Sean Maloughney: Ranking The Pacific Divisions Offseason So Far

*eludes

Can't say I'm keen on San Jose's moves and, as such, would rank them lower. But that's a minor niggle.

As for the Flames and Gaudreau, $10.5 x 8 yrs might have been a bigger mistake. Those deals don't work out most of the time on guys pushing 30. The hockey gods might have saved them this off season.

No errors in rankings there. The Flames have been steamrolled this off-season while Edmonon definiitely seems poised to go forward-- and all without Kassien, Koskinen, Keith, or (likely a non-factor) Smith.

As long as the Flames don't try for Kadri (good player when he doesn't go temporarily mental, but it would be an overpay on Day 2 of free agency) and take their time to find a couple of good team fits, they will weather the storm however.

Where they really might turn it around is by trading Tkachuk, who might not want to re-sign there now anyway.

Agree with much of it but disagree with some. Campbell isn’t better than what the oilers had last year. He has not put up anything close to stalwart numbers. He’s 30 and has only been a starter one year and that year he was the epitome of jekyl and Hyde.

The kings are better for sure. SJ entering a rebuild. Canucks have not done much yet but they played pretty well once Boudreau took over. Vegas agree they need to stay healthy. Anaheim will be better than you think. Calgary has work to do. I know you were taking some shots at the flames but Johnny did what he wanted. Got south of the border and closer to home. He’s only a drive away from family now and the big thing is there is no border to cross.

Agree with much of it but disagree with some. Campbell isn’t better than what the oilers had last year. He has not put up anything close to stalwart numbers. He’s 30 and has only been a starter one year and that year he was the epitome of jekyl and Hyde.

The kings are better for sure. SJ entering a rebuild. Canucks have not done much yet but they played pretty well once Boudreau took over. Vegas agree they need to stay healthy. Anaheim will be better than you think. Calgary has work to do. I know you were taking some shots at the flames but Johnny did what he wanted. Got south of the border and closer to home. He’s only a drive away from family now and the big thing is there is no border to cross.
- TurdFergeson

I don't know if its been said but apparently his wife is a pediatric nurse and Columbus has one of the largest Children's hospitals in all of the US. Perhaps what he meant by family decision.

As for the Flames and Gaudreau, $10.5 x 8 yrs might have been a bigger mistake. Those deals don't work out most of the time on guys pushing 30. The hockey gods might have saved them this off season.
- tincup

You aren't wrong

I don't know if its been said but apparently his wife is a pediatric nurse and Columbus has one of the largest Children's hospitals in all of the US. Perhaps what he meant by family decision.
- Reveen

He didn’t say much in his presser but I get the impression he didn’t like some of his team. He sounded almost like he and his wife had picked out Columbus as a top destination early on for them so maybe that’s part of it.

As for the Flames and Gaudreau, $10.5 x 8 yrs might have been a bigger mistake. Those deals don't work out most of the time on guys pushing 30. The hockey gods might have saved them this off season.
- tincup

Maybe. Gaudreau is an elite player so he might be worth his contract for a majority of the contract's years. Also depends on the competitive window of the team. Going to a rebuilder like Columbus seems like a waste.

Speaking with Ranger fans.. .Vatrano was a really stealth and very underrated signing. Gives a shooter who has an accurate and hard quick shot along with playing really hard and smart. ... I think he may end up being the better pick up..

Maybe. Gaudreau is an elite player so he might be worth his contract for a majority of the contract's years. Also depends on the competitive window of the team. Going to a rebuilder like Columbus seems like a waste.
- jfkst1

He was an elite player for 2 of his 8 years. How many times do you think he'll get to 90+ points in the next 7?

No errors in rankings there. The Flames have been steamrolled this off-season while Edmonon definiitely seems poised to go forward-- and all without Kassien, Koskinen, Keith, or (likely a non-factor) Smith.

As long as the Flames don't try for Kadri (good player when he doesn't go temporarily mental, but it would be an overpay on Day 2 of free agency) and take their time to find a couple of good team fits, they will weather the storm however.

Where they really might turn it around is by trading Tkachuk, who might not want to re-sign there now anyway.
- MABster

Of course they got rid of K x 3

Of course they got rid of K x 3
- Oilers4Life14

You still working at Subway ?

Agree with much of it but disagree with some. Campbell isn’t better than what the oilers had last year. He has not put up anything close to stalwart numbers. He’s 30 and has only been a starter one year and that year he was the epitome of jekyl and Hyde.
- TurdFergeson

This statement makes me wonder if you have any actual hockey knowledge or if you just like to make inane comments on one of the least popular hockey blogs sites because you know you'll actually get attention. You don't actually have to answer this btw, I have seen how incredibly inept most of your other posts are.

This statement makes me wonder if you have any actual hockey knowledge or if you just like to make inane comments on one of the least popular hockey blogs sites because you know you'll actually get attention. You don't actually have to answer this btw, I have seen how incredibly inept most of your other posts are.
- ALEDDO

Go ahead let me see the stats that show I’m wrong lol. I’ll wait…

I’ll be waiting for a long time because those stats don’t exist. Toronto didn’t even make him an offer because they know he’s not capable of being a 1A starter.

Go ahead let me see the stats that show I’m wrong lol. I’ll wait…

I’ll be waiting for a long time because those stats don’t exist. Toronto didn’t even make him an offer because they know he’s not capable of being a 1A starter.
- TurdFergeson

I don’t pretend to really know (frank) all anymore , but aren’t most teams goalies pretty average now?

I don’t pretend to really know (frank) all anymore , but aren’t most teams goalies pretty average now?
- HonkyTonkMan

Toronto elected to let Campbell walk away and instead trade for Matt fricken Murray. What does that tell you??

Re: Campbell

As Koskinen started the majority of the team's games, he's a clear upgrade over him pretty much across the board. Smith had a strong year, though, so he's not an upgrade on him.

Campbell's HD sv% was bad this past season and was notably worse than Smith's (.797 Vs .841). This is something to keep an eye on given EDM gave up more HD chances than TOR did. However, all of TOR's goalies were bad in this domain which begs the question about whether it's something specific to their system that gives up particularly dangerous HD chances- not all HD chances are equal, after all. Positive signs here are that Campbell's numbers were the best among TOR's goalies and that this particular weakness hasn't plagued him his whole career.

On the other hand, an area where he bests Smith is in mid-danger saves (.913 Vs .898)- a pattern that's mirrored in low-danger saves, as well. This can likely be explained at least in-part by Smith's tendency to give up team-deflating, weak goals. While no goalie is immune to such gaffes, we all know that Smith was particularly tendency to make such errors. Reducing the frequency of these deflating goals could have a significant positive impact on the team even if overall goalie performance drops off somewhat.

Like Smith, Campbell was excellent on the PK so we can likely expect similar goaltending performance in that game state.

As EDM allowed more HD chances against than TOR last year, there's cause for concern. It remains to be seen if TOR's HD chances against this past season were uniquely dangerous or from a particular location that Campbell has difficulty with. However, Campbell has been an average to slightly above-average goalie since he became an NHL regular and has generally posted the best numbers of the goalies on his teams (typically as the 1B).

Interesting extra statistical note: the average distance from the net for goals against TOR with Campbell on the ice was 18.95 while Smith and Koskinen were 22.58 and 23.35. This could mean some combination of a.) TOR was less effective at keeping opposing players contained around the net, b.) EDM was less effective at removing screens (but not tips), c.) TOR goalies were less adept in the heat of the scramble for pucks, d.) EDM goalies were less adept at shots from distance (if you'll recall the CHI and WPG playoff series').

Toronto elected to let Campbell walk away and instead trade for Matt fricken Murray. What does that tell you??
- TurdFergeson

It could suggest any number of things depending on your level or angle of analysis. Possibilities include:

1.) they got paid to take Murray (every asset matters)
2.) they didn't have to commit to term at a historically-volatile position
3.) they value Murray's Cup-winning experience
4.) they believe that Murray isn't as bad as his numbers suggest
5.) they have a bias towards him from their Sault St. Marie days
6.) they don't evaluate goalies well

To point number 6, they let Andersen walk last year and elected to rely on Campbell and Mrazek.

Re: Campbell

As Koskinen started the majority of the team's games, he's a clear upgrade over him pretty much across the board. Smith had a strong year, though, so he's not an upgrade on him.

Campbell's HD sv% was bad this past season and was notably worse than Smith's (.797 Vs .841). This is something to keep an eye on given EDM gave up more HD chances than TOR did. However, all of TOR's goalies were bad in this domain which begs the question about whether it's something specific to their system that gives up particularly dangerous HD chances- not all HD chances are equal, after all. Positive signs here are that Campbell's numbers were the best among TOR's goalies and that this particular weakness hasn't plagued him his whole career.

On the other hand, an area where he bests Smith is in mid-danger saves (.913 Vs .898)- a pattern that's mirrored in low-danger saves, as well. This can likely be explained at least in-part by Smith's tendency to give up team-deflating, weak goals. While no goalie is immune to such gaffes, we all know that Smith was particularly tendency to make such errors. Reducing the frequency of these deflating goals could have a significant positive impact on the team even if overall goalie performance drops off somewhat.

Like Smith, Campbell was excellent on the PK so we can likely expect similar goaltending performance in that game state.

As EDM allowed more HD chances against than TOR last year, there's cause for concern. It remains to be seen if TOR's HD chances against this past season were uniquely dangerous or from a particular location that Campbell has difficulty with. However, Campbell has been an average to slightly above-average goalie since he became an NHL regular and has generally posted the best numbers of the goalies on his teams (typically as the 1B).

Interesting extra statistical note: the average distance from the net for goals against TOR with Campbell on the ice was 18.95 while Smith and Koskinen were 22.58 and 23.35. This could mean some combination of a.) TOR was less effective at keeping opposing players contained around the net, b.) EDM was less effective at removing screens (but not tips), c.) TOR goalies were less adept in the heat of the scramble for pucks, d.) EDM goalies were less adept at shots from distance (if you'll recall the CHI and WPG playoff series').
- MaximumBone

All that to say at best it’s a wash.

Toronto is betting that Elkin can bring Murray back to his Pits glory as hes been his personal coach for years. Lots of history there that Dubas is betting on
https://torontosun.com/sp...-believe-in-himself-again

Agree with much of it but disagree with some. Campbell isn’t better than what the oilers had last year. He has not put up anything close to stalwart numbers. He’s 30 and has only been a starter one year and that year he was the epitome of jekyl and Hyde.

The kings are better for sure. SJ entering a rebuild. Canucks have not done much yet but they played pretty well once Boudreau took over. Vegas agree they need to stay healthy. Anaheim will be better than you think. Calgary has work to do. I know you were taking some shots at the flames but Johnny did what he wanted. Got south of the border and closer to home. He’s only a drive away from family now and the big thing is there is no border to cross.
- TurdFergeson

Campbell is pretty fragile. If he gets shelled, he's going to go into his shell. He's pretty much a tale of two goalies; first half MVP, 2nd half goat. Kostco was adequate and at times unbeatable down low. Campbell a bit more scrambling. Given 50+ games, he won't be putting up a good SA% or GAA.

It could suggest any number of things depending on your level or angle of analysis. Possibilities include:

1.) they got paid to take Murray (every asset matters)
2.) they didn't have to commit to term at a historically-volatile position
3.) they value Murray's Cup-winning experience
4.) they believe that Murray isn't as bad as his numbers suggest
5.) they have a bias towards him from their Sault St. Marie days
6.) they don't evaluate goalies well

To point number 6, they let Andersen walk last year and elected to rely on Campbell and Mrazek.
- MaximumBone

I'm willing to give Campbell a shot, because what choice do we really have right now. Huge risk signing based on his only 125 NHL starts as a 30 yr old. I don't think Toronto feels that they are better off with their current tending, but I'm going with your #2. They didn't want to bet on 5 years with Campbell, with Matthews coming due for a raise in a couple years. Will be much easier to contract shuffle now.