No country has returned to "normal life". Experts are now concerned that another outbreak will occur next fall/winter. There is also the issue of training camp and off-season training.

Given the news coming about China I am not sure anyone has a clue what is going to happen. This is very much a wait and see game.

How do you get fans to go back to packing stadiums with the virus still lurking?
- bhawks2241

Yes but the key is those experts have also stated that when the next outbreak occurs in the fall we will be much more prepared to handle and contain it. All countries will be.

I agree that when they resume it will be without fans, but at least they’ll be playing. The large gatherings will be kept at a minimum for as long as needed.

Not sure which news coming out of China you’re referring to. There are so many conspiracies floating out there I don’t buy any of that nonsense. They’ve lifted their lockdowns after reaching a plateau and limiting new cases. This will eventually be the case all across the globe as long mitigation is kept to a high standard and the masses do their part.

Nice write up TC, thanks for all you do. As far as Lundqvist is concerned, he couldn’t win a cup with the 85 Oilers, most overrated goalie ever, with Lehner a close second.

Nice write up TC, thanks for all you do.d goalie ever As far as Lundqvist is concerned, he couldn’t win a cup with the 85 Oilers, most overrate, with Lehner a close second.
- Angotti

I think you've confused him with the actual Oilers starter in 85'

Next season? Edmundson and TVR will be gone. Edmundson bringsa physical edge but he gets himself wildly out of position at times. Fleury has stepped way, way up and has been the team's best defenseman on many nights since Hamilton went down.

I suspect they try to sign Vatanen and trade Gardiner. Keep Bean as the 7th defenseman

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Brady Skjei - Brett Pesce
Haydn Fleury - Sami Vatanen
Jake Bean
- BINGO!

That sounds reasonable and close to what I would go with for the Canes blueline.

Gardiner and Edmundson aren't defensive stalwarts and simply cost more than Bean and Fleury.

Skjei has had mixed reviews but I still think he is a good piece for a young D corps. Big, skates well.

Vatanen seems similar to Maatta for the Hawks: can be a good complimentary veteran when he doesn't have to be relied upon as a top 3 defender.

And they might have had 4 or 5 cups if Tallon did not make those terrible mistakes with signing bonuses
- RogerRoeper

Mitchell will get a nice signing bonus it's a two sided negotiation.

That sounds reasonable and close to what I would go with for the Canes blueline.

Gardiner and Edmundson aren't defensive stalwarts and simply cost more than Bean and Fleury.

Skjei has had mixed reviews but I still think he is a good piece for a young D corps. Big, skates well.

Vatanen seems similar to Maatta for the Hawks: can be a good complimentary veteran when he doesn't have to be relied upon as a top 3 defender.
- AEL_Fox

Yeah. I wouldn't hate keeping TVR around for depth, but I think it'd be a pretty tough sell for him, and there are young guys like Oliwer Kaski and Joey Keane that are going to be pushing for a spot on the right side next season.

For the Kings I don’t foresee them buying out Dustin Brown. He has 2 years remaining after this one and was on pace for around 20 goals on a bottom team. I also don’t see Quick either since I don’t see them going after anyone else as a free agent and he had a good end to the season showing he still has some to give. Plus Peterson is still signed at $858,000 for the next 2 seasons so maybe the last year of Quicks contract would be problematic but they would still be in good shape. I’d buy out Carter. All the young talent can get a start and I think he’s less valuable than Quick or Brown and he’s the one of the 3 that I don’t think gets his number retired when all is said and done

Next season? Edmundson and TVR will be gone. Edmundson bringsa physical edge but he gets himself wildly out of position at times. Fleury has stepped way, way up and has been the team's best defenseman on many nights since Hamilton went down.

I suspect they try to sign Vatanen and trade Gardiner. Keep Bean as the 7th defenseman

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Brady Skjei - Brett Pesce
Haydn Fleury - Sami Vatanen
Jake Bean
- BINGO!

Agree with this and if it materializes Canes will have one of the strongest 1-6 groups.

I think you've confused him with the actual Oilers starter in 85'
- RogerRoeper

That goalie could actually win in the playoffs, that is a fact.

Agree with this and if it materializes Canes will have one of the strongest 1-6 groups.
- RaleighHawk

Even better than the Leafs???....I think not. Ask Roger...

Had there not been a cap that 2010 Hawk team had a really good chance of being a dynasty in the tradition of the Canadiens, Islanders and oilers. That said I am glad there is a cap to make the NHL better for everyone. Who know the Leafs may finally win one. Sorry, April fools day is over!
- paulr

Paul, like I do, I'm positive you watch Leaf games. They may finally win one - like when? They are only in the 53rd year of their rebuild, gotta ways to go still. A Stanley Cup to the Leafs and their fans is winning one round in the playoffs.

That goalie could actually win in the playoffs, that is a fact.
- Angotti

behind the greatest talent ever...

Paul, like I do, I'm positive you watch Leaf games. They may finally win one - like when? They are only in the 53rd year of their rebuild, gotta ways to go still. A Stanley Cup to the Leafs and their fans is winning one round in the playoffs.
- RickJ

Oh I watch them. It’s fun watching the fans build them up when they win two games in a row then walk away in disgust when they lose a few. Building a team where four players eat up so much cap, with only one good defenseman and a team who collectively has no interest in playing two way hockey is no way to build a championship team. But whatever, there’s always the what ifs, I mean leaf fans are still whining about a high sticking no call almost thirty years ago!

Random thoughts and reactions.

Wouldn't mind Dzingle but it would have to be much less than his cap hit this season.

If deHaan's health were no concern, I would keep deHaan and trade Maatta to clear cap space ... but deHaan's health is a concern - so ... what to do? I suppose both can be kept on the roster if Seabrook gets traded or bought out - but the odds of either of those happening is low. So flipping a coin on which to keep/trade ... I would have to keep deHaan and hope he can give at least 1 more season and be a place holder for Beaudin or one of the other young LDs.

Speaking of Beaudin and other young d-men - obviously I hope Mitchell signs and can play the 6/7 role his rookie season - at least in the beginning of the season. I'd like to see Beaudin start in Rockford and I'd be OK if he got another whole season in the AHL and be ready to be a rookie in 2021/22. Carlsson maybe has a chance to be a lower pairing guy but I don't see anything that shouts anything more than journeyman type steady d-man. Not sure he gets much out of more Rockford time so if a LD is needed in the season I would prefer Carlsson over Beaudin because Beaudin is still on a learning curve and more AHL experience would help.

Essentially - I think next season should be used for our 2nd year players to gain experience and confidence and for working in Mitchell and other 1st year players. PLUS - figure out and lock in the goalie situation for the next several years. If the forwards and d-corps are good enough to compete in 2021/22 - we can't have goalie by the Achilles Heel.

Random thoughts and reactions.

Wouldn't mind Dzingle but it would have to be much less than his cap hit this season.

If deHaan's health were no concern, I would keep deHaan and trade Maatta to clear cap space ... but deHaan's health is a concern - so ... what to do? I suppose both can be kept on the roster if Seabrook gets traded or bought out - but the odds of either of those happening is low. So flipping a coin on which to keep/trade ... I would have to keep deHaan and hope he can give at least 1 more season and be a place holder for Beaudin or one of the other young LDs.

Speaking of Beaudin and other young d-men - obviously I hope Mitchell signs and can play the 6/7 role his rookie season - at least in the beginning of the season. I'd like to see Beaudin start in Rockford and I'd be OK if he got another whole season in the AHL and be ready to be a rookie in 2021/22. Carlsson maybe has a chance to be a lower pairing guy but I don't see anything that shouts anything more than journeyman type steady d-man. Not sure he gets much out of more Rockford time so if a LD is needed in the season I would prefer Carlsson over Beaudin because Beaudin is still on a learning curve and more AHL experience would help.

Essentially - I think next season should be used for our 2nd year players to gain experience and confidence and for working in Mitchell and other 1st year players. PLUS - figure out and lock in the goalie situation for the next several years. If the forwards and d-corps are good enough to compete in 2021/22 - we can't have goalie by the Achilles Heel.
- EbonyRaptor

Good thoughts on the defense, ER.

Unless he's simply golden in training camp, I would also prefer Beaudin spend at least 1/3 to 1/2 of another season in Rockford before jumping up to the big club. While his NHL debut was quite good across the board, more time in the oven would be best for his overall development.

Agree with Carlsson perhaps having little left to learn in the AHL and may mature more at the highest level. If he can hit maximum potential, he could prove to be a Hjalmarsson clone: a warrior minutes muncher who can defend, skate, and move the puck effectively. Doesn't hurt either that Carlsson can play with a physical edge and mean streak.

If Carlsson can reach that height, he could stay around a while rather than be just a 3-4 year placeholder until other D prospects are ready, i.e. Regula, Vlasic, Demin.

Random thoughts and reactions.

Wouldn't mind Dzingle but it would have to be much less than his cap hit this season.

If deHaan's health were no concern, I would keep deHaan and trade Maatta to clear cap space ... but deHaan's health is a concern - so ... what to do? I suppose both can be kept on the roster if Seabrook gets traded or bought out - but the odds of either of those happening is low. So flipping a coin on which to keep/trade ... I would have to keep deHaan and hope he can give at least 1 more season and be a place holder for Beaudin or one of the other young LDs.

Speaking of Beaudin and other young d-men - obviously I hope Mitchell signs and can play the 6/7 role his rookie season - at least in the beginning of the season. I'd like to see Beaudin start in Rockford and I'd be OK if he got another whole season in the AHL and be ready to be a rookie in 2021/22. Carlsson maybe has a chance to be a lower pairing guy but I don't see anything that shouts anything more than journeyman type steady d-man. Not sure he gets much out of more Rockford time so if a LD is needed in the season I would prefer Carlsson over Beaudin because Beaudin is still on a learning curve and more AHL experience would help.

Essentially - I think next season should be used for our 2nd year players to gain experience and confidence and for working in Mitchell and other 1st year players. PLUS - figure out and lock in the goalie situation for the next several years. If the forwards and d-corps are good enough to compete in 2021/22 - we can't have goalie by the Achilles Heel.
- EbonyRaptor

Wouldn’t Mitchell - and Beaudin, and Carlsson - need to be playing? I don’t think you want those guys being 6/7 in the Show.

If they can’t full time at least third line, they need to be in Rockford playing every night.

Yup. At least here in Toronto and surrounding areas. They say that the only time you should be leaving your homes is if it's necessary.

Restaurants are takeout only, pubs are closed. Most nonessential work places are/should be shutdown.

All social gatherings (5 or more people) are banned for a long while.

poop sucks.

I'm not positive on the number of deaths or anything, though.
- GreatGigInTheSky

You mean you're not constantly pounded with Death and case numbers by every news outlet 24/7.

Next I'm looking for media people going door to door to tell everyone how many new cases and deaths there were in the last 30 seconds.

Not paying players the quality of McDavid, Matthews, Barkov, Marner, Draisaitl, etc the $ they deserve just because they haven’t won a Cup yet is extremely silly. You can’t wait for championship success before locking down that caliber of young talent.
- SimpleJack

It is if you pay them all and don't have any D or a Goalie

Even better than the Leafs???....I think not. Ask Roger...
- hawk35

Mitchell will get a nice signing bonus it's a two sided negotiation.
- rpeters01

He'll need the cash, New York is an expensive city to live in.

He'll need the cash, New York is an expensive city to live in.
- DarthKane

That might be one of your best ones yet!!!!!

You mean you're not constantly pounded with Death and case numbers by every news outlet 24/7.

Next I'm looking for media people going door to door to tell everyone how many new cases and deaths there were in the last 30 seconds.
- vabeachbear

Quite honestly, i never watch any of the big 3, no matter what the story is they pound it to death. Thats why i like the Twitter news feed, they just report the news. I also found in my weather channel app a COVID19 button it lets me know how many in the state im searching or my area, how many have it and how many deaths, i don't believe it provides data for Canadian cities or provinces. It kind of lets me keep an eye what's going on around me and the 4 kids away from home.

What team isn't in 'Cap Hell"? That's the thing people miss.

My definition of cap hell is not paying superstars 40 million, it's paying 30 million to a core of Nelson, Lee, Varlamov, Pageau, Eberle (Sorry Lou, but great example).

People get so swept up in the big salaries on the Leafs they miss the fact majority of the NHL is up against the cap and Matthews making 11.5 is not an issue, paying 4 million per to 4th liners is.
- RogerRoeper

At least Uncle Lou's team won a playoff series, in less time

No not at all. Dubas pays superstars. Lou pays aging grinds he does not have too
- RogerRoeper

Kovalchuk has signed a 17-year, $102 million deal, ending a three-week courtship that included offers from the Los Angeles Kings. He was also pursued by the New York Islanders and SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.

Even better than the Leafs???....I think not. Ask Roger...
- hawk35

The Leafs kind of remind me of the Canucks in the early 2010s with less dbags of course.

3 big time forwards, a couple solid ones, and some D that can put up points but not really defend.

Only difference is instead of Luongo the Leafs have Nylander. Both put up pretty stats but will do nothing for you when it counts.

Leafs might have a bit more talent but not a huge difference. Sedin, Sedin, Kessler (despite hating him he was pretty good) v. Tavares, Matthews, Marner. Matthews is probably the best of the bunch.

I fully expect Tavares' game to drop off in the next few years. He isn't exactly fleet of foot and will get slower. He has never really done much for me.