I think he probably told SJ what his preferences were and threw out a massive number over the max term and told them that a deal that size is the only way he'd stay and sign before 7/1.
- eichiefs9

I have no doubt that his happened. You would just think that a team in that much of a cap crunch like them, they'd hold the line a little better. Obviously not having EK makes them worse, but if you look at their blue line if he wasn't in the picture it would be still decent. What isn't decent is if you can't sign your forwards because you gave EK 11 million for 8 years.

I have no doubt that his happened. You would just think that a team in that much of a cap crunch like them, they'd hold the line a little better. Obviously not having EK makes them worse, but if you look at their blue line if he wasn't in the picture it would be still decent. What isn't decent is if you can't sign your forwards because you gave EK 11 million for 8 years.
- 2sticks1puck

I kinda don't blame them. I was critical of Columbus for "going for it" because they largely just sat around as only marginal playoff contenders for so long. They made a couple of smart, but no-brainer, deals in trading Saad for Panarin and Johansen for Jones and otherwise didn't do a whole lot.

But SJ has been extremely competitive for awhile, including a trip to the Cup and WC finals only a few years apart from each other. They have absolutely nothing in the way of prospects or draft capital. They're going to take awhile to rebuild no matter when they do it so they may as well kick the can down the road for another couple years and try to remain competitive instead of hitting the reset button.

Just my opinion, I certainly would argue to hard against the opposite point of view either though.

Anaheim pick to be posted around noon

I kinda don't blame them. I was critical of Columbus for "going for it" because they largely just sat around as only marginal playoff contenders for so long. They made a couple of smart, but no-brainer, deals in trading Saad for Panarin and Johansen for Jones and otherwise didn't do a whole lot.

But SJ has been extremely competitive for awhile, including a trip to the Cup and WC finals only a few years apart from each other. They have absolutely nothing in the way of prospects or draft capital. They're going to take awhile to rebuild no matter when they do it so they may as well kick the can down the road for another couple years and try to remain competitive instead of hitting the reset button.

Just my opinion, I certainly would argue to hard against the opposite point of view either though.
- eichiefs9

If Jones plays as he did the first three games against Vegas, San Jose is in big trouble. But if he is more like the goalie after those three games, the Sharks should be fine in net. But they need to also lock up Pavelski and decide on Thornton.

If Jones plays as he did the first three games against Vegas, San Jose is in big trouble. But if he is more like the goalie after those three games, the Sharks should be fine in net. But they need to also lock up Pavelski and decide on Thornton.
- airjan23

Yeah a lot will hinge on him, but I'm not buying that he was as bad as he was early on in the playoffs or as good as he recovered to be after that. He's a 1B goaltender that's going to be streaky and is an adequate starter for a strong team. He's not carrying them to a Cup but he probably won't be a huge hindrance either.

I think one of Pavelski/Meier/Labanc won't be returning next year. I don't see a way they can get all of them signed. Pavelski should probably get a shorter term deal around $7M, Meier a mid-term deal around $6M-$7M and Labanc (who I think will be the odd man out) will probably be looking for something in the $3M-$4M range. I think Thornton's gonna have to take a major pay cut to stick around on that team if he wants to be there.

Yeah a lot will hinge on him, but I'm not buying that he was as bad as he was early on in the playoffs or as good as he recovered to be after that. He's a 1B goaltender that's going to be streaky and is an adequate starter for a strong team. He's not carrying them to a Cup but he probably won't be a huge hindrance either.

I think one of Pavelski/Meier/Labanc won't be returning next year. I don't see a way they can get all of them signed. Pavelski should probably get a shorter term deal around $7M, Meier a mid-term deal around $6M-$7M and Labanc (who I think will be the odd man out) will probably be looking for something in the $3M-$4M range. I think Thornton's gonna have to take a major pay cut to stick around on that team if he wants to be there.
- eichiefs9

Seeing the growth in Labanc the last two years, I would be reluctant to just move on from him, unless they can get a cheaper, albeit slightly less productive, asset back.

Seeing the growth in Labanc the last two years, I would be reluctant to just move on from him, unless they can get a cheaper, albeit slightly less productive, asset back.
- airjan23

Not move on from him, I don't think they'll have the cap space to match if someone offer sheets him and I think that will make them seriously consider taking a trade offer if there's a decent one out there.

You could offer sheet him at 4 years x $4,227,437 and only lose a 2nd round pick if he signs it and SJ can't match. That leaves him a shot at a big UFA deal when he's 27. He's Brooklyn-born and Staten Island raised, which is part of the draw for me of hoping the Isles either trade for him or offer sheet him.

I'd offer up the 23rd overall and maybe another asset without even thinking for him and SJ would probably need to seriously consider that.

SJ has $24M in cap space and Karlsson is about to lower that to $12.5M. That might not even be enough to sign Meier and Pavelski. Right now SJ only has these forwards:



signed for next year. They are going to be in big trouble real fast.

Not move on from him, I don't think they'll have the cap space to match if someone offer sheets him and I think that will make them seriously consider taking a trade offer if there's a decent one out there.

You could offer sheet him at 4 years x $4,227,437 and only lose a 2nd round pick if he signs it and SJ can't match. That leaves him a shot at a big UFA deal when he's 27. He's Brooklyn-born and Staten Island raised, which is part of the draw for me of hoping the Isles either trade for him or offer sheet him.

I'd offer up the 23rd overall and maybe another asset without even thinking for him and SJ would probably need to seriously consider that.

SJ has $24M in cap space and Karlsson is about to lower that to $12.5M. That might not even be enough to sign Meier and Pavelski. Right now SJ only has these forwards:



signed for next year. They are going to be in big trouble real fast.
- eichiefs9

Was thinking NYR, NYI or NJD making a play for him.

Not move on from him, I don't think they'll have the cap space to match if someone offer sheets him and I think that will make them seriously consider taking a trade offer if there's a decent one out there.

You could offer sheet him at 4 years x $4,227,437 and only lose a 2nd round pick if he signs it and SJ can't match. That leaves him a shot at a big UFA deal when he's 27. He's Brooklyn-born and Staten Island raised, which is part of the draw for me of hoping the Isles either trade for him or offer sheet him.

I'd offer up the 23rd overall and maybe another asset without even thinking for him and SJ would probably need to seriously consider that.

SJ has $24M in cap space and Karlsson is about to lower that to $12.5M. That might not even be enough to sign Meier and Pavelski. Right now SJ only has these forwards:



signed for next year. They are going to be in big trouble real fast.
- eichiefs9

Why signing Karlsson to that length of deal and at that AAV really hamstrings this team

Why signing Karlsson to that length of deal and at that AAV really hamstrings this team
- airjan23

The worst thing for them is that they don't even have any larger contracts that are really all that move-able. They'll probably dump either Braun or Dillon to save a little under $4M but that still doesn't fix all their problems. The Pickles deal is atrocious and the Kane deal doesn't look so hot right now either.

I'd offer them something like 23rd overall and one of the Isles Bridgeport defenseman (not Aho) for Labanc's RFA rights and either Dillon or Braun.

Not move on from him, I don't think they'll have the cap space to match if someone offer sheets him and I think that will make them seriously consider taking a trade offer if there's a decent one out there.

You could offer sheet him at 4 years x $4,227,437 and only lose a 2nd round pick if he signs it and SJ can't match. That leaves him a shot at a big UFA deal when he's 27. He's Brooklyn-born and Staten Island raised, which is part of the draw for me of hoping the Isles either trade for him or offer sheet him.

I'd offer up the 23rd overall and maybe another asset without even thinking for him and SJ would probably need to seriously consider that.

SJ has $24M in cap space and Karlsson is about to lower that to $12.5M. That might not even be enough to sign Meier and Pavelski. Right now SJ only has these forwards:



signed for next year. They are going to be in big trouble real fast.
- eichiefs9

How are you trading more assets when you are trading Dobson for Trouba apparently?

How are you trading more assets when you are trading Dobson for Trouba apparently?

- 2sticks1puck

The day I believe anything Larry Brooks has to say about the Isles will be a cold day in hell.

I loved how he asked "would the Islanders trade Dobson?" and then also asked "would the Devils trade Ty Smith?" and then added that they would almost certainly not trade Smith, as if he's some sort of untouchable prospect that's better than Dobson

The day I believe anything Larry Brooks has to say about the Isles will be a cold day in hell.

I loved how he asked "would the Islanders trade Dobson?" and then also asked "would the Devils trade Ty Smith?" and then added that they would almost certainly not trade Smith, as if he's some sort of untouchable prospect that's better than Dobson
- eichiefs9

I was in tears reading that article. I am shocked Ranger fans totally let him have a pass that they would trade Buch and Nils.

I was in tears reading that article. I am shocked Ranger fans totally let him have a pass that they would trade Buch and Nils.
- 2sticks1puck

Shocked about what exactly? You think that's too much for Trouba? Or not enough?

Bob McKenzie's final draft rankings

https://www.tsn.ca/americ...f-the-nhl-draft-1.1323878

Didn’t think EK would get so much, Jesus I’m glad it’s over with with him, I couldn't have gotten behind that much money, that’s crazy

new blog up. Jimbo, can you post that quote to the new blog?

Shocked about what exactly? You think that's too much for Trouba? Or not enough?
- eichiefs9

Honestly, just as a hypothetical if I was constructing a trade, I would include Hajek. That would be a bit better for both teams in theory. Hajek is a bit more NHL ready which helps the Peg out, and I think Hajek may wind up being an odd man out here eventually. I don't think Nils is untouchable by any stretch, but the team seems to think that he is a really good prospect. He hasn't done anything to dispute that. I don't think he's as good as Dobson, but I would say that he is maybe the next tier down.

new blog up. Jimbo, can you post that quote to the new blog?
- airjan23

yes sir