dlbalr

I'm not sure they can be much worse when it comes to that.

What's particularly interesting is that Tuch got a one-way AHL deal. Usually it's ATO/PTO deals at this time of year. I assume that lets them pay him more, offsetting some of the foregone money by not signing an ELC that starts this season.

This was a logical guess but it's playing out the other way. Savard is already just under 17 minutes, leading both teams by a fair bit.

Correct.

If it's a deal starting this season, it's possible they wait until after 5 PM, thus not counting on the books until Tuesday. That's the only logic I can see with waiting. That's from yesterday, citing the Friedman report that said it was trending toward him signing.

He hasn't signed yet. It sounds like things are heading in that direction so I'm surprised it's not done yet.

How many of those are big and play with physicality? That's something the Habs don't have a lot of in their prospect pool.

Yes, Laval can finish ahead of Belleville with two regulation wins next week. However, that alone doesn't clinch them as I think Utica can still catch Laval.

Andersson and Heineman score in the 3rd as Laval takes it 5-1. https://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1026269 Laval is now two points behind Belleville. The Sens have a game in hand still but Laval has the tiebreaker.

That's better than when they attempted to copy ESPN with the bubbles above whoever has the puck. It's goofy but at least it's subtle.

Now 3-1 early in the 3rd. Maillet (PP) and Andersson have the goals.

If he signs, don't be surprised if it's an NHL deal for this season. That's the only carrot left the Habs have to offer to dissuade him from going to free agency in August.

The one downside to the SHL report for Kapanen is that it might take finishing up this season with Laval off the table.

When I first saw the replay just after the goal, I thought there was a chance they could win if they challenged. Then I saw a few more replays after the challenge and it looked like a bit more of a reach.

Tonight's lines: 1-0 Laval after 20 minutes, Condotta from Durandeau was the goal. Meanwhile, Belleville got crushed 8-2 by Rochester.