I can but only because Pronman just posted his initial 2019 rankings already (Kakko, Krebs). It hasn't been described as a draft that is particularly strong or weak; just defined by Hughes as superstar talent level ; Pronman rates him the second best prospect in the last five years, behind only McDavid:

where does Jack Hughes, the projected No. 1 pick in 2019 slot in relative to past top prospects? My answer would be the second slot, above Patrik Laine in that tier of him through Dahlin

The problem is mostly that they took Tkachuk, and after they trade Karlsson to Vegas and finish last, they will have at absolute worst, a comparable option to pick next year, with lottery chances of getting a franchise changer. If you're going to swing big (and they are taking a big gamble), picking a winger is the worst thing you can do. How many wingers can carry a franchise? Ovechkin, Hall, maybe you argue for Kucherov...and Tkachuk is nowhere near those players.

Essentially, they negative freerolled themselves by believing they won't be horrific next year.

Man, if the Pens sign Jack Johnson, my opinion of GMJR will go from cagey oldster that embraced analytics to fish on a heater who is about to go cold.

JT Miller re-upped 5/5,25M

Guess they didn´t get the other JT

This happened for me when he traded a 1st rd pick for Ryan Reaves.

motherofgod.jpg

Not saying that wasn't a bad deal because it was, but the trade was
an AHL center + Pens 1st rnd pick (31) for Reaves and pick 51.

O'Ree is super deserved, Mr. 3 going on 4 lockouts is not

LES HABZ HAVE FOUND THEIR CENTRE, BABY!

Canucks have apparently contacted Tyler Bozak, Jay Beagle, Riley Nash, and Tobi Rieder

while refusing these trade offers for Sutter & Gudbranson

gonna be amazing how much cap space they blow on pure garbage this summer
(rather than say getting free stuff for taking other teams' trash)


****ing kill me

Apparantly MB was close to dealing Pacioretty to the Islanders in return for a 1st round pick which he would have sent to Buffalo for O'Reilly. Buffalo wanted 3rd overall which was a no go which left the Islanders but they pulled out when they realized which players they will be able to draft 11th and 12th. Everyone holding on to their assets and MB will probably deal Pacioretty for cents on the dollar soon.

It seems premature to induct Bettman into the HHOf considering he is still commissioner. Lots can happen that could tarnish his legacy such as a prolonged work stoppage or unfavorable verdicts in concussion lawsuits.

oh yeah I forgot about the concussion suit that's gonna bankrupt the league

guy's a joke

bobooBOOOOOO

warming up for the induction ceremony.
Last person to get booed at a HOF! induction?

Bettman's legacy is not pristine, but I don't think that's true of any inductee. He presided over the league for 25 years, introduced the salary cap, stabilized some franchises on shaky ground, and expanded the league by 7 teams (soon to be 8). You cannot write the history of the game without him. He's a slam dunk no doubt belongs in the HOF. Lockouts are just as much on the NHLPA as the NHL.

To use a parallel - do you keep Brodeur out of the HOF because he had an affair with his brother in law's wife? Or because the last 5 years of his career he was below replacement level? Because he used his influence to get his son undeservedly drafted?

Are any commissioners not in HOF?

He's the only commissioner in NHL history. Prior to that, it was NHL President. There were only three NHL presidents from 1946-1993 :
Clarence Campbell (HOF)

John Ziegler (HOF)

Gil Stein (not HOF - he was elected but withdrew his candidacy after some weird voting stuff came to light, specifically that the belief was that he'd agreed to step down and be elected to HOF as part of his severance)

Tampa Bay the free-est of monies

this is so stupid, and i assume you know it

but then why post it?


anyway, **** Bettman

they should have waited until he was finished
but yeah, maybe they're terrified that the end of his reign will tarnish him too badly to ever get in, so they're jamming it in now
stupid
whatever, Lanny & the HHOF committee are sacks of **** anyway
**** that stupid thing

Brodeur should be kept out of the HOF because he is a terrible player

y tho

to sign Jack Johnson, apparently


AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

bergevin must be bummed hearing that news

Because GMJR needed cap space to sign 31 year old, worst Rel Corsi, worst in xGF% and 8th worst in points per 60 of dmen that have played 10K minutes since '07-08 (out of 57), Jack Johnson to a 5yr/16M contract. Why bring your analytics staff from Car and hire one of th War On Ice creators if your are going to out Chiarelli Bergevin? Christ.

Canucks apparently "lost out" on Bozak


thank the ****ing gods they inadvertently dodged that bullet

dumb luck the only thing stopping these guys from shooting their own dicks off at the moment...

Hate that they’re signing Jack Johnson. Because he’s Crosby’s buddy? That’s literally the only reason I can think of outside a jersey fits better over him than it does a pylon.