Sam Hitchcock: Erik Karlsson: Great Player, Wrong Fit

The mistake was signing Miller.

The Conference-finals in '17 also showed one thing: He's the prototype of a sportsmen!, playing injured and having a smile in biggest defeat... great guy.

In my opinion you guys don't need any help on defense. You need to add some quality depth down the middle. I think you're a higher level 3C away from being the best team in the East.

If the Bolts could offload the Callahan contract in a Karlsson trade, it could be worth it, even as a "tryout" before TB decides if they want to extend him

Something like Gourde, Callahan, 1st, 2nd and a couple prospects maybe?

In my opinion you guys don't need any help on defense. You need to add some quality depth down the middle. I think you're a higher level 3C away from being the best team in the East.
- Rinosaur

They're the best team in the east right now.......and it's not close IMO

The only way Karlsson doesn't fit is salary. Technically speaking, any GM would love to "fit" him on their team. You sign him and then make it work after. It's a lovely problem to have.

The only way Karlsson signs in Tampa is if he is dead set in his mind on coming here if Melnyk doesn't magically vanish this season. If he likes the city, the atmosphere, Hedman, and the stacked roster, then it would make sense for him to sign. The biggest IF in the equation would be his salary demands. If he accepts a team-friendly, state-tax-free, deal like Hedman, Stamkos, and Kucherov did, then maybe it could work.

That is a metric phuck-ton of IF's.

I just don't see it happening. I'd like to, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

He wants to play here. Wait a year and get him for nothing in free agency. I am not a big fan of dealing away Callahan.

They're the best team in the east right now.......and it's not close IMO
- sensarmy_11

Paper champions until proven otherwise.

They're the best team in the east right now.......and it's not close IMO
- sensarmy_11

as much as it may bother you, the leafs will be the best team in the east this year and no, it won't be close.

as much as it may bother you, the leafs will be the best team in the east this year and no, it won't be close.
- HellsBells

I hope you have someone who will dry your tears -again- end of April...

as much as it may bother you, the leafs will be the best team in the east this year and no, it won't be close.
- HellsBells

The Leafs have made great strides into the realm of contention and respectability, but they are not quite ready to be crowned best in the east. Top three no doubt.

The Tampa - Leafs games will be sick this year.

as much as it may bother you, the leafs will be the best team in the east this year and no, it won't be close.
- HellsBells

Might have to move Tavares to d for that to come true

They're the best team in the east right now.......and it's not close IMO
- sensarmy_11

You’re quite mistaken. The Capitals are currently the best team in the East. Also, don’t discount a Pens team that was on full burnout. The Pens are still very much close to the top of the heap.

I will say, I think the Leafs are a better team on paper than the bolts and will IMO be the team to beat.

You’re quite mistaken. The Capitals are currently the best team in the East. Also, don’t discount a Pens team that was on full burnout. The Pens are still very much close to the top of the heap.

I will say, I think the Leafs are a better team on paper than the bolts and will IMO be the team to beat.-Rinosaur

Your the only person here talking sense, it's like saying the sabres and the canes are better than the devils because of the trades that they have made, but those teams didn't make the playoffs, and have not done so for years, so until they prove something they can't automatically be better playoff contenders then the devils.

i.e Washington is the best team in the nhl, the pens second

i.e Washington is the best team in the nhl, the pens second
- cu45161

Actually there is no "best team" right now or before a season, just one that won it last year and a few who play it out this year... in Atlantic you can already limit this to Lightning, Leafs and (maybe) Boston; in Metro to Pens, Caps, Flyers, Devils (and maybe Jackets.)

as much as it may bother you, the leafs will be the best team in the east this year and no, it won't be close.

Not unless one of the kids on defense come up and absolutely kill it. If Hainsey is still playing #2D minutes, we are not the best in the east.

Your the only person here talking sense, it's like saying the sabres and the canes are better than the devils because of the trades that they have made, but those teams didn't make the playoffs, and have not done so for years, so until they prove something they can't automatically be better playoff contenders then the devils.

i.e Washington is the best team in the nhl, the pens second
- cu45161

This might be the dumbest post I've ever read. You're comparing teams in full rebuild to the team who had the best record on the NHL last year.....and saying it's the same thing to say they're the beat teams in the league.

Yes, Washington won the cup, not taking anything away from them. They didn't win cuz they were the best team in the league, they won cuz they went on a heater at the right time.

You are assuming you are keeping Sergachev. You gotta give to get and unfortunately unless Sergachev is in the deal I doubt Karlsson goes to you. After this season Girardi, Stralman and Coburn come off the books. Thats 11.2 mill alone. Plus you have to look at other Possible deals. Callahan wont be too hard to deal as he will only have 1 season left on his deal after this year, that is another 5.8 mill.

It is unlikely TyJo gets traded as he has a full NTC until 2021, however guys like Palat and Killhorn can be traded as they have limited NTC or Clauses that dont kick in until later on. That is another 7.75 mill. Tampa can easily make it happen.

You are assuming you are keeping Sergachev. You gotta give to get and unfortunately unless Sergachev is in the deal I doubt Karlsson goes to you. After this season Girardi, Stralman and Coburn come off the books. Thats 11.2 mill alone. Plus you have to look at other Possible deals. Callahan wont be too hard to deal as he will only have 1 season left on his deal after this year, that is another 5.8 mill.

It is unlikely TyJo gets traded as he has a full NTC until 2021, however guys like Palat and Killhorn can be traded as they have limited NTC or Clauses that dont kick in until later on. That is another 7.75 mill. Tampa can easily make it happen.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Yep. Then they'd only have to fill the 5-6 holes they'd create after giving a (frank) ton of cap space to EK.

as much as it may bother you, the leafs will be the best team in the east this year and no, it won't be close.
- HellsBells

The leafs won't even be best in there division LMFAO,and no, it won't be close

You are assuming you are keeping Sergachev. You gotta give to get and unfortunately unless Sergachev is in the deal I doubt Karlsson goes to you. After this season Girardi, Stralman and Coburn come off the books. Thats 11.2 mill alone. Plus you have to look at other Possible deals. Callahan wont be too hard to deal as he will only have 1 season left on his deal after this year, that is another 5.8 mill.

It is unlikely TyJo gets traded as he has a full NTC until 2021, however guys like Palat and Killhorn can be traded as they have limited NTC or Clauses that dont kick in until later on. That is another 7.75 mill. Tampa can easily make it happen.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

They can keep Karlsson if the price includes Sergachev or Point.

Palat would also be really low on my list of players to trade out. Keep Palat over Johnson or Killorn (or Miller for that matter).

They can keep Karlsson if the price includes Sergachev or Point.

Palat would also be really low on my list of players to trade out. Keep Palat over Johnson or Killorn (or Miller for that matter).
- GalacticStone

They could do it a number of ways. No matter what they do, if they do trade for him this summer, there will be some holes created that won't be filled.

The leafs won't even be best in there division LMFAO,and no, it won't be close
- Twisted/schism

yeah can't argue with you here.
What insight!
You truly are a HockeyBuzz all-star .

yeah can't argue with you here.
What insight!
You truly are a HockeyBuzz all-star .
- HellsBells

Good it's about time you smartened up