Nighthawk forgot diehard fans.

- WelfareWerewolf

Nope. I didn't want my category mentioned by myself 😂

I would guess both Markstrom and Toffoli will cost between 5-6 per year. Might be more for Toffoli depending on the interest league wide.

There is no way that Benning traded for Toffoli and didn't intend on resigning him.
- belcherbd

If you haven't noticed there is a pandemic that has changed things. When GMs were trading in Feb the NHL announced the cap was going up at least 3 mil. They have now taken that away. Bennings fault.

I just find it hilarious that we've criticized anybody that has ever played , coached or been GM before but all of a sudden Benning is off limits.
- golfingsince

He’s not off limits. He has 2 groups with polarizing opinions. The problem is does either side bend or keep on sticking to their guns. Detractors don’t budge often & are revisionist. My side tends to be more devils advocate & less harsh.

Only for some, everyone and everything is open for criticism when you've been a failed franchise for 51 years. Benning is a part of that history just like every manager before him.
- Pacificgem

Somebody has to keep the Leafs company.

If cups are the only measuring stick who would support any team? Bandwagoners your cue to chime in. Lumping a GM or current players into 51yrs of history is convenient. What about their achievements elsewhere? Criticism is all good but needs to be tempered with other stuff.

There's been some great things happen for the franchise, including in the Benning era, but they've never won....so the floor is open to voice displeasure.
- Pacificgem

👍

YEah, avoiding the scrutiny was the reason.
- golfingsince

You like my dry wittyness? Lol

OMG....I'm surprised his brain remembers to take a breath every few seconds.
- Pacificgem

Born with auto-pilot. Jealous? 😂

If you haven't noticed there is a pandemic that has changed things. When GMs were trading in Feb the NHL announced the cap was going up at least 3 mil. They have now taken that away. Bennings fault.
- VANTEL

I knew this would become a crutch. I mentioned it the other day.

I knew this would become a crutch. I mentioned it the other day.
- golfingsince

I knew this would become a crutch. I mentioned it the other day.
- golfingsince

You win here's your prize.

Hypothesising like everyone else in here. Do you have a problem with that?
- Marwood

A problem with you being an idiot? Not at all

I knew this would become a crutch. I mentioned it the other day.
- golfingsince

That crutch imo can mean we can sign Marky TT & Tanev for 15m or less if we go that route.

- Marwood

I would think if anyone would know about the pandemic affecting things it would be you

He’s not off limits. He has 2 groups with polarizing opinions. The problem is does either side bend or keep on sticking to their guns. Detractors don’t budge often & are revisionist. My side tends to be more devils advocate & less harsh.
- Nighthawk

He's just a GM that has done some good and bad. Even Vantel (as one of his best fluffers) was on a spree for awhile about firing maybe 18 months ago?

Say we lose the play-in this year and fail to make the playoffs the following season, will it be enough to warrant change?

If he goes on a streak of being a playoff team and eventually challenging for a cup criticism will die down. I don't think they'll become that team though if he keeps handing out bad FA deals.

A problem with you being an idiot? Not at all
- Brooks_Light

Heh its not often we get a hockey banter from him. I’ll give him a pass. He’s trying lol

Only for some, everyone and everything is open for criticism when you've been a failed franchise for 51 years. Benning is a part of that history just like every manager before him.
- Pacificgem

Heh its not often we get a hockey banter from him. I’ll give him a pass. He’s trying lol
- Nighthawk

I didn't know doing this and this was hockey banter but hey.

He's just a GM that has done some good and bad. Even Vantel (as one of his best fluffers) was on a spree for awhile about firing maybe 18 months ago?

Say we lose the play-in this year and fail to make the playoffs the following season, will it be enough to warrant change?

If he goes on a streak of being a playoff team and eventually challenging for a cup criticism will die down. I don't think they'll become that team though if he keeps handing out bad FA deals.
- golfingsince

Yes

Yes

There is reason for optimism. UFA deals are less important now & let’s hope he learns.

I didn't know doing this and this was hockey banter but hey.
- VANTEL

Baby steps is a good sign if it leads to walking lol

Sports Net update on game times.

"Games in Toronto will take place at 12 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET. Games in Edmonton for the Western Conference will take place at 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET."

So in Canuck land we can watch from 9am; 11:am; 1:pm; 3:30pm; 5pm; and 7:30pm

Its a buffet of hockey from breakfast to dinner ending with bedtime desert.

If you haven't noticed there is a pandemic that has changed things. When GMs were trading in Feb the NHL announced the cap was going up at least 3 mil. They have now taken that away. Bennings fault.
- VANTEL

I don't care about whose fault it is. If the cap is flat or goes up by 3M, there still remains the same proportion available to each team. As many have speculated, guys are going to take less this offseason.

He's just a GM that has done some good and bad. Even Vantel (as one of his best fluffers) was on a spree for awhile about firing maybe 18 months ago?

Say we lose the play-in this year and fail to make the playoffs the following season, will it be enough to warrant change?

If he goes on a streak of being a playoff team and eventually challenging for a cup criticism will die down. I don't think they'll become that team though if he keeps handing out bad FA deals.
- golfingsince

Agree. He has some good things, he has some bad things.

I think he's on a shorter leash – Aqua is very weary of public opinion, and wants to be in the playoffs. If Benning keeps winning, he'll be good. But it can change fast.

The big thing I think Benning has going for him is his drafting is finally catching up to him. He doesn't have the need to be passing out multiple FA deals anymore as his young guys are starting to push their way onto the roster. They're forcing him to get rid of those deals, rather than bring in new FA guys to float the team.

Agree. He has some good things, he has some bad things.

I think he's on a shorter leash – Aqua is very weary of public opinion, and wants to be in the playoffs. If Benning keeps winning, he'll be good. But it can change fast.

The big thing I think Benning has going for him is his drafting is finally catching up to him. He doesn't have the need to be passing out multiple FA deals anymore as his young guys are starting to push their way onto the roster. They're forcing him to get rid of those deals, rather than bring in new FA guys to float the team.
- NewYorkNuck

Sort of. I mean he still brought in Ferland, Benn, Myers and traded for 2 more players. I agree the roster is getting better and deeper however.

Qualifier round schedule...

https://mobile.twitter.co...81727783320711168/photo/1