I think that Ottawa and San Jose has bigger problems
- stay@home-guy

San Jose - yes, tons of long large contracts, not a deep prospect pool and not enough top-end talent upfront.

Ottawa? You're crazy man - Ottawa has a good young talent in the NHL
Tkachuk
Chabot
White
Duclair
And a deep pool ready to make the jump
Josh Norris
Drake Batherson
Alex Formenton
Vitali Abramov
Eric Branstrom
Jacob Bernard-Docker

And 3 first-round picks this year with two being top 8

Aside from ownership every Sens fan loves the direction we're heading.

So they go out and sign Kyle Okposo, few years later, he's on the wrong side of 30 they regret it. Now Jeff Skinner. Scored 40g last season.

On the other hand --

Imagine if the Sabres won the pick; OR got a top 3:

They have the following young players: Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin, Alexis Lafrienere, Casey Mittelstadt, Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen, Dylan Cozens, Victor Olofsson, Rasmus Asplund
- AlfieisKing

I don’t think middlestadt and asplund are going to be enough to be difference makers at this points. Also while risto is alright, he has hit his prime and pretty well is what he is.

I do think that whoever they get in the draft in the top 10 this year can be a top line player but that player is likely a year or two away from his rookie season let alone a big contributor for the sabres.

The team has a boat load of cap space this offseason they can use to immediately turn this thing around so I won‘t count them out.

The first step they should be doing this season is buying out carter Hutton.

Ullmark: 17-14-3 2.69 GAA .915 sv%

Hutton: 12-14-4 3.18 GAA .898 sv%

Not saying their roster’s good enough but you could argue that the sabres might be on the bubble if not for Hutton.

They didn’t renew their season pass with Hockeybuzz.com
- BringNYIhome

Those SCOUNDRELS!

It depends on your definition of trouble.

In general, I would put the Toronto Maple Leafs high on the list of "teams in trouble". They have a motivation problem, a salary problem, a leadership/prima-donna problem in Matthews, a defense problem, and a fan-base that has been heaving unrealistic expectations upon their shoulders for quite a while.

It is really unfortunate that a stand-up guy like Tavares has to deal with this circus. Who will they blame "this time"? Is the question.
- JLO961

But on the financial side, they get to live in your head rent-free.

So that’s a plus.

San Jose - yes, tons of long large contracts, not a deep prospect pool and not enough top-end talent upfront.

Ottawa? You're crazy man - Ottawa has a good young talent in the NHL
Tkachuk
Chabot
White
Duclair
And a deep pool ready to make the jump
Josh Norris
Drake Batherson
Alex Formenton
Vitali Abramov
Eric Branstrom
Jacob Bernard-Docker

And 3 first-round picks this year with two being top 8

Aside from ownership every Sens fan loves the direction we're heading.
- InglewoodJack77

Sens fans shouldn’t like anything about their team until a new owner is brought in. Sure, you have good young talent. But the cheapskate calling the shots will trade them away when he needs to pay them if they’re top-tier players. If they’re not good enough to earn hefty contracts, maybe they stick around... but that’s a plan to be mediocre at best.

But on the financial side, they get to live in your head rent-free.

So that’s a plus.
- Atomic Wedgie

Does that include utilities?

Right now I would say Ottawa has the most work to do before next season. The Sabres are not far behind but the cap space issue is off the table. The question I have about Bots is should he be the guy to spend that money? If he misses on his signing the Sabres are back in the same boat of not being able to make a move because of salary cap issues.

Isn't Edmonton also in "trouble?" Tremendous contract for Draisatl, but utter busts with Puhljujarvi (sp?), Yakupov. RNH is a very decent player but he plays with either McDavid or Draisatl and he is on that ridiculous pp, so his numbers are inflated and he is arguably an underachiever based on draft position. In spite of several high picks (Nurse, Larrson), there does not look to be any emerging studs on D? No free agent signings of impact, mostly over the hill players like Neal, Gagner.

I don't follow your team closely, so this is just me thinking out aloud. In spite of a huge string of very high picks, and a pair of superstars, this does not look like a contending team now or in the near future.

Correct me if I am wrong.
- PT21

What... Everything about this entire paragraph other than the Jesse and Yakupov comments is complete nonsense.. RNH was on pace for a career high in points this year after a brutal start to the year... The whole he plays with him agrument is nonesense considering we have the best two centerman in the world. Rookie Yamamoto was almost a point per game player since his call up in January. Rookie Dman Bear is in a top 4 role and playing amazing. Jones another rookie Dman in our top 6. We have Broberg, Bouchard, Samarukov drafted, all potential top 4 dmen to go with Nurse and Klef who are in the mid 20's. Bear and Jones are barely in their 20's. How does this not look like a contending team now or in the future. What tremendous Drai contract are you referring to? The Art Ross winner makes 8.5 million for another 5 years still lol.

Jack grew up a Habs fan and the Habs need a franchise #1C and have the picks/prospects to make it happen

It depends on your definition of trouble.

In general, I would put the Toronto Maple Leafs high on the list of "teams in trouble". They have a motivation problem, a salary problem, a leadership/prima-donna problem in Matthews, a defense problem, and a fan-base that has been heaving unrealistic expectations upon their shoulders for quite a while.

It is really unfortunate that a stand-up guy like Tavares has to deal with this circus. Who will they blame "this time"? Is the question.
-JLO961

D+

The best part? This is coming from an Oilers fan.

i am optimistic about the future of the devils. I watched every game this season as miserable as that may sound. Blackwood is the real deal. He put up fantastic numbers and stood on his head. All anyone is talking about is this goaltender in NY. The devils have a terrible record, yet blackwood has a winning record and above league SVV avg on one of the worse defensive and offensive teams in the nhl. If he can get just .25% increase in goal support per game from this season to next and a little help on the back end. This kid can carry us on his back to the playoffs. Those rebuilding edmonton teams never had a Blackwood.

Their is a problem in NJ and it really isnt that far off from being fixed. I read a lot of messages on here from a lot of hockey fans loving to point out how miserable our season was and how terrible our future looks. But As a die hard fan that watched every game I truly don't feel the same way. Bring in a coach that knows how to utilize our talent and we can be as successful as the isles. You can't tell me the Islanders Roster is better than the current NJ roster. They just have a coach that knows how to utilize their talents and push them to use those talents.

Different ways to look at this. The most glaring issue is obviously the financial one we’re currently facing. So as far as teams in real and immediate trouble, it’s Florida, Carolina, Arizona, and Ottawa. The usual suspects when the topic of $$$ comes up

If it’s inept leadership, you’re talking about Buffalo and Edmonton. The Oilers have shown an inability to compete despite being handed multiple first overall picks, and several others in the top ten. It’s actually shocking to see how thin that team is, despite the aforementioned picks. They’ve got nothing outside of the two studs.

And Ottawa also obviously falls into the inept leadership category.

Then there are teams like Montreal, who are neither competitive nor stocked with prospects. Long uphill climb there

Nashville and Carolina, Quebec and other notable locations are looking for a void to fill.

Different ways to look at this. The most glaring issue is obviously the financial one we’re currently facing. So as far as teams in real and immediate trouble, it’s Florida, Carolina, Arizona, and Ottawa. The usual suspects when the topic of $$$ comes up

If it’s inept leadership, you’re talking about Buffalo and Edmonton. The Oilers have shown an inability to compete despite being handed multiple first overall picks, and several others in the top ten. It’s actually shocking to see how thin that team is, despite the aforementioned picks. They’ve got nothing outside of the two studs.

And Ottawa also obviously falls into the inept leadership category.

Then there are teams like Montreal, who are neither competitive nor stocked with prospects. Long uphill climb there
- AxlRose91

What on earth are you talking about?

new owner, huge jump in revenue, just signed a new lease agreement yesterday...

The amount of money being poured into the arena and the team itself is massive compared to what was being done prior to Dundon's arrival. He's been investing heavily to bring the organization up to the levels where a professional sports team should be and it's paying dividends already.

Can we look at trading a Reinhart for 4+ pieces like to the Canes for Necas, Teraviinen, Suzuki, and a 1st? This brings in a very good RW, a 2nd line center in the making in Necas, Suzuki who could also become a good 2nd line Center or RW, and a 1st. Yes you will lose a top end talent like Reinhart however you add very good Talent, several pieces in fact.

- hambolt

I don't think that this a realistic expectation on return for Reinhart. I'm not sure the Hurricanes would do Reinhart for TT straight up. TT/Aho/Svech have amazing chemistry and I don't think Waddell would break that up.

They both are comparable with age, as TT is a year older. However, beyond that TT (428 GP, 289 Pts) has a slightly better PPG than Reinhart (400 GP, 255 Pts).

TT has been almost a PPG player for the past 2 years for the Hurricanes - last year with 76 pts in 82 GP and this season with 63 pts in 68 GP. Reinhart last season had 65 pts in 82 GP and this season had 50 pts in 69 GP.

It appears that TT has been used in a more versatile role than Reinhart too. Despite TT logging almost 1 minute 30 seconds less of TOI, he plays on the PK, unlike Reinhart. Both appear to have strong PP use and production, but TT arguably plays all 3 zones better which explains his 120 minutes on the PK this season v. Reinhart 3 minutes and only 16 minutes PK his entire career.

A minor point, but if the Hurricanes can't keep McGinn, they will need TT to log more PK minutes most likely.

There's also the fact that Reinhart is a RFA this offseason and TT is in the first year of five deal that is probably one of the better contracts in NHL per market value. His contract is just over $5.4M, and coupled with the fact that the past two seasons he's almost a PPG player is a very good value. Even if he regresses a bit and only does 60ish pts each of the next 4 seasons, that is still a very good and cost-friendly contract.

I just don't see why the Hurricanes would want to trade TT and take on a guy that isn't already signed. Sure, they could negotiate a trade and sign deal, but what does that deal look like value/term wise though compared to TT current contract.

Just looking at TT and his 4 seasons with the Hurricanes, he has 248 pts in 313 GP. Reinhart has 255 pts in 400 in 5 seasons...

Then beyond TT for Reinhart, they'd also be throwing in Necas, Suzuki, and a first. That's a steep price to pay given TT is a comparable age, on a good contract with 4 years left. Esp. when you consider that TT fills more roles, has less TOI, and produces more points than Reinhart.

Necas is on an ELC which in the cap era is coveted - Esp. when the player is productive in their rookie year and shows they could potentially do 40-50 pts in their 2nd and 3rd NHL season. He has two years left on his ELC after this season and this year had 38 pts in 64 GP. He was on pace for around a 45 pt season. He would probably have been close or above 20G which for a rookie is good. He is most likely a full-time top 6 C in the next 2-3 years with production around 50-60 pts/season.

Suzuki is still up for debate on where he pans out, however, most scouting reports indicate that he has top 6 capabilities as you noted. There really isn't a reason for the Hurricanes to move him sense they have a strong pipeline and NHL roster now - they'd be better to see how he develops the next 1-2 years. If he is very solid, his ELC will be nice to have once Svech gets his payday.

I just don't see how this trade (plus the proposed first) would be something the Hurricanes would consider.

What on earth are you talking about?

new owner, huge jump in revenue, just signed a new lease agreement yesterday...

The amount of money being poured into the arena and the team itself is massive compared to what was being done prior to Dundon's arrival. He's been investing heavily to bring the organization up to the levels where a professional sports team should be and it's paying dividends already.
- BINGO!

100% agree. They've gone from around 12-13K attendance to averaging almost 17k per game since Dundon took over. He's financially investing in the team and also engaging the community much better than previous ownership.

Part of the new 5-year lease included a clause that they would not relocate the team during the agreement too.

Another interesting component was that the Hurricanes agreed to keep their salary cap above the "midpoint" of the NHL every year - This is a huge commitment when considering that previous ownership consistently had them at the floor and they'd be below it if it wasn't for retaining salaries.

Reading the articles about the deal, this lease is to give Dundon and Hurricanes time to decide on if they want a new arena or significant renovations to the current one by Centennial Authority.

Also, don't forget the new practice facility they've partnered with in Morrisville - The Wake Competition Center.

RTP is one of the fastest-growing areas in the US. As long as they maintain a quality product on the ice and continue to improve on their commitment at the local/grassroots area, they should be fine moving forward.

Previous ownership neglected the community, had zero interest in the local/grassroots programs (they actually got into a legal battle with RYHA), and completely neglected the key components required for retaining/attracting fans and operate a respectable team.

Can we look at trading a Reinhart for 4+ pieces like to the Canes for Necas, Teraviinen, Suzuki, and a 1st? This brings in a very good RW, a 2nd line center in the making in Necas, Suzuki who could also become a good 2nd line Center or RW, and a 1st. Yes you will lose a top end talent like Reinhart however you add very good Talent, several pieces in fact.
.
- hambolt

Only if you're outrageously (frank)ing high.

Teravainen alone is better than Reinhart.

100% agree. They've gone from around 12-13K attendance to almost 17k since Dundon took over. He's financially investing in the team and also engaging the community much better than previous ownership.

Part of the new 5-year lease included a clause that they would not relocate the team during the agreement too.

Another interesting component was that the Hurricanes agreed to keep their salary cap above the "midpoint" of the NHL every year - This is a huge commitment when considering that previous ownership consistently had them at the floor and they'd be below it if it wasn't for retaining salaries.

Reading the articles about the deal, this lease is to give Dundon and Hurricanes time to decide on if they want a new arena or significant renovations to the current one by Centennial Authority.

Also, don't forget the new practice facility they've partnered with in Morrisville - The Wake Competition Center.

RTP is one of the fastest-growing areas in the US. As long as they maintain a quality product on the ice and continue to improve on their commitment at the local/grassroots area, they should be fine moving forward.

Previous ownership neglected the community, had zero interest in the local/grassroots programs (they actually got into a legal battle with RYHA), and completely neglected the key components required for retaining/attracting fans and operate a respectable team.
- Devils0330

it was a mess. Dundon's been a godsend, recognizing a market that was being massively neglected.

Another component of the lease is that Dundon himself is personally on the hook for millions if the franchise relocates before the lease is up and that continues even if the team goes bankrupt.

Pending that "trouble" means positioning for long-term success, I'd probably say that the Wings have to be up there. They have a roster with 12 guys over 30 and were the worst NHL team this year. It doesn't appear they really have a young goalie to replace Howard/Bernier, the D core has two 35+ and, 32, and 30 yr. old. Perhaps they have a strong pipeline but even that doesn't look too loaded - happy to be corrected by people more familiar with the system though. I'd say they've probably got to have a strong off-season and make some solid moves to get going in the right direction.

I'd also probably add LAK - they have a lot of money tied up in older players and Quick isn't getting younger. I'm not as familiar with western conference teams and prospects, so perhaps they're deep with potential talent though.

I can see how some would say NJD, but I don't think they're in as much trouble as some organizations. They have 3 first-round picks this draft, so, I think they're in a decent position to get some future pieces they'll need. They need to make a decision on the coach sooner rather than later, so they can begin to look at the current roster and direction of the team though.

They've got a young goalie who could turn out to be solid - he had a good season despite how abysmal the Devils D was. The D issue 100% has to be addressed by them.

Greene, Subban, Carrick, Mueller, Claesson, Mermis were all pretty much useless and constant liabilities - a majority of those probably (minus Greene/Subban) wouldn't make an NHL team as more than a depth rotation D, if that. That left only Severson, Vatanen (gone now), and Butcher as capable D, and they also struggled too. Mostly though, this was a result of typically all three of them getting paired with a pylon night in and out.

The F group looks promising with the youth (Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, etc.). I think they've got some good pieces coming up in terms of guys who haven't yet had much or any NHL exposure. I imagine both Kuokkanen and Boqvist have full-time roles next season, and perhaps Foote will be NHL ready but I imagine he is 1-2 years away from being ready.

They've got $30M to spend with a roster that is mostly under 26. I'm not optimistic next season will go much better, but I think they're in a better spot than say LAK/DET for 2-3 years down the road.

Smith will hopefully be NHL ready and that'll help the D side of things, but there's almost always a learning curve with a young rookie on the blueline.

IMO the most needed thing NJD needs to do is to get rid of Subban - he was completely worthless for $9M. He typically cost NJD 1-2 goals per night while also managing to take tons of penalties. I was excited when they traded for him but didn't realize how much Subban had regressed - he is a liability every shift almost.

If every team gets a compliance buy-out for C19 like people have discussed, I'd 100% use it on him over Schneider. Esp. bc Subban has $12M in signing bonus over his final 2 years, as opposed to all of the contract being base like Schneider.

I can see how some could argue Schneider though - I just don't think if his role is as a back-up or AHL goalie, that he costs you as many games as Subban does playing every night. Both are obviously overpaid but IMO Subban costs the Devils more games on a consistent basis than Schneider most likely does based on future projected usage.

What are they in trouble for?
- Marwood

The incident in Minneapolis...so naughty

Seattle. They don't even have a name yet and are trying to finish renovating a building that may need to sit empty.

Yuge if true E4

Seattle. They don't even have a name yet and are trying to finish renovating a building that may need to sit empty.

Yuge if true E4
- Brownie's_Purse

when was the last time you performed a self release?

Jack grew up a Habs fan and the Habs need a franchise #1C and have the picks/prospects to make it happen





- Komisaurus Rex[img]hg]

Ryder and Halak don't play for the Habs anymore. We don't have what it takes to get a franchise center anymore...

In all seriousness, Buffalo needs to make the playoffs, Prospects/picks aren't enough and the best offensive talents on the team (Domi/Drouin) aren't going to cut it unless it's also KK/Suzuki and a 1st. Even then, that's a tough sell for Buffalo.

Minnesota
- gonch

Ooh good one

San Jose - yes, tons of long large contracts, not a deep prospect pool and not enough top-end talent upfront.

Ottawa? You're crazy man - Ottawa has a good young talent in the NHL
Tkachuk
Chabot
White
Duclair
And a deep pool ready to make the jump
Josh Norris
Drake Batherson
Alex Formenton
Vitali Abramov
Eric Branstrom
Jacob Bernard-Docker

And 3 first-round picks this year with two being top 8

Aside from ownership every Sens fan loves the direction we're heading.
- InglewoodJack77

San Jose yes definitely.

Ottawa is loaded with futures and after this draft they’re gonna have a boatload of young talent