[Rumour] Friedman: Hanifin headed to market; Markstrom waiting

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Fans care about the stuff pundits like Seravalli say. But it has zero impact on the deals that NHL management teams make.

I really doubt that’s true.

Information is either good information or bad information. Just because it comes from a pundit, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be bad information, because good information likely comes from good relationships and nobody knows the quality of a pundit’s’ relationship to a team and what they’re hearing.

If a GM just discarded all information as bad info because it comes from a pundit, that’s not very smart. Rather, a GM should approach with skepticism and then work to understand how factual some information is. In negotiations, what’s laid out publicly from different sources ALL matters. To what degree is certainly debatable, but it’s not that it’s gauranteed to not matter at all.

Fact is, sometimes pundits actually are right.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I really doubt that’s true.

Information is either good information or bad information. Just because it comes from a pundit, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be bad information, because good information likely comes from good relationships and nobody knows the quality of a pundit’s’ relationship to a team and what they’re hearing.

If a GM just discarded all information as bad info because it comes from a pundit, that’s not very smart. Rather, a GM should approach with skepticism and then work to understand how factual some information is. In negotiations, what’s laid out publicly from different sources ALL matters. To what degree is certainly debatable, but it’s not that it’s gauranteed to not matter at all.

Fact is, sometimes pundits actually are right.

GM's know pundits like Seravalli are doing the little subtle dirty work the agents want but wont do themselves.

[AndyM]

He's TMZ Frank for a reason. Remember, Dube and Hart's absences aren't related.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Honest question: Is he truly a pundit/analyst/insider or a shock jock whose sole focus is driving traffic to his website?

I don't recall him being asked on any of the SiriusXM NHL Network shows, and can't say the last time I've seen him on TV since he moved to DFO. (I moved to the US, he definitely hasn't been on ESPN/TNT.)

It is conceivable that it's his choice, but I find that hard to believe.

He’s both. He clearly has sources (probably agents) who leak information to him. And then he froths that info up with his own opinions to generate content.

You know who else has sources who know what’s going on behind-the-scenes in the league? NHL management teams. They know what’s what better than any member of the media or any fan.

Rumours and speculation gets fans in a lather because we love evaluating and debating trades. There’s a whole traditional media and social media ecosystem around it (including forums like CP). But whether pundits or fans think a player is worth a 1st, two 1sts, or a 2nd, or they want to play here or there, is irrelevant to NHL team valuations and decisions. Nothing the media says to drive clicks or fans speculate about has any impact on the trade deals worked out by NHL GMs.

So no, Seravelli is not driving down the value of Hanifin. Why would an NHL team that has dozens of connections and personal relationships around the league, and mountains of data compiled by experts to establish the value of players, care what a rumour peddler who has a handful of sources says?

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

So I just checked in and from my source Noah Hanifin has not indicated to anyone he will only sign in TB. Noise is he wants to see what is available to him come free agency but I have no idea where in the hell FS got this info from. It does kind of piss me off because if he is putting that out there I would hope GM's would do their homework and ask Conroy and not worry about what he is saying. It also bothers me because personally I have respect for Frank Seravalli but he seems to be trying to downplay our assets for some reason publically. I don't know what his end goal is in that regard or if he is just getting fed info from someone trying to hurt our market but I am not buying what he is currently selling.

This strikes me as something coming from another GM in the market to acquire Hanifin trying to drive down the price.

Frank: "Are you in on the Hanifin deal?"
Sweeney (or whoever): "Nah, he only wants to go to Tampa"

[Toonage]

I agree with Diss. Not to go all tin foil hat here but it does feel like Frank is downplaying Flames assets. Maybe he's just trying to drive clicks by using his Flames radio / podcast appearances to fearmonger?

[Paulie Walnuts]

What does Fitzgerald do? Guy seems like he’s sleeping his life away.

Naps are life.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

What does Fitzgerald do? Guy seems like he’s sleeping his life away.

Naps are life.

Sleeping is giving in, so lift those heavy eyelids.

[Ashes]

Agreed on the Frank Serevalli BS, he also went on to downplay Hanifin's deadline value a bit because in his opinion Hanifin is a "pure rental" since he wants to be in Tampa Bay when he hits UFA this summer.

Compare this to how he's been saying for the past week+ that the perfect trade comp for Hanifin is the Hampus Lindholm deal and it just comes across to me as a guy spinning a new story to get people talking.

I don't know if it's just that he's an Oiler simp and enjoys trolling the Flames though, I think it's probably just him securing more radio hits and seeding discourse since we're still 2 weeks from the deadline and the news cycle is slow on trades right now.

Can't wait for Craig to knock this trade out of the park and then we will hear the "see! told you, Hampus Lindholm type return was always going to happen".

[Badgers Nose]

No player or agent is going to allude to only signing with one team. It hurts them later in the FA market too. Frank is full of ####.

We all know the official line is ‘Noah will consider every offer and is open to signing the right extension, even in Calgary.’

I especially like how he complains about all the rumours and can’t wait until March 9. Really? That’s the only reason anyone wants to look at his stupid face.

And Francis, ‘I hate this time of year and don’t like to rumour monger’ then proceeds to rumour monger. He really is as stupid as people claim.

These idiots are frustrated because Conroy has built a wall of silence. Pundits are getting crumbs from way outside the org and that bothers them. So they are creating negative stories to get views.

[442scotty]

I would think gms know who is willing to go where and can see through the noise.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I especially like how he complains about all the rumours and can’t wait until March 9. Really? That’s the only reason anyone wants to look at his stupid face.

This is such a good point. His job is basically all rumor based and deadline day / this time of year is his Christmas. People seek him out specifically for this type of thing.

[united]

In addition to basically being affiliated with the Oilers at this point, Seravalli is also very tight with Treliving so no doubt holds resentment toward the Flames for how that situation played out. Seravalli (or when not him, Lebrun) nailed the majority of the Flames' moves when Treliving was GM, but Frank has basically struck out since. Seravalli was strangely vocal in support of Treliving in the aftermath, relative to what you would expect from a media member, but I understand why given their relationship - same thing with LeBrun dedicating multiple articles to the same cause. Plus the huge anti-Sutter agenda throughout the past couple years as pointed out by many already.

First to report the Flames wouldn't let Treliving negotiate with other teams? Frank.
First to report the Flames reconsidered that decision? Frank.
First to report Treliving couldn't be involved in the draft until the Flames' first-round pick? Frank.
First to report Ward out, Sutter in? Frank.

Frank's Flames insider days are done but I wouldn't be surprised to see him as prime agent for negative propaganda of any Flames players the Maple Leafs are targeting over the next few weeks here.

[Stillman16]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

This strikes me as something coming from another GM in the market to acquire Hanifin trying to drive down the price.

Frank: "Are you in on the Hanifin deal?"
Sweeney (or whoever): "Nah, he only wants to go to Tampa"

This was my thought as well!

Another angle, it could be another GM in damage control mode. As in a GM of a team, that has a fan base clamouring for Hanifin, but he either is unwilling to pay the price, doesn’t have the assets to acquire Hanifin, or knows he won’t land him.

Putting this misinformation out, could temper his fan base’s expectations, and keep him from taking heat from missing out, using the excuse of the rumoured unwillingness to sign anywhere else.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Toonage

This is such a good point. His job is basically all rumor based and deadline day / this time of year is his Christmas. People seek him out specifically for this type of thing.

The fact that he "can't wait until March 9" probably tells you that he's not getting a ton in the way of good scoops. It's probably much like a hockey player on a bad team can't wait until the end of the season.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

What does Fitzgerald do? Guy seems like he’s sleeping his life away.

Naps are life.

Fitzgerald never gives up on his dreams so he keeps sleeping.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Does anyone actually believes that Hanifin is going to stick it to the Flames. Or his agent who is one of the most powerful agents would clip the Flames feet like this? He seems to be a person who works well with a GM to accommodate trades and deals, I don't think he is looking to sour his relationship with the Flames.

Frank is looking for clips. DFO sucks. He jumps on 20 podcasts a day so his he can have his name out there.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Does anyone actually believes that Hanifin is going to stick it to the Flames. Or his agent who is one of the most powerful agents would clip the Flames feet like this? He seems to be a person who works well with a GM to accommodate trades and deals, I don't think he is looking to sour his relationship with the Flames.

Frank is looking for clips. DFO sucks. He jumps on 20 podcasts a day so his he can have his name out there.

Frank is one of the most tight lipped insiders out there. Of course Hanifin is going to look out for Hanifin. This is why his camp hasn't given a firm answer on extending until now.

If he has no inclination or desire to move this year, he's going to do everything he can to limit the options beyond his 8 team no trade list.

[Yeah_Baby]

Man, some folks really have strong opinions on folks they've never met.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Man, some folks really have strong opinions on folks they've never met.

Don’t take things personally Frank