My point was kind of- an NHL team tries to win a cup.if you are paying these people crazy salaries and have nothing to show for it other than personal stats and jersey sales, AND zacha playing a great two way game ( who cares where he was drafted, if he fills a role and does it well) then kind of puts us on par with these teams that are paying crazy salaries.

The age under Lou was successful because he got players that bought into a system, played "their" role and we won as a team. Madden was exceptional as shut down because that was the role given to him. That was his only responsibility.

Why cant Zachas role be a great two way centerman? Look at Bergeron, Zacha has just as much skill as Berg and he ended up being a Boston great.

Hope this makes sense. Im kind of all over.
- Leniwm1

I'd be shocked if Toronto doesn't win a few series here. Keep in mind Marner/Nylander.. even Matthews.. all young guys that had to learn from the playoffs last year. They have that core of firepower that can carry any team.

Zacha can be found for 4mil on the open market.. where these guys are worth 3x that much, which is why they're infinitely more valuable.. on the ice and on the books lol. Zacha can't have the role of Bergeron because he's not Bergeron with Bergeron's offensive ability and being a top 3 faceoff man in the league. I'm not predicting the future, I'm just saying right now. Zacha is a 24yr old 45pt kid that's still searching for consistency. Bergeron is among the top tiers in the league as far as a center you want on your team. You have that McDavid/Eichel/Matthews/MacKinnon/Drai/Scheif.. not too far down you have Bergeron. Zacha isn't close.

Kulikov to the Oilers
- vlongo4419

Yay?

Zacha has just been bad as a center this year, i would much rather use him as a winger at this point and let him be a shooter. I forget who it was, but someone on twitter broke down his center and wing splits and its amazing the difference. The conclusion was pretty much that when he is on the wing, his centers are better than with anybody else. And when he is at center, his wingers are worse than with any other center
- vlongo4419

exactly what my eyeballs see. would be nice if the coaches see it too.

I think you hit the point on the head.
Sieg and maybe Butcher get exposed.
Id rather lose Sieg (or a third) than other assets to Seattle.
- Devils Advocate

Roger I think you are missing the point of the move. The Devils actually needed to add a defenseman to protect in the expansion draft, because you have to protect 3.
At the end of the season, defenseman on the roster would be:
Butcher
Severson
Siegenthaler
Smith
Subban

Smith is on an ELC an doesn't need protected, so now they can protect Butcher, Severson, Siegenthaler, and leave Subban exposed. Unlikely Seattle takes Subban, but if they do, it's the best case scenario.

Sens claim Mete. Stars claim Vatanen
- vlongo4419

Would have been nice to have gotten anything for vats

Yay?
- Wildschwein

Wonder what pick is

Would have been nice to have gotten anything for vats
- dmarsden2988

I know...

Wonder what pick is
- dmarsden2988

Conditional 6th by the sounds of it.

Roger I think you are missing the point of the move. The Devils actually needed to add a defenseman to protect in the expansion draft, because you have to protect 3.
At the end of the season, defenseman on the roster would be:
Butcher
Severson
Siegenthaler
Smith
Subban

Smith is on an ELC an doesn't need protected, so now they can protect Butcher, Severson, Siegenthaler, and leave Subban exposed. Unlikely Seattle takes Subban, but if they do, it's the best case scenario.
- robvl22

wonder if they keep Subban for his final year for the sake of his veteran presence and experience. he could definitely be worse defensively, and it's not like we need the cap space. .. .and it's not like Butcher is some gem we have to risk losing.

where are you guys getting the news on the deals? nothing here.

Kulikov to the Oilers
- vlongo4419

The deal is apparently not done. Seems like the return will be a conditional pick if it gets done

where are you guys getting the news on the deals? nothing here.
- Leniwm1

We’re Ek’s insiders.

PK has been great this year. Keep him. We need some Vet presence on that backend. Not going to have anything left after today by the sounds of it.

The deal is apparently not done. Seems like the return will be a conditional pick if it gets done
- vlongo4419

There is holdup in Kulikov’s immigration status. His passport expires within the next six months, and he may need a new one before he can get a Canadian work visa. Per Gord Miller

So this trade may have fell through

The deal is apparently not done. Seems like the return will be a conditional pick if it gets done
- vlongo4419

I hope Fitz spices the trade up a bit and includes a pick to get Evan Bouchard. EDM isn't even using him right now.

There is holdup in Kulikov’s immigration status. His passport expires within the next six months, and he may need a new one before he can get a Canadian work visa. Per Gord Miller

So this trade may have fell through
- vlongo4419

Now Dreger saying when the deal gets done its for a conditional 4th

Roger I think you are missing the point of the move. The Devils actually needed to add a defenseman to protect in the expansion draft, because you have to protect 3.
At the end of the season, defenseman on the roster would be:
Butcher
Severson
Siegenthaler
Smith
Subban

Smith is on an ELC an doesn't need protected, so now they can protect Butcher, Severson, Siegenthaler, and leave Subban exposed. Unlikely Seattle takes Subban, but if they do, it's the best case scenario.
- robvl22

I also think they can add vets via free agency

As we wait for the condition on the Kulikov return, im assuming we're done for the day. Maybe we move one of our backup goalies but I don't see us doing anything else. Murray is on the ice for practice so he's likely staying. Wood or Subban isn't being moved.

Now Dreger saying when the deal gets done its for a conditional 4th
- vlongo4419

Deal is done. Devils get a conditional 4th round pick that becomes a 3rd if the Oilers win a playoff round

Deal is done. Devils get a conditional 4th round pick that becomes a 3rd if the Oilers win a playoff round
- vlongo4419

not bad. nice increase from the 6th or whatever it was. Go Oilers!

I also think they can add vets via free agency
- Devils Advocate

RFA/UFA signing periods both start after the expansion draft. The former is 7/28 vs 7/21 for the latter.

not bad. nice increase from the 6th or whatever it was. Go Oilers!
- MartysBetter88

Yeah pretty much on par with what i expected. I assumed a 4th was a fine return, 3rd was a good return, and 2nd wouldve been a great return. So im cool with this, go Oil in round 1!

I also think they can add vets via free agency
- Devils Advocate

The expansion draft is before free agency

not bad. nice increase from the 6th or whatever it was. Go Oilers!
- MartysBetter88

I had the same reaction. Edmonton could certainly win a round. Getting a third back makes the trade for Jonas S a lot sweeter. Even if it stays a fourth it’s fine.

The expansion draft is before free agency
- vlongo4419

I know, free agency to replenish vets. I think the rest of the season our D could be a wreck.

Where is Matt Tennyson??