Imagine Rutherford resigning Riikola as the 3LD because he feels Johnson-Marino can make a good second pairing after being super mediocre in a 3rd pairing role, so he trades Petterson. That's the most Rutherford thought process I can think of.
- Victoro311

Gross.

Pettersson who is similarly thin debuted at 21. Maatta, drafted in a similar spot and skinny then, debuted at 19. Marino was 22 and listed at 181 pounds.

His age and weight don't disqualify POJ, it's about his readiness. They shouldn't count on him and aren't, but there's no need to hold them back. Basically everyone feels Riikola can handle that spot, but if POJ beats him out even better. Even if he doesn't make the team out of camp, we'll probably see him at some point.
- Tojo.

Good points.

I wish Riikola was a righty.

Well, two of the teams in the conference finals, NYI and DAL, finished 9th and 5th in points this year. Crazy that NYI could have missed the playoffs in a normal year. I didn't realize that DAL had the second-lowest GA (BOS had the lowest). They were in the 170s, two teams in the 180s, and then a bunch in the 190s+, most of which are 200+. A lot of good goaltending on those lower GA teams with relatively inexpensive contracts (~$5M range).

Jeez, Islanders are just completely manhandling the Flyers.

Jeez, Islanders are just completely manhandling the Flyers.
- SuperHenderson13

Yeah. Damn shame.

Yeah. Damn shame.
- madmike71

Go to the Flyers' site and see 2Real flipping put comments. Definitely brings a to ones face.

Imagine Rutherford resigning Riikola as the 3LD because he feels Johnson-Marino can make a good second pairing after being super mediocre in a 3rd pairing role, so he trades Petterson. That's the most Rutherford thought process I can think of.
- Victoro311

Reirden would never allow that...I hope!!! HAHAHA

Well, I like Rikkola but I've kind of counted him out this offseason. Just didn't see a spot for him. As others mentioned, it means someone is moving out. Has to be JJ or POJ, can't believe they would play JJ top 4.

On a side note, rumor has the Avs interested in Murray. That to me is very exciting because they have cap space and a lot of really solid prospects.

Byram, Kaut, Timmons, Newhook, Bowers, Beaucage... share the wealth a bit Avs.

Well, I like Rikkola but I've kind of counted him out this offseason. Just didn't see a spot for him. As others mentioned, it means someone is moving out. Has to be JJ or POJ, can't believe they would play JJ top 4.

On a side note, rumor has the Avs interested in Murray. That to me is very exciting because they have cap space and a lot of really solid prospects.

Byram, Kaut, Timmons, Newhook, Bowers, Beaucage... share the wealth a bit Avs.
- MacPatty

Or POJ just stays in WBS for the moment.

Well, I like Rikkola but I've kind of counted him out this offseason. Just didn't see a spot for him. As others mentioned, it means someone is moving out. Has to be JJ or POJ, can't believe they would play JJ top 4.

On a side note, rumor has the Avs interested in Murray. That to me is very exciting because they have cap space and a lot of really solid prospects.

Byram, Kaut, Timmons, Newhook, Bowers, Beaucage... share the wealth a bit Avs.
- MacPatty

Until POJ makes the team, they don't need to do anything. They probably just don't fill Schultz's spot and go with 7 D unless a young guy forces his way on the team since they have Trotman, Czurczman, POJ and Maniscalco in WBS.

I'd rather add a righty (and trade JJ) just guessing what they do. They are probably telling themselves Riikola and JJ have both played on the right, so I don't think this means they HAVE to make a trade.

I agree, Avs are an interesting possible trade partner. Since they have some of the league's best prospects, they're more likely to part with a good one since he won't be one of their best like Byram or Newhook.

Well, I like Rikkola but I've kind of counted him out this offseason. Just didn't see a spot for him. As others mentioned, it means someone is moving out. Has to be JJ or POJ, can't believe they would play JJ top 4.

On a side note, rumor has the Avs interested in Murray. That to me is very exciting because they have cap space and a lot of really solid prospects.

Byram, Kaut, Timmons, Newhook, Bowers, Beaucage... share the wealth a bit Avs.
- MacPatty

Nothing about POJ says NHL ready and none of those prospects should be available in a trade for Murray.

Nothing about POJ says NHL ready and none of those prospects should be available in a trade for Murray.
- Feds91Stammer

Agree on point 1 and mostly on point 2. I think Timmins for Murray isn't too far off. Beaucage also. My question is what needs added to Murray to get one of those top end prospects?

Nothing about POJ says NHL ready and none of those prospects should be available in a trade for Murray.
- Feds91Stammer

You said that about Marino

Nothing about POJ says NHL ready and none of those prospects should be available in a trade for Murray.
- Feds91Stammer

And when they have that many prospects they may feel like (frank) it and send one our way. If they really want Murray they may overpay since they have a surplus.

You said that about Marino
- 668710

Feds thought I was foolishly optimistic for thinking Marino could compete for a 3rd pair role in a year.

Feds thought I was foolishly optimistic for thinking Marino could compete for a 3rd pair role in a year.
- Tojo.

In his defense he probably also didn't see him play. Marino just has a high hockey IQ and good enough skills. Just watching him you can tell that he knows what he's doing.

And when they have that many prospects they may feel like (frank) it and send one our way. If they really want Murray they may overpay since they have a surplus.
- 668710

Most of those Avs prospects are more in the Legare/Hollander range. Maybe you can argue Murray isn't worth that, but he probably still gets at least that type.

In his defense he probably also didn't see him play. Marino just has a high hockey IQ and good enough skills. Just watching him you can tell that he knows what he's doing.
- 668710

Of course he didn't, neither did I. Feds puts a lot of stock in point production as many analytics types do. Unless I'm looking for a PP QB, I look at projectable tools and role more.

Rikola would literally be the Jack Johnson of the pens if JJ wasn’t on the pens.

Rikola would literally be the Jack Johnson of the pens if JJ wasn’t on the pens.
- Grinder47

Riikola is actually decent at hockey.

Of course he didn't, neither did I. Feds puts a lot of stock in point production as many analytics types do. Unless I'm looking for a PP QB, I look at projectable tools and role more.
- Tojo.

I didn't see him play until that youth tournament before camp and I was really blown away be seeing him in that tournament. He stood out amongst everyone. I tempered my expectations, but then seeing how good he looked in camp I really started to get excited.

Most of those Avs prospects are more in the Legare/Hollander range. Maybe you can argue Murray isn't worth that, but he probably still gets at least that type.
- Tojo.

I'm high on Legare but every one of those prospects I mentioned are better. Like Byram, Newhook and even Kaut are exponentially better. Id trade Murray, POJ and Legare for Byram and the Avs might not take it.

I'm high on Legare but every one of those prospects I mentioned are better. Like Byram, Newhook and even Kaut are exponentially better. Id trade Murray, POJ and Legare for Byram and the Avs might not take it.
- MacPatty

Hard to imagine that package is good enough to get a 19-year-old that's projected to be a potential #1 defenseman. Tempering expectations on whatever return Murray brings, but so long as they address the 3c situation, I don't see much else this team needs to add. Starting to do more than that opens the door for JR to do something stupid again.

I'm high on Legare but every one of those prospects I mentioned are better. Like Byram, Newhook and even Kaut are exponentially better. Id trade Murray, POJ and Legare for Byram and the Avs might not take it.
- MacPatty

I wasn't talking about Byram, Newhook, Kaut or Timmons. The others I think are possible.