GHT120

Thanks all for your feedback ... if the estimate is even close it will turn out to be a great selection.

Arizona has several mid-30s contracts expiring this season: Kessel (34 ... $6.8M) Eriksson (36 ... $6M) Strålman (35 ... $5.5M); and Beagle (36 ... $3M) A total of $21.3M ... perhaps also Roussel (32 ... $3M) given his low TOI ... the pending(?) trade of Chychrun seems to indicate another rebuild/re-tool ... so I could see Weber ***POSSIBILY*** being of real value to avoid the need give out contracts just to spend cap space ... they have $43.5M in open cap space with 13 players signed for next season, so Weber would not complicate their cap unless they are planning a free agent binge this summer to try for the 22/23 playoffs (VERY unlikely) ... ***NOT*** saying it will happen or is even likely ... but there its some logic to the concept.

I hear that some minor knee surgeries can take MONTHS to heal 😉 😊

Just for everyone's information - TVA just showed that Clague took a puck to the face in practice.

Calgary is leading their Division so they would be slotted based on #6 ... so potentially #25-28 if the Flames don't make the Conference Finals, by how I read it.

Solidarity, support for Ukraine Deeply touched by the tragic situation unfolding in Ukraine, the Canadiens have pledged to support UNICEF in providing urgent humanitarian aid to victims of the armed conflict. Prior to their game, the team will honor all those affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Fans at home can also contribute by donating online at unicef.ca/canadiensmtlEN. Those wishing to show their support can purchase limited edition Canadiens and Laval Rocket T-shirts bearing the Ukrainian flag. All profits from the sale of this special collection will also go to UNICEF. Click here to learn more about the various fundraising initiatives at the Bell Centre tonight.

Got it ... thin, but it's there.

Morning skate was optional so no lines Joel Edmundson is back.

I think that doctor's OK before a trade is a pretty standard clause ... but I believe it is at the moment of the trade not down the road (i.e., can't give him two more weeks after the trade to re-hab and then decide) ... not certain a "medical" can even be done later than the deadline.

The "talk" seems to be $4.25-4.5 ... Merci Marc for Byron and Armia

I thought that made sense ... and what MB would have done ... seems that H&G are less worried about possible media sensitivity to a Francophone being demoted ... good news for Paquette is that he is on a one-way contract (full salary in the AHL) ... wonder if (a) he will report and (b) will be any help to the Rocket if he does?

Anybody know anything about "Mason Black"? It is certainly a flattering projection for Joshua Roy ... will Roy REALLY be as good as Stamkos, Filip Forsberg or Sebastian Aho (similar Pts/Gm this NHL season to a 92 point season).

My go to reference on draft pick transactions: https://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/DraftTrades/Years/

pic.twitter.com/GzF5N458rA

I would go Dvorak - Faksa - Evans ... but I would also come pretty close to rolling those three until separation occurs naturally, so the distinction would likely be more in who gets which wingers than TOI for now.

And an early second.

I like it ... Faksa has been 50% or better on this faceoffs 4 of the last 5 seasons (19/20 was 49.7%) ... the two have the EXACT same goals/60 and Faksa has a slightly better Pts/60 ... PLUS ... Faksa (6'4", 220) is bigger than any of the centres on the Habs roster, and if it comes time to move him later centres are usually easier to trade than wingers ... he will undoubtedly offer the same frustrating flashes of "more" but will do so at a more useful position.

I rounded to the nearest "5" ... and I agree ... but for some the dream of 20++ will never die

I think GMs, coaches and fans have been saying that about him since he was drafted ... maybe even before ... at 28 I think he has transitioned from "all-that-potential" to "disappointment" ... unless the expectation/standard for him is only 15 goals per 82 games.

Soon to be 25 (March 17th) ... pending RFA ... he is at most a salary/contract balancing inclusion that fans of his new team can pray will fulfill his unrealized potential ... I recall when he was "hot stuff" and supposed to be Crosby's winger.

OR ... perhaps ... that is just his nature ... ***NOT*** that I am in any way disregarding the decisions and development with young players under MB.

Is it not related to the 10% cap ceiling overage allowed in the offseason (teams must be compliant before their first game of the next season) ... as you say it is not substantial ... Weber would give up to $785,714 in extra offseason cap space for cap-strapped teams that could be useful.

Only time will tell.