AROUND THE LEAGUE - 25-26

[Meds]

That may turn into one helluva deal for the Habs.

More generally, hasn't this been sort of an odd season for signings? In a thin free agency class, the top end for the most part didn't have crazy contracts despite a fair number of teams with cap space -- but some crazy contracts went to middle tier guys. Then you have Kaprizov's eyeball popping contract, McDavid's "bargain", long term deals to defenseman of the future that could turn against the teams but have a higher chance of payout -- and sort of surprising contracts IMO given these players might have benefitted from betting on themselves and signing something shorter.

Very good to elite players hold so many cards, its interesting to see how much their desire to play them changes the results. Every player has a comp they like, and now every team has a comp they like....

A note on McDavid's contract.....

It is worth pointing out that his new contract puts him back on the UFA market the same year that Auston Matthews' current contract runs its course. Matthews inked a 4 year deal, which was shorter than many expected. The players are both represented by Judd Moldaver.

The Leaves would have been hard pressed to commit the kind of money required to attract McDavid next summer in free agency. Now? Maybe McDavid and Matthews want to play together? Maybe Matthews wants to go back to the US for his final contract and McDavid slides over and upgrades the 1C position in the COTU.

Now there is opportunity for McDavid to depart Edmonton one two ways.....

1. As a SC winner who delivered and now wants to finish his career closer to where he grew up.

2. As a player who led the team for a decade but ultimately the management groups failed to do what was required to build around him even after he gave them a crazy discount in an increasing cap world.

[donlever]

Whatever happens to McDavid his next contract is with a team with an extremely high percentage of Cup success (failing an Oiler win of course).

I see the likleyhood of that more down South than in Ontario.

No Cup for this guy is legacy damaging....

To me (to him) this will be more important than dollars and cents.

Matthew's maybe not as much.....

[Meds]

Whatever happens to McDavid his next contract is with a team with an extremely high percentage of Cup success (failing an Oiler win of course).

I see the liklehood of that more down South than in Ontario.

No Cup for this guy is legacy damaging....

To me (to him) this will be more important than dollars and cents.

Matthew's maybe not as much.....

Yeah, can't disagree with that.

Matthews has never struck me as a guy who was "in it to win it at all costs".....the fact that he continued to stick with Toronto rather than test free agency despite the fact that the Leaves haven't iced a balanced line-up in the entire time that he has been there. During that time the Leaves have never had playoff-ready goaltending, their blueline has been porous, their bottom-6 who's who of ineffective scrubs, and when one actually developed they couldn't afford to keep him because of the big-4. He's happy to collect his paycheque, sign his endorsement deals, and get his picture in fashion magazines.

McDavid wants a ring above all else.

[donlever]

...and hang out with Bieber.

Agreed, I think it very likely that winning at least one Cup, both for personal/team achievement and satisfaction reasons as well as historic Mount Rushmore ones, is McDavids apex hockey goal.

Properly managed he has enough money for several family generations forward at this point.

Money won't be his ultimate pitch point.

[Meds]

I forgot about the Bieb.....

Although, these guys could pass for brothers.....


Height not withstanding.

[donlever]

Jonathan Toews played just under 20 minutes, went 15/20 in the dot, had an assist and a couple of scoring chances today.

Be interesting to watch what happens there.

[Chef Boi RD]

18 year old Matthew Schaefer is getting 26 minutes a night. How good is this kid?

[Cousin Strawberry]

18 year old Matthew Schaefer is getting 26 minutes a night. How good is this kid?

I watched his game yesterday. He was phenomenal for an 18yr old

Norris calibre within 5 for sure

[donlever]

People in the game are talking about his skating abilities potentially matching Makars.

His assist for his first NHL point was slick as fuck for a kid.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSUa2qqoa/

He and Hutson will be muscling in on the Hughes/Makar Norris watch sooner than anticipated.

[Chef Boi RD]

Schaefer, Misa, Martin, Kindel are still up with the big clubs. Kindel is looking like a steal for Pittsburgh

[donlever]

Better overall draft than we all thought perhaps.

[Megaterio Llamas]

Better overall draft than we all thought perhaps.

I thought Schaefer was the only one who might play the full season. I'm still inclined to believe that.

[donlever]

Sure, but bodies in the league still indicates a possible draft year talent level originally unimagined.

[Chef Boi RD]

Negative Chef comin’ at ya:

Sandin-Pellika is looking pretty good in Detroit.

The Red Wings drafted him with the draft pick acquired in the Hronek trade with Vancouver. Sandin-Pellika was drafted after Willander. The Chilliwack kid - Zach Benson whom Buffalo drafted after we drafted Willander leads Buffalo in points so far this season.

What would you rather?

Benson
And
Sandin-Pellika

Or

Willander
Hronek

[theman]

Negative Chef comin’ at ya:

Sandin-Pellika is looking pretty good in Detroit.

The Red Wings drafted him with the draft pick acquired in the Hronek trade with Vancouver. Sandin-Pellika was drafted after Willander. The Chilliwack kid - Zach Benson whom Buffalo drafted after we drafted Willander leads Buffalo in points so far this season.

What would you rather?

Benson
And
Sandin-Pellika

Or

Willander
Hronek

I would still make the trade for Hronek and draft Sandin-Pellika instead of Willander.