There is more to the game than goals, he plays an important role, really, really well. He was missed during his injury, and team losses were a result of him not being there.
- Makita

I think your love for one of our worst players is cute, but he’s still one of our worst players and his contributions are pretty negligible to their overall success.

Beagle Motte & Schaller average about 7 minutes of even strength ice so the other guys can get some rest and our PK is average at best.

There is more to the game than goals, he plays an important role, really, really well. He was missed during his injury, and team losses were a result of him not being there.
- Makita

Finally a solid call from the ref!

Depends on what Francis is after. Another factor you have to look at, and something Vegas did very well, is expiring contracts the following year after the draft. This is what gave them the cap flexibility to sign the players they have and remain competitive after year 1. In that case, and I'm sure this will cause some guffawing, you might take Eriksson and eat his contract for a year to have the 6 mil for the next to sign a big ticket free agent the following one.

If I recall correctly Sbisa was such a player for Vegas. A serviceable body for a year and free cap space for the next. In my mind it turned out to be a really good strategy for Poile. That's with hindsight, but you have to think Francis is following along like the rest of us.
- Load Management

It's a good point, but if Demko continues progressing I think his potential would be too much to turn down.

That said, if they follow what you're suggesting, Roussel could easily be the one gone, or they could take Lind/Rafferty as they will likely be at or close to NHL caliber on cheap deals, with RFA years still left.

I think your love for one of our worst players is cute, but he’s still one of our worst players and his contributions are pretty negligible to their overall success.
- LeftCoaster

The guy plays solid low event hockey. He's only a -6 despite playing mostly in the D zone, and while putting up almost no points. 60% in faceoffs, and he has only 5 giveaways in the entire year thus far.

The guy plays solid low event hockey. He's only a -6 despite playing mostly in the D zone, and while putting up almost no points. 60% in faceoffs, and he has only 5 giveaways in the entire year thus far.
- NorthNuck

He’s easily replaceable.

I think your love for one of our worst players is cute, but he’s still one of our worst players and his contributions are pretty negligible to their overall success.

Beagle Motte & Schaller average about 7 minutes of even strength ice so the other guys can get some rest and our PK is average at best.
- LeftCoaster

And I think your hate for one of the best defensive 4th liners in the game is cuter. I see you also like to exaggerate to make a point, in 33 games so far this year Beagle averages 12:35 TOI, 9:15 EV/shifts per game and only 3:15 shorthanded time per game.

But if you make stuff up enough there will be lemmings that will follow you, regardless of the facts...

He’s easily replaceable.
- LeftCoaster

never quit being you, BTW Hart sucks, Markstrom > Hart, by a country mile.

It's a good point, but if Demko continues progressing I think his potential would be too much to turn down.

That said, if they follow what you're suggesting, Roussel could easily be the one gone, or they could take Lind/Rafferty as they will likely be at or close to NHL caliber on cheap deals, with RFA years still left.
- NorthNuck

Yes, lots of crazy variables. Lots of time to think about them. I just think there's a natural bottleneck at the Goaltending position in the NHL that Francis puts a premium on other positions rather than taking an unproven number one goalie. There will be proven vets and plenty of youngish solid back-ups to choose from.

A point you've kinda made in your 2nd paragraph, along with others, is that we should have enough solid assets to sway that decision. Which is why I don't think we lose him unless we want to.

Yes, lots of crazy variables. Lots of time to think about them. I just think there's a natural bottleneck at the Goaltending position in the NHL that Francis puts a premium on other positions rather than taking an unproven number one goalie. There will be proven vets and plenty of youngish solid back-ups to choose from.

A point you've kinda made in your 2nd paragraph, along with others, is that we should have enough solid assets to sway that decision. Which is why I don't think we lose him unless we want to.
- Load Management

Fair enough, I think we agree on that point. Whatever JB wants the hit at expansion to be, he should be able to give up an asset or 2 to make that call.

Hell I wouldn't be opposed to giving something up to have them take Loui so we can use the extra cap space that summer.

Fair enough, I think we agree on that point. Whatever JB wants the hit at expansion to be, he should be able to give up an asset or 2 to make that call.

Hell I wouldn't be opposed to giving something up to have them take Loui so we can use the extra cap space that summer.
- NorthNuck

A man can dream.

I'm out for now. Thanks for taking the time to have this discussion. I enjoyed it.

And I think your hate for one of the best defensive 4th liners in the game is cuter. I see you also like to exaggerate to make a point, in 33 games so far this year Beagle averages 12:35 TOI, 9:15 EV/shifts per game and only 3:15 shorthanded time per game.

But if you make stuff up enough there will be lemmings that will follow you, regardless of the facts...
- Makita

Ha - I just pulled that out of my hat as that’s what he played last game. Truth be told we don’t have much to complain about but I know it bothers some of you, you in particular, so I jump on Beagles case because I know he’s just your average fourth line center who’s a really good face off guy.

never quit being you, BTW Hart sucks, Markstrom > Hart, by a country mile.
- Makita

Hart is 21, a starting goaltender, has a winning record on a playoff team.

Markstrom is 30 and about to get paid handsomely for having a couple good seasons and finally becoming a starter...never stop being you

Hart is 21, a starting goaltender, has a winning record on a playoff team.

Markstrom is 30 and about to get paid handsomely for having a couple good seasons and finally becoming a starter...never stop being you
- LeftCoaster

Hart is 21, a starting goaltender, has a winning record on a playoff team.

Markstrom is 30 and about to get paid handsomely for having a couple good seasons and finally becoming a starter...never stop being you
- LeftCoaster

who wants to tell him?

who wants to tell him?
- Codes1087

I was going to but then I realized I'd prefer to just let it sit for a while

Hart is 21, a starting goaltender, has a winning record on a playoff team.

Markstrom is 30 and about to get paid handsomely for having a couple good seasons and finally becoming a starter...never stop being you
- LeftCoaster

This is for you..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdAFmtq-o8

- NorthNuck

ok I may have been stretching it a bit there, they’ve been stinkin it up lately on their big road trip, but I’m sure they’ll be a bubble team with such great coaching and leadership

Greetings, gang...

Comin' at you from a place of some disappointment as my rock-solid goaltending has started to show some cracks in ye hold hockey pool.

Hopefully this week'll be better — and Kuemper gets healthy soon!

Meanwhile - here's the new blog:

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...game-road-trip/194/103601

6 might be a bit low. Holtby looks to be the closest comparable in terms of age, and he is in the last year of his deal and is making 6.1 and that's with a cup.
- 93Nucks

I’m close. It’s term where it gets tough.

Depends on what Francis is after. Another factor you have to look at, and something Vegas did very well, is expiring contracts the following year after the draft. This is what gave them the cap flexibility to sign the players they have and remain competitive after year 1. In that case, and I'm sure this will cause some guffawing, you might take Eriksson and eat his contract for a year to have the 6 mil for the next to sign a big ticket free agent the following one.

If I recall correctly Sbisa was such a player for Vegas. A serviceable body for a year and free cap space for the next. In my mind it turned out to be a really good strategy for Poile. That's with hindsight, but you have to think Francis is following along like the rest of us.
- Load Management

Very good points Sir. Closer to the e-draft I’ll put that to the test on my predictions.

I think your love for one of our worst players is cute, but he’s still one of our worst players and his contributions are pretty negligible to their overall success.

Beagle Motte & Schaller average about 7 minutes of even strength ice so the other guys can get some rest and our PK is average at best.
- LeftCoaster

Motte gives great minutes of hard work for value.

He’s easily replaceable.
- LeftCoaster

Agree only when prospects on the cheap can take the next step to do so. Eg a Madden. Otherwise I side with Makita.

And I think your hate for one of the best defensive 4th liners in the game is cuter. I see you also like to exaggerate to make a point, in 33 games so far this year Beagle averages 12:35 TOI, 9:15 EV/shifts per game and only 3:15 shorthanded time per game.

But if you make stuff up enough there will be lemmings that will follow you, regardless of the facts...
- Makita

Nice trap set 😂👍

Hart is 21, a starting goaltender, has a winning record on a playoff team.

Markstrom is 30 and about to get paid handsomely for having a couple good seasons and finally becoming a starter...never stop being you
- LeftCoaster

You conveniently forget the load is catching up to him & Philly has been desperate in goal forever.

Motte gives great minutes of hard work for value.
- Nighthawk

Beagle's term/contract cloud the judgement of many on here when it comes to his actual value for the club.