So Bedard will be 24/25. That's pretty much perfect alignment for trying to legitimately win.
Hawks had an incredible foundation of legit players when they signed those guys. Minnesota was never a legit threat to anyone who had a chance to win the Cup.
I agree. I'm just advocating that UFA is still a viable way to add players and that just because some really awful deals are signed that day doesn't mean we should avoid it.
Yeah, and Vegas isn't a great example to use for anything really, since they got to build their team out of NHLers right from the start.
Yes, it should supplement your team when you figure out what your team is, IMO. We have no idea who anyone on this roster is yet. Bedard is more than likely a franchise guy, but is he a C or W? Is Vlasic a top pairing D, or just a really good 2nd pair shutdown guy ala Hammer? No one knows what anyone else is.
Not really. Most successful contenders started from nothing, sucked for a while, had high picks, and didn't dip into free agency until they were at least playoff regulars.
^Yeah, and if Marner does make it, I don't think he'll be worth what some team will be willing to throw at him. He's been Matthews sidekick for years, bloating his stats. Great player, but not as good as his stats suggest.
Definitely, and TBH, I'm surprised that the GM isn't getting more flak from the crop he brought in, especially Brodie. You can't just pick any old vet and hope they have some life left in them. That is too much like Stan.
We'll always disagree on Marner - in fact some Leaf fans say the opposite of you, that Mathews numbers are higher playing so much with Mitch. I think it is a symbiotic relationship with the chemistry they have..... but I do agree about the price tag. It's liable to be outrageous if he and his agent get greedy.
Rangers. Panarin became available. They paid him because hes elite. Hes still the best player on the roster (Shesterkin?) and they are contenders again.
Fair, so 1 out of 32 teams. Even so, they weren't nearly as bad as the Hawks. They had the best goalie in the league, legit top 6 players in Mika, Kreider, Strome (when he was good), Buchnevich.
Theres only been 4 elite free agents in the last 10 years. Panarin Gaudreau Pietrangelo Tavares.
I'm arguing against myself a bit here, but Sergei Bobrovsky should also be mentioned. Huge money deal a couple years removed from Vezina and being top 5 in Goalie Wins each of the three prior years.
Least credit is a bit harsh, as acquiring a top-5 level scorer is massively important, but yes, mechanics Fox forcing his way there aside (by two years post-draft, it was known that both Fox wanted to go to the Rangers and that he was really really good beyond his draft capital), it's basically like having a Norris DMan and a Vezina Goalie emerge out of your 3rd/4th round picks. That's a bit Tampa-ish with Kucherov/Point. Zibanejad and Kreider both glowing up didn't hurt either.
