Around the League 2018-2019 Part 3

[Johnny Utah]

San Jose hasn’t had a high first round pick in years yet they still manage to find good players and college free agents and ufa’s in Europe.

 

[KINGS17]

The Sharks beat the Avs, and Vegas wasn't as good as they were the year before.

Vegas still has to pay Karlsson, with no cap space currently. Going to have to lose some depth up front and on the blueline. They also have a soon to be 35 year old goalie, who they gave a raise to, taking up $7m on the cap.

Colorado doesn't have a ton of depth up front, have to pay some of their own guys this summer, and seem to be running out of UFA options by the day before July 1st rolls around.

Why wouldn't the Sharks look at themselves as at least equals to those two?

If you look at the San Jose, Colorado, and Vegas rosters which of these teams should improve the most next season. I don't think it's the Sharks.

 

[KINGS17]

The Kings got swept while scoring three total goals and everyone wanted to add to the roster for last season.

San Jose, while aided by some questionable calls, were two wins away from a 2nd SCF in four seasons while their team fell apart at the end with injuries.

They've already made their bed with all the long-term contracts they have on the books. The guys have various types of NMCs so it isn't like they can just sell them. They also already sold the future 1st round picks. They HAVE to go for it at this point. It will suck in the long term eventually but win-now mode means it is about now and not later.

Difference with the Kings is that they haven't done **** for five seasons and they are only married to 11 and 8 long-term. It's also easier to take a step back and regroup when your fanbase was given two Cups and the attempt was consistently made to get more of them for the years that followed. It didn't work in spectacular fashion and Bluc has come to the point where they don't believe in these guys to win a Cup without a lot of help: a lot more than one big-name FA signing. I believe they feel 11/8 can contribute to another Cup but it is going to take hitting on prospects and then having the assets to be able to trade for established help once it comes available.

It's going to be fun watching this. Wilson probably has no other choice. As soon as San Jose misses the playoffs, he is toast.

 

[kingsfan28]

I have read all about how they're a model of success in the NHL...for what? The way I see it, all SJ is, is a fair/good playoff team[for the last 10 years]. That's it. The new Washington Caps, without OVI .They spend and spend and spend and never get any further. Even spending 92 mil on EK , it won't put them over the top, they lack the jam or whatever you want to call it the Cup champs have. We're currently paying the price of success, but that's the cost of two cup. I can live with that.

 

[lumbergh]

I agree, the Kings can't be much worse next season than they were last season, and I would not look at making it up to the black hole as any kind of significant progress. This is why Blake needs to keep throwing banana peels in their path. Trading Martinez at the draft or before the season would be a great start.

With the news of the Phaneuf buyout, I think it's pretty clear Blake is not fond of eating bananas.

 

[kovacro]

Still my favorite Eakins moment.

 

[kilowatt]

The situation in San Jose makes sense, you can’t let Karlsson walk. But trading for him in the first place - after having Burns and Vlasic on big contracts - didn’t really make a ton of sense. I mean, obviously, if you have the chance to contend and can add a world-class talent, you do it. But the makeup of that team now is flawed. Their second-highest-paid forward is now Evander Kane, and there are a lot of pieces they need to re-sign. Labanc, Meier, Pavelski, Thornton, Donskoi, and Haley need contracts. They only have seven forwards signed at the moment.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Familiarity breeds contempt and I think that's what a lot of people feel given how long the core has been together. I think there are a number of people here who would actually be upset even if the Kings made the playoffs and got into the 2nd round this coming season. That's how invested they are in the tank.

I mean, it would totally depend on the context of that kind of advance. Did they squeak into the second round because their first round opponent was injury riddled? Or did they beat a legitimately good playoff team due to their youth stepping up and producing?

If the latter, I don't think a single person complains. If the former, yeah, people would think we're wasting our time. Just like in 17/18.

 

[deeshamrock]

[QUOTE
[/QUOTE]



Doesn't leave a whole lot of money left for Pavelski and other contracts yet to ink.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I have read all about how they're a model of success in the NHL...for what? The way I see it, all SJ is, is a fair/good playoff team[for the last 10 years]. That's it. The new Washington Caps, without OVI .They spend and spend and spend and never get any further. Even spending 92 mil on EK , it won't put them over the top, they lack the jam or whatever you want to call it the Cup champs have. We're currently paying the price of success, but that's the cost of two cup. I can live with that.

Thank you. Jesus Christ. Posters that are usually reasonable are describing them as if they're a perennial dynasty while ignoring several elephants in their room.

And I get it, they kind of have to sign karlsson. Basically any team does. Just like we did Doughty. You're lucky to see a guy like that ever in your franchise's history. It's the other stuff that's making me question what people have been watching for the last 15 years.

 

[kovacro]

I would offer sheet Timo Meier or Kevin Lebanc.

 

[KopitarFAN]

I mean, it would totally depend on the context of that kind of advance. Did they squeak into the second round because their first round opponent was injury riddled? Or did they beat a legitimately good playoff team due to their youth stepping up and producing?

If the latter, I don't think a single person complains. If the former, yeah, people would think we're wasting our time. Just like in 17/18.

This.

If the youth (Kupari, Anderson-Dolan, Grundstrom, Clague etc. along with the other guys who finished last season) contributes in a meaningful way and they improve, that's fantastic. But if it's because Carter, Toffoli and Quick don't suck, what's the point? We won't see them get any younger, as they will continue to "run it back".

 

[kovacro]

Got to put a cap of some sort on signing bonuses in the next CBA.

 

[kovacro]

Might have a listen when I get the chance. Brooks Laich seems like a good dude.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The Kings got swept while scoring three total goals and everyone wanted to add to the roster for last season.

San Jose, while aided by some questionable calls, were two wins away from a 2nd SCF in four seasons while their team fell apart at the end with injuries.

They've already made their bed with all the long-term contracts they have on the books. The guys have various types of NMCs so it isn't like they can just sell them. They also already sold the future 1st round picks. They HAVE to go for it at this point. It will suck in the long term eventually but win-now mode means it is about now and not later.

Difference with the Kings is that they haven't done **** for five seasons and they are only married to 11 and 8 long-term. It's also easier to take a step back and regroup when your fanbase was given two Cups and the attempt was consistently made to get more of them for the years that followed. It didn't work in spectacular fashion and Bluc has come to the point where they don't believe in these guys to win a Cup without a lot of help: a lot more than one big-name FA signing. I believe they feel 11/8 can contribute to another Cup but it is going to take hitting on prospects and then having the assets to be able to trade for established help once it comes available.

The boldfaced is almost exactly what I'm talking about.

What a rosy, alibi-laden outlook for SJS. "if only...", and pessimistic retroactive view of LA, who was coming off being the best defensive team in the league and literal mvp caliber performances, allowing as many goals in one series as SJS did in GAME 1, trying to add scoring.

The next two paragraphs are a much more reasonable assessment, but man, I will never understand how that team gets so many excuses made for them for 'just competing' while attempting the same around here is considered blackholing and the worst situation to be in.

I mean, I thought they were running out of spectacular ways to fail, but having two Norris winners on your roster and getting the benefit of damn near every call in the first two rounds while making everyone hate you was a new twist. So I guess they are entertaining.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I would offer sheet Timo Meier or Kevin Lebanc.

Pretty much a lot of chatter everywhere about that this morning. I don't see Lebanc as much of a 5v5 force, he's pretty much in the perfect role for him with the Sharks, sort of a Sam-Gagner PP specialist type thing. But Meier? He'll draw a lot of interest. Unless he's willing to take a hometown discount, you would think the threat of demand would drive up his price.

Pavelski, on the other hand, I see hanging around and seeing what money is left for him and signing for whatever it takes. I can't see him going anywhere else no matter what.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I guess we’ll find out if Eakins can coach or not. His time with the Oilers shouldn’t be a measuring stick.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I guess we’ll find out if Eakins can coach or not. His time with the Oilers shouldn’t be a measuring stick.

I always feel like a coach is better judged by their 2nd stint anyway, but doubly so when their first stop is the 2000s era oilers.

Eakins was always highly regarded coming in, Ducks are in a tricky situation too for sure, but at least without meddling ownership.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Desperation signing from a desperate GM.

Have to think the recent Blues and Caps championships have Wilson convinced the "wait around long enough to finally win" route is best for the Sharks.

 

[deeshamrock]

It's going to be fun watching this. Wilson probably has no other choice. As soon as San Jose misses the playoffs, he is toast.

I think that decision came from above him.

 

[deeshamrock]

I guess we’ll find out if Eakins can coach or not. His time with the Oilers shouldn’t be a measuring stick.

Eakins is a good coach, given the right moves, he'll do fine.
Edmonton's issues were way above his level.

 

[kovacro]

Pretty much a lot of chatter everywhere about that this morning. I don't see Lebanc as much of a 5v5 force, he's pretty much in the perfect role for him with the Sharks, sort of a Sam-Gagner PP specialist type thing. But Meier? He'll draw a lot of interest. Unless he's willing to take a hometown discount, you would think the threat of demand would drive up his price.

Pavelski, on the other hand, I see hanging around and seeing what money is left for him and signing for whatever it takes. I can't see him going anywhere else no matter what.

I like Lebanc and he's shown improvement each season as a pro which is what you look for. Not going to happen but, LA could use a guy like him with his scoring ability. Kid is young and can shoot the puck, has a pretty nice release.

I'd offer just under the amount that would cost a 1st round pick, roughly $4.2 million. I think it would be worth it. Term wise, maybe 4 years?

Timo will command a decent chunk of change which would likely require surrendering multiple picks.

How much cake is going to be left for Pavelski. I don't think he's going to sign there for pennies on the dollar. This could be his last contract and he is coming off several consistent seasons of production. I'm sure there will be teams lining up come July 1st if he get's that far.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[SettlementRichie10]

That's the big problem with the Kings now, too. Zero identity. Used to be this heavy, defense first team. Tried to open up the system for more offense. Now they're stuck somewhere in the middle. Not talented enough to be a high flying offensive team. Not disciplined enough to be defense first.