Around the NHL 16-17 part 2

[ZZamboni]

I really can't comprehend how some Sabre fans would like Marchand on the team. I don't like those kind of dirty players. Never have. I would hate Marchand on the Sabres. He's such a Bleeeeeeep.

 

[DJN21]

I really can't comprehend how some Sabre fans would like Marchand on the team. I don't like those kind of dirty players. Never have. I would hate Marchand on the Sabres. He's such a Bleeeeeeep.

Could care less if a plane crashed into his nose tonight...cest la vie...

 

[ZZamboni]

Couldn't care less if a plane crashed into his nose tonight...cest la vie...

Fixed it

And I like where your heads at

 

[DJN21]

Fixed it

And I like where your heads at

Hahaha thanks

 

[Der Jaeger]

Sobotka out of his KHL contract.

 

[DJN21]

Sobotka out of his KHL contract.

Like him as a player but don't see a fit here.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

Duchene has 1 point in his past 21 games, how is that even possible?

Imagine being an Avs fan this year. We put up two of the worst seasons in history during the tank with an AHL level team. The Avs are at a worse pace with who they thought was there long term solution in net, Erik Johnson and Barrie on the back end and young stars like McKinnon, Landeskog, Duchene and Rantanen all in their lineup.

Yeah, Imagine being an Avs fan.......... (I get to imagine it all the time!)

So a bit level assessment on the some of the more important Avs issues:
1.) goaltending is a mess. With Roy's departure and Allaire gone, Varlamov looked lost before his injury. Lots of discussion whether Varly or Pickard goes to Las Vegas. Pickard is a capable back up but not a #1 guy at this point (And maybe never...)
2.) Landeskog's season has been horrid. Worse than Duchene who still works his butt off but has temporarily lost his scoring touch. And Matt's productivity has always depended a lot on the coach's choice of line mates. Duchene is the loyalist of loyal troopers and one of if not the Avs highest paid players. Attitude and loyalty means a lot to the front office here (not necessarily in a positive way). I think Duchene is untouchable and Landeskog gets traded before Duchene. But lots of close observing Avs fans would disagree.
3.) Barrie has not been the same since the knee injury. He's been terrible this year and he will be traded this summer. Barberio has been a pleasant surprise and carries the puck and leads the rush as well as Barrie used to.
4.) Johnson has recovered nicely from his mended leg break and looks stronger every game. He stays.
5.) McKinnon has not progressed. Just remember the NHL All Star speed competition vs McDavid.... And I've been told Mac's attitude on the bench and in the locker room this season is very bad and wearing on the team. (Yeah, I know... attribution and all that. But I have no reason to doubt my long time co-coaching partner who is best friends with one of the post game TV analysts (Keefe) back from their days growing up in Casper, Wy.)
6.) Beauchemin is long in the tooth and will be retired next season. Zads has made Beauch expendable.
7.) Zadorov is a beast. Sabres should not have let him go. He's going to be top 4 D at the very least. More likely 1 - 2.
8.) Good new core of young kids coming of age - Rantanen, Compher, Yost, Andrighetto are making a few heads turn making one or two of Duchene, Landeskog or McKinnon expendable. Actually, I think McKinnon is more likely to be traded than Duchene given the attitude rumors. Landeskog will probably be given one more season to pull his weight as Captain.
9.) Avs will be shopping for a big name D. I suspect McKinnon for Fowler is Sakic's wet dream right now.
10.) I've been wrong before and likely will be again.....