He was finally used properly last year and played pretty solid defensively. His offense is just not that good, especially as a playmaker/passer. He's a 3rd line winger playing C(offensively).

I actually liked his game defensively when used as a shutdown C.

If they use him like he's prime Kesler again then I'll go back to being annoyed by him.
- Nucker101

This is the scenario. We have a great 2C and 3C, now arguably 4c in Beagle (i think so) but we do not have the most important position filled yet and so it will be hard for us to score. It doesn't help that our goaltending is one of the worst duo's in Hockey and we have 2 NHL dmen. #top5pick2019

I would probably put Bo 1C, AG 2C, Sutter 3 and Beagle 4. Maybe at some point in the year you slide EP in the middle if AG struggles. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if both were in Utica to start the year considering they are waiver exempt and Gagner is our 2C. I just hope he plays well enough to get traded, which goes for pretty much everyone over 25 on this team.

This is the scenario. We have a great 2C and 3C, now arguably 4c in Beagle (i think so) but we do not have the most important position filled yet and so it will be hard for us to score. It doesn't help that our goaltending is one of the worst duo's in Hockey and we have 2 NHL dmen. #top5pick2019

I would probably put Bo 1C, AG 2C, Sutter 3 and Beagle 4. Maybe at some point in the year you slide EP in the middle if AG struggles. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if both were in Utica to start the year considering they are waiver exempt and Gagner is our 2C. I just hope he plays well enough to get traded, which goes for pretty much everyone over 25 on this team.
- neem55

AG hasn't proven much yet you can't just throw him into 2nd line minutes with sub-par wingers and hope he succeeds.

I'd like to see him play 3C with slightly more minutes than Beagle to start. Best case scenario he displaces Sutter as 2C though I don't see that happening either

AG hasn't proven much yet you can't just throw him into 2nd line minutes with sub-par wingers and hope he succeeds.
- NorthNuck

I don't disagree. I think Gagner is the move and like I said you hope he produces and don';t give him any d-zone starts. AG is likely to play in Utica IMO, these moves tell me they weren't that impressed with his 9 game stint

I don't disagree. I think Gagner is the move and like I said you hope he produces and don';t give him any d-zone starts. AG is likely to play in Utica IMO, these moves tell me they weren't that impressed with his 9 game stint
- neem55

Yeah I think they'll start him in Utica as well unless he looks really good at training camp

LeSean McCoy.

Yeah I think they'll start him in Utica as well unless he looks really good at training camp
- NorthNuck

I mostly just dislike Gagner and would just as well have him sit in the pressbox for the rest of his contract.

I mostly just dislike Gagner and would just as well have him sit in the pressbox for the rest of his contract.
- neem55

Same. I'm hoping he proves me wrong and does great on the PP this year though.

MDZ is the one I hope to be in that scenario even more

Eklund off his meds

saying Matthews is more Valuable, and a better player than McDavid.

Thinks he deserves more than McDavid.
- classic321

I think Matthews will get something like 11.5x8. He isn't as good as McDavid, but he won't accept less than JT got. I could also see him take a bridge at 6x2 and then get like 13-14 in arbitration.

Same. I'm hoping he proves me wrong and does great on the PP this year though.

MDZ is the one I hope to be in that scenario even more
- NorthNuck

They are both guys I hope move ASAP, if they play themselves into chips that would be amazing but honestly put them in Utica if need be.

I think Matthews will get something like 11.5x8. He isn't as good as McDavid, but he won't accept less than JT got. I could also see him take a bridge at 6x2 and then get like 13-14 in arbitration.
- Retinalz

please explain this to me lol

please explain this to me lol
- Codes1087

Leafs give Matthews a bridge deal rather than sign long term because they can't agreed on money(leafs prob want 10m or less and Mattews wants McDavid money). Matthews then goes to arbitration and due to rising cap he gets somewhere between 13-14m as a comparable between JT and McDavid(going by cap % at time of signing). I doubt a bridge ends up happening, i think 11.5x8 is what gets settled on, but these things do happen. Look at Subban.

Leafs give Matthews a bridge deal rather than sign long term because they can't agreed on money(leafs prob want 10m or less and Mattews wants McDavid money). Matthews then goes to arbitration and due to rising cap he gets somewhere between 13-14m as a comparable between JT and McDavid(going by cap % at time of signing). I doubt a bridge ends up happening, i think 11.5x8 is what gets settled on, but these things do happen. Look at Subban.
- Retinalz

the rising cap hit is not admissible or included during arbitration between players, team, and 3rd party. I would get what you mean if you think that in 3 years time, we will see a player with a 13/14 million AAV cap hit, throwing out comparable numbers, but I really don't see a situation where a player will ever come out, north of 10 million, in an arbitration case.


FYI:

The evidence that can be used in arbitration cases includes:

The player's "overall performance" including statistics in all previous seasons
Injuries, illnesses, and the number of games played
The player's length of service with the team and in the NHL
The player's "overall contribution" to the team's success or failure
The player's "special qualities of leadership or public appeal"
The performance and salary of any player believed to be comparable to the player in the dispute

Evidence that is not admissible includes:

The salary and performance of a comparable player who signed a contract as an unrestricted free agent
Testimonials, videos, and media reports
The financial state of the team
The salary cap and the state of the team's payroll

the rising cap hit is not admissible or included during arbitration between players, team, and 3rd party. I would get what you mean if you think that in 3 years time, we will see a player with a 13/14 million AAV cap hit, throwing out comparable numbers, but I really don't see a situation where a player will ever come out, north of 10 million, in an arbitration case.


FYI:

The evidence that can be used in arbitration cases includes:

The player's "overall performance" including statistics in all previous seasons
Injuries, illnesses, and the number of games played
The player's length of service with the team and in the NHL
The player's "overall contribution" to the team's success or failure
The player's "special qualities of leadership or public appeal"
The performance and salary of any player believed to be comparable to the player in the dispute

Evidence that is not admissible includes:

The salary and performance of a comparable player who signed a contract as an unrestricted free agent
Testimonials, videos, and media reports
The financial state of the team
The salary cap and the state of the team's payroll
- Codes1087

the league average AAV will have gone up if he does bridge. Won't help his arbitration, will help his case to push for 13x8

the league average AAV will have gone up if he does bridge. Won't help his arbitration, will help his case to push for 13x8
- neem55

1) he isn't the league average 2) how many superstar players in the last couple years have completely jumped over bridge contracts and gone straight into long term/cap contracts. How often do we see "superstar" players go to arbitration. That is all I am saying.

1) he isn't the league average 2) how many superstar players in the last couple years have completely jumped over bridge contracts and gone straight into long term/cap contracts. How often do we see "superstar" players go to arbitration. That is all I am saying.
- Codes1087

Isn't arbitration for one or two year deals only?

1) he isn't the league average 2) how many superstar players in the last couple years have completely jumped over bridge contracts and gone straight into long term/cap contracts. How often do we see "superstar" players go to arbitration. That is all I am saying.
- Codes1087

I totally agree he won't go to arbitration. I could see a bridge, but think it's less likely than a long term lock up right away. Dubas has shown a bit of a propensity already to do things slightly off key though. That trade down in the draft was the best trade of the offseason IMO.

Isn't arbitration for one or two year deals only?
- VANTEL

Correct. It ain't happening.

Isn't arbitration for one or two year deals only?
- VANTEL

1

1
- Codes1087

1 or 2
Teams decision if the player takes them.

Isn't arbitration for one or two year deals only?
- VANTEL

Yes.
I don't know if the team & agent agree on term prior or if the arbitrator determines it as part of their decision.

1 or 2
Teams decision if the player takes them.
- Pres.cup

it can be one, or two, but tell me pres, why would a player settle with an arbitrator for 2 years, when you can only go to arbitration once as a player, and you would almost ensure you would get a better contract the following year...

Yes it’s absurd. People that don’t think a sutter is a solid NHL player need to immediately quit watching hockey.
- CanuckDon

Catching up on 10+ pages...

Saying he is not a good 3C is a joke.
The team he plays for is irrelevant.
Ppl have blinders on saying he is not a 3C & good at that position. Its pure rambling nonsense about hating a player.

Catching up on 10+ pages...

Saying he is not a good 3C is a joke.
The team he plays for is irrelevant.
Ppl have blinders on saying he is not a 3C & good at that position. Its pure rambling nonsense about hating a player.
- Nighthawk

When isn't it?

Sutter just phoned me and said you are overpaid by 300 K too.
- VANTEL

Sutter pays his taxes like a good ol Canadian boy 👍👍

I think I misplace my anger towards Brandon Sutter.

I think I dont like him because I hate the trade that brought him here.
It was such a garbage trade
plus giving him an extension sight unseen was just as bad.


So really, now that I think about it, I mostly just hate Benning.
But I still think Sutter isnt that good though
- classic321

Just separate the player from all the distractions that are not his doing. Ignore his contract & who the GM is. Clear the mud & be objective is all thx