A Boeser trade. How much does a team need in cap space at the TDL?
Answer,
About one quarter of his cap hit, that's around 1.67 mil. That opens it up for many teams
IMO both the Islanders and Rangers might take a swing just so they could reunite him with either Horvat or JTMiller.
As a rental FA he isn't going to break the bank for any team.
He might get a 28 to 56 pick in the draft or the team might add and go for a top prospect or player not signed yet.
Pettersson is now a no win situation. If he excels in the 4 nations it shows there is still an existing problem here, if falls flat on his face his trade value plummets.
A problem in this market is perception, too many people may feel the last 100+ games are a myth and want to blame it all on JTM. IMO no amount of hate in the room will cause that much of decline. Even now he gets a good pass in and some are saying "He is coming back" and ignore that 5 other players also had good passes, more shots on goal, more points and are paid a lot less. An example is DeBrusk, if not for the distractions of EP, JTM and QH he would be on the hot seat.
IF and WHEN EP40 is dealt one big return is cap space. Just because the cap goes up is no reason to waste either cap space, a roster spot or plain money. That in itself might give the wrong message in the room that playing below your contract value is alright and even rewarded by trying to get players to prop up their own stats.
There will be teams that will take on his contract and take a chance he has a renaissance and might not be a destination location, Winnipeg? In most US cities he might not even be recognized that much so media pressure is negligible or nonexistent.
Demko's new injury. Is it new? I have been posting I thought/think it is his hip. Well now it is not his knee.
Quinn Hughes;
The spin on his missing the 4 nations is being his choice to miss for the Canucks instead of just too injured to play. Oblique? Or sports hernia? Same types of symptoms. Tocchet exaggerated his last skating session saying he skated really hard. Didn't look like it, more like trying to change his skating stride, blade angles, push offs. Didn't see much in quick pivots. That he is missing the 4 nations and playing with his brother kind of points to something more serious than a pulled muscle.
What is has done is demonstrate the team can win without him or EP40 and actually have more players having better games. EPD gets starts and low and behold he can play in the NHL now, Hronek steps up his game and Myers still has another gear and a pretty good shot. No real change in the PP.
Tocchet;
I have always stated he isn't what he seemed. His system smothers skilled players. BUT I have said his system would be good in the playoffs, just it makes getting in much harder and the games are boring. Play not to lose 5 on 5 and count of the special teams to win or go for the loser point, OTL. I think, my opinion, there was something much more to JTM's reset and Tocchet's gushing practice presser right after the last minute team press release. IMO he is losing the room for established players or those that have been here a long time. A pretty good orator that had "tells" but he has altered his pressers now and the "tells" are harder to see, except when he gets ....excited. Eyes, hands, left carotid artery and vein in his forehead, changes in voice and eye movement. More relaxed when just chatting. Can lie fairly well except he says "I don't know" a lot when it is an issue a coach HAS to know for lineups and changes in player assignments. Tocchet does a have a reputation of numerous players with trade demands, more than any other coach.
Allvin;
He has made a lot of rookie mistakes. IMO he hired Tocchet long before it was announced. Forget blaming Rutherford they put his head in a noose. He hired Allvin and because it was so soon after he had to support his new guy's ideas or fire him. He had to give Allvin a chance. Allvin relied on Tocchet to remake the team, get him "his" players and get rid of those he didn't like. He could be on thin ice now, Allvin/Tocchet might be bum buddies but things happened within the team, players. See above.
Rutherford;
His opening statements erased much of the distrust of the fan base. A straight shooter that says what he thinks because he doesn't need the job. Pulled out of retirement he stated many things the Allvin has ignored. JR said it would not take long to evaluate the team, there was lots of "tape" so it would not take long. He told the fan base there would be trades they didn't like and that while a, paraphrasing, scorched earth rebuild would not happen he wanted to build a contender not just a single playoff series. He thought Demko was a franchise goalie but felt he might be covering up lots of holes on the team, that teams not contending for a cup should never be capped out, he wouldn't sign older players to long term contracts because they rarely work out, would not be trading away picks to move contracts or buying out players or retaining money in trades. This is all in his frist couple of media pressers. But he hired a GM to run the team and his job is to support that GM or fire him. Allvin is his friend for years. So I guess there could be some other back room things done, an expansion of duties or increase of power/say to the other 3 GM's. This would/might be reflected in changes of the coach, media events (which has happened, most are by employees now) or solving past mistakes which is happening now. Rutherford's own choices with the structure he put in place is he now only gives advice, if not followed he has two choices, give whatever is done a chance to work with a short runway or remove whomever isnt' listening, fire him don't resign or redelegate authorities/responsibilities.
Fans;
So many are "today" people. Raised with 128 character messages. The percentage that actually play a sport has diminished to 98% coach potatoes quarterbacks. It is so much easier to follow than to research, look up or use their own judgements. They start believing what they are told to think or what "influencers" say. Most "influencers" are now employed directly or indirectly by the team, NHL or main sponsor/partner. That isn't to say everything is wrong but most is biased towards whatever they are told to pass on to keep their jobs. This is evident in how many "reporters" now follow the team. Credintials revoked or only for "pro" reporters. They use astro surfing to bury many issues or make those that are neutral look like haters. This extends to local team forums. How many fans really believe that the team can't win without Hughes? Pettersson, Boeser or Demko? Those same will gladly ignore that the group hasn't won anyway. Today thinkers. Not all but very enthusiatic believers of "hope" or just afraid of change without understanding the reality of the lack of success of the TEAM. There is no "I" in TEAM.
Last Year;
Pretty much a fluke. Extremely few injuries. Outrageous shooting percentages the first half of the season, career years for most players, 3 players close to 100 pts, 5th best defence in the league, only winning season in the last 9 years and it still wasn't enough. Norris trophy dissapeared in the playoffs, 100 pt player became 12 point players, at least 3 games won in the last 2 minutes of games when the blinders were taken off and still pretty lucky,
