So many great questions to answer...figured I would break this into a few blogs...here is part 1...
The_Whale asks:
What the Ek are the Sabres thinking going into this season with those goalies both on 1 year contracts and a defense not improved enough to make either of them look any better than what we have already seen?!
Ek:
A very legit question asked by many….It is my theory that they aren’t in love with any of the goalies in their system and they are playing the long game here..2 years from now there is an awesome UFA goalie cup including Fleury…who is of course known well by the GM…I could see them at some point trading for Fleury..either after this season or during next season…once he could be extended..
Sharon 455 asks:
What the Ek will happen in MTL when it comes to their #1 Center Position and that extra cap space? and do you think the defense core, as it stands now, can bring them past the first round of the playoffs?
Ek:
There simply HAS to be something else they are working on, because you are right on all fronts…and honestly I am not even sure this group gets them into the playoffs.. The East is competitive. Deep down my instinct is they are targeting Duchene. But they really need to be creative to do so to convince Sakic to move him… But there is something else at work here.
msullyhockey
What the Ek? ... Are you aware of the redirect issue on your site when on mobile?
If so, any plans to fix?
Ek:
We hear about it, but can’t seem to replicate it on our end and I honestly check the site via mobile dozens of times a day and have never seen it. Maybe email me screenshots you are getting. I don’t doubt it is happening but nothing on our end seems to be doing it.
Molar asks…
What the Ek... Bergevin has pulled rabbits from his hat each year for the past 5 years. How likely do you think that Bergevin pulls another rabbit or 2 this year (September) again?
Ek:
I sure wouldn’t bet against him…especially now that he has more option with Julien…Therrien was very specific as to the players he wanted..
Pukeboy768 asks:
What the Ek....is GMJR going to do about the Pens need at 3C?
Ek:
As I have told the other 767 Puke boys…:) In all honesty Rutherford is telling people around the team he is doing nothing to start the season and IF he needs to address this he will do so by the trade deadline…The Penguins are in a fortunate situation where they can wait and not worry too much…I have heard they would love to get Jordan Staal back at some point…
took51 asks:
What the Ek?...We've heard some of the bigger name "options" for Pens at 3C...Staal, Duchene, Bozak. Aside from those 3, what are some other names you've heard as options?
Ek:
To go a little further on the previous question…those are great names and I know they love Duchene..but that would put them right back into the soup capwise…It really sounds like Bozak is a NO for them for now…In their minds at least they can give a player they already have a shot first..and if it isn’t working make a move at the deadline….as for names, not many out there right now.
wbon22:
What the Ek?? Are the Flyers moving towards a different budget/financial model as we move further and further from the Snider era?
Why don't Mike and Russ seem to respect that you were/are a musician and have a bit more insight into both actual composition but the ins and outs of performance and touring?
Ek:
Great Flyers Question, and the answer is yes…for now. They most definitely are going out of their way to show that they want to be more financially stable and not get into cap trouble. Hextall has done a great job dumping contracts…HOWEVER…this is easier to do when the team isn’t a legit contender.. As patient as Hextall has been so far you can be sure he is still Ron Hextall. As this young defense and hopefully Hart comes along in the net I am pretty certain we will see the Flyers acting more like we have always known…As for the musician part of things…Mike and Russ think Billy Joel is a better live performer than Springsteen….so enough said.:)
DJBAKER0513 asks
What the Ek are you doing when you keep calling the center for the Preds "Yo Hansen"? He is not from Europe. It is pronounced"Joe Hansen".
Ek: yup..I heard it from the Preds too…all I can say is blame it on growing up around Calle Johanssen?
nyislsbossy asks:
what the EK geezzzzzz.......(see what i did there) when is JT going to resign with the isls?
Ek;
well played…and that could be the $140 Million Dollar question…I do believe it gets done because JT really wants to stay…but so much depends on the arena…
johnmto asks:
What the EK? Last week you vouched for Auston Matthews as potentially surpassing Connor McDavid over their respective careers, certainly a valid discussion that will unfold over the next decade or so. Let's assume that the expiration of the current CBA Matthews does exactly that while playing in what many consider the largest hockey market in the league, would you think that it's reasonable that the owners carefully think twice about pushing another lockout on the players? Afterall Matthews may turn out to be the undisputed greatest American hockey player of all time and that's a precious commodity to waste even for one season or less.
Ek:
I would love to say the owners and players think that way but I have lived and agonized through too many labour disputes with these guys now…I fear the worst always…even though things have never been better…
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