(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Haven't done one of these in quite a while, so let's go for it. Ask me anything, I'll try to answer every question that comes in.
Also, I'm going to use the remaining characters in this tweet to announce that #HockeySquares is back tomorrow with amazing prizes from Giordanos!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
They'd almost certainly dock them draft picks in the future.
It's going to be nearly impossible to prove so I don't think there's much to worry about. https://t.co/lKuyJTIUAA
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
I'd guess no at this point. If yes, it would have to be slightly below the number he's currently at.
Things could change in a big way if he has a strong postseason. https://t.co/CMncDQsVuc
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
It would depend on how close they get. If they get to the Final a few times, they aren't going anywhere. If they miss the playoffs or get bounced in the first round, it'll get hot quick.
I don't think Foley is stuck on the 6 year thing and that is the only criterea. https://t.co/8VQzjI0LHA
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Brisson, Korczak, a 1st, and a 2nd? (And that's without any salary retention)
If they want NHL level players I'd guess it starts with Theodore. https://t.co/rMYpqQOp8x
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Our sources have indicated that it is equilibrium/balance related. What exactly that means is very foggy though. https://t.co/OMwdduKG02
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Yes, I think they will. I expect them to go down the Nick Cousin-esque route again. (Someone who would be in the lineup, but not a huge name.) Chris Tierney is a name that keeps sticking out in my mind when I go through the trade bait lists. https://t.co/IvbisqIQkH
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
For me it's always going to be the production he gives in the postseason this year. I don't care if you score against the Sharks or Coyotes, I care what happens when the games truly matter and this team needs a goal. Also, will he hold up defensively in this system? https://t.co/KEeynsLc4u
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
So far, it hasn't been great (I'm not even enthralled with how it's gone in the first two rounds either). They've possibly been able to find a few NHL-level players, but there doesn't seem to be a truly impactful guy in the bunch. It's concerning considering the age of the roster https://t.co/n5PIC1BlOT
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
At the moment, not much at all. Win fewer than 12 playoff games and it will start to heat up a bit. Expectations are VERY high. https://t.co/qZzfXxfI0I
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Depends on the injury to Lehner. Plus, I think if they are going to move Brossoit, they should be getting something back for him, otherwise they are probably better off hanging on to him. https://t.co/VjdTVgSwH9
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Lehner plays like he did in the bubble. https://t.co/8G8WUdC69Y
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
I don't really have a strong preference other than I don't believe it should be Pacioretty, Eichel, and Stone together. I also have no issues breaking up the Misfits.
Pacioretty-Eichel-Smith
Marchessault-Karlsson-Stone
Janmark-Stephenson-Dadonov
Carrier-Roy-Howden/Kolesar https://t.co/YjPTatZIsN— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
I think they'll hang on to Kolesar for sure.
Roy is a tough one because of how close they are to the cap. In the end, I think they'll figure out how to keep him too. https://t.co/3lKQGoV29r— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
The main reason I don't like it is because it makes life too easy on the other team. If you load up, you are basically banking everything on them. I think Eichel, Stone, and Pacioretty are all good enough to play on a line with a lesser player too. Try to maximize the team. https://t.co/idubg4H10k
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Absolutely he does. Look at last year when Holden was a staple. When playoff time rolls around, they will go with whoever gives them the best chance to win, and there's certainly an argument for Hutton over Hague in that respect. https://t.co/MIHGMdJO0y
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
I'd go with Kevin Shattenkirk. Best haircut in the game. https://t.co/NemnXNfGxw
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
I'm not as high on Cormier as many others. I'm still wondering how much of his production is based on being on a great team. Didn't impress much in Rookie Faceoff or Training Camp. He's still so young though.
As for Brisson, I like most of what I see. https://t.co/FQXG4gTH6v
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
If Lehner is healthy, he's starting every game of the playoffs this season. https://t.co/X9F4pa54Sh
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Yes, I do believe he is capable. We've seen him do it in the bubble.
Will it happen, that's a completely separate question. https://t.co/MAcaz7kar0
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
I still want Connor Garland. I honestly believe he would be the perfect fit for this team.
With the situation they've put themselves in though, I have no idea how they can do much of anything. https://t.co/HXikci0XQn
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
I don't think it has to take that long. Look at LA or Anaheim. They were down for a few years, now they are headed right back up. Maybe 2 or 3 years? https://t.co/7qZOqOncYj
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
Give me the cap strategy. https://t.co/xiJkOHjfhi
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2022
THE hockey GOD
don’t look now, but LA just passed VGK
in standing
one team is trending up
and
other one trending down.
no respite in sight, VGK are reeling
THE hockey GOD
From Elliott Friedmen (spelling?)
Now, everyone wants to know: Who will be the 2022 versions of Coleman and Goodrow?
In an attempt to answer that question, we developed a set of parameters:
Candidate must be under age 27.
Candidate must be under team control as RFA or have term on contract. (Sorry, UFAs Nick Paul and Tyler Motte.)
Candidate must be reasonably available in a trade. (That means ‘no’ for Tanner Jeannot from Nashville or Denis Gurianov in Dallas.)
Candidate must have salary cap hit under $3 million. Key is value relative to cap hit. (Goodbye, Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton or Ottawa’s Connor Brown.)
1. Artturi Lehkonen
Left Wing / Right Wing, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 26
Shoots: Left
Contract: Pending RFA, $2.3 million AAV
Stats: 49 GP, 7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points, 14:34 TOI
2. Brandon Hagel
Left Wing / Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 23
Shoots: Left
Contract: 2 years remaining, $1.5 million AAV
Stats: 46 GP, 14 goals, 13 assists, 27 points, 17:20 TOI
3. Alexandre Texier
Winger / Center, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 22
Shoots: Left
Contract: 1 year remaining, $1.525 million AAV
Stats: 36 GP, 11 goals, 9 assists, 20 points, 14:36 TOI
4. Lawson Crouse
Left Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 24
Shoots: Left
Contract: Pending RFA, $1.533 million AAV
Stats: 50 GP, 14 goals, 10 assists, 24 points, 17:34 TOI
5. Noah Gregor
Left Wing / Right Wing, San Jose Sharks
Age: 23
Shoots: Left
Contract: Pending RFA, $750,000 AAV
Stats: 35 GP, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, 15:19 TOI
Scoop: Gregor is probably the least heralded player on the list, the only one who hasn’t broken in with a full-time NHL job until this season. But that also might make him the most intriguing. Gregor has speed to burn. He’s taken on an increased role under Bob Boughner, playing Top 6 minutes and second unit power play time. He is fourth on the team in shots per game, averaging just a shade under three per game, a touch higher than Logan Couture. What’s missing? The goals >>>good fit for VGK?
Richie-Rich
I don’t do the Twitter Party of Davos platform….
THE hockey GOD
it was an article (referenced from twitter)
LVsc
Hagel is by far the best option. He is an under the radar type guy who is a grinder with skill, not a big guy, but will battle better than anyone, and a very popular guy with the fans too. and of course he has a very cap friendly contract . I would compare him closely to both Coleman and Goodrow, both of whom put the Tampa Lightning over the top for 2 cups. except he has more versatility than them to play on a top 6 line with top talent or 3rd line, also kills penalties too
The reason he got on the trade bait list is because the rest of the league sees him as a very coveted player, and the Blackhawks don’t want to trade him, but they can get a 1st round pick and a prospect for him.
Norm Bell
Thanks for the Q-and-A session.
Next time you get a chance, could you elaborate on why you see Kolesar as a keeper?
I see a guy who works hard and is tough enough but… he can’t pass or receive a pass, can’t stickhandle, is an average skater and certainly can’t shoot.
Soooo, what am I missing?
Ken Boehlke
Personally, I think Kolesar is replaceable. I always prefer scoring over anything else, and I just don’t think he’ll ever be able to truly do it at this level. However, this organization likes to have at least a little bit of physicality in their lineup. With the price that he’s going to cost, I don’t see any reason they would move on from him.