They are in a nearly impossible situation. At least they were fun to watch the last few months. Lost season. I’ll be interested again when Morin gets in a game.

Who's out?
- ClaudeFather

Gardiner and Dermott are both out I believe.

And Anderson hasn't been stellar lately.

Probably because they didn't want to count on Elliott staying healthy and playing this well after a 3 month injury.
- Feanor

Elliott isn’t going to be here next year. Elliott could very well hurt himself again. It’s timr to lay the ground work for next season and playing Elliott isn’t doing that.

As for Hart starting last night. He’s not a veteran. He’s still a developing young player. In fact, playing him this season at all I’m sure wasn’t apart of the plan. So I do believe starting him last night coming off injury and having a healthy, untested Talbot on the bench. Our best chance for tonight would be having Hart to start against the leafs, with skating legs under them.

Elliott isn’t going to be here next year. Elliott could very well hurt himself again. It’s timr to lay the ground work for next season and playing Elliott isn’t doing that.

As for Hart starting last night. He’s not a veteran. He’s still a developing young player. In fact, playing him this season at all I’m sure wasn’t apart of the plan. So I do believe starting him last night coming off injury and having a healthy, untested Talbot on the bench. Our best chance for tonight would be having Hart to start against the leafs, with skating legs under them.
- SuperSchennBros

0% chance I would start Hart tonight in a back to back after injury. Talbot, maybe. But Elliot is the obvious choice. Until they are mathematically emilinated they will try to win every game and not play Morin nor Talbot.

Elliott isn’t going to be here next year. Elliott could very well hurt himself again. It’s timr to lay the ground work for next season and playing Elliott isn’t doing that.

As for Hart starting last night. He’s not a veteran. He’s still a developing young player. In fact, playing him this season at all I’m sure wasn’t apart of the plan. So I do believe starting him last night coming off injury and having a healthy, untested Talbot on the bench. Our best chance for tonight would be having Hart to start against the leafs, with skating legs under them.
- SuperSchennBros

What does it matter that Elliot won't be here, we are trying to win games and he has given us a chance in his last few. Also, we don't know if he won't be here, still could get resigned.

Elliott isn’t going to be here next year. Elliott could very well hurt himself again. It’s timr to lay the ground work for next season and playing Elliott isn’t doing that.

As for Hart starting last night. He’s not a veteran. He’s still a developing young player. In fact, playing him this season at all I’m sure wasn’t apart of the plan. So I do believe starting him last night coming off injury and having a healthy, untested Talbot on the bench. Our best chance for tonight would be having Hart to start against the leafs, with skating legs under them.
- SuperSchennBros

elliot very well could be back, no slam dunk he isnt imo.

elliot very well could be back, no slam dunk he isnt imo.
- daryl stanley

I think it's pretty obvious he isn't coming back. They acquired Talbot for a reason and I think that was to get him here and then re sign him to a cheaper deal.

I don't see any way they carry guys like Elliott or Neuvirth next year. Both goalies have had back to back seasons with injury.

I think it's pretty obvious he isn't coming back. They acquired Talbot for a reason and I think that was to get him here and then re sign him to a cheaper deal.

I don't see any way they carry guys like Elliott or Neuvirth next year. Both goalies have had back to back seasons with injury.
- J35Bacher

Well it aint that obvious to me. Elliot in a back up roll is fine.

what makes you think talbot wants to be here since he hasn't played much at all? I bet he can get a better opportunity elsewhere. Unless he flat out wants to be a backup and play 25 games.

I think it's pretty obvious he isn't coming back. They acquired Talbot for a reason and I think that was to get him here and then re sign him to a cheaper deal.

I don't see any way they carry guys like Elliott or Neuvirth next year. Both goalies have had back to back seasons with injury.
- J35Bacher

lol we are for sure re-signing a guy that's played one game......

Well it aint that obvious to me. Elliot in a back up roll is fine.

what makes you think talbot wants to be here since he hasn't played much at all? I bet he can get a better opportunity elsewhere. Unless he flat out wants to be a backup and play 25 games.
- daryl stanley

Getting Talbot i believe was also about making hart comfortable. I know they won't say it but next year there is going to be a starter(Hart) and back up(talbot). I think both guys know this. I think talbot is totally aware of it. here is his quote after the trade:

“If the opportunity is right and we can come to an agreement, I’d be more than happy,” Talbot said. “Like I said, I waived my no-trade to come here because I saw an opportunity not only for this year but for the future. If something comes up and both sides can come to an agreement, I’d be more than happy to sign before July 1 and forego free agency.”


He knows Hart is the future here. I think he sees a solid back up opportunity here and a chance to be part of a team that is trending upward.

Getting Talbot i believe was also about making hart comfortable. I know they won't say it but next year there is going to be a starter(Hart) and back up(talbot). I think both guys know this. I think talbot is totally aware of it. here is his quote after the trade:

“If the opportunity is right and we can come to an agreement, I’d be more than happy,” Talbot said. “Like I said, I waived my no-trade to come here because I saw an opportunity not only for this year but for the future. If something comes up and both sides can come to an agreement, I’d be more than happy to sign before July 1 and forego free agency.”


He knows Hart is the future here. I think he sees a solid back up opportunity here and a chance to be part of a team that is trending upward.
- J35Bacher

We don't have to coddle this kid like a 6 year old child man, we are going to do what is right for the team, not the 20 year old goalie. You can say all those things but in this business things change quickly. What would Hart throw a tantrum if Talbot wasn't signed?

Getting Talbot i believe was also about making hart comfortable. I know they won't say it but next year there is going to be a starter(Hart) and back up(talbot). I think both guys know this. I think talbot is totally aware of it. here is his quote after the trade:

“If the opportunity is right and we can come to an agreement, I’d be more than happy,” Talbot said. “Like I said, I waived my no-trade to come here because I saw an opportunity not only for this year but for the future. If something comes up and both sides can come to an agreement, I’d be more than happy to sign before July 1 and forego free agency.”


He knows Hart is the future here. I think he sees a solid back up opportunity here and a chance to be part of a team that is trending upward.
- J35Bacher

if the opportunity is right. well he hasn't played sounds like the right opportunity to me.

All player speak anyway. they all say what you want them to. means little come free agency. Why would he not want the chance to start?

We don't have to coddle this kid like a 6 year old child man, we are going to do what is right for the team, not the 20 year old goalie. You can say all those things but in this business things change quickly. What would Hart throw a tantrum if Talbot wasn't signed?
- ClaudeFather

agreed. They will do whats best for the team and best for business.

If you watch all of his games, there are points when moving laterally he is guilty of overplaying. I believe teams now know this, and as you saw last night they are going to make the second pass because they know he'll overplay the first one.

It's just an adjustment he's going to have to make in his game. He's so fast laterally but he can't overplay those passes.

We don't have to coddle this kid like a 6 year old child man, we are going to do what is right for the team, not the 20 year old goalie. You can say all those things but in this business things change quickly. What would Hart throw a tantrum if Talbot wasn't signed?
- ClaudeFather

It's not about coddling the kid.

But there is something about comfort.

He knows it's a business and if Talbot moves on i am sure he'll be fine.

If you watch all of his games, there are points when moving laterally he is guilty of overplaying. I believe teams now know this, and as you saw last night they are going to make the second pass because they know he'll overplay the first one.

It's just an adjustment he's going to have to make in his game. He's so fast laterally but he can't overplay those passes.
- atibus

Or it was one of the better passers in the league that caught a goalie out of position, Hart doesn't always overplay laterally. That was an attempt at a desperation save the Kusnetsov made a great play on.

Or it was one of the better passers in the league that caught a goalie out of position, Hart doesn't always overplay laterally. That was an attempt at a desperation save the Kusnetsov made a great play on.
- ClaudeFather

You beat me to it.

I actually think he rarely gets lost in his net. He's usually very in control. It was one goal and Kusnetsov made a good play. 9 out of 10 times a guy shoots there.

So the argument for not playing Morin or possibly some other younger players to get a look at the nhl level is because this team is still mathematically in the playoff race.

Does this group of players really deserve the chance to make the playoffs? Where is the organization’s balls? This group has done the same thing for the past how many seasons and it cost several people their jobs. One deservedly so (Hackstol) and the other a crime against humanity (Hextall).

This group doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt for a miraculous playoff run. Realistically it is over. It’s been over.

No reason for management to not begin the evaluation process with certain players over some pie in the sky misguided effort for this team to make the playoffs because it’s still mathematically possible.

So the argument for not playing Morin or possibly some other younger players to get a look at the nhl level is because this team is still mathematically in the playoff race.

Does this group of players really deserve the chance to make the playoffs? Where is the organization’s balls? This group has done the same thing for the past how many seasons and it cost several people their jobs. One deservedly so (Hackstol) and the other a crime against humanity (Hextall).

This group doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt for a miraculous playoff run. Realistically it is over. It’s been over.

No reason for management to not begin the evaluation process with certain players over some pie in the sky misguided effort for this team to make the playoffs because it’s still mathematically possible.
- StepfordSam

You know there defense right now has basically one veteran and 5 defenders who are 25 and under. He is coming off ACL injury. He is getting work in during practices and he is signed to 20-21 season. they have plenty of time to evaluate him.

What young players do you want to see in the lineup? To me the team is pretty young other then Giroux, van Riemsdyk and Voracek. Raffl and Knight play limited roles.

You know there defense right now has basically one veteran and 5 defenders who are 25 and under. He is coming off ACL injury. He is getting work in during practices and he is signed to 20-21 season. they have plenty of time to evaluate him.

What young players do you want to see in the lineup? To me the team is pretty young other then Giroux, van Riemsdyk and Voracek. Raffl and Knight play limited roles.
- J35Bacher

Agreed, the squad is pretty young at the moment. I'm in favor of going and getting Panarin at the $9-10M range, we have a ton of young guys that won't need huge contracts too soon and if Jake or G is out of the lineup our roster looks pretty suspect.

Agreed, the squad is pretty young at the moment. I'm in favor of going and getting Panarin at the $9-10M range, we have a ton of young guys that won't need huge contracts too soon and if Jake or G is out of the lineup our roster looks pretty suspect.
- ClaudeFather

My guys for free agency depending on costs:

Panarin
Kevin Hayes
Skinner


Other maybe less then top guys:
Anders Lee
Brock Nelson
Michael Ferland
Ryan Dzingle

In my head I build a lineup like this:

Giroux - Couturier - Lindblom
Panarin - Patrick - Voracek
van Riemsdyk - Hayes/Lee/Nelson - Konecny/Frost?
Hartman - Laughton - ?


Just my spitballing

As far as Morin, keep in mind maybe he just isnt ready and the coaches smartly recognize this at this point. start fresh in the off season so to speak. Maybe play in one of those summer leagues a lot of the pro players participate in just to get your legs back in a no hit no pressure situation.

My guys for free agency depending on costs:

Panarin
Kevin Hayes
Skinner


Other maybe less then top guys:
Anders Lee
Brock Nelson
Michael Ferland
Ryan Dzingle

In my head I build a lineup like this:

Giroux - Couturier - Lindblom
Panarin - Patrick - Voracek
van Riemsdyk - Hayes/Lee/Nelson - Konecny/Frost?
Hartman - Laughton - ?


Just my spitballing
- J35Bacher

Just saw today that Kyle Turris is a healthy scratch. Wonder if there may be a play we could make to grab him for a change of scenery as a 3C. May cost us Misha or similar, but he has been struggling all season so his value may be seriously depressed and Nashville may be open to moving on.

Just saw today that Kyle Turris is a healthy scratch. Wonder if there may be a play we could make to grab him for a change of scenery as a 3C. May cost us Misha or similar, but he has been struggling all season so his value may be seriously depressed and Nashville may be open to moving on.
- juiced

Maybe. But Turris is at that 30 range. The other guys are all in an age range to keep growing with our youth.

Maybe. But Turris is at that 30 range. The other guys are all in an age range to keep growing with our youth.
- J35Bacher

Guess it depends on if we want a transition guy until one of our potential young Center prospects are ready....like Frost.