Lou making a move trying to salvage his own mistakes in roster management? I think Horvat is a solid player but the problems with the Islanders are bigger than Lou and the rest of the brain trust would like to admit.
This is the issue. Do I think the Isles got better this year with this trade? Yes. Do I think the Isles may not be in a position this season to be big buyers considering nobody can really put them over the top given the rest of their roster makeup? Yes. Do I think this now necessitates offering Horvat a contract until he’s 37 years old and will likely be a detrimental contract in roughly three years? Absolutely. I just don’t get any of it.
So with the Ballys networks likely being impacted by its owners impending bankruptcy, do we know if local TV deals are factored into HRR? I ask because if so, I don’t see that anticipated big jump in the Cap coming in the near future.
This is a dumb hypothetical question, but this is a down time in the season and I’m genuinely curious what people think. Let’s assume (happily) that Putin died, the war in Ukraine ended and Russia could compete in a hypothetical best on best tournament in 2024. Who should Russia start in net with a gold medal on the line? I assume Russia would pick Vas, but to me, Sorokin is currently the best goaltender in the world. I’m curious if anyone else feels this way. Also, why are there 19 guests currently reading this thread?
Russia is super interesting from a player production standpoint though. They’re unbelievably good at producing wingers and goaltenders and poor at producing C’s and defensemen. No other top country has that kind of disconnect.
Back when NHL players were going to most recent Olympics, pretty much all their roster projections had KHL guys as 3rd and 4th line C’s. It’s remarkable.
It’s also evolved over time. They weren’t super strong at developing goaltenders for awhile, and now have something like 5 of the top 6 goalies in the world.
BTW, I think the schedule maker got lazy once they got to the All Star Break. This is Detroit’s schedule: EDM CGY VAN at VAN at EDM at CGY
This would be an interesting one. It's essentially what GM's should do in the Preds position (Perpetually stuck in neutral with no way to fix it in the immediate future) imo. However, most know they can't because it's an admission that your earlier plan didn't work, which gets you fired. Poile must have assurances that his job is safe.
There is a report out of Sweden that Vrana might leave for the SHL in the next two weeks. Vrana has been playing well in GR lately, so I’m thinking he sticks around but if would make sense if his issues are such that he just needs to get out of a bad environment. I hope whatever is going on with Vrana that he can get right and return to the NHL, because he is fun to watch when he’s on his game.
I gotta say this skills competition is doing a great job at making the best players in the world look like a bunch of shit
NBA and NHL should combine for a Skills Competition where each sport does the other sports events. Give me a dunk contest with Ovie and Zegras. Give me an accuracy contest with Giannis and Ja.
Except for McDavid in the one with targets in the corners of the goal. 4/4 in under 10 seconds was impressive.
I don’t even know what they are trying to do anymore. It’s like the whole nhl organisation is tanking for Bédard