Try Smith with Letang? He led the team in TOI last night and doesn't look out of place at all. Letang's best partner last year was Matheson. Smith plays a similar game. Good skater, brings offense. If you find Letang's partner in house, it saves the cost to acquire and hextall can (hopefully) focus on fixing the 3rd line...

This also assumes the coaching staff realizes smith, petts, and poj are our 3 best LD.
- buckster2342

Problem with Smith is he’s made Dumoulin look competent.

And Sully’s main flaw is player usage and that isn’t suddenly going to change.

Definitely cant assume this, in fact, I assume the opposite hahaha...Dumo was 2nd TOI to Smith, about 30 seconds difference
- MattStrat

DK's site was talking about the possibility of Dumo being a cap dump. Probably won't happen because he has a 10 team No Trade clause. He'd likely block a trade to all the non-contenders with the cap space.

DK's site was talking about the possibility of Dumo being a cap dump. Probably won't happen because he has a 10 team No Trade clause. He'd likely block a trade to all the non-contenders with the cap space.
- madmike71

Depends on how it works, usually they submit the 10 teams prior to the season I think.

Depends on how it works, usually they submit the 10 teams prior to the season I think.
- j.boyd919

In the past, I've seen reports that indicate a team asks the agent for a list when they're considering trading a player. Like.... How does JR trade Phil to Minny without knowing he wouldn't go there. That whole situation seemed weird. Maybe each case is specific to their individual contracts.....I really don't know.

In the past, I've seen reports that indicate a team asks the agent for a list when they're considering trading a player. Like.... How does JR trade Phil to Minny without knowing he wouldn't go there. That whole situation seemed weird. Maybe each case is specific to their individual contracts.....I really don't know.
- madmike71

Ohhh that could make sense, yeah maybe it depends on how it's structured into their deals.

Definitely cant assume this, in fact, I assume the opposite hahaha...Dumo was 2nd TOI to Smith, about 30 seconds difference
- MattStrat

oh i agree... as Feds said as well, player usage is Sully's biggest flaw. One can only hope the obvious starts to stick out. Not sure how you watch game film and continue to think Dumo's play is acceptable. Smith should have been up the entire season, but poor roster construction and dumb cap management prevented that. He clearly belongs.

oh i agree... as Feds said as well, player usage is Sully's biggest flaw. One can only hope the obvious starts to stick out. Not sure how you watch game film and continue to think Dumo's play is acceptable. Smith should have been up the entire season, but poor roster construction and dumb cap management prevented that. He clearly belongs.
- buckster2342

Yeah this is what I never get...these guys (Sully, Hex, etc) have been around hockey their whole lives, at very high levels at that, so why the F cant they see what we see hahaha

Yeah this is what I never get...these guys (Sully, Hex, etc) have been around hockey their whole lives, at very high levels at that, so why the F cant they see what we see hahaha
- MattStrat

It's trust and loyalty issue IMO. There's a lot of history with Sully and Dumo. Coaches don't like to "embarrass" a vet like Dumo. From everything I've read, Dumo has been one of the leaders in the locker room for years. Right there with Sid, Geno and Letang. I feel the same way about Carter. He's a highly respected player....even if he's not good anymore. Coaches have a tough time sitting players like this.

Just heard Hamlin from the Bills had his breathing tube removed! He's talking with his family. That's a bit of a miracle right there. Pretty stunning reversal.