I was wondering if playing him 10 games at the end of the season is enough to convince him to stick around
- mrn22

I dont think he's coming back

Unless they trade Smith or Buyout Shattenkirk I don't see a spot for him.
- tomburton99

neither of those two guys should block him, contract or not.

neither of those two guys should block him, contract or not.
- tbreinold

Smith has been better this year. Not great but better. Skjei, Pionk, Staal and Shattenkirk has all been bad. This is team is gonna be bad as long they run out those 4. Skjei really is annoying. Idk how he went from putting up good traditional numbers, elite underlying advanced metrics in 2016-2017 and suddenly become dog poop for the last 2 years.

Smith has been better this year. Not great but better. Skjei, Pionk, Staal and Shattenkirk has all been bad. This is team is gonna be bad as long they run out those 4. Skjei really is annoying. Idk how he went from putting up good traditional numbers, elite underlying advanced metrics in 2016-2017 and suddenly become dog poop for the last 2 years.
- tomburton99

2 words

Jimmy

Vessey

Smith has been better this year. Not great but better. Skjei, Pionk, Staal and Shattenkirk has all been bad. This is team is gonna be bad as long they run out those 4. Skjei really is annoying. Idk how he went from putting up good traditional numbers, elite underlying advanced metrics in 2016-2017 and suddenly become dog poop for the last 2 years.
- tomburton99

Because advanced metrics are deeply flawed and I'm not sure why everyone keeps trotting them out like they are gospel?

Staal has been better this year too. Living up to the contract? no. If he was a depth defensmen would you play him? yes

I dont think he's coming back
- jimbro83

Me neither. He's too old to make sense for a rebuilding team to roll the dice on him. Makes more sense to a team like Toronto who has abysmal D and could strike gold finding a cheap depth defensmen

Patrik Virta is coming to North America next year, I guess that means Hartford, not sure if anyone mentioned it

Because advanced metrics are deeply flawed and I'm not sure why everyone keeps trotting them out like they are gospel?

Staal has been better this year too. Living up to the contract? no. If he was a depth defensmen would you play him? yes
- 2sticks1puck

Staal still very much is dog poop.

game day blog up

Staal still very much is dog poop.
- tomburton99

I don't think he's great, but I do think in limited situations he's still OK. You hope that with good drafting and devlopment, Staal can ride out the remainder of his contract as a 5 or 6. The problem is, the contract and we've been playing him like a 1 or 2 for long stretches of the season.

Unless they trade Smith or Buyout Shattenkirk I don't see a spot for him.
- tomburton99

I feel like one of Smith or Shatty wont be here next year

seems like they are all about the youth and want to open up more spots based on all the different guys they have called up

I dont think he's coming back
- jimbro83

not saying he blew anyones socks off last year but kinda strange he didnt get a look until now