2023-24 NHL Season

[EagerBeaver]

Some important recap notes:

- 1st Stanley Cup for Florida Panthers franchise
-1st Stanley Cup for veteran coach Paul Maurice, who was under tremendous pressure
- game winning goal by Sammy Reinhardt, who is now a free agent
- Conn Smythe to McDavid, who was shut out in critical last 2 games-
- Lord Stanley continues his U.S. residency since 1993. First trip for the Lord to South Beach
- no silver medal for Edmonton, but they played better than expected in this series. Their power play at times looked awesome, including last night, but they couldn't score when needed.
- Barkov is probably the best center in hockey, all around.
- Tkachuk had a surprisingly weak series, and playoffs. He is better than what he showed.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Any thoughts about the Senators-Bruins trade made prior to the game yesterday? Bruins fans were very disappointed that the Bruins didn’t get more for Ullmark, hoping to at least get Chychrun or Pinto. Instead they receive Korpisalo’s big contract, a fourth line center & the Sens’s late first round pick. At least the Sens will pay 30% of the goalie’s salary. It’ll help the Bruins re-sign Swayman. As for the Sens their fans are very impressed with first-time GM Steve Staos’ first trade. Many do expect him to trade Chychrun, which many teams would love to have in their lineup.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Tkachuk had a surprisingly weak series, and playoffs. He is better than what he showed.

In the final he was a bit disappointing but his overall playoffs were far from being bad, he’s still the 2nd of his team for the total points. Considering his playing style, he might not have been in top condition after the 2nd final game.

 

[EagerBeaver]

At least the Sens will pay 30% of the goalie’s salary. It’ll help the Bruins re-sign Swayman.

The Bruins not only need to sign Swayman but they intend to offer a massive contract to Leon Draisaitl. They had to get money off the books. I didn't like that they took on the big contract of Korpisalo. It looks like Ottawa won that trade. But it was a prelude to other moves the Bruins want to make including acquiring Draisaitl to pair with Dave Pasternak. It's a capped league so you can't pay everyone.

 

[EagerBeaver]

In the final he was a bit disappointing but his overall playoffs were far from being bad, he’s still the 2nd of his team for the total points. Considering his playing style, he might not have been in top condition after the 2nd final game.

I understand more was asked of him in this series in particular, but like Draisaitl on the other side, he didn't play to his full abilities offensively. The Panthers won while getting far less out of Tkachuk than I would have expected. The fact that he was #2 in scoring on the Panthers is a little misleading. He didn't have his usual impact.

 

[gaby]

Any thoughts about the Senators-Bruins trade made prior to the game yesterday? Bruins fans were very disappointed that the Bruins didn’t get more for Ullmark, hoping to at least get Chychrun or Pinto. Instead they receive Korpisalo’s big contract, a fourth line center & the Sens’s late first round pick. At least the Sens will pay 30% of the goalie’s salary. It’ll help the Bruins re-sign Swayman. As for the Sens their fans are very impressed with first-time GM Steve Staos’ first trade. Many do expect him to trade Chychrun, which many teams would love to have in their lineup.

Agree...very very good move by the SENS....finalement ont un gardien de qualité/2023 Vezina Trophy......n'ont jamais eu ces dernières années un goaly #1....et leur succès commence par là....maintenant faut travailler à améliorer la défensive...j'ai déjà
hâte à la prochaine saison....lol....

 

[EagerBeaver]

The top 4 picks in the 2014 NHL Draft and all 4 played for the Stanley Cup last night: Ekblad, Reinhart and (on the right) Bennett for the Panthers, and Draisaitl for Edmonton:

 

[EagerBeaver]

Meet 4 guys who will be drafted very high in the 2024 NHL Draft: Cayden Lindstrom, Macklin Celebrini (likely #1 pick), Zeev Buiuim (freshman star defenseman of the NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers), and Artyom Levshunov, the offensive minded defenseman of the Michigan State Spartans.

Celebrini and Levsunov are likely to go 1-2.

I am reading the Habs want to take Lindstrom:

5. Montreal Canadiens: Cayden Lindstrom, C (Medicine Hat, WHL)​

Lindstrom’s injury-shortened season will definitely be a cause for concern for some teams, but the 6-foot-3 forward said he’s fully healthy and ready to go. He’s an absolute monster out there, and scouts love the potential for him to be a high-scoring wrecking ball. He’ll have a realistic shot at being a No. 1 center down the line, but even if he falls at No. 2, that’s one heck of a matchup advantage behind Nick Suzuki.

 

[Doc Holliday]

The Bruins not only need to sign Swayman but they intend to offer a massive contract to Leon Draisaitl. They had to get money off the books. I didn't like that they took on the big contract of Korpisalo. It looks like Ottawa won that trade. But it was a prelude to other moves the Bruins want to make including acquiring Draisaitl to pair with Dave Pasternak. It's a capped league so you can't pay everyone.

I just realized i erred in stating that the Senators would pick up 30% of Korpisalo’s contract. It’s actually 25% of the contract. For once an Ottawa GM is getting praised for a hockey trade he’s made. The 25% Boston got back for his contract was partly to give the, enough cap space to re-sign some of their RFA (Swayman & others) but also possibly some their own UFA & more than likely others out there. Where’d you hear this about Draisaitl possibly going to Boston? This is the first time i’ve heard this. He still has a year left with the OILERS & they’ll do all they can to re-sign him. Plus he has a full no-trade/non-movement clause in his contract. If he’d agree to waive it would have to be to a team of his chosing who wants him & is willing to renegotiate his upcoming massive contract now instead of later. After re-signing Swayman & several other players there likely wouldn’t be enough cap space left for Draisaitl unless he only agres to play there for this year & see what happens once the next season ends. Boston would still have to pay Edmonton a ton to get him since the entire league will be calling the Oilers for him if he’s avaialble & start a bidding war for his services. Draisaitl may likely prefer staying in Edmonton piling up points with Mcdavid & Hyman & get even more money next season when the cap will go up & make his intentions known to all teams that he’s available to the highest bidders & best hockey locations & markets who want him. His agent would be crazy not to advise him to stay put for most of the regular season & see how the season goes. Maybe it would be fun to play at least one more year in Edmonton & make one more play together for the Cup.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Meet 4 guys who will be drafted very high in the 2024 NHL Draft: Cayden Lindstrom, Macklin Celebrini (likely #1 pick), Zeev Buiuim (freshman star defenseman of the NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers), and Artyom Levshunov, the offensive minded defenseman of the Michigan State Spartans.

View attachment 74290​

Celebrini and Levsunov are likely to go 1-2.

I am reading the Habs want to take Lindstrom:

5. Montreal Canadiens: Cayden Lindstrom, C (Medicine Hat, WHL)​

Lindstrom’s injury-shortened season will definitely be a cause for concern for some teams, but the 6-foot-3 forward said he’s fully healthy and ready to go. He’s an absolute monster out there, and scouts love the potential for him to be a high-scoring wrecking ball. He’ll have a realistic shot at being a No. 1 center down the line, but even if he falls at No. 2, that’s one heck of a matchup advantage behind Nick Suzuki.

Cayden Lindstrom is one player who may end up slipping in the draft after teams finding out he’s currently dealing with a herniated disc issue in his back which usually end up in surgery & not all players still recover dully from it. He still dould drop in the top 5 but die to his health status picking him high as predicted may potentially be risky if other similar players are available in the top 10. I actually think the habs are already looking at drafting a different player who’s currently lower on most team’s draft list. He may or may not be a bit of a surprise pick but quite likely will turn out in the long run to have been the best pick Hughes ended up picking once we analyze the 2024 draft a couple of years from now.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Where’d you hear this about Draisaitl possibly going to Boston? This is the first time i’ve heard this.

Georges Laracque reported this and the Bruins media ran with it:

A New Wrinkle To Recent Bruins-Draisaitl Rumor

Is there more than smoke to the rumors that the Boston Bruins could either acquire or eventually sign Edmonton Oilers superstar center Leon Draisaitl? Three weeks ago, former NHLer and NHL analyst on French radio and TV in Quebec, Georges Laraque, floated the idea of Draisaitl becoming a Boston...

bostonhockeynow.com

The Hockey News also reported this:

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thehockeynews.com

Draisaitl has been working out with David Pastrnak in the offseason and Pastrnak has tampered with him because he wants to play someone who could juice up his stats. It's like Juan Soto coming to the Yankees and having Aaron Judge hitting behind him. It kind of jacks up your stats. So Boston has been tampering with Draisaitl through the body of Pastrnak.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Doc,

It's being reported that the Montreal Canadiens earlier this week or last weekend "wined and dined" Cayden Lindstrom. It's not clear where they took him to eat (Buffalo Steakhouse) or whether Gaby was retained as a French language interpreter. They think he is healthy and they want this kid BAD:

Canadiens "Wine & Dine" Cayden Lindstrom at Combine; Should They Draft Him? - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

The Canadiens showed interest in Cayden Lindstrom at the combine last week, and while that doesn't guarantee anything, it's still interesting.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[EagerBeaver]

Guys I did a Google Search and I could not find any "Buffalo Steakhouse." Can someone tell me where this place is? Is it some underground restaurant? Gaby?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Knoblauch Says Draisaitl, McDavid played hurt through finals:

Oilers' McDavid, Draisaitl played hurt during run

Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said Wednesday that some of the team's top stars were playing through injuries during their Stanley Cup playoff run.

www.espn.com

Although I have no doubt Knoblauch is telling the truth, but at the same time I think various Panthers, probably including Tkachuk and certainly including Barkov, were also banged up. If you are a professional hockey player and are playing in Stanley Cup Finals, any year, chances are you at a minimum banged up, and in many cases nursing a nagging injury. I just don't believe that if you are playing with injuries, you should late use it as an excuse for losing.

For those of you who do not follow baseball, the Yankees benched Gleyber Torres tonight, after he did not run out a ground ball last night, later telling reporters his groin was hurting. Torres has been sucking moose balls for many weeks now, at the plate and in the field. While playing injured is to be lauded, you can only suck so much before you have to be taken out. I understand and applaud that Torres, like McDavid and Draisaitl, tried to suck it up, but you had guys on the Panthers doing the same. So, I really don't care too much. Edmonton lost. If the people who bet on them bet on those guys being healthy and fresh in the finals, they made a bad wager.

 

[gaby]

Guys I did a Google Search and I could not find any "Buffalo Steakhouse." Can someone tell me where this place is? Is it some underground restaurant? Gaby?

Hum....i did a google research too....and the only ''BUFFALO STEAKHOUSE'' i found was in...MEXICO CITY.....lol....for a reservation call 625-581-5690......seems fun place to go.....lolllllll....enjoy...

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

It is confirmed that both Bennett and Tkachuk are injured. Bennett from the knee on knee from Nurse(4th game) and Tkachuk probably from his fight with Pasternak.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Hum....i did a google research too....and the only ''BUFFALO STEAKHOUSE'' i found was in...MEXICO CITY.....lol....for a reservation call 625-581-5690......seems fun place to go.....lolllllll....enjoy...

I don't think they flew to Mexico for a steak dinner. LOL....was the author of that article high when he wrote that article??????

 

[gaby]

HOLLAND will not return as OILERS GM....had been GM for DETROIT/22 years with 3 Stanley Cup.....impressionnante carrière....bien remplie.....évidemment aurait sûrement aimer la terminer avec une 4ème...BUT another will take charge.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Watch as former Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo eats pasta out of Stanley Cup!

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[EagerBeaver]

McKinnon Wins Hart and Lindsay Trophies:

Avs' MacKinnon wins Hart, Ted Lindsay awards

Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award as the league's most outstanding player at the NHL awards on Thursday night.

www.espn.com