Around the League 39: Will Kessel Sign in Winnipeg? The World Waits with Dogged Breath!

[MinJaBen]

The Devils were already a very good team and will likely continue to be. As I said before, if they can get their blue chip dmen to play at a high level quickly on their ELCs, they will be a top of the line Cup contender. However, as good as they look, they still don't have that much better of a chance to win the Cup than anyone else. It really is just the way it works. Even the best teams have flaws. Right now, they do have the questions on D until proven otherwise, solid but not spectacular goaltending unless their guys take some steps, and I still think Ruff is a pretty meh coach overall.

They need to do something to improve their goaltending. That seems to be a weakness given they don't play defense as well as a team like we do. We can make a poor goalie look passable; they make a poor goalie look pitiful.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

They need to do something to improve their goaltending. That seems to be a weakness given they don't play defense as well as a team like we do. We can make a poor goalie look passable; they make a poor goalie look pitiful.

New Jersey also has built their roster in such a way that accommodates their two major ELCs, AKA. Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec, both being blue-chip defense prospects. I think it's asking a lot for a contending team to rely on such green and inexperienced defensemen so early. I mean, maybe Hughes is the LH version of Makar, but it's still a huge leap of faith.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Welp, I would've loved that Reilly Smith trade just as much as I loved the Pacioretty deal last year.

Wonder if Smith tears his Achilles in the next few weeks...

 

[A Star is Burns]

Welp, I would've loved that Reilly Smith trade just as much as I loved the Pacioretty deal last year.

Wonder if Smith tears his Achilles in the next few weeks...

That one surprised me a little. I hadn't heard many rumors about him getting moved. But Vegas does what Vegas needs to do.

 

[raynman]

Welp, I would've loved that Reilly Smith trade just as much as I loved the Pacioretty deal last year.

Wonder if Smith tears his Achilles in the next few weeks...

That’d be some Simpsons level writing

 

[chaz4hockey]

Vegas continues to demonstrate a willingness to let go and/or trade good assets that are over 30.

Pitt continues to surround Crosby with older wily vets.

 

[NotOpie]

Regarding Lafreniere.....I wonder if you offer sheet Laf at $4.2 million not caring of NYR matches cause then you offer sheet KA Miller at $6.4 million.....even if they match both, they are royally f***ed with Lindgren, Schneider, and Kakko coming up for new contracts next season....not to mention a boatload of NMCs/NTCs.....and that doesn't even consider the challenge they'd have filling out their roster this year.

Edit: Even moving Goodrow wouldn't be enough.....

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

The Barbashev pact is about what I expected. Slight premium (extra $500K per and 1 extra year) on Marchment's pact last year in Dallas due to the Cup Championship tax. He was a fantastic fit in Vegas almost immediately, so I could see this contract being a good one for them moving forward. Oh well, that was the one UFA outside of the veteran-yet-to-win-a-cup types that I truly thought made sense for us.

 

[NotOpie]

Does Stefan Noesen have any value around the league? I know he's journeyman who has spent most of his career in the AHL. Yet, with that salary and last year's point production, would Noesen and a pick get us a decent player?

I think he's a good story, but I'd really like an upgrade on him. If he's our PP specialist this season, then we're going to struggle again.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Does Stefan Noesen have any value around the league? I know he's journeyman who has spent most of his career in the AHL. Yet, with that salary and last year's point production, would Noesen and a pick get us a decent player?

I think he's a good story, but I'd really like an upgrade on him. If he's our PP specialist this season, then we're going to struggle again.

My guess would be he doesn't have much value so keep him as the 13th forward worst case. That was kinda the idea last year but it only lasted a game since Kase couldn't last.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Does Stefan Noesen have any value around the league? I know he's journeyman who has spent most of his career in the AHL. Yet, with that salary and last year's point production, would Noesen and a pick get us a decent player?

I think he's a good story, but I'd really like an upgrade on him. If he's our PP specialist this season, then we're going to struggle again.

IMO the Canes are going to want what they almost acquired in Marchment last season: a top-6 winger with size who can be that net-front on a PP. Noesen kind of snuck in by default because of injuries.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

They need to do something to improve their goaltending. That seems to be a weakness given they don't play defense as well as a team like we do. We can make a poor goalie look passable; they make a poor goalie look pitiful.

They do, but it looks like they are going after Hellebuyk or one of Boston's goalies.

 

[ndp]

They do, but it looks like they are going after Hellebuyk or one of Boston's goalies.

NJ landing a top tier goalie is almost a nightmare scenario for the rest of the Metro, or the league as a whole for that matter. Their young talent is only going to get better as they age and gain playoff experience. Could be some really good battles for years to come in the Metro. They’ve done a hell of a job setting up a really solid core imo.

 

[Svechhammer]

Probably kills any market out there for Saros

 

[zman77]

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

NJ landing a top tier goalie is almost a nightmare scenario for the rest of the Metro, or the league as a whole for that matter. Their young talent is only going to get better as they age and gain playoff experience. Could be some really good battles for years to come in the Metro. They’ve done a hell of a job setting up a really solid core imo.

I think you are right, but on the flip side we Canes fans have been freaked out about other Metro teams ever since the Metro was formed. Don't get me wrong, NJ is formidable, but I think the Canes are less worried about other teams and more worried about themselves.

 

[cptjeff]

I think you are right, but on the flip side we Canes fans have been freaked out about other Metro teams ever since the Metro was formed. Don't get me wrong, NJ is formidable, but I think the Canes are less worried about other teams and more worried about themselves.

Other teams are worried about us. We've got the last few division banners hanging around and like, don't even seem to notice. We've got a defense that just erases every chance. We have forwards that just come after you, wave after wave and just keep pressuring you until you drop. We... will probably have goalies before the season starts.

 

[Svechhammer]

NJ loaded up on offense because of us. And I think they are making the same mistake that is keeping Toronto and Edmonton back. Too heavy on offense, not nearly enough attention paid to defense and goalie. Even their best defender struggles in the defensive zone.

 

[LakeLivin]

Other teams are worried about us. We've got the last few division banners hanging around and like, don't even seem to notice. We've got a defense that just erases every chance. We have forwards that just come after you, wave after wave and just keep pressuring you until you drop. We... will probably have goalies before the season starts.

 

[SvechneJerk]

NJ loaded up on offense because of us. And I think they are making the same mistake that is keeping Toronto and Edmonton back. Too heavy on offense, not nearly enough attention paid to defense and goalie. Even their best defender struggles in the defensive zone.

And that’s why they’re going after Hellebuyck.

 

[tarheelhockey]

For those who enjoy the occasional dose of pure distilled schadenfreude, start here:

GDT: - 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft: 1st Round, June 28, 7 p.m. et | ESPN, SN, TVAS: Nashville, TN

Ok here we go.. Please no Reinbacher @ 5. Please no Reinbacher @ 5.

forums.hfboards.com

The next 10+ pages are Habs fans at their absolute finest.

 

[bleedgreen]

For those who enjoy the occasional dose of pure distilled schadenfreude, start here:

GDT: - 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft: 1st Round, June 28, 7 p.m. et | ESPN, SN, TVAS: Nashville, TN

Ok here we go.. Please no Reinbacher @ 5. Please no Reinbacher @ 5.

forums.hfboards.com

The next 10+ pages are Habs fans at their absolute finest.

Reinbacher seems like such a stud, he’ll probably be an all star before Michkov is even over here. The irony.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

For those who enjoy the occasional dose of pure distilled schadenfreude, start here:

GDT: - 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft: 1st Round, June 28, 7 p.m. et | ESPN, SN, TVAS: Nashville, TN

Ok here we go.. Please no Reinbacher @ 5. Please no Reinbacher @ 5.

forums.hfboards.com

The next 10+ pages are Habs fans at their absolute finest.

That was a pretty amazing read.

To be fair, I remember doing the exact same thing years ago when I was sure we were going to take the falling Angelo Esposito but we wound up with Brandon Sutter. My excuse is I was a teenager at the time.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

That was a pretty amazing read.

To be fair, I remember doing the exact same thing years ago when I was sure we were going to take the falling Angelo Esposito but we wound up with Brandon Sutter. My excuse is I was a teenager at the time.

Or our 2010 draft thread. My excuse was I was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Reinbacher seems like such a stud, he’ll probably be an all star before Michkov is even over here. The irony.

Could be. Also could be a Haydn Fleury situation where we passed on Nylander and Ehlers who ended up being far superior players. That’s part of what I love about the draft. You just never know.