GHT120

Not only did Allen make some great saves to keep it close but the 'Canes actually missed multiple scoring chances with bad puck luck (i.e., bounces, etc.). Since their pick is going to the 'Yotes I hope Carolina goes deep in the playoffs ... and they look primed to do it ... would love to see the Laffs slip a bit and match up against Carolina in the first round ... a 6th straight first round exit at the hands of their former goaltender ... with Seth Jarvis (selected with the pick TO gave up for the Canes taking Patrick Marleau) scoring the series clinching goal.

Technically Allen didn't lose noise mask he took it off ... RDS guys mentioned that while loose the straps were not broken,... if broken, that would have been a legit reason to take it off.

I was just preparing mine when you posted ... it does have more detail but hardly an elite thread

Projected Lineup: Canes vs. Canadiens Martinook returns from injury, forward lines shuffled, Andersen in net Forwards: Teravainen - Aho - Jarvis Svechnikov - Trocheck - Domi Niederreiter - Staal - Fast Martinook - Stepan - Necas Defensemen: Slavin - DeAngelo Skjei - Pesce Smith - Cole Starting Goalie: Andersen

One thing I had forgotten about Roy is that he was born just a few weeks from being draft eligible in this upcoming draft, not last year.

I share the DREAM ... after all, I buy lottery tickets ... but they need to not finish better than 11th worst next season (lottery winners can only advance 10 spots)

Don't think anyone said Theodore was an obvious pick ... but he was rated close to where the Habs selected McCaron as opposed to McCaron being a significant reach.

"The key thing to know is the NHL was very protective of Melnyk and the Senators. They’d warn not to predict the team was in any danger of moving. They pushed back against some tough stories. And they were well aware as, sadly, Melnyk’s health deteriorated over the past couple of weeks. I do believe they have a vision of a strong organization in a beautiful, new downtown arena. That process is underway, again. Bids were due Feb. 28. Although it is still a confidential process, it’s widely believed the Senators are pursuing it. Meanwhile, fans put their faith in a strong collection of young, talented players. Nothing ever happens the way we expect. The Melnyk era began with great promise. There’s still the opportunity to accomplish those dreams." - Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts

I doubt they will be a bottom 3 team next season but hope they have a lottery shot at Bedard.

RHD were at such premium 20+ years ago that I wonder whether some smart hockey parents may have streamed more of their RH-kids to that positioned.

Habs passed open Theodore to select McCaron ... Anaheim took him with the next pick ... this many were frustrated with the "size" pick.

Shea Theodore would certainly look good on the habs blueline.

Someone posted a week or two ago that Harris played the right-side most of the time so it wouldn't be the normal "off-side" for him

Did he sign a 21/22 contract or a 22/23 contract? If the latter, I don't think he takes up a current slot.

JUST ... his 9:14 TOI 5-on-5 is 12th amongst Preds forwards with 30 games ... 13th amongst those with 25 games

Good chance the Pierre Karl Péladeau will make a substantial offer ... along with Tilman Fertitta (Houston) and perhaps someone from Kansas City ... will anyone offer big bucks to stay in Ottawa?

No ... but that doesn't mean they get to hit a defenceless player bent over reaching for the puck

I was responding to the statement "the players, coaches and mgmt are going to try and win every game" ... wasn't suggesting they do anything, just that they shouldn't (IMO) be hoping to collect points.

And what I mean is that while players and coaches will ALWAYS try to win, from management's perspective it would be shortsighted to be happy with any climbing in the standings ... and since this roster is still IMO a ways away from being a serious playoff team (i.e., not a 7/8/9/10 and pray team), as a fan I take the longer term view and want the team have the best shot at the best players possible (it isn't just the first round that is impacted) ... and, to also have the greatest trade value for the picks if an option presents itself.

But still a projected downgrade.

Elbow-bending?

Beyond the time, a not inconsequential aspect, the issue I can see is that it is on a defenceless opponent.

Thoughts and wishes are with his family and friends. From a purely hockey perspective, this could shake things up in the Atlantic ... if the Senators end up with a "good owner" it could make them formidable ... but it will be interesting to see who lines up to buy the team ... will the deep pocketed want to keep the team in Ottawa or might the team get (a) a "financially lesser" owner committed to keeping the team on Ottawa, or (b) a "Jeffrey Loria/Claude Brochu", running the team into the ground in order to move it ... and if it stays in the family, what will their priorities be.