Speculation: Why can't Scott Hartnell get a contract?

[ViktorBaeArvidsson]

Link or it didn’t happen.

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/the-story-of-how-i-met-kris-letang-on-christmas-eve.2427279/

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I think he's saying Kessel's elite talent makes up for his conditioning not being top tier

I do not think that was the cause of the confusion. It was the claim that Kessel's conditioning is poor. It was already proven a while back that Kessel's conditioning is very good, and if it was not, he would not be one of the fastest and most durable players in the league.

 

[Go Wings]

He scored 24 points in 62 games last season, why is he still unsigned?

For context Martin Frk who was put on waivers twice in the last 2 years had 11 goals and 25 points in 68 games on Detroit the 28th ranked offense in the league. Does that answer your question?

 

[HyPnOtiK]

Kessel is in poor condition?

Yes

 

[fmrdh]

Not saying I'd want him on my team but I can easily name a bunch of current NHL players who are worse than Hartnell.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

As the league moves to more skill and speed, players like Hartnell will be pushed out of the league much quicker than they would have even a few years ago.

 

[LeapOnOver]

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/the-story-of-how-i-met-kris-letang-on-christmas-eve.2427279/

That was torturous...

 

[Armourboy]

TBH I think he could have been more productive but Lavi kind of moved away from why he was signed which was to be the guy sitting in front on the PP which is he is still good at. Frankly I'd throw him on the 4th and stick his butt in front of the net on the PP and let him do his thing. Yeah he's slow but used correctly he is still going to get you points on the PP without hurting you too bad elsewhere.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Most rosters in the NHL have three forwards worse than Hartnell.

This league is dumb and can't evaluate talent. More at 11.

Then I'd say you don't know what you're talking about. Name the teams who have an entire lines worth of players worse than Hartnell. He's a borderline NHL player at this stage.

 

[PredsV82]

I would guess there are plenty of teams where guys like him and Joel Ward could fill a roster spot but I'm sure a lot of GMs would rather see if a young player in their system could earn that spot in camp instead.

 

[Stuzchuk]

He's too sloooooooooooooooow.

this and he's actually being generous... and you dont usually sign 36 y/o forwards to put in front of the net on the PP unless your name is Ken Holland

 

[WannabeFinn]

He was never really a good skater to begin with, his age is just making things worse. Still has good vision and hockey IQ, but that only counts for so much when you’re slower than everyone else on the ice.

 

[tucker3434]

Just took a look at his stats, and he’s dropped between 10-13 points every year since 14-15. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a decline so linear.

At this stage, he’s a 4th liner. Older 4th liners wash out of the league in favor of younger guys all the time. This one just so happens to have name recognition.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

Because of milan lucic.

 

[Starat327]

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/the-story-of-how-i-met-kris-letang-on-christmas-eve.2427279/

This link should've come with a warning that you're giving up 5 minutes of your life that you'll never get back.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

Kessel is in poor condition?

Kessel takes meds to regulate his thyroid. You know the one where he had cancer? Makes him look extremely bloated

 

[north49er]

He scored 24 points in 62 games last season, why is he still unsigned?

Because he has Ryan Reaves speed.

 

[Osprey]

I imagine that it's not that he can't get a contract, but that he can't get what he wants. There are probably some teams willing to give him a 1-year, $1M contract, like what he got last year from the Preds, but I imagine that he thought that he'd take that hometown discount that one time and earn a longer, slightly richer contract this Summer, and it may take him a while longer to face the music that he may just have to settle for that kind of contract again.

 

[seabass45]

Some of these older guys are just going to fall through the cracks. Sucks for them but they have to compete with younger, faster guys on ELCs.

 

[Jacob]

That's like 4th line production, and most teams probably have an abundance of potential 4th liners on cheap deals.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

The league is skewing younger and faster every year, and Hartnell is old, slow, useless defensively, takes a lot of penalties, and made 3 mil last season.

Kunitz is a similar case but faster, more well-rounded, and has a ton of championship experience to draw on...and he only managed a 1 year, 1 mil per deal.

 

[THall4]

He scored 24 points in 62 games last season, why is he still unsigned?

Hes old and slow.

Most teams would rather afford a spot that he'd occupy to one of their own prospects

 

[ponder719]

Then I'd say you don't know what you're talking about. Name the teams who have an entire lines worth of players worse than Hartnell. He's a borderline NHL player at this stage.

Last year, game 5 of the playoffs, the Flyers trotted out Read/Lehtera/Weise.

I'd start Hartnell before any of them.

 

[Cootsfanclub]

Last year, game 5 of the playoffs, the Flyers trotted out Read/Lehtera/Weise.

I'd start Hartnell before any of them.

He even had a lower cap hit than all of them! Hartnell was the only one to collect salary from a buy out though.

 

[Machinehead]

Then I'd say you don't know what you're talking about. Name the teams who have an entire lines worth of players worse than Hartnell. He's a borderline NHL player at this stage.

NHL 4th lines are pretty much entirely borderline NHL players.

Cody McLeod, Troy Brouwer, Cal Clutterbuck, Chris Stewart, Jay Beagle, Luke Glendening, and Nate Thompson will all be seeing regular time this year. I would take Hartnell's mom over any of them.