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If I’m posting this, please know that I am looking around for as many antacids as I can find. Not for the blogging, but for the comments section. There are pretty much two camps when it comes to Toronto. There are people who tell you that this is the greatest team ever assembled, and that their post season failure is an anomaly easily solved by a better goalie. Then, the second group pops in to say, “the team has 40 million in 4 forwards. The defense is an afterthought, and you need defense in the playoffs. When you mention defensive needs in Edmonton, all you hear about are goalies and a “good winger for McDavid”. Again, defense doesn’t matter. Clearly.
Toronto is a bit of an experiment. Dubas (and many others) believe that this is the team of the future. When Foligno was brought in, Dubas commented that he could add one more goal in the playoffs, and that’s what they needed. Edmonton’s focus seems similar. How do they add more offense in the playoffs? Inevitably the talking heads will be divided as well. It will go right back to trading a forward for a top tier defenseman. Usually Nylander’s name is brought up. Nylander will remind the media that Dubas promised him he wouldn’t be traded, that’s why there’s not a no trade clause. Honestly, it’s just a tired and played out narrative. The back and forth of the “tragedy and wasted years” of Matthews in Toronto and McDavid in Edmonton. (Have them call Yzerman, it took him a few years to get there….)
The very first thing I wonder is if anyone is going to get fired. McDavid and Eichel have been on a coaching carousel and Matthews is woefully behind. He’s only had two, time to up the collection. Will Dubas be fired? Shanny? I actually heard someone cite the “Shanaplan” the other day. I didn’t think that was still floating around. I still look back to the Nylander hold out, and knowing that Carolina offered Dougie Hamilton + some other pieces I wonder if that would have made a difference on this team. There’s no way to know.
The way Cap Friendly is looking, the team has less than 12 million dollars and 12 UFAs (2 RFAs) to deal with. One of the UFAs is Andersen and one is Hyman. About half of the UFAs are around retirement age. Hyman is probably the most important contract they have to work with. Zach could hit the open market and make good money. But, he’s extremely loyal and loves Toronto. I don’t see them losing him, I just don’t.
There’s not really much in the way of trades either. Toronto’s roster reflects its contracts. A lot of money invested in the top names and a smattering of ELCs, buyouts and veterans who want a shot at the cup. I do have some advice for Dubas though. There is a way to spend good money on defense without giving anyone up, and it comes from Tampa Bay.
Put Tavares on IR for all of next year. It was a nasty head injury, and you can ride that out. Use the cap relief to get a defenseman. And then, before the trade deadline, put Matthews on IR as well. Assuming you’re locked into a playoff spot, use all of that relief to bring in MORE defense. Then, find out what church Cooper and Brisebois went to and get a miracle healing so that both are ready just in time for the playoffs. It worked for Chicago, it’s working for Tampa, and it can work for you!
Obviously this is somewhat facetious. Cooper’s a lawyer, he can’t get into a faith healer without bursting into flames. The principle is, however, fairly sound. The cap is frozen, and Toronto has some of the deepest pockets in the league. Get your WWBD bracelets (what would Brisebois do) and get those dollars freed up.
The Canadian division this year was like a time warp to the 80s. Matthews was a scoring machine. I, and others, thought it was a “softer” division. That said, it felt like it would be somewhat immune from the playoff syndrome. Where goals dry up and hits get way harder. Most of the outlets had McDavid vs Matthews penciled in (probably paid for Tshirts to be made). I heard one NHL pundit say, “Winnipeg will enter each game 2 goals down, just with what McDavid produces”. Oh good Lord. There are people tonight who are inconsolable.
I honestly wonder if Toronto won’t just chalk this up to some key injuries and take another crack with basically the same lineup next year. It’s hard to believe some sort of shakeup won’t be coming, but who knows what will happen.
What about you? Do you think Hyman will hit the market? Would you trade for anyone on this roster? I’m still hoping, as I type this, that I don’t have to post it. The Montreal article is so much easier and less likely for me to be swarmed with graphs and percentages. We’ll see how it all unfolds…
Just for reference, Revelation 13 has “the beast” rising up and the end of the world. We get the lovely triple 6 number here, and it is part of the folklore for why 13 is an unlucky number. Just a nice metaphor for “the end of the world”
Check out my previous blogs:
Yzerman signs Wyatt Newpower
Carly has coffee with Joe Veleno
Minnesota is out of the playoffs
Florida is out of the playoffs
The Penguins are out of the playoffs and need cap space and draft picks.
Yzerman is looking for two lefty D men
Washington was eliminated from the playoffs
St Louis is out, any players of interest?
The internal struggle
Yzerman working in silence
Cholowski has coffee with Carly
Bernier would like an extension, and Berggren has signed his ELC.
Eemil Viro has signed his ELC, but Petruzzelli may walk.
The Yzerman Press Conference
Blashill was extended, and a mock draft has Wings picking a goalie at #6
Roster turnover
Albert Johansson playing for team Sweden
Are you rooting for former Wings Players in the playoffs?
Thanks for a great season
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