In case anyone is interested, the latest from Sportsnet re: draft prospects...

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-prospect-rankings-march/
- hpk90

I am more intrigued by the fact that there are 3 guys named Rasmus projected in the first round.

Their ex-mayor? Or her boy friend?
- StLBravesFan

I will give them a pass - they don’t seem like hockeybuzz trolls.

Every year you think they're going to move him, but he stays...haha.
- Hank3Henshaw

It's a curse I tell you

It's a curse I tell you
- BINGO!

Hahaha.

Bring back Mike Liut!

The Tavares drama is going to be really interesting.

You think the Canes can land him, man? That'd be sweet, honestly.
- Hank3Henshaw

I doubt anyone other than the Isles can land him, to be honest. But if he signs somewhere outside of Carolina, it won't be because they didn't offer him the most money.

I thought Carolina was a "budget" team, as opposed to one that spends to the cap.

If it is - even if they decide to throw a big piece at Tavares - why would he go to a team that wouldn't spend to the cap to get a Cup challenging squad?
- StLBravesFan

They have a new owner who has already said he's willing to spend whatever it takes to win.

He's stated that he's willing to make an irrational financial decision if it means he gets what he wants and that there's no budget for player payroll beyond the limitations the league puts out.

I doubt anyone other than the Isles can land him, to be honest. But if he signs somewhere outside of Carolina, it won't be because they didn't offer him the most money.
- BINGO!

I would think CAR could be an intriguing place. Young team, maybe a few pieces away from putting together something special.

He strikes me as the kind of dude, that if he was to leave NY, would be down to go somewhere and help build something a budding team up, as opposed to just going where the big money or next contender might be.

Hard to believe 1 year ago Hocks were number one team in the West. Who would have thought they would crash so hard in that short of time. When you make those summer trades I guess it was expected but just Wow. Panarin was basially gifted to you and Bowman feels he wasn't worth keeping? He should be let go for that alone.

Question now becomes can you make the playoffs in the next 5 years? 50:50 odds on that. But at least Ryan Seabrook will still be under contract to help in 2023-

Hartman with his second game winner Tuesday. That may be a gift to the Preds that keeps giving
- VopatsRash

He's me favorite

They have a new owner who has already said he's willing to spend whatever it takes to win.

He's stated that he's willing to make an irrational financial decision if it means he gets what he wants and that there's no budget for player payroll beyond the limitations the league puts out.
- BINGO!

Good for you guys - good for the league.

It's NOT good for the league when some owners decide that it's OK to just survive - striving for middle-of-the-pack status - not willing to invest to develop a really good franchise.

Those comments appropos of nothing, just random thoughts.

Good for you guys - good for the league.

It's NOT good for the league when some owners decide that it's OK to just survive - striving for middle-of-the-pack status - not willing to invest to develop a really good franchise.

Those comments appropos of nothing, just random thoughts.
- StLBravesFan

It's why Bettman was so happy an called him his new best friend.

A legit billionaire from the south who already has experience in changing the sports entertainment industry with TopGolf willing to go all-in on a southern NHL franchise? That's fantastic stuff for a league with a lot more instability than there should be.

It's why Bettman was so happy an called him his new best friend.

A legit billionaire from the south who already has experience in changing the sports entertainment industry with TopGolf willing to go all-in on a southern NHL franchise? That's fantastic stuff for a league with a lot more instability than there should be.
- BINGO!

I just keep praying for some Whaler sweaters to come back..

I just keep praying for some Whaler sweaters to come back..
- Hank3Henshaw

I'm just praying CAR wins in regulation tonight!!

I'm just praying CAR wins in regulation tonight!!
- tyweb69

Hawks get the W.

4-3

I just keep praying for some Whaler sweaters to come back..
- Hank3Henshaw

They're already back my dude! The Canes have started selling Whalers gear again, and you can expect to see it on the ice next season.

This article by Friedman this morning lays out pretty clearly what Tom Dundon is looking for from the organization and why Francis was fired:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...dont-want-make-decisions/

Interesting thread on Twitter about SKA (Panarin's former team) being Putin's chosen winner in the KHL and the lengths the KHL is going to to hand them the championship. Powerenforcer, Bettman has nothing on these guys.

https://twitter.com/Slava...status/971595788315918336

500 NHL players asked what head coach they would most like to play for - majority said Q. Jon Cooper was second. Coincidence? I think not 😋 haha.

Funny all the hate for Q/Toews on here, and this comes out:

http://www.chicagotribune...-poll-20180307-story.html

They're already back my dude! The Canes have started selling Whalers gear again, and you can expect to see it on the ice next season.

This article by Friedman this morning lays out pretty clearly what Tom Dundon is looking for from the organization and why Francis was fired:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...dont-want-make-decisions/
- BINGO!

Might need you to scoop me up a Whalers hat from the arena. Haha.

Mine is old and beat up. Need a new one and there's nothing good online lately.

Going to check out the article in a bit. Happy to hear we may see the Whale sweater back on the ice next year!

Funny all the hate for Q/Toews on here, and this comes out:

http://www.chicagotribune...-poll-20180307-story.html
- HawksHype

When did questioning decisions, contributions to the team etc. automatically equate to "hate?" Notice that a lot on here and I doubt very much anyone hates any of our team, outside of Goalie 33's despising of one Patrick Kane.

Anyway, Q has always been seen as a player's coach - someone who left players alone outside of his shorter- and less frequent-than-most practices. In the PR video where players were asked to talk about why they love playing for Q, most mentioned these things. Yet, when the roster was asked by Powers to name their most influential coach(es), only two players - Saad and Seabrook - named Q and Seabs named almost all of his coaches. Really depends on if you think the former outweighs the latter in getting most out of a team. I'm sure there is an ideal balance.

What Toews was noted for are those dreaded "intangibles" that many seem to think are not valuable. I'm not one of those people. I've been very happy to see him rebound these past few games now that he is playing with Kane again. Hoping the trend continues.

Forever grateful for what both brought to the team these past 10 years.

When did questioning decisions, contributions to the team etc. automatically equate to "hate?" Notice that a lot on here and I doubt very much anyone hates any of our team, outside of Goalie 33's despising of one Patrick Kane.

Anyway, Q has always been seen as a player's coach - someone who left players alone outside of his shorter- and less frequent-than-most practices. In the PR video where players were asked to talk about why they love playing for Q, most mentioned these things. Yet, when the roster was asked by Powers to name their most influential coach(es), only two players - Saad and Seabrook - named Q and Seabs named almost all of his coaches. Really depends on if you think the former outweighs the latter in getting most out of a team. I'm sure there is an ideal balance.

What Toews was noted for are those dreaded "intangibles" that many seem to think are not valuable. I'm not one of those people. I've been very happy to see him rebound these past few games now that he is playing with Kane again. Hoping the trend continues.

Forever grateful for what both brought to the team these past 10 years.
- pdx2ord

Change hate to annoyance... it still doesn't change what I'm getting at.

Eric Lear

@BHTVeric

The #Blackhawks and Jan Rutta have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension.

Why is StanBo rushing to sign these bottom pairing D men before the offseason? I don't get it, unless he is sure there are no upgrades available.

He's me favorite
- BlazinMike

The boat anchor combo of Bobby Ryan Brent Seabrook

Agree that's valuable information that wiz provides and insight so what if he promotes his site from time to time. Bring back the wiz the users that reported him can suck it!!
- Scott1977

Its one thing if he's promoting a rival site that shares the same info as here.
(He's not)

It's a whole other thing where he's providing key in depth analysis on the draft, something this site sorely lacks, and he is freely creating more user traffic from message board activity with intelligent draft based conversation.
I have a solution... Eklund should hire him and let him have a "draft" analysis blog occasionally. It would bring more readers than some of the other... uhh... blogs and bloggers.

Eric Lear

@BHTVeric

The #Blackhawks and Jan Rutta have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension.

Why is StanBo rushing to sign these bottom pairing D men before the offseason? I don't get it, unless he is sure there are no upgrades available.
- pdx2ord

Maybe an extension for Seabs is next

Eric Lear

@BHTVeric

The #Blackhawks and Jan Rutta have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension.

Why is StanBo rushing to sign these bottom pairing D men before the offseason? I don't get it, unless he is sure there are no upgrades available.
- pdx2ord

Because he is a depth signing. Cheap. Can be buried if needed or traded in a package.

I like Rutta and he is at a bargain price. Often times a player improves the most in between his first and 2nd season in the NHL.

Also read the comment by an astute poster a few posts back about the improvement in the Coyotes D. Sometimes it takes longer for a D to gel.

Having said this a right side, physical, top pairing Dman would be a great pick up this off season. That would allow the others to slot down and competition for playing time.