Say UPL is 4x4, if Levi really takes over afterwards and looks like the clear cut starter by year's end...are you okay paying $10-11M for goaltending long term? Or do you mean you'd sign them, then move one when things get tight?
- QuinnFan

This guy has had 2 good months and we're throwing out a 4x4?

When Lindy ruff gets fired from Nj and we hire him back, peca will follow him back to Buffalo
- Boss34

I am quite confident that he is enjoying his time with the Rangers as they are an actual NHL team versus an Owner's Fantasy Team.

Taylor had rochester playing really well, and got canned for Appert

my guess is Ralph did not like looking over his shoulder and seeing Taylor doing well in rochester
- homiedclown

There's a reason Donnie has the assistants he has on his staff...

With the addition of their Proprietary Analytics system developed by Ventura, I would have thought they would be able to highlight scenarios like you pointed out with the Bruins/Cliffy.

So WTF is that team doing? Why, for example isn't Ventura banging the sh!t out the the table with objections to Donnie's player usage/line combinations.
- IonSabres

How do you know that Ventura hasn't been putting his head through a wall almost daily with the decisions of the head coach and the GM?

Just assuming he agrees with all of it?

How do you know that Ventura hasn't been putting his head through a wall almost daily with the decisions of the head coach and the GM?

Just assuming he agrees with all of it?
- kingcong39

Not many analytics jobs in the NHL. There's a limit to how hard he's going to push and it seems clear he's not going to win anything over Donnie.

well, i can tell you for certain that guess is wrong.
- TheSabresTaco

https://www.hockeydb.com/...ats/pdisplay.php?pid=5316

yeah his prospects sucked and he had a .630 win percentage over those last 2 years


https://www.hockeydb.com/...ats/pdisplay.php?pid=5316


time to put your poms poms in the closet

This guy has had 2 good months and we're throwing out a 4x4?
- TheSabresTaco

trade him for a 6th

Not many analytics jobs in the NHL. There's a limit to how hard he's going to push and it seems clear he's not going to win anything over Donnie.
- Lunaion

In any job, you're not going to keep pushing until you begin burning bridges.

Rogue combatants do not have a long shelf life in the employment world.

With the addition of their Proprietary Analytics system developed by Ventura, I would have thought they would be able to highlight scenarios like you pointed out with the Bruins/Cliffy.

So WTF is that team doing? Why, for example isn't Ventura banging the sh!t out the the table with objections to Donnie's player usage/line combinations.
- IonSabres

That is the question we are all asking each other on HB. It seems there is no accountability or checks and balances within the organization. It’s like “The boss is away, so the kids will play “…. What kind of successful company installs the system where no one is held to a high standard and lives up to their responsibilities. This is an epic failure from Pegula all the way down to the lowest level. Failure has become the norm and it probably won’t change anytime soon

How do you know that Ventura hasn't been putting his head through a wall almost daily with the decisions of the head coach and the GM?

Just assuming he agrees with all of it?
- kingcong39

Hi Kevin, Thanks for taking time out of you day to speak with me. After much reflection and consideration that the Hockey Operations organization here doesn't believe in the inputs of the Strategy and Operations department as evidenced by Donnie's lineup and public comments, as well as You the GM in acquiring the players you have, I am now giving you Resignation Letter.
Thank you for the opportunity, I really believe I could have had a major hand in advancing the success of the Franchise.
Good luck and Best Wishes.

That is the question we are all asking each other on HB. It seems there is no accountability or checks and balances within the organization. It’s like “The boss is away, so the kids will play “…. What kind of successful company installs the system where no one is held to a high standard and lives up to their responsibilities. This is an epic failure from Pegula all the way down to the lowest level. Failure has become the norm and it probably won’t change anytime soon
- Cory1

I can't speak for the current core, but when disco sucks dan was the head coach, the younger core did not like the extra work they were doing in practices and when ralph was the coach, the work load was much easier and the younger core enjoyed that

I'd let things play out next year, before giving UPL term. Seems unnecessary to make that commitment now. If they think Levi is ready for the NHL, let them battle for time.
- Lunaion

If UPL gets the 1 year and repeats, doesn't that drive up his price significantly? I love the idea of them battling over the starting position, just not so sure we want to wait on UPL any longer tbh.

Get ready for a Mitts to Colorado trade.

He was serviceable. Nothing more. With their season on the line- he wasn’t playing
- Cory1

Lindholm-McAvoy-Orlov that’s three top pairing caliber d-men right there.

Grezlyk (upon until this year) was always a solid top 4 guy.

That’s without bringing up Brandon Carlo.

That’s a tough d-corps to crack, not like he was sitting for scrubs

Keep both till you cant anymore.

I see a 50-32 split next year ATM. Could be closer depending on goalie play.

UPL shouldn't cost much at 3-4 years term. Gives you quite a bit till you have to worry about to much money at the goalie position.
- DirtyDan

Yeah exactly. UPL/Levi are your tandem for the next little a while and hopefully can be the next Ullmark/Swayman

If UPL gets the 1 year and repeats, doesn't that drive up his price significantly? I love the idea of them battling over the starting position, just not so sure we want to wait on UPL any longer tbh.
- QuinnFan

A bit, sure. You still have team control.

Can't be in constant fear of guys playing well and upping their cost and you can't give everyone a long term deal.

Isn't there a fair chance Levi is #1 by the end of next year?

Hi Kevin, Thanks for taking time out of you day to speak with me. After much reflection and consideration that the Hockey Operations organization here doesn't believe in the inputs of the Strategy and Operations department as evidenced by Donnie's lineup and public comments, as well as You the GM in acquiring the players you have, I am now giving you Resignation Letter.
Thank you for the opportunity, I really believe I could have had a major hand in advancing the success of the Franchise.
Good luck and Best Wishes.
- IonSabres

Wonder how long a of contract he has with them.

Get ready for a Mitts to Colorado trade.
- QuinnFan

E5?

With the addition of their Proprietary Analytics system developed by Ventura, I would have thought they would be able to highlight scenarios like you pointed out with the Bruins/Cliffy.

So WTF is that team doing? Why, for example isn't Ventura banging the sh!t out the the table with objections to Donnie's player usage/line combinations.
- IonSabres

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Can show someone the data, but emotions will always dictate logic.

Donnie obviously feels the way he does about certain things and that’s that. Has a comfort riding the veterans and sitting youth but for the most part has been the wrong move.

Brought in E Johnson for “intangibles” I would imagine but the on ice results stink. But public data models showed that prior to the signing

A bit, sure. You still have team control.

Can't be in constant fear of guys playing well and upping their cost and you can't give everyone a long term deal.

Isn't there a fair chance Levi is #1 by the end of next year?
- Lunaion

Most Goalies are voodoo, many young goalies are voodoo on acid... Just depends on the music as to what you'll get.

A bit, sure. You still have team control.

Can't be in constant fear of guys playing well and upping their cost and you can't give everyone a long term deal.

Isn't there a fair chance Levi is #1 by the end of next year?
- Lunaion

Good point and sure is. I'd be shocked if he doesn't surpass UPL at some point, he's just got more god given talent.

On the flip side of the coin, if you give UPL his 1 year, then Levi explodes, do you dangle UPL as trade bait?

Good point and sure is. I'd be shocked if he doesn't surpass UPL at some point, he's just got more god given talent.

On the flip side of the coin, if you give UPL his 1 year, then Levi explodes, do you dangle UPL as trade bait?
- QuinnFan

keep them both

nothing in the pipeline ready for at least 4 years and goalies usually do not fetch much in a trade

and levi was the one picked in the 7th round, not 6k

E5?
- Hank Balling

Not that high, E3 or so.

Heard they're going to go hard for him or Guentzel. We're scouting the Avs again, and read that'll be 8 of their last 11 games we've had representation at. Something is brewing and we wouldn't be scouting long if it was Johnson headed back home.

Not that high, E3 or so.

Heard they're going to go hard for him or Guentzel. We're scouting the Avs again, and read that'll be 8 of their last 11 games we've had representation at. Something is brewing and we wouldn't be scouting long if it was Johnson headed back home.
- QuinnFan

what do you think they saw in the 8th game that they did not see in the previous 7 games and countless hours of tape?

keep them both

nothing in the pipeline ready for at least 4 years and goalies usually do not fetch much in a trade

and levi was the one picked in the 7th round, not 6k
- homiedclown

Fair, but I think Levi slid a bit due to size. Scouts overlook goalies with talent if they aren't 6'2 or larger. Saros is a good example, his Liiga numbers should've made him more intriguing but fell to the 4th round because he's a midgey.