Of course I am going to compare the Leafs to the Lightning. They are point of reference and Ek pulled the plug on the Lightning board.

Say what you want, I root for the Leafs. I follow the Leafs with my Lightning. My introduction to hockey in the 90's was the Leafs. I rooted for the Leafs/Blues before the Lightning existed.

My takes are sometimes ice cold, but no worse than some of the poop I read on HB.

Besides, I have to root for you guys now. Tampa is in decline and will be playing golf earlier and earlier from here on out until the inevitable rebuild. I want to watch hockey deep into the postseason, it's probably gonna be the Leafs. It's no fluke that TO beat Tampa. The torch has been passed.
- GalacticStone

I'm sorry, but the "passing the torch" thing is copyrighted for the Habs as they simply cannot stop using it in their home season opener since they first had the idea in 1995.

I'm sorry, but the "passing the torch" thing is copyrighted for the Habs as they simply cannot stop using it in their home season opener since they first had the idea in 1995.
- Scabeh

Am I the only one who finds it inappropriate for the Habs to have a quote from In Flanders Fields in their dressing room, using it as a crap sports motivator?

Am I the only one who finds it inappropriate for the Habs to have a quote from In Flanders Fields in their dressing room, using it as a crap sports motivator?
- Atomic Wedgie

No. It's totally inappropriate.

Am I the only one who finds it inappropriate for the Habs to have a quote from In Flanders Fields in their dressing room, using it as a crap sports motivator?
- Atomic Wedgie

«Nos bras meurtris vous tendent le flambeau, à vous toujours de le porter bien haut»?

It's so confusing in here some times.

Nylander is NOT worth $10/11M?

But then: Trade Nylander for X amazing forward AND Y amazing defenseman.

Can't figure out if Willy has no value or is the most valuable trade asset that ever hit the market.

He's an unsigned UFA next year with one 40 goal season, and a couple 30 goals seasons under his belt. He's a great player but could be too expensive for the Leafs and many other teams.

What is Willie's value on the trade market? Really?

What are some fair trade proposals for him? Or at least ONE very real example of a fair Nylander trade, because I can't tell with all the pendulum swinging in here.

(For the record, I think $9-9.5m is a good spot for him just can't figure out his trade value with 1 year left)

oh yes, I am def going to predict the Bruins fall off and miss the playoffs...for the 10th year in a row...then they win 65 games again
- senstroll

Well you can’t realistically expect them to do well with the roster they have.

And Ullmark isn’t having the the 3rd best season ever as a goalie in terms of sv percentage.

No. It's totally inappropriate.
- fifty__missions

because of the draft dodging?

I think the Leafs are still 90% at this point.

But if the 10% comes true then ....it's going to be a team that is good and needs some offense. And it's going to be a team that can absorb $7M and provide the Leafs with value on the blue line and/or top6 at a number that is no more than $7M.

I'm not sure Seattle has that - they aren't moving Beniers and I think Wright comes with too many risks for the Tree ( I think).

If I'm guessing I see the Isles or Canes or maybe the Flames as a good match if 88 is willing to sign there. Something built around Dobson, Pesce or Hanifin. They all have some movable pieces on good contracts.
- The Law

I think any team trading for Nylander before the season begins is going to want to be able to negotiate an extension, and Seattle has the cap space to do so.

They also have a combination of prospects, picks and veteran help that can help the Leafs now and moving forward.

because of the draft dodging?
- drexel

No. Because the Habs are (frank)ing shameless.

Am I the only one who finds it inappropriate for the Habs to have a quote from In Flanders Fields in their dressing room, using it as a crap sports motivator?
- Atomic Wedgie

Yeah, I don't like using the most famous Rememberance Day poem as a dressing room motivator.

They should have something like the samurai code - all creatures will die, all things will be broken.

No. Because the Habs are (frank)ing shameless.
- fifty__missions

They should also have Molson Stock Ale branding. Missed the (frank)ing boat on that one Habs.

- Scabeh

Is that Nylander?

They should also have Molson Stock Ale branding. Missed the (frank)ing boat on that one Habs.
- Zezel

I find it franking hilarious that Export is now the "official" beer of the Habs.

I think I'm the only one in Ontario still drinking it.

It's so confusing in here some times.

Nylander is NOT worth $10/11M?

But then: Trade Nylander for X amazing forward AND Y amazing defenseman.

Can't figure out if Willy has no value or is the most valuable trade asset that ever hit the market.

He's an unsigned UFA next year with one 40 goal season, and a couple 30 goals seasons under his belt. He's a great player but could be too expensive for the Leafs and many other teams.

What is Willie's value on the trade market? Really?

What are some fair trade proposals for him? Or at least ONE very real example of a fair Nylander trade, because I can't tell with all the pendulum swinging in here.

(For the record, I think $9-9.5m is a good spot for him just can't figure out his trade value with 1 year left)
- underhill14

I think the baseline for the DeBrincat trade is probably a decent framework for value - a top-6F or top-4D with a prospect and a 1st round pick. The quality of that player could improve incrementally depending the contract situation with the player in question and so on (the allusion here is to one of the Calgary players).

The problem with value is that it's mired in so many factors - interest, need and so on. Right now with the dead cap for the past 4 years, most "have" teams don't have space.

The guys who could take Nylander on right now are: Nashville, Detroit, Minnesota, Winnipeg, Seattle, Arizona, Chicago and Anaheim. The guys who could probably make room for him via trade or expiring deals are Buffalo, San Jose, Calgary, and then some guys like Philadelphia and Florida could make it happen.

Like in theory anyone could make it happen, but most teams aren't going to blow up portions of the roster for one guy or sacrifice next year's assets for that. I mean . . .hey . . . Vegas would have, but now they are fresh out of $9m spots on the roster!

When I look at those teams, Seattle, Calgary and . . . maybe Detroit if they are trying to fast track . . . .could be interested. But Seattle doesn't seem like they want to imbalance their payroll and Calgary and Detroit would be contingent upon extensions!

Larsson and Gourde
- drexel

Money works but soon to be 31 yr old and soon to be 32 yr old. I wouldn't.

I find it franking hilarious that Export is now the "official" beer of the Habs.

I think I'm the only one in Ontario still drinking it.
- Atomic Wedgie

Why?!

Is that Nylander?
- Zezel

Goal Caufield

I find it franking hilarious that Export is now the "official" beer of the Habs.

I think I'm the only one in Ontario still drinking it.
- Atomic Wedgie

Well if by "now" you mean it has been for a looooong time. Yes.

Also, why are you drinking that swill?

Money works but soon to be 31 yr old and soon to be 32 yr old. I wouldn't.
- The Law

the future is now

Well if by "now" you mean it has been for a looooong time. Yes.

Also, why are you drinking that swill?

- Scabeh

They probably haven't made a fresh batch since 1970

Well if by "now" you mean it has been for a looooong time. Yes.

Also, why are you drinking that swill?

- Scabeh

They probably haven't made a fresh batch since 1970

Money works but soon to be 31 yr old and soon to be 32 yr old. I wouldn't.
- The Law

the future is now

Yeah, I don't like using the most famous Rememberance Day poem as a dressing room motivator.

They should have something like the samurai code - all creatures will die, all things will be broken.
- Zezel

Rick Westhead

@rwesthead
Several team execs, sponsors and player agents tell me they are bracing for the NHL's possible release of an investigation report re an alleged sexual assault involving as many as eight players on Canada's 2018 world juniors team.
If NHL names and suspends players allegedly involved, affected players would likely appeal any sanctions to an arbitrator, as per CBA, and may pursue defamation lawsuits vs league, said agent of one player who attended 2018 Hockey Canada gala.
(While an investigating officer in October wrote in court documents he believes there are grounds to charge at least five players, police in London continue to decline comment other than to say an investigation is ongoing.)
10:38 AM · Jul 13, 2023