I think Johnston’s contract has more to do with him being a good soldier and doing what is asked. Stepping in when needed and sitting on the side lines when he’s not. Both Lou and trotz are loyal to their players. Also, he probably fits in better then anyone else as a fill in on that fourth line. Don’t get me wrong the term and amount are a bit perplexing for what we get out of him but I see the reasoning.

Edit; and yes I agree with you about clutterbuck
- Cptmjl

Yea the deal doesn't move the needle much for me either way. Can't entirely wrap my head around it but it won't prohibit them from doing anything else.

https://www.nhl.com/hurri...h-david-ayres/c-327263060



Disney/that fat (frank) James Corden are making a feature film about David Ayres

Yea the deal doesn't move the needle much for me either way. Can't entirely wrap my head around it but it won't prohibit them from doing anything else.
- eichiefs9

They could also completely bury the contract in the minors if they had too. It would expose him to waivers but I assume they wouldn’t be to worried about him being claimed at that point.

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/saves-in-the-making-catching-up-with-david-ayres/c-327263060



Disney/that fat (frank) James Corden are making a feature film about David Ayres
- eichiefs9

Ross is arguably the toughest fighter in the league. Having him in the mix for $1 mill a year is not a bad thing.. we just watched other teams spend a fortune making their team tougher over the off-season. The fact that Ross doesn't mind spending most games in the press box and can actually skate and play hockey a bit (unlike Reeves).. makes this a good sign for Isles. As stated already if they every really need his Wopping $1 mill of Cap room for any reason they can waive him and the 4 years might have teams hesitate to claim him... (He would not clear by the way).

I am very happy they re-signed him.

Ross is arguably the toughest fighter in the league. Having him in the mix for $1 mill a year is not a bad thing.. we just watched other teams spend a fortune making their team tougher over the off-season. The fact that Ross doesn't mind spending most games in the press box and can actually skate and play hockey a bit (unlike Reeves).. makes this a good sign for Isles. As stated already if they every really need his Wopping $1 mill of Cap room for any reason they can waive him and the 4 years might have teams hesitate to claim him... (He would not clear by the way).

I am very happy they re-signed him.
- niteislander

I too am happy he got re-signed, but I'm not sure you'd win the bold argument. Samuel Morin of the Flyers tagged him pretty good when they fought last season. Also, Ross fought Ryan Reaves a year or two ago, and at best it was a draw. Ross is definitely top 5, but that's as far as I'd go.

It's certainly a shame that the weird schedule leaves us with little else to discuss.

I too am happy he got re-signed, but I'm not sure you'd win the bold argument. Samuel Morin of the Flyers tagged him pretty good when they fought last season. Also, Ross fought Ryan Reaves a year or two ago, and at best it was a draw. Ross is definitely top 5, but that's as far as I'd go.

It's certainly a shame that the weird schedule leaves us with little else to discuss.
- JohnScammo

I think Reavo has the tough guy belt until someone comes along and takes it from him

I think Reavo has the tough guy belt until someone comes along and takes it from him
- eichiefs9

Agreed. It would be interesting to see him fight Morin, however.

Agreed. It would be interesting to see him fight Morin, however.
- JohnScammo

God damn 6 days off is boring as poop

God damn 6 days off is boring as poop
- eichiefs9

if you haven't seen the Ducks vs. WPG game highlights last night they are pretty good.. some incredible snipes. Zegras is really one heck of a talent. Hopefully Sonny Milone has finally figured it out b/c he certainly has the talent to succeed in this league.

https://www.theplayerstri...lson-nhl-hockey-addiction heck of a read.

God damn 6 days off is boring as poop
- eichiefs9

Yeah this blows but I’m hoping it does the team some good.

Yeah this blows but I’m hoping it does the team some good.
- Cptmjl

hoping they send Chara back to Slovakia

hoping they send Chara back to Slovakia
- niteislander

The other glaring thing missing from his game besides his foot speed is physicality. I don’t think I’ve seen the guy hit someone yet? He can’t catch anyone to hit them.

Yeah this blows but I’m hoping it does the team some good.
- Cptmjl

Pelech could probably use it to let his finger heal up a bit. It's good for the team, but my needs should always come first.

The other glaring thing missing from his game besides his foot speed is physicality. I don’t think I’ve seen the guy hit someone yet? He can’t catch anyone to hit them.
- Cptmjl

I have watched him play for decades and had never seen anyone knock him down. I have seen him get knocked to the ice about 7 times so far this year. He is a shell of the player he used to be.. it's actually sad. Greene is EXPONENTIALLY better than him... cut the cord and call it a career.

The other glaring thing missing from his game besides his foot speed is physicality. I don’t think I’ve seen the guy hit someone yet? He can’t catch anyone to hit them.
- Cptmjl

That's like standing in the middle of the highway and trying to pick a random moving vehicle to change 2 tires on

I too am happy he got re-signed, but I'm not sure you'd win the bold argument. Samuel Morin of the Flyers tagged him pretty good when they fought last season. Also, Ross fought Ryan Reaves a year or two ago, and at best it was a draw. Ross is definitely top 5, but that's as far as I'd go.

It's certainly a shame that the weird schedule leaves us with little else to discuss.
- JohnScammo

I think top 5 qualifies as "arguably".. no? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0a8NVgRsNc heck of a scrap....

That's like standing in the middle of the highway and trying to pick a random moving vehicle to change 2 tires on
- eichiefs9

Good analogy

I have watched him play for decades and had never seen anyone knock him down. I have seen him get knocked to the ice about 7 times so far this year. He is a shell of the player he used to be.. it's actually sad. Greene is EXPONENTIALLY better than him... cut the cord and call it a career.
- niteislander

Holding out hope he becomes somewhat useful because I think he’s ours for better or worse…

Pelech could probably use it to let his finger heal up a bit. It's good for the team, but my needs should always come first.
- eichiefs9

No, no, no. MY needs should always come first. You are welcome to sloppy seconds.

On a more serious note....
The team had just picked up 7 out of a possible 8 points in the past 4 games. So I hope they don't lose that momentum.

I think top 5 qualifies as "arguably".. no? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0a8NVgRsNc heck of a scrap....
- niteislander

OK, semantics.

That's the fight I was remembering. Ross did a respectable job against the champ. Only a very slight edge to Reaves due to that heavy right he landed just before the end of the fight.