Jan Levine: With Lundkvist/Miller+ pipeline, does NY have enough D to get to next level Plus other news...

The biggest defensive head scratcher for me this past season:

After Hajek failed to impress as Trouba's partner, why wasn't he ever given a legit shot to play with D'Angelo? That to me is something they should try next season.

The biggest defensive head scratcher for me this past season:

After Hajek failed to impress as Trouba's partner, why wasn't he ever given a legit shot to play with D'Angelo? That to me is something they should try next season.
- TommyGTrain

I think with ADA, you really need someone who is defense first. They probably didn't want someone who is getting his feet wet at the position so to speak. I just don't see a situation where Hajek makes sense in terms of a partner anytime soon.

I'm actually a little worried about Hajek's future here, it really isn't fair because I'm not sure we've had enough of a sample size for him to really show what he can do, but when you have the pipeline coming up, someone is going to get squeezed out at some point.

I think with ADA, you really need someone who is defense first. They probably didn't want someone who is getting his feet wet at the position so to speak. I just don't see a situation where Hajek makes sense in terms of a partner anytime soon.

I'm actually a little worried about Hajek's future here, it really isn't fair because I'm not sure we've had enough of a sample size for him to really show what he can do, but when you have the pipeline coming up, someone is going to get squeezed out at some point.
- 2sticks1puck

there's no chance they'll protect him in the expansion draft, and honestly, if he's the guy Seattle takes from us, we should sign up for that right now

there's no chance they'll protect him in the expansion draft, and honestly, if he's the guy Seattle takes from us, we should sign up for that right now
- jimbro83

Can't wait for him to blossom there....

Can't wait for him to blossom there....
- MeltingPlastic

meh

there's no chance they'll protect him in the expansion draft, and honestly, if he's the guy Seattle takes from us, we should sign up for that right now
- jimbro83

I actually agree with you on that. People flipped their crap when Oscar got picked and we might have gotten off easier than just about any team in the league looking back now.

I actually agree with you on that. People flipped their crap when Oscar got picked and we might have gotten off easier than just about any team in the league looking back now.
- 2sticks1puck

Is Oscar even in the league anymore?

Is Oscar even in the league anymore?
- TPC

KHL lol

I actually agree with you on that. People flipped their crap when Oscar got picked and we might have gotten off easier than just about any team in the league looking back now.
- 2sticks1puck

we have to lose somebody, we just need to but the bullet on someone.

I am extremely against making one of those side deals so Seattle keeps their hands off a specific player, JD overthought the expansion draft with Columbus

we have to lose somebody, we just need to but the bullet on someone.

I am extremely against making one of those side deals so Seattle keeps their hands off a specific player, JD overthought the expansion draft with Columbus
- jimbro83

I think a good portion of the league did. I think JD will have learned from that though.

there's no chance they'll protect him in the expansion draft, and honestly, if he's the guy Seattle takes from us, we should sign up for that right now
- jimbro83

Hajek or Howden to Seattle. Wipe your hands of either, and move on.

we have to lose somebody, we just need to but the bullet on someone.

I am extremely against making one of those side deals so Seattle keeps their hands off a specific player, JD overthought the expansion draft with Columbus
- jimbro83

- mdw7413

that's a cool ass cat

that's a cool ass cat
- jimbro83

That cat is on bath salts

- mdw7413

reminds me of the cat from Pet Semetary

reminds me of the cat from Pet Semetary
- TPC

The cat from pet sematary was all gray though. True story, we had a cat that looked exactly like it. Got hit by a car and survived. Didn't have to bury it in a (frank)ed up sematary

Pretty sure Gorton already said something to the effect of "we know we will lose 1 good player in the expansion draft...no reason to lose more..."

I can't see them making any side deals

Perhaps more interestingly though, what is Tampa going to do? They currently have 2 forwards under contract in 21-22 without a NTC and they are named Kucherov and Point. 0 Dmen under contract without protection. Oh, and absolutely no cash to sign scrubs as expansion draft fodder because they can't even resign Cirelli and Sergachev as it is

The cat from pet sematary was all gray though. True story, we had a cat that looked exactly like it. Got hit by a car and survived. Didn't have to bury it in a (frank)ed up sematary
- mdw7413

Pretty sure Gorton already said something to the effect of "we know we will lose 1 good player in the expansion draft...no reason to lose more..."

I can't see them making any side deals

Perhaps more interestingly though, what is Tampa going to do? They currently have 2 forwards under contract in 21-22 without a NTC and they are named Kucherov and Point. 0 Dmen under contract without protection. Oh, and absolutely no cash to sign scrubs as expansion draft fodder because they can't even resign Cirelli and Sergachev as it is
- Maskdman3

all their chips are in on winning the Cup this year

Pretty sure Gorton already said something to the effect of "we know we will lose 1 good player in the expansion draft...no reason to lose more..."

I can't see them making any side deals

Perhaps more interestingly though, what is Tampa going to do? They currently have 2 forwards under contract in 21-22 without a NTC and they are named Kucherov and Point. 0 Dmen under contract without protection. Oh, and absolutely no cash to sign scrubs as expansion draft fodder because they can't even resign Cirelli and Sergachev as it is
- Maskdman3

Good chance Tampa leaves a very good player exposed for expansion, probably one of the more expensive ones. I'm thinking one of Palat/Johnson/Killorn. That'll afford them some breathing room after next season.

But they're going to have to get real creative to make room to get Cirelli signed. I don't think Sergachev is going to cost a ton, but they may ultimately have to move him because Cirelli is a much bigger priority. I think they'll find a way to get it done though.

Is it even remotely possible that due to the total conundrum in TB they might consider trading Kucherov for something like Buchnevich, Howden, Nils Lundkvist, Hajek, and the CAR 1st?

Normally no one trades a superstar for spare parts I get that...but hilariously enough they need a ton of cheap contracts right now and all of those players are young, cheap, cost controlled, and have solid potential. All of those players combined even after RFA signings will cost about the same as Kucherov. This season with Lundkvist overseas they could only spend 4M on Buch and Howden in order to save enough to try and retain Cirelli or Sergachev

I think Jacques Martin would be a solid choice as a a new assistant with the Rangers

Quinn needs someone with NHL experience with him now that Ruff is gone and Martin certainly has experience

and it would be no coincidence that a 18 year old French speaking franchise savior is about to join the team October 8th

Is it even remotely possible that due to the total conundrum in TB they might consider trading Kucherov for something like Buchnevich, Howden, Nils Lundkvist, Hajek, and the CAR 1st?

Normally no one trades a superstar for spare parts I get that...but hilariously enough they need a ton of cheap contracts right now and all of those players are young, cheap, cost controlled, and have solid potential. All of those players combined even after RFA signings will cost about the same as Kucherov. This season with Lundkvist overseas they could only spend 4M on Buch and Howden in order to save enough to try and retain Cirelli or Sergachev
- Maskdman3

Lol no

Is it even remotely possible that due to the total conundrum in TB they might consider trading Kucherov for something like Buchnevich, Howden, Nils Lundkvist, Hajek, and the CAR 1st?

Normally no one trades a superstar for spare parts I get that...but hilariously enough they need a ton of cheap contracts right now and all of those players are young, cheap, cost controlled, and have solid potential. All of those players combined even after RFA signings will cost about the same as Kucherov. This season with Lundkvist overseas they could only spend 4M on Buch and Howden in order to save enough to try and retain Cirelli or Sergachev
- Maskdman3

I complete dismiss Tampa being interested in reacquiring Howden and Hajek and also they aren't going to want to acquire anything that they need to protect in expansion draft anyway