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Around the League - Offseason Edition

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This is pretty big news, assuming it's true. Jonas Johansson is their starter for the first two months of the season. Matt Tomkins their backup??? Unless they claim someone off waivers.

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How one major injury heading into a season can change the entire look for a team (and division and league for that matter considering how and what the Lightning are). :oops:
 
TheTotalPackage said:
How one major injury heading into a season can change the entire look for a team (and division and league for that matter considering how and what the Lightning are). :oops:
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Obviously a huge loss but you never know how teams will respond.

A year ago injuries to Marchand and MacAvoy that were going to keep them out for the first 20 games were supposed to be the final nails in the coffin that ended the Bruins run as a top team.. and then they set the regular season points record.
 
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VanW27 said:
Obviously a huge loss but you never know how teams will respond.

A year ago injuries to Marchand and MacAvoy that were going to keep them out for the first 20 games were supposed to be the final nails in the coffin that ended the Bruins run as a top team.. and then they set the regular season points record.
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Good point.

Although losing the top goalie, or one of however you look at it, at a very important position can alter a team's fate. Then again, we saw the Golden Knights win a Cup with Adin freakin' Hill. And assuredly, the Lightning will try to patch things over until he is back.
 
BallardEra said:
Yes.

They'll claim Martin Jones if he ever makes it to waivers.
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Given where they finished in the standings last year, they might not even be able to get a like Jones if he hits waivers because there would be so many teams ahead of them in line (although whether any of them would need a goalie is a different story).

Tampa wasn't going to be a threat this season anyway, so while this will certainly be a setback for them for the first 20 games or so, I think the outcome of the season would, and will, be the same for Tampa regardless.
 
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While some might not expect Tampa to be a threat this year, they still only made the playoffs by seven points last year. With Vasi, I think they were still a playoff team. Their current "starting" goaltender has 35 career starts, with 11 wins and a career 0.886 sv%. They might be completely out of the playoffs this year, if they can't hold it together without Vasi.
 
Both Florida teams will have to fight through some fairly significant injuries to start the season. Could be the year the Sabres or Senators take a step.
 
Fogelhund said:
This is pretty big news, assuming it's true. Jonas Johansson is their starter for the first two months of the season. Matt Tomkins their backup??? Unless they claim someone off waivers.

""
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That's pretty big, didn't even know he was injured
 
Well... odds are high we lose Jones... I wonder if Tampa would make a trade for him in advance... otherwise it might be smart of a basement dweller to pick him up, and force Tampa into a trade that they might not like.
 
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Leafs should take a look at Dman Ty Smith who Pittsburgh put on waivers today.

1695940858511.png





Smith is the biggest name here is Smith. Smith was a 2018 first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils and became a star WHL blueliner for the Spokane Chiefs. He turned pro in 2020-21, scoring 23 points in 48 games. That performance landed him on the NHL’s All-Rookie team, as well as some down-ballot Calder Trophy votes.

The Devils dealt Smith and a third-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for John Marino, who went on to have a stellar 2022-23 season. Smith, on the other hand, played in only nine NHL game for the Penguins. He spent most of last season in the AHL, scoring 24 points in 39 games, and now the AHL is where he’ll be once again assuming he can clear waivers.

Given the promise Smith showed earlier in his career and his pedigree as a former top prospect, it would not be shocking whatsoever to see a team put a claim in on Smith, who is playing on a one-year, league-minimum cap-hit.


Highlights

1695940706694.png
 
Fogelhund said:
While some might not expect Tampa to be a threat this year, they still only made the playoffs by seven points last year. With Vasi, I think they were still a playoff team. Their current "starting" goaltender has 35 career starts, with 11 wins and a career 0.886 sv%. They might be completely out of the playoffs this year, if they can't hold it together without Vasi.
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They might have more of an angle to come together and play tight with Vasi out. Though I hope they just go away.
 
Mess said:
Leafs should take a look at Dman Ty Smith who Pittsburgh put on waivers today.

View attachment 747088




Smith is the biggest name here is Smith. Smith was a 2018 first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils and became a star WHL blueliner for the Spokane Chiefs. He turned pro in 2020-21, scoring 23 points in 48 games. That performance landed him on the NHL’s All-Rookie team, as well as some down-ballot Calder Trophy votes.

The Devils dealt Smith and a third-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for John Marino, who went on to have a stellar 2022-23 season. Smith, on the other hand, played in only nine NHL game for the Penguins. He spent most of last season in the AHL, scoring 24 points in 39 games, and now the AHL is where he’ll be once again assuming he can clear waivers.

Given the promise Smith showed earlier in his career and his pedigree as a former top prospect, it would not be shocking whatsoever to see a team put a claim in on Smith, who is playing on a one-year, league-minimum cap-hit.


Highlights

View attachment 747086
Click to expand...

I'd put in a claim. He was a high pedigree guy who had a great first month in the NHL and was a solid rookie. Same age group as Sandin and a LHD, and has terrific skating.

I'm surprised Dubas dumped him. How many smaller skilled defensemen has he drafted over the years with the hope one could pan out even at a Ty Smith level?
 
Stephen said:
I'd put in a claim. He was a high pedigree guy who had a great first month in the NHL and was a solid rookie. Same age group as Sandin and a LHD, and has terrific skating.

I'm surprised Dubas dumped him. How many smaller skilled defensemen has he drafted over the years with the hope one could pan out even at a Ty Smith level?
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Yup

Former 1st rounder that came out of WHL with a high ceiling on potential .. Just 23 years old now and was a big part of Team Canada success as a junior.

In 2019 he as CHL defensman of the year.

Leafs are carrying a 40 year old Giordano here and could make a waiver claim and start bringing in some younger talent

1695944971685.png


Ty Smith went #17 OA, even in front of the player we liked K'Andre Miller #22 and ahead of Sandin who went #29.

I'd guess that Smith will be among those that teams will seriously consider claiming, especially because he's signed through this season at a very modest $775K, which is the league's minimum salary. Smith could be an interesting addition to any team looking for a bit of a project. The Leafs were known to take a run at these types of players in the past, though they don't exactly have a lot of room on the blueline at the moment.
 
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