The entire team might not get 25 wins. I’m assuming Hart will miss time at some point too.

They really did him no favors. A 32 yr old back up with 4 NHL games under his belt and a defense that’s basically just as bad as it was last year.
- hereticpride

I agree with your insightful pessimism!!

It's an "unintentional intentional tank" if that makes any sense.
- Pelle31Forever

Kinda like failing upward...

It's an "unintentional intentional tank" if that makes any sense.
- Pelle31Forever

That is my feeling as well.

It seems they genuinely believed they were 2-3 players though away until recently. They were unpleasantly surprised by events. That is the unintentional part.

But some horrendous deals that were feared were not done. The signings of a low cost bandaid in Gus first as an experiment, just a 2 year deal for TAD now after giving up a ton for rights, no disastrous shedding of salary with high pick sweeteners, no long term expensive contracts to marquee FAs, the statement of Torts recently defending the non-signings: all point to an understanding they are not just 2-3 players away.

But for whatever reason, they simply cannot accept a full rebuild as the best way to proceed. Thus, this middling treading water type contracts: Risto, TAD, extending Couts, NDL, Torts for entertainment etc. Holding a presser and saying they believe they are 2-3 players away repeatedly.

They will try to get as many seats filled as possible, and hope the team does as badly as possible. That is the intentional part. Not uncommon. 29th place Kraken mgmt said recently they hope to make the playoffs, and they signed ...Burakovsky and Schultz, and lose Giardano!

Hart needs quite a lot of rest cause he gets injured every season.

Last season he only managed to start 44 games with Jones getting 33 and Sandstrom 5.
- Feanor

Now with that delicious recipe, we could be in trouble,
even more then guesstimated on this board!

That would be disappointing.
- rayc16

Every aspect of this franchise is disappointing.

Grosenick has been the better AHL goalie (to this point) but, above that, Sandström is better off playing than being a backup. This won't be a 1A/1B split. It will be a definite starter and a backup who plays when Hart needs a rest.

But we will see.
- bmeltzer

In order to have even a modicum of success, Hart will need to start 60+ games. Hard to see him staying healthy enough to accomplish that especially when 2 of his top 4 D are TDA and Ristolainen.

Only problem is, Hart's career high is starting only 57% of the games in a season. That was in 19-20.


- Tomahawk

No faith in whatever the hell a Grosenick is playing 30+ games?

Every aspect of this franchise is disappointing.
- PLindbergh31

Yup

No faith in whatever the hell a Grosenick is playing 30+ games?
- PLindbergh31

Maybe he's the next Michael Leighton.

They really believe ZM and ND are both capable of much more than fighting.

CF repeatedly cited ND's PKing ability as a major driver of the signing. And ZM's been moved up the lineup and used on the PP at times last season.
- Tomahawk

100%.....you've got Chuck's comments about the PK. ND himself has said he's capable of much more and wants to prove he's a player. They've talked at length about how he's going to create space for the skill guys, only way that happens is if he's on the ice with them. Gonna' give him the McSorley role. Won't be surprised to see this organization put him in the top 9 regularly, if not the top 6 at times.....

100%.....you've got Chuck's comments about the PK. ND himself has said he's capable of much more and wants to prove he's a player. They've talked at length about how he's going to create space for the skill guys, only way that happens is if he's on the ice with them. Gonna' give him the McSorley role. Won't be surprised to see this organization put him in the top 9 regularly, if not the top 6 at times.....
- Flyerfan2868

I can’t see the coach having him in the top 9 let alone top 6.

100%.....you've got Chuck's comments about the PK. ND himself has said he's capable of much more and wants to prove he's a player. They've talked at length about how he's going to create space for the skill guys, only way that happens is if he's on the ice with them. Gonna' give him the McSorley role. Won't be surprised to see this organization put him in the top 9 regularly, if not the top 6 at times.....
- Flyerfan2868

He wants to prove he’s a player…at 31 years old. He did once have a ten goal season five years ago.

I can’t see the coach having him in the top 9 let alone top 6.
- furio16

Really? Kinda surprising coming from someone who's been a fan since at least 06.07.2007

Really? Kinda surprising coming from someone who's been a fan since at least 06.07.2007
- BulliesPhan87

Why is it surprising? Has the coach in his prior stops played that kind of player with a limited skill set in his top 9?

Can't say I have ever seen Vegas odds against Phily so low (high) Even after our terrible year in 07 we were only a 50:1 the following summer (granted we had already traded for a few good pieces and signed a few more) but right now Borgata has them at 80:1 and Nugget at 100:1, I always put a wager on them, each year, never have I seen expectations so low!

JVR and Braun? Assuming they are healthy. That’s hopefully a pair of 2nds for JVR and a 2nd for Braun. Lord knows Chuck will end up with two 4ths for both of them lol.
- hereticpride

Not getting any 2nds for Jvr or Braun...Braun got them a 3rd last yr

Maybe he's the next Michael Leighton.
- Tomahawk

Leighton had a much better NHL resume. He must have played 50 or 60 NHL games before that season he ended up in the Flyers net.

Why is it surprising? Has the coach in his prior stops played that kind of player with a limited skill set in his top 9?
- furio16

I'm not going to lie to you and pretend to be an expert on Torts' player usage through his career. I'm certain there are posters on this forum willing to take you up on that.

From my seat here in Philadelphia, I've seen a coach who has been quite willing to bench talented players in favor of guys who "work hard". I fully expect these cementheads to get top 9 minutes. They're bound to be chasing a lot of games and simply don't have many talented players to bench.

It's probably in character for this coach, and it's definitely in character for this franchise. The latter part is why I find it surprising.

Yes, but if we had picked Jagr instead of Ricci and not traded Forsberg, we could have had them both in their primes. We would. It be talking 49 years since our last cup if we had gotten that right.
- iamscore2day

Even with those two the way we never valued defense or goaltending back then I’m not so sure they still don’t (frank) it all up.

Not getting any 2nds for Jvr or Braun...Braun got them a 3rd last yr
- hfc355

Good call. For some reason I thought it was a 2nd.

Can't say I have ever seen Vegas odds against Phily so low (high) Even after our terrible year in 07 we were only a 50:1 the following summer (granted we had already traded for a few good pieces and signed a few more) but right now Borgata has them at 80:1 and Nugget at 100:1, I always put a wager on them, each year, never have I seen expectations so low!
- GPerogie

I haven’t seen the odds yet but I’d take the sure thing in Colorado. They’re just that good right now. My dark horse (but still pretty safe pick) would probably be the Rags.

I haven’t seen the odds yet but I’d take the sure thing in Colorado. They’re just that good right now. My dark horse (but still pretty safe pick) would probably be the Rags.
- hereticpride

I like the Canes to come out of the East as a wager rather than those 2 teams.

1. They are +600 for that instead of Avs +450
2. They added Burns and Pacioretty (who has always produced at a higher level in playoffs compared to regular season), and have seen something in KK and that team is rarely wrong in individual player assessments.
3. They took Rangers to 7 and Rangers took TB to 7.
4. They will be pissed.
5. Anderson hurt and Raanta meltdown in game 7 is unlikely to recur.
6. 9m under cap at TDL projected now, enough to add someone pretty decent at TDL and huge # of impact guys are UFAs next year, including ROR, Pasta, and Patrick Kane. Chicago may well part ways for a 1st and $ withheld. .

I like the Canes to come out of the East as a wager rather than those 2 teams.

1. They are +600 for that instead of Avs +450
2. They added Burns and Pacioretty (who has always produced at a higher level in playoffs compared to regular season), and have seen something in KK and that team is rarely wrong in individual player assessments.
3. They took Rangers to 7 and Rangers took TB to 7.
4. They will be pissed.
5. Anderson hurt and Raanta meltdown in game 7 is unlikely to recur.
6. 9m under cap at TDL projected now, enough to add someone pretty decent at TDL and huge # of impact guys are UFAs next year, including ROR, Pasta, and Patrick Kane. Chicago may well part ways for a 1st and $ withheld. .
- PT21

Yeah they are the other team I was looking at. Definitely a well oiled machine right now. I wouldn’t want to face them even if we had a playoff caliber team right now.

I haven’t seen the odds yet but I’d take the sure thing in Colorado. They’re just that good right now. My dark horse (but still pretty safe pick) would probably be the Rags.
- hereticpride

A lot went right for the Rangers last year, highly doubt they are involved again.

I like the Canes to come out of the East as a wager rather than those 2 teams.

1. They are +600 for that instead of Avs +450
2. They added Burns and Pacioretty (who has always produced at a higher level in playoffs compared to regular season), and have seen something in KK and that team is rarely wrong in individual player assessments.
3. They took Rangers to 7 and Rangers took TB to 7.
4. They will be pissed.
5. Anderson hurt and Raanta meltdown in game 7 is unlikely to recur.
6. 9m under cap at TDL projected now, enough to add someone pretty decent at TDL and huge # of impact guys are UFAs next year, including ROR, Pasta, and Patrick Kane. Chicago may well part ways for a 1st and $ withheld. .
- PT21

Every time I see comments like this I wonder how Chuckles is still employed. Here is a team with oodles of talent on their roster and they are still NINE MILLION under the cap. I'm beginning to think that there is a true conspiracy in keeping Chuckles employed. FIRE CHUCK NOW! Thanks again!