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Hockey Thoughts : Wearing a Cup

May 17, 2018, 8:28 AM ET [40 Comments]
Adam French
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Welcome back to the worst series in hockey! My inane thoughts on things happening in the NHL...and abroad!


Conn Smythe Questions


1. When If the Knights win the Stanley Cup, is Gerard Gallant eligible to win the Conn Smythe?

2. If Gallant is eligible for the Conn Smythe, is Tom Rowe?

3. If Tom Rowe is eligible for the Conn Smythe, is Dale Tallon?

4. If Dale Tallon is eligible for the Conn Smythe, is the entire Florida Panthers Organization?


Win or lose, I think we can all say that Gallant has been the perfect coach for this batch of misfits. Ever since he was miss fitted himself in the most hilarious fashion by Tom Rowe. The way they handled the situation, you just knew he would have a huge chip on his shoulder. He's a mistreated man with a message preaching to a team of "mistreated" and overlooked players who are willing to listen. That's a deadly combo. Tallon PAID McPhee to take two members of his first line. How insane is that?

At this point I've become a Vegliever...that can't be right...and I, for one, welcome our new Vegas Overlords. I'd like to remind them that as a trusted basement dwelling hockey blogger, that I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves.


Giant Breakaway?


So...Tyler Myers got a breakaway in a game. It was getting a little late and a little boozy for me by that point in the game, but I swear I saw that. That happened right? It's rare to see a defenseman go in on a breakaway. It's rare for a 6'7 person to go on a breakaway. A 6'7 defenseman on a breakaway? What the heck? Thankfully for the Knights, he's exactly who you want a breakaway. They were able to effectively catch him and limit him to a marginal chance.

I'm just getting flashes of how the goalies must feel if they see a Myers, Chara or Byfuglien coming on one vs one. Must be terrifying.


Hissy Fit


Somebody needs to tell Patrick Kane that it's just the World Hockey Championship. Non-Russian players aren't supposed to give a fart. If you're like me and have watched only two of these games...who am I kidding...nobody reading in English has watched these games! Patrick Kane got into a bit of a huff when Kasperi Kapanen stole the puck off him in his own zone when he was trying to be cute.



The old Anchorman adage comes to mind "Well that escalated quickly." Genuinely confused as to why the crosscheck at the bench happened. It's not like it was a bad hit or a missed call. Very odd reaction.

At 37 seconds, please take a second to look at the sweet Zenomorph-esque helmets the refs are wearing. Never change IIHF. More brands and logos than you can shake a stick at.


Skinner Deal


A lot is being made of the expected radical changes the Carolina Hurricanes are intending to make. Mostly on a quote about "getting tougher to play against" which has lead to assumptions. Jeff Skinner being the antithesis of being "tough to play against" has found himself in the headlights of trade rumours ever since. Or has he? I seem to recall that he was also apparently on the block for all of last year. This doesn't really appear to be all that new. Regardless, here is my own worthless take on who should make a move for Jeff Skinner.


Jeff Skinner (5.75mil) + Justin Faulk (4.83mil) for Corey Perry (8.62mil) + Josh Manson (4.1mil) + 1st 2018 (23rd Overall)


What the Hurricanes get :


I think this type of radical departure fits the bill. Perry is on a bad deal, sure, but he's a type of player Carolina does not and has not had in a long time. A power forward. The Canes are filled with fancy perimeter players and could really use a player that can get to the net with Jordan Staal and get things done.

Manson also provides a different style of defender on the team at a similar Cap Hit to Faulk. Manson showed some signs of offense while half the Ducks defense core was out injured, but it's his physical style that really has helped him reach the NHL. That physicality has been lacking on the Canes impressive backend. It might be hard to believe, but Faulk and Manson are the same age. So this isn't a swap of hasbeens. Both have bright, but different futures ahead.

The 23rd overall is to sweeten the pot at having to take that Perry contract on.


What the Ducks get :

For one thing, they get rid of Perry's giant contract. Unlike Carolina who can take that on easily as they are near the floor, the Ducks are a Cap team and want to be a contender. While it stinks to lose a lifelong Duck, somebody has to go and nobody is taking Kesler. Skinner brings scoring from the wing which is exactly what the Ducks need. They have some good prospects coming like Sam Steel, but most of the prospect depth is on the blueline. Skinner had a down year, but he has shown he can bounce back and be in that 25-30 goal range with consistency. Play him with getzlaf and Rakell or put him on the second line to get favourable matchups. Either way, I think he will be effective.

Losing Josh Manson hurts, but replacing him with Faulk takes a lot of the sting out. We forget, but just two years ago Faulk was considered one of the best young defenders in the game. He's only 26 and just entering his prime. 15, 16, 17 goals in a row. That's fantastic production. An element the Ducks really don't have from the backend despite it's strength. Maybe Montour can develop that or Lindholm can. Those are just maybe's though. Faulk has proven he can be an elite shooting defenseman.

The Ducks get a little bit more Cap room to work with. Which is important for them in that deadly Pacific Division.


I kind of hate this deal, which probably means it's pretty close in terms of value.



Thanks for reading. Part 2 of the U18 Recap will be up tomorrow.
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