I truly wonder what this says about Carolina—doesn’t it seem like a slap in the face for Rantanen to refuse $13M from them to sign for less in Dallas? Maybe he didn’t like Rod the Bod’s system, the Canes’ famously bad arena per the players themselves, Raleigh, Tulsky’s face…
This is my first time engaging during TDL and it’s better than celebrity blind gossip.
Honestly, it might have been Carolina making the best of a bad situation. They got a player they thought they'd be able to sign to a long-term deal, only for him to get cold feet (and cold shooting skills) immediately in their system. And since they just paid for a short-term rental last year in Jake Guentzel, it sounds like they couldn't stomach renting high-priced players who didn't take them deep in the playoffs two years in a row.
Maybe Carolina hits on one of those draft picks and Stankoven becomes a great player. But those are all "ifs," whereas Rantanan "is" one of the best wingers in hockey. And he is on the Dallas Stars, not the Carolina Hurricanes.
In very rose tinted glasses and normal glasses, there’s few days in the life of a franchise where a fanbase can exude pride and optimism like our fanbase has felt today (I think). Let’s go Stars!
PDB sees more value in Wyatt's two-way game. The idea is that Wyatt at 3C matches him up against the other teams' best lines while being a punitive offensive threat if their lower defensemen are caught slipping. He'll also probably still be on the power play, so we'll still get his offense at its best.
If nothing else, just as we saw last night, he still may slot into the top line during crunch time. Although now that we have Mikko, that may not even be necessary!
"...sometimes, players don't take that final step, and their value never comes close to their potential."
You've gotta give to get, and picks don't score goals in this season's SC Playoffs. Masterful job by Nill, especially the AAV...less than BOTH COL & CAR offered?
What about our D? I don't think it is good enough for a deep run. I am a little surprised we didn't do anything especially after Miro went on LTIR. I wonder if they just didn't have the time to with the Rantanen deal taking so long to get done.
We'll be leaning on Otter. He'll be better this year, and we know he has potential for greatness. It also doesn't hurt that we have a good number of defensive forwards, with very few liabilities.
We have the depth to beat the other teams in the west through attrition. We're nowhere near as top-heavy as the Avs or Oilers. Remember, our blueline was exhausted last year. Obviously, it'd be nice if we weren't Tanev-less, but we can manage fatigue better now.
For playoffs you need a great to very good goalie… check!
When refs whistles disappear you need MORE 5 on 5 scoring… check!
As you note, our top 3 D are pretty good… check!
Every team has weaknesses, the bottom 3 D are going to be low minutes and one BIG boy hopefully pounding guys in front of the net (not watching the pretty puck!)
Not bad!!! Our cup chances just got much better!!!
Just listened to Nill's conference. He kind of mentioned that we might not be able to afford all our players and we might have to make some tough choices. Do you think we might have to give up Robo in a few years with the Rantanen signing? Would hate to lose him :-(
He said they'll have some juggling to do. I think next year will be a tight fit, especially if you see Benn coming back. They currently have just $5 million to replace a bare minimum of 5 UFA spots including Ceci, Granlund, Dadonov, Benn, and Duchene.
You hopefully bring back Lundkvist at around his same number of $1.25 million and try to move on from Dumba (and will that cost *more* draft picks?) and Smith, giving you a top six with Bichsel, Lyubushkin, and Lundkvist and the big three.
At forward, you have some really hard choices to make. Marchment is certainly a name that starts to look like a luxury, but I believe Nill when he says they have some ideas of how they'll sort it out.
I truly wonder what this says about Carolina—doesn’t it seem like a slap in the face for Rantanen to refuse $13M from them to sign for less in Dallas? Maybe he didn’t like Rod the Bod’s system, the Canes’ famously bad arena per the players themselves, Raleigh, Tulsky’s face…
This is my first time engaging during TDL and it’s better than celebrity blind gossip.
I will also add: I think this could be a win-win for both teams. Time will tell.
Honestly, it might have been Carolina making the best of a bad situation. They got a player they thought they'd be able to sign to a long-term deal, only for him to get cold feet (and cold shooting skills) immediately in their system. And since they just paid for a short-term rental last year in Jake Guentzel, it sounds like they couldn't stomach renting high-priced players who didn't take them deep in the playoffs two years in a row.
Maybe Carolina hits on one of those draft picks and Stankoven becomes a great player. But those are all "ifs," whereas Rantanan "is" one of the best wingers in hockey. And he is on the Dallas Stars, not the Carolina Hurricanes.
In very rose tinted glasses and normal glasses, there’s few days in the life of a franchise where a fanbase can exude pride and optimism like our fanbase has felt today (I think). Let’s go Stars!
Forward corp is so deep you forgot Bourque :)
Yep, replace Blackwell with him (as I just did with an edit). Sleep is for losers.
Where is Borque slated in your roster Outlook going forward?
C/RW player with a lot of value both directions. Great piece to have in the bottom six for now.
What I want to know is if putting Johnston on the 3rd line affects his recent productivity?
Johnston *has* been playing on that line, but if you look at ATOI, he's the #1C on this team.
PDB sees more value in Wyatt's two-way game. The idea is that Wyatt at 3C matches him up against the other teams' best lines while being a punitive offensive threat if their lower defensemen are caught slipping. He'll also probably still be on the power play, so we'll still get his offense at its best.
If nothing else, just as we saw last night, he still may slot into the top line during crunch time. Although now that we have Mikko, that may not even be necessary!
Beautifully written, especially the phrase:
"...sometimes, players don't take that final step, and their value never comes close to their potential."
You've gotta give to get, and picks don't score goals in this season's SC Playoffs. Masterful job by Nill, especially the AAV...less than BOTH COL & CAR offered?
Hey Robert, did you read that article someone wrote about whether or not the Stars can win without a superstar? 😎
Also… how are we feeling about the D now? (Pause.) Serious question though.
The defense is still their weak point. A whole lot hinges on how much they ask Cody Ceci to do, and how much responsibility Lian Bichsel can take on.
But they also have an outstanding top 3, so it's only weak in relative terms.
What about our D? I don't think it is good enough for a deep run. I am a little surprised we didn't do anything especially after Miro went on LTIR. I wonder if they just didn't have the time to with the Rantanen deal taking so long to get done.
We'll be leaning on Otter. He'll be better this year, and we know he has potential for greatness. It also doesn't hurt that we have a good number of defensive forwards, with very few liabilities.
We have the depth to beat the other teams in the west through attrition. We're nowhere near as top-heavy as the Avs or Oilers. Remember, our blueline was exhausted last year. Obviously, it'd be nice if we weren't Tanev-less, but we can manage fatigue better now.
And of course, puck-in-net pardons all sins.
Any word yet or prediction on if Mikko will be suiting up against the Oily Bois in Edmonton tomorrow night?
Nill just said on the Hardline that he is on his way to Edmonton today.
Yep, he'll play tomorrow (as R Dell said).
Holy shit. We got Mikko Rantanen. It's still sinking in.
It's pretty unreal.
For playoffs you need a great to very good goalie… check!
When refs whistles disappear you need MORE 5 on 5 scoring… check!
As you note, our top 3 D are pretty good… check!
Every team has weaknesses, the bottom 3 D are going to be low minutes and one BIG boy hopefully pounding guys in front of the net (not watching the pretty puck!)
Not bad!!! Our cup chances just got much better!!!
Just listened to Nill's conference. He kind of mentioned that we might not be able to afford all our players and we might have to make some tough choices. Do you think we might have to give up Robo in a few years with the Rantanen signing? Would hate to lose him :-(
He said they'll have some juggling to do. I think next year will be a tight fit, especially if you see Benn coming back. They currently have just $5 million to replace a bare minimum of 5 UFA spots including Ceci, Granlund, Dadonov, Benn, and Duchene.
You hopefully bring back Lundkvist at around his same number of $1.25 million and try to move on from Dumba (and will that cost *more* draft picks?) and Smith, giving you a top six with Bichsel, Lyubushkin, and Lundkvist and the big three.
At forward, you have some really hard choices to make. Marchment is certainly a name that starts to look like a luxury, but I believe Nill when he says they have some ideas of how they'll sort it out.