League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) | 2023-24 Regular Season Edition

[kicksavedave]

Rangers ask Trouba for his 15-team no-trade list

Gawd I wish these things were made public

 

[twabby]

It'll come as a shock to some of you, but I'm beginning to think that Steve Yzerman, who signed Ben Chiarot to a 4 year $19 million deal and traded a perfectly cromulent Jake Walman and a second round draft pick for future considerations, isn't a good general manager. I will be sure to update the board if my opinion changes over time.

 

[twabby]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806435121635246385

He's a solid UFA option. Projected at 5 x $6 million and could solidify a defensive second pair a la Niskanen.

 

[HeyMattyB]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806435121635246385

He's a solid UFA option. Projected at 5 x $6 million and could solidify a defensive second pair a la Niskanen.

IIRC, on one of the Roy threads in the Trade Forum, a few relatively reasonable LA fans seemed to agree that he was generally very good—particularly while defending the rush and against the boards. A good (but not great) skater with an average breakout pass but not much offense. But they also agreed that his major glaring weakness—especially for a defensive defenseman—was his play in front of his own net. There were multiple posts along the lines of, “If a tip-in or rebound was scored in front of the net, we all expected to see Roy there, looking like an idiot because he missed his assignment and was just standing around doing nothing when the goal was scored.”

Every player has their strengths and weaknesses. But we’ve definitely had some defensemen with that same flaw, and we know that frustration. So just be aware that—if you want to trust some of the Kings fans—that sounds like something to expect with Roy.

 

[Random schmoe]

I get it. Just ... gutsy.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806478880368402905

 

[Hivemind]

I agree, but I would also add that Guy is in for his defensive play (or at least reputation) rather than his points production.

I understand that being the logic of why he was included, but he was being outscored by actual defensemen during that era. And I'm not just referring to the Ray Bouques, Phil Housleys, and Paul Coffeys that were outscoring everyone. During streak of 3 Selkes within 5 years from 87-92, Carbonneau still had fewer points than fourteen different defensemen including Chris Chelios, Scott Stevens, Gary Suter, and Kevin Hatcher - and it's hard to argue that Guy had a bigger defensive impact on the game than those guys. If guys like Suter and Hatcher aren't in the HHOF, why is a forward who couldn't outscore them in?

 

[895]

I’m surprised Sammi has a nhlpwa vote


Anyway yeah who cares. Homer 5th place vote is a time honoured tradition.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

I get it. Just ... gutsy.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806478880368402905

Refreshing when someone thinks outside the box and popular opinion, especially when they realize how important Lindgren was in 2023-24. This is pleasing and should further boost Lindgren for 24-25 season.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Stamkos heading to market. That certainly seems like a bad decision for Tampa

 

[twabby]

Stamkos heading to market. That certainly seems like a bad decision for Tampa

Very hard disagree. He's not really an instrumental component of that team any more, and is primarily a PP specialist who is going to command way more than he's worth. Making tough decisions to move on from players like this is what makes good teams extend their windows.

 

[Kazer]

Refreshing when someone thinks outside the box and popular opinion, especially when they realize how important Lindgren was in 2023-24. This is pleasing and should further boost Lindgren for 24-25 season.

I respect it but also disagree with it strongly.

Lindgren was integral to the Caps making the playoffs. So were Ovechkin (22 goals from February to April), Strome (over PPG from February to April), and Carlson (played nearly 26 minutes a night at 34 years old) .

Lindgren deserved (and got) some Vezina recognition. While he finished 14th in GSAA, you can argue him above everyone except Hellebuyck (deserving winner) and Demko (clear #2). But in terms of MVP? I'm not even sure Lindgren is the outright MVP of the Caps in 23-24 (though he's certainly on the shortlist).

Especially in this past year.. there were SO many deserving candidates who didn't even make the top 3 (so ignoring Mackinnon, McDavid, Kucherov; not necessarily ordered): Matthews, obviously, Panarin, Hellebucyk, Demko, Q. Hughes; Pastrnak. Maybe (hard maybe) you could argue Lindgren 10, but I'd still probably put him behind the next group which includes JT Miller, Josi, Crosby, Draisaitl, Rantanen, Reinhart, Nylander, FF, Kaprizov (and others).

 

[marcel snapshot]

Hard agree Twabs. An immobile player with a still-decent slapshot who can't create space for himself or be useful outside the offensive zone is not a very valuable asset in the NHL of 2024

 

[hb13xchamps]

Very hard disagree. He's not really an instrumental component of that team any more, and is primarily a PP specialist who is going to command way more than he's worth. Making tough decisions to move on from players like this is what makes good teams extend their windows.

I could buy that argument if they hadn’t just traded for 35 year old Ryan McDonagh and his $6.75 million dollar cap hit. They also need to fill out their roster with a little over $5 million to play with and 18 players signed.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Stamkos is also a franchise legend and captain. I get he isn’t the player he once was but he did just put up 40 goals again. You’d think they would treat him with a little more respect

 

[twabby]

Stamkos is also a franchise legend and captain. I get he isn’t the player he once was but he did just put up 40 goals again. You’d think they would treat him with a little more respect

With all due-respect, that is loser talk. He's been treated well and some other team will give him money. The fans will salute him when he returns to TB. He'll enter their ring of honor.

 

[hb13xchamps]

With all due-respect, that is loser talk. He's been treated well and some other team will give him money. The fans will salute him when he returns to TB. He'll enter their ring of honor.

I would disagree with you. It’s clear he wasn’t a priority in their offseason plans. They added more cap dollars for McDonagh, which was a puzzling move at the time. Friedman reported today they were a surprise team poking around on Guentzel.

From all accounts that I’ve seen they haven’t been super transparent when dealing with Stamkos and his camp. If they value adding other pieces, let the player know and move on. Stamkos is their version of Ovechkin/Backstrom. Franchise legends are usually treated with a little more respect IMO. That stuff absolutely trickles down to the locker room.

 

[um]

If Stamkos wants big star money, than I don’t blame the Bolts at all. Being a top heavy team just doesn’t work in the NHL, and Bolts already two superstar forwards (yes I’m a big Point fan).

Although I will say that the McDonagh move was weird. I think I’d prefer Stamkos.

 

[twabby]

I could buy that argument if they hadn’t just traded for 35 year old Ryan McDonagh and his $6.75 million dollar cap hit. They also need to fill out their roster with a little over $5 million to play with and 18 players signed.

I agree the McDonagh move is weird and I don't love it but it doesn't invalidate their gameplan when it comes to Stamkos and letting him walk.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Saw that Montreal moved up from 26 to 21? Pick swap w LA? LA got 57 and 198 to slide down 5 slots.

Pricey for just 5 slots, IMO

 

[Calicaps]

Kicking Stamkos to the curb is a bad look, especially while keeping McDonough. Other vets and FAs will take note. I presume Tampa's front office figures that the weather and lack of state taxes, along with at least the perception of still being a contender (I am unconvinced) will outweigh the optics of treating the face of franchise poorly. And they may well be right. But no doubt some guys will think twice.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Tampa has always been good at cheating the cap. Watch them pull something off where Stamkos signs with a team flush with cap sapce and is traded back to tampa retained.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Tampa offered him an 8 year deal at $3 million AAV per LeBrun. Stamkos wanted $4-5$ million AAV. Big yikes to offer $3 million to a go who just hit 40 goals again and is your franchise icon. Give me some popcorn, Tampa could get messy quickly if LeBruns report is true

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Just think if we offered Ovie $3 mill x 8

 

[Hivemind]

Stamkos hasn't been the face of the franchise in Tampa Bay for several years now. Kucherov and Vasilevskiy are bigger stars, and Point has outplayed Stamkos on the ice as well. Bolts fans also remember that sticking with Lecavalier after his decline ultimately hurt the franchise far more than it helped. The fans will be fine with it, and so will players around the league. The Lightning have paid Stamkos over $100M (pre-tax) in his career already, there's no sane free agent who will look at that and claim that TB isn't loyal or doesn't compensate their stars.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Stamkos hasn't been the face of the franchise in Tampa Bay for several years now. Kucherov and Vasilevskiy are bigger stars, and Point has outplayed Stamkos on the ice as well. Bolts fans also remember that sticking with Lecavalier after his decline ultimately hurt the franchise far more than it helped. The fans will be fine with it, and so will players around the league. The Lightning have paid Stamkos over $100M (pre-tax) in his career already, there's no sane free agent who will look at that and claim that TB isn't loyal or doesn't compensate their stars.

No one is arguing that he isn’t a tier 1 star player any longer. The argument is how the organization pretty much fumbled this one. 8x$3ish million per year is a slap in the face to Stamkos (assuming that’s true but LeBrun is usually pretty reliable) when his ask was reportedly around $4-5 million. $4-$5 million seems like a pretty big discount over what he will likely get on the open market after scoring 40 goals. Tampa will continue to attract free agents, because well who wouldn’t want to live in a nice area with no state income tax. It just seems pretty shitty to low ball a guy who’s been there since he was drafted 15 years ago, especially after trading for McDonagh. The optics aren’t great.

Most of the Tampa fan reactions I’ve seen are pretty negative towards the news.