I am not a Ghost fan and have been critical of him especially last season. Admittedly, I have not seen a lot of Hamilton over his career. I'm worried about his trade history. How does such a talented young RHD keep getting dealt? That play he had in the playoffs where he avoided contact was bad. Some real "Ghost-like poop."

Hamilton gets a ton of shots and has good skill and great size. We now have a few good sized dmen (at least one on each pair depending if Morin breaks into line-up). Wouldn't it make sense to keep Ghost, who has top PP qb potential when he is on his game, over a guy who has been traded 3 times in 5-6 years? Would Dougie automatically slot into our top 4?

I assume we believe he would and he is an upgrade for our unit.
- cdearth23

He asked for a trade. And then he got dealt so a coach could bring his guys over from his last team. It's not like teams are sour on him and he's getting passed around the league.

He asked for a trade. And then he got dealt so a coach could bring his guys over from his last team. It's not like teams are sour on him and he's getting passed around the league.
- hereticpride

Logical insight will not be tolerated!

This is Bill's subtle way to quiet the G hate. Very eye-opening. He is an elite player.

Watching the playoffs there are a few obvious things we lacked this season;

Overall team D. Starts with quality goaltending, strong d corps, and forwards that understand their assignments.

Quality breakouts. Probably the most frustrating aspect of our play this season (IMO) was our inability to clear our own zone. Some games this season it felt like our blue line was elevated and we couldn't carry the puck over the line. "Like the sorry son-of-a-female dog that just tripped over the blue line?" Or we would be skating the puck out and we would send a pass back into our zone. These playoff teams- forwards battle along the boards to clear the puck out of their own zone. Usually one or two crisp passes and they are out of the zone and in transition...

Scoring depth- Top line won't score every game during playoffs. You need that depth scoring. I don't think we are that far off.

Veteran depth- 3rd and 4th lines that have veteran presence. Strong PKers and know what it means to play meaningful hockey. I love the bottom 6 for NYI and CBJ. Carolina has some vets as well. I don't think you can over look this aspect. I haven't gone over the rosters of the past few Cup winners, but I'm sure the bottom 6 had a vet presence who were contributors.

Logical insight will not be tolerated!
- ClaudeFather

Ha! Great insight. I have not followed Hamilton that closely. Glad to hear there is a reason behind the moves.

I'm learning more about him from all of the posts. All good insight.

He asked for a trade. And then he got dealt so a coach could bring his guys over from his last team. It's not like teams are sour on him and he's getting passed around the league.
- hereticpride

My problem with Nylander isn’t his play or the money he’s making (even though Nylander is coming off a bad season). It’s the Irrational greed he’s shown to get where he is right now. He sat out three years into his career, before fully developing. He never proved to be a six million dollar player. Not yet. I worry that if pick him up, we’ll have to deal with that sort of greed one day and he’ll cost even more. Will he be an 8 or 9 million dollar player before he turns 29?

From the sounds of it, Marner is gonna pull the same thing as Nylander just did.
- SuperSchennBros

It isnt irrational greed. Players are expecting another lockout. Everyone is looking for front loaded contracts with large signing bonuses. Tavares was no different. A guy like Kucherov even backed Nylander's decision and regretted not doing the same

Take off your fan glasses. This isn’t even close. Hamilton is solid in every phase of the game. He’s been very consistent over the past 5 years. Ghost gets most of his points on the Pp and is a total liability on defense
- Djapana

for real i take hamilton every day

It isnt irrational greed. Players are expecting another lockout. Everyone is looking for front loaded contracts with large signing bonuses. Tavares was no different. A guy like Kucherov even backed Nylander's decision and regretted not doing the same
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Kucherov is out after the first round at probably Tampa’s last best chance to make a run on a stacked line up. Good luck keeping Brayden Point or any other valuable player and still being that awesome. I’m not sure if Kucherov is an accountant or not, I’m not even sure if he cares if his teammates get paid but either way you wanna win or you don’t.

If we ever lose Provorov, Hart, Sanheim, Patrick or Konecny in their collective primes for Frost who might be unproven, I’ll be upset.

what do we think of Shattenkirk?

at half salary

what do we think of Shattenkirk?

at half salary
- wcorvette

No, no, and no. He was sheltered by Petrangiello for the longest time and his tenure in NY has been dreadful.

No, no, and no. He was sheltered by Petrangiello for the longest time and his tenure in NY has been dreadful.
- ClaudeFather

Spot on. He has been brutal. Shockingly bad. That being said, someone may take him at half salary

Spot on. He has been brutal. Shockingly bad. That being said, someone may take him at half salary
- nyrangers2

His run with the caps was dreadful as well lol. Yea, at half someone could use a PP qb.

what do we think of Shattenkirk?

at half salary
- wcorvette

At any salary I don't think he's a fit with the d men we already have.

I will not be shocked if the Flyers talk to Tyler Myers. Not the flashy name you guys will get excited over but I think he fits what the team needs on the back end. Could see the market getting kind of nuts for him though. Money has to be right or I lose all interest.

Sooo,

What do we offer for Trouba? And then what do we pay him?

https://www.nhltraderumor...YMs#.XMtVc_rkll0.facebook

It isnt irrational greed. Players are expecting another lockout. Everyone is looking for front loaded contracts with large signing bonuses. Tavares was no different. A guy like Kucherov even backed Nylander's decision and regretted not doing the same
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I really friggin hope not!!

I really friggin hope not!!
- hockeylover

At this point I think it is inevitable. Salary structures are fast getting out of control. Pretty soon we will have teams with 5 or 6 guys making 80% of the money and the rest of the team making 6 figures.

At this point I think it is inevitable. Salary structures are fast getting out of control. Pretty soon we will have teams with 5 or 6 guys making 80% of the money and the rest of the team making 6 figures.
- MBFlyerfan

The biggest issue right now is every guy making big bucks off their ELC, no bridges.

The biggest issue right now is every guy making big bucks off their ELC, no bridges.
- ClaudeFather

It's good. Eliminate the ELC.

At this point I think it is inevitable. Salary structures are fast getting out of control. Pretty soon we will have teams with 5 or 6 guys making 80% of the money and the rest of the team making 6 figures.
- MBFlyerfan

I’ve always read on this board respecting and loving the GM’s that play hard ball with players as they negotiate new deals. All of a sudden, a young player gets handed a deal that they may not deserve and the same guy says “good for you for getting the most you can”. This is only said when it’s a player on another team. If that guy plays here and he’s under preforming, everything changes. That’s when the deal is horrible.

It's good. Eliminate the ELC.
- BINGO!

Eliminate the cap

The underlying issue imo is that the league has too many weak markets and/or cheap owners. Address that and the cap ceiling can proceed to rise at a healthy rate and the market will likely correct itself.

Unfortunately we know this won't happen because the NHL likes to focus on expanding more than actually doing what's best for the league.

what do we think of Shattenkirk?

at half salary
- wcorvette

If you can get a 1st rd pick with him say at 25% retention for not much going back Not the worst idea.

Shattenkirk and 1st

For

4th and Andy mac ( who the rangers then buy out)

If you can get a 1st rd pick with him say at 25% retention for not much going back Not the worst idea.

Shattenkirk and 1st

For

4th and Andy mac ( who the rangers then buy out)
- daryl stanley

Jeez why don't you just ask for them to throw the 2nd overall pick too?

Jeez why don't you just ask for them to throw the 2nd overall pick too?
- hereticpride

Well apparently they want to move him really bad. Find out how bad. They have 2 or 3 first and want cap space

Eliminate the cap

The underlying issue imo is that the league has too many weak markets and/or cheap owners. Address that and the cap ceiling can proceed to rise at a healthy rate and the market will likely correct itself.

Unfortunately we know this won't happen because the NHL likes to focus on expanding more than actually doing what's best for the league.
- hereticpride

Expansion is good for the league.

The underlying issue is that General Managers are not punished for their incompetence the way they should be.


Keep the hard cap.

Eliminate entry level contracts and the draft.

Raise the minimum age to 19.

Watch all hell break loose.

Well apparently they want to move him really bad. Find out how bad. They have 2 or 3 first and want cap space
- daryl stanley

If a player is so bad that a team is willing to deal a 1st to move him, eat salary on him AND take on AMac's buyout penalty then why should we have any interest in him?

I'm sorry that's an insane ask. Turn the tables on the deal. Would you give that up/take on all that just to rid yourself of a contract?