2020 NHL Off-Season Thread

[Knives Out]

Wait so even softer players are gonna come out of the Q now? LOL

[Troy McClure]

I’m fine with the concept. Most fighting left in the game these days pointless or contrived. But holy *poo poo*, they seem to be making it unnecessarily complicated.

It looks like this is where they settled when working with the government to get some covid financial relief. The government wanted them to outright ban fighting.

I get it. The players in the Q are all Canadian, and the government ends up picking up the tab for long term care for the guys who get punched into CTE.

[Math]

The number of fights in the LHJMQ was already significantly decreasing, so regulating this in some bureaucratic hieroglyphical sanskrit is pointless. Even though fighting for fighting in organized rendez-vous is stupid and doesn't make any sense, I'm still part of the very few people that is in favor of fights, but as a ultimate option.

I went once to see McKinnon and Drouin when they were with the Mooseheads, and things turned into some good old 80's brawls. At one point Halifax had 8 players left on the bench (the coach being already sent off) and 9 in the box. The game started at 7pm, it ended at midnight with something like 350+ penalty minutes. A very good piece of work and the best $15 ever spent for this nice family activity.

[Jason]

“The number of franchise-changing players available or being talked about each day is astonishing,” the GM said. “It’s just that no one has any room for them.”

https://www.tsn.ca/trade-bait-frozen-ca ... -1.1532623

[Troy McClure]

“The number of franchise-changing players available or being talked about each day is astonishing,” the GM said. “It’s just that no one has any room for them.”

https://www.tsn.ca/trade-bait-frozen-ca ... -1.1532623

This is exactly why I don't want Nill to go crazy trying to tie down cap money on Perry, Janmark, or Sekera. I'd even hold off on goalie. Keep as much cap space available to see what can be poached. The Stars desperately need offensive help in the forward group. Doesn't need to be some $10 million player, but just a guy who can help them put the puck in the net, even at the depth positions.

[slaps]

“The number of franchise-changing players available or being talked about each day is astonishing,” the GM said. “It’s just that no one has any room for them.”

https://www.tsn.ca/trade-bait-frozen-ca ... -1.1532623

I see it's time for the annual "offer sheets and crazy trades!" media drumbeat to pick up, which will materialize into almost nothing.

[ScubaSteve]

These players are available because teams are broke and it no longer makes sense to pay mid-tier players $10m/year. Nobody else is going to take them off your hands unless the cap is eliminated and Toronto takes them all.

[Jason]

[Jason]

[ScubaSteve]

Klingberg or Lindell+ for OEL?

[Jason]

Klingberg or Lindell+ for OEL?

Not worth it as OEL, he has lingering knee problems.
Laine would be the player to go after.

[Troy McClure]

OEL is super overpaid. Klingberg is better and cheaper.

*f-bomb*, Klingberg was the only guy under 35 consistently creating scoring chances in the Finals.

[Jason]

https://www.tsn.ca/trade-bait-frozen-ca ... -1.1532623

But multiple sources indicate that Bruins GM Don Sweeney has initiated conversations with teams about Rask’s market value over the last number of weeks.

With limited free agent centres available, the Predators believed to be exploring opportunities to move any one of theirs who can play it: Ryan Johansen, Matt Duchene, Kyle Turris or Nick Bonino. No Nashville forward has any no-trade protection.

[Math]

A logical fit for OEL would be Edmonton and its suspicious defense. I'm pretty sure he'll leave AZ.

[slaps]

GM's are allowed to sign players without giving them trade or movement protection? Has anyone told Nill this?

[Jason]

[ScubaSteve]

Ok new rule. Let’s only post about trades involving players we’ve heard of or first round picks changing hands.

[BigAl]

Rumor is that Kostko Wahlmarten is being shopped.

[wonko80]

I expect Sven Oefhearts to get dealt any day now.

[cdanew]

Well, that is very Vegas.

[Troy McClure]

I like it a lot. It looks good on the player.

But I’m also the one guy who loved the all yellow Bruins third jersey.

[mookie1010]

That looks like upset stomach baby puke color.

Other than that, it's fine.

[Jason]

Friedman podcast

https://podcast.sportsnet.ca/31-thought ... -notebook/

Bowness - Sounds like both sides are interested in returning with him as the coach. Trending in direction he’ll be back.

Khudobin might have priced himself out of Dallas. Guesses that moving Bishop and keeping Khudobin isn’t a option.

Some disappointment in bigger players.

Might become a challenging financial puzzle for the Stars.

[Troy McClure]

One seat in the goalie carousel is now empty. I guess we wait to see if they move Fleury.

[Jason]

Grabner on a cheap deal would be a fantastic option for the Stars.

[ScubaSteve]

Isn’t Grabner like the slowest player in the league? That probably does make him a good fit here actually.

[Jason]

No Grabner is fast. He's more of Coligano/Janmark with much better scoring ability.

Tuuka Rask available

[Jason]

Hall willing to sign a short term deal

[Troy McClure]

See? Some big name RFAs aren't getting qualifying offers.

[ScubaSteve]

Given Gaglardi’s budget constraints, I’d expect to see Ritchie back here as a second liner.