That the answer I expect from Crow ,he a horse . It would be his net to lose if I was giving out starts .
- oldduffman

this should work itself out fine....not to worry....

After the players feel comfortable understanding and performing in Colliton's new system, i expect there is not a significant talent upgrade among dmen which is the largest impact on the team success.

Sure DeHahn stands out as an upgrade.
But the mind set of players knowing that their job is in jeopardy if their performance and effort is below par AND the execution of the new system is going to be the major reasons why the goals against/ better defensive coverage actually occurs.

Does anyone agree with this?

You might feel that Gus is capablevof playing less mistake prone or just not ignoring hisvresponsibilities defensively. He is playing for a new contract.

You may feel that Murphy has enough painful poor play and poor experirnce on defense, and is now able to turnnthe corner somewhat as he is around 350 gp, dedicated work out this past summer, and the coaching plus pairing will work out well this season.

Last season thecwsy the team played defense not hardly anyone would stand out.

You might be encouraged by Holm, too, the more you see his impact on the defense.

You might expound furthermore.

this should work itself out fine....not to worry....
- glennjpawlak22

Yep, good problem to have. Seems that way at forward, too - enough good players to bring out the competitor in most.

Yep, good problem to have. Seems that way at forward, too - enough good players to bring out the competitor in most.
- mohel

Lots of depth at forward - but any solid top-6 wings other than Kane and AdB?

Perlini, Nylander, Kubalik, Kurachev would seem to have the best potential games for it - but we know the issues with the first two, Kubalik hasn’t played in NA yet, and Kurachev would have to jump directly from juniors and is probably ticketed for Rockford.

And, of course, 3C....

Kesler out for the season due to hip surgery.

Marner 10.8M x 6. Seems rough for the Leafs. Resigned Matthews in 5 years. Marner the year after. The team will crumble when Rielly needs to be signed in 3 years.

3 year window. Good luck Leafs.

Kesler out for the season due to hip surgery.
- Dieselhead

Boo hoo

Kesler out for the season due to hip surgery.
- Dieselhead

Who? Is he still relevant?

Kesler out for the season due to hip surgery.
- Dieselhead

Maybe he was right that nobody can withstand those hits...

Marner 6 years, 10.9 AAV.

Marner 6 years, 10.9 AAV.
- mohel

Soooo what’s their plan to get under the cap?

Soooo what’s their plan to get under the cap?
- Assman22

4 players on LTIR - over $13MM saved to the cap.

Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander - $40MM in cap hit.

Almost makes Stan’s deals look good.

Marner 6 years, 10.9 AAV.
- mohel

and that big thud you heard on West Madison was Stanbow hitting the floor thinking about ADB's next contract...

4 players on LTIR - over $13MM saved to the cap.

Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander - $40MM in cap hit.

Almost makes Stan’s deals look good.
- StLBravesFan

and they still suck defensivley..will need to average 4 plus goals/gme to be at > .500..

Marner 10.8M x 6. Seems rough for the Leafs. Resigned Matthews in 5 years. Marner the year after. The team will crumble when Rielly needs to be signed in 3 years.

3 year window. Good luck Leafs.
- RedRevenge

3 years...they have to shed 13 mil somehow..and they already have 7 forwards making around $750,000. I will enjoy watching this this team go nowhere

hey at least mathews and marner can continue to make dumb videos and commercials...I am impressed.

3 years...they have to shed 13 mil somehow..and they already have 7 forwards making around $750,000. I will enjoy watching this this team go nowhere

hey at least mathews and marner can continue to make dumb videos and commercials...I am impressed.
- bogiedoc

Signing Reilly is where the fun begins. Leaf fans say he’s one of the best defensemen in the league... I’m excited to see their responses when he demands 10+

Opens the question, at least for me, of when the NHL needs to step in and lay down the law with teams. One guy getting targeted and injured, that could just be an over-exuberant or jerky opposing player. Four (at least) guys targeted in a showcase tournament (nothing on the line), that's the coaching.

This is why we have Smith, Carpenter and Shaw. The kind of guys the Cubs will be looking for this off-season.
- rpeters01

Right.

They aren't saying it but I think no way he plays Juniors again. Getting roughed up in the Tournament is the kind of "Big Boy" experience he needs getting ready for the NHL and he won't get that in Juniors, but still could get injured. They will stash him on IR before sending him down.
- rpeters01

I kind of disagree, I think they have subtly been saying it since the day he was drafted.

Lots of depth at forward - but any solid top-6 wings other than Kane and AdB?

Perlini, Nylander, Kubalik, Kurachev would seem to have the best potential games for it - but we know the issues with the first two, Kubalik hasn’t played in NA yet, and Kurachev would have to jump directly from juniors and is probably ticketed for Rockford.

And, of course, 3C....
- StLBravesFan

Saad and Shaw.

Saad and Shaw.
- HawkintheD

Saad maybe - not Shaw - he has been passable there in the past, but better on the third line or moving temporarily up to 1 or 2.

Besides - both seem to be targeted to this year’s third line.

They aren't saying it but I think no way he plays Juniors again. Getting roughed up in the Tournament is the kind of "Big Boy" experience he needs getting ready for the NHL and he won't get that in Juniors, but still could get injured. They will stash him on IR before sending him down.
- rpeters01

Going into - or staying in - concussion protocol now 4 days after the injury means “concussion”.

NOT “getting roughed up” or “big boy experience”.

Concussion.

Not good for an 18 year old whose brain physics probably hasn’t completely matured yet.

Going into - or staying in - concussion protocol now 4 days after the injury means “concussion”.

NOT “getting roughed up” or “big boy experience”.

Concussion.

Not good for an 18 year old whose brain physics probably hasn’t completely matured yet.
- StLBravesFan

As long as he takes the time away from contact he needs for max recovery is the only course to take here. It is in the 'Hawks best interest to not piss away an overall #3 pick.
Edit: my opinion is the 'Hawks will do exactly this.

(And whoever boarded him to cause this should be out for as long as Dach is out)

Saad maybe - not Shaw - he has been passable there in the past, but better on the third line or moving temporarily up to 1 or 2.

Besides - both seem to be targeted to this year’s third line.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed. Think we’ll see Perlini or Nylander at 1LW to start. Might see Shaw up on 2nd line with Saad/Smith flanking 3rd line.

Going into - or staying in - concussion protocol now 4 days after the injury means “concussion”.

NOT “getting roughed up” or “big boy experience”.

Concussion.

Not good for an 18 year old whose brain physics probably hasn’t completely matured yet.
- StLBravesFan

On a related note, there are recent reports that Stan Makita had Stage III CTE which was revealed during his postmortem autopsy.

Saad maybe - not Shaw - he has been passable there in the past, but better on the third line or moving temporarily up to 1 or 2.

Besides - both seem to be targeted to this year’s third line.
- StLBravesFan

Saad definitely and Shaw’s easily passable there.

I have no problem with them both playing on the 3rd line. Try to find some chem with the other guys you mentioned and potentially have a really solid top 9.