Ongoing NHL thread - Part deux

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Boy oh boy. Phaneuf gets high sticked and cut by Kane, refs miss it and don't call the penalty. Few minutes later, Kane scores. Ensuing face-off, Phaneuf gets a penalty for high sticking.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

You think Leafs have a chance in FA? I half believe he would just because his presence alone would eliminate a full year from the rebuild and let the kids adapt to his game, not to mention they could offer him as much money as it takes, but I also half believe if he does leave TB he wants to be on a contender and the Leafs even with Stamkos are still at least 2 years from that as of now.

I waited patiently as Getzlaf and Perry inched toward free agency only for those dicks to re-sign at the last minute. I have a feeling this might wind up the same lol.

It depends on whether or not the player wants to play in Toronto. Some don't seem interested in doing so. Others I'm sure would be more than happy to play in Toronto. I expect the Leafs to be able to sign players in free agency. There seems to be much more stability in the organization. They do have a plan. Stamkos might not be the guy, but that doesn't mean other big names won't be interested. Obviously time will tell.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

It depends on whether or not the player wants to play in Toronto. Some don't seem interested in doing so. Others I'm sure would be more than happy to play in Toronto. I expect the Leafs to be able to sign players in free agency. There seems to be much more stability in the organization. They do have a plan. Stamkos might not be the guy, but that doesn't mean other big names won't be interested. Obviously time will tell.

Finding a #1 C in the draft will be tricky in 2016 (2017 is supposedly C-heavy though) so Stamkos might be their best option.

but I think he eventually re-signs in Tampa.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Finding a #1 C in the draft will be tricky in 2016 (2017 is supposedly C-heavy though) so Stamkos might be their best option.

but I think he eventually re-signs in Tampa.

Leafs fans have waited for a long time. How much longer are you & the rest of Leafs Nation willing to wait for this team to put a quality product on the ice? I have a hard time believing Babcock signed to be the coach of a team at the bottom of the standings for very long.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Leafs fans have waited for a long time. How much longer are you & the rest of Leafs Nation willing to wait for this team to put a quality product on the ice? I have a hard time believing Babcock signed to be the coach of a team at the bottom of the standings for very long.

I'm not expecting anything from them next season in addition to this one. After that, depends on what moves management makes. By all estimates of their minor league system they're still short of a true 1C candidate, a 1D, and a goalie.

Best case scenario for me is by the end of the year they've gotten guys like JVR and Kadri to look good enough to be able to trade them for high picks and prospects. If they can get 3 or 4 first round picks this draft I'll be much more optimistic of them competing for a playoff spot come 2017-18.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I'm not expecting anything from them next season in addition to this one. After that, depends on what moves management makes. By all estimates of their minor league system they're still short of a true 1C candidate, a 1D, and a goalie.

Best case scenario for me is by the end of the year they've gotten guys like JVR and Kadri to look good enough to be able to trade them for high picks and prospects. If they can get 3 or 4 first round picks this draft I'll be much more optimistic of them competing for a playoff spot come 2017-18.

So Marner is a #2 Center down the line? JVR is probably the Leafs best trade option. It's going to be interesting to see how things shake out in terms of who the real contenders are & how much cap space they have. What they're willing to give up is always the big question.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

So Marner is a #2 Center down the line? JVR is probably the Leafs best trade option. It's going to be interesting to see how things shake out in terms of who the real contenders are & how much cap space they have. What they're willing to give up is always the big question.

They're hoping Marner can center, but more realistically he's a winger. Ditto for Nylander.

Leafs are purely in the market for picks at this point I think. They made 9 selections at the draft this year and they already have 10 picks stockpiled for next year's. They should wind up with at least 12 come draft day, and I would think they'd want 5 minimum to be in the top 60 so any moves for a guy like JVR is going to have to address that.

Luckily for the Leafs, there are plenty of teams that could contend that have +/- $5 mil in cap space available that would be more than enough to accommodate JVR and his contract (which is still a fucking bargain). Ducks, Preds, Flames, Sens, Stars, Wild, Jets, Sharks and Isles all have both the space and the potential need. And the Leafs have the added benefit of being able to take back a bad contract to sweeten the pot for both sides.

 

[dare2be]

Go Pens

SMH

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I'd rip Fleury but that was one of the limpest team performances I've seen this season.

 

[elocomotive]

C-A-P-S! Caps! Caps! Caps!

Take down Vancouver 3-2 on the road as the TKO line finishes it off in the 3rd on a goal by who else.

 

[dash]

You can't stop Jason Chimera eloco, you can only hope to contain him.

 

[hokiehi21]

First win in Vancouver since '01

 

[dash]

The Canucks are undefeated on the road and still looking for their first win on home ice.

 

[dash]

T.J. Oshie with a big hit on Bellows at centre ice that brought a smile to my face.

 

[elocomotive]

^That was a great hit!

Chimera was good tonight, but Beagle was outstanding. He and Vrbata were the two best skaters I thought.

 

[puckhead]

The Canucks are undefeated on the road and still looking for their first win on home ice.

Horvat missed a couple of open nets in the 3rd.
all four losses by a single goal. you get bonus points for moral victories?

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Horvat missed a couple of open nets in the 3rd.
all four losses by a single goal. you get bonus points for moral victories?

Considering how many one goal games the Devils have lost the past 3-4 years I can assure you, you do not get bonus points for moral victories.

 

[dare2be]

I'd rip Fleury but that was one of the limpest team performances I've seen this season.

"You ain't seen nothin' yet"

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Horvat missed a couple of open nets in the 3rd.
all four losses by a single goal. you get bonus points for moral victories?

Id be ok with more immoral losses

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

"You ain't seen nothin' yet"

Um...Kinda need you to make the playoffs this year. Kind of important. Kind of.