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Rob Ninkovich is the latest ESPN casualty. Anyone who’s worked in the corporate world knows to check on Fridays. It allows everyone to simmer down over the weekend. With more cuts slated (potentially next week) the 3rd leg of Disney and an important partner for the NHL continues to trim. If the latest round of numbers actually hit the earning call, we’re going to see some fairly angry shareholders (again) that not even the call screener can correctly identify.
Tyler Toffoli joins a growing list of players who do not want to continue with the Calgary franchise. Even at 31, he’s coming off of a 34 goal year. If I’m being honest, I would like to see Detroit at least look at this possibility. I’m not trying to pile on anyone but that could see Copp bumped back to the third line depending on how things work out.
Whatever is going on in Calgary feels reminiscent of former iterations of Buffalo and Toronto. Times of apathy and players who just want out. Regardless of the team, you need players who build up the franchise in every facet. On and off the ice. Their rivals have a world class superstar (or 2) that make it very attractive to try and be a part of something. Toronto has a forward core that, unfortunately, has limited their ability to build a defensive core. Still, seeing Matthews and Tavares on the ice would be a huge boost for some players.
I’ve had some good back and forth with someone I consider a friend (look, most of you think I’m a snoopy avatar) and I really think (as I’ve said before) Zadina, Veleno and/or Berggren could be pieces in a deal. This individual added Rasmussen. For all the grief the big man gets, he has worked hard in an environment where the new GM made it clear he wasn’t going to hold on to players who didn’t put in the effort. The Abdelkader buyout is still shocking just because of the amount involved.
It was hard to see Bertuzzi and Hronek go. We’ve heard some potential replacements on D as someone suggested Shattenkirk and Dumba was added to the mix. Whenever Edvinsson hits the ice, either of those could be a good “learning tree…. Eric Johnson is departing the Avs (ironic as he and Shattenkirk were swapped a while ago). Whatever the name, Hronek had added to the 2nd line as Seider continues to stand out as the leading right side D.
I really am curious to see which irons are actually in the fire. Yzerman is just very quiet until the deal happens. With a much more attractive trade vs. free agent market bidding wars could keep the Detroit GM at bay and looking at plan b (or c) in terms of personnel. I will do my best to watch camp and see who put on the right kind of weight (rookie camp) and who seems to be at a stand still or just a slower development. I’m hoping Grand Rapids has a better year and we don’t see injuries deplete the farm team. If you haven’t been to Van Andel, it is worth the trip. There are hotels with enclosed walkways around and the city is fun. There was an outdoor art exhibition during one of my last trips.
Let me know your thoughts, and what you want to see from the draft floor (or around it) in terms of dealing.