Technically past the literal halfway point, but the AS break is over and onto the next part of the season.
Standings:
Biggest surprises to me are:
Islanders: even with a down year for the Metro the Islanders weren't supposed to be here, and they may not be at the end, but they are now. A +25 goal differential is not a fluke for the standings.
Canadiens: Bergevin takes a ton of shit for the failed Subban trade (and deservedly so), but his Galchenyuk and Paccioretty trades have worked beautifully and even though I was surprised to see Kotkaniemi taken ahead of Zadina and Tkachuk I see why, he's a better player. They left the world juniors with the best forward, best defenseman, and could have had best goalie. Things in hockey can turn around quickly. Unlike the Islanders I don't think the Canadiens can sustain their playoff spot, but I didn't think they'd be here either.
Avalanche:
We all knew MacKinnon was a superstar but that top line is flying, they have some good prospects, and they have a lot of youth, needle pointing up for the Avs, but didn't expect them to show results so soon.
could be more, but those to me are three of the biggest 1st half surprises.
Deadline:
Leafs acquired Muzzin from LA for a 1st. I don't think Muzzin is worth a 1st, he's solid, but not great, but Toronto needs D and he's better than most of their D other than Rielly. Makes them a contender if they weren't already. This is a trade if I am TOR I make every time.
Anakim will be happy (or not) that Panarin said he will not negotiate with the BJ's who had made public that they were willing to discuss a LT deal, so he's likely (if not guaranteed) to be traded. Downside for Rangers fans would be if he signs with his new team.
Other rumored names to be dealt:
Wayne Simmonds (and anyone on the Flyers not named Giroux or Hart)
Bobrovsky - should be a lot of interest, even in a down year for him
Here is a list from NHL.com:
FORWARDS
Mark Stone, RW, OTT
Current Yahoo rank: 37
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Chris Kreider, LW, NYR
Current Yahoo rank: 48
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2020
Artemi Panarin, LW, CBJ
Current Yahoo rank: 60
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Micheal Ferland, LW/RW, CAR
Current Yahoo rank: 84
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Gustav Nyquist, LW/RW, DET
Current Yahoo rank: 102
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Eric Staal, C, MIN
Current Yahoo rank: 105
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Matt Duchene, C, OTT
Current Yahoo rank: 123
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Evgenii Dadonov, LW/RW, FLA
Current Yahoo rank: 129
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2020
Kasperi Kapanen, RW, TOR
Current Yahoo rank: 131
Contract status: Potential RFA in 2019
Kevin Hayes, C, NYR
Current Yahoo rank: 157
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Jeff Carter, C, LAK
Current Yahoo rank: 174
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2022
Wayne Simmonds, RW, PHI
Current Yahoo rank: 189
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Brayden Schenn, C, STL
Current Yahoo rank: 194
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2020
Andreas Johnsson, LW, TOR
Current Yahoo rank: 254
Contract status: Potential RFA in 2019
Jordan Eberle, C/RW, NYI
Current Yahoo rank: 310
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Mats Zuccarello, RW, NYR
Current Yahoo rank: 350
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Jakob Silfverberg, RW, ANA
Current Yahoo rank: 376
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Jason Spezza, C, DAL
Current Yahoo rank: 395
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Derick Brassard, C, PIT
Current Yahoo rank: 420
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Nick Bjugstad, C/LW/RW, FLA
Current Yahoo rank: 423
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2021
Ilya Kovalchuk, LW/RW, LAK
Current Yahoo rank: 431
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2021
Brandon Pirri, C/LW, VGK
Current Yahoo rank: 477
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Marcus Johansson, LW, NJD
Current Yahoo rank: 515
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Andre Burakovsky, LW/RW, WSH
Current Yahoo rank: 570
Contract status: Potential RFA in 2019
Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, EDM
Current Yahoo rank: 644
Contract status: Potential RFA in 2019
William Nylander, C/RW, TOR
Current Yahoo rank: 712
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2024
DEFENSEMEN
Dougie Hamilton, CAR
Current Yahoo rank: 141
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2021
Justin Faulk, CAR
Current Yahoo rank: 155
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2020
Alexander Edler, VAN
Current Yahoo rank: 196
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Colton Parayko, STL
Current Yahoo rank: 207
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2022
Jake Gardiner, TOR
Current Yahoo rank: 241
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Alex Pietrangelo, STL
Current Yahoo rank: 364
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2020
Alec Martinez, LAK
Current Yahoo rank: 509
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2021
GOALIES
Sergei Bobrovsky, CBJ
Current Yahoo rank: 191
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Jimmy Howard, DET
Current Yahoo rank: 170
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Semyon Varlamov, COL
Current Yahoo rank: 233
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Mike Smith, CGY
Current Yahoo rank: 389
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
Cam Talbot, EDM
Current Yahoo rank: 596
Contract status: Potential UFA in 2019
And, Dougie Hamilton available? He stinks. I've watched quite a few Canes games and he makes Keith Yandle look like a shutdown defenseman.
Rittich has stepped up for them in a major way.
They helped the Islanders out with Eberle
Where's our fleecing!?!? And no, Spooner for Strome doesn't compare to the former two.
Hopefully he's heading for NYC in July regardless.
I doubt the Isles are willing to risk the price of a top tier rental but Stone would literally be a perfect fit next to Barzal.
Been there; done that
The question is whether it makes sense to trade for him now or just sign him in July.
They immediately waived Mason, but for their efforts got Joel Armia who is a solid top 9 forward, and a couple draft picks.
12 teams with less than $3M in cap space I believe.
Look for teams with space to make moves now even for just draft picks while accepting a bad contract.
The question is whether it makes sense to trade for him now or just sign him in July.
I doubt Columbus would send him here right now. Maybe if they fall off the earth in the next couple weeks, but if they trade him I'd guess it will be out west to a team they don't need to jump in the standings (or could face in the playoffs).
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Been there; done that
I have to think during his time with the Rangers he just wasn't right physically. I know he had a shoulder problem and he went from doing nothing with the Rangers to lighting it up on the Wild
It seems all but certain he's gone in FA, so I think they'll try and get something for him.
As PJ said, the numbers don't lie. Goal differential is amazing.
For those that are watching them from afar, Trotz has pushed the right button on his goalie 95% of the time. He's been dead on as to who plays when.
Part of me wants to see a trade to improve the team, but part of me doesn't want to see the chemistry broken up. Collectively they have been amazing as proof of their place in the standings. I trust in whatever Lou and Trotz have up their sleeve.
They helped the Islanders out with Eberle
Where's our fleecing!?!? And no, Spooner for Strome doesn't compare to the former two.
And Barzal, and Beauvillier
The good thing is they don't have to trade h8im because he has a year left.
Zucc is gone but won't bring back as much. I think Hayes is undervalued by that Yahoo ranking
- Cap space. They got that.
- In contention. They got that.
- Dynamic center for him to play with. They got that.
- Major market... jokes aside, they got that.
- Need at wing. They got that.
- Quality assets to deal. They got that.
In a way it might make the most sense of any option, save for them being in the same division.
It goes without saying that the hall would be massive, though. I think we'd be looking at something like Wahlstrom, Wilde, Beauvillier, and a 1st for Panarin and a 3rd.
The AS break could not have come at a better time for the Caps. They need to figure out their defense and make sure they get into the group of 8.
- Cap space. They got that.
- In contention. They got that.
- Dynamic center for him to play with. They got that.
- Major market... jokes aside, they got that.
- Need at wing. They got that.
- Quality assets to deal. They got that.
In a way it might make the most sense of any option, save for them being in the same division.
It goes without saying that the hall would be massive, though. I think we'd be looking at something like Wahlstrom, Wilde, Beauvillier, and a 1st for Panarin and a 3rd.
Jokes aside, no you really don't
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and there are plenty of reasons to think it can happen.
- Cap space. They got that.
- In contention. They got that.
- Dynamic center for him to play with. They got that.
- Major market... jokes aside, they got that.
- Need at wing. They got that.
- Quality assets to deal. They got that.
In a way it might make the most sense of any option, save for them being in the same division.
It goes without saying that the hall would be massive, though. I think we'd be looking at something like Wahlstrom, Wilde, Beauvillier, and a 1st for Panarin and a 3rd.
Jokes aside, no you really don't
You may wanna be more specific with your retort considering all his points were accurate
Price has been great lately, but overall on the season, not so much, and one again he's playing with an injury.
Hard to believe he passed Patrick Roy for wins, though wins now are a little different than when there were ties.
Roy has 130 ties/ot shootout losses (not sure how many were ties).
Price just needs 9 more wins to pass Jacque Plante for #1 in Habs history. he also by far is the losses leader.
He may pass Dryden for 3rd in shutouts this year, that would be impressive since it crosses eras.
Also makes sense to the Sharks though. NY and LA (if you believe the leaked rumors).
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In comment 14280427 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
and there are plenty of reasons to think it can happen.
- Cap space. They got that.
- In contention. They got that.
- Dynamic center for him to play with. They got that.
- Major market... jokes aside, they got that.
- Need at wing. They got that.
- Quality assets to deal. They got that.
In a way it might make the most sense of any option, save for them being in the same division.
It goes without saying that the hall would be massive, though. I think we'd be looking at something like Wahlstrom, Wilde, Beauvillier, and a 1st for Panarin and a 3rd.
Jokes aside, no you really don't
You may wanna be more specific with your retort considering all his points were accurate
Almost all. The Islanders are anything but a major market. It's a small market team by nature.
Quote:
In comment 14280489 Anakim said:
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In comment 14280427 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
and there are plenty of reasons to think it can happen.
- Cap space. They got that.
- In contention. They got that.
- Dynamic center for him to play with. They got that.
- Major market... jokes aside, they got that.
- Need at wing. They got that.
- Quality assets to deal. They got that.
In a way it might make the most sense of any option, save for them being in the same division.
It goes without saying that the hall would be massive, though. I think we'd be looking at something like Wahlstrom, Wilde, Beauvillier, and a 1st for Panarin and a 3rd.
Jokes aside, no you really don't
You may wanna be more specific with your retort considering all his points were accurate
Almost all. The Islanders are anything but a major market. It's a small market team by nature.
Almost all? At least you're not even trying to hide you're trolling
I would definitely trade Johansson, Boyle, Lovejoy, and Kinkaid. I would also be open to trading Vatanen and Miles Wood also for the right price. It sucks that the Devils can't begin extension talks with Hall yet because I would send out feelers to teams seeing what they could get. If Colorado for instance offered the Ottawa 1st round pick, Makar, and a third piece I would seriously consider it.
As you mentioned Blackwood is the future in net but Schneider isn't going anywhere because of his contract. The Devils would have to attach a 1st round pick or a good young player with him to move him which they can't afford to do. What I would do is keep Schneider in the AHL for the rest of this season and bring him to camp hoping that he could at least be a solid backup next year. If he continues to play awful then I would buy him out.
I would think NYI would have large advantage over NYR for Panarin given that hed not likely to want to be part of a very long rebuild but who knows. NHL FA is a hard thing to predict!
I love Boyle also but the issue is he doesn't really fit in with the Devils system. Their all about youth and speed which is obviously not Boyle's game. The Devils also have several good young players in the AHL that could be very good 4th liners with a chance for more (Quenneville, Studenic, McLeod, Lappin, and Bastian)
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In comment 14280516 JayBinQueens said:
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In comment 14280489 Anakim said:
Quote:
In comment 14280427 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
and there are plenty of reasons to think it can happen.
- Cap space. They got that.
- In contention. They got that.
- Dynamic center for him to play with. They got that.
- Major market... jokes aside, they got that.
- Need at wing. They got that.
- Quality assets to deal. They got that.
In a way it might make the most sense of any option, save for them being in the same division.
It goes without saying that the hall would be massive, though. I think we'd be looking at something like Wahlstrom, Wilde, Beauvillier, and a 1st for Panarin and a 3rd.
Jokes aside, no you really don't
You may wanna be more specific with your retort considering all his points were accurate
Almost all. The Islanders are anything but a major market. It's a small market team by nature.
Almost all? At least you're not even trying to hide you're trolling
What? How am I trolling? The Islanders aren't a big market team. I'm not really sure how you can argue otherwise. Big market teams: Rangers, Kings, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Canadiens, Bruins, Flyers, Capitals.
D Jeremy Davies is having another great season for Northeastern with 19 points in 22 games. The Devils tried to sign him last offseason but he wanted to go back to school for another year. He should sign this year and he could join Ty Smith in the NHL next season.
Penn State C Aarne Talvitie was having a great freshman season with 16 points in 17 games but he is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Penn State seems to really miss his presence in the line up as they were 11-5-1 with him and are now 3-5-1 without him He also captained the goal medal winning team in the WJC.
And finally In Sweden 2017 2nd round pick Jesper Boqvist has progressed as hoped and he could also be in NJ next season. He is a very talented and fast young center which the Devils desperately need due Zacha's disappointing season. Zacha's likely future is on the 3rd or 4th line.
two of the past three years the Islanders spent more on the cap than the Rangers.
two of the past three years the Islanders spent more on the cap than the Rangers.
Very true. I guess big market teams have become synonymous with "desirable locations."
Most teams have spent more than the Rangers. Rangers have torn it all down. I mean the only guy they signed in the offseason was Freddy Claesson. They didn't even make any trades.
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is less meaningful when there is a salary cap.
two of the past three years the Islanders spent more on the cap than the Rangers.
Very true. I guess big market teams have become synonymous with "desirable locations."
Most teams have spent more than the Rangers. Rangers have torn it all down. I mean the only guy they signed in the offseason was Freddy Claesson. They didn't even make any trades.
They traded for McQuaid, but I highly doubt he's a Ranger by the end of the season.
Islanders have 5th most cap space.
the two years prior to this the Islanders spent more than the Rangers.
This year the Rangers have spent more than the Islanders.
I still don't think CBJ will trade him to the Isles in-season, but in the offseason I expect they'd make him a big offer with all their cap room and in addition to the $ I'd imagine Barzal + being in the NY area would both be compelling. I'd probably personally prefer Stone or Duchene but any of the 3 would be a home run.
I know I wouldn't trade anything valuable for him between the end of the season and July 1 unless he agreed to an extension which I don't know the rules well, but not sure he legally can (though probably can in principle) until after July 1.
Whether it's as a rental or not, remains to be seen, but I think he is moved.
Vegas, Colorado, NYI, Vancouver, all teams with plenty of space, close to contending or contending, and have good young options to trade.
I can even see the Sharks make a play seeing how they could use Karlsson after the season and that would free up space to sign Panarin.
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In comment 14280668 Anakim said:
Quote:
In comment 14280516 JayBinQueens said:
Quote:
In comment 14280489 Anakim said:
Quote:
In comment 14280427 Mike in Long Beach said:
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and there are plenty of reasons to think it can happen.
- Cap space. They got that.
- In contention. They got that.
- Dynamic center for him to play with. They got that.
- Major market... jokes aside, they got that.
- Need at wing. They got that.
- Quality assets to deal. They got that.
In a way it might make the most sense of any option, save for them being in the same division.
It goes without saying that the hall would be massive, though. I think we'd be looking at something like Wahlstrom, Wilde, Beauvillier, and a 1st for Panarin and a 3rd.
Jokes aside, no you really don't
You may wanna be more specific with your retort considering all his points were accurate
Almost all. The Islanders are anything but a major market. It's a small market team by nature.
Almost all? At least you're not even trying to hide you're trolling
What? How am I trolling? The Islanders aren't a big market team. I'm not really sure how you can argue otherwise. Big market teams: Rangers, Kings, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Canadiens, Bruins, Flyers, Capitals.
Apologies - i read your comment wrong. I read it quickly as your response was to almost all of his points.
Metnut : 10:09 am : link : reply
but they have the advantage of being located near a very large market. This will be especially true after the new arena is built.
What makes a team a small market? If you're saying revenue and fan base, which is very reasonable, of course.. then sure. But from a player's perspective, he'll be living in the shadow of New York City with the newest arena in the league when it's ready, playing for a team and ownership willing and able to spend at the Cap Ceiling. He wants to "play in a New York or an LA" from what the reports say, and seems to be part of the reason why he's not committing to Columbus. The Islanders are a team that would put him in a major city.
So Anak is right in that the Isles won't be near the top of Forbes' lists of most profitable NHL teams any time soon, but if you're looking to play in a big city, then it would check that box for Panarin.
This is a take that needs to be thrown in the trash.
He has a full NMC and said he's not waiving it. Nothing the Rangers can do.
Nobody is taking that contract. Two years remaining after this one with a $8.5 million dollar cap hit each season is absurd for a 36 year old declining goalie.
D Jeremy Davies is having another great season for Northeastern with 19 points in 22 games. The Devils tried to sign him last offseason but he wanted to go back to school for another year. He should sign this year and he could join Ty Smith in the NHL next season.
Penn State C Aarne Talvitie was having a great freshman season with 16 points in 17 games but he is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Penn State seems to really miss his presence in the line up as they were 11-5-1 with him and are now 3-5-1 without him He also captained the goal medal winning team in the WJC.
And finally In Sweden 2017 2nd round pick Jesper Boqvist has progressed as hoped and he could also be in NJ next season. He is a very talented and fast young center which the Devils desperately need due Zacha's disappointing season. Zacha's likely future is on the 3rd or 4th line.
Yea I agree I defiantely see them building their future on D around Johnson and Davies as soon as next season. Also on top of all the guys you mentioned Fabian Zetterlund seems to have a bright future as well too bad he went down for the rest of the year with a knee injury too. I disagree on Boyle. He is more than just a good 4th liner. I'm sorry but I'd have to see more out of Quennville or Lapin who have been pedestrian at best in their NHL stints and McLeod who has not exactly been lighting worlds on fire with his last 2 seasons on the minors. If we want to see them so bad I'm fine with it but why give them Boyle's spot. You can be as young and fast as you want but what he brings to the table surely can't hurt the team. You don't want a whole line of it but 1 spot is fine. I also probably disagree on Wood. I don't see the return being anything special, he was very solid last year, and yes he had an abysimal start this year but has been playing great the past month. I agree with trading the other guys and I would probably add Andy Green in there too. He has actually been really good this season, probably his best season in the last 3 or 4. I'm sure teams that have been scouting us see it. I don't see him having much more time at this level left. Take advantage of it and deal him.
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Should be trading Lundqvist if they had a half a brain.
Nobody is taking that contract. Two years remaining after this one with a $8.5 million dollar cap hit each season is absurd for a 36 year old declining goalie.
The Rangers could retain all of or a portion of the cap hit (if he was willing to waive his NMC.)
Kevin Paul Dupont
Verified account @GlobeKPD
First. Carlo. Prospect.
If the Rangers get anything close to that, Kreider should be gone and the fans should pay his uber to the airport.
I like Kreider, but Brandon Carlo is a 22 year old future top 4 D (if not already), he's a much better version of Skjei.
plus a 1st and a prospect?