I never have a problem judging lol
- Feds91Stammer

You certainly don't. I'll rephrase. I think it's difficult to accurately assess which divisions really are the strongest/weakest. Obviously not having divisions play each other gives no basis for comparison.

You certainly don't. I'll rephrase. I think it's difficult to accurately assess which divisions really are the strongest/weakest. Obviously not having divisions play each other gives no basis for comparison.
- Rinosaur

I do agree with you to an extent. Like Minnesota beating up on basically any team not named Vegas or Colorado

I do agree with you to an extent. Like Minnesota beating up on basically any team not named Vegas or Colorado
- Feds91Stammer

And Chicago in the running for a playoff spot.

Also the chances of Pitt playing nyi in the first round are very good.
- 10inchTerror

Yea they sure are. We definitely need to make a move.

If there's any plus to this trade is that Pens play NJD five times to finish out the season.

Nah I’d just prefer more chances at the “generational” guys the next year if possible. So if a team is playoff bound this year but possibly a lotto team next year I would want the 2022 pick.
- Feds91Stammer

No one is giving up an unprotected first next year for a rental though. I think this will be the year of the 2nd round draft pick. Outside the top 5 it will be a crap shoot with a HUGE advantage to the teams with strong Euro scouting (sorry Buffalo).

It's a shame the Pens have no powder this year, it would be a really good year for a guy like Hextall to have options. Draft day trades an option though I guess.

And Chicago in the running for a playoff spot.
- Rinosaur

That was all a lucky power play run. I knew that wouldn’t last.

Yea they sure are. We definitely need to make a move.
- 668710

Zajac and Palmieri vs Glendening and Ryan lol

That was all a lucky power play run. I knew that wouldn’t last.
- Feds91Stammer

And goaltending. While I think NSH makes it, I'm not convinced CHI is out just yet. NSH is turning things around, but they're still feeling the effects of their injuries.

And goaltending. While I think NSH makes it, I'm not convinced CHI is out just yet. NSH is turning things around, but they're still feeling the effects of their injuries.
- Rinosaur

I’m still waiting on Dallas elite underlying numbers to show up in the standings.

I’m still waiting on Dallas elite underlying numbers to show up in the standings.
- Feds91Stammer

I've been waiting, but I don't see it happening at this point. I fully expected them to take the fourth spot.

I've been waiting, but I don't see it happening at this point. I fully expected them to take the fourth spot.
- Rinosaur

They still have games in hand on everyone but time is running out.

Zajac and Palmieri vs Glendening and Ryan lol
- Feds91Stammer

Let the real battle begin!

Zajac and Palmieri vs Glendening and Ryan lol
- Feds91Stammer

MORTAL KOMBAT!!

Isles deciding to load up when they lost Lee for the season seems ill advised.
- Victoro311

Lot of guys on the Isles pushing or over 30. They might feel their window is small. And should like their chances in the East.

All I’m saying is that the hit rates on late first is a coin flip. There is a decent chance they don’t get any return. There is a chance they do but having one of the biggest chips at the deadline should have at least netted them a decent prospect.
- kfinl170

Even at coin flip odds, you need chances if you're going to win. Drafting 18 year olds is a war of attrition where you miss a lot. But drafting more and higher improves your odds of your prospect pool getting something, and everyone needs prospects.

I'll agree a good partially developed prospect is better, but those guys move less than late 1sts for that reason.

They still have games in hand on everyone but time is running out.
- Feds91Stammer

I would love to see Joe Pavelski win a Cup.

Some tidbits from Yohe's interview with Hextall:

He spoke very highly of Freddy. I won't quote everything because there was a bit, but it appears like he's comfortable with him as the 4C if that's how things land. He also spoke highly of McCann and the fact he can play both C/W. With all that said, he seems to still like the idea of adding a center who can play wing.

“The one thing the injuries have done, they’ve made us feel more comfortable with the depth that we have,” he said. “Evan Rodrigues, Freddy, Anthony Angello and (Colton) Sceviour have done a good job for us. Then (Radim) Zohorna comes in and has given us some depth. But again, if we can find something that makes us better and the price is right, we’ll certainly act on it.”

Notice he did not mention Jank.

No prospects are untouchable, but Hextall doesn’t plan on parting with Samuel Poulin, Nathan Legare or Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

“It would really have to make us a noticeably better team to part with future assets,” Hextall said. “If it’s there, we will weigh it out. But it would have to give us a good jolt as a team. I like our team.

This is an important distinction as we've previously heard they will not move any of them.

“We would like a big, physical forward,” he said. “We’ve said that right from the start. The right guy has to be out there at the right price.

Which we already know.

“When we get those guys back, the danger is that we tend to sit back a little bit,” he said. “Geno and Kappy are back — guys can sit back now. No. So, we’ll have to fight that a bit. But I like our team. I like our depth. I don’t like the past two games. We have some things to clean up. But I like where we are right now.”

I like that they're cognizant of this, but we shouldn't forget that the Pens started playing like this before the injuries actually started happening. It may have been short-lived because of the injuries, but Geno and Kap found their games and the team was playing as a unit.

“I don’t think it’s probably as active a year because so many teams are still in the hunt,” he said. “We’ve seen teams gain four or six points in a week. Teams aren’t quite as active as typical. But there is some activity. We’re looking around to see what’s available and to see if there’s anything that will make us better.”

There's this as well and this bothers me because the only reason so many teams are in the hunt is because of those (frank)ing OTL points.

There's this as well and this bothers me because the only reason so many teams are in the hunt is because of those (frank)ing OTL points.
- Rinosaur

This also makes me think he is more likely to not make a trade than to make one.

This also makes me think he is more likely to not make a trade than to make one.
- burgh4life87

Listening to an interview with LeBrun and he's made some interesting points saying that his is a buyer's market, and to not be shocked when we see players get moved for far less than you'd expect. So there's that.

After reading Yohe's article, I think actually think that Foligno is likely high on Hextall's list. They didn't mention any names in the article, but wanting to get bigger, physical and add down the middle just makes him stand out.

This also makes me think he is more likely to not make a trade than to make one.
- burgh4life87

I think if they do anything it’s a 4th for Bobby Ryan or something like that.

I think if they do anything it’s a 4th for Bobby Ryan or something like that.
- Feds91Stammer

Most likely. I get the gut feeling that Bennett will be a real target as well if Hex can't land a big fish.

bennett gaudreau ryan wow

Listening to an interview with LeBrun and he's made some interesting points saying that his is a buyer's market, and to not be shocked when we see players get moved for far less than you'd expect. So there's that.

After reading Yohe's article, I think actually think that Foligno is likely high on Hextall's list. They didn't mention any names in the article, but wanting to get bigger, physical and add down the middle just makes him stand out.
- Rinosaur

You know who’s big and physical and doesn’t suck at hockey? Taylor Hall.

I think if they do anything it’s a 4th for Bobby Ryan or something like that.
- Feds91Stammer

Is he still out injured? Because that would make a lot of sense for this team