Sean Maloughney: Ron Francis Extended

It was a solid move. Francis may have misread and overplayed his hand in the expansion draft but he pivoted extremely well. The team is taking shape nicely. It was a phenominal second season without hurting the team long term. Drafting and development is going very well too.

While not going to take teams by surprise next year, we are still positioned to do well now and in the future.

It will be interesting to see how Francis handles the ufa/rfa and offseason.

Francis has shown he has an eye for talent, both at the pro and prospect level and hasn't made any poor signings that will hurt the team in the long term.
- Sean Maloughney

Not yet he hasn’t. The Dunn contract could certainly be his first. Grubauer (and Driedger to a lesser degree) aren’t great deals either, but they can likely overcome those especially if Gru can be playoff Gru next season on a regular basis.

These Knights are just dominating. Looking like a 1 vs 8 matchup.

Not yet he hasn’t. The Dunn contract could certainly be his first. Grubauer (and Driedger to a lesser degree) aren’t great deals either, but they can likely overcome those especially if Gru can be playoff Gru next season on a regular basis.
- 1970vintage

Honestly I think the only real negative is the actual amount of ntc or m-ntc that we have with the original players. Locking up Gru ok but you already did the same with Dreidger so it is rather odd. That said most were short enough they can be worked out too. I dont think the goalies have bad contracts per say, but yeah I agree we do need Gru to be playoff Gru more consistently.

It will be curious to see what Francis does. I think the Dunn signing is really the big one here.

CALDER CUP BOUND!!!

D'Accord with a 35 save performance. Kartye with 2G and McCormick and Lind with 2 apples each leading the way on a 4-3 win to take the series.

Western Conference Crown is ours in our first year of existence.

And now we get the Hershey Bears in the championship!

CALDER CUP BOUND!!!

D'Accord with a 35 save performance. Kartye with 2G and McCormick and Lind with 2 apples each leading the way on a 4-3 win to take the series.

Western Conference Crown is ours in our first year of existence.

And now we get the Hershey Bears in the championship!
- Roadrunner75

Very cool!

Calder Cup Game One is Coachella's. 5-0 dominant opening game. D'Accord with the 25 save shutout. Kartye with the opening goal, Lind and Evans both 3 assists.

Joey D'Accord!!!!!!

After a Calder Cup GM1 shutout, the last to do that being Carey Price in 07 (Which I got to watch in person), he posts up another in GM2 with 33 saves and an assist.

Firebirds exploded for 4 goals in the second following a missed penalty shot by Twarynski. Froden, Poganski, Evans, and Hughes all scored. Lind, Wright, McCormick all got assists.

Up 2-0 in the series.

Joey D'Accord!!!!!!

After a Calder Cup GM1 shutout, the last to do that being Carey Price in 07 (Which I got to watch in person), he posts up another in GM2 with 33 saves and an assist.

Firebirds exploded for 4 goals in the second following a missed penalty shot by Twarynski. Froden, Poganski, Evans, and Hughes all scored. Lind, Wright, McCormick all got assists.

Up 2-0 in the series.
- Roadrunner75

Joey was on Sound of Hockey podcast earlier this week. Worth a listen.

Joey was on Sound of Hockey podcast earlier this week. Worth a listen.
- 1970vintage

I do hope they bring him back.

I do hope they bring him back.
- Roadrunner75

Whispers of a Driedger buy out so they can sign Joey. Maybe there’s a desperate GM out there who would actually trade a draft pick for him…

Whispers of a Driedger buy out so they can sign Joey. Maybe there’s a desperate GM out there who would actually trade a draft pick for him…
- 1970vintage

Trouble there is the salary and Dreidg's M-NTC. Good news is only 1 year left so I dont think a trade is likely, its not impossible. The buyout is doable there though but 3.5 cap hit to deal with either way.

Another prospect, winger Jani Nyman, licked up on an ELC

Tough loss in Game 3. Hershey wins 5-4 in OT 😖

Ruined a 3rd period comeback with Firebirds scoring 3 to tie it up.

Still lead 2-1.

Well Vegas wins and now 48hrs till the buyout window opens. Curious to see who, if anyone, might get the option here. Really don't see anyone save perhaps Dreidger.