Ongoing NHL thread - Part III

[Nasty_Magician]

It's funny, for the last couple years I heard Devils fans going on about how their team had great young defencemen on the up but needed forwards. Now that they've traded one d-man in an utterly lopsided trade for one of the game's better forwards I keep seeing posts saying they need help on defence. What happened?

They have plenty of depth, just not sure they have a number 1 guy or a top pairing guy. The 2 wild cards are Jon Merrill and Damon Severson. Both have shown glimpses of being studs and then looked awful at other times. I'm hoping one of them steps up and becomes a top pairing guy but it remains to be seen.

Steve Santini will be a rookie so we can't bank on him making an impact right away although I expect him to be real solid. Other guys haven't quite lived up to expectations (Eric Gelinas, Seth Helgeson). So to answer your question, they may be able to replace him internally but it's a serious question mark at the moment.

If they were to make a trade it would likely be later in the season when they know for sure what they have.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

For some strange reason, I don't have an issue with that.

I have a feeling you will come January.

 

[dash]

I have a feeling you will come January.

lol - Yes, I am concerned that we will get the Senators Elliott rather than the Blues Elliott. Oh well, he's in the final year of his current contract, you would think he would be motivated to play well to cash in on his next contract.

 

[bt08]

Well, that's step 1 , now all the B's need to do is to get Crosby.

scored 37 last year without Crosby

 

[dash]

scored 37 last year without Crosby

I like the signing, the B's and Marchand go together like lamb and tuna fish.

 

[esls79]

Is it too early to fire up a coach's death watch thread before their first preseason game?

 

[dash]

Is it too early to fire up a coach's death watch thread before their first preseason game?

Never too early esls, fire it up!

 

[forty_three]

Another thing, re: Johansen and the Jackets. Yes, the Jackets management is often foolish. But in regards to that particular negotiation, I think they handled it quite well. It was Overhardt that blew it way out of proportion. Joey was at that time one year removed from being sent to the minors and benched when he got there for effort. All the Jackets said was "Show us" which Johansen we were getting. AHL Bench Johansen or emerging NHL Beast Johansen. They offered a reasonable bridge.

That's when Overhardt came in with this "He's comparable to Toews" nonsense. And the Jackets kicked Johansen out and said "well, when an offer sheet comes in, we'll know." No offer came, so a bridge came about (slightly more than one the Jackets initially offered). And Johansen proved which Johansen he was willing to be. So his super agent got him around the same deal, while tarnishing his reputation along the way. Great job.

It wasn't until Tortellini showed up that the management team completely fucked the dog with Johansen.

All that said, I am going to LOVE watching Louie Lams in a Overhardt negotiation. I really hope that Rychel sticks and scores 20+ this year.



And I can't think of a better place for Trouba than New Jersey. It's so perfect it hurts.

Is it too early to fire up a coach's death watch thread before their first preseason game?

I hope it's not.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Another thing, re: Johansen and the Jackets. Yes, the Jackets management is often foolish. But in regards to that particular negotiation, I think they handled it quite well. It was Overhardt that blew it way out of proportion. Joey was at that time one year removed from being sent to the minors and benched when he got there for effort. All the Jackets said was "Show us" which Johansen we were getting. AHL Bench Johansen or emerging NHL Beast Johansen. They offered a reasonable bridge.

That's when Overhardt came in with this "He's comparable to Toews" nonsense. And the Jackets kicked Johansen out and said "well, when an offer sheet comes in, we'll know." No offer came, so a bridge came about (slightly more than one the Jackets initially offered). And Johansen proved which Johansen he was willing to be. So his super agent got him around the same deal, while tarnishing his reputation along the way. Great job.

It wasn't until Tortellini showed up that the management team completely fucked the dog with Johansen.

FWIW, Johansen has outscored Toews each year since he's signed that deal. I think it's rare that someone young with promise signs a long-term deal that the team regrets. Only ones I can think of off the top of my head are Skinner and maybe Tyler Myers. I think the list of teams that regret signing them short-term is longer.

All that said, I am going to LOVE watching Louie Lams in a Overhardt negotiation. I really hope that Rychel sticks and scores 20+ this year.

They already have (Zajac), but I'll also be hoping Rychel sticks and scores 20. Good return for the spare part from the Kessel trade.

 

[forty_three]

FWIW, Johansen has outscored Toews each year since he's signed that deal. I think it's rare that someone young with promise signs a long-term deal that the team regrets. Only ones I can think of off the top of my head are Skinner and maybe Tyler Myers. I think the list of teams that regret signing them short-term is longer.

I think the Jackets would have regretted the 8 x 8.5 deal KO was after. Especially after one good and one abysmal season.

And, yes. Joey has come alive and will cash in on his next deal (unless his agent ruins it for him ). But are you trying to imply that you would have taken two year ago Johansen over two year ago Toews? Or even argued that in hindsight there is an argument for it?

Please tell me you aren't.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I think the Jackets would have regretted the 8 x 8.5 deal KO was after. Especially after one good and one abysmal season.

And, yes. Joey has come alive and will cash in on his next deal (unless his agent ruins it for him ). But are you trying to imply that you would have taken two year ago Johansen over two year ago Toews? Or even argued that in hindsight there is an argument for it?

Please tell me you aren't.

All I implied is it is rare that a young star signed to a long term deal through his prime years fails to deliver.

As for that 8 x 8.5, that's apparently what Gaudreau is after right now and the Flames don't appear to be budging and he has a different agent. I'm not trying to be a fan of one particular agent at all, just going back to my original point that they're all similar for the most part, their jobs are to get their clients what they want or what they believe they can get. MLB teams hate Scott Boras but there's a reason some of the best players in baseball are signed with him.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Speaking of Rychel, his first preseason game probably could've gone better for him. Was gone after ten minutes when he retaliated against a Sens rookie that hit Kadri hard (but cleanly) by raining fists on him.

Memories of Clarkson dancing in my head...

 

[forty_three]

All I implied is it is rare that a young star signed to a long term deal through his prime years fails to deliver.

As for that 8 x 8.5, that's apparently what Gaudreau is after right now and the Flames don't appear to be budging and he has a different agent. I'm not trying to be a fan of one particular agent at all, just going back to my original point that they're all similar for the most part, their jobs are to get their clients what they want or what they believe they can get. MLB teams hate Scott Boras but there's a reason some of the best players in baseball are signed with him.

True, but (as of yet) the agent hasn't demanded a trade on Johnny's behalf, Johnny hasn't been blacked out from speaking his side and all the negotiation nastiness has not made it into the media through "leaks". It's a subtle difference, but a difference nonetheless.

Plus, he's delivered consistently right out of the gate. Teams are more willing to listen in that situation.

Speaking of Rychel, his first preseason game probably could've gone better for him. Was gone after ten minutes when he retaliated against a Sens rookie that hit Kadri hard (but cleanly) by raining fists on him.

Memories of Clarkson dancing in my head...

He just wants to contribute. He's got a fire in his belly. He's only looking for clarification of where his role is, and whatever his role is, he will accept it. (Provided his role is not "work on your temper and your skating in the AHL")

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

True, but (as of yet) the agent hasn't demanded a trade on Johnny's behalf, Johnny hasn't been blacked out from speaking his side and all the negotiation nastiness has not made it into the media through "leaks". It's a subtle difference, but a difference nonetheless.

Plus, he's delivered consistently right out of the gate. Teams are more willing to listen in that situation.

It's twofold - JG has been excellent out of the gate, but Johansen could've (and I'm sure he did) argued that the reason he started slower is that the Jackets mishandled his initial development and he shouldn't be held responsible for that. It was worth pushing I guess - keep in mind the gulf in money we're talking here.

He just wants to contribute. He's got a fire in his belly. He's only looking for clarification of where his role is, and whatever his role is, he will accept it. (Provided his role is not "work on your temper and your skating in the AHL")

This wasn't how to go about it. It's a weird way to make an impression on a team trying to build its skill level.

 

[forty_three]

This wasn't how to go about it. It's a weird way to make an impression on a team trying to build its skill level.

I was being facetious. Someday we can sit down over a beer and talk about all the things Rychel goes about the wrong way. He's a good kid and has a lot of potential. But unless he gets realistic about the work he still needs to do, he's gonna keep running into roadblocks. When every manager and coach thinks you're a Pain in the ass at times, it's not usually them is all I'm saying.

That said, if any coach can get through to him, a guy like Babs should be that guy. I wish they'd have included him and not Dano in the Saad deal. Coach Q would turn him into a monster.




Silky mitts alert:

I look forward to watching him for the three weeks before he gets injured and misses a lot of time.

 

[dash]

Never like losing to the Oilers (even pre-season), but at least Elliott looked good between the pipes last night. Sam Bennett and Troy Brouwer look to have some chemistry as well.

 

[DevilishWon]

They have plenty of depth, just not sure they have a number 1 guy or a top pairing guy. The 2 wild cards are Jon Merrill and Damon Severson. Both have shown glimpses of being studs and then looked awful at other times. I'm hoping one of them steps up and becomes a top pairing guy but it remains to be seen.

Steve Santini will be a rookie so we can't bank on him making an impact right away although I expect him to be real solid. Other guys haven't quite lived up to expectations (Eric Gelinas, Seth Helgeson). So to answer your question, they may be able to replace him internally but it's a serious question mark at the moment.

If they were to make a trade it would likely be later in the season when they know for sure what they have.

I must have missed the studly glimpses of Merrill, I hope I'm wrong but I think he basically sucks. Severson on the other hand has looked great at times and I think he's only 20 this year. I'm hoping they pair him with Andy Greene like the 1st half of his rookie year. Plus all the young players seem to get better paired with him (see Adam Larsson)

 

[esls79]

Andrew Shaw with 30 PIM's in his first game for the Habs - decent showing.


/just wait until he learns to swear in French

 

[jstewismybastardson]

 

[jstewismybastardson]