I was thinking the same. Brutal back to back losses. Although I doubt he was staying anyway.
- Queenie_5_hole

Apparently Hall's camp reached out to start negotiates during the play-in round, so confidence was there recently. But based on that Yotes team they aren't ever going to compete with a Colorado type team. Tough spot to be put in.

You think Holtz could be a decent bust candidate? Your greatest ability is scoring, and you have 9 goals in 35 games? also 5 goals in 17g for Sweden U20. In 2018-19 he managed 30g in 38 games, so there's that. Other players have speed, playmaking ability, smarts.. Holtz scores, but last year I'm not seeing all that many goals. If he doesn't produce, what else can he bring? My nightmare is Brian Rolston's 2nd stint in Jersey.. not fast, heavy shot, but meh production.
- MartysBetter88

Theres always Ryder Rolston...his kid projected 4th or 5th round but weighs in at only 150...yeesh Brian feed that kid some lasagna quick!

Apparently Hall's camp reached out to start negotiates during the play-in round, so confidence was there recently. But based on that Yotes team they aren't ever going to compete with a Colorado type team. Tough spot to be put in.
- Pomegrant

No one got (frank)ed over more by the flat cap than hall. He wanted money+term+a competitive team. He'll be lucky to get two of those now. What a waste of a career if he signs long term in Arizona though.

No one got (frank)ed over more by the flat cap than hall. He wanted money+term+a competitive team. He'll be lucky to get two of those now. What a waste of a career if he signs long term in Arizona though.
- rmdevil313

Montreal isn't going to be a powerhouse, but they have a lot of cap and can afford to give him that big contract. Plus they have a lot of solid young players to build around. I think it's the best fit for him.

Montreal isn't going to be a powerhouse, but they have a lot of cap and can afford to give him that big contract. Plus they have a lot of solid young players to build around. I think it's the best fit for him.
- Pomegrant

Yeah, at least they should be a consistent playoff team for a while, Suzuki has really impressed me the past few weeks as well. That might be his best option unless he's willing to take a short term deal from Colorado.

Yeah, at least they should be a consistent playoff team for a while, Suzuki has really impressed me the past few weeks as well. That might be his best option unless he's willing to take a short term deal from Colorado.
- rmdevil313

Seeing how screwed up the seasons are going to be for a long time and the uncertainty, it makes sense to just take the big guaranteed contract from Montreal though.

Kotkaniemi, Suzuki, Domi. Add in Hall, maybe Drouin can bounce back not having to be the 'guy' on offense and you're looking like a real solid top 6. Price is showing that if he gets proper rest he is still a top 3 goalie in the league, so they need to sure up the backup. I think they are a fun team moving forward and have made some nice trades too.

Seeing how screwed up the seasons are going to be for a long time and the uncertainty, it makes sense to just take the big guaranteed contract from Montreal though.

Kotkaniemi, Suzuki, Domi. Add in Hall, maybe Drouin can bounce back not having to be the 'guy' on offense and you're looking like a real solid top 6. Price is showing that if he gets proper rest he is still a top 3 goalie in the league, so they need to sure up the backup. I think they are a fun team moving forward and have made some nice trades too.
- Pomegrant

There are two types of teams in this league. The Habs and the Hab-nots!

There are two types of teams in this league. The Habs and the Hab-nots!
- Queenie_5_hole

lol nice

i was just looking at the career of Chris Chelios. .. and you should too. Guy was drafted in 1981... retired in .. in 2010!! what?

He only managed 28 games.. as a 47yr old, and then just 7 games in his last season. I wonder what happened.. if it was healthy scratches or injury. Guy was unbelievable!

I remember him being a real doucher to play against.. and the penalty minutes don't lie lol. But to be so effective, for so so long. He played about twice the career of most players in the league!
He had his prime between rookie-28 in MTL.. winning some cups with Roy. Then was the captain for Chicago from ages 29-37. And then what? time to retire? NOPE- we're gona win some more cups with Detroit... between the ages of 37.. and 47!!! A whole nother decade of hockey. And he played 21-25 mins a game in Detroit until they dialed it down to 18 at age 44. wild.
To start your NHL career in 1983.. to play in that era.. then the "dead puck era" of the mid-late 90s.. then 3 full seasons AFTER the lockout, between ages 44 and 46 lol.. that's just nuts. what a life!
27 seasons
then there's the Jagr. . same deal. 27 seasons. Between ages 18 and 45. Chelios was 22-48. And we know Jagr wasted 3 years overseas. .but at least it wasn't his prime, though he was still capable of 71pts the year before he left, at age 35.. only to come back at 39 with Philly and put up 54pts in 73 games. Guy put up 67pts in NJ when he was 41. Hard to believe that was 6 years ago already. 66pts in 79 games for Florida at 43yrs old.

i was just looking at the career of Chris Chelios. .. and you should too. Guy was drafted in 1981... retired in .. in 2010!! what?

He only managed 28 games.. as a 47yr old, and then just 7 games in his last season. I wonder what happened.. if it was healthy scratches or injury. Guy was unbelievable!

I remember him being a real doucher to play against.. and the penalty minutes don't lie lol. But to be so effective, for so so long. He played about twice the career of most players in the league!
He had his prime between rookie-28 in MTL.. winning some cups with Roy. Then was the captain for Chicago from ages 29-37. And then what? time to retire? NOPE- we're gona win some more cups with Detroit... between the ages of 37.. and 47!!! A whole nother decade of hockey. And he played 21-25 mins a game in Detroit until they dialed it down to 18 at age 44. wild.
To start your NHL career in 1983.. to play in that era.. then the "dead puck era" of the mid-late 90s.. then 3 full seasons AFTER the lockout, between ages 44 and 46 lol.. that's just nuts. what a life!
27 seasons
then there's the Jagr. . same deal. 27 seasons. Between ages 18 and 45. Chelios was 22-48. And we know Jagr wasted 3 years overseas. .but at least it wasn't his prime, though he was still capable of 71pts the year before he left, at age 35.. only to come back at 39 with Philly and put up 54pts in 73 games. Guy put up 67pts in NJ when he was 41. Hard to believe that was 6 years ago already. 66pts in 79 games for Florida at 43yrs old.
- MartysBetter88

Listen to his interview on spittin chiclets

I was thinking the same. Brutal back to back losses. Although I doubt he was staying anyway.
- Queenie_5_hole

Not to mention the insulting offer he received from Chyka, assuming those sources were remotely accurate. The only city with real cap space that could potentially offer the kid more is the Kings, and I honestly believe the Devs will be a much better option going forward. Lets hope the Yotes devalued him enough that he will consider 6 years at 8.5M AAV........ It would be a bargain compared to the extension speculations he was facing 6 months ago.

Seeing how screwed up the seasons are going to be for a long time and the uncertainty, it makes sense to just take the big guaranteed contract from Montreal though.

Kotkaniemi, Suzuki, Domi. Add in Hall, maybe Drouin can bounce back not having to be the 'guy' on offense and you're looking like a real solid top 6. Price is showing that if he gets proper rest he is still a top 3 goalie in the league, so they need to sure up the backup. I think they are a fun team moving forward and have made some nice trades too.
- Pomegrant

Tom Wilson could cripple that top 6 five minutes into game one. Those boys are 5'8" and 150lbs soaking wet. I don't consider that a dangerous top 6, especially with there weakness down the middle. Young talent for sure, but I doubt that tickles Hall in their direction

Tom Wilson could cripple that top 6 five minutes into game one. Those boys are 5'8" and 150lbs soaking wet. I don't consider that a dangerous top 6, especially with there weakness down the middle. Young talent for sure, but I doubt that tickles Hall in their direction
- bikeguy99

Yeah, Tom Wilson is doing a great job checking his way to goals in this series against the Islanders so I don't think that matters nearly as much as you do.

Yeah, Tom Wilson is doing a great job checking his way to goals in this series against the Islanders so I don't think that matters nearly as much as you do.
- Pomegrant

None of the caps were effective in this series. Wilson is a highly valuable piece, as is OV, Backstrom, Oshie, Vrana, Carlson etc. Lets not forget past series. They all were dead weight in this tournament.
Its hard to evaluate on what to do with them with this unique 4 months off then bubble situation. Do you can the coach? let Holtby go? Which of Gudas/Dillon do you bring back? Both? Trotz is amazing.. And I feel bad for Caps fans.

Yeah, Tom Wilson is doing a great job checking his way to goals in this series against the Islanders so I don't think that matters nearly as much as you do.
- Pomegrant

Isles owned them. They also have some core players that can survive going into the corners against the big boys. My only chirp was that the MTL "core" is a very soft core (of forwards, certainly not Weber) that I would not want playing against a physical team in a best of 7. Suzuki/Domi/Koktiniemi/Druin/Lehkonen certainly doesn't seem like a group that can battle at this point in their development. Props to them for upsetting the play-in round, and they are giving Philly a serious challenge. I just don't think they are legitimate contenders. If it comes down to speed and skill, with no physicality involved, I think Toronto still has them beat. Regardless, debating MTL's core is probably irrelevant on this thread. They wouldn't even be in the playoffs if it weren't for these circumstances, and will likely find themselves on the outside next season.

None of the caps were effective in this series. Wilson is a highly valuable piece, as is OV, Backstrom, Oshie, Vrana, Carlson etc. Lets not forget past series. They all were dead weight in this tournament.
Its hard to evaluate on what to do with them with this unique 4 months off then bubble situation. Do you can the coach? let Holtby go? Which of Gudas/Dillon do you bring back? Both? Trotz is amazing.. And I feel bad for Caps fans.
- MartysBetter88

Trotz is amazing. Wherever he has coached he has outproduced most predicted point totals. Players love him, and the guy gets results. Fun fact. If you trace back all the lost picks resulting from the Kovalchuk dilemma, the only one that has become a solid NHL'er is Vrana. Not saying we would have drafted him, but we were slotted for the pick where Vrana was taken.

Isles owned them. They also have some core players that can survive going into the corners against the big boys. My only chirp was that the MTL "core" is a very soft core (of forwards, certainly not Weber) that I would not want playing against a physical team in a best of 7. Suzuki/Domi/Koktiniemi/Druin/Lehkonen certainly doesn't seem like a group that can battle at this point in their development. Props to them for upsetting the play-in round, and they are giving Philly a serious challenge. I just don't think they are legitimate contenders. If it comes down to speed and skill, with no physicality involved, I think Toronto still has them beat. Regardless, debating MTL's core is probably irrelevant on this thread. They wouldn't even be in the playoffs if it weren't for these circumstances, and will likely find themselves on the outside next season.
- bikeguy99

You need a little Jam or you're just toast in this league.

I'd be happy to pick up Brendan Lemieux if the Rangers don't resign him.

You need a little Jam or you're just toast in this league.

I'd be happy to pick up Brendan Lemieux if the Rangers don't resign him.
- Queenie_5_hole

I wish they had drafted him

The Vancouver pick might end up 31st overall. They played a great game.

The Vancouver pick might end up 31st overall. They played a great game.
- Queenie_5_hole

Don't think theyre beating Vegas. The blues were just flat out bad. The knights/avs look like the class of the West. The pick will be locked to 20 most likely.

Don't think theyre beating Vegas. The blues were just flat out bad. The knights/avs look like the class of the West. The pick will be locked to 20 most likely.
- vlongo4419

I would be really surprised if they didn't get steamrolled by Vegas.

I would be really surprised if they didn't get steamrolled by Vegas.
- Pomegrant

Agreed. I think Vegas takes it in 5, maybe 6 if Markstrom is lights out

We can't forget St. Louis was without Tarasenko, Steen, Bozak, Brouwer for most of the series. All of those guys are incredibly valuable players. I have no question they'd have 1 less loss out of the 4 if even half of those 4 were in the lineup. I think there was a 5th guy out too but the player escapes me. I know Vancouver was without Myers and Toffoli, but those 2 guys aren't Tarasenko lol, and they're half the amount of players missing.

Vancouver DID play well though. They showed the same speed, crisp passes, and adjustments as they did against the Nashville Devils. BUT.. they have a different beast coming for them with Vegas. Vegas is MUCH healthier than St. Louis, and has more speed to go with the size. This should be a fun series. I was really pulling for "GLORIA" and for Allen to maybe be the guy that leads them to another Cup, but it wasn't meant to be.

Hope they can bring back Pietrangelo. It was a mistake the day I saw it and it remains a mistake now giving FAULK 6.5mil for several years. 2 years younger than Pietraneglo and half the player/leader. Steen is 36 this yr and will be a UFA after next season, making 5.75. Schwartz is also a UFA after next season at 5.35, but he's 28 and maybe they'd rather keep him. Bozak also a UFA. RFAs after next season include Sanford, Barbashev, Thomas, Kyrou, and both goalies will be UFAs. You'll save money losing one of the goalies, one of the Steen/Schwartz (if not both). But for next season, to fit Pietrangelo.. best to just do some trades now. I'd rather keep my captain, and best dman.. and roll with Pietrangelo, Parayko, Scandella, Faulk, Dunn (RFA), Bortuzzo, Gunnarsson as my top 7 until Gunnarsson is UFA in 21-22 and Bortuzzo 22-23.
You have O'Reilly, Schenn, Tarasenko locked up for 3+ more seasons. Make the most of that, plus Parayko, Scandella Faulk in their primes.. and Pietrangelo too, if you so choose.
I just feel like they signed Faulk to be Pietrangelo's replacement, and that's just shortsighted and stupid, unless they knew he wanted to test the market.

So who you rooting for in the Dallas/Avs series? Think Avs sweep them? I can't imagine more than 5 games.
Vegas in 6 over Vancouver

Islanders will handle Philly in 7.
I want to believe Tampa's depth and goaltending will get them past Boston in 6 or 7, but Boston could "Boston" and win it in 6 or 7.

I'm rooting for a Vegas-Tampa final. I want Stamkos to play in 2 of the series to get there and to finally get his Cup while he can still play.

So who you rooting for in the Dallas/Avs series? Think Avs sweep them? I can't imagine more than 5 games.
Vegas in 6 over Vancouver

Islanders will handle Philly in 7.
I want to believe Tampa's depth and goaltending will get them past Boston in 6 or 7, but Boston could "Boston" and win it in 6 or 7.

I'm rooting for a Vegas-Tampa final. I want Stamkos to play in 2 of the series to get there and to finally get his Cup while he can still play.
- MartysBetter88

I want the best pick but I also want to see Vancouver knock DeBoer out.