Speculation: Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2019-20 - "Ross the Boss" Edition

[beach]

If nothing else, they'll buy him out before he sticks in BPort for the remainder of his contract.

But like most here speculate, he's here for depth now and until the organization makes a decision on Dobson.

I believe he (and Fritz & Ho-Sang) will have to go through waivers again to even be called up, so that could have implications for a team that might be hurting at a time where he'd be called up.

I don't think they want to trade him until other aspects to the blueline clarify themselves.

I don't think there are recall waivers anymore.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Glad to hear the recall waivers are a thing of the past... until a future CBA.

That will allow us to react well when the first wave of injuries hit.

 

[saintunspecified]

The above discussion about waivers goes to why it was important to send those three down instead of Johnston: Johnston is waiver proof. No matter when he's waived, he'll go through. Nobody wants to commit to 4 years for a marginal enforcer. Fritz and Ho-Sang are minimal commitments otoh. And Hickey is now a more valuable trade asset as an AHLer than he was as an NHLer, not that that makes a whole lot of difference.

 

[DarkHorse2]

Nobody wants to commit to 4 years for a marginal enforcer.

Marginal player? Sure (though I think he has a surprising amount of skill.)
Marginal enforcer? No way. Dude has never lost a fight and usually destroys his opponents.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

The above discussion about waivers goes to why it was important to send those three down instead of Johnston: Johnston is waiver proof. No matter when he's waived, he'll go through. Nobody wants to commit to 4 years for a marginal enforcer. Fritz and Ho-Sang are minimal commitments otoh. And Hickey is now a more valuable trade asset as an AHLer than he was as an NHLer, not that that makes a whole lot of difference.

Not really following the logic of these statements.

What exactly do you mean?

 

[saintunspecified]

Not really following the logic of these statements.

What exactly do you mean?

1. Hickey is more valuable as an insurance policy than he is taking up a roster spot.
2. I was wrong - Johnston has 3 years on his deal. Forget about cap, that's 3M in cash he's owed.

And anyone who wants to argue Johnston's merits as a player - I'd rather just skip that rerun discussion. We can agree to disagree.

 

[Strummergas]

I repeat...I do not like that 3rd line. Our third line has sucked for the past 10 years. maybe more.

Although, I do see what Trotz is doing with Johnston. He's molding him into another Tom Wilson. It won't be long before it's

Johnston - Barzal - Eberle
Lee - Nelson - Bailey

Don't lose sleep waiting for this to happen with any kind of regularity...

 

[saintunspecified]

Don't lose sleep waiting for this to happen with any kind of regularity...

I honestly think people don't think this through. Like, if you put an enforcer on a line, it forces the opposition to put out an enforcer against that line. That means putting Barzal on the ice with the opponent's enforcer. The guy is safer without Johnston on the line.

 

[Strummergas]

I honestly think people don't think this through. Like, if you put an enforcer on a line, it forces the opposition to put out an enforcer against that line. That means putting Barzal on the ice with the opponent's enforcer. The guy is safer without Johnston on the line.

I agree. If Ross had Tom Wilson's skill, then I'd have no problem with that line combo despite the possibility of a fight. But he doesn't, he just doesn't. He's never shown anything to suggest that he's even close to Wilson's abilities! Matt friggin' Martin showed more ability than Johnston early in his career and he never got close to even 2nd line duty. I don't think Johnston will ever be an every day player let alone on the first line with the team's best offensive threat.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

1. Hickey is more valuable as an insurance policy than he is taking up a roster spot.
2. I was wrong - Johnston has 3 years on his deal. Forget about cap, that's 3M in cash he's owed.

And anyone who wants to argue Johnston's merits as a player - I'd rather just skip that rerun discussion. We can agree to disagree.

I think the one thing we all know is that he's a damn good fighter/enforcer and every team needs that 10-15 times a season.

His role is very specific.

As far as what he is as a player, he's certainly a step up from Trevor Gillies and Mitch Fritz.

 

[buud]

Don't lose sleep waiting for this to happen with any kind of regularity...

I can see Ross/Martin with Barzy, albeit only temporarily. If the other team starts hammering on Barzal, we might see this.

Trotz is not a dick by any means, but I believe that he will find this as a reasonable alternative to letting other teams destroy his superstar kid.

 

[PK Cronin]

Barzal hasn't been hammered in two years really, how and why would anyone start doing it now? He is a great skater and that's why he doesn't get run over.

 

[mm11]

The Boss has potential in my opinion to be an everyday player. Albeit a 4th/3rd liner. He seems to be a guy that is working his onions off to stay and get better. He is low maintenance and knows his role. Plus, the players know it's always nice to have a very big brother behind the scenes.

 

[buud]

I think the one thing we all know is that he's a damn good fighter/enforcer and every team needs that 10-15 times a season.

His role is very specific.

As far as what he is as a player, he's certainly a step up from Trevor Gillies and Mitch Fritz.

The one thing that I noticed about Ross, that you don't see from many enforcers, is that he's a pretty good skater. Certainly adds to his ability to keep the opposition looking over their shoulders. He's like a freight train when he gets rolling, and Holy Hayzuess... he is one mean looking dude! When he fights, it's pure rage! Hang on, gotta go change my undies. Crapped ma drawers just thinking about him!

Edit: Hey Poster Unknown, you really messed up my head the other day, lol, as I was trying to see who it was that I blocked (I don't block people). Took me a bit to realize what was going on. Good one

 

[saintunspecified]

As far as what he is as a player, he's certainly a step up from Trevor Gillies and Mitch Fritz.

I'm sure teams are just lining up to commit 3M in cash to a player who might play 30-45 games over 3 years.

 

[saintunspecified]

I agree. If Ross had Tom Wilson's skill, then I'd have no problem with that line combo despite the possibility of a fight. But he doesn't, he just doesn't. He's never shown anything to suggest that he's even close to Wilson's abilities! Matt friggin' Martin showed more ability than Johnston early in his career and he never got close to even 2nd line duty. I don't think Johnston will ever be an every day player let alone on the first line with the team's best offensive threat.

That's the thing, an enforcer vs. Tom Wilson becomes a hockey liability. You really can't do it consistently. It's a completely different thing.

 

[saintunspecified]

One thing I've noticed about marginal forwards - they're much better skaters when they play 8 minutes than they are when they play 20.

 

[Shot of Bailey]

Ross is underrated as a player and a person. I know him personally, I know his family. I can promise you, this kid is respected in the room by fellow players and coaches...that is why he is here. He is one of the toughest kids I have ever seen and if you think Ross is big.....should meet his Dad.

 

[PWJunior]

Ross is underrated as a player and a person. I know him personally, I know his family. I can promise you, this kid is respected in the room by fellow players and coaches...that is why he is here. He is one of the toughest kids I have ever seen and if you think Ross is big.....should meet his Dad.

Bravo.

I am a fan of the kid. I do believe in the need for an enforcer even in today's game. As long as a dirtbag like Wilson exists in our division, we need a nuclear deterrent. Call me old school, but we need Ross and applaud the decision to keep him.

The kid is not Doug 'The Thug" Glatt, he can play and contribute in a Matt Martin role. As much as I love Matt Martin, Ross is his successor next season for role and roster spot.

 

[Coachcorner]

Did you mean that the Isles are hard working? I agree 100%.

Oh yeah, the PP. It should be noted that LL brought in the PP coordinator that was in TO last year. Hiller. No one seems to be privy to his modus operandi, but he's had good success, and our PP was out weak spot last year.

Trotz seems to like competition and balance, and I would not be surprised if he creates 2 balanced units, and haves them compete against each other, all year long.

My guess? Lee-Barzal-Eberle together, as they found some good success when they were tried, mid season. Add a shooter on D in Pulock and a entry specialist in Leddy.

The other may look like Beau/Brassard-Nelson-Bailey with Toews and Boychuk (still shoots it hard).

Trotz isn't afraid to mix it up, and will give time to those with the hot hand. After a year of 'seeing' what we have, I think Trotz and LL will start to be more firm on who they are going to lean on.

Hardest twerkin yeah, but also the hardest as in every way. They the toughest and most hardest suckas out there. Some players and teams are afraid to play against the islanders and that's all Lou's greatness again. Leafs are in some ways wrongfully built.

 

[saintunspecified]

Bravo.

I am a fan of the kid. I do believe in the need for an enforcer even in today's game. As long as a dirtbag like Wilson exists in our division, we need a nuclear deterrent. Call me old school, but we need Ross and applaud the decision to keep him.

The kid is not Doug 'The Thug" Glatt, he can play and contribute in a Matt Martin role. As much as I love Matt Martin, Ross is his successor next season for role and roster spot.

I mostly agree with this, but I still think he's waiver-proof.

 

[CBG]

They can't afford his salary, because they are almost 14 mil over the cap, and have two rookies on defence (19 and 20 year olds), so they could use some experience there.

Honestly, I have no idea what they are going to do. Toronto Maple Leafs - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Dood , I get it, that's Toronto but ALL the other teams passed on Hickey and he does not have a big salary,,,,,just my opinion but I dont think we could give him away

 

[road islander]

They can't afford his salary, because they are almost 14 mil over the cap, and have two rookies on defence (19 and 20 year olds), so they could use some experience there.

Honestly, I have no idea what they are going to do. Toronto Maple Leafs - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

They are going to outscore their opponents more than they try to defend, and unlike the 17-18 Isles, they'll probably pull it off. Playoffs will be the leveler yet again though.

 

[buud]

Dood , I get it, that's Toronto but ALL the other teams passed on Hickey and he does not have a big salary,,,,,just my opinion but I dont think we could give him away

TO is hurting on D, and still have to cut salary. Their D is so raw, aside from their top 4 (which are not all fleet of foot by any means (gonna get burned alot)), they have a teenager and a 20 year old on it. I sincerely think they are f***ed, as is. My point was that, even if the Larfs wanted to pick up Hickey for free, for his experience, they couldn't.

Either they get all their superstars to hop on board the D train, or they run and gun all season.

For probably the 1st time in my life, I'm saying that I want to watch the Leafs, just to see their tire fire on D.

 

[MJF]

Bravo.
As much as I love Matt Martin, Ross is his successor next season for role and roster spot.

I'm positive that's why Johnston is still on the Islanders.

That, and the fact that we have a coach who, when reporters talk ask him about a fight that happened in the game, will get a little grin on his face.
Barry Trotz still likes his teams playing the heavy game. Always had players like that on his teams.

Johnston will be scratched every game until someone needs their ass kicked. Then he'll go back to being scratched.