Ladd is going to have two years remaining vs. Boychuk's one year, at the time of the expansion draft, at a similar cap hit.

It's not that I wouldn't rather dump him as well, but Isles would probably have to pony up a little more to entice Seattle to take Ladd and if we're already giving up a 1st rounder I'm not particularly inclined to add to that.
- eichiefs9

Well, it's a tad premature to start dealing with all the hypotheticals involved to worry about the expansion draft. Lou may have dealt half the team by then...

Thats the tough question, bc Leddy has better value at a higher cap hit to fetch a top F, would it be better off to pair Hickey w/Boychuk as 3rd pairing to limit Boychuk's ice time and maybe Boychuk can stay healthy and continue to be a bigger presence on D.
- Hell_Bent

There should be no rush to dump Hickey. He's a body with plenty of NHL experience and he's going to get minimal playing time. Clearly Trotz isn't afraid to play the younger, more talented guy when it's warranted (See: Toews, Devon) so if Aho beats him out for a spot then he's fine to have around as a 7th guy. An upgrade over Sbisa, that's for sure.

I'd look to dump Hickey next offseason when we have a better idea of where we're at cap-wise and roster-wise.

100%. I see(hope) Lameriello going all in on trying to upgrade his offense through FA rather than trade so he doesn’t have to roll the dice with his blue line. We had the lowest GA in the league and contrary to what half wits like James Tanner who never watch this team play think a lot of that has to do with our defense and is not all due to goaltenders. If we saw Aho or Wotherspoon up for a few games here and there in season this would be more believable but that didn’t happen.
- Cptmjl

For me I don't see Dobson here because lou loves to take his time developing players. Trotz thought toews was ready in camp lou still sent him down even after being an ahl all star. He needs time to learn the pro game but hes too young for the ahl so its isles or jrs and with Lou I'm betting it's back to jrs. barzal was sent back and dominated that level so it may not be the worst idea. As for Mayfield I think they keep him and move leddy, toews replaces leddy as they are so similar whereas Mayfield's a big strong guy and it's hard to replace his size out there

Chip Alexander @ice_chip
41s
Surgeries for both Calvin de Haan (shoulder) and Jordan Martinook (core muscle). Long rehab period (4-6 months) for de Haan.

The Calvin de Haan special

For me I don't see Dobson here because lou loves to take his time developing players. Trotz thought toews was ready in camp lou still sent him down even after being an ahl all star. He needs time to learn the pro game but hes too young for the ahl so its isles or jrs and with Lou I'm betting it's back to jrs. barzal was sent back and dominated that level so it may not be the worst idea. As for Mayfield I think they keep him and move leddy, toews replaces leddy as they are so similar whereas Mayfield's a big strong guy and it's hard to replace his size out there
- Upstate_isles

I'd honestly like to see Dobson get 9 games. I'm fine with returning him to juniors but there's no reason they shouldn't give him a look to see what they have and give him a little taste of what he's working towards. He's too good for juniors, plain and simple. Unfortunately he can't go to the AHL, but he should get a quick look. If he looks way out of place then he doesn't need all 9 games, but I don't see any harm in that.

I'd honestly like to see Dobson get 9 games. I'm fine with returning him to juniors but there's no reason they shouldn't give him a look to see what they have and give him a little taste of what he's working towards. He's too good for juniors, plain and simple. Unfortunately he can't go to the AHL, but he should get a quick look. If he looks way out of place then he doesn't need all 9 games, but I don't see any harm in that.
- eichiefs9

Oh yea I'm totally for the 9 game tryout I just think based on lous history that hes going back. When Trotz, staple, gross, and the players thought Toews was ready in camp and he was still sent down to me means Dobson has no chance of staying, toews really couldn't have had a better camp

Chip Alexander @ice_chip
41s
Surgeries for both Calvin de Haan (shoulder) and Jordan Martinook (core muscle). Long rehab period (4-6 months) for de Haan.

The Calvin de Haan special
- eichiefs9

Still think it was crazy giving de Haan 4 years with all his injuries.

I'd honestly like to see Dobson get 9 games. I'm fine with returning him to juniors but there's no reason they shouldn't give him a look to see what they have and give him a little taste of what he's working towards. He's too good for juniors, plain and simple. Unfortunately he can't go to the AHL, but he should get a quick look. If he looks way out of place then he doesn't need all 9 games, but I don't see any harm in that.
- eichiefs9

It's lousy Dobson cannot go to the AHL. He seems to have very little to prove at Juniors. A 9 game look should be fine. Cannot see Dobson sticking with Lou wanting to give young players a lot of time to develop.

Still think it was crazy giving de Haan 4 years with all his injuries.
- ses111

I actually think that was a pretty good deal, even with his injury history. $4.55M is relatively cheap and four years is pretty good for signing a UFA.

Oh yea I'm totally for the 9 game tryout I just think based on lous history that hes going back. When Trotz, staple, gross, and the players thought Toews was ready in camp and he was still sent down to me means Dobson has no chance of staying, toews really couldn't have had a better camp
- Upstate_isles

Yeah I don't expect him to win a permanent job out of camp at all. A look to see how he stacks up to NHL competition would be great though and it allows them to slide his ELC another year so he doesn't hit any expansion draft games-played minimums that would require him to be exposed.

It's lousy Dobson cannot go to the AHL. He seems to have very little to prove at Juniors. A 9 game look should be fine. Cannot see Dobson sticking with Lou wanting to give young players a lot of time to develop.
- ses111

They really need to change the agreement between major jr and the ahl so players aren't stuck in juniors until 20 when they are too good there and not quite NHL ready

Yeah I don't expect him to win a permanent job out of camp at all. A look to see how he stacks up to NHL competition would be great though and it allows them to slide his ELC another year so he doesn't hit any expansion draft games-played minimums that would require him to be exposed.
- eichiefs9

Yea they cant leave him exposed for sure

They really need to change the agreement between major jr and the ahl so players aren't stuck in juniors until 20 when they are too good there and not quite NHL ready
- Upstate_isles

I don't think that'll happen, it would probably bankrupt junior teams to have top talent leaving year after year.

I actually think that was a pretty good deal, even with his injury history. $4.55M is relatively cheap and four years is pretty good for signing a UFA.
- eichiefs9

It's not the worst but it's not good you need to give players with a long injury history 4 years. Long contracts make me nervous unless it's for good young talent. I think you have to hold the line in certain cases especially with someone with de Haan records of injuries.

I don't think that'll happen, it would probably bankrupt junior teams to have top talent leaving year after year.
- eichiefs9

Let them leave at 19 it still locks in guys with the exception of the top tier. Most guys will play 3 years

If Mayfield at $1.4 is too expensive as an extra, what does that make Hickey at $2.5 for another three years?
- UIF

- mdw7413

- JohnScammo

Fixed

Fixed
- eichiefs9

Fixed
- eichiefs9

JRR's gif was better

JRR's gif was better
- mdw7413

That it was

Oh yea I'm totally for the 9 game tryout I just think based on lous history that hes going back. When Trotz, staple, gross, and the players thought Toews was ready in camp and he was still sent down to me means Dobson has no chance of staying, toews really couldn't have had a better camp
- Upstate_isles

Like totally?

Like totally?
- Cptmjl

100%. I see(hope) Lameriello going all in on trying to upgrade his offense through FA rather than trade so he doesn’t have to roll the dice with his blue line. We had the lowest GA in the league and contrary to what half wits like James Tanner who never watch this team play think a lot of that has to do with our defense and is not all due to goaltenders. If we saw Aho or Wotherspoon up for a few games here and there in season this would be more believable but that didn’t happen.
- Cptmjl

Oh yea I'm totally for the 9 game tryout I just think based on lous history that hes going back. When Trotz, staple, gross, and the players thought Toews was ready in camp and he was still sent down to me means Dobson has no chance of staying, toews really couldn't have had a better camp
- Upstate_isles

I think Toews was sent down to learn the new system Trots implemented in the slower AHL instead of adjusting to the new system and NHL speed all at once.

At least this is what Lou told me when I had dinner with him