tomh009

A kid who is exceptionally driven--like St Louis. Or Xhekaj, for that matter. I'm looking forward to the actual draft so that we can stop arguing about whether X would be a better pick than Y.

What's the difference with the Nylander case? Didn't he refuse to sign the contract? Or did he sign and just not report?

So, the Jets can do the arbitration option ... but Dubois can refuse to sign, right? Would that impact his trade value?

If they have a commitment from him to sign an extension, maybe. As a rental, it makes no sense.

Beck, Harris and a late 1st for a one-year rental, for a team that is not going to be contending? What sense would that make?

I think we might need to pay more. At least give the Jets a Schwartz's smoked meat sandwich!

Ahh, right, Russia is not Europe!

He's under contract for three years. Military service might make it four. And that's still ignoring the risk that he simply cannot leave Russia. And if I recall the CBA correctly, he would become a UFA if not signed four years from the draft. So, if he wants to skip the ELC and RFA stages, he can simply wait an extra year and become a free agent immediately. Unless I have that four-year UFA timeline wrong ...

They are not picking until 15th, though.

True. But the massive drop in between doesn't inspire confidence. Hughes may see things differently, of course. Montembeault is not a sure thing, either, but he has been improving his play (as measured by GSAx) every season.

Note that the Pronman article is specifically for the highest ceiling (yes, DON did mention that): Michkov has a high ceiling but his floor is lower than, say,Fantilli, even ignoring any of the Russia risk factors. On the Michkov quiestion, Basu points out that of his 20 points in 27 KHL games, eight were in two games against Kunlun, a bottom-feeder team, and the remaining 12 points in 25 games are not quite as impressive. Basu's conclusions are pretty clear: "That calculation is what this pick comes down to. The Canadiens have a hard belief in their own ability to develop players, and picking Michkov would essentially be sub-contracting that to someone else. They have a hard belief in what it takes to win in the playoffs, and Michkov doesn’t fit that belief. No one having any control over how Michkov is used or developed in Russia over the next three years adds to the risk. The rewards, therefore, must be considerable." We shall see. But maybe someone else will draft Michkov first, removing this dilemma from the Habs.

He's had two good seasons (2019-2020 and 2022-2023) and two terrible ones in between. He might be better than Allen, but he might also be worse. The positives are that he's young and only signed for one more season but is that enough? I don't think I would do this, even assuming that they can move Allen.

Four goals from 13 shots ... and the Bob is sitting on the bench. Without him playing lights out, do the Panthers really have a chance?

Trying to sign a McDavid or (more realistically) a Nylander--or any UFA in the future for that matter--would be a different kettle of fish as you'd be looking at a far more experienced and proven player.

And while Guhle, Harris and Xhekaj played for the Habs, there was, uhh, a shortage of experienced NHL-level D-men that could play. They won't need Mailloux in Montreal, so I, too, expect him to start the season in Laval. I think the meeting with Bettman is to make sure there is no roadblock to playing for the Habs, whenever that may be, not that his NHL debut is imminent.

They'll want picks or (more likely) a prospect as they won't be able to fit the contract of an established player into their cap space.

Half-price tickets since Finland got knocked out in the quarters, probably would not have paid the asking prices if they had been in the finals.

Very happy to have seen Canada win gold in person! Another solid game by Montembeault, a great goal by Toffoli (memories of all those 2020-21 SHGs) and a great defensive effort in the third to secure the victory. Kudos to Germany (and Latvia!) for a great tournament, though.

Got good seats for tonight’s gold medal game …

It’s true, it’s got to be hard getting any stranger! 😂

😂 😂 😂

I don't think their chances would be any better than Quebec's, though.

And the video does make it pretty clear that the call was correct.

.... and Bowman has other issues.

Schmid + Allen could be a decent tandem for them.