TRADE DEADLINE BONANZA 2017!

I don't think anyone here was suggesting that Ryan isn't the weakest link in the top-six (although, personally, I still think he is a better fit in the top-six that Dzingel, despite his lackluster offensive stats -- big body, great passer, wish he would shoot more).  The issue is one of decreasing production.  Duchene is no-longer a 60-point player just like Ryan is no-longer a 30+ goal scorer.  In Ryan's case you can argue that injuries have taken their toll (his last year in Anaheim he battled a stomach virus in the summer, dropped something like 20 lbs; first season in Ottawa he was doing great then dropped off around the middle/end of November, ended up having a sports hernia surgery in the off-season; last two years it's been broken fingers).  Impossible to tell if he is brittle or needs better conditioning or better equipment -- probably a combination of all three.  I'd like to think that Ryan isn't finished yet, although I don't think he will ever live up to that contract.

So, even though I am still somewhat optimistic that Ryan can put all those injuries behind him and get back to being a productive forward, I'd have to say that, if he was playing for another team, I would not want him here at that cap hit.

Similarly with Duchene.  He is not a big guy and that body has taken a lot of abuse.  551 games is a lot.  Do you feel confident that he could get back to scoring 30+ goals?  Especially playing in the East which has become tougher.  Because, let's face it, he will still want to get paid like a 40-goal scorer.

All that said, I'd definitely prefer Duchene at $6M versus Ryan at $7.25M, but it's not like we are getting this as a choice.  It's more like Duchene at $6M, plus Ryan's buyout or retained salary, plus losing Ceci or White and a 1st rounder and someone else.

Duchene, by himself, at $6M -- perhaps worth the cost of Ceci+White+1st (too much IMO, but could be what the market will bear). But then you add in the cost of moving Ryan.

Bttp

What does BTTP mean?

If this thread is circulating again, can we talk about how terrible Alex Burrows has been this playoff? And two more years of him? No thanks! We got hosed on the Dhalen trade.

I wouldn't say Burrows has been terrible...he seems to play solid defense, but he's not helping generate too much offensively.

tim1_2 wrote:I wouldn't say Burrows has been terrible...he seems to play solid defense, but he's not helping generate too much offensively.  

We got him to be a difference maker. He's done nothing to suggest that whatsoever. No goals, no nastiness, barely hitting... making zero difference

We brought him in to be an agitator and get under the skin of the other team. He definitely hasn't done that. I think we can call that a difference maker but, I don't think he was brought in to be a goal scorer exactly.

tim1_2 wrote:What does BTTP mean?

Back to the point?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:We brought him in to be an agitator and get under the skin of the other team.  He definitely hasn't done that.  I think we can call that a difference maker but, I don't think he was brought in to be a goal scorer exactly.

Yes. He has not done what we brought him here to do. I was a big fan of Burrows, the way played in Vancouver in previous playoffs. He hasn't been close to that. I suspect he's injured, but all you see now is a guy that is a shadow of his former self. Haven't seen him doing any of what he was brought here to do. I didn't mind losing Dahlen because we don't have any idea where he will be, NHL-wise, and we don't really have room. The 2-year extension is not something I was comfortable with at all, but then someone mentioned that he would be here mentoring White (et al) on his style of play. Given how it's gone in the playoffs, I no-longer have high hopes for this mentorship. Again, he looks like he is playing injured, so I hope that's that.

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:If this thread is circulating again, can we talk about how terrible Alex Burrows has been this playoff? And two more years of him? No thanks! We got hosed on the Dhalen trade.

Useless.   I'm very disappointed.  Stalberg has been much better and we used a 2nd rounder to get burrows.

Hopefully he does something soon.

Dahlen is anothing prospect. I do that Burrows trade every day. He has come up big in some games, other games not, but that's expected of a third liner.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:We brought him in to be an agitator and get under the skin of the other team.  He definitely hasn't done that.  I think we can call that a difference maker but, I don't think he was brought in to be a goal scorer exactly.

no they didn't. He specifically said he doesn't really play that way any more.

He was brought in to be a third liner who can play in top six when needed and provide energy and smart play. His pass the other day led directly to the winning goal by Pageau in OT.

Just a couple days before they got him didn't he get into it with Lehner? Can't say he doesn't do that anymore.

Currently there's a ton of guys we can "blame", including Burrows. Hoffman, Brassard, Dzingel, Wingels, Smith, Pyatt, etc....we need some goals. Nice to not have Bobby on that list for once.

Bobby hasn't really done much since the Boston series. One assist in 4 games, 3 shots on goal total in the two losses. Brassard has 1 shot in each of the two losses. He had 17 in the Boston series (including no shots in the 1-0 win, in which he got the assist).

from where i sit i just feel we are being outmatched by the opposition. its not necessarily one guy i'd single out but just that they are able to play past our system. i feared this could happen in the playoffs facing the same opponent day in, day out. they adapt to your play and the rangers are a fast team. well coached.

I still think we can win this one but goal-tending will have to be better and offense is going to have to click. are we too injured to make it happen right now? possibly. i feel like half the team is playing on one leg. still, we have to play tougher with them and rough them up and not let them play with the same speed and energy they have.
I think we have to make it a war of attrition for them as well, it sure feels like that's what they've done to us.

When a 6'5" Ben Harpur gets muscled off the puck by 5'7" Mats Zuccarello you can't blame it on size disparity, skill disparity or health disparity.

Should the Sens make an offer for Kovalchuk? I'd imagine he'd fit a LA/Chicago mini-rebuild with top four d-men, skilled forwards, and draft picks being readily available.