"Omg guys, just get behind the net, make a pass between the skates of 3 different players for the golden goal opportunity, IT'S EASY!"
- Scabeh

Frank you, Scabby.

Frank you hard.

What I'm about to do has nothing to do with managing the salary cap.

But being a "good" boss that sees things from the player's (employee) perspective usually pays off down the road.

That might be how you create a culture based on respect where a player might accept less eventually to stick around.

Of course, there's no guarantee but.... it's just a thought.
- Scabeh

Absolutely - that's the feeling I get as well. Basically a happy employee is a good employee type of mantra.

There's lots of people who want to argue that Matthews or Marner aren't overpaid, but based on comparables and what the rest of the league was getting - neither one came out of those negotiations feeling disrespected that's for sure.

Unfortunately, I think a lot people exist largely in a "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" state. When the happy employee is asked to take a paycut when they can just stroll next door and make more - they have just been disrespected - and that's what you've done for them lately. We'll see when they're up for renewal where that goes.

Same reason Gretzky was such a good coach
- TheMussel

Gretzky was the head coach of the Coyotes, that's not his fault. The franchise is setup for failure, and they didn't even pay him for a long time..


Well, I guess we can blame him for accepting the job..

I know his cap hit is going to work against him, but I am very much in the pro-Engvall club. He's great on the PK. He is an efficient forechecked. He is fantastic at puck possession. He's a smart player who also seems to have a good knack for when to dump and when to carry with an obvious preference for carrying. He might not have the best hands or vision, but I like what he does just about every shift.
- Monkeypunk

I like him too. And, late in the year he started to show a little push/grit in his game and top of the basics.

I just wonder if Barabanov has a leg-up at this point. It will be interesting.

I never got into it.

I like football but I barely know the name of every position on the field and I understand nothing about how people get points in fantasy football despite hearing about it every week by my beer league hockey teamates.
- Scabeh

It's too much franking work.

I need to start a football spreads pool where you don't have to pick the Thursday night games - I was always missing the deadline for that.

I never got into it.

I like football but I barely know the name of every position on the field and I understand nothing about how people get points in fantasy football despite hearing about it every week by my beer league hockey teamates.
- Scabeh

I spent half an hour explaining all of the football rules I remember to my girlfriend the other day after she asked why there was a flag on a play.

She loved it and now knows everything about Football

Frank you, Scabby.

Frank you hard.
- Atomic Wedgie

It's too much franking work.

I need to start a football spreads pool where you don't have to pick the Thursday night games - I was always missing the deadline for that.
- Atomic Wedgie

It's only a lot of work if you put a lot of work into it. I tend to because I overthink everything but you can set and forget your lineups and cheer for your players too.

I spent half an hour explaining all of the football rules I remember to my girlfriend the other day after she asked why there was a flag on a play.

She loved it and now knows everything about Football
- TheMussel

I know nothing about football but somehow managed to be in the final 15 in a 100 person 2000$ prize survivor pool

"Just take the puck, skate through two guys, draw the two defenceman to you because they need to double-team you, then make a ridiculous, no-look pass to your winger for an easy tap-in. Any questions?"
- Atomic Wedgie

"Yes, one question.. What picture do we draw?" Asked a collection of Coyotes players

I spent half an hour explaining all of the football rules I remember to my girlfriend the other day after she asked why there was a flag on a play.

She loved it and now knows everything about Football
- TheMussel

I know the rules, I know the strategies, I even know when a player messed up on a play.

I just never bothered knowing team's rosters enough to enjoy a fantasy team.

I know nothing about football but somehow managed to be in the final 15 in a 100 person 2000$ prize survivor pool
- Santo_44

knowing about football only gets you so far

imagine being asked to predict the Leafs' standing in a season if they only played 16 games

I know nothing about football but somehow managed to be in the final 15 in a 100 person 2000$ prize survivor pool
- Santo_44

I once worked with a guy who was in a football pool, and there was a prize for dead last (DQed if you didn't get your picks in every week, of course).

It got to be around week 10, and he was closer to last than first, so he decided to start making his picks to try to win the last place prize.

I explained to him that the more logical approach would be to continue to make his crappy picks as if he was trying to win.

My advice was not appreciated.

"Omg guys, just get behind the net, make a pass between the skates of 3 different players for the golden goal opportunity, IT'S EASY!"
- Scabeh

We used to make jokes about this . . .

Do you remember that episode in Star Trek: Next Generation (if you ever watched it) where Q is made mortal.

In order to solve a problem he suggests that they simply change the gravitational constant of the universe.

That's Gretzky as a coach.

knowing about football only gets you so far

imagine being asked to predict the Leafs' standing in a season if they only played 16 games
- TheMussel

If it's the Leafs then their record would be 15-1 or 1-15, there's no in-between

We used to make jokes about this . . .

Do you remember that episode in Star Trek: Next Generation (if you ever watched it) where Q is made mortal.

In order to solve a problem he suggests that they simply change the gravitational constant of the universe.

That's Gretzky as a coach.
- Monkeypunk

I did watch the show.

Perfect example.

I once worked with a guy who was in a football pool, and there was a prize for dead last (DQed if you didn't get your picks in every week, of course).

It got to be around week 10, and he was closer to last than first, so he decided to start making his picks to try to win the last place prize.

I explained to him that the more logical approach would be to continue to make his crappy picks as if he was trying to win.

My advice was not appreciated.
- Atomic Wedgie

Unfortunately it takes a bit more than dumb luck to shoot the moon.

I like him too. And, late in the year he started to show a little push/grit in his game and top of the basics.

I just wonder if Barabanov has a leg-up at this point. It will be interesting.
- The Law

I don't mean this in the standard HB poster way...you know the condescending know it all tone of some on here....but....

Engvall....

I just don't see what some of you guys are seeing. He does nothing special....ever, at all. Any time he's on the ice nothing happens with him. Except a few sprints where he showed some speed in the first few games he played, he's done nothing else.

Am I missing something with this kid?

I have yet to see a definitive statement on whether or not guys with AHL contracts get paid if there is no AHL season.

Either way, it's going to be a giant franking mess.
- Atomic Wedgie

AHL has there own CBA and union. Not sure how they get paid but I assume that if the AHL is left out of the NHL's plans that those players will be shopping overseas if at all.

But the NHL teams have exclusive rights to the guys on SPC's. They are always "loaned" to the AHL. They will need to find something to do with those guys if the NHL is going to play games.

I could see a taxi squad covering some of those guys - in particular the more veteran guys. But maybe they try get something more real for the younger guys?

And ya what a mess ...College? Junior Hockey? ...Scouting for the 21' draft?

I will say it's a good time to be a part of a team with $$. They'll invest in development in whatever way possible.

I don't mean this in the standard HB poster way...you know the condescending know it all tone of some on here....but....

Engvall....

I just don't see what some of you guys are seeing. He does nothing special....ever, at all. Any time he's on the ice nothing happens with him. Except a few sprints where he showed some speed in the first few games he played, he's done nothing else.

Am I missing something with this kid?
- underhill14

I think so. I'm not saying I'd miss him that much if he dematerialized but I think you've got to appreciate a couple things about his game:

- he's bigger and stronger then most other options and he started to show signs of using it a bit late last year. I saw him return a couple of face washes which as a Leaf fan is mind blowing to see.
- he's got good defensive instincts and skates really well for a big guy. He'll be a big part of the PK if he makes it.

I don't mean this in the standard HB poster way...you know the condescending know it all tone of some on here....but....

Engvall....

I just don't see what some of you guys are seeing. He does nothing special....ever, at all. Any time he's on the ice nothing happens with him. Except a few sprints where he showed some speed in the first few games he played, he's done nothing else.

Am I missing something with this kid?
- underhill14

Yes, he is good on the PK..

1.645 AAV / 2 years for Mikheyev is a steal for the Leafs.

First deal Dubie signs under market value -- the kid is finally learning; maybe we'll take his training wheels off soon

I think so. I'm not saying I'd miss him that much if he dematerialized but I think you've got to appreciate a couple things about his game:

- he's bigger and stronger then most other options and he started to show signs of using it a bit late last year. I saw him return a couple of face washes which as a Leaf fan is mind blowing to see.
- he's got good defensive instincts and skates really well for a big guy. He'll be a big part of the PK if he makes it.
- The Law

He's big but doesn't use his size enough and doesn't have hands...like....at all, IMO.

I would rather try the Hyman-lite guy, Joey Anderson.

4th liners should hit a lot and create some havoc and pain for the opposing Dmen if they can't put up points. Engvall just doesn't do enough of anything for me.

Edit: he is good on the PK tho....I will give you and Pat that.

I don't mean this in the standard HB poster way...you know the condescending know it all tone of some on here....but....

Engvall....

I just don't see what some of you guys are seeing. He does nothing special....ever, at all. Any time he's on the ice nothing happens with him. Except a few sprints where he showed some speed in the first few games he played, he's done nothing else.

Am I missing something with this kid?
- underhill14

I am a big fan of his game. He has, in my opinion, a really high hockey IQ. He looks bizarre with his long neck and unusual stride. My first impression of him was that he looked like a mascot in a video game. His shot is nothing spectacular, his hands are average, and his passing is also average. So at the core offensive level, he's nothing to gush about.

His puck pursuit, forecheck, and puck possession make him a fantastic penalty killer. If you look at Engvall's value compared to the team, he is by far the best penalty killing forward on this team. He was statistically a top-10 penalty killing forward in the league last year in terms of expected goals and actual goals against.

At even strength, that same methodology leads to more controlled play, less chances against, and a better transition from line-to-line when he retains the puck and hands it off to the next line.

You can really see that reflected in the fancy-stats, because the expected goals for is driven up when he's on the ice - it may not be as dramatic or as flashy as the elite offensive players, but through smart defensive play, he helps control the play.

Only the Leafs can generate so much discussion from a 3rd/4th liner signing for a reasonable amount.