Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2023-24: Hotel California

[IslesNorway]

Soshnikov, Schneider and Wotherspoon on 1 year deals. Nice depth for Bridgeport.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

Soshnikov??? That's a name I haven't heard in ages.

 

[SCMURRAY]

Got to feel a little bad for Wotherspoon. Drafted 7 years ago. Grinding away in bridgeport. 266 AHL games without a minute in the NHL. His own fault i guess but still.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Dallas seems to be in the market to overpay for RHDs with issues. They just traded a first+ for a Smurf who gets rag dolled in his zone and along the boards. Maybe we can get them to give up an asset for "Gargamel"?

I didn't like the deal, especially considering the NYR had their back to the wall here.

At least the Rags don't get that pick if it's a top 10 pick.

But 2023 is looking a good 40 players deep as far as surefire NHLers are concerned.

That said, the Dallas organization is not especially deep with RHDs.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

I'd think Soshnikov know he's BRI bound, otherwise it would just be a PTO.

 

[Lights911]

We'll give Soshnikov a try but not Milano, nice.

 

[IslesNorway]

I'd think Soshnikov know he's BRI bound, otherwise it would just be a PTO.

Perhaps he just couldn't get out of Russia fast enough?

 

[periferal]

I agree hard to move Gaudreau when your team looked poised to make a run for the Stanley Cup.

Yes, but as the GM of a professional franchise you simply cannot let it get to that point. If a player has been with your franchise for YEARS, how come he isn't willing to resign before the start of his last contract year? If that isn't enough of a warning that they will probably leave then you are simply asleep at the wheel.

The Flames should've moved Gaudreau before the start of last season the same way the Isles should've moved Tavares before the start of the 17-18 season. I keep thinking that the 2-3 very good assets the Isles would've gotten from that might've put us over the top in 20-21 when we were inches away from the finals.

Sometimes you take one step back to take 5 more significant ones forward. Elite talents should never leave any sports team for nothing when there's a very healthy trade market for them.

 

[periferal]

Friedman on 32 thoughts says Isles and Barzal have begun discussing an extension.

Unlike Tavares who I thought could leave (and was also a UFA), I couldn't be worried less about signing Barzal. Lou resigns EVERYONE and will resign the team's best player.

It will happen.

 

[MJF]

We'll give Soshnikov a try but not Milano, nice.

Do you think Milano would accept an assignment to Bridgpeort?

 

[doublechili]

I wonder if the Soshnikov signing is related to the new hire (the Russian bird dog guy)?

Not a significant signing, unless he has a stud soon-to-be-UFA younger brother or something....

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

We signed Russian winger Nikita Soahnikov to a 1 year 1 way deal. Played in the KHL last few years and had cups of coffee with the leafs and I think blues. Don’t expect him to make the team or an impact. Expecting him in Bridgeport or return to Europe.

Interesting. I think he was in the Leafs organization when Lou was working there.

 

[IslesNorway]

Shoshnikov will bring experience to Bridgeport and should be a fine callup if needed. He's got NHL and KHL experience and could play a bit in the bottom 6 when injuries hit.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I wonder if the Soshnikov signing is related to the new hire (the Russian bird dog guy)?

Not a significant signing, unless he has a stud soon-to-be-UFA younger brother or something....

That was my first thought. And they were all together for a while in Toronto.

In light of the fact that Lou has NEVER taken this route with a Europlayer outside of the organization whilst with the Islanders, then added this guy who specializes in just that, one has to think this is all on him.

But again, I think Lou is already quite familiar with Soshnikov.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

That was my first thought. And they were all together for a while in Toronto.

In light of the fact that Lou has NEVER taken this route with a Europlayer outside of the organization whilst with the Islanders, then added this guy who specializes in just that, one has to think this is all on him.

But again, I think Lou is already quite familiar with Soshnikov.

Nah there was one guy, forgot his name but they terminated his contract before camp started and he got a shot with the Bruins but ultimately went back to the K. Forgot his name though

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

The Flames should've moved Gaudreau before the start of last season the same way the Isles should've moved Tavares before the start of the 17-18 season.

This kind of thinking gets you mired in mediocrity for years.

 

[Konk]

He is supremely talented, but the knock has always been upstairs. I know @Konk was very concerned about it during the draft process. It hurts because you see the crazy tools and get dazzled by them (he puts Dobson to shame in this department) yet his hockey IQ isn't anywhere close to Dobber's... that's why Dobson looks like a future #1D and Wilde is on he Never Was Express.

RHD's like him are so valuable, there has to be some schmuck GM desperate for one thinking they can salvage his immense potential. At least I hope there is.

You rang, P-dub?

And yes, I always thought Bode was an idiot. His name is Bode, FFS. He was doomed to idiocy from birth, so it's not all his fault.

On the other hand, Dobson was so obviously a stud during his draft year. I instantly wanted the Isles to pick him when I first watched him play. I agree, the two are night and day in the brains department.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Nah there was one guy, forgot his name but they terminated his contract before camp started and he got a shot with the Bruins but ultimately went back to the K. Forgot his name though

You're right!

Kovar!

That was right when Lou took over.

Totally forgot about that.

But it has been wild that aside from the college UFA signings of Hutton, Jobst, and Carpenter in Lou's first season, he hasn't added one single European UFA, college UFA, or even CHL UFA since. Not a single one.

Several were added along the way via AHL contracts, but not on an NHL contract.

This guy is really, like, the first since Hutton.

Some teams add an older European UFA or two as well as a college UFA or two every single spring.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

You're right!

Kovar!

That was right when Lou took over.

Totally forgot about that.

But it has been wild that aside from the college UFA signings of Hutton, Jobst, and Carpenter in Lou's first season, he hasn't added one single European UFA, college UFA, or even CHL UFA since. Not a single one.

Several were added along the way via AHL contracts, but not on an NHL contract.

This guy is really, like, the first since Hutton.

Some teams add an older European UFA or two as well as a college UFA or two every single spring.

It is interesting how little turnover there has been over 4 years

 

[The Real JT]

Ah the missing piece.

Nikita Soshnikov, come get the Stanley Cup!

 

[Lights911]

Do you think Milano would accept an assignment to Bridgpeort?

He wouldn't have to. Martin, Parise, Johnston or Clutterbuck would.

 

[MJF]

He wouldn't have to. Martin, Parise, Johnston or Clutterbuck would.

As much as I wish Lou would bury Martin’s contract or Clutter have a recurrence of an injury that lands him on LTIR, it’s not happening. The 4th line is getting yet another chance. All the forwards are.

When Lou says he’s committed to the same forwards again this year, believe it.

 

[YearlyLottery]

This kind of thinking gets you mired in mediocrity for years.

Looking back I do think the writing was on the wall with Tavares. I am unsure what was said behind closed doors though. I cannot see the isles holding on to that piece of shit if he was saying he wanted to truly test free agency though.

 

[PK Cronin]

Looking back I do think the writing was on the wall with Tavares. I am unsure what was said behind closed doors though. I cannot see the isles holding on to that piece of shit if he was saying he wanted to truly test free agency though.

Every situation is different.

So many players who are UFAs to be end up re-signing mid-season, the idea that they should all be traded before the season starts seems foolish. Some should, some shouldn't.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Every situation is different.

So many players who are UFAs to be end up re-signing mid-season, the idea that they should all be traded before the season starts seems foolish. Some should, some shouldn't.

It makes me wonder if some people ever engage in business. There's risk and reward to every situation. You don't win them all. That doesn't mean you never should try.