Keirik

That makes more sense and that’s what I was saying that there has to be a bit more to this than just simply keep him for his last year. I don’t think Henrik wanted to stay, but teams weren’t willing to pay half his cap hit so this buyout is the only way this can work at this point.

He really was something special and a very quiet humble guy. What he did to earn the conn scythe was amazing to me. He was a little overshadowed by Messiers personality but Leetch was the mvp of that team by far.

This is likely a conversation that can just be broken down to what generation of a fan you are. If you are old enough to remember Leetch in his prime, even the early years, you likely say Leetch. Not to mention a Conn Smythe on a team that went through excruciatingly difficult years with 1940 looming over their head. I think you can say Leetch is 1 and Hank is 1a and make an easy case for that but in my mind as a bit older, its Leetch all the way. Leetch was also in the league in a time where you literally could mug someone and get away with it yet he still had over 70 points for a defenseman 7 times in his career in 3 different decades (88/89, multiple times in the 90s, 00/01), 2 Norris trophies, a Cup and a playoff MVP. Winning that cup was huge for any fan that remembers how difficult it was with 48, 49, 50......54 years in between looming and the Islanders still recently finishing a dynasty). The "dark years" pale in comparison to what it was like prior to 1994 for this organization. You literally could win a game and still be mocked by opposing fans and players for not winning. Every year they did not win, it was just mounds of pressure building, mounds of questions of a jinx, and a constant retool of coaches, staff, and players. I think Leetch played for 5 different head coaches by time they won the cup 7 years into his career. Leetch was one of the only constants and was their best player that entire time. Easily. 2nd highest playoff points by a defenseman in a single postseason behind Coffey, tied for 2nd most goals in a single postseason behind Mr Coffey again, and a Conn Smythe. Give me that every day.

I feel sick

I mean they were shopping him though before the deadline. Just something seems a miss. Trading Geo mid season, Henrik postseason, now back to keeping Geo. I’ve said thry should do this for a while but still. I figured when they tried trading Geo, they had made their decision on a direction gosltender wise. Then when they bought out Staal u figure they trade Geo now and recoup that 2nd.

One thing that doesn’t exactly still make sense. If this is a case of “as an organization we favor Geo over Hank” then why didn’t Geo play against the Canes?

I kind of get the feeling Hank does not actually want to do that.

That’s kind of why I think there is more to this. They seem to play worse in front of him, cap wise they really aren’t in terrible shape,etc.

It really sucks. The more I think about it the less I like this. A team that is in need of leadership could just keep him, and make it be known that after this contract he is welcome to one year deals for 1-2m. The more I do really let it sink in though the more I think this is more Henrik not being happy with being a backup and not obviously wanting to retire, so maybe this is him kind of forcing this. All speculation though.

Technically if u get the first part the second part should be easy

Btw, I suck with virtual keyboards lol

Don't they kind of do that, now, like west coast trips, northern trips, etc? Unless you are talking and home and away back to backs

I think we all would take Eichel over Ziby but the problem is we likely woundnt be swapping the two. It would be other pieces they wound want, thus thinning our team in a time where salary cap is an issue as long as it stays flat. It just wouldn't be the right time. So if we thin the team then have to also walk away from Ziby, we spin wheels rather than make progress. I don't believe they would be interested in Strome. ADA sure, but along with 2-3 other pieces I'd rather not part with.

Stay the course

Just think next year we still have a 6m cap hit for Shatty too

Stay the course.

Dallas look gassed

I'll tell you what. If the Stars happen to lose in 7 and Pavelski pops a couple more in between now and then, I could see him winning mvp on a losing team

Well there's a pretty big difference between "you could do a lot worse" and " should be at the top of their list" kind of things.

Pretty even so far

I’d rather hope the likes of Kreider, Ziby, and even Panarin give you leadership. Trouba also, who while young, still will be going into his 8th season in the league next year. Plus, I’m still holding out hope we look at a 4th liner or two with experience. Not against adding leadership at the blue line but not one as old as me.

Brendan Witt not available?

Stay the course.