AROUND THE LEAGUE - 25-26

[Hockey Widow]

Thinking about Hart. I think he should be less concerned about what teams he has removed from consideration and more concerned about what teams have removed him from consideration.

[JelloPuddingPop]

There are always NHL teams willing to "overlook" character flaws, to win.

Not sure Hart is a great goalie at this point, and it was hard to judge his last year(s) with Philly, as they were an awful team. But his first couple of seasons were great - and I'm sure as some teams stumble, or injuries happen - he will find a gig.

I would think teams like Buffalo, who has some good young goalies, that really haven't taken the next steps - or perhaps Seattle, if they buy out Grubauer, who has been dismal since signing there or even Chitown, to back up Knight.

Lots of options for this kid.

[Meds]

The teams that could probably benefit the most from taking a risk on Hart on a 2 year "recovery" contract.

He's 27 now, and would be 29 to start his next contract.....pretty decent age to ink a starter on a 4-5 year deal if he proves he can come back and leave this behind him.

Utah

No established goaltending a this time, and they are a young and upcoming roster.

The drawback for them is fan backlash as they are based in a rather conservative state that is the mecca of Mormonism. If they can handle the potential of that, then I'd say take a chance on him.

San Jose

Goaltending is still a question mark. Askarov is their young backup, but has not produced great numbers outside of a 2 game season in Nashville.

California loves it's Hollywood-esque scandals, and the roster will be primed to take the next step in 2 years time.

Florida

Far enough removed from Canada for the locals to probably not care too much, and they have a veteran roster that should be able to handle any outside noise from the media.....some personalities (Marchand for one) that actually thrive on succeeding when it's in the face of negative attention from opposing media and fans.

Bobrovsky is well established, but his $10M contract expires at the end of this season, and the dude will be 38 when the puck drops to start the season on his next contract (2026-27). Florida would be smart to find a successor for him whose age is right in line with their core skaters.

[Megaterio Llamas]

[Chef Boi RD]

And here we are, a 55 year old hockey team with shit for fucks, cheap as fucks, meddling owners with a losing tradition unwilling to invest in an actual proper foundational rebuild who charge ridiculous prices to see the Canucks, paying through the nose to eat and drink in the only building the Aqua shits are willing to provide for the team. Pathetic. I hope they see what this rookie hockey club is willing to provide for the team, invest in the team but something tells me they couldn’t care less.

[Megaterio Llamas]

And here we are, a 55 year old hockey team with shit for fucks, cheap as fucks, meddling owners with a losing tradition unwilling to invest in an actual proper foundational rebuild who charge ridiculous prices to see the Canucks, paying through the nose to eat and drink in the only building the Aqua shits are willing to provide for the team. Pathetic. I hope they see what this rookie hockey club is willing to provide for the team, invest in the team but something tells me they couldn’t care less.

They don't care Chef. There's a reason that anytime the NHL owners are rated, Aqua lands at 31-32.

I've heard nothing but positive things about the new owner in Utah.

[Tciso]

And here we are, a 55 year old hockey team with shit for fucks, cheap as fucks, meddling owners with a losing tradition unwilling to invest in an actual proper foundational rebuild who charge ridiculous prices to see the Canucks, paying through the nose to eat and drink in the only building the Aqua shits are willing to provide for the team. Pathetic. I hope they see what this rookie hockey club is willing to provide for the team, invest in the team but something tells me they couldn’t care less.

They don't care Chef. There's a reason that anytime the NHL owners are rated, Aqua lands at 31-32.

I've heard nothing but positive things about the new owner in Utah.

With rumored expansion talk, Aqua could fall to 36th. Duck. It's hard to be this optimistic and a Canuck fan.

[rats19]

It’s hard to be a Canuck fan…. Period!!

[theman]

Podz has re-signed with the oil, 3 years with an AAV of 2.95 mil.

https://x.com/tsn_sports/status/1970522 ... 02805?s=61

[UWSaint]

Podz has re-signed with the oil, 3 years with an AAV of 2.95 mil.

https://x.com/tsn_sports/status/1970522 ... 02805?s=61

Good for him. I liked the kid. I wasn't happy with how he was developed or how he developed -- two slightly different things -- but he seemed like a good kid and I wanted him to succeed.

No idea if this will be a good or bad deal for the Oilers. If he improves his hands and O-zone IQ, it will be a great deal for the Oilers. If he can ride with The German or McJesus and create more lanes than the number of plays he kills, good deal for the Oilers. But I think the odds are long that he will dramatically outperform the contract.

Query whether Hoglander or Podkolzin will be a better player over the next 3 years. And what Hoglander might have fetched coming off a 24 goal campaign.

[UWSaint]

What to make of Luke Hughes' continued unsigned status.

Its strange -- the Devils left themselves with not quite enough money to bridge the kid without moving someone. (They could and start season with Kovacevic on LTIR, but that only kicks the can down the road). Might we see a really short deal -- like 2 years at 5M?

[Cornuck]

I guess 3 million is an average salary for players in that range of career and productivity. Hoglander and Podz are in the same boat. The potential is there (we think), but can they pull it all together to become more than a placeholder?

Watching Hoglander go from 24 goals to 8 last year was a huge disappointment for everyone. He's got 3 more years to show us (or another team) if he can turn it around. I think most of us are rooting for him, but wouldn't bet the farm on it.

[rats19]

I guess 3 million is an average salary for players in that range of career and productivity. Hoglander and Podz are in the same boat. The potential is there (we think), but can they pull it all together to become more than a placeholder?

Watching Hoglander go from 24 goals to 8 last year was a huge disappointment for everyone. He's got 3 more years to show us (or another team) if he can turn it around. I think most of us are rooting for him, but wouldn't bet the farm on it.

18g 21a

[Chef Boi RD]

Brady Martin with two goals already tonight. I get the feeling this kid will end up being one of the top players to come out of the 2025 draft class. He was one of the biggest climbers leading up to the draft

[rats19]

Brady Martin with two goals already tonight. I get the feeling this kid will end up being one of the top players to come out of the 2025 draft class. He was one of the biggest climbers leading up to the draft

So happy for Nashville…