Friedman's 31 thoughts - Dec 11

[sureLoss]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...tawa-senators/

Flames related:

3. With Kris Versteeg out a long time, Calgary may look for a power-play specialist and someone who brings edge to their game. They feel a little “too nice,” outside of Travis Hamonic, Micheal Ferland, Mike Smith and Matthew Tkachuk. I could see the Flames part of a growing group eying Buffalo’s Evander Kane.

14. Obviously, Buffalo has rental options with Kane and Benoit Pouliot. Kane will be highly coveted, and potential pursuers say the Sabres are looking at the 2016 Andrew Ladd and 2017 Martin Hanzal trades as comparables. Ladd went from Winnipeg to Chicago for Marco Dano, a first-round selection and a conditional pick. Hanzal’s move from Arizona to Minnesota (with Ryan White) was for a first, a second and a fourth. The Sabres feel Kane is an even better option, so they will aim higher. Buffalo fans are hoping the winger brings back a stud defender, but it’s hard to see that for a rental.

4. Loved Tkachuk’s response to his one-game suspension, coming back as an absolute force against Vancouver. Chris Johnston reported that Ray Whitney from the Department of Player Safety is expected to meet with Tkachuk to explain the problems, and once he figures out whistle-to-whistle, he’s going to be an even bigger force. There’s a lot to like about the way he approaches the game. He watches a lot of hockey, and is often one of the first guys at the rink on both game and non-game days.

He added that its not unusual for him to show up at 3:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. He takes it seriously. Last week’s suspension (one game for poking Matt Martin from the bench) came because the league is still raw from having to suspend Luke Witkowski 10 games when Tkachuk jabbed at him. The NHL didn’t want to do that, but it was black-letter law. Witkowski was forced to pay a heavy financial price.

18. The bigger debate between the NHL and the NHLPA might actually turn out to be sports science. Many teams use some form of tracking for this department. Calgary, Philadelphia and Toronto are among those who use Catapult. I follow that company on Twitter, and its work is very interesting. However, there are a couple of teams that don’t use it because they are concerned about inconsistencies when the radio technology is indoors. (Catapult built its reputation with Australian Rules Football and rugby, which are played outdoors.)

Others use Kinexon. There is a lot of terrific stuff that can be accomplished: including scheduling proper rest days and better understanding of injuries. The NHLPA has long worried that this will be used against players. For example, if player X is up for a contract extension, does his GM look at the data and say, “His knee is down to 75 per cent strength compared to last season. Do we really want to do this?” Over texts with a few players, there is a sense they trust some teams more than others. Pittsburgh scored well. (I know you will ask, but they weren’t comfortable sharing which teams don’t.)

Second, who owns the data? For example, I mentioned above that the NFL uses a company called Zebra. Earlier this year, the NFL Players’ Association cut its own deal, with a wearable-device manufacturer known as WHOOP. The league does not allow them to be worn during games, although it has been reported some sneak them in under wristbands. The NBA banned similar devices during games in 2016. MLB does allow it.

With that agreement, the players can sell their own data — to make video games more realistic, for example. No doubt the league would want this as part of Hockey Related Revenue. Will the players disagree, saying, “Our bodies, our call?”

20. You can remove Carolina from that list. Tom Dundon’s purchase comes with the normal seven-year commitment to keep the team in its current location and commissioner Gary Bettman fights hard for this market.

If Arizona can’t sort out its arena situation, Houston has to be the place — to maintain the east/west balance. There are non-stop rumours about Ottawa, but those are met with firm denials. Calgary owner Murray Edwards isn’t thrilled with his current situation, but said at the board of governors meeting that the team is not for sale.

The Islanders unveiled their vision for Belmont Park at a public meeting on Sunday, and wisely won’t consider any other scenario. (The Oak View Group, which won approval to redevelop Seattle’s Key Arena, is the driving force behind this plan, too.)

Until those organizations finalize their futures, the hopefuls watch with interest. And, there is always worry about Florida. Whatever happens, the NHL has three very legitimate options for expansion/relocation. It’s been a long time since we could say that. There may not be an overwhelming desire to re-draw the map, but, if necessary, there is the ability to do it.

[sureLoss]

Also of note:

16. NCAA Princeton Tigers has three free agent players teams are scouting. The one with the highest ceiling is Ottawa’s Maximilian Veronneau, a forward who has 19 points in 14 games this season. There’s another forward, Eric Robinson, and a defenceman, Calgary’s Josh Teves. The Tigers recently sent a note asking NHL clubs to limit their interactions with these players to certain games, times and practises.

Guess it was getting out of hand.

Guess who attended Flames development camp in July 2017? Teves and Veronneau... Free agent signings this Spring? Could be.

[Toonage]

Still don't see how Kane could end up in Calgary. If it hinges on a 1st, I doubt the Flames give up their 2018 1R even if they can re-sign Kane. If its dependent on a 1st this year and a prospect or a high end roster player I'm also not sure how that gets done. Unless the Flames are willing to pull the plug on their top 4 D and move one of Hamilton or Brodie.

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Still don't see how Kane could end up in Calgary. If it hinges on a 1st, I doubt the Flames give up their 2018 1R even if they can re-sign Kane. If its dependent on a 1st this year and a prospect or a high end roster player I'm also not sure this gets done. Unless the Flames are willing to pull the plug on their top 4 D and move one of Hamilton or Brodie.

You would think if the Flames have to give up one of their d-men who are under contract for the next two years, then Buffalo would have to give Kane + _____ because he is a UFA no? Maybe a conditional pick on our end dependent on if he re-signs

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by colbym72

You would think if the Flames have to give up one of their d-men who are under contract for the next two years, then Buffalo would have to give Kane + _____ because he is a UFA no? Maybe a conditional pick on our end dependent on if he re-signs

Yes, if that were the case it could be Kane and likely a defenseman to offset the loss but I doubt anything more than that. Buffalo isn't going to pay to move Kane.

[Parallex]

Last week’s suspension (one game for poking Matt Martin from the bench) came because the league is still raw from having to suspend Luke Witkowski 10 games when Tkachuk jabbed at him. The NHL didn’t want to do that, but it was black-letter law. Witkowski was forced to pay a heavy financial price.

How ####ing bush league!

The NHL suspended him out of spite? Due to the horror of *GASP* having to enforce their own rules?

... what a pathetic joke.

[Slanter]

Originally Posted by Parallex

The NHL suspended him out of spite? Due to the horror of *GASP* having to enforce their own rules?

I agree, that does not come across well. I guess we just have to keep in mind that Elliotte is not a spokesperson for the league, so we gotta take it with a grain of salt. Who knows where he got that information, and how it filtered into his column. But if it's true, it does not look good on the league.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Still don't see how Kane could end up in Calgary. If it hinges on a 1st, I doubt the Flames give up their 2018 1R even if they can re-sign Kane. If its dependent on a 1st this year and a prospect or a high end roster player I'm also not sure how that gets done. Unless the Flames are willing to pull the plug on their top 4 D and move one of Hamilton or Brodie.

Kane is not going to return anyone of the calibre of the Flames top 4 D. I think they are interested in players for the future. A guy that would work perfectly for them from us would be Rasmus Andersson, NHL ready but no room for him on the Flames due to him being a RHD that projects to be a top 4D man. Obviously we add a bit more but I can see something like Andersson+Klimchuk+ a project like Hunter Smith getting it done. Of course the problem then becomes where do we get the money to re-sign him or is he a pure rental and if so is it worth it to pay that price? If we can re-sign him I would be ok with it, if he is simply a rental forget it.

[GirlySports]

since the article is mainly about Karlsson, what would you guys give up for him?

Bennett?
Parsons?
Dube?
Valimaki?
More picks?

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

since the article is mainly about Karlsson, what would you guys give up for him?

Bennett?
Parsons?
Dube?
Valimaki?
More picks?

Gio and more

[Samonadreau]

Listening to tsn 1260 this morning and they tried to draw a parallel between Tkachuk and Raffi Torres. Lol Ya... ok. Color me a homer I guess if I can't seem to draw that same parallel.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

since the article is mainly about Karlsson, what would you guys give up for him?

Bennett?
Parsons?
Dube?
Valimaki?
More picks?

Nothing. Seriously what it would cost would be folly to do to address the strongest part of our current group.

[dammage79]

Honestly, I wouldn't trade for Karlsson. The dude is gonna get paid. Let someone else grab him.

[Harry Lime]

Erik Karlsson is under contract until next year, and then is going to want to be paid big, until he is 38 years old. I don't know if he will age as well as Gio has, and for about 3M more a year, I would be wary.

I don't know if I would go near Ottawa at all.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Listening to tsn 1260 this morning and they tried to draw a parallel between Tkachuk and Raffi Torres. Lol Ya... ok. Color me a homer I guess if I can't seem to draw that same parallel.

Tkachuk has a high hockey IQ, has a ton of skill and never tried to injure anyone. Torres was an idiot who either tried to injure players or didn't care if he did.

I've thought about this and I can't draw a great parallel between any past agitators and Tkachuk.

[sa226]

I'm going to need some clarification on how the league is still "raw" that they had to suspend Witkowski. Did they just not like having to suspend him the 10 games?

The guy was running around like an idiot. How about Mantha pounding Hamonic off the ice? I bet theres a few that are raw about that.

I would like to believe the league aren't intentional morons with things like this, so I'm trying to find some silver lining "in the spirit of" sort of perspective with their actions. I'm having a hard time.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Still don't see how Kane could end up in Calgary. If it hinges on a 1st, I doubt the Flames give up their 2018 1R even if they can re-sign Kane. If its dependent on a 1st this year and a prospect or a high end roster player I'm also not sure how that gets done. Unless the Flames are willing to pull the plug on their top 4 D and move one of Hamilton or Brodie.

Flames do not have a 2018 1st round pick.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Flames do not have a 2018 1st round pick.

My mistake, that should have been 2019. I'm a year behind I guess!

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Listening to tsn 1260 this morning and they tried to draw a parallel between Tkachuk and Raffi Torres. Lol Ya... ok. Color me a homer I guess if I can't seem to draw that same parallel.

Does tkachuk throw a ton of dirty/questionable hits?? There's the one elbow on doughty he got suspended for, but i just don't think he is out there laying out boarding calls, cross checks or checks to the head, etc, often enough to get remotely close to be mentioned in the same category as torres/cooke. Ryan Kesler is the best example of this in my mind. Always doing these little annoying things, that most of the time go unnoticed, hence, uncalled. Tkachuk is just a kid who has to figure out what that fine line is, which is a line kesler has damn near perfected over his career.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

since the article is mainly about Karlsson, what would you guys give up for him?

Bennett?
Parsons?
Dube?
Valimaki?
More picks?

I haven't been following Ottawa. I thought the started the year strong, and they seem to be in a complete free fall. What is going on there?