GDT: NHL Free Agent Frenzy 2020- VIII

[BB88]

I mean if they were in on OEL how the hell didn’t they know about or want Schmidt

He’s getting paid less than Krug with less term!!!!

Benning took Sweeney to school on that one

 

[Fenway]

Are the Bruins still a Top 3 team in the Atlantic? Maybe

Here is a big unknown - The NHL might go to only playing in the division next year to reduce travel. We also have no idea when the US/Canada border will reopen.



It's a quirky rule that has confounded many people: while the Canada-U.S. land border is closed to non-essential traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians can still fly to the United States for leisure travel.

"It's like having your front door locked but your back door wide open," said U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders, whose office sits close to the Canadian border in Blaine, Wash.

"It just doesn't make sense."

To add to the confusion, the flying rule isn't reciprocal: Canada bars American travellers from entering by any mode of transport, unless they get a special exemption.

Saunders said he has been bombarded with calls from Canadians during the border closure inquiring about flying to the U.S.

"People are still calling me saying, 'I just want to clarify that this is OK. And why can I fly, but I can't drive?'"

CBC News asked the U.S. government that same question, but didn't get a response.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-u-s-border-closure-fly-travel-covid-19-1.5754763

 

[Trizz617]

Is it just me or is this really the perfect time to "blow things up" and rebuild? Keep Pastrnak and McAvoy and get the house for everything else while they all still have value. Promote the kids that are ready and fill with cheap $1M players and rebuild quickly at FA next 2 summers as well as the draft.

This is where I'm at honestly and yet I dont feel bad about it. Maybe the window with the old core hasnt fully shut completely. Still have to consider a future after Bergy, Krejci, Chara and Rask though.

 

[Bruinaura]

At 16 minutes Pierre says he has NO IDEA what the Bruins are doing

But are they having fun out there??

 

[BB88]

I mean I agree if we had a management rebuild/real retool makes sense now

Pasta is young enough to have plenty prime years afterwards, McAvoy would be starting his prime
2 key players you could build around for years

Try to hit #1C in next years draft and hope Stud develops into #2C

X-Pasta
Stud

X-McAvoy
X-Carlo

But not going to happen

 

[chrisab123]

Neither does he. Wtf. I tend to stick by the FO occasionally, but good grief, this has been a disaster after coming out and saying there will be changes.

I guess swapping out Krug for Smith is a change.

After yesterday I have them behind Tampa Washington Montreal and probably Philadelphia. Welcome to the Treadmill. Slightly behind Philly and just ahead of Carolina and Pittsburgh.

 

[Fenway]

This is where I'm at honestly and yet I dont feel bad about it. Maybe the window with the old core hasnt fully shut completely. Still have to consider a future after Bergy, Krejci, Chara and Rask though.

They also have to deal with the expansion draft next year

The business side comes into play as well - Making the playoffs does NOTHING for the business if they can't have fans in the building and nobody has a clue when that will be allowed. NYC shutting down Broadway until the end of May is not a good sign.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Maybe the plan is to work a few kids in every year. They just brought in two 24 year old NHL level players last year and there’s what, two open spots as it is? Studnicka and a Defenseman...

Defense needed to get bigger - so they let Krug go.
Offense needed to get better 5v5 - so they signed a guy who’s great 5 on 5.

Maybe swinging for the fences was never the plan.

Not saying it’s the right plan, just trying to make sense of the whole thing.

That 100% isn't a plan to compete for a SC.

Lots of land mines anyway beginning with #37
groin injury. He is almost guaranteed to be
hobbled by it come PO time.

He can still match up against a Tavares or
Matthews but doesn't stand a chance against
Point.

So maybe Sweeney has concluded the Cup window
is actually closed and depending how the season goes
become a seller at the deadline and look to forming
a future corp around McAvoy, Carlo, Lauzon,
Pastrnak, Coyle, Smith, DeBrusk and Studnicka.

They aren't beating TB and currently constructed
will get beat by Toronto.

Montreal is absolutely closing the gap on them and
Buffalo has improved themselves upfront with Hall.
Not saying Buffalo or Montreal beat them out but
its a fact.

 

[ON3M4N]

If I could put the lines together based on ideally where guys would play, it would look something like this

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
??? - Krejci - Kase
DeBrusk - Coyle - Smith
Frederic - Kuraly - Wagner/Senyshyn

??? - McAvoy
Grz - Carlo
Zboril - Lauzon

Now there are some ??? because I'm honestly not sure a) who would take those spots or b) who I'd want to take those spots. I also have 4RW split between two guy. I'd like to see a more "skilled" 4th line vs the grinding one. What I do know is the following guys are still on the roster but not in my lines...

Studnicka - Where does he go? Boston doesn't seem like they'd play him in a 4C role and with the signing of Smith and trades for Kase, there isn't really room on the RW for him. The kid looked ready for NHL action in the playoffs and was one of the more noticeable forwards

Bjork - I'm still waiting for him to put it together. I get he had back to back injury years, but what do we really expect him to be? His numbers have him at a 10G/15A guy over 82 games. He's wildly inconsistent in performance, some nights he looks solid and makes play....other nights he didn't know he played.

Ritchie - I've made my thoughts on Ritchie well known. Frederic IMO could fill the role that Ritchie is suited for and do it for less money while probably bringing more offensively.

Lindholm - 13th fwd playing the same role as last year

Blidh - See Lindholm/AHL

Moore - 7th d-man/just taking up space

Clifton - Good spark plug/energy guy but not someone that seems like they could be an NHL regular

 

[chrisab123]

That 100% isn't a plan to compete for a SC.

Lots of land mines anyway beginning with #37
groin injury. He is almost guaranteed to be
hobbled by it come PO time.

He can still match up against a Tavares or
Matthews but doesn't stand a chance against
Point.

So maybe Sweeney has concluded the Cup window
is actually closed and depending how the season goes
become a seller at the deadline and look to forming
a future corp around McAvoy, Carlo, Lauzon,
Pastrnak, Coyle, Smith, DeBrusk and Studnicka.

They aren't beating TB and currently constructed
will get beat by Toronto.

Montreal is absolutely closing the gap on them and
Buffalo has improved themselves upfront with Hall.
Not saying Buffalo or Montreal beat them out but
its a fact.

Agreed. I still think this team gets by Toronto. But they have been passed by Montreal. Buffalo isn't getting nearly enough credit as they should. Bruins are closer to the Toronto Isles Sabers Hurricanes of the world than they are to the Lightning as presently constructed

 

[Fenway]

A dramatic decline in airline passengers along with empty sports arenas nationwide forced Delaware North to cut more than 500 positions this week at its downtown Buffalo headquarters and throughout the country.

The privately held hospitality company, which is one of the region's largest employers, will eliminate 139 positions locally and a total of 517 across the United States due to the effects of Covid-19. That is on top of 6,500 Delaware North employees who remain on leave companywide, including 480 in the Western New York.

The local workers whose jobs were abolished were employed at the company's global headquarters on Delaware Avenue, Bills Stadium, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Hamburg Gaming, Niagara Falls State Park and a back office center on Northpointe Parkway in Amherst.

All this from a company that was on pace to report $3.8 billion in revenues this year — a number that may be reduced by as much as two-thirds, company officials said.

"These business conditions have forced us to close or greatly reduce our operations at our 218 hospitality business locations in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia during the last six months, and these conditions are likely to continue for the foreseeable future," said Glen White, Delaware North spokesman.

Among the issues:

• Sports stadiums: Delaware North provides food, beverage and retail services at more than 50 sports stadiums, including Bills Stadium and KeyBank Center, all of which have been shut down since mid-March. Sports venues account for more than $1 billion annually in revenues for the company.
• Airports: Restaurant and retail sales in the 25 airports serviced by Delaware North are down by 80% because of the lack of air travelers.
• Gaming: The 10 casinos operated by Delaware North are running with limited capacity and restrictions.
• Tourist destinations: Visits are also down dramatically at key tourism destinations where Delaware North has operations, such as the Kennedy Space Center Complex near Cape Canaveral and Niagara Falls State Park.

 

[Gator Mike]

Speaks volumes

Love him or hate him McGuire is as wired as any reporter in the NHL.

Meh. I just think the Bruins are keeping their cards as close to the vest as they can.

Like I've said previously - there are still lots of teams that need to solve their cap issues, and I think most of the spending is done. Good players are going to be available at low prices if they're patient. I think Nate Schmidt was only the first example.

 

[Fenway]

Another indication Jacobs needs cash

Delaware North Cos. has agreed to sell an Illinois casino and hotel property for $120 million.

The Buffalo-based hospitality giant is selling Jumer's Casino and Hotel in Rock Island, Ill., to Twin River Worldwide Holdings. The deal is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021.

Delaware North to sell Illinois casino for $120 million

 

[BB88]

I guess swapping out Krug for Smith is a change.

After yesterday I have them behind Tampa Washington Montreal and probably Philadelphia. Welcome to the Treadmill. Slightly behind Philly and just ahead of Carolina and Pittsburgh.

Carolina has a young developin team, Boston old declining team

Svec-Aho-TT

Slavin- Hamilton
Pesce
Core over this one

 

[CharaBadSenyshynGawd]

If I could put the lines together based on ideally where guys would play, it would look something like this

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
??? - Krejci - Kase
DeBrusk - Coyle - Smith
Frederic - Kuraly - Wagner/Senyshyn

??? - McAvoy
Grz - Carlo
Zboril - Lauzon

Now there are some ??? because I'm honestly not sure a) who would take those spots or b) who I'd want to take those spots. I also have 4RW split between two guy. I'd like to see a more "skilled" 4th line vs the grinding one. What I do know is the following guys are still on the roster but not in my lines...

Studnicka - Where does he go? Boston doesn't seem like they'd play him in a 4C role and with the signing of Smith and trades for Kase, there isn't really room on the RW for him. The kid looked ready for NHL action in the playoffs and was one of the more noticeable forwards

Bjork - I'm still waiting for him to put it together. I get he had back to back injury years, but what do we really expect him to be? His numbers have him at a 10G/15A guy over 82 games. He's wildly inconsistent in performance, some nights he looks solid and makes play....other nights he didn't know he played.

Ritchie - I've made my thoughts on Ritchie well known. Frederic IMO could fill the role that Ritchie is suited for and do it for less money while probably bringing more offensively.

Lindholm - 13th fwd playing the same role as last year

Blidh - See Lindholm/AHL

Moore - 7th d-man/just taking up space

Clifton - Good spark plug/energy guy but not someone that seems like they could be an NHL regular

Senyshyn

 

[Blowfish]

Senyshyn

not funny

 

[kjpm]

A dramatic decline in airline passengers along with empty sports arenas nationwide forced Delaware North to cut more than 500 positions this week at its downtown Buffalo headquarters and throughout the country.

The privately held hospitality company, which is one of the region's largest employers, will eliminate 139 positions locally and a total of 517 across the United States due to the effects of Covid-19. That is on top of 6,500 Delaware North employees who remain on leave companywide, including 480 in the Western New York.

The local workers whose jobs were abolished were employed at the company's global headquarters on Delaware Avenue, Bills Stadium, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Hamburg Gaming, Niagara Falls State Park and a back office center on Northpointe Parkway in Amherst.

All this from a company that was on pace to report $3.8 billion in revenues this year — a number that may be reduced by as much as two-thirds, company officials said.

"These business conditions have forced us to close or greatly reduce our operations at our 218 hospitality business locations in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia during the last six months, and these conditions are likely to continue for the foreseeable future," said Glen White, Delaware North spokesman.

Among the issues:

• Sports stadiums: Delaware North provides food, beverage and retail services at more than 50 sports stadiums, including Bills Stadium and KeyBank Center, all of which have been shut down since mid-March. Sports venues account for more than $1 billion annually in revenues for the company.
• Airports: Restaurant and retail sales in the 25 airports serviced by Delaware North are down by 80% because of the lack of air travelers.
• Gaming: The 10 casinos operated by Delaware North are running with limited capacity and restrictions.
• Tourist destinations: Visits are also down dramatically at key tourism destinations where Delaware North has operations, such as the Kennedy Space Center Complex near Cape Canaveral and Niagara Falls State Park.

JJ should sell the team

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Another indication Jacobs needs cash

Delaware North Cos. has agreed to sell an Illinois casino and hotel property for $120 million.

The Buffalo-based hospitality giant is selling Jumer's Casino and Hotel in Rock Island, Ill., to Twin River Worldwide Holdings. The deal is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021.

Delaware North to sell Illinois casino for $120 million

Delaware North are in a world of hurt but I really don't see that it will make any difference to the Jacobs family and their wider business interests as to whether they spend $75 mil or so or the full 81.5 on Bruins player salaries. It's small change relative to the amount of money they have tied up elsewhere, or could borrow once their various trading outlets etc. are in a position to start turning a profit again, and saving a few pennies on the Bs will not help them either in the short or long term. In fact crippling the performance of the team would probably only make things worse financially, as it would result in a drop in ticket sales, merch, and advertiser interest. So whatever's up with what Sweeney's doing, I don't think money problems are a contributing factor.

 

[774EVER]

The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to believe that the Bruins FO does think they have made big changes. The only thing is their version of big changes was subtracting from the lineup (Krug, Chara) and not necessarily adding to it.

 

[analyser]

Pierre McGuire says he does not know what the Bruns are doing, heĺl the whole ownership/management team does not have a clue.

JJ if you do not want to invest in the team, sell and move on.

 

[Troublesome 85]

JJ should sell the team

who’s buying in this climate?

 

[SPLBRUIN]

It may end up being just Weegar.

Surely we can do better then Weegar if we really want to upgrade our D.

 

[member 96824]

who’s buying in this climate?

I’ll buy and personally guarantee whatever loan I need to take out just to ensure that the front office group is fired into the sea.

 

[Troublesome 85]

I’ll buy and personally guarantee whatever loan I need to take out just to ensure that the front office group is fired into the sea.

doesn’t fiscally make sense with Covid and uncertainty of games.

without any revenue coming I wouldn’t buy a team right now. Yeah teams get tv revenue and stuff from Merch sold and sponsors but with no ticket money I wouldn’t buy one.

 

[wintersej]

Delaware North are in a world of hurt but I really don't see that it will make any difference to the Jacobs family and their wider business interests as to whether they spend $75 mil or so or the full 81.5 on Bruins player salaries. It's small change relative to the amount of money they have tied up elsewhere, or could borrow once their various trading outlets etc. are in a position to start turning a profit again, and saving a few pennies on the Bs will not help them either in the short or long term. In fact crippling the performance of the team would probably only make things worse financially, as it would result in a drop in ticket sales, merch, and advertiser interest. So whatever's up with what Sweeney's doing, I don't think money problems are a contributing factor.

That 6 million would cover like 100 working stiff salaries. Are we stealing from Monty Burns or from regular folks? I want to say Monty Burns, but losing 2/3rd of your revenue stream with no end in sight ain’t great.