How about skipping the "try-out" and take the bargain bin players like Sprong.

Skates very well, averaged 20 goals the last 2 years and can play LW.

What a terrible miss. Canucks got a steal. Even if he sucks, it's 975K. Rather have a guy who could potentially play in the top-six than Reaves in the press box.

Cousins and Blais are bleh. Clutterbuck is better than both.

Klingberg, definitely not worth the look with OEL already signed. Would much prefer to sign Shattenkirk and Bortuzzo as a 6/7 platoon. Play them 41 games each, situationally, depending on the opponent. Trade Timmins to Pittsburgh to clear the space.

Alex Nylander makes as much sense as the Dallas Stars getting Nick Robertson. You already have the better brother, why waste the roster spot on a guy who isn't good enough to score in the top-six and useless in the bottom-six. Don't see the point.
- Rare_Jewel

It's not really the same situation, but the Hurricanes did the Staal's a solid and employed their poopty younger brother in the AHL and the three always hung out. Alex to the Marlies and hanging with Willy is fairly similar.

Again, we have no idea about the two, so who knows...and who really cares. He'd be fine as a call up if he's willing to go to the A to start the season. You lose him to waivers...oh well...I'm sure he's looking for an NHL job though until it's officially too late.

It's not really the same situation, but the Hurricanes did the Staal's a solid and employed their poopty younger brother in the AHL and the three always hung out. Alex to the Marlies and hanging with Willy is fairly similar.

Again, we have no idea about the two, so who knows...and who really cares. He'd be fine as a call up if he's willing to go to the A to start the season. You lose him to waivers...oh well...I'm sure he's looking for an NHL job though until it's officially too late.
- AdamFrench

Nylander already looks like a weekend warrior party pretty boy. Wanna give him a new party buddy? I wouldn't.

I'd say the Staal brothers were probably a lot more focused on hockey than the Nylanders seem to be.

If Alex can be a top-six winger and score 20 goals, the juice is worth the squeeze, otherwise I want guys who are going to make a playoff difference.

T.J. Tynan
Travis Dermott
Auston Watson
Malcom Subban
P.E. Bellemare
Nico Dawes

Would be my picks for a PTO
P.E. and Watson I would just sign right now.
But will be good to see how they fit with this group
- Tom Dusome

I like the idea of Bellemare and Blais to shore up the 4th line. It would give the Leafs a reason to move on from Reaves too.

Nylander already looks like a weekend warrior party pretty boy. Wanna give him a new party buddy? I wouldn't.

I'd say the Staal brothers were probably a lot more focused on hockey than the Nylanders seem to be.

If Alex can be a top-six winger and score 20 goals, the juice is worth the squeeze, otherwise I want guys who are going to make a playoff difference.
- Rare_Jewel

The funny thing is that it could go the other way. Guys with $11.5m rolling in will have no end of party buddies to choose from. Guys who are supposed to be role models for their younger siblings might be inclined to help him establish himself first.

One guy you're high on - Daniel Sprong - is a complete and utter defensive liability. You should watch footage of the way he plays. He's got a great shot and is actually decent against weak 4th line talent. As soon as you move Sprong up in the lineup his lack of compete is exposed and his defensive apathy is horrifically apparent.

Alex Nylander could very well be nothing more than a tweener, or maybe Daniel Sprong, or even worse, but he's 26 and has the tools to be more than what he's shown in the NHL to date.

Sprong has been in the NHL for 8 years and is going to his 6th team at league minimum. He's only a year older than Nylander but this guy has been coached by Lalonde, Hakstol, Laviolette, Eakins, Murray, Carlyle and Mike Sullivan - and has been benched by all of them. For Nylander the only time he's spent on an NHL team long enough to matter he was coached by Housley, Colliton and Pascal Vincent. Of the 283 coaches in NHL history to at least coach 80 games, that's coaches 156, 223 and 239. Granted he's passed through waivers enough to have a NEXUS pass for it.

Ultimately though it's like arguing which sticky stuff on the bottom of the taxi you want to put your feet in. Neither is probably still the right answer.

Booked my ✈️ back to Hamilton in early August

God, I hate flying 🙁

The funny thing is that it could go the other way. Guys with $11.5m rolling in will have no end of party buddies to choose from. Guys who are supposed to be role models for their younger siblings might be inclined to help him establish himself first.

One guy you're high on - Daniel Sprong - is a complete and utter defensive liability. You should watch footage of the way he plays. He's got a great shot and is actually decent against weak 4th line talent. As soon as you move Sprong up in the lineup his lack of compete is exposed and his defensive apathy is horrifically apparent.

Alex Nylander could very well be nothing more than a tweener, or maybe Daniel Sprong, or even worse, but he's 26 and has the tools to be more than what he's shown in the NHL to date.

Sprong has been in the NHL for 8 years and is going to his 6th team at league minimum. He's only a year older than Nylander but this guy has been coached by Lalonde, Hakstol, Laviolette, Eakins, Murray, Carlyle and Mike Sullivan - and has been benched by all of them. For Nylander the only time he's spent on an NHL team long enough to matter he was coached by Housley, Colliton and Pascal Vincent. Of the 283 coaches in NHL history to at least coach 80 games, that's coaches 156, 223 and 239. Granted he's passed through waivers enough to have a NEXUS pass for it.

Ultimately though it's like arguing which sticky stuff on the bottom of the taxi you want to put your feet in. Neither is probably still the right answer.
- Monkeypunk

I'm not that high on Sprong but if we're talking about bargain bin players, 20 goals for 950K fits the bill.

I'd say the biggest difference is still Sprong has averaged 20 goals 2 years in a row. For 950K, he can suck defensively if he's playing with Matthews and Marner because he's going to get cover. I see Alex as having the same problems but not the same benefits.

Booked my ✈️ back to Hamilton in early August

God, I hate flying 🙁
- mr.sir

"back to Hamilton"? Do you live in BC?

I will throw this out there - at least it's Hamilton Airport. I love that place inasmuch as giving a crap about airports goes! I would fly into or out of Hamilton every time I went anywhere if I could.

I'm not that high on Sprong but if we're talking about bargain bin players, 20 goals for 950K fits the bill.

I'd say the biggest difference is still Sprong has averaged 20 goals 2 years in a row. For 950K, he can suck defensively if he's playing with Matthews and Marner because he's going to get cover. I see Alex as having the same problems but not the same benefits.
- Rare_Jewel

Hey, man . . .Nylander was on a 39 goal pace last year for a whopping 23 game span! To be fair some guys have it and some guys don't. I worked with Mike Peca's brother and while he's a fantastic hockey player (fantastic athlete actually - one of those irritating guys who's just good at all sports), he said that Mike had the level of dedication and love for the game that he didn't - and ultimately that's a massive separator when it comes to being a pro. I'm pretty sure he said he'd played a bit in the OHL and both he and they knew then.

I'd have been fine with offering Sprong a PTO, had he been unsigned, to see what he offers in camp - but this team has so many guys who just won't compete hard enough for the puck. I figure Alex Nylander is that same type of guy, which is why he probably wouldn't get a spot - but I'd give him a PTO look to show-me.

"back to Hamilton"? Do you live in BC?

I will throw this out there - at least it's Hamilton Airport. I love that place inasmuch as giving a crap about airports goes! I would fly into or out of Hamilton every time I went anywhere if I could.
- Monkeypunk

Yes, on Van Isle
Grew up in Niagara

Never going to Toronto or Vancouver airports again 👍

Hamilton-Calgary-Comox for the win

Hey, man . . .Nylander was on a 39 goal pace last year for a whopping 23 game span! To be fair some guys have it and some guys don't. I worked with Mike Peca's brother and while he's a fantastic hockey player (fantastic athlete actually - one of those irritating guys who's just good at all sports), he said that Mike had the level of dedication and love for the game that he didn't - and ultimately that's a massive separator when it comes to being a pro. I'm pretty sure he said he'd played a bit in the OHL and both he and they knew then.

I'd have been fine with offering Sprong a PTO, had he been unsigned, to see what he offers in camp - but this team has so many guys who just won't compete hard enough for the puck. I figure Alex Nylander is that same type of guy, which is why he probably wouldn't get a spot - but I'd give him a PTO look to show-me.
- Monkeypunk

I totally agree, the Leafs need to increase the number of "high effort" players who excel in the playoffs, which is exactly why I'd add Clutterbuck.

That being said, when you get a player like Sprong, for example, who has elite level skating and proven to be able to score 20 goals on a value contract, you lean on your coaching staff to make that difference.

I think the big reason why the Canucks rolled the dice on that low risk bet is because they believe Tocchet can extract the most out of him like he did with Boeser. I'd say the case can be made that Berube had done that once or twice in St. Louis. Could he do the same with Alex? Perhaps. But I think I'd rather take that risk with a player that's proven more in the NHL than Alex has.

The good thing is, PTOs cost nothing so if there's something there, go for it.

I totally agree, the Leafs need to increase the number of "high effort" players who excel in the playoffs, which is exactly why I'd add Clutterbuck.

That being said, when you get a player like Sprong, for example, who has elite level skating and proven to be able to score 20 goals on a value contract, you lean on your coaching staff to make that difference.

I think the big reason why the Canucks rolled the dice on that low risk bet is because they believe Tocchet can extract the most out of him like he did with Boeser. I'd say the case can be made that Berube had done that once or twice in St. Louis. Could he do the same with Alex? Perhaps. But I think I'd rather take that risk with a player that's proven more in the NHL than Alex has.

The good thing is, PTOs cost nothing so if there's something there, go for it.
- Rare_Jewel

I'd pass as I don't think he's got enough in the tank at the 37/38.
He'd have to displace Reaves even at the age of 37 which I do not see happening unless Reaves is hurt.

new blog everyone

"back to Hamilton"? Do you live in BC?

I will throw this out there - at least it's Hamilton Airport. I love that place inasmuch as giving a crap about airports goes! I would fly into or out of Hamilton every time I went anywhere if I could.
- Monkeypunk

1000%. I'm so pissed Swoop got absorbed into WestJet and now I can't fly Edmonton to Hamilton. Flying Porter into Toronto is slick AF, but I'd still prefer to be going to Hamilton without all the fancy perks.

Political talk is not welcome on this site.
- Dozzer

What political talk? Were you voted “Karen” of HockeyBuzz?