A lot of the drama is basically decided in the East.
All 8 playoff teams have clinched, only jockeying for position/seeding is left.
All teams have anywhere from 2 to 4 games left.
As it stands today (games remaining in () at the end):
E1: (Atlantic champ) Panthers 120 pts (clinched 1 seed) (4)
E2: (Metro champ*) Hurricanes 110 pts (*not clinched) (3)
E3: Leafs 109 pts (3)
E4: Rangers 108 pts (3)
E5: Lightning 105 pts (4)
E6: Bruins 101 pts (4)
E7: Pens 101 pts (3)
E8: Caps 99 pts (4)
If nothing changes the 1st round matchups would be:
Panthers vs Caps (A1 vs WC2)
Hurricanes vs Bruins (M1 vs WC1)
Leafs vs Lightning (A2 vs A3)
Rangers vs Pens (M2 vs M3)
If I'm the Rangers I'm fine where I am and they have clinched at worst the 2 seed in the Metro. I'd rather play the Pens than the Bruins.
I will add the West in a separate post (5 teams have clinched and basically 4 teams vying for the final 3 spots).
holy shit that had to be painful.
More proof that hockey players are the toughest athletes in sports.
Wow did the Devil's dodge a bullet there. Not that I was ever that into getting him. You have to be careful evaluating guys who had big point spikes this year. Scoring went through the roof this year. I don't mind the Devils spending for an elite fwd like DeBrincat or Pasta or Johnny Hockey as a UFA. However 8 mill a year for a talent like Fiala just isn't good use of our space right now.
I agree, those 3 are the only three I would be willing to sign for market value and I would add Tkachuk to that list obviously if the Flames re-sign Gaudreau and have to move Tkachuk but I don’t see a chance in hell of that happening.
Alex Russo
@arusso_9
·
17h
Hearing that CAL and Johnny Gaudreau are closing in on a 8 year extension. Will avoid testing the market
There are maybe two or three players I'd put above Tkachuk right now.
McDavid, Makar, and then your splitting hairs with anyone ranked above Tkachuk.
PJ…u forgot MacKinnon (who is significantly better)…lol. Also, Tkachuk playing with JG helps his cause a great deal.
but there are not many players left in the NHL who can put up 100 points and is willing (and able) to drop the gloves. Tkachuk is a unique player. He enabled Gaudreau to be Gaudreau IMO. Along with the goon squad in CAL.
I agree, Tkachuk is one of the few players I would be willing to move the 2nd overall pick for but again the Flames would never go for it. I would be willing to surrender the #2 overall pick, Alexander Holtz, and a couple of 2nd round picks for Tkachuk.
than Gaudreau./////////
I agree, Tkachuk is one of the few players I would be willing to move the 2nd overall pick for but again the Flames would never go for it. I would be willing to surrender the #2 overall pick, Alexander Holtz, and a couple of 2nd round picks for Tkachuk.
What do I know? Nada. But Jay, I don't think that would get it done.
Quote:
In comment 15744269 pjcas18 said: Quote:
than Gaudreau./////////
I agree, Tkachuk is one of the few players I would be willing to move the 2nd overall pick for but again the Flames would never go for it. I would be willing to surrender the #2 overall pick, Alexander Holtz, and a couple of 2nd round picks for Tkachuk.
What do I know? Nada. But Jay, I don't think that would get it done.
It wouldn't get it done.
In order to sign him to an offer sheet you would need to pay 4 first round picks if he accepts it.
I think in a trade, your starting point is 2 or probably 3 1sts and a young player and maybe a veteran player.
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
27m
TB has some tough choices to make. It's not what they want to do, but what they might have to do
from his 32 thoughts column.....
McDonagh has four seasons remaining on a cap hit of $6.75M, with a full no-trade clause. So he controls his destiny. We will see where it goes, but there are conversations about the future.
link - ( New Window )
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
27m
TB has some tough choices to make. It's not what they want to do, but what they might have to do
from his 32 thoughts column.....
Quote:
According to multiple sources, the Lightning are working with Ryan McDonagh to see if there’s another team he’d consider a trade to. It’s a very, very hard thing for Tampa to think about. McDonagh’s still a tremendous player (he was on the ice for the last shift to preserve the team’s Game 5 victory in Denver that prolonged the Stanley Cup Final) and is hugely popular among his teammates, who were disappointed to hear of the possibility. It’s not what Tampa wants to do, but may have to do.
McDonagh has four seasons remaining on a cap hit of $6.75M, with a full no-trade clause. So he controls his destiny. We will see where it goes, but there are conversations about the future.
link - ( New Window )
He is what the Rangers need defensively, a top LD. But Tampa would have to retain salary, and he is 33
"The sources said that Chytil and Kakko could potentially wind up in a deal, though it’s certain Drury would only package them both for the likes of Scheifele or Larkin, and it’s not known if the Rangers and Red Wings have spoken about the Detroit captain, who has one season left at a $6.1 million AAV before hitting unrestricted free agency."
"Shedding Chytil and Kakko, both of whom would need new deals in the next year or two, could be a wash against the salary cap. And the Rangers may see a clearer path for Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann in the top nine with Chytil and Kakko gone"
Sure sounds like everything I said they should do, trade for the 2C and move Chytil and Kakko to free up the cap space
Staple in The Athletic - ( New Window )
Sportsnet
@Sportsnet
·
2h
Oilers winger Jesse Puljujarvi is once again seeking an exit from Edmonton. This time, the club appears willing to oblige the former fourth-overall pick with a trade.
@KevinWeekes
**Keep an eye 👁 on ** While there is no concrete signed deal, sources tell me Rick Tocchet is the leading candidate at present time for the HC of the @NHLJets
. The situation remains fluid, but I’m told it’s Tocchet’s decision to make . @espn
@NHL
#HockeyTwitter
this guy was a paid scout. In fairness, Strome went #3 overall so it's not like he was a late round pick, but how do you miss this bad as a professional? maybe explains his short career as a scout.
lol.
Murls
@mattmurley19
· 11h
Hearing Jim Montgomery is the next coach of the Boston Bruins. Absolute unreal hire!!! #insider @NHLBruins @marinakmaher @FeitsBarstool @spittinchiclets @BizNasty2point0 @ryanwhitney6
@FriedgeHNIC
·
34m
Not sure what’s happening with GM search in SJ, but it appears that the Sharks have made a coaching change. Word late last night was Bob Boughner was informed he will not be returning.
And Staple's article I posted yesterday says they are looking into that very scenario
Corey Pronman with an interesting pick for the Devils here in this mock draft. “If Slafkovsky goes No. 1, it opens up the possibilities. League sources seem somewhat skeptical they will take Wright, or at least they don’t view this as the likeliest scenario.”
26 years old, good on the dots, defensively responsible, can play SH and in a pinch PP, with some scoring punch. Under contract the next 3 years @ a fair $4.45M.
more a 40-50pt player than an 80, but with the right linemates can be a 2C.
well Gorton has deep knowledge on most of the Rangers prospects.
"The sources said that Chytil and Kakko could potentially wind up in a deal, though it’s certain Drury would only package them both for the likes of Scheifele or Larkin, and it’s not known if the Rangers and Red Wings have spoken about the Detroit captain, who has one season left at a $6.1 million AAV before hitting unrestricted free agency."
"Shedding Chytil and Kakko, both of whom would need new deals in the next year or two, could be a wash against the salary cap. And the Rangers may see a clearer path for Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann in the top nine with Chytil and Kakko gone"
Sure sounds like everything I said they should do, trade for the 2C and move Chytil and Kakko to free up the cap space Staple in The Athletic - ( New Window )
Giving up chips for a guy close to Free Agency makes no sense given who they have to renew over the next few years.
Somehow, Rick Bowness got hired to yet another head coaching job.
Quote:
"Two league sources told The Athletic that Chytil has been the most talked-about Ranger in Drury’s various trade conversations and that the Rangers are willing to lose Chytil in order to acquire an older, more established top-six center."
"The sources said that Chytil and Kakko could potentially wind up in a deal, though it’s certain Drury would only package them both for the likes of Scheifele or Larkin, and it’s not known if the Rangers and Red Wings have spoken about the Detroit captain, who has one season left at a $6.1 million AAV before hitting unrestricted free agency."
"Shedding Chytil and Kakko, both of whom would need new deals in the next year or two, could be a wash against the salary cap. And the Rangers may see a clearer path for Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann in the top nine with Chytil and Kakko gone"
Sure sounds like everything I said they should do, trade for the 2C and move Chytil and Kakko to free up the cap space Staple in The Athletic - ( New Window )
Giving up chips for a guy close to Free Agency makes no sense given who they have to renew over the next few years.
It does when you are going for a title. What other options do they have that are better than Strome/Copp? It sure aint Chytil. Their best 3 forwards are going to age-out in the next few years. Now is the time
Link - ( New Window )
Don't like seeing this for McDonagh; maybe pj or someone else can say how high or low McDonagh is being valued for Myers/Mismash as I don't know the players, but my gut tells me the transaction is a step closer to a slippery slope for #27, one of my favorite players
What's worse: the Arctic or Siberia?
I read that all Russian draft eligibles who would have gone in the first two rounds are pushed about a half round later and the player who would have been later round picks won't be drafted.
Some team will get very lucky if they get Danila Yurov in the 2nd round or Miroschnichenko late 2nd/3rd.
most of these guys being drafted now are 2 years away, so I wouldn't over draft them obviously but I wouldn't be shy about taking a Russian player.
I read that all Russian draft eligibles who would have gone in the first two rounds are pushed about a half round later and the player who would have been later round picks won't be drafted.
Some team will get very lucky if they get Danila Yurov in the 2nd round or Miroschnichenko late 2nd/3rd.
most of these guys being drafted now are 2 years away, so I wouldn't over draft them obviously but I wouldn't be shy about taking a Russian player.
Yesterday I read that some owners have told their GM’s to not draft Russian’s this year while others will operate as usual. We will see a record number of late russian steals this year IMO.
NHL Watcher
@NHL_Watcher
· 3h
Kypreos on Kadri: "The number I hear is it starts at 8 and it could go as high as $10M, the teams that I'm hearing out there, two teams that can stroke that cheque right now are Seattle and the Boston Bruins".
NHL Watcher
@NHL_Watcher
· 3h
Kypreos on Kadri: "The number I hear is it starts at 8 and it could go as high as $10M, the teams that I'm hearing out there, two teams that can stroke that cheque right now are Seattle and the Boston Bruins".
Rangers are out. Can't afford that.
Also, it sounds like they might be losing Mike Grier to the Sharks
Kevin Weekes
@KevinWeekes
·
11m
I’m told the @EdmontonOilers
are actively shopping F Jesse Puljujarvi, and there’s some interest from clubs in market for his services. Curious to see if there’s a match for potential deal between now and next week’s Entry Draft. @espn
@NHL
#HockeyTwitter
@KevinWeekes
·
1m
**Keep an eye 👁 on ** J.T Miller has flourished out in Van City. Better than a point per game during his tenure there, he too as a Power Skill Forward is drawing plenty of interest in the Trade Market, although 1 Yr 5.25M left in his deal. @espn
@NHL
#HockeyTwitter
@NHL
#HockeyTwitter
DeBrincat is an RFA after this season at a good number for this year.
Toews and Kane each have one year left at a huge number and then are UFA's.
I think Toews and Kane will be deadline deals unless CHI eats a lot of salary.
start one, up, we can let this one die...
Holy shit if Fitzgerald is even considering that then he should be fired. Miller is a great player but he’s 29 and 5 years older than Bratt. Bratt will have more value moving forward. I wouldn’t make that trade straight up but it’s an awful move to also include the #2 pick as well unless Garland and a pick was coming back as well.
RIP, thread, you and pj served us well.