I really hope Eichel asks for a trade this summer if Buffalo gets yet another high pick.For as much hate as Edmonton rightly gets for all their high picks, no one seems to talk about Buffalo and Jersey.
If you were the GM trading an 80 plus point player would you retain and get nothing in return?The Kessel/Galchenyuk deal does my head in each time I think about it. His complete inability to contribute 5v5 was surely evident with even the lightest amount of scouting? Why did GMJC deliberately walk face-first into that contract? Am I missing something in the CBA that says once a team (TOR) retains a chunk of a contract, a second team cant retain more in a subsequent trade? It's the only reason I can think of for him not demanding PIT retain at LEAST 1.5-2m of that salary.
Gotta feel for Chayka a little. He makes the Hall trade because “the group has earned it...they’ve shown they’re serious about wanting to win and earned a shot to stay together and make a run at it,” etc, etc. He pulls the trigger and the team completely folds. Just takes a huge dump all over the floor Chayka just cleaned. Embarrassing series of events. If this keeps up another week or two then keeping Hall the rest of the year would just be dumb...no point.
The Kessel/Galchenyuk deal does my head in each time I think about it. His complete inability to contribute 5v5 was surely evident with even the lightest amount of scouting? Why did GMJC deliberately walk face-first into that contract?
Go to a game and watch him. He does so much more than what you see on TV.
Brett Hull anyone?Will Kessel join the likes of Tony Amonte, Olli Jokinen, and Mike Ribeiro?
Yep, guy's having a down year in general and particularly on the stat sheet, but still a hockey stud. This is not imo, this is fact and anyone who disagrees is flat out wrong.Go to a game and watch him. He does so much more than what you see on TV.
He completely misjudged this team and where we are at. I don't feel that sorry for him. The guys he traded for and he signed to big deals are the ones looking to be big problems moving forward. He has completely remade this roster, and while more skilled, there are plenty of losers and floaters on this squad. Guess that doesn't show up in his fancy stats.
If you were the GM trading an 80 plus point player would you retain and get nothing in return?
For as much hate as Edmonton rightly gets for all their high picks, no one seems to talk about Buffalo and Jersey.
Duped by not knowing what Phil actually is. Not duped by not getting Pitt to retain.If you knew that player was a liability, everybody knew at least one of your stars demanded you got rid of him, his contract was bad and you knew it would be only worse by the years?
Chayka got duped there.
I am wondering if after the Hall trade, we lost our identity. Everyone started thinking about scoring, our team D has been bad except for the Oiler game. Its like we lost our focus. This isn't on Hall, he is solid in all 3 zones and gets PK time. Maybe Tocc opened things up a bit and it has back fired. Kuemper out has hurt but our drop off in goal tending is minor compared to our drop off in team D.You also can't put goaltender injuries into the reason for misjudging this team. I don't know how much Kuemper calms things, but I doubt that we are as bad as our record states if he is healthy. Games like the Carolina game we might sneak a loser point out of in that scenario.
I think he read our team perfectly - we needed additional offense. Defense wasn't the problem. Now it is, and that goes back to Tocchet and the lack of in-game adjustments.
Chayka has done fine in this regard, the players/coaching staff have let him down moreso than his own ideas or hubris behind acquiring Hall.
Sad to say, I think GMJC should look at trading Grabner by the TDL. He is either nursing something too minor to require an injury report, or has found himself in the inescapable vortex known as RT's doghouse and is getting chain-scratched. Whether I agree with RT's decision or not, it's stupid to pay Grabner $3.3m to be the 13th man when Chaput could do it at a quarter of the salary.
Next to Grabs in the press box
I am wondering if after the Hall trade, we lost our identity. Everyone started thinking about scoring, our team D has been bad except for the Oiler game. Its like we lost our focus. This isn't on Hall, he is solid in all 3 zones and gets PK time. Maybe Tocc opened things up a bit and it has back fired. Kuemper out has hurt but our drop off in goal tending is minor compared to our drop off in team D.
I actually did see Phil forecheck and win a board battle, caused a turnover last night. That type of play will lead to goals for all 3 of them. But, our GAA needs to be low, all about team D right now.
I have not noticed anything (technically) that RT has opened up.
I think he can only be down there for 4 games or so.Heard it’s not going to be a very long stint in Tucson for Hayton.
RE Hall: sometimes you bring in the big name/scorer and those who were scoring subconsciously don't feel like "as key" an element - very hard to explain the change in chemistry there. GMJC did all he could to not upset the cart, by not moving anyone in the deal, but the record and stats state otherwise. Also - not on Hall whatsoever.
I have not noticed anything (technically) that RT has opened up.
Phil has actually been skating harder and putting in more effort since the return from break. He's just SO FRUSTRATING with puck handling issues and refusal to shoot. Last night on the pp, he had a man directly in front of their goalie, with all four corners open to shoot at (it was right in my line of sight) and he passes! I just don't know what's going on with him.
I thought it was seven days. And Tucson happened to have four games scheduled for throes seven days.I think he can only be down there for 4 games or so.