Everyone keeps waiting for the Devils to make their run and I understand that, but I wasn't impressed with their game Saturday night. I mean, that was almost a must win for them cause they would have been down 9 points in the standings and the Flyers should have won that game. They had 27 shots and 17 scoring chances (7 high danger chances) in the second period alone. They pot a couple of those and Ersson just plays a steady game, and they come out with the victory.
- Phillywhiteout

I saw the same thing. Devils are very good offensively but not so good defensively. They got strong goaltending in that game so that will be a big key for them moving forward if they're going to make any kind of run. We'll see.

Everyone keeps waiting for the Devils to make their run and I understand that, but I wasn't impressed with their game Saturday night. I mean, that was almost a must win for them cause they would have been down 9 points in the standings and the Flyers should have won that game. They had 27 shots and 17 scoring chances (7 high danger chances) in the second period. They pot a couple of those and Ersson just plays a steady game, and they come out with the victory.
- Phillywhiteout

My assumption is the Devils are getting healthier everyday and that will lead to better play. Not sure how long Hamilton is out though. I agree with your assessment of the game.

Flyers are still five points up. Lot of ground for the Devils to make up.

Can't they retain 50% and get another team to retain 25%? I'm pretty sure Kane was traded from Chicago at 50% retained and then sent to Arizona who then sent him at 50% retained to the Rangers
- TobyFlenderson

Yes, that can be done.

That TSN article has a prospective trade of Tarasenko with 75% retained. I guess they don't know that the most you can retain is 50%.
- MJL

Playing Matchmaker
As the deadline approaches, Harman Dayal and Max Bultman of The Athletic(opens in a new tab) released their list of their perfect fits Tuesday, which includes an all-Canadian trade option.

The two believe Ottawa Senators pending unrestricted free agent Vladimir Tarasenko - at a discounted salary on retention - would be a perfect fit in the Edmonton Oilers' top-six, slotting in on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane.

Their projected trade is as follows: Tarasenko (75 percent retained) for a 2024 second-round pick and 2024 sixth-round pick, plus a 2025 fourth-round pick to a third-party broker for the extra retention
- TSN

That trade is proposed by the Athletic, not TSN. They should have corrected it when listing it, but it is a trade proposal from a different site than TSN.

The Pens have the most games in hand and the Flyers play them in Pitt this weekend. I wouldn't write them off just yet. Their goal differential suggests that they haven't been playing that bad and I think they may be in the top 5 in the league defensively (at least they were).
- Phillywhiteout

The Pens are very good defensively but they struggle offensively and they just lost Guentzel for a month.

My assumption is the Devils are getting healthier everyday and that will lead to better play. Not sure how long Hamilton is out though. I agree with your assessment of the game.

Flyers are still five points up. Lot of ground for the Devils to make up.
- mickel25

I think Hamilton may be done for the entire season. Maybe he could come back in the playoffs. I'd rather be in the Flyers spot than the Devils.

Can't they retain 50% and get another team to retain 25%? I'm pretty sure Kane was traded from Chicago at 50% retained and then sent to Arizona who then sent him at 50% retained to the Rangers
- TobyFlenderson

From Cap Friendly:

What is a retained salary transaction/trade
When a team trades a player, they have the option to retain a part of their salary (and cap hit). The team who retains the salary then pays the retained percentage of the salary, and also retains the percentage of the cap hit until the contract expires. The following requirements must be met to retain salary:
The percentage retained cannot exceed 50 percent of the player’s salary (including all bonuses) and Salary Cap Hit.
The same percentage must be retained for both the player’s salary and Salary Cap Hit, and cannot be modified.
All teams are limited to a maximum of 3 retained salary contracts per season.
Teams cannot retain an aggregate amount of more than 15 percent of the Salary Cap Upper Limit.
Players’ contracts are limited to 2 retained salary transactions per contract.
Once a retained salary transaction has occurred, there are various limitations, such as:
A team cannot reacquire a player whom they have retained salary from for a minimum of one year after the date of the transaction, or unless the player's contract expires or is terminated prior to the one-year date.
All teams involved in a retained salary transaction will have cap implications if the contract is bought out or terminated.
Teams who retain salary on a players contract, will have the full value of the cap hit act against the teams salary cap total, regardless of whether the player is reassigned to the minors by their current team.

My assumption is the Devils are getting healthier everyday and that will lead to better play. Not sure how long Hamilton is out though. I agree with your assessment of the game.

Flyers are still five points up. Lot of ground for the Devils to make up.
- mickel25

End of March..he had surgery to reattach his bicep I believe.

I think Hamilton may be done for the entire season. Maybe he could come back in the playoffs. I'd rather be in the Flyers spot than the Devils.
- MJL

Me too.

From Cap Friendly:
- TheFreak

Would be nice if Briere got involved in these third-party deals. Assuming he doesn't retain on both Walker and Laughton. I remember lamenting the fact that Fletcher didn't do anything like that last year. Zero creativity.

Would be nice if Briere got involved in these third-party deals. Assuming he doesn't retain on both Walker and Laughton. I remember lamenting the fact that Fletcher didn't do anything like that last year. Zero creativity.
- TobyFlenderson

I do not want them retaining on Laughton. That would tie up 2 of 3 retention slots for the next two years. I assume a salary of some sort comes back in that deal.

He loudly gave it to the full team about needing more from everyone, especially on the defensive side of the puck, and challenged several individuals by name. Tortorella said that players' ice time will depend on it.
- bmeltzer

Owen Tippett, Morgan Frost and Travis Konecny I'm guessing.

Man the Caps and Pens are not going to be good for a very long time.

Man the Caps and Pens are not going to be good for a very long time.
- mickel25

I wonder if the Pens ever consider moving Crosby to a contender.

Everyone keeps waiting for the Devils to make their run and I understand that, but I wasn't impressed with their game Saturday night. I mean, that was almost a must win for them cause they would have been down 9 points in the standings and the Flyers should have won that game. They had 27 shots and 17 scoring chances (7 high danger chances) in the second period alone. They pot a couple of those and Ersson just plays a steady game, and they come out with the victory.
- Phillywhiteout

If the Devils get a goalie, Markstrom, they are making the playoffs. Probably make it without adding a goalie. Too much talent been riddled with key injuries. Its the West who could get 5 spots that you have to watch

laughton can get a late 1st imo. Walker depends if a team is desperate. As I have said before add a pick or prospect to each deal to try to get that first.

Seeler may have a better chance of a late first because of his cap hit. Seeler and 3rd for a late 1st?

Also I wouldn't be just focused on a 1st in 2024. Maybe you can get a team to bite for a 1st between 2025-2027 instead of say a 2nd in 2024.
- hello it's me 2050

I am with you this draft is weak would look to get a prospect or picks in later years vs this year

I do not want them retaining on Laughton. That would tie up 2 of 3 retention slots for the next two years. I assume a salary of some sort comes back in that deal.
- mickel25

I'm with you there

I wonder if the Pens ever consider moving Crosby to a contender.
- Briere

Ownership has prohibited it.

Owen Tippett, Morgan Frost and Travis Konecny I'm guessing.
- Tomahawk

I'm thinking Couts and Atkinson were front and center. The team played a lose game the other night, have to guard against this because the Flyers are not good enough to play this style and come away with more wins than losses down the stretch here. They have to pay disciplined, structured hockey and Chicago is a good place to start. The Flyers have a lot of games against good teams coming up, Boston, Tampa, Florida, Toronto, Rangers, and they will not win against these teams playing lose hockey.

Farabee should score, if Cam goes on Coots line. Unless they start dropping in the standings, Laughton won't be moved till off-season. They have no backfill for him and if in contention for playoffs, you can't complain if they keep him, unless blown away with an offer. You hope DB levers that way. Walker, FA, sell.

Leave it up to the Flyers to have a non-hockey event centered around fighting. They just can't let go. They are the NHL's version of Uncle Rico of Napolean Dynamite fame. Always living in their past glory years and flat out refusing to move forward.

Ownership has prohibited it.
- Tomahawk

Its up to Crosby ...if they resign Guentzel Crosby isnt going anywhere....if they dont and Pens are even worse next year could see Crosby seeking a trade to Avs to play with his buddy

Farabee should score, if Cam goes on Coots line. Unless they start dropping in the standings, Laughton won't be moved till off-season. They have no backfill for him and if in contention for playoffs, you can't complain if they keep him, unless blown away with an offer. You hope DB levers that way. Walker, FA, sell.
- wcorvette

I agree. You can get assets for these guys at the draft or sometime during the summer if they are under contract. The UFA's should be moved if possible. I might consider keeping Walker for the right deal, but if he wants more than a two year deal move him!! If you get another first rounder offered to you for Laughton...move him too! Staal isn't gonna bring anything back and I think they are gonna resign Seeler. Risto isn't being moved now, but perhaps something can be done in the off season. TK isn't goin anywhere, so folks need to just move on from that idea. Perhaps if negotiations go bad in the off season they would consider moving him, but it ain't happening now. Can you imagine this team without him right now? He is the straw that stirs the drink.

Leave it up to the Flyers to have a non-hockey event centered around fighting. They just can't let go. They are the NHL's version of Uncle Rico of Napolean Dynamite fame. Always living in their past glory years and flat out refusing to move forward.
- mr4tno

Their are multiple sports based on various levels of fighting. If people will pay for it why not do it?

Its up to Crosby ...if they resign Guentzel Crosby isnt going anywhere....if they dont and Pens are even worse next year could see Crosby seeking a trade to Avs to play with his buddy
- hfc355

This makes a ton of sense.