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It's crazy how bad Shanahan and Dubas screwed that franchise up. They were a 105 point team when Lamoriello left them with a young core of Matthew, Nylander, Reilly, Marner, Hyman, Kadri, etc. Tavares has a NMC so I doubt they can do anything with him. Marner does too but I assume if a trade came with a new contract to a destination he wanted to go, that's probably doable. I bet they ride it out and tell themselves it will be better next summer when they have JT off the books. Essentially they are pissing away the absolute prime years of Matthews, Marner, Rielly and Nylander waiting for the end of the Tavares deal, that's absolutely insane to me. On a side note, the core 4 takes way too much heat IMO. Since the Leafs management decided to go top heavy on forward contracts , they've always been built like the Blackhawks or Lightning teams after they won their cups and lost all their depth. It's almost like Kuch, Stamkos, Point, Hedman and Vasy need a supporting cast to make a playoff run. I guess you can blame the players for being greedy but it's really always been a management problem in Toronto. How else can you explain a team basically holding the line last summer with Nylander at around the Meier deal and then deciding to go up to 11.5 AAV 3 month later because he comes out hot in Oct, Nov and Dec. Let's go Bruins! I'm here for the circus North of the border when the Leafs are hopefully eliminated in the 1st round again.

I could see that. Seattle is also looking for a new coach and it was apparently some players said at the end of year interviews that they didn't see themselves wanting to be on the team long-term if Hakstol is still the coach. Players can basically oust coaches if GMs and upper management start hearing some really bad reviews now. Had to have been some key guys there like Beniers or Eberle.

I would be a big fan of a Sullivan hire compared to what else is out there. The issue is prying him away from PIT. The core group there loves him. Dubas may think differently too though with how mid they were and may want to flex his GM muscles. Getting a cup winner behind the bench would do our group well, but I'm meh on Berube or any recently fired coaches really. Boudreau would be interesting one who I think could motivate well, but it seems like when his teams go bad, they really go bad and his later time in VAN left a bad taste I think. Scott Stevens would be one out of the blue hire I'd be excited for if he ever were to want the job, but I think that would be a longshot darkhorse as I'm pretty sure he'd said he's happy where he's at recently or in the past. Brind'Amor isn't going anywhere if the Canes can pound the NYR in 5, but if he or Cooper somehow become available, I think you have to at least shoot your shot with them. I don't see Cooper moving on unless they really start playing like sh!t.

I don't think you can give Saros more than 8m. Limited playoffs success, but he's been there. He's probably going to get that somewhere that if he hits UFA and somewhere in the realm of 5 to 7 years, but then again it's obvious we need an upgrade at the position. Hopefully if we get him it can be for a deal under that so you can afford to pay the other goalies.

You never know. Maybe he is. David Wells admitted to pitching while intoxicated.

Rod would be my #1.

Paying a goalie is really risky these days. REALLY risky. It’s such a volatile position.

So it looks like they are changing out all the 200 level suites behind the benches and making it a whole new thing with all you can eat buffet and private bars and lounges... https://www.prucenter.com/premium/thepierclub?utm_source=pru_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=thepier Prepare to witness the evolution of Prudential Center with the arrival of The Pier Club, drawing inspiration from the vibrant Jersey Shore to elevate the entertainment experience at The Rock to new heights! Become a Founding Member and secure your guaranteed spot to immerse yourself in the excitement of EVERY event at Prudential Center, including the 2024-25 New Jersey Devils season, along with a full lineup of concerts, family shows, and sporting events. Whether you're entertaining clients, bonding with employees, or enjoying a night out with loved ones, The Pier Club caters to your every need with seating options ranging from 2 to 8 seats.

I think Winnipeg's defense had no answer to Colorado's speed and they really opened up the game when they got a chance. We're just seeing some of the top goalies in the league crumble when their defenses just can't hold up. You can have prime-Marty Brodeur or Patrick Roy in net and it might just not matter if the opponent has huge guys on defense who just put pucks in the net or facilitate that. Nashville's defense can at least steal a game or two where they only allow one goal a game. One thing I didn't realize about Saros was his size. Not saying it's a detriment as he's been a Vezina candidate for the last few years I think. I think him being undersized adds to the risk, but I like the risk if he can be had. He's had a rough go, but the gap between good and very good is kind obvious through this first round and goaltending just hasn't been able to have the impact without more games to bring those stats up. Goalies are just variable and they can't do much when you're facing COL who is trying to pot 5 on you every fvcking game because their D got better as the series went on. The Isles got great goaltending this year along with Boston and a lot of teams spend so much. I think to budget out your goalie salary space very efficiently and carefully, you can't give them the term they want and almost never the salary they want. Eventually it's gonna hit the contract side of the game and nobody is gonna want to pay Vasy-money to anyone, even yearly Vezina candidates. They can get hurt because of how fast the playoffs are and now the last few Cup winners haven't spent a whole lot of money on the position. COL is getting it done with Georgiev and he's kind of like Vanecek in the sense that he wins games, but his numbers are mid-average.

Highly doubtful he’d ever leave Carolina. And if he does, the rumor is Seattle because of his connection with Francis.

Saw a notification that Rod the Bod's future in Carolina is uncertain - maybe he'd come to NJ?

Yeah he's put up an 85 OPS+ the past three years...that's the kiss of death for a first baseman. There's just nothing he does particularly well at the plate. The other thing about Dom is that he's the black version of Jim Breuer, in that the poor guy looks like he's high ALL OF THE TIME.

Per MLB.com, the Red Sox have signed Dominic Smith to a minor league contract.

Yeah I can’t take Worlds seriously. Any tournament conducted at the same time as the Stanley Cup playoffs is not a serious hockey tournament.

Yeah, makes no sense to me if I am small market team...it defeats the system in place that has created parity. There must be some loud voices keeping it in place.

The reason they don't play is it is high risk, low reward. Quite honestly, I don't want any Devils playing in the Worlds due to risk of injury. Nico should not play IMO.

Interesting

I think the opposite based on what has already been discussed by those involved. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-gms-not-eager-to-close-ltir-loophole-despite-perceived-abuses/

🤣

Quinn, Josi, Makar. All great candidates.

SPOILER ALERT: Brendan Smith isn't one of the finalists.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-announces-2024-norris-trophy-finalists?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3LZ9t4NYLoEHAKn4pCoYqB26CMKEq61dDArGgI-sasXQyItCvxiJkqxu0_aem_AYJQe1OEewkzJFs3YRVFSYc7oa44Qp-Kw_9SCGw1oPCvs1wnq-XDpJ8iQy_9ERhpaGLLt3ZTNvbH6SoINc67-_Q7

The Stanton acquisition happened for two reasons: 1. It was Cashman’s consolation prize for the fanbase after losing out on Ohtani because the latter didn’t want to play on the East Coast. 2. Stanton-to-Boston rumors were popping up all over the place, so Cashman pulled the trigger on the deal to keep the Red Sox from getting him. Hindsight is always 20/20, but the trade was clearly a mistake, as it not only saddled the Yankees with an aging, one-dimensional player but also eliminated them from the Harper/Machado sweepstakes the following offseason. Harper’s had his own injury problems, of course, but he’s also performed at the highest level in big moments and might have helped the Yankees get over the hump against the Astros.

Mine too

100%, he's my favorite coach in the league right now besides Maurice