2017-2018 NHL Regular Season

Post by **brian** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:26 pm

First TV timeout of second period and the Habs are on pace to get a 12-spot hung on them by an expansion team on Hockey Night In Canada.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:34 pm

I see that Ryan Carpenter scored for Vegas tonight. Feel a bit wistful about that. He was a top prospect for the Sharks for the last couple years, and they gave him tons of chances. They wanted him to step up and take control of a bottom six center slot, but he never produced for the Sharks like he did in the AHL. So, they waived him earlier this season, and now he appears to be producing for Vegas.

Post by **brian** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:44 pm

Yeah he’s been on a tear. He seems to be a solid piece of that fourth line now.

In a related story, future Golden Knight talking here?

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:05 am

brian wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:44 pm Yeah he’s been on a tear. He seems to be a solid piece of that fourth line now.

In a related story, future Golden Knight talking here?

He’s a quality player

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:32 pm

Back to our Edmonton discussion upthread:

When Taylor Hall was traded for Adam Larsson in the summer before last, we pretty much all thought it was insane to trade a stud talent like Hall for a decent but unspectacular defenseman. Then, after Edmonton had a good season and made it to the second round of the playoffs, their fans all said, "See, we needed this defenseman more than we needed Hall." But, roll forward to right now... Taylor Hall has 25 goals and 38 assists in 54 games so far this season (13th most points in the league), and New Jersey is, surprisingly, in a playoff position. Larsson is a fine player, but no Taylor Hall. And, Edmonton still has defensive problems, having given up the 5th most goals in the league so far this season.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:54 pm

The Eberle trade hurt them too.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 9:04 pm

degenerasian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:54 pm The Eberle trade hurt them too.

Yeah, that one looks really one-sided now, doesn't it? I know they did it partly because of Eberle's contract, but they also tried to say Strome is just as good. He isn't.

Post by **brian** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:59 pm

Nash and Grabner held out of Rangers game tonight supposedly because a deal is imminent for both. Vegas rumored to be one of the most likely/possible landing spots for Grabner.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:03 pm

brian wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:59 pm Nash and Grabner held out of Rangers game tonight supposedly because a deal is imminent for both. Vegas rumored to be one of the most likely/possible landing spots for Grabner.

If Vegas is a buyer at the deadline, it will be interesting to see what they are willing to give up, and whether they will take a player who is just a rental. They're on record as wanting to keep their draft picks, and not much of a farm system yet, given it's their first season.

Post by **brian** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:08 pm

sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:03 pm
brian wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:59 pm Nash and Grabner held out of Rangers game tonight supposedly because a deal is imminent for both. Vegas rumored to be one of the most likely/possible landing spots for Grabner.
If Vegas is a buyer at the deadline, it will be interesting to see what they are willing to give up, and whether they will take a player who is just a rental. They're on record as wanting to keep their draft picks, and not much of a farm system yet, given it's their first season.

Yeah, Grabner makes sense for that reason. I don't know what the price would be for him, but I couldn't imagine it being more than about a third-rounder. They have seven third-rounders in the next three drafts, so parting with one would not be the end of the world.

Whether it's Grabner or someone else I expect them to add a forward before the trade deadline. It will be someone with a profile similar to Grabner though. I don't expect any blockbusters, just a middle-round pick in exchange for some depth.

ETA: Really the only argument in favor of NOT trading for him is that McPhee passed him up for Lindberg in the expansion draft and Lindberg has been especially disappointing (was benched for most of the Calgary game by Gallant). But I don't think McPhee has to worry about getting criticized if he ends up having to part with a middle-round pick. He's playing with house money.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:05 pm

I would bet my dick on Grabner returning well more than a 3rd. Even if you cut back his ES scoring to like a 10 per 82 pace, an elite PK 3rd line wing is insanely valuable heading into the playoffs. I wouldn't buy into his trade value equaling his stats either, but someone will come a close, either in the form of a low 1st or a legit 2nd tier prospect, if for no other reason than there's a ton of buyers.

Also, I'm at the point now where if someone doesn't make a super offer (like Toronto giving up Nylander or something similar), I'd hold onto McDonagh. He's a piece that could absolutely put a good team over the top and one that would appeal to almost any team in the offseason, so the premium should reflect it. Aside from injury, the real worst case scenario is blowing a trade here, not holding him until or through the offseason.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:08 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:05 pm I would...dick...Grab...more than a 3

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:13 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:05 pm I would bet my dick on Grabner returning well more than a 3rd. Even if you cut back his ES scoring to like a 10 per 82 pace, an elite PK 3rd line wing is insanely valuable heading into the playoffs. I wouldn't buy into his trade value equaling his stats either, but someone will come a close, either in the form of a low 1st or a legit 2nd tier prospect, if for no other reason than there's a ton of buyers.

Also, I'm at the point now where if someone doesn't make a super offer (like Toronto giving up Nylander or something similar), I'd hold onto McDonagh. He's a piece that could absolutely put a good team over the top and one that would appeal to almost any team in the offseason, so the premium should reflect it. Aside from injury, the real worst case scenario is blowing a trade here, not holding him until or through the offseason.

I dunno. Grabner's a soon-to-be-UFA rental player, and his stats are inflated by being he leader in the NHL in empty-net goals. He has an insanely high shooting percentage this season and a not-great Corsi. I think Mr. D is over-valuing him.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:36 pm

You both can suck it. 2nd + a prospect.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:49 pm

The Devils have less sense than Brian and I do.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:54 pm

And they’re a strong gamble the 2nd will be mid versus late.

Post by **brian** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:31 am

If the market is that insane for deadline rentals the Knights should just stand pat.

rass · Post by **rass** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:53 pm

I think GMJR is all in.

Post by **brian** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:57 pm

VGK/Pens is the Stanley Cup this planet needs.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:07 pm

Pens are Zucc away from reuniting the three best friends ever.

rass · Post by **rass** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:09 pm

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:12 pm

So damn hot.

rass · Post by **rass** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:14 pm

Hags has been playing really well with Malkin the last month or two...

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:36 pm

I think that's a good return Ottawa received for Brassard, But, damn, every trade Rutherford does seems to turn to gold, so now I expect Brassard to heat up.

Post by **brian** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:43 pm

sancarlos wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:36 pm I think that's a good return Ottawa received for Brassard, But, damn, every trade Rutherford does seems to turn to gold, so now I expect Brassard to heat up.

They were an inch away from the salary cap, so I'm guessing they had to make a corresponding move or two to get back below it? I haven't seen anything mention what that was yet.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:33 pm

You're actually supposedly a pass-through on this, so Ottawa is retaining then Vegas is retaining some more. Brassard, when he's on, is a really, really good player in two zones.

Post by **brian** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:39 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:33 pm You're actually supposedly a pass-through on this, so Ottawa is retaining then Vegas is retaining some more. Brassard, when he's on, is a really, really good player in two zones.

Seriously? How did Vegas end up retaining salary on a deal between Ottawa and Pittsburgh? I knew Ottawa was retaining some but I still thought it would put Pittsburgh over the cap.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:40 pm

They're treating it as separate deals. Ottawa to Vegas, Vegas to Pittsburgh.

Post by **brian** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:42 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:40 pm They're treating it as separate deals. Ottawa to Vegas, Vegas to Pittsburgh.

Interesting. I need to hit the Googles. What does Vegas get out of this deal? (Literally in this case if you know or theoretically in instances when it has happened before). I assume they have to get something like a late round pick or something?

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:44 pm

brian wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:42 pm
mister d wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:40 pm They're treating it as separate deals. Ottawa to Vegas, Vegas to Pittsburgh.
Interesting. I need to hit the Googles. What does Vegas get out of this deal? (Literally in this case if you know or theoretically in instances when it has happened before). I assume they have to get something like a late round pick or something?

Haven't heard yet, but maybe they get Ian Cole in return for taking some of Brassard's salary? If not Cole, some other asset from one of those two teams.

And then, this:

Post by **brian** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:48 pm

Yeah, I'm just now getting somewhat caught up on this. I saw the Brassard deal news and then this Vegas angle came out of nowhere. Couple of Vegas beat writers are speculating Cole as well though if that's true I wouldn't be surprised to see Vegas turn right back around and flip him to someone.

Other thing I just learned is that Vegas has one more salary retention spot available (they were already retaining some of Emelin's salary and I guess each team has a max of 3) and with almost infinite cap space, McPhee might end up doing one more similar deal before the deadline.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:17 pm

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 10:24 pm

Could have been San Jose.

Post by **brian** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:43 pm

GMGM is playing 5D chess, y’all.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:24 am

Everyone should apologize to Matt Cooke.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:55 am

Matt Cooke remains a shithead.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 9:39 am

I guess these trades are fine but I don’t love quantity deals and really don’t want to see one for McD or Zucc.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 2:21 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2018 9:39 am I guess these trades are fine but I don’t love quantity deals and really don’t want to see one for McD or Zucc.

Still, it looks like a nice return for Nash.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 2:24 pm

Neither of the trades have been bad, they're fine, I just prefer the better top option than a sum trade. And I don't care for taking on Belesky's deal because I don't for a second believe this team is really committing to a rebuild; they're going to try to compete next season regardless of what moves they make now or at the draft.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Feb 26, 2018 9:45 am

ESPN3 is carrying the TSN deadline show, which is awesome. Not sure how/why Ian Cole just drew a 3rd round plus, but hopefully that means the price on D is high if McDonagh is going.