Around the League Thread Part II: Final Stretch

[kingsfan28]

He'll sign in Vegas when Martinez goes for the money contract somewhere else.

 

[deeshamrock]

good deal

 

[bland]

but did you see shows at Spanky’s Cafe?

Last show I remember seeing at Spanky's was Shadow Project, the remnants of Christian Death at the time.

 

[kovacro]

Some expansion related news..

 

[kingsfan28]

Some expansion related news..

I could totally see Seattle taking him.

 

[kovacro]

I could totally see Seattle taking him.

Between his age (35 in November) and injury issues this past year he's declined in value. He is on the books for 2 more seasons at a cap number of just under 5 million per which actually isn't too bad.

I wonder if he doesn't start the year on LTIR.

 

[johnjm22]

Another Laine interview.

I'm guessing something was lost in translation, but that sure didn't come off well. Tortorella comments aside, he's still saying he doesn't have much interest in hockey and hasn't played since the end of the season (if I'm reading it correctly).

That puts Columbus in a difficult situation. His minimum qualifying offer would be 7.5M?

People will shit all over Laine for his comments, but I kind of like how frank and honest he is.

 

[HookKing]

Apparently 25% of players are supposed to financially support the 75% who don't play long enough to build up much from playing hockey. The players never wanted to cap potential earnings for anyone. They love stupid owners spending ridiculous amounts of money.

Not exactly, how about all those in the 25% that are massively overpaid and sucking up cap because they aren't or cannot live up to their contracts? My point is simple, the bulk of players are getting screwed over because of those ridiculous contracts. Very few players benefit from them.

 

[Matt13]

That's slightly before my time. I'm 40 years old and born in 1980. I was 15 when I started going to shows in 1995 and I think Spanky's closed right about then if I'm not mistaken. Was Spanky's owned by the same guy who ran Showcase? I really wish I was alive in the days of Fenders Ballroom and The Country Club!

One of my best memories of punk shows was seeing Rancid at the Glasshouse in 1996 (I think) and the Beastie Boys opened instead of Rocket from the Crypt (who I love) and played all their punk jams. They played under the name Quasar.

And to stay on topic, the buyouts of Weber and Parise sure are Rancid!

Im 48 so yeah.......and yes, it was the same guy who ran Showcase.

My first RFTC show was in 91 when they opened for Bad Religion in Tijuana.......what a night.

And to stay on topic, I love hockey.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Graves traded to Jersey. Nice move by Sakic

 

[kovacro]

Graves traded to Jersey. Nice move by Sakic

Might as well of gotten something of value for him (2nd round pick + Maltsev). Seems like they were leaning toward 7-3-1 going by this deal.

Didn't seem as if Graves was very popular amongst the Avs fanbase.

 

[Brodeur]

Devils had the worst penalty kill in the league last year at 70.9%. Sadly they did okay down the stretch and most of the season it was so brutal to watch. Hopefully Graves can help in that department while some of the younger guys who profile similarly (Bahl/Okhotyuk/Vukojevic) can develop in the AHL.

Nice move by Colorado, they free up some cap space and open up a roster spot for Bowen Byram. They could probably find a veteran to replace Graves fairly easily whereas the Devils probably would have a harder time attracting a free agent.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Might as well of gotten something of value for him (2nd round pick + Maltsev). Seems like they were leaning toward 7-3-1 going by this deal.

Didn't seem as if Graves was very popular amongst the Avs fanbase.

Plus he always has that clueless look on his face! Pull up the Stone OT goal and you'll see it.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Might as well of gotten something of value for him (2nd round pick + Maltsev). Seems like they were leaning toward 7-3-1 going by this deal.

Didn't seem as if Graves was very popular amongst the Avs fanbase.

Graves is a bit of a dumbass.

 

[johnjm22]

Pointless move for the Devils.

 

[Steve Zissou]

I think Graves will iron out his kinks and continue to progress.

Good move for both teams. Fills a need for NJ and Colorado doesn't lose him for nothing.

Avs still have Makar, Grubauer, Jost, and Landeskog to sign.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Pointless move for the Devils.

If nothing else, they have to hit the floor. Even with Graves, they're $11m under, with basically nobody to re-sign, and the expansion draft still to come.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Futa on The Power Play earlier said based on everything he’s heard Kevin Adams is asking for the equivalency of 6 first round picks for Jack Eichel. A bit richer than what I proposed from the Kings - 8OA this year, first round pick next year lottery protected, Turcotte, and Kempe. That’s four, maybe add a second rounder or more pieces to include Reinhart. I don’t expect this deal to happen anytime soon, probably late summer when there’s more clarity on his health. The soft deadline of the draft just isn’t realistic. I also don’t see Anaheim making a deal, I don’t think they have the stones to do it.

 

[King'sPawn]

Futa on The Power Play earlier said based on everything he’s heard Kevin Adams is asking for the equivalency of 6 first round picks for Jack Eichel. A bit richer than what I proposed from the Kings - 8OA this year, first round pick next year lottery protected, Turcotte, and Kempe. That’s four, maybe add a second rounder or more pieces to include Reinhart. I don’t expect this deal to happen anytime soon, probably late summer when there’s more clarity on his health. The soft deadline of the draft just isn’t realistic. I also don’t see Anaheim making a deal, I don’t think they have the stones to do it.

Lol. Buffalo will have a disgruntled player who needs some medical treatment.

Sounds like he's reading Sakic's playbook on how he handled Duchene. Hopefully the GMs learned from Ottawa

 

[Brodeur]

Pointless move for the Devils.

They had to do something to address the dead last penalty kill unit and the blue line as a whole lacked size/physicality. It's not exactly a treasure trove of LD on the free agent market and New Jersey probably wouldn't be at the top of many lists for those guys.

Not saying Graves was high on my wish list, but he'll fill a role while our other LD stay at home prospects can go through their growing pains in the AHL rather than the NHL. 2nd rounder sounds sexier than 60th overall pick in a below average draft. And they could always recoup some assets later on; We gave up a 2nd+3rd round pick for Marcus Johansson who had two years left on his deal like Graves, then we rented him out for a 2nd+4th.

Addressing the penalty kill and backup goalie spot seem like the easiest upgrades. Thanks to Corey Crawford's sudden retirement, 21/56 starts last season came from AHL caliber guys (Wedgewood/Dell/Comrie). I don't think we'll be a playoff contender this year, but I'm sure management doesn't want to be a complete doormat this year.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Getting serious Eichel fatigue. Just trade him for the 3rd overall pick & follow that up with drafting Eklund at 1 already.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Graves is a good, big, physical player that can actually play on the 2nd pairing and PK/defend. Those guys are pretty hard to find even if he's 'mediocre' he's a rare quanitty.

 

[deeshamrock]

Per TSN, Phillip Danault will test Free Agency. Habs offer was rejected earlier this year and that offer is the one in place. Danault is a pretty good 2 way player and there are teams that will reach out to him.

 

[kovacro]

They had to do something to address the dead last penalty kill unit and the blue line as a whole lacked size/physicality. It's not exactly a treasure trove of LD on the free agent market and New Jersey probably wouldn't be at the top of many lists for those guys.

Not saying Graves was high on my wish list, but he'll fill a role while our other LD stay at home prospects can go through their growing pains in the AHL rather than the NHL. 2nd rounder sounds sexier than 60th overall pick in a below average draft. And they could always recoup some assets later on; We gave up a 2nd+3rd round pick for Marcus Johansson who had two years left on his deal like Graves, then we rented him out for a 2nd+4th.

Addressing the penalty kill and backup goalie spot seem like the easiest upgrades. Thanks to Corey Crawford's sudden retirement, 21/56 starts last season came from AHL caliber guys (Wedgewood/Dell/Comrie). I don't think we'll be a playoff contender this year, but I'm sure management doesn't want to be a complete doormat this year.

Any idea as to what are the Devils doing protection wise? 7-3-1. Graves, Severson and Siegenthaler on defense. They have to be exposing Subban, would Seattle take him? They also need to ensure the maintain the floor but there is time as the offseason is just starting..

Forwards - Hischer, Zacha, Bratt, Sharangovich, Johnsson, Wood and...Bastian or McLeod?

FWIW, I had Seattle grabbing Bastian in my mock. I like Studenic too but that's more a homer view on my end as he is a former Hamilton Bulldog. They have a few interesting potential choices for Seattle to mull over at the forward position.

 

[kovacro]

FWIW..



Someone is going to regret splashing the cash for Hyman..