Sheng Peng: Why Waiving Pickard Makes Sense Trying to make sense of George McPhee's surprising transactions

This is more so a testament to McPhee's idiotic choice to choose Pickard over someone else. Not saying Pickard was the wrong choice, but picking someone from COL and putting him on waivers before the season starts doesn't exactly scream " I know exactly what I am doing"

This is more so a testament to McPhee's idiotic choice to choose Pickard over someone else. Not saying Pickard was the wrong choice, but picking someone from COL and putting him on waivers before the season starts doesn't exactly scream " I know exactly what I am doing"
- Codes1087

There are other factors involved. I don't think he anticipated Boston to waive Subban. So given this opportunity, he chose Subban over Pickard.

This is more so a testament to McPhee's idiotic choice to choose Pickard over someone else. Not saying Pickard was the wrong choice, but picking someone from COL and putting him on waivers before the season starts doesn't exactly scream " I know exactly what I am doing"
- Codes1087

McPhee got waaay too much credit for doing a "great" job with the expansion draft. Yeah, he did make a couple of nice deals(Florida, NYI). But he let other teams off the hook way too easily and made some dumbass expansion draft picks.

There are other factors involved. I don't think he anticipated Boston to waive Subban. So given this opportunity, he chose Subban over Pickard.
- Streit2ThePoint

Homer

should have went with Mrazek

would have been a dagger in Detroit's spleen

There are other factors involved. I don't think he anticipated Boston to waive Subban. So given this opportunity, he chose Subban over Pickard.
- Streit2ThePoint

how did he not expect that Boston wouldn't waive Subban? Has he won a single game at the NHL level?

McPhee got waaay too much credit for doing a "great" job with the expansion draft. Yeah, he did make a couple of nice deals(Florida, NYI). But he let other teams off the hook way too easily and made some dumbass expansion draft picks.
- Nucker101

he did a poop job, and is doing a poop job now. I don't buy that Theodore is only in the AHL because of his contract, the kid is better than half of the crapshow defense they have now.

should have went with Mrazek

would have been a dagger in Detroit's spleen
- Lucas Neilson

I had to look up who he picked up from Detroit...a 24 year old AHL'er.

Sheng--

It's an odd choice to me, but if what you're suggesting in regards to the Knights tanking (by not caring how they do this year) in order to get the #1 pick next year is true, than I guess it makes sense to take a goalie the GM has admitted is not ready for the NHL level.

Would hate to be a player on the Knights who wants to win and know that your front office doesn't really want to.

Smells like the 1980's Penguins move for Mario all over again...

he did a poop job, and is doing a poop job now. I don't buy that Theodore is only in the AHL because of his contract, the kid is better than half of the crapshow defense they have now.
- Codes1087

He and Shipachyov(sp?) should both be on the team for sure. McPhee even openly admits that he's only sending them down because he doesn't want to waive other players. He's probably still trying to trade fringe depth players for picks even though at this time of the year, pretty much every team is looking to trim roster fat and not add more of it.

I had to look up who he picked up from Detroit...a 24 year old AHL'er.
- Nucker101

it baffles me

Sheng--

It's an odd choice to me, but if what you're suggesting in regards to the Knights tanking (by not caring how they do this year) in order to get the #1 pick next year is true, than I guess it makes sense to take a goalie the GM has admitted is not ready for the NHL level.

Would hate to be a player on the Knights who wants to win and know that your front office doesn't really want to.

Smells like the 1980's Penguins move for Mario all over again...
- Hank3Henshaw

Knights want to win.

This is more so a testament to McPhee's idiotic choice to choose Pickard over someone else. Not saying Pickard was the wrong choice, but picking someone from COL and putting him on waivers before the season starts doesn't exactly scream " I know exactly what I am doing"
- Codes1087

and yet there was many people who wrote this summer how dumb the Avs were for protecting Varly over Pickard.

Picks is a character and lovable guy for interviews, but its an average back up goalie.

Knights want to win.
- Streit2ThePoint

I'd hope so.

They're definitely in an uphill battle being in a non-traditional hockey market, where they'll need to find some success early to rope fans in. Plus, the Raiders factor...once they come to town, they might take some attention away from the Knights.

You certainly compound the situation by getting rid of your solid backup for an unproven asset. Who knows, maybe throwing Malcom in is what he needs to help his game and "unlock" what he can do.

Time will tell.

it baffles me
- Lucas Neilson

was just saying today, vegas really blew it with their expansion draft. Pulled off moves to get guys like Theodore, then passed up on young talent to take a scrub to gain a 3rd round pick. Then just completely went off the boat burning a pick.

and yet there was many people who wrote this summer how dumb the Avs were for protecting Varly over Pickard.

Picks is a character and lovable guy for interviews, but its an average back up goalie.
- DDM-Coga

Granted, I didn't see a lot of Avs games last year, but I thought Pickard did a pretty decent job-- especially for with the team he had in front of him.

But you would know way better than me, since you're an Avs fan. That was just my take as an outsider looking in.

and yet there was many people who wrote this summer how dumb the Avs were for protecting Varly over Pickard.

Picks is a character and lovable guy for interviews, but its an average back up goalie.
- DDM-Coga

Varly is twice the goalie Pickard is.

Granted, I didn't see a lot of Avs games last year, but I thought Pickard did a pretty decent job-- especially for with the team he had in front of him.

But you would know way better than me, since you're an Avs fan. That was just my take as an outsider looking in.
- Hank3Henshaw

Pickard was one of the worst goalies statistically in the past 20 years. He was very bad, and it wasnt just bc the team was bad in front of him. He is inconsistent and is prone to at least 1 very soft goal a game, usually from the same short side shot every time

Seeing that there is Subban love and respect for Canuck D by making Sbizsa an Altenate Capt. Then VGK should take next step and reunite Jordan to defend his bro.

I had to look up who he picked up from Detroit...a 24 year old AHL'er.
- Nucker101

Maybe he didn't want to give Detroit any extra help picking 1st overall...

Not saying Pickard was the wrong choice, but picking someone from COL and putting him on waivers before the season starts doesn't exactly scream " I know exactly what I am doing"
- Codes1087

There are other factors involved. I don't think he anticipated Boston to waive Subban. So given this opportunity, he chose Subban over Pickard.
- Streit2ThePoint

I think S2TP is correct. Pickard was the right choice at the time.

should have went with Mrazek
- Lucas Neilson

This is still mystifying. Nosek looks like a useful fourth-line type, but that's about it. Mrazek, on the other hand, has starter upside. Maybe McPhee and/or Prior did not like Mrazek, think he would be coachable, etc.

Would hate to be a player on the Knights who wants to win and know that your front office doesn't really want to.
- Hank3Henshaw

Yes, I was alluding to this later in my article. I think this is a good organizational move by McPhee, but might deflate locker room a little, unless Subban shows more game than he has so far.

Picks is a character and lovable guy for interviews, but its an average back up goalie.
- DDM-Coga

While there's no doubt that Varlamov is the better goalie, I think Pickard has proven to be at least an above-average back-up. Not every back-up can take the starting reins of both the Avs and Team Canada and do okay. Just for example, in LA, they should be jumping on Pickard over Kuemper.

They're definitely in an uphill battle being in a non-traditional hockey market, where they'll need to find some success early to rope fans in. Plus, the Raiders factor...once they come to town, they might take some attention away from the Knights.
- Hank3Henshaw

Good point. McPhee & Foley might be butting heads soon than we think.

Pickard was one of the worst goalies statistically in the past 20 years. He was very bad, and it wasnt just bc the team was bad in front of him. He is inconsistent and is prone to at least 1 very soft goal a game, usually from the same short side shot every time
- DDM-Coga

That's why I deferred to you. Haha.

McPhee's comments are interesting, though. They're willing to take a chance on a pretty much unproven guy, rather than work to fix the flaws with Pickard--who has much more experience.

Essentially: they have more faith in Subban and working with him to fit into their mold, rather than take the resume Pickard has already been building and work with that.

I think S2TP is correct. Pickard was the right choice at the time.



This is still mystifying. Nosek looks like a useful fourth-line type, but that's about it. Mrazek, on the other hand, has starter upside. Maybe McPhee and/or Prior did not like Mrazek, think he would be coachable, etc.



Yes, I was alluding to this later in my article. I think this is a good organizational move by McPhee, but might deflate locker room a little, unless Subban shows more game than he has so far.



While there's no doubt that Varlamov is the better goalie, I think Pickard has proven to be at least an above-average back-up. Not every back-up can take the starting reins of both the Avs and Team Canada and do okay. Just for example, in LA, they should be jumping on Pickard over Kuemper.



Good point. McPhee & Foley might be butting heads soon than we think.
- Sheng.Peng

The right choice at the time? It's literally been a summer with no NHL games played?

The right choice at the time? It's literally been a summer with no NHL games played?
- Codes1087

I think he means at the time of the draft.

Though...I'm pretty sure there were better options, but I can't remember.