Time to answer some questions
Jets are between a rock and a hard place with some of their veteran players. They have a tremendous window of opportunity with the roster that they have, but to have that window they need to give both money and term to players like Wheeler. Unfortunately, at some point that is going to catch up to them and they might lose some of their good young players when the money runs out (not Patrik Laine). I think Blake Wheeler is a tremendous player and the 8M range is what you have to pay those kinds of players. The problem is that he is 32 years old and the contract doesn't kick in until next year. Again, caught in between a rock and a hard place.
I think the team should still be looking to use Derick Brassard as a third line center. When making this lineup I tried to maximize each player's skill set. I want four scoring lines. There is no rule against skilled players being on your fourth line. Only people stuck in the past think you have to fill out your roster a certain way.
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Malkin-Rust
ZAR-Brassard-Kessel
Simon-Sheahan-Sprong
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Oleksiak-Johnson/Ruhwedel
William Karlsson comes to mind. Is he really a 40 goal player? How harsh is his shooting percentage regression going to be?
Casey Middelstadt is somebody who I love to watch play. His very limited NHL sample showed the ability to produce offense. Can he really be a Calder Trophy candidate? I hope he can because he's the type of player that is fun and unique.
John Tavares for obvious reasons.
It's a great question and one we will soon find out the answer to as I believe the Penguins will be using a third jersey this year. I think they should use the Robo-penguin jerseys that they wore as a third jersey in the past
I'm honestly fine with the home white version of that jersey or the Gin and Juice Pittsburgh one. I'd even be open to the all yellow ones Mario wore at the beginning of his career. Just stay the hell away from blue.
Honestly it depends on the teams involved. I think NCAA Division 1 is a better value. The AHL's worst enemy is that dumb CHL transfer agreement which keeps more talented players out of the league. Personally I have been to more RIT games the last few years than Amerks games, but I have to admit that the Amerks were a more interesting team to watch last year. During the Tim Murray years it was like watching paint dry. Always one forechecking player and no action. Just static dump and chase nonsense. Lately, it has been a more wide open brand of hockey.
I think both NCAA and AHL hockey can be great or bad depending on where you are.
There's not a ton to upgrade at this point. I would probably keep tabs on backup goaltenders and bottom pairing defenseman. If the team is going to make a splash I think Derick Brassard would be one of the first ones to go. I honestly haven't given the upcoming season much thought yet.
C'mon Pete you know Baker's Dozen is beating the Curveball-less 2018 100 times out of 100. Although Curveball was going to be the best music of 3.0 and we were robbed by mother nature.
Chicken butt
Thanks for reading!
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