They won despite Bob last year, and we've seen over and over again that you don't need an elite goalie to contend (Elvis is also going to be regarded as a top 15 goalie by the end of the season, he's real good). Panarin is a big loss, no doubt about it, and figuring out how to replace him is difficult. It isn't impossible though. They will still be in the hunt for the playoffs this upcoming season... they won't contend next year. If pieces fall right though, they could be back towards the top of the east in 20-21.
Texier is more of a center than a winger, and he has a lot more than 2nd line potential. To me, he's a better prospect than any Avs forward prospect by a decent margin.
I guess my problem is for them to be contenders they have to compete with Toronto, Boston, and Tampa in the east. All those teams have several elite piece up front. It’s possible they get lucky, but I don’t see an obvious answer for them.
And you might be right on Texier, but we already have a Rantanen. To me where CBJ is, is like if we were to lose Rantanen and hope that some combo of Jost/Kaut/Newhook/future draft pick could replace him. Sure, it’s possible, just extremely unlikely. And we aren’t close to a contender without a Rantanen-level complementary piece.
They won't be a playoff team next year and not even close to being one.Toronto is going to have major cap issues after this season pretty heavily and their future defense looks really iffy. Boston is right on the edge of aging out of their window. Tampa will be a contender for a while longer... so I see Tampa as their main competition.
I'm not comparing to the Avs at all here. I'm saying Columbus is much better setup than people give them credit for. People make it sound like they are in dire straights since they basically gave up a whole draft. They aren't. If Tex pans out, they could have as good of 1-2 punch down the middle as anybody in the east along with a top end defensive group.
Acquire Ristolainen. Go to every Avs practice until the above occurs a second time. Profit.
And Kadri is saying, “**** you, *****.”The commentator's saying Ruotsalainen.
Toronto is going to have major cap issues after this season pretty heavily and their future defense looks really iffy. Boston is right on the edge of aging out of their window. Tampa will be a contender for a while longer... so I see Tampa as their main competition.
I'm not comparing to the Avs at all here. I'm saying Columbus is much better setup than people give them credit for. People make it sound like they are in dire straights since they basically gave up a whole draft. They aren't. If Tex pans out, they could have as good of 1-2 punch down the middle as anybody in the east along with a top end defensive group.
Those three may or may not fall off, but until they do, their forward cores are significantly stronger than CBJ’s. Every single one of them has at least 2 forwards better than CBJ’s best and better depth after to follow it up. CBJ has a solid D, but not nearly enough to overcome the forward gap. Goalie prospects are goalie prospects until proven otherwise.
I picked the Avs/Rantanen solely because it’s the most familiar. Really pick any top team, yank their best/2nd best forward, and it’s going to be unlikely you fill that hole with prospects (or Nyquist).
The situation isn’t dire, but I do think they’re on track to becoming the next wild without a bit of luck, too bad to really contend and too good to get the gimme draft picks.
I know we’re hearing the Mikko contract could go into training camp and all but I have a funny feeling today is the day. Joe’s been working damn hard this summer. He has everything else done and once September comes it’s esentuwlly training camp time. He probably wouldn’t mind having August to himself.
Everyone else is signed, Samwise just signed a very team friendly deal a year early. Plus it’s Friday. Let’s clue up this great summer early!
I think this could be a key to success. What highly paid goaltenders have won anything in this league? I think John Quick is the highest paid and he was only making like 5.5.The next TV deal better be huge because this summer has added massive goalie deals and every big name RFA expecting big money right away.
Just look how quickly Avs went from $30M in cap space to better be careful mode. That's with dirt cheap goaltending.
No, but you sure wanted Mika Zibanejad. And Mika Hannula. Now you have to take Mika Puljujärvi.We don't want him.
I meant take as in take back. Yeah, no I'm pretty sure that's what being in Torneå does to people.Jesse Puljujärvi was born in Älvkarleby, Sweden. We take no responsibility for him being a dum-dum. We are willing to re-think our position should he turn things around, of course.
I'm sure Washington will have another young goaltender to part with by then anyways.I think this could be a key to success. What highly paid goaltenders have won anything in this league? I think John Quick is the highest paid and he was only making like 5.5.
I like Grubi. I think he probably has a lot more to show. But if it’s going to require 7+ million to sign him on his next contract I hope we take a shot on another guy.
Samsonov obviously.I'm sure Washington will have another young goaltender to part with by than anyways.
On the flip, Columbus' top 4D beats all of those teams' top 4D.
Bartender! I'll have what he is having.
Samsonov obviously.
Holtby is a UFA next year and has gone through arbitration, which as you lot know has huge implications on staying with his team.
Though he isn't as good as Bob is, if Grubauer fails, he could a very nice additional piece. However, I am wary considering what UFA goalers are currently going for....
Holtby is a UFA next year and has gone through arbitration, which as you lot know has huge implications on staying with his team.
Though he isn't as good as Bob is, if Grubauer fails, he could a very nice additional piece. However, I am wary considering what UFA goalers are currently going for....
Yeah I am going off the reservation on that one.