At least I'm not calling you morons

- BiggE

That's been done too often

Was listening to BSH radio yesterday and they were talking about why macdonald plays as much as he does. The consensus came down to either they think he is good or they are trying to show him off to trade him. Either way you are basically saying to the players this season means nothing and they are just waiting for next year for the young guys to come up. On top of this you have Hak scratching young skill players to help them grow, but not keeping the veterans accountable for the same mistakes. Then you have Hextall not wanting to make moves at the trade deadline. All this to me seems to have built up a sense of this season doesnt matter in the locker room. Maybe that is why the team always seems to fold after a set back and they routinely come out with no energy or heart?

You forgot:
Year 3: See, I knew all along he was a great player.
- BiggE

*Crosses fingers*

Although the underlying metrics certainly point towards Ghost rebounding at some point. Probably not to the same numbers as his rookie year, but somewhere between this year and last.

Huberdeau and Barkov are activated. That's another team that'll be pushing hard for a spot

*Crosses fingers*

Although the underlying metrics certainly point towards Ghost rebounding at some point. Probably not to the same numbers as his rookie year, but somewhere between this year and last.
- JFlyers00

He will rebound if Hak gives him enough time

I don't think so. Just because a GM overpaid in contract negotiations relative to similar players in the NHL, does not change said player's level of play.
- VladDrag

Your missing my point. It's not about judging the player, it's about allotting a certain amount of money for specific lineup spots. For example, most GM's will be willing to allow much more cap dollars for a top pair Dman or 1st line forward than for a 3rd line forward and a 4/5 Dman. It's all about asset management. If Andrew MacDonald was being paid 3 million per, a lot less people would be upset around here, and he would be much easier to move in a deal if that is what Hextall desired.

Was listening to BSH radio yesterday and they were talking about why macdonald plays as much as he does. The consensus came down to either they think he is good or they are trying to show him off to trade him. Either way you are basically saying to the players this season means nothing and they are just waiting for next year for the young guys to come up. On top of this you have Hak scratching young skill players to help them grow, but not keeping the veterans accountable for the same mistakes. Then you have Hextall not wanting to make moves at the trade deadline. All this to me seems to have built up a sense of this season doesnt matter in the locker room. Maybe that is why the team always seems to fold after a set back and they routinely come out with no energy or heart?
- johm12

Best things about this year are Sanheim's and Lindblom's progression as well as Rubstov being rescued from Russia. Provorov doing what hes doing doesn't surprise me at all. The other thing that's great is knowing that Vegas has to take a roster player from us.

It was never about this year but these guys are getting paid millions...go out there and work

*Crosses fingers*

Although the underlying metrics certainly point towards Ghost rebounding at some point. Probably not to the same numbers as his rookie year, but somewhere between this year and last.
- JFlyers00

I think Ghost will eventually end up as a guy who runs your top pp, is extremely dangerous at 4 on 4 and in 3 on 3 OT and who you will move up in the defense rotation when trailing. He'll likely be a 2nd pairing guy who is somewhat sheltered at the start of games and will drop down to the 3rd pair when protecting a lead in the 3rd period. He will probably never be a regular part of the PK.

Best things about this year are Sanheim's and Lindblom's progression as well as Rubstov being rescued from Russia. Provorov doing what hes doing doesn't surprise me at all. The other thing that's great is knowing that Vegas has to take a roster player from us.

It was never about this year but these guys are getting paid millions...go out there and work
- Just5

wait. they have to take one from us? Like no choice kinda thing

wait. they have to take one from us? Like no choice kinda thing
- jmdodgeser4

Yes

Year 1: Wow, look at this guy! He's going to be great

Year 2: He's not great yet. I would move him in the right deal (whatever the (frank) this means)
- PhillySportsGuy

lol

There is something to it though. For example, Radko Gudas, at 3.35 million is a solid 2nd pair Dman. If he was being paid 7 million per, I don't think people would be nearly as happy with him. Prior to the cap, you are 100% correct, but now, the contracts really do matter.
- BiggE

Only when managing the cap.
When evaluating a player on-ice, money isn't an issue.

However, managing both of those pieces together is what makes a GM's job very challenging in real life.

Best things about this year are Sanheim's and Lindblom's progression as well as Rubstov being rescued from Russia. Provorov doing what hes doing doesn't surprise me at all. The other thing that's great is knowing that Vegas has to take a roster player from us.

It was never about this year but these guys are getting paid millions...go out there and work
- Just5

That's the rub the overreactions this year are based on making the playoffs last year when it was not expected. Now if we miss this year it'll be a disappointment. I'll be fine either way as long as there are signs of improvements and clearing some dead weight off the roster. I figure next year should be a playoff year then the following is the first run deeper.

Your missing my point. It's not about judging the player, it's about allotting a certain amount of money for specific lineup spots. For example, most GM's will be willing to allow much more cap dollars for a top pair Dman or 1st line forward than for a 3rd line forward and a 4/5 Dman. It's all about asset management. If Andrew MacDonald was being paid 3 million per, a lot less people would be upset around here, and he would be much easier to move in a deal if that is what Hextall desired.
- BiggE

I get where you are coming from, and don't disagree, but that's a GM's issue. Not mine as a fan. I watch players and and make my evaluations of them based off their level of skill, not their level of skill vs how much they make.

I'm not saying the way you look at a player is wrong, I'm just saying I don't let salary or term dictate what I feel about a player. Also, I don't like to discuss hypothetical trades in great detail, either, which is where a lot of that comes from.

That's the rub the overreactions this year are based on making the playoffs last year when it was not expected. Now if we miss this year it'll be a disappointment. I'll be fine either way as long as there are signs of improvements and clearing some dead weight off the roster. I figure next year should be a playoff year then the following is the first run deeper.
- dragonoffrost

What frustrates me about this season is how few young players are showing improvement. Leaving the rookies out of the equation:

Cousins has struggled somewhat adapting to wing but has looked better recently, at this point the jury is still out.

Schenn seemed to be more effective at ES at wing, I don't like him at center.

Couturier is not having as strong a season as last year

Ghost is obviously struggling and I don't think benching him is the answer

While Laughton may be playing well at LHV right now, he has still taken a step back from last year.

Couple that with subpar years from Giroux, Read, MDZ, Weise and both goalies and it's hard not to be frustrated. To me, seeing so many games where they just seem to be getting out worked and out hustled is the most frustrating thing of all.

I get where you are coming from, and don't disagree, but that's a GM's issue. Not mine as a fan. I watch players and and make my evaluations of them based off their level of skill, not their level of skill vs how much they make.

I'm not saying the way you look at a player is wrong, I'm just saying I don't let salary or term dictate what I feel about a player. Also, I don't like to discuss hypothetical trades in great detail, either, which is where a lot of that comes from.
- VladDrag

Salary absolutely is a factor.

Yes
- Just5

soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. If we leave weise,mcdud, and read available, one has to go?

There is something to it though. For example, Radko Gudas, at 3.35 million is a solid 2nd pair Dman. If he was being paid 7 million per, I don't think people would be nearly as happy with him. Prior to the cap, you are 100% correct, but now, the contracts really do matter.
- BiggE

It has nothing to do with how they get paid though. Radko Gudas is paid 3.35 million to play the best that he can play.

As an example, if Ghost was to put up 46 points last year on an ELC, he would be expected to do that again. No one says, well he is producing the way he should for his contract...

- Feanor

This made my day

- Feanor

Tk: "I could not have done what Vdv just did right there, not in a million years"

- Feanor

I saw those two yucking it up and was a little upset. I am not sure I'd be laughing if I was scratched for Weise and Schultz. Unless the coach already told them the are playing Saturday.

soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. If we leave weise,mcdud, and read available, one has to go?
- jmdodgeser4

Don't forget cousins and stolarz are guys that will prob be unprotected

I saw those two yucking it up and was a little upset. I am not sure I'd be laughing if I was scratched for Weise and Schultz. Unless the coach already told them the are playing Saturday.
- dragonoffrost

Well last time they wept the entire game, and that didn't help them get any better

Only when managing the cap.
When evaluating a player on-ice, money isn't an issue.
- Scoob

Perception plays a big part though..