Tons of Thoughts, I have a lot to say and type.The Mikko Rantanen Saga – I’m happy with my Dallas Stars winning the West
pre-season pick, eight years x 12 million is a great deal for Dallas. Rantanen is worth more and the cap is going up. In the long run Carolina getting 2 number 1s and Logan Stankhoven for Martin Necas and Jack Drury is a good deal. Stankoven is not as mercurial as Necas. Regular Season Rod Brind’Amour needs to stick to military presses and keep his mouth shut. Rantanen did Carolina a favor by telling them he wasn’t staying. Carolina’s management team was stupid to trade for Rantanen without agreeing to a contract first.
The big lesson in this is don’t play hard ball with HOFer and Cup winner Joe Sakic
The villain in all of this is Rantanen’s agent. The Avs are stronger now then they were at the beginning of the season.
Brock Nelson replacing Casey Middlestadt at number two center – Charlie Coyle is the perfect number 3 center miscast as top 6 in Boston. Can’t wait for Avs vs Stars round 1. Stars GM Jim Nill should be tried for larceny after signing Wyatt Johnston for 5 years 8.4 million
The Toronto Maple Leafs did not do nearly enough at the deadline compared to their Atlantic rivals in the Sunshine State Florida and Tampa Bay. Scott Laughton was
everyone’s 4th choice for centers. Brandon Carlo is fine but they need 3 more defensemen. It’s like Brad Treliving gave up when he couldn’t get Brayden Schenn and Colton Parayko from St Louis.
Boston gave the Captain, the legendary Brad Marchand to Florida for a measly 2nd round pick. The Rat and Matthew Tkachuk together is going to be chaos this spring.
The Tampa Bay Lightning bolstered their lineup with Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand. They have insane top end talent but needed depth. Seattle GM Ron Francis did a great job getting Michael Eyssimont and 2 1st rounders for Gourde and Bjorkstrand. I love Bolts GM Patrice Brisebios win now attitude.
I like how the Rangers acquired two defensemen this year, who actually play defense Carson Soucy and Will Borgen.
McJesus and Leon should be pissed. The Oilers did not do nearly enough. I’m a big Trent Frederic fan and Jake Walman is fine but they needed Seth Jones, Rickard
Rackell and those guys.
This may be the year the Kings finally beat the Oilers but only trading for Andrei Kuzmenko means they won’t win two rounds.
When is Detroit GM/Legend Steve Yzerman going to go for. The Motor City natives are restless. A Petr Mrazek encore and Craig Smith ?? I’d rather have Joe Veleno.
Another Buffalo Sabre mistake – Dylan Cozens for Josh Norris. Cozens isn’t Jack Eichel or Sam Reinhart but he’s not Jason Zucker either. BTW they signed Zucker for two more years.
Canadian Media trash Kyle Dubas all you want but this season he’s done a very good job in Pittsburgh. Why would he trade Rickard Rackell. He’s a 30-goal scorer making 5 million a year for the next two years. As soon as you trade Rackell you’re looking for a player like him. Rackell already has chemistry with Sid and Geno. Dubas turned Micheal Bunting, who’s never been a winning player into Tommy Novak.
He fleeced his old team Toronto. Connor Dewars and Conor Timmins stepped right into the Penguins line up. He gave Toronto a measly 5th round pick. He pulled Vlad Kolyachonok off waivers from Utah and
Vlad is now paired with Kris Letang. Dubas followed the worst GM in Penguins history Ron1 Hextall. The post Sid /Geno era Penguins are headed in the right direction. Franchises that tear it all down take generations to recover. You must keep a few pillars up.
I can’t get enough of Alexander Ovechkin. The NHL needs to capitalize on this amazing man and achievement.
Macklin Celebrini is the real deal.
The 4 Nations was exhilarating hockey but the NHL should
not take 2 weeks off. Take one week off and have the US vs Canada best of three.
Tuesday- Sky Dome Toronto
Thursday- Jerry’s World Dallas
Saturday ( if needed) US Bank Stadium Minneapolis.
Finland vs Sweden and Russia vs whatever they call
Jagrland now can play in Europe on Wednesday.
They BETTER let Russia play in the Olympics.
