Updates on the Rangers and Bruins plus the latest on Kris Russell and Tyson Barrie in your NHL rumor mill.Â
RANGERS AND BRUINS
The NY Rangers aren’t having much luck attempting to move Rick Nash.
 NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports New York Rangers management ” a) are extremely reluctant to trade Derek Stepan; b) won’t trade Ryan McDonagh; c) cannot get anything even remotely resembling equal value for Rick Nash; d) have not been shopping Chris Kreider.” He wonders what they’ll do to change the dynamic of a roster that has gone stale. “Are the Rangers overvaluing their players or is the rest of the league undervaluing them?” Brooks speculates re-signing Kreider is the biggest challenge of the four players who filed for salary arbitration, a list that includes J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes and Dylan McIlrath. A long-term deal could cost over $5 million annually, while a one-year one could be around $4.25 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Rangers aren’t willing to trade Stepan, McDonagh or Kreider, they’re unlikely to receive a return that could result in positive change. For that matter, they’re unlikely to get a fair return for any of those three. Better off keeping them as part of your core and consider other options. As for Rick Nash, he’s 32 year old with two years left on his contract, a $7.8 million annual cap hit and a modified no-trade clause in which he lists 12 trade destinations (none of which are Canadian clubs). He was hampered by injury in two of the last three seasons and is dogged by the perception he comes up small in the playoffs. That doesn’t sound like an enticing trade target.Â
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty reports Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney has no plans at this time to go the offer-sheet route to land a quality defenseman. Haggerty recently cited sources claiming the Bruins drafted up an offer sheet for Winnipeg Jets blueliner Jacob Trouba, but it doesn’t appear they’re willing to use it. The plan was for an unmatchable one-year offer that wouldn’t have forced the Bruins to part with four first-round picks as compensation. Haggerty speculates concern over future Bruins RFAs becoming offer-sheet targets and damage to the careers of general managers who make those offers could explain why they’re not using that option.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: An offer sheet for Trouba is still possible, but it comes at huge risk for Bruins GM Don Sweeney. An unnamed GM  last week reportedly said if any team signed one of his players to an offer sheet, he’d target that club’s top restricted free agents for the next decade. That’s pretty much the mindset for most of them. Target one of my guys, and it’ll cost you down the road when you’re squeezed for cap space and have a quality RFA to re-sign. For those of you who believe that’s collusion, you have to prove the NHL teams are actively conspiring to prevent players from receiving offer sheets. Privately warning off a rival with a threat of targeting one of his best players with an offer sheet isn’t collusion.Â
RUSSELL AND BARRIE
SPORTSNET: Scott Lewis explored possible destinations for unrestricted free agent defenseman Kris Russell. He notes the Boston Bruins recently kicked the tires on Russell. He also notes the New Jersey Devils have plenty of salary-cap space, wonders if the Colorado Avalanche might be interested, suggests a possible homecoming with the Calgary Flames and doesn’t count out the Vancouver Canucks, who had interest but dropped out of the bidding.
TSN 690 (VIA TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): On Monday, Darren Dreger suggested Russell was getting closer to signing with a new team. He isn’t quite sure who’s involved, noting the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs were linked to the defenseman. He also points out the Boston Bruins still need a blueliner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the UFA pool now drained of the top talent and most teams having already spent what they’re willing to invest in free agency, the leverage shifts from the players to the general managers. I think Russell’s best chance of getting a lucrative offer was within the first two days of free agency. The longer he goes unsigned, the more likely he’ll end up signing for much less than he expected to get.Â
TSN 1260 (VIA TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Dreger also doesn’t rule out the possibility of something getting done on the Tyson Barrie trade front before the blueliner’s arbitration hearing. He believes the new contract of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones (six years, $32.4 million) will definitely impact Barrie. Dreger also notes how the Avalanche tend to get into an annual contract fight with their best players, wondering if Barrie is a long-term fit with the Avalanche.
Regarding Hoffman filing for arbitration – again – Don Brennan writes in the Ottawa Sun “… Hoffman will have less than five months to make his case for staying in Ottawa … and even with that, it may be too late. It says here that unless he completely wins over new coach Guy Boucher, the Senators will move their exciting, highly skilled 26-year-old left winger before next winter’s trade deadline.” The article goes on to say that, not only do the Sens want him to become a better two-way players “they also want Hoffman to put the puck in the net in March and April as often as he does during the rest of the season.” In his rookie season he scored just 4 times in the final 22 games, potting 27 in total, and this past season scored 4 in the last 20 after finding the net 25 times before that.
I, for one, don’t want to see the distraction of having someone around for the better part of next season who has every intention of testing UFA waters and being forced to deal him at the trade deadline for the best offer possible. Do it now, although even there the receiving team won’t give up much if they think they’ll be faced with the same problem.
If Hoffman is moved I can see him going to a team like Vancouver I don’t know what they would want in return though
First off. Hoffman does not need to win over Boucher. They are already familiar with each other. 2nd Though Hoffman did tail off the end of last season that would happen when your top Centre goes down and you are playing wing to Pageau, Zbad or Gomez. Go back and review the clip of when Turris got hurt and watch Hoffman’s reaction. Hoffman knows he is a goal scorer and needs a play maker.
I agree moving Hoffman may be Ideal but in this market can the Sens get equal value in return for him.
I’m sure Timmy in Buffalo would take Hoffman
Jeff is dead on. There’s also the issue of ice time; Cameron kept punishing him both seasons taking away ice time & line mates. Checking assignments due to injuries made it easy for the other team to key in on what few scoring options Ottawa had left last year & in year 1 it took teams time to figure out they should be targeting Hoffman with specialized coverage.
All players have scoring slumps, Hoffman’s just happened to come at the same time of the year in his 1st 2 full seasons in the league. Iginla has done it at the front of schedule for years. Tarasenko went 18 games last season with out scoring a goal, I could list dozens of comparables about players we never raise such issues with.
Bobby Ryan who is signed to a big contract isn’t adverse to a scoring slump either.
Yes, but if you watch Ryan closely you’ll also see a player who will hustle back to take away scoring chances – I can recall at least 3 times where he did so and risked injury doing it. Hoffman could learn a lot by watching Ryan.
Ironically Hoffman was plus 1 last season, Ryan was 2nd worse at minus 9. The year prior Hoffman was plus 16, Ryan plus 5. Yes he gets favorable zone starts & so he should, he is 1 of the most gifted goal scorers the NHL has produced in the last decade. That production also warranted top unit PP time as a forward. What nominal PP time he ever received was as a point man.
I’m going to assume his 27 goals & 48 points & 29 goals & 59 points respectively the last 2 year had a significant impact on Ottawa’s ability to win games & had he been given better opportunities especially on the PP he would have even more so. How the standards for Hoffman & his peers was so significantly different concerns me greatly. He was shafted in Ottawa for years. Time to repay the favor.
Go look at Ottawa’s playoff run the season prior. Hoffman was being punished when the playoffs started. 4th line. Ottawa didn’t win a game until he was put back in the top 6 & he was instrumental in almost all meaningful goals Ottawa scored against Montreal & wins. Had he been playing like he should have right out of the gate Ottawa may well have gotten past Montreal.
Look, quit painting all his rosier sides. I NEVER disputed any of that. All I have ever said was, if he and his agent are hell-bent on running out the st ring on 1 year deals until next season when he reaches UFA stat us, why in hell’s name would the Senators keep him around and potentially disrupt team chemistry. Better to cut the ties now if that’s his intent and try and develop someone else on LW or trade for one that can contribute and is willing to sign for more than 1 year at a time.
Easy there big fella. Your directing your blame at the player when it should be directed at the Club.
Hoffman didn’t choose any of the 2, 1 year deals he’s signed to date. Before last seasons arbitration award he took a 1 year show me contract coming out of his ELC having played 25 games in his 1st real NHL exposure & last season of his ELC. It slid for 2 years. He had been buried in the minors for 3 years with barely a sniff in the NHL even though he continued his scoring ways at every level he had ever played at to date. That after being sent back to Major Jr. for 2 seasons after being drafted. 5 years waited for even a sniff at the NHL since he was drafted in 2009. This is how pedigree gets you a chance that being drafted later never provides. Hoffman was drafted in the 5th round 130th overall.
He showed them scoring 27 goals & 48 points. His reward for being 1 of the highest even strength goal scorers in the NHL & leading all rookies in goals. Another 1 year qualifying offer. He declined & took a low ball arbitration award. No choice & certainly not his. His reward after bettering his rookie season. Another qualifying offer.
Direct your ill will & frustration where it belongs. Not towards me, I’m just stating the facts. No 1 is to blame for this situation but the management & coaches of the Senators. They have created this situation, now they get to pony up or give him away for virtually nothing. Ottawa doesn’t have this asset in the system few teams do & his value in trade due to his contract status is very limited.
Makes no sense to me & I hope he sticks it to Ottawa, the club not the fans, They are a by product of the situation. Yes Hoffman is somewhat accountable but salary’s are based on comparables in the NHL. Hoffman’s comparables make 6 mil plus annually & are shown far more respect.
Striker – How do you call Bobby Ryan “1 of the most gifted goal scorers the NHL has produced in the last decade”?
Jayus man, I SAID I never disputed his offensive talent – and elsewhere I SAID he had every right to take that approach – if that’s indeed what he is doing – and I also said that pointing the finger of blame at this stage is irrelevant. Perhaps if you took the time to read All of what people say instead of embarking upon a tome with every bleeding response we could cut down the text in these threads by 50%.
I DON’T CARE who is to blame. I just don’t want him around on another 1-year deal. Clear enough?
Who knows what Hoffman will do at this point but apparently we will have a contract resolution with Ceci within the next couple of days. Tops.
How does that work? Arbitration hearings don’t start for weeks. Are you saying both are just waiting to sign there deals?
Ceci does not have arbitration rights. Brokenhip’s comment was clear enough for this reader.
maybe if you put a cape on him he could get back quicker or mickey mouse ears like the rest of the sens
Aww take that crap somewhere else.
yes lets all listen to what george has to say “lyle did i say that”
And right THERE is the personification of a troll.
see i told you i was right to know what a troll is you would have to be one
Would somebody (other than Lou) please sign Russell and get him off the market.
Russell will soon be forced to tuck his tail between his legs when faced with the reality that NO team is going to fork over $5 mil per for a midget D whose only real talent is blocking shots. His shelf-life is limited because of his approach to the game and his size and only a desperate GM would go down that road. He’ll be fortunate to get 3 years at $2.5 per.
George did you get a chance to go to Ottawa’s prospect development camp? Do you do that kind of stuff? Just curious as to how Chabot looked?
Did not exactly “shine” – and Lee read him the riot act at the end of the sessions. He knows he needs to step up his on-ice intensity if he wants to make the club at training camp. As for Hoffman, we can argue his finer points until Hell gets an NHL franchise (Las Vegas is close) but I’m not abut to change my mind. I simply do NOT want the distraction of having one of your top wingers looking for personal offensive glory at the expense of his defensive responsibilities. Nor do I buy Jeff’s crapola about being affected after Turris went down, and shrugging off Pageau (19g 24a)and Zibanejad (21g 30a) like they are some kind of hangers-on. I seriously douybt he played more than 5 minutes total with Gomez.
That should read “… the distraction of having one of your top wingers looking for personal offensive glory at the expense of his defensive responsibilities as he heads for UFA status.”
George Gomez was on the PP a lot. Where was Hoffman?
I had only read 1 report on Chabot’s prospect camp & was hoping to get some input from someone that had the eye test. Often teams aren’t forthright about a players play at these things to push & try to motivate them to be even better. I have attended a ton of prospect camps & tournaments & often my perception having watched the player live is significantly different than what I read or heard.
Thanks though.
I’ve seen him play live for the Sea Dogs in Saint John but that was a while ago. Before the world Juniors.
I wouldn’t say trade Hoffman just yet, but you can’t let that stuff slide either. He fell off of a cliff last year. He looked silly at times. You’re right George.
Only time will tell Arnie.
Considering the Avs recent history (O’Reilly) I think Barrie might be a candidate for a sign and trade deal. The bigger mystery for me ia how the Sens have failed to offer Hoffman a fair contract yet…How does a young guy (ok 26, but still has lots of time left) with back to back 25 goal seasons (almost 30 goal seasons) have to file for arbitration for the second straight year? It isn’t like the Sens are an offensive powerhouse. If he gets as far as arbitration, he gets at least $4.25 as his production has been comparable to players getting $5.5…if the Sens end up losing Hoffman because they sour him by treating him poorly, then send him down the 401 and let the Leafs find him a top 6 role for the next 4 years.
The Leafs do not need Mike Hoffman,a 26 year old scoring leftwinger who will cost a lot of money.
The only reason I suggest the Leafs look at him is that I see him as an Andrew Ladd or Shaw type of player. He has had some poor second halves, but in my limited exposure watching him play he seems to be a fairly high energy and productive winger. I could see him being a viable 2nd line/3rd line winger. Pay him 4yrs @ $4.5/season. If he puts 20+ goals/20 assists in he’s a good bargain. If he doesn’t, trade him for picks to a team that needs to reach the cap at some point. He’ll re-sign in Ottawa anyways, so the purpose of my argument was to suggest that I see him as a decent hockey player that I would rather see playing for me than against me.
Well depending upon what constitutes a power house for you. Ottawa finished 9th for goals for with 230, only 6 out of the top 5.
This issue with Hoffman is is lack of effort on the defensive side of the game. The fact he didn’t break into the league until age 24 and the only two season’s he has played in their entirety sees his goal production trail off near the end. Hoffman also went arbitration and lost big time last summer putting a chip on his shoulder where I can see his contract demand being considerably higher this summer in comparison to make up for the dollars he may feel were wrongfully left off the table last year.
& so he should. I have made this argument repeatedly. I can think of few teams that have treated or used a player as Ottawa has done with Hoffman. It boggles my mind. Brutal asset management. They had better hope Dorion & Boucher can mend the fences as players that can score & skate like this are extremely rare. He’s in the top 3%.
So if, as you say, Hoffman is perfectly entitled to have this attitude (and I’m NOT arguing otherwise) and is royally pissed at the organization for they way he perceives he’s been treated, what possible sense wou7ld there be for the team to enter this coming season with that attitude on their top line at LW?
Like I said George. I would cut and past my comment from above.
“I agree moving Hoffman may be Ideal but in this market can the Sens get equal value in return for him.”
He may not carry this chip some feel he may or may not have with him to a new team. Nor may another team perceive his weaknesses defensively as an issue. They may simply appreciate what he does bring to the ice & accept that learning to be some what defensively sound at the NHL is a steep learning curve & takes 4 to 6 years for players that have never had to learn to do so in the past.
Maye they’ll deal him to you beloved Bruins – then I would expect to see the start of a totally different analysis. LOL – just joking.
I would be happy if he became a Bruin. We have a #2 LW spot behind Marchand that he would fit perfectly on. I’ll find someone else to cover for his limited defensive awareness. Puck possession & scoring is a solid defensive strategy. The other team can’t score if you have the puck & I still think the team that scores the most wins. Just ask Dallas.
Ultimately, the Stars won zilch and often looked lost in their final losing round, scoring 14 goals in 7 games while giving up 25!, including two 6-1 pastings.
Yes they; Dallas, are brutal defensively. I watch Dallas at least 25 games a year live. They are fun to watch & finished 2nd in the regular season standings leading the league in goals playing run & gun hockey. They aren’t built for playoff hockey. I’m sure losing Seguin came into play in some way during the playoffs but I had them beating Minnesota in round 1 with Seguin. With out, no way but that was it. Didn’t see them getting out of the 2nd round. Didn’t matter they didn’t make it out of the 1st.
That D was bad last season & losing Goligoski & Demers, replacing them with Hamhuis & a rookie isn’t making it better. Dallas drops to 5th or 6th in the west next season.
@striker pretty sure Dallas beat Minnesota? And took the blues to game 7
Maybe he’s a dink in the locker room and is “uncoachable”? Don’t know for sure and have never heard anything that warrants that label but its got to be more than The Sens being cheap. Any team that trades for Phaneuf’s contract isn’t penny pinching… Robbie Schremp could really put the puck in the net in Junior and even in the AHL but something kept him outta the NHL…
Russel linked to Leafs? Why? Here’s what the D core looks like. Where does Russel, who will be an expensive left shot to sign fit in? Bump Gardiner, another expensive, offense-oriented defender, to the 3rd pair?
Reilly / Hunwick
Gardiner / Zaitsev
Corrado / Carrick
Marincin / Polak
I don’t see it. I wish Dreger would actually think and offer critical analysis before he lays out everything under the sun as being possible.
Obviously not a great group to look at, but I just don’t see Russel being the solution to the real issue, which is a lack of a top pair defender on the right side, assuming Rielly continues his progress and gets there.
I can see Lou getting a Russell just for the fact 4 or 5 of those dmen are suspect nhl dmen and they don’t want Anderson getting shelled in the first yr of a five yr contract
Moving on from pretending to be a Leaf fan to pretending to be a Bruin fan big bear? Lol
At anyrate Russell is not any less suspect than Hunwick Gardiner or Zaitsev, if he was Id say someone would have signed him by now.
Bigbear? I would say Russell is a is a fair bit ahead of those dmen you must be a leaf fan?
Lol, is that Bigbear? Such a pathetic, small person.
Agree Shticky, the Leafs do not have a great D-core, but the solution is not to add even more mid-tier players, especially on that left side…
I was thinking that too Shticky. If it’s true it wouldn’t surprise me. Honestly though as long as the dialogue remains the way it is then I don’t mind who posts under what name.
Agreed Dan. Toronto doesn’t need Russell he solves nothing. That’s not a skill Toronto Dman are lacking in. Reilly, Polak, Gardner, Hunwick, Marincin, all block shots. Reilly & Polak to very high rates. Russell provides little else.
Riely is a first line D, Hunwick not. In a perfect world Polak and Hunwick would be the 3rd pairing. Riely still needs someone to play with. Corrado was a bust and Carrick is way too small.
Agree JM, although Corrado was jammed into his off-side when he had no experience there so not quite a fair look for him, but ideally he is a 7/8 D option, Carrick I thought looked better. You’re right on Hunwick and Polak, of course.
I hate to break it to you @Dan39-that is a terrible defence. Other than Reilly all there is a 5/6 in Polack and Gardiner. The rest are 7/8 and depth players on other teams. And that is not Dreger’s fault-that is mgt and fans overvaluing the young Dmen.
Scott, you’re not breaking anything except the presumption of your literacy.
As I said: “obviously not a great group to look at” in my statement.
Adding a Russel, like a shot-blocking Cody Franson, is not what that group needs – it’s a first pair defender, ideally on the right side.
And we saw what that would cost Dan as The Oilers paid huge for a guy who may turn out to be a 1st pairing D but isn’t there yet.
@scott I had heard this site is different with the leaf fans but I still see as soon as you talk the truth about a bad part of the leafs the fan don’t clue into reality and think they know more than the gm✌
I don’t see why so many people undervalue Gardiner. He is a legit top 4 guy on most teams. He doesn’t score the way you would like, but he hasn’t gotten as much PP time as most defenseman do, and his 5 on 5 scoring rate per minute played is actually very impressive.
He has consistently great possession numbers regardless of the level of competition he goes up against, and his skill set is fantastic. I feel he falls into that category of defenseman that gets undervalued based on point production and grit. He doesn’t get enough points for people’s liking for an offensive guy, but he doesn’t hit or block shots so he isn’t considered good defensively. The truth is he still has a big impact on the game when he’s on the ice and for 4 million he’s a very good value.
Dont confuse people with actual stats and things that can be proven Danny lol.
Will check back Danny after the first 10 times he coughs up the puck in his own end or the neutral zone. Which should happen about late Oct.
@george ? Or when he forgets where he is supposed to be and let’s a quality scoring chance up. Stats only go so far
I believe the last couple of posts proves your point Shticky.
George not that he is at the same level as the others like a Karlsson etc. but the same type of D thats a puck moving D he does cough the puck up as does Karlsson Subban Letang and a number of others who play a very similar style of game. If you look at the frequency he made those errors last year under Babcock compared to previous seasons its night and day difference, was it maturity, coaching or a combination of both who knows but its silly to suggest Gardiner is not a top 4 guy similar to Berry.
I guess the leafs fans opinions only matter I’ll stop talking about the leafs✌️ I’m just wondering Yankee fan do you write anything about actual hockey or just talk about people on the site? I don’t believe in calling someone a troll because it his or hers view but it should atleast be about hockey
Big bear must have got a new phone or learned how to download emojis… no one will be able to tell its me!
Gardner turned the puck over 74 times according to real time stats on NHL.com last season. Doughty 97. Subban a 106 to lead the league, Burns 102, Karlsson 96, Seabroke 89, Reilly 72, Brodie 91. Tons in or around Gardner. Driving offense causes turn overs. Gardner has far more to give Offensively & is improving defensively. Just turned 26 & next season is his break through year offensively.
Gardner played as Toronto’s #4 last season until Phaneuf was traded & then their #3 & #1 PP Dman. He will finish this season as Toronto’s #2 using TOI/GP as a marker & lead all Toronto Dman in PP TOI/GP posting 40+ real lfe points.
Shticky, I don’t think you can compare Gardiners turnover numbers to guys like Subban or karlesson as he doesn’t put up the kind of offense those two do. Would Karlsson be a Norris candidate if he didn’t put up 70+ points? Doubt it, if Gardiner put up those kind of numbers I doubt people care about his miscues, but he doesn’t so his mistakes are that much more oblivious.
Mike Im not saying Gardiner is in the same leagie as those others I am saying that the miscues ar part and parcel with the type of game he plays. If you want a D who can rush and pas the puck he is going to have turn over issues. If you want a giy who hits and blocks shots you are going to be hemmed in alot.
@big bad bruin or what ever leave me out of your games. I talk lots of hockey and said I didn’t care who you were as long as it is kept to hockey. Am I calling you out as bigbear,your behaviour is like his. You keep proving it and your comments about me don’t help your cause.
Lets let things go or maybe I’ll just ignore you
I’m with Shticky. I’m not comparing Gardner to stud offensive Dman or solid 2 way Dman. My #’s were to show that Dman that drive offense turn over the puck. Simply part of the game. Nor has Gardner fully developed offensively. Next year will be his 1st as the go to go offensive Dman in Toronto unless they bring someone else in or give Reilly that role, Gardner had it after Phaneuf’s trade.
Toronto’s D is pretty cloudy at the moment. I have the same basic 8 you do at present but other than Rielly & Hunwick 2 lefties that played together last season for virtually the entire year, I have no idea how to blend the remainder. Trying to think & offer critical analysis as you say I don’t see a rookie Dman, even 1 semi seasoned in the KHL just starting as a top 4 Dman or Carrick a young Dman with 53 games of NHL experience that leans more to offense playing ahead of Polak who was signed at 2.25 mil for 1 year. VCorrado is a depth Dman at best.
This is far more realistic using your criteria.
Reilly, Hunwick.
Gardiner, Polak.
Marincin, Zaitsev; as soon as he shows he’s ready for more responsibility he bumps Polak to the 3rd unit. It could happen quickly.
Corrado & Carrick.
This D, even for a rebuilding team doesn’t instill me with much confidence. I like Reilly, I see Gardner having his break through pushing 40+ points this year as Toronto’s #1 PP option which he assumed upon Phaneuf’s trade. I like the other 4 but their so raw it’s hard to gauge them currently. Toronto could sure use another legitimate top 4 but with only 1.1 mil available until opening day baring a 2nd buyout window opening for Toronto; only becomes available if a player has a contract settled in arbitration, opens a 48 hour window for the Leafs to buy out another player if so inclined, how do they make the cap work to do so? Trade out another player?
Actually they are over I believe Striker by around 500k and still could go over by almost 7 mill more with the 10% allowance or atleast another 4 and change with out having to make a move and just putting Horton back on Ltir the first day…Also Holland Corrado and Marinicin went to Arb so the second buy out window will be in effect. The Leafs Cap situation isnt all that bad currently, coared to previous years anyway lol
Pulling #’s from Capfriendly. Generalfanager & NHLnumbers.com have slight variances as they show other players on the roster. Your # from generalfanager has Froese & Campbell on the active roster. They won’t be come opening day.
Teams can exceed the cap by 10% in the off season but the day before the season starts all teams must submit a 23 man roster to the NHL by a predetermined time; no idea but that day, & be cap compliant. Any players that have waiver rights need to be waived & sent down prior. Injured players count as active roster players & against the cap at this time & can’t be put on LTIR until the next day; opening day, at which point thier roster spot as part of that 23 man roster can be replaced & their cap hits used to bring up other players as a cushion against the cap.
Dan39 according to reports Lou offered 4/17 mill and Russell turned it down. Russell’s agent says that it wasn’t turned down, but didn’t elaborate what happened to the offer
Thought he said it wasnt offered.
@Yankee Fan The only person I’ve heard say anything about it was Russell’s agent. Can’t remember his name off the top of my head. He wanted to dispel the rumours that Russell had turned down the offer
Yogi I believe it was the agent who said he was never offered the deal.
Reports of Kris Russell turning down any offer from the @MapleLeafs are false. Simply rumors…Allain Roy via twitter
I think Russell would jump on that if it were true.
If that’s you’re defensive team next year no wonder they want him lol he automatically becomes you’re best Dman lol Toronto has to have better defense then that . Poor Anderson will never get another million $ contract if not in Toronto … Honestly I thought J Bernier was a bad goalie but I’m starting to think maybe he isn’t and really it’s Torontos bad Defense after seeing you’re D in writing
Frank I question anything you have to say from this point forward now that you have stated the opinion Kris Russell is a better D man than Morgan Rielly lol
Russell is a 4/5 guy on Toronto’s roster at best as currently constructed.
@striker Russell is easily 2-3 at worst
Lyle, do you no longer imbed links on your pages now? Or maybe my browser isn’t loading them.
The links are there.
Here we go again Leafs getting every1.
what are you talking about?
If I’m Gorton, the last three players I’m moving are the 3 mentioned. Without question I expected more of shakeup in NY than what they’ve done so far. But it’s only July. I don’t really think Stepan or Kreider were ever really available, and I highly doubt McDonagh was even a remote possibility of being traded. No sense of making a trade, just to make a trade.
I’m not a huge Nash fan. But I also think if they have to break their backs trying to move him, don’t bother trying. Last year with the loss of Hagelin and the cliff diving Girardi career the PK suffered terribly. Now remove Moore and Nash?
Grabner will start make up for the PK loss they suffered with Hags leaving.
They gave up 53 PP-goals after just 37 the season before. Moore will be another step slower if resigned. Who handles the 4th line pivot?
Between Yandle and Boyle they lost 32 Powerplay points. Is there a powerplay machine prospect we have not heard about in the system?
If Gorton can somehow find a way to add a powerplay specialist I will have some faith in a playoff birth in 2017.
Specialist might be the right word. Of course defense (on pp and pk) is most wanted..but someone who can actually put the puck in the net on pp would be nice even if a forward.. Amazing that the coaches cannot seem to make a difference on PP.
I fully agree with you on Grabner. Great skater & he will assume penalty killing responsibilities.
NYR can’t really do anything until they get a handle on the salary costs of the 4 players that filed for arbitration, Kreider, Miller, Hayes & McIlrath. They have 18 players signed & 12.475 available in cap space. It’s going to be tight. All they currently require is a 4th line C once signings are finalized.
The #1 PP spot will go to McDonaugh, the remainder will be shared by committee & quite probable that NYR will use 4 forwards on the 1st unit. JT Miller might well man the 2nd point spot on the #1 unit. Skjei should just step into the 2nd PP unit like he did for NYR in his 5 playoff games last season & the rest will be by committee, Holden, Klein & Clendening when he actually plays.
I’m not even a NYR fan & I like where they are at. They have a ton of youth on this roster that has years of development & improvement coming. Yes I would love to see Nash moved out for prospects & futures even eating some salary to free up the cap space to get a PP specialist but I accept that’s not likely & with the exception of a #4 C of which there are a ton of cheap options available as UFA’s when the time comes, Spaling, Legwand, Gaustad, Horcoff, Jooris, etc that will all be had cheap under a million can be addressed once the other cap implications are resolved. Even bring back Moore works if he’ll accept less than a million.
I wonder, if the Avs can deal with their RFA’s, if they could swing a deal for Iginla’s last year for Nash’s last two? Or expand that some and Beauchemin and Iginla for Nash and Girardi? Moving bad assets that don’t fit for new bad assets that don’t fit for a change in scenery, and maybe throw in assets (third round picks or depth prospects)? Either way, Iggy deserves a better final lap then he will get with the joke of a team Joe and Patrick are creating here in Denver.
I believe Leafs would be better off – finding a young avilable dman they can lock up long term – they have assets to make this happen .
Trouba
Barrie
Dumba
etc ….
I seriously doubt that Trouba would sign long term with the Leafs, He grew up a die hard Red Wings fan and despised Toronto my Nephew is friends with Trouba and he pretty much said that he wants no part of any Canadian team long term including Winnipeg. That’s why he’s seeking so much money because he wants out of Winnipeg and Canada all together. Good luck if you think that Toronto can get Trouba to commit there long term because i seriously doubt that it would ever happen.
Pretty funny story. Trouba sounds like a real team guy, someone you can count on. Of course, friends could also keep their mouths shut.
You get to choose where you work, Trouba wants the ability to do the same. As an American kid playing all of his hockey in the States this story makes sense and doesn’t mean that he isn’t a “team guy” just because he doesn’t want to play for your Leafs. As a freshman, he was voted team MVP at Michigan so chances are he’s at least a half decent teammate. Also, if the story is true that he wants out of Winnipeg, you’d never know it from the effort he puts out on the ice
What American wouldn’t want out of Winterpeg? Even a Minnesota guy would rather play somewhere farther south… Edmonton and Winnipeg are great hockey towns where the fans love you but damn – it’s cold…lol
so accorrding to Joe Haggerty a week or so ago the Bruins were thinking about doing a offer sheet for Trouba and now they aren’t going to do any offer sheets…..this guy is all over the place time for Spector’s Hockey to use someone else for their information (rumors)
Perhaps the Bruins are over the place as well. I mean there is no harm in drafting up an offer sheet even if you had no intention of using it. As a manager you would then have all your options clearly laid out if you did decide to go that route.
RFA isn’t the way to go in the NHL, there hasn’t been many teams in the past signing one or even a RFA getting offer sheet…don’t want to piss off other teams
I doubt the Bruins are that scattered. I heard the theory they are using Haggerty to get it out there and hope to gain some leverage. There is no way in hell they are giving up 4 1st RD picks and paying him over $9MM, WPG knows that, we all know that.
I can only assume Haggerty has no clue and is just looking for clicks.
I don’t hate the Grabner signing, but he isn’t really a replacement for Hagelin.
They really don’t have a PP d-man in the system. The only 2 d-men with any chance of making the team is Mcilrath, and Skjei. And I wouldn’t hold my breath for either of those 2 guys to have a significant impact on the power play. The power play in NY has been brutal for years and they still managed to make it work. The PK is much more of a problem imo. They literally went from one of the best PK’s in the league, to one of the worst overnight.
You go from having Hagelin, Brian Boyle, Nash and Moore(even MSL was effective) killing penalties to Moore and misc wingers…(Nash was hurt often last season)
Even if Kreider , Hayes and Miller all improve by two levels this team has a shallow D which does not seem to be fixable. And limited defensemen who can consistently outlet the puck quick…
Hank be dangled at the trading dealine if he so wants to make a run
Two things you better get used to as a Ranger fan. Girardi and Ludqvists faces. Neither one are getting moved as long as the cap is stagnant. Places he’d fit. Dallas, …and? But having over 10 per in Lehtonen, and Niemi makes it impossible. Also a full NMC isn’t going to help. They should have NEVER made that deal. They should have stuck it out with Talbot and let him walk away. Even if it meant nothing in return.
I thought the same thing about Hank…shoulda let him walk, just like Girardi. This is going to be a tough year to be a Ranger’s fan. With all the teams around them improving we have the same ‘soft’, aging core players that just aren’t going to cut it. Even the Devils improved this year. We’re done..stick a fork in us…we’re done. maybe we should tank like the Leafs did and hope there’s a stud coming out of the draft next season?
I thought the same thing about Hank…shoulda let him walk, just like Girardi. This is going to be a tough year to be a Ranger’s fan. With all the teams around them improving we have the same ‘soft’, aging core players that just aren’t going to cut it. Even the Devils improved this year. We’re done..stick a fork in us…we’re done. maybe we should tank like the Leafs did and hope there’s a stud coming out of the draft next season? Girardi needs to retire.
Never say never NYR4life. We’ve have been witnessing some big contracts we thought would never move, move.
Nash always kind of goes good yr bad yr imo and I think hank will have a good yr he is very competitive as far as girardi goes tough spot for the Rangers. I think they will be back in the playoffs but should try to change the teams outlook during the season
Always liked Moore. Great pK skills.
Hank only leaves if Hank himself asks to go to a contender. We can revisit said topic if the Rangers are out of the playoffs by February.
I do not believe he is the type of athlete that will be OK in his last prime years just collecting a paycheck. St Louis or Dallas or even Anaheim. But it is a dead topic until the late winter
Until the playoffs at which point Nash more often than not pulls a Houdini vanishing act.
Skjei lead NYR Dman in points in the playoffs. Very small sample size but I don’t share your concerns. Skjei is a guaranteed top #3 Dman down the road & I see him easily becoming a #2. This is a solid 2 way Dman with great size. Just a kid but there is a reason he was a 1st round draft pick. Been developed perfectly. Played 3 years of college hockey after being drafted, then 1 year in the minors coming up late in the season; 7 games, & making a solid playoff; 5 games, showing. He is going to shock people & catch a ton of you off guard. He will make the top 5 for rookie scoring Dman next season most likely top 3, 25 to 30 real life points. He will sit on occasion 5 to 10 games but he is an NHL regular moving forward. This is a stud prospect at D.
Here are my 2 ranger PP units.
#1 unit. Brassard, Zuccarello, Kreider, MvcDonaugh & Miller.
#2 unit. Stepan, Nash, Hayes, Skejci, Holden/Klein; Clendening when he plays.
Personal will get moved around between the units as injures; penalties, hot or cold streaks, etc. dictate but I just don’t see a problem.
I love Skjei, but did he have a PP goal or point both in the NHL or AHL playoffs or regular season?
It is all about AV and Skjei. You could see his confidence with the puck.
#1D McDonagh-mystery RH
#2D Skejci-Klein
#3D Staal-Girardi
No. In the playoffs the only 1 that did was Diaz, he had 1 PP point. NYR managed 2 PPG’s in 5 games. Skjei didn’t see any pp time in his 7 regular season appearances, unless 0:17 PP TOI/GP counts? In the playoffs it jumped to 1:08.
If I was Gorton I would definitely look to move McDonagh. He is a good dman but highly overrated and would get the best return.
As for Kreider, I don’t know what the return would be but I am not sure that I would want to pay him 5 million a year when I am tight to the cap and have no idea what I am going to get from him.
Highly overrated is a little bit of a stretch. The guy averages 22-24 minutes a game, is very sound defensively, Always a + player, plays in all situations and has a cap hit of 4.7 per. It’s hard to find a 2nd pairing guy at that cap hit. Why in the world would NY consider trading him? And more importantly, who takes his place? Staal?
McD is a top pair on most teams. I’d rather lose Hank at this point in their careers
I say highly overrated because I have been hearing Rangers fans routinely say that he should be in the Norris Trophy conversation for 3 years now. I have a friend who is die hard Rangers fan and when I called McDonagh “overrated” he said “Let me tell you something. Ryan McDonagh is the most overrated defensiveman in the history of the NHL.” You just gave a much fairer assessment of McDonagh than most Rangers fans do so that’s why you don’t agree. McDonagh is nowhere near the Norris conversation.
DS, trading Lundqvist is a ballsy move but the right one. Nobody needs an 8.5 million goalie.
I’ve seen journalists say the same. But he isn’t a Norris candidate. But I wouldn’t call him overrated by any stretch. And to say “the most overrated in the history of the NHL” is a total hyperbole. I’m wondering how much your friend watches? He is a top pairing guy, he gets the toughest assignments day in and day out. He’s not a sheltered guy at all. And that 4.7 cap hit makes him look even better. In today’s market, some team is paying him MUCH more.
Ekblad (who imo is the best young d-men in the game with a MUCH higher ceiling than Mcdonagh) Just signed an 8 year worth 7.5 per, with absolutely no leverage coming into his 3 year on an ELC deal. But today, his numbers are almost identical to Mcdonaghs. I’d put Mcdonaghs contract right up there with Tavares as one of the best bang for your buck deals in the NHL. That’s not being a homer. That’s watching 2nd and 3rd pairing guys sign for more money.
He is literally the last guy on the team I’m moving. Kreider, Miller and Stepan would be my other keepers. But I’d trade them all before Mcdonagh, because I can’t see a better, younger, more cap friendly deal in return….So why bother?
My friend watches every Rangers game and goes to a bunch of games. It doesn’t matter if it’s hyperbole. I am making a point. Of course journalists say it to. That’s where the fans get these dumb ideas and run with them. Every new Ranger is going to be awesome. Erixon, Kreider, Hayes, Skjei, Fast, etc. Then when they get traded (Duclair) it’s “he was only a prospect.” It is comical to listen to.
What exactly have you seen in Kreider on a nightly basis that makes him worth 5 million a year? Please share that info.
I don’t think you’ve ever seen me high on Erixon, I’ve actually considered him to be a journeyman. Fast is a defensive guy, I don’t think you see too many people calling him the next P.Kane, And I didn’t say that Kreider should be paid 5 per. Hayes and Kreider are both pretty solid guys. They all can’t be OV or Crosby, especially when you don’t finish in the bottom 3-5 and draft there.
Kreider has a LOT to work on. But his offensive numbers are pretty consistent, and his post season numbers have been pretty good as well. Eberle, had 47 points this year is making 6 per. Honestly, if he goes to arbitration he probably ends up with around 4.5. Which is not a horrible deal.
As far as your friend going to and watching lots of games….. I’m wondering how drunk he is? You aren’t going to get too many people to agree with his assessment on McDonagh. Boston fans, Sens fans (including ones that don’t agree with me often) are singing his praises here. So, I don’t think I’m lone.
Atomic, Aren’t you an oilers fan?
Do you see the ceiling / expectations the Edmonton fan base puts on EVERY single prospect?
Klefbom
Nurse
Reihart
Hall
Eberle
Yak
RNH
And even Traded or FA’s
Sekera,
Fayne,
Larsson etc.
That’s ok. I didn’t get alot of Islanders fans agreeing with me a year ago that Okposo and Nelson are a waste but they are starting to come around. I have been calling Nelson a one trick pony since October and was told I was clueless and hammered on message boards. Amazing how many Islanders fans don’t like Nelson just 8 months later. Sometimes you because you have a different opinion than everyone else, not because you are drunk, but because you are ahead of the curve. Let’s see how excited Buffalo fans are with Okposo 2-3 years into that contract.
McDonaugh is 1 of the best 2 way Dman in the entire NHL. A legitimate #1 Dman making 4.7 for 3 more years. He’s not going any where. NYR stole him from Montreal.
Kreider is just scratching the surface of his massive frame. There are serious concerns about his mental game but he still only has 3 full seasons of NHL development so still 2 years from showing who he really is. He will get very close to 5. A 1 year arbitration award works perfectly as he will still be an RFA following & more time helps determine his value in the future. He’s just ready to blossom. He steps up next season to 25 to 30 goals, 50 to 55 points next season but the real jump comes the season following. Goals may stagnate but he will be a 70 point player by 2017-18.
There are two Kreiders. The version who speeds around the ice on instincts. Next there is the thinking man Kreider-who looks lost during those games.
His potential will get him 5 million
NYR4LIFE, I am not an Oilers fan. I am an Islanders fan but I am not a homer. I absolutely did not like the team last year. They were too soft and played a boring brand of hockey. If it’s true that Snow didn’t move Hamonic for Hall, straight up, then he is on crack. Hamonic is another pretty good dman that is overrated by management and the fans. He is a good dman but he is not a difference maker.
I believe Ladd, Chimera and Parenteau over Okposo, Nielsen and Martin makes the Islanders tougher to play against come playoff time but I doubt it gets them that any closer or further from a Cup. I really like Matt Martin but was easily the most replaceable guy on that team and the Leafs are nuts for giving him that deal. The Islanders badly needed a heart transplant and they got one but they still need a high level winger for JT.
ds, I know he will get 5 million. That is the point: would you want to pay him that if you were GM on a team that is tight to the cap?
McDonaugh, overated? seriously? The guy is a stud.
Now that yandle is gone mcD point total will go up with pp time and his defense is very good top pairing dman for sure
I never considered McD a offensive guy. He brings to the table a solid defensive game and an pretty good point production. Soemthing I’m sure Edmonton is Hoping from Larson.
McD offensive game is underrated in my imo Jeff and yes I think larssons style could turn into McD type
3 30+ plus point seasons & 1 40+ point season in his 1st 4 full seasons in the league & his lock out shortened season prorates above 30+ as well. It’s the fact he’s so good defensively & also mans the #1 penalty killing unit that limit his offensive abilities. Not to mention Boyle & Yandle pushed him to the #3 offensive spot.
Moving forward McDonaugh is now the go to guy for offense in NYR. 12 to 15 goals & 50+ points next season. Right at his breakthrough point for Dman having played 390 regular season games & no 1 to bite into it now.
Yandle is exactly my point Jeff. Rangers fans and journalists having been calling McDonagh a Norris Trophy candidate but they brought Yandle in to run the PP. Show me one Norris Trophy winner over the last 30 years that can’t QB a PP.
Chara won the Norris and didn’t QB the PP.
He was the boomer from the middle of the ice. They typically now use Krug or Krecji in the QB role.
Raybark.
That’s not true. Chara only gave up his 1st line PP spot spot really 2 years ago years. It started 3 years ago in 2013-14 but he still made the top 5 in PP TOI/GP in Boston. Hamilton & Krug forced him to the 2nd unit over the last 3 years. In 2008-09 the year Chara won the Norris he lead all Bruin’s in PP TOI/GP. He was a machine on the PP.
3rd in the entire NHL for Dman in PPG’s, 8th for PPP’s, 5th for shots. For the entire season by Dman 12th for points, 4th for goals.
Striker, fully aware that he racked up the PP points. Not what I consider a QB for a PP.
My definition is similar to that of a QB in football or a point guard in basketball, a distributor.
Chara was the bomber at the top of the umbrella, not the distributor.
We may be arguing language here.
Bruins should trade tuuka and krejci , tuuka should be able to steal a few games here and there like lesser valued peers of his (Matt Murray, matin jones) but doesn’t . may as well get something for both of them , worst comes to worst Malcolm has a bad year in the nhl and we get a top 5 pick in the draft . Krejci on the back end of his career, bad hips , and he’s soft doesn’t play Bruins hockey , I’ve said This for years .
Without Thomas and Krejci Bruins don’t have a chance at winning a cup Bergeron was great but Krejci was better. Rask needs to focus on stopping the puck and stop his crying every time someone makes a mistake. He has the skills needs to work on the mental part of the game.
They the Bruins aren’t winning anything…. 🙂
I heard they are trading for Ulfee…..
10 years of offer sheets. Wow, do teams have 4 first round picks, every year for 10 years to trade? I’ll take that compensation, and nevermind that Sweeney was essentially forced into moving Hamilton from Calgary’s offer-sheet threat.
I certainly don’t remember Sweeney or the Bruins making such childish comments.
Correction, it was the Oilers, who threatened the offer sheet. Not that it matters.
Personally, I don’t think Sweeney ever had the intention of actually sending an offer sheet to Trouba. I think he very purposefully floated the idea to media members to get the story to leak to put the heat on the Jets to deal him before the possibility of an offer sheet came up. Sweeney preemptively read into the rumors and sold Hamilton for pennies on the dollar and I think he was hoping Cheveldayoff was going to do the same. When that “10 years of offer sheets” quote came out, I’m sure Sweeney instantly thought of Pastrnak and turtled
If I’m Mike Hoffman & I’m certainly not, based on my dealings with Murray & Cameron I don’t even negotiate with Ottawa now. I take my 1 year arbitration award & go to UFA status the summer following the expansion draft. Almost every team in the NHL will have tons of money to spend & room for Hoffman happily. He would easily get 7 years at 7 mil following. If he ever was given PP time he easily scores 30+ goals making him 1 of the rarest assets in the NHL. A player that can actually score in today’s lower scoring NHL.
Your reinforcing George’s point here Striker. What I understand George is saying is that Hoffman may not be happy. He may go the route of the 1 year contract rewarded through arbitration then go UFA and leave Ottawa behind with out a second thought. If that is the case that is the basis of George’s trade him now while he is hot and valuable argument.
Correct me if I’m wrong George.
Sure trade him. What’s a player facing UFA status in 1 year worth in trade? I don’t see him signing with any team long term now any where why would he, he’ll get 2 more mill per season & 2 more years waiting till he’s a UFA & still get 5 mil for 1 year or more in arbitration now. Financial & from a business perspective he’s better served to wait 1 year. Ottawa put themselves in this position. Some of the worst asset management I have ever seen.
Ottawa & Senators fan’s had better hope they come away with something, anything, better yet they had better hope Hoffman buries the hatchet & accepts a reasonable offer. If I were him no way I do, why leave money & term on the table. I would treat them with the same respect they have shown me.
& before the Drouin comments come up. Drouin had earned nothing. Hoffman’s earned his opportunity in spades but didn’t get it regardless.
That’s exactly what I’ve been saying Jeff. Nowhere have I EVER disputed his offensive talents – NOWHERE. I keep repeating – without results insofar as Prof. Striker is concerned who’s prepared to give this guy $7 mil per for SEVEN freaking years which means he’s going on 34 when it expires – that I just don’t want him around on another 1 year deal if his intention is to play out the string until he becomes a UFA. Whose fault that would be is irrelevant at this stage. What I want is someone at LW who is prepared to remain in Ottawa for the foreseeable future.
We once took a shot at a speedy, totally offensive winger named Jonathan Cheechoo who had 4 seasons of 28, 56, 37 and 23 goals for San Jose – and then fell off a bloody cliff at age 28. Would Striker have given HIM a 7-year 7$ mil deal based on those 4 years?
And that is my concern Striker, can the Sens receive a return of good value by trading Hoffman?
What about a Spooner (+) for Hoffman swap? From both Backes’ & Sweeney’s comments, it seems like Backes is going to start as the 3C as well as floating up to the wing with 37 & 63 if needed. Seems to me like Spooner is going to be the odd man out unless they can find a taker for Krejci, which would be my preferred course of action
Hoffman with 37 & 63 would be scary
Will Krejci be ready to start the season & hip surgery takes sometime to recover from. Backes may start in Krejci’s spot & then we could see him move to RW with Krejci or bump Spooner to LW. Who knows.
@striker I’m glad your not the Bruins gm? 7 million for Hoffman is a huge overpayment 5 million tops for Hoffman
Your not understanding my comments & extrapolating your own deduction of what I said. Which isn’t what I said. Let me be clearer for you. No team is paying Hoffman 7 mil for 7 years this off season. Few teams other than Carolina, NJ or Arizona could make that work today but as a UFA in the summer of 2017 post expansion draft, a ton of teams would have the money & willingness to do so as it costs them nothing more than cash & term. they would line up to do so. If Backes, Eriksson, Ladd, Okposo, Lucic, etc can get 5+ mil per or better & 5 to 7 years in this cap world. What does 1 of the premier goal scorers in the NHL get at 27 with most teams having a ton of cap space post expansion draft?
Not to mention all teams will have or just coming into 30 million dollars each in expansion revenue, which doesn’t count as hockey related revenue! Many teams are going to spend a ton of that money on players, even some of the cash strapped internal budget teams.
what you wrote is “Almost every team in the NHL will have tons of money to spend & room for Hoffman happily. He would easily get 7 years at 7 mil following.”
I don’t know how anyone can interpret that to mean anything but exactly what it says. “Easily get 7 years at 7 mil????” If some GM has s*^t for brains maybe.
I’m glad you took it that way too George I re read it a couple times
He ain’t getting 7mil or yada yada. He got enough PP time. If he didn’t score X amount of goals in the first half he’d be in the ECHL the way he was playing. No kidding.
The Sens management has screwed Hoffman around and he has been not treated well from the previous coach. So I could totally see how he would want out of Ottawa or want to stick it to them.
However, I randomly met some of Hoffman’s friends golfing last week and they say he loves Ottawa and wants to stay. I asked them about any bad feelings towards management and they claim he doesn’t have any. And he really likes Boucher. Hopefully they are right and the Sens don’t bargain him into the ground so he wants to leave.
@cmac that didn’t happen to be galt country club did it?
Russell can go else where the Leafs don’t need him. Looking at the defense pairs suggested for the Leafs one must consider the analytics for Marincin when he played with Reilly. I would think that the Leafs can develop some interesting pairs.
Reilly – Zhaitsev First pair to drive offense but solid defensively.
Gardner- Carrick A less skilled version of the first pair.
Marincin -Polack An actual shutdown pair.
Hunwick – Corrado To fill in as needed.I’m betting one or both of these guys are gone by the trade deadline?
You have to remember these players except Hunwick have not reached their potential yet.
Expecting Zaitsev to step in as a #2 Dman in the NHL is a pipe dream. This isn’t the KHL, it’s the biggest, fastest, best hockey league in the world. You weren’t 1 of the believers that Medvedev, Plotnikov, etc. would step straight into the NHL & be top flight players were you?
Why would Babcock break up his #1 defensive pairing from last season? Reilly & Hunwick, 2 lefties, or put Carrick in a top 4 role? None of that’s happening. Playing opportunity in the NHL is primarily earned. It takes years with a few minor exceptions, pedigree; draft position, is a serious factor as is salary. Zaitsev could rise very quickly to a top 4 spot as it’s there for the taking but that will go to Polak until Zaitsev earns it. Might happen in camp might not. I’m a pessimist by nature.
Add in other factors for Zaitsev. New League, new team, new continent, new language, new systems. It will take time. It’s his when he’s ready unless someone else grabs the opportunity. As it stands currently Zaitsev is 1 of the few Dman in Toronto that is waiver exempt; the business side of hockey and asset protection, & that may factor in until Toronto can address the issue in trade, which may require teams losing Dman to injures 1st.
As it stands now Carrick, Corrado, Reilly, Gardner, Hunwick, Polack & Marincin all need to clear wavers, the only 1 Toronto might be willing to waive is Corrado but I doubt it, other ways to address that before Toronto can get the roster spot on opening day. Add Robidas & Cowen as well. Not relevant except that both count as active players when Toronto has to submit it’s 23 man active roster the day before the season starts nor can they be sent down prior as they are injured. That’s 9 Dman, 1 of these healthy 7 are being waived or traded before that day or Zaitsev starts in the minors until opening day when he can be recalled to replace Robidas or Cowen when they get put on LTIR.
A whole lot of 5,6,7 and 8 dmen. Even Reilly-is at best a #3 now-with potential to become a #1.
Actually the top pair at the end of the year was Reilly and Marincin. Hunwick was hurt. One of the sports writers did a column pointing out how good the analytics were for Marincin and he was as good as anybody. I don’t say that the Leafs have a Rock solid defense. Babcock knows how to use players and how to protect others. Gardner drives me crazy watching him because he looks lazy and uninterested when he is playing because he skates so good but he took a big step last year. Corrado is a player many teams wanted last year. They see potential. Carrick just lit up the AHL in the playoffs. Now the Leafs have to determine is he another TJ Brennan or can he bring those results to the NHL. Polack is a big strong honest pro. He is a third pair guy but he never cheats a team in regard to effort.
Another factor that will help the defense is the amount of skill they will playing behind this year. He got a snapshot of that at the end of the year. With all due respect to Boyes, Spalling, Lupul, Mathias, Froese and Smith they will probably be replaced by Matthews, Marner, Soshnikov, Brown, Hyman, JVR and Lievo who have more skill and potential than those guys. I love Lupul but he cant stay healthy if he could he would be as good a mentor as anyone.
Then there is the goaltending. Anderson will bring consistency and I would not be surprised to see Bernier have a good year.
So I guess what I am saying is Babcock will slot guys in where he thinks they fit. Just because a guy like Zhaitsev gets paired with a guy like Reilly doesn’t necessarily mean he is a good NHL #2 just that he is the Leafs #2 if that actually happens? There are still growing pains coming.
I agree tugboat. Babcock uses guys to their skill set. He’s a smart coach and worth the money as hes getting max value out of almost everyone.
With the D there is potential there in guys like Marincin, Corrado, and Carrick. Tough spot to be in as you’re not going to get value back for a guys perceived value. Or for what he may become. Yet you would lose any of theses guys on waivers.
Zhaitsev can pass through waivers I believe, but he was signed to play in the NHL not AHL.
So which d man do you try and trade ? And for what value ? The Leafs are not going any where again this year so the guy I would move out is Gardiner. Has great skills but has too many brain farts. He’s the one guy Babcock cannot use properly. He’s forced into a role he cant handle. He’s more of a 4, 5 or 6 d man that again has potential to improve huge. What you would get back in return is anyones guess.
Just my opinion but I thought Marincin was terrible last year. Truth be told – Leafs were the 30th place team last year – deservedly their 3,4,5 & 6 D-men played like the bottom 2 pairs of a 30th place NHL team… On most teams Zhaitsev would have to earn a top 2 D spot but truth be told he signed with Toronto because they wooed him by telling him he’d be a top 4 D-man on their team. He would have to have a terrible camp to not start there this year and will have every opportunity to show what he can do against NHL level competition…
to Edmonton – Tyson Barrie
to Columbus – RNH
to Colorado – Ryan Murray/Jackets 2nd 2017
if Seth Jones signed for $5.4M per maybe the Oilers could get Barrie locked up for that or slightly less. i say offer 8 years (or 7 if thats the max i cant remember) for $42M.
So Clb is giving up Murray and a 2nd in 2017 for RNH ….lol
I think Buffalo needs to invest in one more FA Right Wing… We got Okposo and Gionta and then only two rookies on the roster now (unless we take someone out of position to play)
Thoughts on Jiri Hudler versus Radim Vrbata??