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Around the League--Dog Days of Summer

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jhancock.jpg
 
KINGS17 said:
It's been a long, long, long time since I have collected any autographs, but when I was a kid there were some minor league players that had signatures that rivaled John Hancock. It's probably been a long, long, long, ..., long, long, long time since Ron collected any autographs.

Jimmy Patterson's autograph was awesome.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=10005

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I got Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. At a practice, for kids. In 1968. And hardly any kids were there.

Sure wish I knew what happened to those autographs. ****.
 
Jangling Man said:
does Toronto's staff actually scare anyone?
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I don't know about 'scare' but it looks good on paper.

That being said, it's about the team itself. McDavid has made everyone want to flock to Edmonton; I don't know that Babcock et. al. can do the same. I do think they'll make smarter decisions than the previous regime and that for a while they'll also have a sort of blank check of equity with the fans since how are you going to get better staff than that?
 
Brad Doty said:
I don't know about 'scare' but it looks good on paper.

That being said, it's about the team itself. McDavid has made everyone want to flock to Edmonton; I don't know that Babcock et. al. can do the same. I do think they'll make smarter decisions than the previous regime and that for a while they'll also have a sort of blank check of equity with the fans since how are you going to get better staff than that?
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Yes, they will and that is where it starts, whether hockey or any business. You need to be good from the head down, starting with management. WHo didn't know when JD went to Columbus, he wouldn't turn that organization around?

Something as simple as the 1 yr deals to quite a few veteran players was a smart move for them. Those guys are playing for their next NHL contract, which won't be in Toronto and it allows the Leafs to protect their high end prospects a year longer.

Babcock is a very good coach and was signed long term for a reason. They'll be better by the middle of next year (most teams take a good two to three months to adjust to new coach/system) because he's a huge upgrade at coach and a great motivator. He generally gets the best out of what he has to work with.

Years of misdirection without a map or plan cannot be done overnight.
They are trying to turn it around the right way. They have some contracts to move out (phaneuf being one , Bozak and Polak eventually) and some more house cleaning but now there is actually a plan in place. Finishing out of the playoffs again next year will get them another high draft pick, to add to the system.

And I if STamkos signs there eventually (which I believe he will) that along with guys like Marner and Nylaner and Kapanen in the pipeline and coming up in the next year or so, they will have something solid for fans to get excited about.
 
deeshamrock said:
Yes, they will and that is where it starts, whether hockey or any business. You need to be good from the head down, starting with management. WHo didn't know when JD went to Columbus, he wouldn't turn that organization around?

Something as simple as the 1 yr deals to quite a few veteran players was a smart move for them. Those guys are playing for their next NHL contract, which won't be in Toronto and it allows the Leafs to protect their high end prospects a year longer.

Babcock is a very good coach and was signed long term for a reason. They'll be better by the middle of next year (most teams take a good two to three months to adjust to new coach/system) because he's a huge upgrade at coach and a great motivator. He generally gets the best out of what he has to work with.

Years of misdirection without a map or plan cannot be done overnight.
They are trying to turn it around the right way. They have some contracts to move out (phaneuf being one , Bozak and Polak eventually) and some more house cleaning but now there is actually a plan in place. Finishing out of the playoffs again next year will get them another high draft pick, to add to the system.

And I if STamkos signs there eventually (which I believe he will) that along with guys like Marner and Nylaner and Kapanen in the pipeline and coming up in the next year or so, they will have something solid for fans to get excited about.
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Well said, excellent points. It will take time but I think they'll head in the right direction culminating in lots of success. It just won't be instant gratification like (IMHO) McDavid.
 
Brad Doty said:
Well said, excellent points. It will take time but I think they'll head in the right direction culminating in lots of success. It just won't be instant gratification like (IMHO) McDavid.
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The only instant gratification the Oilers are getting with McJesus is no more being a "have some free points" team. And even that isn't much to be proud of.
 
Brad Doty said:
Well said, excellent points. It will take time but I think they'll head in the right direction culminating in lots of success. It just won't be instant gratification like (IMHO) McDavid.
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No it won't be, and he's a player that is generational, good for those fans to have kind of player to watch bloom. And good for the rest of the hockey fans around the league. I am looking forward to seeing him play. Eichel as well, I think he'll give the Sabres fan alot to cheer about.
 
I think Edmonton will have a much better team, but not becasue of McJesus but because of the coaching staff and Sekera/Nurse.
They are better defensively, better in net, and have better coaching. Once they made their coaching change last year they were a much better team.
McDavid will help yes but the biggest factors in them being a better club is the D and Coaching IMO
 
ZoneEntry67 said:
The only instant gratification the Oilers are getting with McJesus is no more being a "have some free points" team. And even that isn't much to be proud of.
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No, I meant the immediate change in the organization following McDavid's arrival. Look at the players/staff who suddenly decided that was an attractive organization vs. the past few years. TO won't get that similar treatment--but they now have a great staff in place that will have a longer leash due to track record/credibility and will get the time/credit to do good things.
 
deeshamrock said:
No it won't be, and he's a player that is generational, good for those fans to have kind of player to watch bloom. And good for the rest of the hockey fans around the league. I am looking forward to seeing him play. Eichel as well, I think he'll give the Sabres fan alot to cheer about.
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Very much agree. Wish he wasn't in our division but they already had a fast team. Should be exciting to watch!
 
Santorelli signed with the Ducks (1-year 875k). They have Getzlaf, Kesler, Rakell, Horcoff, and Thompson already.
 
Brad Doty said:
No, I meant the immediate change in the organization following McDavid's arrival. Look at the players/staff who suddenly decided that was an attractive organization vs. the past few years. TO won't get that similar treatment--but they now have a great staff in place that will have a longer leash due to track record/credibility and will get the time/credit to do good things.
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Toronto already gets similar treatment because they are the richest team in the league in a big city obsessed with the Leafs. Hell, you cannot even go 3 min on CBC without the Leafs being mentioned. In terms of perception and treatment, they will fair way better than if somewhere like Nashville decided to rebuild.
 
Nizar said:
Santorelli signed with the Ducks (1-year 875k). They have Getzlaf, Kesler, Rakell, Horcoff, and Thompson already.
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Part of me thinks the Ducks don't really understand what is keeping them from taking the next big step, and are just trying to do everything in hopes that something will work. I also wonder if they still have their internal cap in place, or if that has been loosened because of their recent success.
 
Kings4thecup said:
Cheap warm bodies aren't a bad thing. Good depth move.
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it is a good depth move, I was wondering what was taking so long, maybe he was weighing his offers. Santorelli is a good player, and that stat he has for having a high % of goals/points when the score is close is the kind of player you want, also has a lot of ES goals. Depth in a long playoff run is a good thing and at that price, a very good thing. he'llbe a good fit on the 3rd line wth COgliano and Rackell
They're 8M under which gives them room to pick up a piece at the trade deadline.
 
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