So a very good skating team is well rested and getting healthy. The sad sacks had to travel across country and are in a spate of 5 games in 7 nights(as of tomorrow night). There is absolutely no way I see this ending well. I believe that the Knights could spot the Flyers 5 goals tonight and still cruse to the victory. Why must I feel this way?

Really?


Ellis hasn't been on the ice. He has 5 more years left after this. What are the odds of him remaining healthy? Ristolainen has not been worth the cost to acquire him and he has to be re-signed and won't be worth what he will cost. Atkinson is clearly not an upgrade over Voracek and he has an extra year on his deal. When the Flyers get to the point of possibly contending. If Ristolainen is re-signed, they most likely will be higher cap hit aging and declining players. Should I refer you back to your recent Hayes comments?
- MJL

None of that sets us back.

Yes Ellis is hurt but we only gave up NoPa and Myers. One's career is over and Myers is a healthy scratch. He isnt in NSH's lineup.

Ristolainen's cost was a 1st in 2021 Hagg and 2nd in 2023. Not a huge deal since we will be moving him and recouping some of that cost. There is no way we are re-signing him. This team is being forced to rebuild.

None of that sets us back.

Yes Ellis is hurt but we only gave up NoPa and Myers. One's career is over and Myers is a healthy scratch. He isnt in NSH's lineup.

Ristolainen's cost was a 1st in 2021 Hagg and 2nd in 2023. Not a huge deal since we will be moving him and recouping some of that cost. There is no way we are re-signing him. This team is being forced to rebuild.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You're kidding yourself if you don't think it does. You don't even realize that with your final comments, that you're admitting that it does. They traded future assets for those players for this season and in December there is rationalization that they need to rebuild. What would be better for rebuilding? Those players or the future assets they traded? Do you want aging players with higher cap hits on your team if you're rebuilding? This is common sense.

Really?



Ellis hasn't been on the ice. He has 5 more years left after this. What are the odds of him remaining healthy? Ristolainen has not been worth the cost to acquire him and he has to be re-signed and won't be worth what he will cost. Atkinson is clearly not an upgrade over Voracek and he has an extra year on his deal. When the Flyers get to the point of possibly contending. If Ristolainen is re-signed, they most likely will be higher cap hit aging and declining players. Should I refer you back to your recent Hayes comments?
- MJL

Really!

Ellis is an established top pairing defenseman. He is hurt right now, but that does not in any way mean he is going to be hurt for the remainder of his contract!

Risto was a gamble but Fletcher does not have to sign him, so he has complete flexibility. Its no different than a team giving up a number 1 pick for a player at the deadline to help them make a deep playoff run. There is only negligible impact to the future of this team.

Jake needed to go, it was time for a change for him and the Flyers and both are better off as a result. The Flyers have a decent player on a much lower cap hit so its a good trade for them. You say they are missing Jake's zone entries, but I can assure you the Flyers are not missing his overpassing and turnovers.

You're kidding yourself if you don't think it does. You don't even realize that with your final comments, that you're admitting that it does. They traded future assets for those players for this season and in December there is rationalization that they need to rebuild. What would be better for rebuilding? Those players or the future assets they traded? Do you want aging players with higher cap hits on your team if you're rebuilding? This is common sense.
- MJL

Oh please, get off the future asset nonsense ... we know Haag is nothing more than an marginal 6th defenseman, and talk to me in 3-5 years when Rosen makes the NHL, if he even does!

So a very good skating team is well rested and getting healthy. The sad sacks had to travel across country and are in a spate of 5 games in 7 nights(as of tomorrow night). There is absolutely no way I see this ending well. I believe that the Knights could spot the Flyers 5 goals tonight and still cruse to the victory. Why must I feel this way?
- Phillywhiteout

And the Knights just ended Dallas' 7 game winning streak, so they are playing well right now. I just hope the players play with much more energy than they did against the Devils.

Oh please, get off the future asset nonsense ... we know Haag is nothing more than an marginal 6th defenseman, and talk to me in 3-5 years when Rosen makes the NHL, if he even does!
- jd250

Now you're back to draft picks not mattering because they take 3 years to make it. It was just hours ago that you were saying they have to get younger, faster and more skilled. That they have to stop trading picks for vets. It's unbelievable and really sad. The wind must of changed direction. "oh please get off the future asset nonsense"

Do we all agree the best thing that could possibly happen is that Hart plays well, but we're trash anyway?

And we finish as a bottom 3 team? And after trading G at the deadline, we unload anyone & everyone else in the off season?

And then are trash again next year? Rinse & repeat?

Yep, the same people that remember when the Monkees where on TV can also remember when the Flyers won the cup. That crowd is getting smaller and smaller each year sadly.
- RustyPipes

I watched re runs of the Monkeys tv show in the early 80’s as a kid. Unfortunately I was born in 76 and missed the parades. So my age is a constant reminder of how long it’s been since they won.

Do we all agree the best thing that could possibly happen is that Hart plays well, but we're trash anyway?

And we finish as a bottom 3 team? And after trading G at the deadline, we unload anyone & everyone else in the off season?

And then are trash again next year? Rinse & repeat?
- DrMidnite

My guess is that this team will improve and move up in the overall standings. Some will look at it as they were held back by injuries. I don't see the current regime making the correct decisions.

Actually, by this display of immaturity and bringing this off topic reply to this thread, which was not part of the current conversation, you are the guy who is looking for the argument. Of course I know what it actually is. It's attempted retribution for schooling you on that other conversation we had.
What is missing from your comments is any evidence or corroboration that the OS was just about getting back at the Habs. My position is not that it wasn't part of it. Unless of course that you think an NHL team would give up a 1st and a 3rd round pick just for spite to another team. It would not surprise me if you did think that though. Here are some quotes from Carolina

https://www.espn.com/nhl/...ar-61-million-offer-sheet

"Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a player who has been on our radar since before his draft year," Carolina general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. "We believe he will flourish in
- MJL[coach] Rod Brind'Amour's system and culture, and he will be an important piece of what we are building in Carolina for years to come."

"His age and natural skill set suggests a very high ceiling, and the opportunity to acquire players like that simply does not come along very often," Carolina assistant general manager Eric Tulsky said. "Jesperi is a smart player who sees the ice extremely well; it seems like every time he touches the puck, he puts his team in a better position."

So clearly it was also what they see in the player that was part of it. Feel free to make your case that it wasn't part of it.

They had some unexpected excess money apparently. There are probably 50 players around the NHL they could have spent it on. They chose KK to have some fun with the extra $: troll, and engage in a low risk gamble.

It would be like if Preds OSed Frost next year, for the Weber thing. And then put him on the Admirals roster.

What they would then say would be pretty much like the generic banalities that Waddel/Tulsky/Rod said. And it would not mean anything more than what it does here.

Do we all agree the best thing that could possibly happen is that Hart plays well, but we're trash anyway?

And we finish as a bottom 3 team? And after trading G at the deadline, we unload anyone & everyone else in the off season?

And then are trash again next year? Rinse & repeat?
- DrMidnite

All the guys like Frost, Bee, TK and so on. And yes, we are trash...

Are you following the Chess WC? And what happened 2 days ago?

Now you're back to draft picks not mattering because they take 3 years to make it. It was just hours ago that you were saying they have to get younger, faster and more skilled. That they have to stop trading picks for vets. It's unbelievable and really sad. The wind must of changed direction. "oh please get off the future asset nonsense"
- MJL

How often do your parents come down into their basement and disturb you? Someone with so many posts must have time for nothing else.

Did Brassard get re-injured too!?

Really!

Ellis is an established top pairing defenseman. He is hurt right now, but that does not in any way mean he is going to be hurt for the remainder of his contract!


- jd250

No, it doesn't mean that he will. Doesn't change that he is already hurt. Doesn't change that Nashville obviously wanted to get out from the contract. For obvious reasons. Having an older player with 5 more years at 6M who has had trouble staying healthy is really good for a team that needs to rebuild.

Risto was a gamble but Fletcher does not have to sign him, so he has complete flexibility. Its no different than a team giving up a number 1 pick for a player at the deadline to help them make a deep playoff run. There is only negligible impact to the future of this team.


- jd250

Risto was a gamble now. Back in the summer you called him a defenseman who checks all the right boxes. You labeled him the best defenseman on the team multiple times. Even calling him one of the best defenseman in the league. Yes, it is actually different than a team giving up a number 1 for a player at the deadline to help with a playoff run. Seeing that the Flyers have no legitimate shot at contending and aren't very likely to make the playoffs. How can you not see the difference in that? Losing a 1st and a 2nd round pick for a gamble is a negligible impact to the future? That's an asinine statement.

Jake needed to go, it was time for a change for him and the Flyers and both are better off as a result. The Flyers have a decent player on a much lower cap hit so its a good trade for them. You say they are missing Jake's zone entries, but I can assure you the Flyers are not missing his overpassing and turnovers.
- jd250

There is no such thing as a player that needed to go. There is no information that supports that the Flyers are better off. The Flyers traded the better player and badly miss his playmaking and transition skills. Atkinson also has one more year on his deal which is not good for a team that needs to rebuild. Voracek remains one of the top passing wingers in the league.

Here are the giveaway stats for the NHL. Notice how far down you have to scroll to get to Voracek. Notice all of the star players that have more.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...eaways&page=0&pageSize=50

They had some unexpected excess money apparently. There are probably 50 players around the NHL they could have spent it on. They chose KK to have some fun with the extra $: troll, and engage in a low risk gamble.

It would be like if Preds OSed Frost next year, for the Weber thing. And then put him on the Admirals roster.

What they would then say would be pretty much like the generic banalities that Waddel/Tulsky/Rod said. And it would not mean anything more than what it does here.
- PT21

As I said earlier, getting back at Montreal and sending a message is definitely a part of it. However they would not have done so and given up the picks they did if they didn't like the player. It's a combination of both. I challenge you to show otherwise. Here we are again with you favoring anecdotal evidence over facts. Will I be blamed by you for this argument again?

They had some unexpected excess money apparently. There are probably 50 players around the NHL they could have spent it on. They chose KK to have some fun with the extra $: troll, and engage in a low risk gamble.

It would be like if Preds OSed Frost next year, for the Weber thing. And then put him on the Admirals roster.

What they would then say would be pretty much like the generic banalities that Waddel/Tulsky/Rod said. And it would not mean anything more than what it does here.
- PT21

Can't it be both? They were trolling AND they were interested in poaching/auditioning a player they liked?

Because he could be the heir-apparent to Jordan Staal that they're gonna need pretty soon. He's also insurance in case Trotcheck walks. They were looking to add pieces up front, it's not like it was an impulse buy or a purely cynical move.

Can't it be both? They were trolling AND they were interested in poaching/auditioning a player they liked?

Because he could be the heir-apparent to Jordan Staal that they're gonna need pretty soon. He's also insurance in case Trotcheck walks. They were looking to add pieces up front, it's not like it was an impulse buy or a purely cynical move.
- Tomahawk

Exactly.

Did Brassard get re-injured too!?
- SuperSchennBros

I would find a flight of stairs to throw myself down if I was on this roster right now too

Can't it be both? They were trolling AND they were interested in poaching/auditioning a player they liked?

Because he could be the heir-apparent to Jordan Staal that they're gonna need pretty soon. He's also insurance in case Trotcheck walks. They were looking to add pieces up front, it's not like it was an impulse buy or a purely cynical move.
- Tomahawk

Sure. Just like Frost could become the heir apparent to say, Matt Duchene. Lets say that is x% of the motivation in a Preds OS next year. And trolling is 100-x%.

But if OS is outlandishly high, then for only 1 year, includes a $6 signing bonus, there is a cheesesteak icon on their press release, and then they put him on the Admirals after 1 game, how high would you say value of x% is?

ps: Also, did you really mean Staal? Staal is a horse, a beast. KK plays nothing like that.

You're kidding yourself if you don't think it does. You don't even realize that with your final comments, that you're admitting that it does. They traded future assets for those players for this season and in December there is rationalization that they need to rebuild. What would be better for rebuilding? Those players or the future assets they traded? Do you want aging players with higher cap hits on your team if you're rebuilding? This is common sense.
- MJL

We gave up one 1st. Big whoop. That draft is over already. We have all our 1sts going forward. Ellis is still going to be a good Veteran Dman for this team going forward. Like I said Risto will be dealt. Yes most rebuilding teams have aging contracts on them, they tend to trade for them. Cap space isnt needed during a rebuild. The goal is to get and develop talent. Cap space is needed later to keep that talent and fill the holes.

All the guys like Frost, Bee, TK and so on. And yes, we are trash...

Are you following the Chess WC? And what happened 2 days ago?
- PT21

2 days ago I think Nepo took one, but Magnus ended up finishing him off in the tourney.

Magnus Carlsen has the name of some massive guy who can toss boulders like they’re footballs, and pull tractor trailers with his teeth.

He basically does the equivalent of that in his brain. There hasn’t been anyone this dominant since Kasparov, and Garry claimed to see 15 moves ahead during his peak.

I’ll let that sink in for a moment. 15 moves. That’s an insane amount of calculation and variance. Sure, there are many direct “lines”, in chess, but great GMs will often tossin monkey wrench into the gears.

Bobby was the master of that. He might have been a conceited, racist, megalomaniacal miscreant, but you cannot deny what he brought to the game in the 70s.

Just looked at the roster for tonight's game. That bottom 6 is gonna get eaten alive by the Vegas skaters. Where's Brassard? I thought he looked like their best forward on the PP the other night(not saying much of course).

Sure. Just like Frost could become the heir apparent to say, Matt Duchene. Lets say that is x% of the motivation in a Preds OS next year. And trolling is 100-x%.

But if OS is outlandishly high, then for only 1 year, includes a $6 signing bonus, there is a cheesesteak icon on their press release, and then they put him on the Admirals after 1 game, how high would you say value of x% is?

ps: Also, did you really mean Staal? Staal is a horse, a beast. KK plays nothing like that.
- PT21

Guessing 50/50. You don't throw away a draft pick and $6M dollars of the owners money just to get revenge. And wouldn't revenge be even sweeter if the player turns out to be pretty good?

And yeah, I mean Staal. KK's pretty physical. He should become a decent middle-six guy. He won't ever be as good defensively as JS, but not many guys are.

2 days ago I think Nepo took one, but Magnus ended up finishing him off in the tourney.

Magnus Carlsen has the name of some massive guy who can toss boulders like they’re footballs, and pull tractor trailers with his teeth.

He basically does the equivalent of that in his brain. There hasn’t been anyone this dominant since Kasparov, and Garry claimed to see 15 moves ahead during his peak.

I’ll let that sink in for a moment. 15 moves. That’s an insane amount of calculation and variance. Sure, there are many direct “lines”, in chess, but great GMs will often tossin monkey wrench into the gears.

Bobby was the master of that. He might have been a conceited, racist, megalomaniacal miscreant, but you cannot deny what he brought to the game in the 70s.
- Hesh_

Magnus is one of the very geniuses around. Just a raging, raging genius. And also very adept in fantasy soccer picks. Its funny you talk about the macho coonotations of his game, becaue Magnus is a mauler in Chess.

You mentioned Kasparov, the 2nd greatest player, at least in terms of FIDE ratings, in history, I believe. Well, Kasparov is in awe of Magnus. Especially in speed games.

Magnus by the way, has mentioned that Kramnik and Karpov, two former world champions, are entitled to their "stupid opinions." He was also asked which player in history he most admired, and he named himself, a few years ago



No, what happened on the 7th was a historic, once in a century blunder, by N, who squandered a winning position that might have turned the series around to the present, where it is essentially over.