Yes, it is an odd approach, eh?
- mohel

I think it would be better if the coach would understand that a player would prefer not to have to put in the effort to learn to check. I mean if a guy can score why would anyone expect more of him? I hated it when Mean old Quenneville benched Kane a number of times early in his carreer because Kane refused to play the system Q wanted and didn't backcheck. Can you imagine that! And what did that do for the Blackhawks?

I completely agree, and as any sport things change and if you don't grow or evolve with the sport you're left behind.
- BetweenTheDots

Indeed. Daley reminded me of a front 7 NFL guy when a team switches from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Often, such a switch means a change in personnel, even with good players.

For what it's worth, I think Gustafsson is a real nice player, but he's older than Hamilton, and the odds that this kind of production is a one-off are pretty high.

I don't know enough about Gus to comment on how his D play compares, but I can say that when Dougie is on his game, he's mean as hell.
- BINGO!

Hamilton is a much much better defender and way more physical than Gus. But Gus has some unique offensive skills carrying the puck, finding the open man in the offensive zone, shooting the puck around defenders, and quarterbacking the PP. Although I do not think his numbers are a "one off", I do think he benefits greatly from playing with Kane, ADB, Strome and Toews on the PP. In the right situation I could see him as a regular 50 pt producer, 3rd paid defender, and PP specialist.

I am ok with what happened.

20 points in 15 games since he signed his extension, and most of that while playing away from Aho. He's driving his own line now, and it's fun to watch.
- BINGO!

Bingo, Glad you're having fun watching Teuvo play. Hope the Hurricanes continue the run they are on and make the playoffs, hopefully at the expense of the Penguins.

I was spitballing some possible Hawk-Hurricane trades yesterday. Maybe now that CAR is playing better they don't want to mess with their team chemistry in the off season. You guys need a 3C like Anisimov? I was hoping to package him with some other pieces for Pesce. Any thoughts.

Edit - Gustaffson was part of my proposed package.

I am ok with what happened.
- ger68

If about the TDL same here.

However, when we go on that 8-game win streak resulting from Crawford's return and lack enough depth in the first round, I'll feel different In a boy's dream lol...

Hamilton is a much much better defender and way more physical than Gus. But Gus has some unique offensive skills carrying the puck, finding the open man in the offensive zone, shooting the puck around defenders, and quarterbacking the PP. Although I do not think his numbers are a "one off", I do think he benefits greatly from playing with Kane, ADB, Strome and Toews on the PP. In the right situation I could see him as a regular 50 pt producer, 3rd paid defender, and PP specialist.
- -Doh-

Problem with Gus is if he's a perrenial 50 point producer he'll command a huge contract that is hard to justify for a guy who can really only be spotted and a coach would have to avoid in certain situations. It would be in everyone's best interest if he would put the time and effort into improving his defensive play and his decision making when he's under pressure.

Bingo, Glad you're having fun watching Teuvo play. Hope the Hurricanes continue the run they are on and make the playoffs, hopefully at the expense of the Penguins.

I was spitballing some possible Hawk-Hurricane trades yesterday. Maybe now that CAR is playing better they don't want to mess with their team chemistry in the off season. You guys need a 3C like Anisimov? I was hoping to package him with some other pieces for Pesce. Any thoughts.

Edit - Gustaffson was part of my proposed package.
- boilermaker100

Saw it and it won't happen. More likely they try to sign Ferland, plug Martin Necas in as the 3C next season and roll from there.

I don't forsee much turnover on the Canes this offseason. Their big additions will just be internal guys developing like Necas, Svechnikov, Gauthier, Bean, Etc.

Problem with Gus is if he's a perrenial 50 point producer he'll command a huge contract that is hard to justify for a guy who can really only be spotted and a coach would have to avoid in certain situations. It would be in everyone's best interest if he would put the time and effort into improving his defensive play and his decision making when he's under pressure.
- paulr

That would be best but we gotta remember that he'll be 27 years old in a couple weeks.

There's room for improvement, obviously, and he's capable of it at that age, but if he doesn't find it soon he's never going to.

Granted, the dude is killing it right now offensively, so why worry about it? I don't think his history is going to get him a a MASSIVE raise or anything. Probably around $5 million.

If about the TDL same here.

However, when we go on that 8-game win streak resulting from Crawford's return and lack enough depth in the first round, I'll feel different In a boy's dream lol...
- Popsghostly

Dallas has had a lot of bad luck injury wise and has probably become catchable for a wildcard spot. I don't know what the problem is with Benn, but they also lost freshly acquired Zuccarelo in the game against us. I was watching them against Vegas last night when Cogliano took a nasty hit from Reaves and left the game favoring his shoulder. I could not believe that Reaves got nothing for clearly charging Cogs into the boards injuring him. Then later Reaves cross checks a Dallas defenceman knocking him down and then cross checks him again to keep him down. Again, no call. I'm thinking, "Am I watching Slapshot here?"

And speaking of on ice bullies, our friend Backes and Evander Kane both got their a's handed to them in scraps during the Bruins-Sharks games. Kane can't take a hit that he regularly dishes out to opponents and goes after Chara. Big mistake!

Dallas has had a lot of bad luck injury wise and has probably become catchable for a wildcard spot. I don't know what the problem is with Benn, but they also lost freshly acquired Zuccarelo in the game against us. I was watching them against Vegas last night when Cogliano took a nasty hit from Reaves and left the game favoring his shoulder. I could not believe that Reaves got nothing for clearly charging Cogs into the boards injuring him. Then later Reaves cross checks a Dallas defenceman knocking him down and then cross checks him again to keep him down. Again, no call. I'm thinking, "Am I watching Slapshot here?"

And speaking of on ice bullies, our friend Backes and Evander Kane both got their a's handed to them in scraps during the Bruins-Sharks games. Kane can't take a hit that he regularly dishes out to opponents and goes after Chara. Big mistake!
- 67hawks

I think Minny is catchable too. They'll come down to earth. They are the same team less Coyle and Granland now...

The Avs are in a surge that'll continue I think and lock that first spot. The last one is up for grabs still.

That would be best but we gotta remember that he'll be 27 years old in a couple weeks.

There's room for improvement, obviously, and he's capable of it at that age, but if he doesn't find it soon he's never going to.

Granted, the dude is killing it right now offensively, so why worry about it? I don't think his history is going to get him a a MASSIVE raise or anything. Probably around $5 million.
- BINGO!

I like Gus and am not in favor of trading him -at least for now. However if we have to re-up for $5M next year, then good-bye at the next TDL.

That would be best but we gotta remember that he'll be 27 years old in a couple weeks.

There's room for improvement, obviously, and he's capable of it at that age, but if he doesn't find it soon he's never going to.

Granted, the dude is killing it right now offensively, so why worry about it? I don't think his history is going to get him a a MASSIVE raise or anything. Probably around $5 million.
- BINGO!

$5M for a third pairing and powerplay specialist defenseman who is a liability in his own zone? That's asking for salary cap issues down the road.

Why worry about a point producing defenseman who can't play defense? Do you you really want an answer?

$5M for a third pairing and powerplay specialist defenseman who is a liability in his own zone? That's asking for salary cap issues down the road.

Why worry about a point producing defenseman who can't play defense? Do you you really want an answer?
- paulr

Like I said I'm not familiar with his defensive play, but that kind of production alone is pretty valuable regardless of the player's position.

I think Minny is catchable too. They'll come down to earth. They are the same team less Coyle and Granland now...

The Avs are in a surge that'll continue I think and lock that first spot. The last one is up for grabs still.
- Popsghostly

Minny will be in tough for sure. Rask, Dumba and Koivu all still on IR I think.

For players they still have healthy in terms of their top 6 and top 3 D.

Parise - 54 points
Staal - 43 points
Suter - 40 points
Spurgeon - 37 points
Zucker - 32 points
Fiala - 32 points
Greenway - 19 points
Brodin 16 - points
Kunin - 14 points

Not much firepower and they will need their goaltending and team D to carry the load if they ant to make it.

He's fine. His teammates seem to love him in Raleigh.

Of course, winning cures all.
- BINGO!

Winning also turns professionals into jacka$$es. Tjhe 'canes need to turn down the post-game circusses. Keep that in the lockerroom

Winning also turns professionals into jacka$$es. Tjhe 'canes need to turn down the post-game circusses. Keep that in the lockerroom
- powerenforcer

Nah it's fine.

Winning also turns professionals into jacka$$es. Tjhe 'canes need to turn down the post-game circusses. Keep that in the lockerroom
- powerenforcer

The Canes need to draw fans - 29th in average attendance (13,901) and last in percentage of capacity (74.4%).

Let them do what they need to do.

Indeed. Daley reminded me of a front 7 NFL guy when a team switches from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Often, such a switch means a change in personnel, even with good players.
- mohel

Here's what Daley, Leddy and Kempny lacked in Q's eyes: Q loved the D that took a a couple strides and made a good quick first pass, then used skating ability to either jump in the rush or stay at home. The three guys mentioned above are all very good, skilled puck carriers, they trusted their legs to open lanes further in the rush then getting rid of it at the breakout level. That didnt go with Q's more traditional style. Keith, Seabs, Hammer, Johnny O all got the puck to the outlet quickly and trusted their instinct to join the rush when necessary.

Winning also turns professionals into jacka$$es. Tjhe 'canes need to turn down the post-game circusses. Keep that in the lockerroom
- powerenforcer

Don Cherry? Is that you?

The Canes need to draw fans - 29th in average attendance (13,901) and last in percentage of capacity (74.4%).

Let them do what they need to do.
- StLBravesFan

This is the first year since they changed the way they counted attendance that we haven't had a game with under 10,000 people in the building.

Nah it's fine.


- BINGO!

Personally, I think it’s silly. But then there’s a lot of traditions around the league that fans of other teams think are dumb. Lots of fans think Chicago’s tradition of cheering through the anthem is disrespectful.

If the local fans like it, who are we to say stop?

Here's what Daley, Leddy and Kempny lacked in Q's eyes: Q loved the D that took a a couple strides and made a good quick first pass, then used skating ability to either jump in the rush or stay at home. The three guys mentioned above are all very good, skilled puck carriers, they trusted their legs to open lanes further in the rush then getting rid of it at the breakout level. That didnt go with Q's more traditional style. Keith, Seabs, Hammer, Johnny O all got the puck to the outlet quickly and trusted their instinct to join the rush when necessary.
- nickmo2699

Well said. Very clear.

Q was consistent on that, which is why I never understood Stan made the Daley deal in the first place, he wasn’t going to fit. He should have gotten more for Leddy, maybe more for Kempny. Q wasn’t going to change the style of play he wanted, he always preached “playing the right way” - Stan should have known better.

since last weekend took the wind out of my sails. here is a article about EURO UFA's

https://dobberprospects.c...019-european-free-agents/

the same 3 that interest him interest me.

Ilya, the Russian due to his Defense. had a hat trick with a PP, PK and 5/5 goal plus 6-2 195.
Kaski because he is 6-3 190 and can skate. is a RD but we need more talent.
leskinen is the youngest and also a LD which is a need.


If I had to choose three players from this list for my fantasy hockey league, I would take Ilya Mikheyev, Oliwer Kaski and Otto Leskinen. I think those three offer good upside with a realistic chance of actually playing in the NHL. They are young enough – between 22 and 24 when next season starts – to have a legitimate future in the NHL. Players who are 26 or 27 when they cross the pond don’t seem to become more than depth players.

The top player available this summer is 24-year-old winger Ilya Mikheyev out of Avangard Omsk in the KHL. Mikheyev has great size at six-foot-two, 194 pounds. He also plays a pretty good defensive game which isn’t always something you see from European free agents. Currently, his 22 goals is second-best in the league, and his 41 points rank 14th in the league.

https://twitter.com/hcava...tml%231075858340830437377


Mikheyev leads his team in both goals and points. Omsk isn’t really known for being a high-scoring team, and he doesn’t have a ton of talent around him. Mikheyev’s contract expires after this season, and I believe he’s capable of jumping straight to the NHL and play on the third line. After he gains some experience in the NHL, it’s possible he could even play on a second line. He’s definitely no Artemi Panarin (remember – those types of players don’t come along often) but he could provide solid points for free.

23-year-old Oliwer Kaski leads the league in points and goals among defenseman. He has 12 goals and 33 points in 43 games. He changed teams over the summer, and it looks like a genius move for him right now. He has great size at six-foot-three, 185 pounds. He also offers a right-handed shot which is always valuable. His defensive game has some holes but Kaski is likely the most interesting free agent defenseman out of Europe this summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhA_aFbY5EE

Another defender who will likely draw plenty of interest is 21-year-old Otto Leskinen (not related to Ville who was mentioned above). He has seven goals and 22 points in 42 games. That goal total is third-best in the league whereas that points total is sixth-best. Leskinen has a left-handed shot and only average size at 5-foot-11, 187 pounds. But he’s very talented offensively, and he’s by far the youngest player on this list. He turns 22 in a week or so. Leskinen took part in Montreal’s development camp last summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA6s43_EcsU

Personally, I think it’s silly. But then there’s a lot of traditions around the league that fans of other teams think are dumb. Lots of fans think Chicago’s tradition of cheering through the anthem is disrespectful.

If the local fans like it, who are we to say stop?
- Ogilthorpe2

It's dumb. But how is it any dumber than throwing a goddamn octopus on the ice?