GHT120

The surprise for me is that they only buy out two unrestricted seasons ... Jones got $9.5 for eight UFA years

Someone (Detroit) wants to move up to get Aatu Räty? Wouldn't mind the habs moving up to grab one of the best still available.

One of them later pointed that Seattle needs to fill not only their NHL roster but also their AHL team, so selecting players eligible to go to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL team shared with Florida for 21/22; they will have their own AHL team in 22/23 - Palm Springs).

Logan Mailloux faced the press this morning ... considering he is barely 18 I thought he fared well ... its importantly, I felt he was not just repeating/reading scripted responses provided to him ... although he obviously would have been coached about what needed to be said ... on another note, I think he must speak some French as the statement at the beginning his delivery didn't feel like something that was just written out phonetically https://twitter.com/CanadiensMTL/status/1418942253012246532?s=20

I totally agree ... MB knew the backlash that was going to erupt and wanted to take responsibility and be the "face" of the selection ... he also met the media mere minutes after the selection to face the questions that everyone obviously would have ... for both of those at least I give him credit ... concerns about the apparent hypocrisy of the choice aside.

Since he is not a "jump straight to the NHJL" prospect, not signing an ELC would mean little ... other than forgoing whatever signing bonus is involved ... he would have to not sign by June 1, 2023 and re-enter the draft for it to be true penance.

On this cherry note ... sleep well all

Bowman brings 8 women with him ... Blackhawks organization is in the midst of a sexual abuse investigation ... not much to be proud of in that organization at the moment

So they draft the convicted "pornographer" ... who asked not to be drafted? NHL prospect Logan Mailloux withdraws from 2021 draft after criminal conviction in Sweden (msn.com)

Looking at the Elite Prospects summery of various rankings ... none had Räty lower than 28 ... some as high as 12 ... seems like a decent risk ...

From a quick search ... 1989 ... selected Patrice Brisebois

ESPN NHL panel

Timmins can breath ... no Francophone available to be criticized for not taking

TVA comments on Xavier Bourgault ... huge skill ... great shot ... great scorer ... only criticism that he didn't deliver in the playoffs ... the perfect Oiler? Mostly kidding ... couldn't resist

And Xavier is gone ... Timmins breathing easier?

9 picks away from the Habs ... 2 of the top-rated QMJHL players still on the board (Xavier Bourgault and Zachary L'Heureux) ... Quebec media will go nuts if one of them isn't taken if they are still there.

If we are really lucky he becomes the next Logan Brown ... who was going to be the next great power forward just 5 years ago

$66.5 million How about trading for his rights ... then offering 8yrs @ 8.75-9 = $70-72 million ... a little bit more security ...

Tom Gorton is so stiff he makes concrete look flexible ... he needs some SERIOUS broadcasting coaching

Possible ... but the reports were that the surgeries are for "quality of life" more than "return to play" ... but always possible, if not probable from all reports

I mentioned that elsewhere ... Suzuki and Caufield both are dangerous shooters and can get shots off quickly if someone gets them the puck in the right spot ... worth a try IMO.

Turns out Hockey30 and Tony Marinaro do have an upside ... I hadn't realized that Trevor Letowski coached Deangelo for 4 seasons in Sarnia ... at least MB has access to some direct insight ... and maybe Habs have someone that TD will listen to.

Tony and his agent will have to provide one heck of a sales pitch to any team signing him ... one can only hope that he has learned that bigoted views are wrong and/or to keep his various opinions to himself.

Lacking both a first and second round pick, and in cap hell, wonder what Julien Brisebois gets up to tonight? THOUGHT: would sending them back their second rounder in return for Cirelli and the rights to Alex Barré-Boulet work? Maybe include the Capitals 3rd rounder if necessary?

My hope is that MB manages to land Hamilton, it would change the profile of the defence and I think fit well with DD's approach offensively ... if not, Barrie and a solid RH3D, so ??? and Romanov, at least to start the season (AR may play his way up the lineup), can take more minutes off the shoulders of the top 4 ... but for absolutely no reason in particular I can see the Habs signing David Savard (3-5 years, $4-4.5M) and Deangelo (1-2 years, $3-3.5M).