Michael Stuart: The Lafreniere/Byfield Cup

I'm sure yzerman is trying to get as good of odds as possible...

Good article.

Who would have thunk the Sen's and Leafs would have the same ROW (8) with the Leafs having played more games.

Also read Travis Yost on the Tkachuk boys. https://www.tsn.ca/tkachu...ional-teammates-1.1399668


Ottawa has something special and I am feeling really good about the overall progress.

please stop putting Zaitsev with Chabbot

If I recall last season, Nilsson had flashes of brilliance, but would revert back to form. (Nothing like this though)

I think eventually he'll regress back to his average stats or put up a number of poor games.

Good to see veraneau fight for a spot. Balcers has been very good since coming back, wonder how long before we see him back here.

please stop putting Zaitsev with Chabbot
- Octavarium

But it’s the best way to get Lafreniere.

It's the Rossi Cup now.

It's the Rossi Cup now.
- AdamFrench

Is that because the Sens have no hope of getting 1st overall or is it because Rossi has become a contender for 1st overall?

Is that because the Sens have no hope of getting 1st overall or is it because Rossi has become a contender for 1st overall?
- spatso

Mostly a joke, but Rossi is sick. A must watch at the 67's games.

please stop putting Zaitsev with Chabbot
- Octavarium

I like Zaitsev- doesn't blow you away, but is a lot smoother than what we traded away (getting rid of Ceci was an underrated move for the hockey club I believe). I feel Chabot's play has mostly been inconsistent: he has another gear that I think he can get to, especially in regards to his defensive play. That maybe why that pairing has struggled? Count me in the camp that has been impressed with Zaitsev's play

Connor McMichael tho.

It's the Rossi Cup now.
- AdamFrench

Joke or not, this is where people's heads should be at. The Senators are significantly more likely to wind up with one of Lundell or Rossi than Lafreniere or Byfield. It's called a lottery for a reason, and people who don't understand that are just setting themselves up for disappointment. Despite all the BS and trolling that went on, the Duchene trade wound up as a choice between Tkachuk and Byram... not Dahlin and Hughes.

The good part, of course, is that Lundell and Rossi are both excellent prospects, and either would very likely wind up as the team's #1C.

Hard to believe they got Duclair AND two seconds for a dzingel rental.

Was Duclair's stock really that low?

Hard to believe they got Duclair AND two seconds for a dzingel rental.

Was Duclair's stock really that low?
- david22

Yes. Arizona is where careers wither.

Almost half way through the game... did the Sens gang rape the refs before the game??? Wtf is going on???

Yes. Arizona is where careers wither.
- RafiDRW

We got Duclair from Columbus, not Arizona. Anthony bounced around quite a bit.

To answer the dude's question; yes. His stock was horrible. And Torts had completely given up on him.

We got Duclair from Columbus, not Arizona. Anthony bounced around quite a bit.

To answer the dude's question; yes. His stock was horrible. And Torts had completely given up on him.
- PavohnDatsvares

Thanks for the correction. Still a valid point, though.

Thanks for the correction. Still a valid point, though.
- RafiDRW

Oh, absolutely. All is dead in the desert... that's why I want Matthews to go there. Lol

Oh, absolutely. All is dead in the desert... that's why I want Matthews to go there. Lol
- PavohnDatsvares

I mean, look at how many points Hossa got there vs in Chicago. Night and day.

Hard to believe they got Duclair AND two seconds for a dzingel rental.

Was Duclair's stock really that low?
- david22

I think cbj coach even said publicly. That Duclair doesnt understand how to play the game.

I think cbj coach even said publicly. That Duclair doesnt understand how to play the game.
- spazzbot

Yes he did. I believe the exact quote was, "I don't think he knows how to play the game." Lol Gotta love Torts.

Don’t look now, but Ottawa is 3 points behind TOR with 2 games in hand...

Don’t look now, but Ottawa is 3 points behind TOR with 2 games in hand...
- LondonSen

Ottawa has 9 regular and overtime wins, Leafs have 8, Sharks have 8.

The league is beginning to spin out of control. Team choke could not even wait until the end of the season before collapsing. It appears that they are going to deny us one of our more delightful post regular season traditions.

Don’t look now, but Ottawa is 3 points behind TOR with 2 games in hand...
- LondonSen

Curious if they do something to shake things up if they don't turn it around (firing or a trade).

Their pick they traded is top ten protected, so it's better if they finish 15-11.

Curious if they do something to shake things up if they don't turn it around (firing or a trade).

Their pick they traded is top ten protected, so it's better if they finish 15-11.
- david22

Notionally this would seem correct. But, this is a John Tavares led team that has no ability to keep the puck out of their own end. Need to understand how much backward momentum has been achieved with the initial signing of Tavares, the slide has accelerated with his being named captain.

Leafs have done some dumb things. Signing of Tavares compressed Matthews' natural growth. He has not evolved as a team leader. Kadri was moved. Dubas seems intent on signing every player who has a positive possession number without regard to play off the puck when they lose possession.

So, the Leafs have good possession numbers. They win the possession game most nights. But they lose on the scoreboard. At some point in time the magic numbers people are going to have to be tortured over this total nightmare of fantasy hockey management.