Adam Kimelman:
Capitals have re-signed Nicklas Backstrom - five-year, $46 million contract. $9.2 million annual average value. He would have been a UFA on July 1.
- airjan23

A guy who caddied for me in Scotland a few years back, caddied for Backstrom for a round. He said he never seen a player more drunk than Backstrom was that day and he still broke 80!! hahahahaha

Wishful thinking. Only way it works, assuming he waived his NMC, is if the starter of a contender goes down before deadline, but even that isn't enough b/c Hank is due 8+ next year.
- rrentz

Rangers would have to eat half the cap in any possible realistic trade

Colorado is a legit contender with the cap space and a shaky goaltending situation

Colorado is a legit contender with the cap space and a shaky goaltending situation
- Maskdman3

I think they are a legit candidate for Georgiev

It's pretty awesome. Rangers have two legit scoring lines now. The "kid line" is starting to pick it up as well. That was the best game Kakko played in a long time. Just needs to shoot more instead of skating the puck around the net on odd man rushes.
- TPC

Kakko made some really good cross ice passes in the o-zone. They were incredibly similar to the ones made by his Russian mentor, The Breadman

How does Oshie beat out Zibby for "last man" from Met. Division

Zib so much more dynamic for a 3 v 3 game

This is going to be the longest month ever
- TPC

What needs to happen is someone needs to go after Zibanejad every game. That will light a fire under Kreider’s ass. He had the look of murder when Nelson hit Mika at the end of the game.

I think they are a legit candidate for Georgiev
- jimbro83

They are still on heavy on Kreider who I want to keep

What needs to happen is someone needs to go after Zibanejad every game. That will light a fire under Kreider’s ass. He had the look of murder when Nelson hit Mika at the end of the game.
- adwolf130

Well I hope it can be easier than this

How does Oshie beat out Zibby for "last man" from Met. Division

Zib so much more dynamic for a 3 v 3 game
- rrentz

I'll get bashed on this site for this, but I don't think Zib deserved it. Zib has been great when he has played, but IMO he didn't play enough games. FWIW I don't think Oshie should have gotten in either.

In terms of Rangers, I still maintain ADA was much more deserving than Zib.

I'll get bashed on this site for this, but I don't think Zib deserved it. Zib has been great when he has played, but IMO he didn't play enough games. FWIW I don't think Oshie should have gotten in either.

In terms of Rangers, I still maintain ADA was much more deserving than Zib.
- 2sticks1puck

I agree w/ that.

I'll get bashed on this site for this, but I don't think Zib deserved it. Zib has been great when he has played, but IMO he didn't play enough games. FWIW I don't think Oshie should have gotten in either.

In terms of Rangers, I still maintain ADA was much more deserving than Zib.
- 2sticks1puck

personally less (frank)s could not be given about the all star game

personally less (frank)s could not be given about the all star game
- jimbro83

Seems like most players are skipping it anyway

Honestly once they made it mandatory that one player makes it from each team it looses its true meaning. Are we really taking the leagues best players?

personally less (frank)s could not be given about the all star game
- jimbro83

I agree with this, I never watch it to begin with, and we have had players go down with serious injuries in this exhibition game. Richter comes to mind

Seems like most players are skipping it anyway

Honestly once they made it mandatory that one player makes it from each team it looses its true meaning. Are we really taking the leagues best players?
- TPC

Yeah, true that. At least the allstar game seems a bit more interesting now.

Hajek sent down

Hajek sent down
- jimbro83

I was hoping Staal's foot was gonna fall off or something. Guess not.

Hajek sent down
- jimbro83

He needs it to get his legs back. I thought that was the plan all along but then someone posted the opposite. I thought Quinn said when he first got hurt he would go to Hartford to get his conditioning back.

He needs it to get his legs back. I thought that was the plan all along but then someone posted the opposite. I thought Quinn said when he first got hurt he would go to Hartford to get his conditioning back.
- nyrangers9479

Pack have 3 games in the next 4 days so he'll have every opportunity

Playing him in St Louis was dumb for sure

I was hoping Staal's foot was gonna fall off or something. Guess not.
- JRR1285

In all honesty , Staal hasn't been too bad. Hajek needs a few games in AHL to get his legs back

In all honesty , Staal hasn't been too bad. Hajek needs a few games in AHL to get his legs back
- rrentz

He hasn't been terrible but he gets beaten by the fast opposing player almost every time.

He hasn't been terrible but he gets beaten by the fast opposing player almost every time.
- JRR1285

Staal is rough on the road when the other team can take advantage of the matchup

In all honesty , Staal hasn't been too bad. Hajek needs a few games in AHL to get his legs back
- rrentz

Staal is the 2019-2020 version of marik malik. Hes surely not what he used to be but the idea that he is the worst defenseman on the team is non sense. That title belongs to skjei

Pack have 3 games in the next 4 days so he'll have every opportunity

Playing him in St Louis was dumb for sure
- jimbro83

With the logjam at d, what’s more likely? Moving on from a current roster guy (Skjei, ADA, Smith, Staal, etc.) or a prospect waiting in the wings (Hajek, Miller, Keane, Nils, Rykov, etc.)?

I could see one of those prospects going, paired with Georgiev, in a package for an NHL ready winger.

He hasn't been terrible but he gets beaten by the fast opposing player almost every time.
- JRR1285

At one point last night I laughed watching Staal get back into position.
I was like, "Wow! Marc looks like he was shot out of a cannon!" He was moving at the same speed as the offensive player.