There isn't really much interesting going on, so I'm just gonna jump around a bit and talk about a few things.
Coyotes
Not much happening with the Coyotes, they signed "associate" coach Jim Playfair to an extension and they signed their video guy, Steve Peters as well.
I can hear you saying "but Jim, who cares?"
That's a question I don't have an answer to. I'd be more interested in learning what the difference between an associate and an assistant coach is.
In other Coyotes "news" John Chayka (which tradition demands you point out is ONLY 27 every time you mention his name) was quoted in an article from the Score as saying that he'd be giving his young players a chance to make the team this year.
Considering that the roster currently only sports 11 forwards (and Datsyuk isn't playing, one of them is Brad Richardson, and other names on that list of 11 include Ryan White, Laurent Dauphin (the King of France, one assumes) and Jordan Martinhook) I think that should go without saying.
Clearly anyone with a pulse at training camp should have a shot of making this roster.
Not to say it won't be a good roster in the end, because rookies can excel and new players may arrive via signing, trade or PTO, but as of now, it's pretty weak.
Defense is no better because after OEL and Goligoski its a bunch of weak players who either are terrible or need to prove they aren't in a hurry.
Anthony Deangelo and Jacob Chychrun should both have a decent shot at making the team.
PTOs
Speaking of player tryouts, the Coyotes should have tried to bring in James Wisniewski, as I think he's probably a better partner for OEL than anything they've currently got.
I also wouldn't hate it if they brought in Brad Boyes, who was very effective in limited time last year with the Leafs.
It'd also be worth bringing back Tanguay, I think. Ideally they could use Boyes and Tanguay with Doan on a probably pretty decent fourth line. Maybe the type of fourth line you use a bit more than most teams because of all the rookies and second-years who'll likely be in the lineup.
Patrick Roy
Well, this is hilarious. Roy, one of the least likable people in the NHL, already was thought to basically control the Avalanche, but has apparently quite due to not having enough power.
It seems unlike Roy to quit when he doesn't get his way, but it happened.
Considering some of the moves the Avalanche made over his tenure, it's likely a good thing that Sakic was taking more control. The Avs are a better team right now then they were today before lunch.
This is bad news for Randy Carlyle, however, who now takes sole possession of the Worst Coach in the NHL title.
Cam Fowler
Eklund had a rumour the other day that the Leafs are interested in his services, and I had a few thoughts.
1) No.
2) Please no.
Folwer doesn't seem to be a very good player. Last year, he had only 9 5v5 points (6 primary), the year before 16 (10 primary).
This is less than Jake Gardiner scores. Jake Gardiner scores as much as Fowler while providing elite-level defense. So, if the Leafs already have Rielly and Gardiner as their #1 and #2 left-handed defenseman, what in the world would they want Cam Fowler for?
Fowler is a purely offensive defenseman who is brutal at defense and doesn't actually score very much. Additionally, the Leafs already have to protect Gardiner and Rielly, so I don't see how paying for another guy they'll have to protect that they don't really need is a sensible move. They might want to consider that trading for Fowler and losing Marincin is probably a net-loss.
Certainly Fowler for JVR would be along the lines of insanity witnessed in other major trades this summer. If the Leafs want to get a Ducks defenseman, I say pay the huge price for Hampus Lindholm or try for Josh Manson.
It's not that Fowler totally sucks, he doesn't. He is a decent player, but he's a player whose reputation is much better than his actual play at this point in his career.
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