Friedman's 31 thoughts - Apr 11

[sureLoss]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...rds-race-ever/

This week Friedman goes over his award ballot.


Only Flames related item:

29. One scout said there was quite a turnout last weekend to watch the 2018 U.S. Youth Tier I national championships in Philadelphia. Among the crowd: Scott Bradley (Boston); Tod Button (Calgary); Ron Hextall and Chris Prior (Philadelphia); Mark Hunter (Toronto); Randy Sexton (Buffalo). It is believed they were watching draft-eligible Jay O’Brien, who plays for former NHL-er Tony Amonte at Thayer Academy, and Andrew Orpik (brother of Brooks) with the Cape Cod Whalers.

stats on O'Brien: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=312015

Maybe someone they are targeting if they can get a late 1st or early 2nd round pick? Kid is committed to the Providence Friars (Jankowski's and Gillies' college team)


Also of interest:

5. During the season, there were rumours of Ryan O’Reilly being available. I asked around, and was told unlikely, because centres are hard to find. They also saw him as protection for Jack Eichel, and eventually, Casey Mittelstadt.

Now, I wonder if the rumours kick up again. I don’t think he intended to make as much news as he did with his “losing his love for the game” comments, but the Sabres know their mix isn’t working and needs change. O’Reilly has value.

12. Carolina drafted WHL Spokane centre Hudson Elynuik 74th in 2016. After 86 points in 71 games during the regular season, he had seven points in the playoffs before the Chiefs were eliminated by Portland in a decisive first-round Game 7. He’s a big boy, bigger than his father, Pat, who went eighth overall in 1986. (He played 506 NHL games for Winnipeg, Washington, Tampa Bay and Ottawa.) There is word he will not sign with the Hurricanes and is going back into the draft. Deadline is June 1.

Elynulk is a 6'5'' center who is originally from Calgary, just saying


Also talks about some coaching/GM rumblings, but that is with other NHL teams and not the Flames.

[dissentowner]

I would rather we didn't draft any more college players unless it is in the later rounds. Too risky with the way it is set up for them to go UFA.

[GioforPM]

Have the Sabres given up on Reinhart as a centre, I wonder? In any event, ROR doesn't really match their window. They have some really good building blocks but not enough yet. ROR is 27 and expensive at $7.5M. Eichel is making $10M starting next year, and Reinhart is an RFA to be negotiated. Let's say their window is 4 years from now. Does it make sense to trade ROR now for some prospects?

Of they need someone to "protect" Eichel and Mittelstadt, does a trade involving Backlund make sense? Less money, good defensively and can contribute offensively, good team guy. Maybe add Brodie and try and get something else out of Buffalo to even out the deal.

[savardandjokinen]

If the flames get a pick in the last 1st I hope they draft a guy who’s playing in Europe. I’ve been noticing in the past few years that players who are teens playing with adults has helped their development. Look at Eeli Tolvanen, William Nylander, David Pastrnak, etc etc

[442scotty]

[QUOTE=sureLoss;6651121]https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...rds-race-ever/

This week Friedman goes over his award ballot.


Only Flames related item:







Elynulk is a 6'5'' center who is originally from Calgary, just saying





Can the flames trade Carolina a 7th round pick for his rights and sign him or does he have to go back into the draft?

[sureLoss]

^ Yes the Flames can acquire his draft rights, but if he is still unsigned as of June 1st, he will go back to the 2018 draft.

If no one selects him in the 2018 draft, he will be UFA.

[SportsJunky]

5. During the season, there were rumours of Ryan O’Reilly being available. I asked around, and was told unlikely, because centres are hard to find. They also saw him as protection for Jack Eichel, and eventually, Casey Mittelstadt.

Now, I wonder if the rumours kick up again. I don’t think he intended to make as much news as he did with his “losing his love for the game” comments, but the Sabres know their mix isn’t working and needs change. O’Reilly has value.

NHL Radio had the Sabres local beat writer on yesterday. He said there are realistically only two players who he could see being traded this summer. Ristolainen and ROR. He says he’s never heard a player publicly say what ROR said and that Buffalo may not want to keep him now.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

NHL Radio had the Sabres local beat writer on yesterday. He said there are realistically only two players who he could see being traded this summer. Ristolainen and ROR. He says he’s never heard a player publicly say what ROR said and that Buffalo may not want to keep him now.

Who cares what he says publicly, the real question is how he performs on the ice. I haven't watched any Buffalo games this year but if he is still the aggressive two way player on the ice that I remember him being, why would they trade him for showing frustration in the media. He is a world class player who they paid a premium for. Maybe the problem isn't with the player who said something but the others in the dressing room who have been playing for a losing team for the past 5 years.

Personally I think that this is in part the attitude from Evander Kane who has losing teams as being part of his trademark.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I would rather we didn't draft any more college players unless it is in the later rounds. Too risky with the way it is set up for them to go UFA.

I’m more concerned about the CP nervous breakdown over whether these guys will sign.

[Lil Pedro]

I can’t see the Sabres moving ROR, but maybe Okposo? Would slot in well on that top line RW

[Ashasx]

Tyler @akaRCN
#31ThoughtsPod Friedman says Treliving is wrestling with a decision on Gulutzan & whether its fair to put the blame GG's way; wonders if Bill Peters lands in CGY *IF* they do move on.

Carolina Hurricanes:
54.48 CF% - #1
PDO of 97.9 - #30
SV% 90.88 - #30
SH% 7.03 - #28

Glen Gulutzan 2.0?

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

I can’t see the Sabres moving ROR, but maybe Okposo? Would slot in well on that top line RW

Okposo has a NMC

[getbak]

12. Carolina drafted WHL Spokane centre Hudson Elynuik 74th in 2016. After 86 points in 71 games during the regular season, he had seven points in the playoffs before the Chiefs were eliminated by Portland in a decisive first-round Game 7. He’s a big boy, bigger than his father, Pat, who went eighth overall in 1986. (He played 506 NHL games for Winnipeg, Washington, Tampa Bay and Ottawa.) There is word he will not sign with the Hurricanes and is going back into the draft. Deadline is June 1.

That's the second junior player within the last few weeks rumoured to not be signing with the team that drafted him (Adam Mascherin was the other).

I guess this means that everyone who wants teams to avoid drafting college players will now want them to stop drafting junior players too.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Okposo has a NMC

And I don't want him, so there's that.

Going back to Friedman - Why would the Sabres trade Risto?

[dammage79]

Hasn't Okposo been a worse signing than Brouwer? Health issue aside. He hasn't lived up to his 6m cap hit.