to review the top 5 vote getters and they could go further into details to determine whom I most deserving of the award. The Norris is meant for the best all around defenseman not just they guys with the most points. If your up by a goal you’ll put Weber, Doghtey, keith, Suter o the ice if our down by a goal you’ll put Weber, Keith, Suter, Doughtey, Subban and Karlsson on the ice. I guess how much value do you put on offense and how much value do you put on defense, is it 50/50, 60/40 or the other way?
all I know is, the trophy goes to whoever “demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position”. When I see “all-around” and look at the difference in goals and assists and +/- that is fairly equal it would be just as questionable NOT to consider Subban and Karlsson. Offence is what sells tickets and that’s why they continue to tinker with the rules (including making the nets larger which still is being discussed y early) The game changed drastically in that regard when they removed the centre red line and from that point on, “offensive” defencemen became just as important as shut-down D in the eyes of coaches and GMs – not to mention the sports journalists. But I agree, it’s time to have TWO trophies for D as suggested.
Well in Karlsson favour and maybe PK’s. He is the best player on the Sens. So being a D man he is not only relied on to stop the opposition from scoring he is also a key figure in running the Sens offense. That is pretty heavy pressure to score goals while preventing the opposition best lines from doing the same. He plays half the game and with out him in the Sens line up the team would surely fail night in an night out. Say what you will about Methot’s ability to insulate Karlson. If Karlson wasn’t on the line I don’t think Methot’s point production could do anything to push them to victory. The best Defense is a good offense except for those who complain about the Norris trophy.
So ignoring all the stats that sports writers solely use according to you in order to cast their vote I can make a strong case as to why Karlsson is going to win the Norris this year and I can do it with out naming a single stat.
After all
Keith has Toews, Kane and Seabrook
Weber has Renne and Jones,
PK has Price and Markov
Doughty Quick, Kopitar and everything a D man could want
Seabrook has what Keith has and Keith
Chara Krejci, Hamilton, Lucic, Raask
Karlsson has Methot, Turris, and Anderson/Lehner/hammond.
I have no probably making a strong case for Why Karlson is about to win the Norris. He certainly deserves to be nominated and I don’t have to use stats. Just line mates and rosters, role the play has on the team and pressure player is under.
although i agree it is fine & deserving of them to be nominated, the underlying premise is that they are offensive defensmen while the others are better defensively. At least that would be my guess.
But the key phrase in the parameters for voting for the Norris is “all-round ability in the position” and the fact is, maybe the voters are considering that the vast differences in offensive output by Karlsson and Subban outweigh the differences in the defensive aspect of the game better exhibited by the others.
probabaly, my point is based on new nhl and players suckass compared to the greats.
therefore I will never be happy 😛
the NHL should change the Norris and have top offensive defenceman and top defensive defenceman awards. I am a purist, old school … hate the shoot out, dislike advertising on the boards etc but these are the times we live in …..but I cant figure out why Bettman won’t budge on changing the annual awards and trophies? I like that they added the Rocket RIchard trophy but Lady Byng,as an example, c’mon time to get with the times.
they could easily add a Bobby Orr trophy to the best defensive defence man. Changing the Noris to the best Offensive defence man. Or vice-versa.
Nobody wants to win the Lady Byng
Much like the debate about the Norris (is it for top offensive dman? Or top dman?), I have a problem with the Selke.
It’s for “Top Defensive Forward”. But really is more for “Top 30 Goal-Scoring Forward Who Plays Well Defensively”.
There’s a lot to be said that being a frightening offensive talent keeps opponents honest and so makes a player even better defensively. I have no problem with recent nominees and winners. But I also don’t believe that the best defensive forward ALWAYS has to be a major point-producer, which is the case for the nominees.
“It’s for “Top Defensive Forward”. But really is more for “Top 30 Goal-Scoring Forward Who Plays Well Defensively”.”
Shouldn’t a forward that can shut down or suppress shots, goal scoring attempts, possess the puck and keep the play away from their net annnnd score goals for you while doing that shouldn’t go to the guy that does all that having the one that scores the most get the award since the goal of hockey is out scoring your opponents?
Absolutely. But, like the Norris argument going on, that makes them the best goal scorer who plays great defense. Perhaps the best defensive forward is the one with the most takeaways, blocked shots and defensive zone faceoff wins? Goal-scoring may just be the icing on the cake, as opposed to a key component.
Anyway, like I say, I have no problem with the nominees; just playing devil’s advocate on that one!
finally real hockey talk
right on gents
I agree and I personally am sick of billionaire salary cap eating young offensive goal scoring non checking bs hockey, awards, rules, players, teams, media and fans.
The awards should go to players that hold truest to what the trophys founder represents…not “ohhh pk subban is really popular right now mentality”
Lady Byng is like a golfer winning an award for the shortest drives.
I am not much of a fan of offensive d-men. There are always exceptions, but typically they are fundamentally flawed defensively, undersized (Letang, Karlsson, Yandle) and just WAY too expensive. If I’m paying a d-man 7-8-9 million +, He better kill penalties, play the PP, and not be on the bench for 90% of the defensive draws, or against the other teams top line. As cheap as Yandle is, I’d gladly flip him for a more defensively sound d-man and pay him more $$$’s.
good thing #65 only makes 6.5. You can like him.
right on nyr
my thoughts exactly
this is why ny rangers are in playoffs and most shnny playing teams are watching.
Unfortunealty for you and NY, Washington has drastically improved in that area by one signing that everyone thought too much, too old and I was screaming for my team to sign: Willie mitchell
Game 7 now 3rd period 1-1 … gl
I’m confused? Willie Mitchell is a Florida Panther?
sorry i only watch leafs.
I was thinking orpik not mitchell..no wonder why wash lost 😛
mitchell and orpik = i would have signed them both personally
I’d still take McDonough, Girardi, Staal, and Klein over Mitchel, Orpik, Green, and Niskanen.
I was basing this off the free agents available last year and in my fantasy gm chair..how could I improve the crappy leafs..hmmm big dman sounds bout right. Choices at the time were between orpik/mitchell or niskanin … (off dman vs dman)
I know the Habs fans might be upset but I would look into chiarelli’s roster to get Ryan Nuggent Hopkins. I would try to swap Galchenyuk for RNH.
Than Tj oshie with blues is available , I don’t think it would cost expensive to get him.
And than we have of course Chicago, Bergevin friends. I hear P sharp is available. Why not swap Pleckanec and maybe a little extra for sharp. I think all these trades are possible to make and of course resign petry.
It would be easier to get Drisaidle (sorry about the spelling) then it would RNH. You would need to give up more then just Galchenuyk to get RNH as he is a proven NHL centre unlike Galchenuyk who has been playing wing. Also the Oilers are set for wingers and are in the need of a goalie above anything.
Armstrong is probably listening to teams but in no way is he dumping Oshie. Oshie would be expensive to pry out of St Louis. Berglund is the one that could be had in a trade before July 1st when his no-trade kicks in. I don’t consider Berglund a winner as he vanishes in important games. I’ve seen it so many times.
Sharp is probably available after the season. That is not because his play was sub-par but his age and contract combined with a strained salary cap situation in Chicago makes it a realistic possibility. Sharp is 33. There is ample stats to show that production might decline rapidly in the coming years, so buyer beware. Sharp comes with a great reputation and for any team trying to get over the hump, Sharp would be a welcome addition. Maybe Sharp would be more interesting to St Louis than to retain Backes?
Why do you think it won’t be hard to get RNH?
Or what about for RNH
T Pleckanec, N Beaulieu, L Eller and A Emelin for Ryan Nuggent Hopkins
What do you guys think?
Interesting, I think you are handcuffing the Canadians offence, but I think if the Oilers are trading any of RNH, Hall, or Eberle there will need to be a number one defence man or number one goalie involved and Emelin is not a number one defence man.
RNH for Price … I joke I joke
Tony, I don’t know who’s whispering in your ear that RNH is available because I can tell you, in all probability, he is not. After this season, I believe RNH impressed a lot of people with his maturing play. Especially considering he’s 22. Look at his production and age. You don’t trade away players like that because they are few and far between. The center-line is so important in todays nhl and half of all 1st rounders pan out like envisioned. Look for Oilers to select McDavid while retaining RNH and Draisaitl for several years. They won’t be traded unless Chiarelli dislike something about them intensely. Abundance of no1-no2 centers where they can be moved to wing if necessary, is probably a scenario Chiarelli would prefer rather than void of quality centers.
Plekanec is a no2 C on a playoff team and no3 C on a playoff team with center depth. He’s 32y old. The fit is not great with Oilers. A guy like Eller (no3-no4 C) does not carry any value at his price point. He’s a throw in at best in a trade scenario. Beaulieu and Emelin would help Oilers, but their value isn’t close to RNH. This particular proposal is impossible on so many levels.
#Logic
I think if you remove Plekanec from that deal and replace him with Fucale and a pick then you have something to look at. Gives the Oilers a top goalie prospect to work with.
Fucale…. Top goalie prospect!LOL
Dude where do you get those things.
The guy hasn’t been much of anything since his draft year. Totally a product of who he was playing behind.
broken… you can put down fucale all you want but the main thing he does is WIN!!
In a cap league you can’t waste assets. So you can’t have RNH as a number two and Draisatl as a number three. RNH will be a very good number two and Draisatl too good to be a number three behind those two. And especially when you have other massive holes in the lineup… I think most people would agree that the Oilers are likely to trade one of those guys.
YET another year Canadian teams get embarrassed
Calgary wasn’t ..
They were not embarrassed only because of the fact they were not supposed to make playoffs. They really had no game for the ducks. I told my buddies the only reason a Canadian team made it to 2nd round is because they were playing other Canadian teams in the first round. Do you think Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa or Winnipeg would be in 2nd round if they had of played St Louis, Nashville, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Rangers, Detroit Tampa Bay or (cough TRAP TEAM). I told them that before round 2 started and also said Ducks and TB will shred Montreal and Calgary. It’s inevitable…don’t see it changing anytime soon.
What are you on about? Canada doesn’t know how to play hockey or manage a hockey team? Why even bother with this line of nonsense?
If Ottawa would have beaten the Habs it is quite likely the Bolts could be golfing now.
LMAO good one russ
his point is valid if you read past the first sentance geez people
yes those teams are canadian; but the reason is due to the fact that they suck compared to chi ana stl (americans)…statistically not demographically…like he said afterwards.
I mean comeon everyone knows that if the leafs made the playoffs they win cup
How were the Canadian teams embarrassed. You mean by 5 of 7 of them making it to the playoffs while there are 23 American teams and only 16 spots available the Americans put 11 of 23 in. 71% vs 48%. There is an entire Metropolitan division consisting of only american teams the Canadian teams can do little about making it in yet 5 of 7 have made it. Two sets of those 3 play in the same division.
More Canadian teams made playoffs this year because more American teams wanted a chance at McDavid and played like garbage to up the odds.. Period.
lmao stupidest comment of the day
OK if I agreed with that how does that embarrass the Canadian teams.
Because they didn’t make it there cause they are great teams….just other teams stopped trying. thats embarrassing.
you really think teams stopped trying to make the playoffs cause they could get a small chance at mcdavid??? your nuts ask la and bos if they would like an under 5% chance at getting mcdavid or a chance to win the cup? dumb comment
No the embarrassment would be the teams who stop trying and then taking the money from ticket sales.
DC champ. Just stop talking. Just stop. You obviously need to get a better grasp of the game before you become a poster on a hockey site. Apart from the bottom 2 teams there is no other teams that lost all season trying to get those picks. Teams do not fail for a top pick like this. You’re embarrassing yourself. Please stop.
actually no not really. Canadians are proud of their country men that are usually the best players on their respective teams, i.e. Stamos, Toews, Getzlaf & Perry. As an Oilers fan I can’t be happier that the flames and canucks are out.
Canada is hockey….NHL would die if it’s not for the Canadian fans. A Canadian city deserves to win a cup more then anyone. Yes, Canadian boys are the factor in American teams winning cups….but the fans living in Canada deserve to see the cup here. 22 years and counting. I’m a conspiracy theorist and I believe it’s no joke how American teams ended up getting the first over all picks (minus this year thank god) in the years it really mattered. Would you trade Hall, RNH, Yaks for say…..Tavares, Stamkos, Pat Kane, Mackinnon, Crosby, Ovechkin? I bet you would. American teams tank the best years. Colorado went from 100++ points to tank the next year for Mackinnon. Buffalo clearly tanked and Phoenix. Up until this year, every great player has gone to an American team…..and if it weren’t for pure luck of the draw, Another generational player would have been playing in the US again this year.
You just explained why Bettmen is the least popular person in Canada. He is the main reason why Winnipeg and Quebec City lost their teams to US cities, and then turn around and fight tooth and nail to keep the coyotes in Arizona. Then just when Pittsburgh was loosing their team they just happen to win Sidney Crosby.
That said, we Canadians are not embarrassed, but at times we do feel cheated by Bettmen.
I loved it when chris chelios said “if I were him; i’d watch my back)
The next day bettman had 2 bodyguards HAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I seriously doubt the NHL would fold up if not for Canadian teams. 4 of the original 6 are US teams….It’s not like any one of those four are moving anytime soon (Other than NYR’s moving a few blocks down the street). I don’t think the NHL would have a 30 team league in the US, but do you think Canada could support 14-16 teams? I never hear anyone complaining about some of the best American born players, playing north of the border? Kessel, JVR, Pacioretty, Bobby Ryan, Kessler (most of his career) Gaudreau, Byfuglien, Tyler Myers etc.
Your talk of a conspiracy theory is a little strange. And the talk of a Canadian team “deserving to win a cup” is even stranger. Being a loyal fan does not = entitlement to championships….If it did the NY Jets should have won a superbowl in the last 40 years. Ditto Chicago Cubs winning a WS. Canada had a few shots. Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver. Unless Bettman was out there pulling a Tanya Harding and beating players with a stick, I don’t see how you feel cheated. They have come close, but have fallen short.
The ref’s in the Calgary’s cup final and Edmonton’s were a little one sided…I was in shock at what went on. They were doomed from game one. Bettman does not want the cup in Canada as it would affect fan interest in the US and A. I read Canadian teams count for about 50% of all hockey revenues. With having just under 25% of the teams.
Actually that number is roughly 33% of all revenue, not 50%. Canada making up just shy of 25% of the teams. The largest chunk of that comes from Toronto. So basically Canadian teams pitch in 8% above for struggling teams like Florida , Arizona etc. It’s not like some Canadian teams haven’t been part of the financial burden either. Ottawa most recently. But again I also think that Canada with less of a population than California, is going to sustain more than 8 or 9 teams at this point. And even that 9th team would be another Florida Panthers at this point.
Unless you are Canadian you can not understand the frustration with Bettmen. Seeing two Canadian teams just up and leave without a fight who’s fans were packing their stadiums and move down south, with a third one that just about left for Houston (the Edmonton Oilers). Just to see one of those franchises who can’t even half fill their stadium (the Coyotes) and have Bettmen fight tooth and nail to keep them there speaks volumes on what is his priorities are.
Those numbers were from 2012 when there were only 6 Canadian teams. There are now 7 highly profitable Canadian teams despite what the Sens owner says. Also I highly doubt that the Rangers, Redwings, and Bruins would want to subsidize the Panthers, Coyotes, and Hurricanes without the Canadian teams.
@DChamp
Bettman doesn’t have rock star status here by any stretch. The man is literally booed in every stadium in the NHL, not just Canada. Florida and Carolina are by far worse off (attendance) than Arizona. Florida (Miami) will NEVER work. But at the same time I watched Tampa go from crickets in the seats for any games other than NYR, Montreal, Philly,Detroit and a few others to where they are today. So I don’t know if Phoenix being very similar to Tampa (I mean majority of population is not actually from Tampa or Phoenix) may eventually work.
Quebec moved because they were refused a bailout by the Canadian Government, and I do not believe that there was any type of revenue sharing in the NHL at that point. But I could be wrong on that one. So you can’t blame Bettman on that one. The Jets (original) ownership could not find a serious buyer to keep them put and the Canadian owner sold them (at a very nice profit) because of the difference between the Canadian dollar, and the US dollar. You can’t exactly lay that one on Bettman either. Back then, all currencies in the NHL were not all under the US dollar like they are today.
Former owner of the Jets ShenKarow …
” They attack Gary Bettman but he’s doing for Phoenix no different than what he did for Winnipeg. He wanted to keep the team in Winnipeg and people didn’t listen to him.”
I don’t like the guy at all, but lets not pin the failure of Canada bring a cup home on him.
@Kevjam,
Do you think Canada could hold 14-16 teams? 30 is completely out of the question, but I don’t even think they could sustain much more than they have on their plate today.
That comment for Dchamp was meant for you kevjam….my bad….
And overall we are in agreement, Bettman is an idiot and poisonous to the League. Atlanta X 2, and Miami is / were disastrous and not well thought out demographically. And Vegas would be no better.
@NYR4Life
7 plus Quebec City, Hamilton, Saskatoon or Regina, GTA (Greater Toronto Area), and Halifax could all sustain an NHL team IMO, is a total of 12 teams. Although I don’t know why this is relevant to our discussion.
We are talking about the failing US franchises. Which I believe most would agree wouldn’t survive 10 minutes if they were thrown into Canada. So what are the other options? I have been coming here for a few years, and this discussion has come up plenty of times. The majority of regular posters here are Canadian. And until today, I’ve never seen one of them claim Canada could sustain nearly half the league on its own.
@NYR4LIFE
Please don’t get me wrong, I do not believe the NHL could service without the American teams as well. I do believe that Canada can support more teams then they have now.
It pains me greatly but I agree with NYR4life. Bettman isn’t at fault for the losing Canadian teams and he is to be commended for them returning.
Bettman is simply the employee of the owners who put forth a mandate and it is his job to see it through. If the Owners of the 30 teams around the league suddenly decide that they no longer want teams in southern America then they will direct Bettman to make moves towards that end. Blaming Bettman for doing a job he is hired to do is simply a waste of time. If you want to direct your anger at someone for teams leaving Canada or popping up in areas where snow is something they only see on TV then blame the NHL Owners. Not the guy they hire to do what they want.
everytime I try to type isn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, any contraction it tends to get lost when I hit the post botton. Perhaps spell check correction with or something. Perhaps it is me being lazy. But I mean bettman isn’t to be commended for bringing team north of the border.
I just say a silent prayer of thanks that, unlike the NBA and NFL, Bettman does not announced each pick at the entry draft. I could never understand why NBA and NFL GMs do not go to the podium to announce their own picks. It would be a lot more entertaining.
oh god not complaining about refs as a reason Canadian teams dont win cups are you?…..really?
your correct except that fact that more teams = worse odds to win (draft players, trades, games played, money…) + more american teams vs canadian teams = even worse percentage for canadian teams to win.
You could strongly argue that the salary cap is directly due to the above expansion and a team such as the leafs (who are in a 5 year sal cap mess) would not be in as bad a situation if they could dump contracts as before; therefore they might be in playoffs and might win cup.
Not no more
The NHL should go back to old rules but with a twist:
Set up a CHL AHL WHL as the new nhl and go back to old draft rules where kids from that teams region should go to that home team each year. If it is statistically in favour of certain teams and not others (ex. Ontario/ quebec compared to Atlanta born good players) then those teams could have larger regions and/or get an opportunity to draft the excessive players.
Each team plays within their own leagues during regular season and in the playoffs the leagues merge to play elimination. I guess like world cup soccer or something
This would instill more country pride, regional born talent that always plays for home town, a world market and probably win the leafs/montreal another 10 cups 😛
What league r the Oilers in?
It always seems that players with NTCs listed on here are followed up with “They have an NTC, they’re not getting traded.”
I don’t totally agree with that assessment, but I think it’s more often true than not.
However, I don’t see why Emelin continually gets listed as trade-bait when he has an NTC and has never expressed any desire to leave: https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/status/396080849479008257
As a Habs fan, I think he’s great trade bait (maybe for the Avs, who have amazing offensive talent and need defense badly). But I don’t see him going anywhere because of the NTC. Not sure why this is never addressed in any stories/rumours about him?
Also, as a Habs fan: What contract do you think Glachenyuk gets after this season?
Scored 20 goals, yet was somehow also quite disappointing. I can’t even guess what he’ll sign for.
Thoughts, anyone? Lyle?
ya not sure what he gets? he has more points than yakupov since they came into the league by around 15 and yak got 2.5 million so I would thing around 3 but who knows
This was a quite good article about this very subject:
http://thehockeywriters.com/how-much-is-alex-galchenyuk-worth/
Probably a bridge contract around $2.5-3.5M. But Bergevin might gamble and try to lock him in for more years on a slightly higher average salary. Maybe it’s too much risk to go 7-8 years now, but by doing so Bergevin would long dodge a scenario where Galchenyuk could cost upwards $6-7M a year.
I like Galchenyuk but I’m not sure what I would do. Bergevin is smart. He will do the right thing.
Agreed, re: Bergevin doing the right thing. Extra tricky is that Galchenyuk’s production actually trailed off somewhat after the article was written, and tanked totally in the playoffs.
Would agree with you & jello that a bridge of around $3M sounds about right. But maybe a long-term risk at something higher to avoid the Subban situation again might be a better plan.
Am very curious to see what happens!
No Babs to the Habs as he doesn’t speak French.I am not a Habs fan so don’t watch them much but they sure look like they need scoring.As far as the Leafs…I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they are closer to what they have now as to a rebuild.They are not going to give away players for the sake of it and I don’t believe they are interested in taking bad cap hit money back.It would make no sense.
Specs just a couple thoughts on the Flames.
Adding Bennett for the regular season is a boon in itself. The kid was amazing stepping into lineup at such a critical point in the season.
Provided the RFA’s all sign, Calgary is in great shape moving forward.
Acquisitions the Flames could really benefit from.
Loui Eriksson from the Bruins for a second and B level prospect.
Niklas Hjalmersson could likely be had .. not cheap but less than his real value. Cap issues are of concern for Chicago.
Eriksson- Monahan – Gaudreau
Hudler – Bennett – Raymond/Ferland
Then that leaves Bouma, Ferland, Jooris, Granlund, Jones, Byron, Bollig, Colborne, and Backlund for the bottom 6.
On Defense adding Hjalmersson would complete the upgrade on the top 6 D.
A couple moves and Calgary could be poised for more success next year.
Free agents Calgary could consider: (Many players are now open to going to Calgary because of the success and culture)
Paul Ranger
Mike Green
Christian Erhoff
Martin Erat
Justin Williams
Micheal Frolik
Loui Eriksson has a full NTC. Just saying.
Niklas Hjalmarsson is 27y old, signed through 2018-19. His contract is reasonable and presents cost certainty to the Hawks. Meanwhile Seabrook has only one year left on his contract and is 3 years older. Seabrook will probably break the bank on the next contract. IMHO Hawks will probably balk at his demands and trade him or keep him through playoffs then let him go UFA route. If the unlikely happens and Hawks sign Seabrook, there is probably not one, but two Hawk players that needs shipping out to keep under cap.
If Martin StLouis would agree to a one year contract, Calgary would be interesting destination for both. He would add without subtraction. He always make players around him better as he is a true playmaker. Maybe he is a solution to get your own top 6 C to grow within.
Calgary needs to look at the C position. Is Bennett really ready? Is Backlund top 6 or bottom 6? How consistent is Colbornes performance? We have seen good performances from Calgarys C, but I have doubt there is much there on top 6 besides Monahan at the moment. A guy like Vermette would help but that guy would probably be too expensive. A StLouis helping a Bennett or Backlund could be Plan B.
I doubt that Marty would take anything outside NYI’s, NJD’s,NYR’s. Philly, Boston,maybe. He wanted NYR’s because he lives in Stamford Conn. The commute from Calgary may be a little longer than he wants.
Calgary is looking for a bigger player to play with Gaudreau and Monahan. The Ducks exploited their size with Calgary’s top line thus a big right winger would fit in nicely.
Calgary has plenty of centers. Vermette is in the same mold as Backlund or Stajan for that matter. Right wing and a premier large defensive defenseman is what Calgary is lacking.
Look next season for Bennett to be paired with Hudler so he can learn the ropes thus why an effective RW is needed to fill in the top line where Hudler plays so Gaudreau and Monahan don’t suffer.
Ferland, Poirier, Bouma, Granlund, Shore, Wolfe, and Jooris are all developing and still have much to learn and improve on.
If this was 2016-17 season, I would probably feel ok with Bennett as no2, but a no2 role this next season and expecting success might not be in him yet.
This is not to insult, but I feel neither Backlund, Bennett, Stajan, Colborne is stable no2 for next season. As of this present, they are probably no3, all of them. If used higher up than that, Flames will probably get exposed (similar to how Canadiens were against Lightning). To Trelivings fairness, maybe this situation can’t be remedied just now. Maybe next season will be transitional for their center positions, I don’t know. Perhaps finding that winger that elevates their centers could be a solution. Building a cup contending team takes time.
Meanwhile Flames would be smart to scour the goalie market for long term upgrades. Find the right goalie and a cup isn’t that far away.
I was nodding my head at most of what you said Russ until you got to the UFAs , not sure why Paul Ranger’s name surfaced? I could see Williams and Frolik as adds but the Flames have a good thing going with the team they have. As stated a healthy Bennett will be a great addition. I like their D crew and if Smid can return healthy he will fill a defensive 5/6/7 guy. IMO Brodie will only get better. I also think Russell is underapprecicated.
The Engelland and Raymond signings did not work out that well for the Flames this past season so they may be reluctant to add much in the way of UFAs.
To Tony)
We would to atleast give A. Galchenyuk, Z Fucale and A Emelin to get R N Hopkins.
( To Allan )
And add the 1st round pick of this year of Mtl. If I’m the oilers I would totally listen to this
Wow, that’s a boatload of value right there. The Oilers would totally listen to that, but would Canadiens really do it? Galchenyuk looks very interesting. He has good character too. Both him and Gallagher seems to fit Canadiens new identity. Maybe the trades you don’t do are the best. 🙂
It’s a good thing you guys aren’t connected to the NHL. Subban is top 5 and the awards voters are actual hockey people. Nobody wins the Norris by accident. It doesn’t always go to the guy with the most points but the one who best plays his position on both ends. It’s why guys like Larry Robinson, Bourque, Langway, Scott Stevens, Chris Pronger and Chelios have won. Paul Coffey only won twice and the guy is the best offensive defenseman of his era. Too bad none of you armchair GM’s don’t have any input on real decisions.
thats true chester and I agree that for most awards they have been accurate but some have been bad lately becasue that was a different era.
its offense first now whens the last shut out that you seen?
They need to revise the awards again moving forward as suggested above and they have done this before:
From 1946–47 to 1981–82, the trophy went to the goalkeeper(s) of the team allowing the fewest number of goals during the regular season;[1] now, the William M. Jennings Trophy is awarded for this.
A day in the life of two Canadian franchises…the Habs just need a 1st line centre and two top 6 wingers. So basically half a team. That shouldn’t be difficult. That is why they are more ‘pretender’ than ‘contender’. To hear them even speak of Babcock while Therrien has managed to get a spotty roster to second in the conference and through the first round of the playoffs speaks to the hysteria of the fans and the media. If any one of Subban, Price or Paciorety falters they are in big trouble. MTL regression is not your friend…
…the Flames surprise everyone by making the play-offs, win a round, now all the fans and media wanna trade the players who got them there.
And people wonder why players are just as happy to collect a pay cheque south of the border.
Hehe, that’s some bitter medicine you offer there. But you’re right. To get the impact players to get over the hump, the other half of the team will be decimated by the trades needed.
Stanley Cup winners nowadays have the entire team on the rise at once. That means having a few good 18-19 y/o on rookie contracts, several impact players on bridge contracts, a core that lives up to expectations, rounding out with some veterans that provide leadership and additional post-season scoring. It doesn’t hurt to have your impact players on D or in goal either.
I personally have never liked the addition of slow and over-the-hill veterans at the deadline, where 2nd, 3rd picks or prospects are constantly traded for hired guns. Deadline deal trades have close to no impact historically (Gaborik excluded) but can leave the cupboard really empty if repeated. Ask Ray Shero or Cliff Fletcher. There are many more sinners out there. Times are over where ‘that veteran’ can change the fortunes.
All of Treliving, Benning and Murray have preached the slow, cautious approach, by building from within. That will benefit them in the long run. When their teams are ripe for success, it will show as all lines will tick on all cylinders. But they shouldn’t kid themselves, until then they’re only pretenders and are probably several pieces from contending.
lundquivst is the man 6-0 in game seven’s
and makes ovi eat his words. I thought wash might get lucky but noooo nj!
I’m a little peeved. Stupid Lundquist. I am in a local pool with 62 friends. 1 point from the top and was the only person with no player eliminated until Washington lost. Was looking so good for me haha. Chic, Ana, Tampa and Washington made Sense. How many times do the president trophy winners get to the finals anyways? haha. I had Chicago and Washington as a final in that pool. Crawford and Holtby my two goalie selections. Rest in piece Holtby. Gotta Go for Tampa now. So many of my fellow poolies went with the Rangers.
ahh to bad jeff 1 out of 30 teams win so hard to pick
Best goalie w/ experience wins unless referees try to tamper with game (which they probably will)
so
crawford vs henquivst
chi my original fav team since tony espisito
hendquivst is probably best goalie singlehandedly (consistent)
That match up is real hockey and just so happens to be original 6