70 points this last season. PPG player since he got comfortable in Ottawa. Something wasn’t right in Colorado, see Stastny and O’Reilly as other examples. Also Duchene gets constant invites to team Canada.

I guess you, Rexypoo and 2.0 know more about hockey than the brass at Hockey Canada.
- TheUltimateJet

Ya cause they never make mistakes, Rob Zamneur says hello!!!!

Ya cause they never make mistakes, Rob Zamneur says hello!!!!
- Ross77

Tell Rob, I say hi back. It's been a while .

On the other hand, Hockey Canada has made that "mistake" numerous times with Duchene.

You clearly have never watched him play. Stick to the spreadsheets Rexypoo.
- TheUltimateJet

I mean, I have. A lot, actually. He was in our division for years. I also jumped for him way late in the draft last year because he wasn’t even in the player rankings for some weird reason and everyone forgot about him, so I was watching him closely. It didn’t go well for me.

70 points this last season. PPG player since he got comfortable in Ottawa. Something wasn’t right in Colorado, see Stastny and O’Reilly as other examples. Also Duchene gets constant invites to team Canada.

I guess you, Rexypoo and 2.0 know more about hockey than the brass at Hockey Canada.
- TheUltimateJet

A: Stastny and O’Rielly were just as good there as anywhere else, with Stastny arguably being better in Colorado due to decline.
B: Team Canada regularly makes boneheaded decisions. They just get away with it because our talent pool is the Mariana Trench in depth

Chevy’s strategy should be simple, focus on the cap!!! Salaries are getting out of control!!

Don’t trade for guys who are soon to be RFA’s, trade for guys who are underpaid in today’s market.

Examples;
First, Consider this, Trouba will want 7+, Connor will want minimum 7, Ehlers makes 6. Trade Trouba for Trocheck and a pick then see if you can trade one of Connor or Ehlers for Klefbom and a pick. Not sure if these teams would add or include a pick but I can hope. In these sceneries we are trading roughly 13-14 million in cap space for guys under contract for 4 years at under 9!!! The difference between Trouba/Connor and Trocheck/Klefbom is minimal, saving 5 million and possibly adding two picks, that’s huge!!!!
- Ross77

Ehlers is untouchable.

But Connor and Trouba for Trocheck and Klefbom is something I’d want to do

He got 70 points in 73 games this year! Are you sure you know how to do math?

This is almost as bad as 2.0 telling me that O’Reilly was terrible because he hadn’t got 70 points up Until this year.
- TheUltimateJet

you are making stuff up. I said he wasn't worth Little, Lowry a 1st and a prospect in a trade in 2017/18

Chevy’s strategy should be simple, focus on the cap!!! Salaries are getting out of control!!

Don’t trade for guys who are soon to be RFA’s, trade for guys who are underpaid in today’s market.

Examples;
First, Consider this, Trouba will want 7+, Connor will want minimum 7, Ehlers makes 6. Trade Trouba for Trocheck and a pick then see if you can trade one of Connor or Ehlers for Klefbom and a pick. Not sure if these teams would add or include a pick but I can hope. In these sceneries we are trading roughly 13-14 million in cap space for guys under contract for 4 years at under 9!!! The difference between Trouba/Connor and Trocheck/Klefbom is minimal, saving 5 million and possibly adding two picks, that’s huge!!!!
- Ross77

Can't see them, trading Connor or Ehlers - both young and dynamic, the kind of players who put fans in the team's seats - Ehlers signed to great team contract, Connor worth 7 in today's NHL.
Think the Trocheck idea might be good one although Trocheck UFA in three years, maybe Roslovic will be ready by then. Actually I was hoping Roslovic ready next year, but we'll see what management thinks.
Wonder if Florida can afford Trouba though with the free agents from Columbus said to be heading there. Trouba + for Trocheck and Matheson?

Ehlers is untouchable.

But Connor and Trouba for Trocheck and Klefbom is something I’d want to do
- Rexypoo

Ok, someone needs to explain why Connor is the sacrificial lamb for cap flexibility? Would the team rather have Connor at 7 and let Ehlers go or someone else?

I think someone will have to move on for cap control to sign others but why is Connor always tossed out there as the lamb? To use Rexy’s own words, he does the hardest thing in hockey!

Ok, someone needs to explain why Connor is the sacrificial lamb for cap flexibility? Would the team rather have Connor at 7 and let Ehlers go or someone else?

I think someone will have to move on for cap control to sign others but why is Connor always tossed out there as the lamb? To use Rexy’s own words, he does the hardest thing in hockey!
- CharlieDog

I think Rexy uses Connor because the anylitics clearly show Ehlers is Superior. We have to remember that Ehlers actually produces more with 55&26 than Connor but is used onother lines to help them. He doesn’t get the ice time or PP time that Connor does, if he did, he’d produce more than Connor. Ehlers contract is also excellent, and we won’t get Connor at that number.

Now, No one is saying they don’t like Connor or we have to trade Connor or Ehlers or Laine for that matter but paying 4 wingers over 6 million (wheeler, Laine, Ehlers, Connor ) is not a good use of your cap dollars and will leave you lacking at D and Center.

It’s hard to trade great young players but sometimes it’s necessary for a better overall team and cap management.

Staal is a perfect Lowry comparable. Defensively elite, drives play, generates no offence on his own
- Rexypoo

This is simply not true at all.

Staal creates a ton of offense, he just doesn't often finish much on his own.

But, since returning from his concussion, he has 24 points in 30 games.

Staal had more points in his first 3 seasons in the league than Lowry has in his first 5.

Peter Tessier: Laine and Connor- what comes next?
Is it better to bridge one player, both or go all in together on long term deals?
- Peter.Tessier

2 Year bridge for Laine please. It has been a nice, low risk, affordable options for Trouba and Morrissey. I would see him getting around 5.75M AAV.

Connor is an absolute stud. If you can lock him up 6-8 years at 6.75M AAV then do it! this kid will put up 30+ goals a year while being an elite skater/passer.

Then Chevy will have to decide about Trouba/Meyers. Could see him trading Trouba (maybe for prospect Eric Brannstrom of Ott), and signing a short term deal with Meyers, or potentially inking Trouba and letting Meyers walk.

Tanev is easily worth a 4-year 2.5M aav. He has been fantastic the past two seasons and blocks a ton of shots on the pk.

Not gonna happen, but..... Trade Little and Kulikov to Ott, and resign Hayes please.

you are making stuff up. I said he wasn't worth Little, Lowry a 1st and a prospect in a trade in 2017/18

That is a proposal for a player that failed to deliver in Colorado and Buffalo - he seems to have found a fit with the Blues. The scenario for the Colorado/Buffalo ROR (a 60 point player) is an overpayment. Little is a 50 point player for millions less, Lowry is a strong role player with some upside, 2020 pick has about a 35% chance of becoming a full time NHLer, Lemieux has an upside as a role player also.

For what it's worth ROR outscored Little by two points in the series and was a minus player, Little was a plus player.

Why undervalue our assets and covet every other solid player in the league? There is a fit in Wpg with Little and Lowry, ROR is an unknown. There are many more obvious players in the Wpg lineup that are more tradeable assets such as Trouba, Kulikov, Winger depth, prospects, draft picks. It doesn't make sense to be try to upgrade by giving away what is working on a risk with limited upside like ROR.
- 2.0

This is what you said!

Ok, someone needs to explain why Connor is the sacrificial lamb for cap flexibility? Would the team rather have Connor at 7 and let Ehlers go or someone else?

I think someone will have to move on for cap control to sign others but why is Connor always tossed out there as the lamb? To use Rexy’s own words, he does the hardest thing in hockey!
- CharlieDog

Because Connor is in line for a raise he isn’t worth, and is basically Laine-lite.

Connor probably will be worth 7 at his peak, but doesn’t do anything outside of his shooting ability at a top 6 level. You can argue the same for Laine, but Laine has the advantage of being the best shot in the world.

I’d prefer to keep Connor AND Laine AND Ehlers, obviously

This is simply not true at all.

Staal creates a ton of offense, he just doesn't often finish much on his own.

But, since returning from his concussion, he has 24 points in 30 games.

Staal had more points in his first 3 seasons in the league than Lowry has in his first 5.
- BINGO!

Has no finish, picks up points in the top 6, and has played way more with way better players than Lowry. You basically just reinforced everything I said

[quote=2.0]you are making stuff up. I said he wasn't worth Little, Lowry a 1st and a prospect in a trade in 2017/18

That is a proposal for a player that failed to deliver in Colorado and Buffalo - he seems to have found a fit with the Blues. The scenario for the Colorado/Buffalo ROR (a 60 point player) is an overpayment. Little is a 50 point player for millions less, Lowry is a strong role player with some upside, 2020 pick has about a 35% chance of becoming a full time NHLer, Lemieux has an upside as a role player also.

For what it's worth ROR outscored Little by two points in the series and was a minus player, Little was a plus player.

Why undervalue our assets and covet every other solid player in the league? There is a fit in Wpg with Little and Lowry, ROR is an unknown. There are many more obvious players in the Wpg lineup that are more tradeable assets such as Trouba, Kulikov, Winger depth, prospects, draft picks. It doesn't make sense to be try to upgrade by giving away what is working on a risk with limited upside like ROR.
- TheUltimateJet

This is what you said!

Looking to see where I said that ROR is a terrible hockey player.... nope.... nope.... and nope.

It says that the way ROR performed in Colorado&Buffalo when he seemed to have settled in to being a dependable two-way center that he wasn't worth trading Little, Lowry, a 1st round pick and Lemieux for.

The Blues took a gamble on him and so far it has worked out for them and for ROR. Presumably they could gamble because the pieces they had were not working out.
.
You are starting to show your colors as a hindsight and pipedream specialist. Dulusions about one trade creating a team by gutting what is in place, dreaming about the one that got away, when it really wasn't even near our boat.

Because Connor is in line for a raise he isn’t worth, and is basically Laine-lite.

Connor probably will be worth 7 at his peak, but doesn’t do anything outside of his shooting ability at a top 6 level. You can argue the same for Laine, but Laine has the advantage of being the best shot in the world.

I’d prefer to keep Connor AND Laine AND Ehlers, obviously
- Rexypoo

Connor and Laine play the same postition, score a lot of goals and are both young stars but comparisons end there.

The way they score goals is very different - Connor scores dirty goals in tight with quick hands, most of Laine's goals are shots from the circles. Connor is quick on the puck while Laine floats into open areas hoping to get the puck. Connor (with exception of round 1) battles harder for 50/50 pucks and creates more turnovers.

Laine has that shot. It's a little bit of Mike Bossy, Brett Hull, Ovechkin and Mats Sundin release. He has shown glimpses of physical play and a desire to be defensively responsible and team player. Frustrating to watch sometimes because you just know there is more under the hood, and then you remember he is only 20 and about 7 years from his career peak.

Connor has more game right now but most would bet on the upside of Laine to be that generational Jet.

Totally agree that you want to keep all three, but don't count on it.

Tough to compare Connor and Laine when it comes to goal scoring.....Connor works for his while Laine waits to be fed.
If the team spent as much time feeding Connor as they do Laine, Connor would have more goals.

2.0, If you consider getting rid of Lowry and Little as "gutting our team", than I am all for it! This team needs a new gut.

Tough to compare Connor and Laine when it comes to goal scoring.....Connor works for his while Laine waits to be fed.
If the team spent as much time feeding Connor as they do Laine, Connor would have more goals.
- bennythehat

I agree, the comparison is different. I am interested to see what both players off-season training regiment looks like. When Laine said a couple off-season's that he only spent a couple of days on the ice, that was concerning. Even Thorburn hired a skating coach to help him get faster.

Tough to compare Connor and Laine when it comes to goal scoring.....Connor works for his while Laine waits to be fed.
If the team spent as much time feeding Connor as they do Laine, Connor would have more goals.
- bennythehat

That is so true! Conner works his butt off - elite player - that is fun to watch and cheer for! Hopefully he is a Jet for years to come.
Hopefully they can also find room to re-sign Brandon Tanev - another gamer

William Karlsson would be an interesting free agent ?

I agree, the comparison is different. I am interested to see what both players off-season training regiment looks like. When Laine said a couple off-season's that he only spent a couple of days on the ice, that was concerning. Even Thorburn hired a skating coach to help him get faster.
- TheUltimateJet

See that is what I find annoying and selfish. Everyone works to improve, including Thorburn and Laine takes the summer off. Now, having said this, it has been said that he is dealing with a back issue. Whether that’s true or just an excuse, the fact is the NHL gets faster every year and players need to work for the incremental speed advantage.

Ok 2.0 and Ultimate, I am eating my previous words about Malkin as now EK is saying VCR is interested in him.

I just can’t see him wanting to come to Wpg and if he is that disgruntled, would he even be a good fit here? Anyways, yes he is talented and a winner but seemingly his attitude has eroded in Pittsburgh.

Those thinking Connor is superior to Ehlers,
Murat posted this,
Ehlers has more points 5v5 points per minute than Connor while playing less than half the time with 55&26.
Ehlers has better defensive zone and shot share stats
Ehlers doesn’t play top PP even though he is out most successful player at gaining the zone.

I am not knocking Connor, he’s great, just saying Ehlers is the better all around player and at 6 million will cost less for the next 6 years

Ok 2.0 and Ultimate, I am eating my previous words about Malkin as now EK is saying VCR is interested in him.

I just can’t see him wanting to come to Wpg and if he is that disgruntled, would he even be a good fit here? Anyways, yes he is talented and a winner but seemingly his attitude has eroded in Pittsburgh.
- CharlieDog

I think Malkin has at least 2 more 100 point seasons in him. I would love to see what a center like that can do with the plethora of elite wingers we have here.

As for the attitude question: I think it would probably have more to do with usage than anything else.