I think they'll be plenty of guys like Claesson available July 1st and if they really want him back, doesn't mean they still can't sign him anyway
- jimbro83

Pretty much this. And If I wanted to sign a vet who probably wouldn't cost much and could easily send to the minors or scratch, I would look into reuniting with MDZ. No I'm not joking. Guy probably take a league min contract or close to it knowing it might be one of his last NHL stops in all likelihood. Plus, if Skeji got hurt, you'd need an extra PP type guy.

I'd say Phaneuf, but I don't think he would take kindly to scratching and I think someone will be really stupid and give him a decent amount of money like Girardi.

Pretty much this. And If I wanted to sign a vet who probably wouldn't cost much and could easily send to the minors or scratch, I would look into reuniting with MDZ. No I'm not joking. Guy probably take a league min contract or close to it knowing it might be one of his last NHL stops in all likelihood. Plus, if Skeji got hurt, you'd need an extra PP type guy.

I'd say Phaneuf, but I don't think he would take kindly to scratching and I think someone will be really stupid and give him a decent amount of money like Girardi.
- 2sticks1puck

McQuaid's there, even old friends Dan Girardi and Anton Stralman are around

McQuaid's there, even old friends Dan Girardi and Anton Stralman are around
- jimbro83

I think Stralman might be cooked, and even if he took a small contract, I'd think he'd also not be receptive to playing down in the lineup or scratched. I think if you sign a guy, it has to be similar to a backup QB in the NFL where you know the guy is OK being a bit player. That's why I brought up MDZ, teams have been kinda using him in that role for a couple years now. Although he did play a full season for the Nucks 2 seasons ago. He also could provide experience on having played in NY before and often being one of the fans favorite whipping boys.

I think Stralman might be cooked, and even if he took a small contract, I'd think he'd also not be receptive to playing down in the lineup or scratched. I think if you sign a guy, it has to be similar to a backup QB in the NFL where you know the guy is OK being a bit player. That's why I brought up MDZ, teams have been kinda using him in that role for a couple years now. Although he did play a full season for the Nucks 2 seasons ago. He also could provide experience on having played in NY before and often being one of the fans favorite whipping boys.
- 2sticks1puck

yeah, in any event a depth defenseman may be the very last thing on my mind with this team right now

bigger fish are gonna be fried

McQuaid's there, even old friends Dan Girardi and Anton Stralman are around
- jimbro83

McQuaid would be option one, in part to be paired again with Skjei for his benefit, followed by Girardi as option two.
With the market low in availability on those higher ranked remaining 2019 potential free agent d'men, in contrast to those of the lower tier level, the price to sign Stralman could rise possibly now, due to some contenders in desperate need for back line help.

McQuaid would be option one, in part to be paired again with Skjei for his benefit, followed by Girardi as option two.
With the market low in availability on those higher ranked remaining 2019 potential free agent d'men, in contrast to those of the lower tier level, the price to sign Stralman could rise possibly now, due to some contenders in desperate need for back line help.
- RangerSaver

Legitimate options to be paired with Skjei: ADA, Shatty, Trouba. There is 0 reason to bring in Mcquaid. We need a LD who can come in the lineup in a pinch in case of injuries or if guys like Hajek fall on their face. Chiefs old boy Andy MacDonald is out there too.

Pretty much this. And If I wanted to sign a vet who probably wouldn't cost much and could easily send to the minors or scratch, I would look into reuniting with MDZ. No I'm not joking. Guy probably take a league min contract or close to it knowing it might be one of his last NHL stops in all likelihood. Plus, if Skeji got hurt, you'd need an extra PP type guy.

I'd say Phaneuf, but I don't think he would take kindly to scratching and I think someone will be really stupid and give him a decent amount of money like Girardi.
- 2sticks1puck

I always thought Jason Strudwick was a smart player, lets see if he's back from Switzerland.

he played 8 games after the trade deadline
- jimbro83

were any of them the 3 games hank won after the break?

were any of them the 3 games hank won after the break?
- blueshirts_fan

nope, he did dress for the georgiev shutout in Philly

Unsurprisingly, the GM's are making changes to the rulebook following the Playoffs of Inept Officiating.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...matic-changes-rules-book/

I like the changes, but I'd still like to see them put a time limit on video reviews, especially off-sides.

Kakko sounds just like Tikkanen

Bruce Garrioch of "The Ottawa Sun" stated that the Senators are willing to trade for a veteran player's contract from a team in cap trouble, provided that a sweetener is added by that club, in either a 1st Round pick, or a top prospect.
Could they be looking at Tampa, San Jose, and Toronto as three possible team partners?
If so, that will eliminate one offer sheet from being made this off season to one of those three team's, or another team's player.

Bruce Garrioch of "The Ottawa Sun" stated that the Senators are willing to trade for a veteran player's contract from a team in cap trouble, provided that a sweetener is added by that club, in either a 1st Round pick, or a top prospect.
Could they be looking at Tampa, San Jose, and Toronto as three possible team partners?
If so, that will eliminate one offer sheet from being made this off season to one of those three team's, or another team's player.
- RangerSaver

Possibly. But, Dubas coming out and saying to the media that the Leafs might not match an offer sheet given to Marner just might be like blood in the water, too!!

Question for the group: is it five, 10 or 15 minutes between picks in the first round? Just making sure I can get the blog up after the pick right before the Sabbath starts

Unsurprisingly, the GM's are making changes to the rulebook following the Playoffs of Inept Officiating.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...matic-changes-rules-book/

I like the changes, but I'd still like to see them put a time limit on video reviews, especially off-sides.
- Tonybere

With regard to the offsides, eliminate the rule that the trailing skate has to be on the ice. What difference does it make if his skate is 1/4" (.25 for you Tony) off the ice? As long as it hasn't crossed the blue line call it good. Such a nit-picky rule that has slowed the game down tremendously.
Agree about the time limit. Takes so much momentum away from the game.

Question for the group: is it five, 10 or 15 minutes between picks in the first round? Just making sure I can get the blog up after the pick right before the Sabbath starts
- airjan23

It's 10, but sometimes they have odd delays for the purpose of T.V.

Legitimate options to be paired with Skjei: ADA, Shatty, Trouba. There is 0 reason to bring in Mcquaid. We need a LD who can come in the lineup in a pinch in case of injuries or if guys like Hajek fall on their face. Chiefs old boy Andy MacDonald is out there too.
- 2sticks1puck

Once they acquired Trouba, I agree that "there is 0 reason to bring in McQuaid".

In my earlier comment prior to that reply to Jim, I only mentioned McQuaid as being a more suitable option, rather than acquiring Barrie's $5.5M annual contract, as rumors had them being interested in acquiring in some package deal for Kreider as the two big pieces. In addition, I added that it was in their case if worrying that Fox would not make their pro roster after training camp and the preseason.

I was even greater interested in signing the potential UFA in McQuaid, prior to the trade for Trouba, due in key to those rumors (mostly by Brooks) of a bidding war among them, the Isles, Devils, and possibly the Red Wings, that would drive the trade cost too high to acquire him.

It's 10, but sometimes they have odd delays for the purpose of T.V.
- 2sticks1puck

ESPN radio had the NBA draft on last night. Will they have the NHL draft on tonight?

ESPN radio had the NBA draft on last night. Will they have the NHL draft on tonight?
- Fenrir

I'd imagine it would be on NHL radio on Sirius, not sure if a regular radio will have feed to it.

ESPN radio had the NBA draft on last night. Will they have the NHL draft on tonight?
- Fenrir

It's on NBCSN for tonight, and NHL Network for Saturday's second and final day, for t.v. means.

With regard to the offsides, eliminate the rule that the trailing skate has to be on the ice. What difference does it make if his skate is 1/4" (.25 for you Tony) off the ice? As long as it hasn't crossed the blue line call it good. Such a nit-picky rule that has slowed the game down tremendously.
Agree about the time limit. Takes so much momentum away from the game.
- Fenrir

I am a bit of a traditionalist, but this has never bothered me. These guys know the rule. It hasn't changed for 100 years, so just make sure you keep your skate on the ice!! That's why I think they need a 60 or 90 second timer on the video review. Can't tell by then? Call stands.
Not too complicated.

Friedman on FAN590 this morning talking Marner/Leafs: “You want to talk about one that has gotten awkward, this has gotten awkward between everyone involved...Both sides are sitting there saying they’re surprised it has gotten to this point...The Maple Leafs are frustrated with Marner and his camp and I think Marner is frustrated with the Maple Leafs and that organization.” #Leafs

Boston appears to be one of a few teams most heavily interested in acquiring Kreider, along with interest coming from many other teams.
If that's what's preventing Gorton & Kreider from further contract discussions for now, one has to wonder if on Kreider's side, they are comparing his value to that of none other than former Ranger, Kevin Hayes, and his 7 year Flyers deal at about a $7.1M AAV.

Boston appears to be one of a few teams most heavily interested in acquiring Kreider, along with interest coming from many other teams.
If that's what's preventing Gorton & Kreider from further contract discussions for now, one has to wonder if on Kreider's side, they are comparing his value to that of none other than former Ranger, Kevin Hayes, and his 7 year Flyers deal at about a $7.1M AAV.
- RangerSaver

I think Kreider will get a similar contract as a UFA. It’s just what players of Hayes/Kreiders caliber go for these days.

I think Kreider will get a similar contract as a UFA. It’s just what players of Hayes/Kreiders caliber go for these days.
- rangerdanger94

I agree with you, rangerdanger, and that's why I posed that question as to he and his agent specifically comparing his value to that of his ex Rangers teammate in Hayes.