James Tanner: Chayka's Bets Will Make or Break Team

Great young team- the one thing I observe though is Arizona strangely resembles a Toronto team from the early 2010s. Kessel at the centre of a lot of potential (minus OEL and Keller). Could go either way!

At the Dvorak and Schmaltz cap hits you don’t need first line level production, those are 2nd line cap hits. If you actually watch the guys play it’s clear as day that Schmaltz is a first line level talent

I was disappointed that Dvorak didn’t get more opportunities later in the year. At times he looked really good and it would’ve been nice to allow him to try and seize the moment, but Toch didn’t give him the chances

Chychrun 👍

Hey - At least unlike - to just pull a name out the air - Kerfoot, Soderberg actually got Selke votes. And he played 202 minutes of PK, highest of any forward on the Avs. And still found a way to get to numbers that would have led Arizona in goals and points. With his primary line mates (per Natural Stat Trick) being Matt Calvert and Matt Nieto. Kind of a bag of crap but the Yotes might find him useful. At least Kerfoot got in 4:37 of PK in that near miss Selke campaign.

Day after the Schmaltz contract:

There is no real down side to this deal, because in three years, $6 million will be a figure that players who score less than Schmaltz did this year will sign.

This is a great move for the Coyotes because there's little to no risk and the potential for a high reward.
- James_Tanner

Day after the Dvorak contract:

The Arizona Coyotes have signed Christian Dvorak to a six year contract extension. If true, that makes this a very good signing.
- James+Tanner

Today:

Chayka gave traditionally bad contracts to Christian Dvorak, Nick Schmaltz, Lawson Crouse and Jakob Chychrun.

By any standard, not one of those guy is worth close to the amount Chayka payed them.
- James_Tanner

So they were very good/great contracts, with minimal risk and no real downside when they were signed, but now they're bad contracts? Which is it?

Day after the Schmaltz contract:



Day after the Dvorak contract:



Today:



So they were very good/great contracts, with minimal risk and no real downside when they were signed, but now they're bad contracts? Which is it?
- jmatchett383

Ouch.

Yawn. Another condescending lecture on how Chayka knows best.

Tanner, I know you think readers don't understand the concept of "betting on your own players". Lock 'em up now and reap the rewards later. We get it. This isn't new. We all know about examples like Roman Josi still making $4M or Ekholm making $3.75M. We know about Nate MacKinnon still making just $6.3M for 3 more years. The list is endless.

What you fail to understand is some of your readers, who arguably know more about the sport than you do, feel that Chayka bet on the wrong players. But you are of course on record claiming that Schmaltz has 90+ point potential, which would place him in the top 10-15 in NHL scoring. Nice take there Tanner! You are also on record claiming Chychrun could be an elite top pair d-man. Cool take Tanner.

While you lecture us on Chayka's brilliance, you also refuse to admit that he lost a couple of big trades. Domi for Galchenyuk - bwahaha. But keep digging in on Domi being lucky. Giving away Strome - bwahaha. But keep digging in on how Strome wasn't being used right anyway so no big deal.

Thanks for the laughs this morning! I have a feeling I speak on behalf of many readers...

The Coyotes have assembled a very average lineup that could be anywhere from terrible to great.

I’m sorry, come again? Very average yet either great or terrible?

You are a leaf in the wind man. I missed when you had convictions and simply were dead set on being controversial and wrong. This wishy washy isn’t you

Huge if true

James Tanner: Chayka's Bets Will Make or Break Team
- James_Tanner

"Clayton Keller and Barret Hayton picks (both picks made fun of by draft experts)"

No they weren't.

James Tanner: Chayka's Bets Will Make or Break Team
- James_Tanner

"Leafs are rocking ten + first line players (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Andreas Johnsson, Muzzin, Rielly, Barrie, Andersen and who knows about Dermott, Kapanen and maybe Gardiner)."

Wow! No reason to play the season. No one is beating the Leafs! No bias here though.

Yawn. Another condescending lecture on how Chayka knows best.

Tanner, I know you think readers don't understand the concept of "betting on your own players". Lock 'em up now and reap the rewards later. We get it. This isn't new. We all know about examples like Roman Josi still making $4M or Ekholm making $3.75M. We know about Nate MacKinnon still making just $6.3M for 3 more years. The list is endless.

What you fail to understand is some of your readers, who arguably know more about the sport than you do, feel that Chayka bet on the wrong players. But you are of course on record claiming that Schmaltz has 90+ point potential, which would place him in the top 10-15 in NHL scoring. Nice take there Tanner! You are also on record claiming Chychrun could be an elite top pair d-man. Cool take Tanner.

While you lecture us on Chayka's brilliance, you also refuse to admit that he lost a couple of big trades. Domi for Galchenyuk - bwahaha. But keep digging in on Domi being lucky. Giving away Strome - bwahaha. But keep digging in on how Strome wasn't being used right anyway so no big deal.

Thanks for the laughs this morning! I have a feeling I speak on behalf of many readers...


- uofcguy

Chayka is different so he must be a genius!

Day after the Schmaltz contract:



Day after the Dvorak contract:



Today:



So they were very good/great contracts, with minimal risk and no real downside when they were signed, but now they're bad contracts? Which is it?
- jmatchett383

Jimmy Troller. Flavour of the Day.

"Leafs are rocking ten + first line players (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Andreas Johnsson, Muzzin, Rielly, Barrie, Andersen and who knows about Dermott, Kapanen and maybe Gardiner)."

Wow! No reason to play the season. No one is beating the Leafs! No bias here though.
- gergeswillems

Johnsson is already considered a 1st line player. But Kapanen is a maybe. Nice take Tanner. Solid analysis!

At the Dvorak and Schmaltz cap hits you don’t need first line level production, those are 2nd line cap hits. If you actually watch the guys play it’s clear as day that Schmaltz is a first line level talent

I was disappointed that Dvorak didn’t get more opportunities later in the year. At times he looked really good and it would’ve been nice to allow him to try and seize the moment, but Toch didn’t give him the chances
- WSCTeton17

A guy like Schmaltz has first line talent for sure, but he also gives a lot of what he does back with poor possession results.

I would never pay anyone without first line talent over the league minimum, so I disagree about Dvorak. If he doesn't turn into the b-level O'Reilly they are hoping for, you'd rather spend that money better.

Johnsson is already considered a 1st line player. But Kapanen is a maybe. Nice take Tanner. Solid analysis!
- uofcguy

Muzzin is a first line player!

Day after the Schmaltz contract:



Day after the Dvorak contract:



Today:



So they were very good/great contracts, with minimal risk and no real downside when they were signed, but now they're bad contracts? Which is it?
- jmatchett383

Where's the contradiction? Like seriously man, why waste all the time pulling those quotes just to take them out of context. Those contracts I liked at the time and still like - but traditionalists don't like them, and in both cases, what I liked about them originally was that they were betting on their own players with an eye out for some sweet value later.

Yawn. Another condescending lecture on how Chayka knows best.

Tanner, I know you think readers don't understand the concept of "betting on your own players". Lock 'em up now and reap the rewards later. We get it. This isn't new. We all know about examples like Roman Josi still making $4M or Ekholm making $3.75M. We know about Nate MacKinnon still making just $6.3M for 3 more years. The list is endless.

What you fail to understand is some of your readers, who arguably know more about the sport than you do, feel that Chayka bet on the wrong players. But you are of course on record claiming that Schmaltz has 90+ point potential, which would place him in the top 10-15 in NHL scoring. Nice take there Tanner! You are also on record claiming Chychrun could be an elite top pair d-man. Cool take Tanner.

While you lecture us on Chayka's brilliance, you also refuse to admit that he lost a couple of big trades. Domi for Galchenyuk - bwahaha. But keep digging in on Domi being lucky. Giving away Strome - bwahaha. But keep digging in on how Strome wasn't being used right anyway so no big deal.

Thanks for the laughs this morning! I have a feeling I speak on behalf of many readers...


- uofcguy

Do you even know what condescending means? Because this article isn't in anyway condescending but your response sure is. It's a look into the strategy of the team with both pros and cons listed. sometimes you guys are in such a hurry to complain that you just sound lazy.

Do you even know what condescending means? Because this article isn't in anyway condescending. It's a look into the strategy of the team with both pros and cons listed. sometimes you guys are in such a hurry to complain that you just sound lazy.
- James_Tanner

Your posting is lazy. Your trolling is weak. Your hockey knowledge is zero. Your whining is predictable.

Johnsson is already considered a 1st line player. But Kapanen is a maybe. Nice take Tanner. Solid analysis!
- uofcguy

Johnsson scored a p.60 worthy of the first line, Kapanen did not. It is very solid analysis, thankyouverymuch.

Johnsson scored a p.60 worthy of the first line, Kapanen did not. It is very solid analysis, thankyouverymuch.
- James_Tanner

There's whiny Jimmy once again saying he's right because he says he is. Kapanen and Johnsson are both good young players. They are not proven enough to be called first line players.

"Leafs are rocking ten + first line players (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Andreas Johnsson, Muzzin, Rielly, Barrie, Andersen and who knows about Dermott, Kapanen and maybe Gardiner)."

Wow! No reason to play the season. No one is beating the Leafs! No bias here though.
-gergeswillems

If Tanner thinks Alexander Kerfoot is "an impact player" who, in his opinion, should have won the Selke, why isn't he on this list? The Leafs are so good that there's no room for Selke winners on their list of 'first line' players.

Johnsson scored a p.60 worthy of the first line, Kapanen did not. It is very solid analysis, thankyouverymuch.
- James_Tanner

Let's give him a full season before propping him up, I think Kap will be better then Johnsson myself, didn't play the same after his concussion....and Johnsson may end up being better the Willie even....at least he goes to the front of the net, can't remember the last time Willie strayed into the crease.

If Tanner thinks Alexander Kerfoot is "an impact player" who, in his opinion, should have won the Selke, why isn't he on this list? The Leafs are so good that there's no room for Selke winners on their list of 'first line' players.
- FoppaForever

I had no idea any current team could boast 10 first line players. The Leafs are so deep Kerfoot might not even make the team!