Around the League Thread | Draft and Free Agency Approaching

[drax0s]

This was an interesting quote I thought from Elliotte on 32 thoughts:

"The way the American players who won the gold medal felt in their Canadian markets post-Olympics is a factor here. I think some of those guys - not all of them - but some of them, felt a bit hated, and it might have influenced their decisions. You may think that's their problem, you may think that I shouldn't even be bringing that up, but its a fact and its part of this process"

I mean if I was a player on a team in the states and every time the Canadian national anthem was played the fans booed - I'd probably feel a bit weird about it too, tbh.

Hopefully this all settles down in a few years.

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

It seems to me this is more of a bad team issue than a Canadian team issue.

Yep. It's also a "we handed out NMCs like candy" issue.

I have very little sympathy for the teams being on the receiving end of these requests. They've all, to a man, been catastrophically mismanaged.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Charlie Murphy back to Edmonton.

Keeping the band together.

 

[Egghead1999]

Robertson says he's not interested in signing a long-term deal with OTT. Finally, some "non-negative" news for EP40.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

It sounds like this Ottawa situation was pretty unique. This is another quote from Elliotte after that:

Spoiler

"Now one of the things is, now that its over people can speak a little more freely. They said there were a few weeks there post-Olympics in Ottawa that it was crazy. (Kyle: Crazy how?) Just, the reaction was so intense, so intense. And I think he was affected by it. I think being in the capital the fans there were affected by it, I think he was affected by it, and I think the room was affected by it."

"I think the one things its fair to say is that the post Olympic reaction had a huge impact on everybody there; fanbase, Tkachuk himself, and the players around him. It was alot, like one player just said it was alot, it was intense, and it was exhausting for everybody."

I don't know that this is something that's going to be replicated. Tensons were high at the time and hopefully that comes back down to normal sometime in the future. And also being in that market I imagine its a little different.

In the past the Canucks haven't had a problem retaining American players. Miller, Boeser, Garland, Demko signed long term. Higgins made his home here. Going back Kesler originally signed long-term (I think his reason for leaving was purely wanting to win, not fleeing Canada). Vancouver seems to be a place people like to be once they get here.

I don't really worry about it at this point.

 

[Egghead1999]

I mean if I was a player on a team in the states and every time the Canadian national anthem was played the fans booed - I'd probably feel a bit weird about it too, tbh.

Hopefully this all settles down in a few years.

I see where you are coming from, but money and winning talk.

 

[Harold]

Without getting into politics, it's key to get the "right" type of Americans. Progressive, non-MAGA ones to be specific. Demko is from California and Boeser is from Minnesota.

I assume anyone nowadays can do thorough research through people's social media, friends, family to determine what type of character a person is.

Look at Kyle Connor and Cole Caufield, guys who have stayed long term in Canadian markets.

But if you focus on the “progressive” players, you are going to get ones who are lazy, don’t want to work hard (or at all), and are easily triggered.

Yes, your post was political, and is full of ridiculous stereotype, as you can see from my parody of the other side of things. There is nothing wrong with having a conservative viewpoint, and this does not affect the character of those players.

 

[VancouverJagger]

At the end of the day I'm pretty sure if some of these teams in question (Vancouver, Ottawa etc.) had consistently iced a very good hockey team the sentiment of American players playing for them would probably be different.........

 

[timw33]

In some ways Brady did OTT a massive favour by being honest about not being interested in extending after this contract so they could address the situation and not get screwed over worse. It's better than being strung along and have them want to dip at the 11th hour after you've built the team around them even more.

Have to think OTT is shopping some of these picks for real players now, would be bizarre to make all of those picks.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Robertson says he's not interested in signing a long-term deal with OTT. Finally, some "non-negative" news for EP40.

Alex Tuch makes so much sense for them imo.

Maybe age is a factor in offering the long-term deal it woudl take, but he would be the best option to fill that hole Tkachuk left; a big W who can provide greater than secondary offense. And they retain all their assets.

Imagine signing Tuch then Bjorck falls to #9, they might come out ahead in that situation (+ the other assets)

It'll be interesting to see if they just swing for the best player they can get at any position (like Pettersson) or take a more calculated approach.

 

[credulous]

People thibk this is bad, wait sbd see what can happen when most top guys are coming out of the NCAA.

great point. florida and vegas operate like ncaa teams culture wise

 

[HistoryFOrDummies]

Alex Tuch makes so much sense for them imo.

Maybe age is a factor in offering the long-term deal it woudl take, but he would be the best option to fill that hole Tkachuk left; a big W who can provide greater than secondary offense. And they retain all their assets.

Imagine signing Tuch then Bjorck falls to #9, they might come out ahead in that situation (+ the other assets)

It'll be interesting to see if they just swing for the best player they can get at any position (like Pettersson) or take a more calculated approach.

EP40 played well under Green too - I wonder if that's something he would consider if asked to waive his NMC... but on the flip side I'm not sure he would want to play under the microscope of a Canadian market again. He's a guy that would probably do better with more anonymity.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

EP40 played well under Green too - I wonder if that's something he would consider if asked to waive his NMC... but on the flip side I'm not sure he would want to play under the microscope of a Canadian market again. He's a guy that would probably do better with more anonymity.

Itll be interesting to see, Ottawa isn't quite the madhouse that Vancouver is.

I think more than anything he needs to come into a situation where he doesn't have to be the guy. If he could come into a team as the 2C and have a good winger to play with maybe he rediscovers his joy for the game again.

 

[Egghead1999]

Itll be interesting to see, Ottawa isn't quite the madhouse that Vancouver is.

I think more than anything he needs to come into a situation where he doesn't have to be the guy. If he could come into a team as the 2C and have a good winger to play with maybe he rediscovers his joy for the game again.

He makes close to 12 AAV; being a 2C does not cut it, and Van does not want to retain anything.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

He makes close to 12 AAV; being a 2C does not cut it, and Van does not want to retain anything.

I’d rather take back a shitty, shorter term, contact than retain.

 

[StreetHawk]

In some ways Brady did OTT a massive favour by being honest about not being interested in extending after this contract so they could address the situation and not get screwed over worse. It's better than being strung along and have them want to dip at the 11th hour after you've built the team around them even more.

Have to think OTT is shopping some of these picks for real players now, would be bizarre to make all of those picks.

Ott was wise to check in with him. Full NMC, so better to get out in front of it. They clearly passed on adding Mackie Samsamevich as they basically took the 1st and 2nd they got from SEA (took FLA 2nd in '27 vs what Fla was due from Win/Was or whatever).

Crazy to think that just before '26 draft, the FLA has dealt their '29 first.

But, where is Ott now in their competitive window?

Chabot has not elevated since signing his long term deal. Don't think he was mentioned in the '26 Olympic team. He's 29, Stutzle & Sanderson are 24. I think Ott takes a step back and has to figure out where they are and what they can realistically accomplish in the coming year or two.

 

[Canucker]

It sounds like this Ottawa situation was pretty unique. This is another quote from Elliotte after that:

Spoiler

"Now one of the things is, now that its over people can speak a little more freely. They said there were a few weeks there post-Olympics in Ottawa that it was crazy. (Kyle: Crazy how?) Just, the reaction was so intense, so intense. And I think he was affected by it. I think being in the capital the fans there were affected by it, I think he was affected by it, and I think the room was affected by it."

"I think the one things its fair to say is that the post Olympic reaction had a huge impact on everybody there; fanbase, Tkachuk himself, and the players around him. It was alot, like one player just said it was alot, it was intense, and it was exhausting for everybody."

I don't know that this is something that's going to be replicated. Tensons were high at the time and hopefully that comes back down to normal sometime in the future. And also being in that market I imagine its a little different.

In the past the Canucks haven't had a problem retaining American players. Miller, Boeser, Garland, Demko signed long term. Higgins made his home here. Going back Kesler originally signed long-term (I think his reason for leaving was purely wanting to win, not fleeing Canada). Vancouver seems to be a place people like to be once they get here.

I don't really worry about it at this point.

The Tkachuk boys did a lot to create the "tense" environment around the Olympics with all their trash talking and being dinks...if EF is using this as some sort of excuse for him its kind of lame IMO.

 

[Hit the post]

But if you focus on the “progressive” players, you are going to get ones who are lazy, don’t want to work hard (or at all), and are easily triggered.

Yes, your post was political, and is full of ridiculous stereotype, as you can see from my parody of the other side of things. There is nothing wrong with having a conservative viewpoint, and this does not affect the character of those players.

Well those MAGA wannabes are anything but traditional Conservatives. Hell, our PM would fit in nicely with the traditional Progressive Conservative party.

/end of political rant....

 

[Jerry the great]

Ott was wise to check in with him. Full NMC, so better to get out in front of it. They clearly passed on adding Mackie Samsamevich as they basically took the 1st and 2nd they got from SEA (took FLA 2nd in '27 vs what Fla was due from Win/Was or whatever).

Crazy to think that just before '26 draft, the FLA has dealt their '29 first.

But, where is Ott now in their competitive window?

Chabot has not elevated since signing his long term deal. Don't think he was mentioned in the '26 Olympic team. He's 29, Stutzle & Sanderson are 24. I think Ott takes a step back and has to figure out where they are and what they can realistically accomplish in the coming year or two.

Steve Staios: "I have no intention of this group taking a step back"

 

[StreetHawk]

Steve Staios: "I have no intention of this group taking a step back"

What can they realistically do to move forward though? Free agency for a middling CAD market? Not much there.

Are they going to trade? Maybe.