Yep, and they had a blue chipper in Gauthier until the kid decided he didn't wanna be a Flyer. And they're going with a rookie goalie and the kid is producing. ... Really nice story in PHI this yr.

Whatya do, Pops. Sell and miss the playoffs for more and better draft picks or keep the thing going, make the playoffs and who knows?...... This club is never an easy out.
- Mr Ricochet

Drysdale is no slouch.

Has to be the surprise of the year. I'd sell what you know you might lose such as free agents and try to make do with what you have. I think this is how the Flames are playing.

Katchouk is gone.

Beauvillier is gone.

Soderblom is gone.

T Johnson is gone.

Raddysh is gone.

Tinordi is gone.

Megna is gone.

Zaitsev is gone.
- DarthKane

The Avs were playing Harlem Globetrotter hockey for the last 7 or so minutes. Most of those players you list were chasing the puck with no structure.

The mild mannered/measured coach with 1,400 NHL games has a doghouse?? ..... Yea man, I don't get it but LR never did seem to dig Katchouk this yr. The team sucks out loud, so it really doesn't matter save for who gets those valuable NHL minutes, but if I wanted to win I have Katchouk and Guttman in the lineup.
- Mr Ricochet

Reading Pope’s post game article, seems there are dark clouds gathering over the good ship lollipop.

Drysdale is no slouch.

Has to be the surprise of the year. I'd sell what you know you might lose such as free agents and try to make do with what you have. I think this is how the Flames are playing.
- Popsghostly

I've never been a big Drysdale guy but hopin I'm wrong...... Laughton might bring a 2nd and Walker maybe a 3rd, as long as they ain't trading with Nill/DAL. Nothing to sneeze at and don't think they are in Philly's plans next yr as they're both UFA's.

Brain says sell and get some picks for the rebuilding/retooling franchise biut the heart says let's keep this thing going.

Reading Pope’s post game article, seems there are dark clouds gathering over the good ship lollipop.
- LAHawk

I'll take a look. Reading Powers' piece on Reichel today it was mentioned how damn hard it is to lose night after night after night. ...... Bedard looked really frustrated, Mrazak too.

Sorry, clearly I'm wrong.
The NHL coaches he had are wrong.
The NHL staff who signed/traded for him in his career are wrong.
The scouts/GM who had him as a top 5 pick were wrong.

Jones is an awful player who somehow plays 25-26 minutes a night in the NHL though the prime of his career. It has nothing to do with the fact we are a bad team. Nothing to do with the fact we have too many forwards that lack skill.

Dmen who can put up 40-60 points over an 82 game season obviously are low IQ offensively and don't know how to make a play or shoot a puck.

I'm done. I'm going back to the real world. Cheers!
- breadbag

Why did two teams who had talent give up on him?

Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bmiEf70o-w

Bedard immediately set himself up to receive the pass right after dropping it to Jones, prior to Jones going over to the glove side to start shooting. That's when the pass had to happen, if it was going to happen. Very similar to a pick and roll in basketball. Kaner is not involved in the play yet, some might call that cherry picking. Almost as if he knew it was about to go down. I can't imagine that wasn't brought up in the film session, that possibility. LR is right not to call out his guys publicly. That belongs behind closed doors.
- 333inthe3rd

Agreed ---- Seth had Dinky dead to rights- stretched out and over extended- the Cat as desperate -and Bedard is over there locked and loaded.... all it takes was getting it there -and Bedard's shot was going to do the rest .... but, Jones didn't.

And yes, that was cherry-picking by Kaner which Kaner knows well ... and to be fair it was literally the only play he had -and it was a good one, nevermind also being effective.

You know what… sometimes it’s painful being right all the time.
- DarthKane

You must be used to it by now.

Why did two teams who had talent give up on him?
- LFS

Nashville had the national debt tied up in defensemen and Seth was due for a new contract.

Jones made clear to CBUS that he was going to test free agency, so rather than lose him for nothing, they traded him and got a haul.

Katchouk is gone.

Beauvillier is gone.

Soderblom is gone.

T Johnson is gone.

Raddysh is gone.

Tinordi is gone.

Megna is gone.

Zaitsev is gone.
- DarthKane

I'm thinking Soda and Raddysh will be back. KD has a lot of dead money off the books so i think we'll see a couple more pros in the fold next year.

I think it's great teams like Philly and Preds are playoff bound but those teams now have to make the hard choice if they go for it stand pat or sell? As painful as this season is i would rather be drafting top 5, i have faith things will start getting better after this season.

I'm thinking Soda and Raddysh will be back. KD has a lot of dead money off the books so i think we'll see a couple more pros in the fold next year.

I think it's great teams like Philly and Preds are playoff bound but those teams now have to make the hard choice if they go for it stand pat or sell? As painful as this season is i would rather be drafting top 5, i have faith things will start getting better after this season.
- BetweenTheDots

If I'm the Preds, unless someone makes some crazy offer for one of my players, I just stand pat. You kind of reward the guys who got you there by not selling off and don't mortgage the future.

If I'm the Preds, unless someone makes some crazy offer for one of my players, I just stand pat. You kind of reward the guys who got you there by not selling off and don't mortgage the future.
- Chunk

I do agree, if your team over achieved i think you reward them by not trading players that helped you get there, that's why I'd be a bad GM. When you look at the Preds system they really have maybe 1 defensive prospect in the system worth any ink and the ones on your roster are basically all over 30 years old.

I do agree, if your team over achieved i think you reward them by not trading players that helped you get there, that's why I'd be a bad GM. When you look at the Preds system they really have maybe 1 defensive prospect in the system worth any ink and the ones on your roster are basically all over 30 years old.
- BetweenTheDots

But they'll be a playoff team this year (and hang another banner)!!

But they'll be a playoff team this year (and hang another banner)!!
- mohel

Participation award

I do agree, if your team over achieved i think you reward them by not trading players that helped you get there, that's why I'd be a bad GM. When you look at the Preds system they really have maybe 1 defensive prospect in the system worth any ink and the ones on your roster are basically all over 30 years old.
- BetweenTheDots

Isn't it too late to sell off and get a top 5 draft choice? Whether they make the playoffs or not, it probably only effects its draft position (of which Nashville has 11 this year so far a first and 3 seconds, 2 firsts next year) a couple of slots at most.

Am I the only one who thinks that Jones didn't have a passing lane to Bedard and did have a wide open slot to take a shot? If he tries to make that pass and it gets picked off by the defenseman standing directly between him and Bedard, he would get rightly crucified for passing up an opportunity to shoot.

I'll die on this hill. The only mistake Jones made on that play was not actually scoring.

Regarding his assists to Bedard, he literally passed to Bedard for their PP goal that went in off of Foligno. Where is this poop coming from? The Hawks aren't scoring many goals at all and people are female doging about HOW they are being scored? FFS.
- Chunk

The issue is both his forwards were down low so when he doesn't score they are f'd.....and again, if he were an above average D men with offensive skills he can slide that pass to Bedard OR to your point...slide it down to Kurashev and he has a 2 on 1 from 2 ft out with Bedard and the D man.

It's really the lack of hockey IQ on Jones that has opened my eyes.

Also, for all the bashing Campbell took here and the old Sassone DH blog.....how many times recently a game do we see Jones forcing zone entries where he's trying to stick handle his way through everyone like a guy in a mens league team skating with his head down constantly.

Is what it is....it's just tough to watch right now...every small mistake this team makes ends up in their net. They also have a lack of confidence which I get from losing non stop where they can't stop the ball from rolling down hill.

I was impressed with Reichel's quotes in the athletic on his demotion to Rockford. I give the kid credit, he has the right mindset on accepting it....easy to pull for and hopefully he can piece it all together and be consistent at the NHL level.

I'm thinking Soda and Raddysh will be back. KD has a lot of dead money off the books so i think we'll see a couple more pros in the fold next year.

I think it's great teams like Philly and Preds are playoff bound but those teams now have to make the hard choice if they go for it stand pat or sell? As painful as this season is i would rather be drafting top 5, i have faith things will start getting better after this season.
- BetweenTheDots

Possibly. If Raddysh is playing hurt then I could see him brought back on a 1 or 2 year deal. Soda's cap hit is minimal, I could see KD spending more on back-up.

What I could see happening is another Baily type of deal to get the buy-out on the books and take on an asset. As you said, the Hawks have a lot of dead money (~$3.3 million) coming off the books next season. I don't see them signing any top end free agents so they'll need to get to the cap floor somehow.

Isn't it too late to sell off and get a top 5 draft choice? Whether they make the playoffs or not, it probably only effects its draft position (of which Nashville has 11 this year so far a first and 3 seconds, 2 firsts next year) a couple of slots at most.
- LAHawk

Yep, to late. Now they draft late, hope that scouting dept knows what they are doing. Took a big chance drafting Wood last year.

In 2 years KD has a generational talent, a kid he drafted 6th in 2022 playing a full season in the NHL, and a top 5 pick coming up. We'll have 3 picks and the Preds for now will only have 1 in the top 35.

What message do you send to your team if you are in a playoff hunt and trade away key players now?

I’ve said this a few times. One fear I have about intentionally losing is, could it instill a culture where losing is acceptable? That’s why it’s so important not to intentionally water down the talent again next season in attempt to get another high draft pick. KFC has to bring in enough talent, or more importantly move the players who don’t belong in the NHL, and begin improving the NHL team and not just target the draft.
- paulr

I also saw a VERY frustrated Bedard last night. 91 has ZERO business skating with him. NOne.

THey need to find him another winger besides Hall, until he breaks down, and Kurashev fills his void......next year. That has to be a top priority because what will happen is 98 will go off the rails and try to do too much and get smoked in the slot like he did vs NJ.

It's like having a 4 x100 team with 1 stud, and 1 OK option and 2 turds.....hard for the stud to carry the others every game. Bedard does make everyone better but he needs his linemates to have some skill on his line......and guys like Donato and 91 are not the answers.

Also, very sad to see Raddysh lost in his own mind. I feel for the guy. Just has zero confidence. Fighting the puck the minute it comes near him.

Jones has been noticeable in not passing to Bedard. I’ve been noticing it all season. Maybe this stems from Jones wanting the Captaincy but them clearly having it waiting for Bedard. Seth suffers from being a good player on a bad team, and either needs to waive his NMC or suck it up. Can’t have a negative attitude on a team losing every night.
- ObeseOprah

WEll Jones also has a track record of being dealt at a very young age and with all this supposed top 2 potential people continue to crow about.

Nashville flipped him for Johansen and Columbus flipped him after he asked he out.....

I would NOT be shocked if this team isn't remotely better next year...he may ask out before the deadline or the summer of 25......and I have zero clue what Davidson could get for him......or what he would have to retain. Really the last bomb for the previous regime that has to be navigated and with Kaiser doing well in Rockford. the young kids are starting to push a bit for more minutes at the big league level.

Possibly. If Raddysh is playing hurt then I could see him brought back on a 1 or 2 year deal. Soda's cap hit is minimal, I could see KD spending more on back-up.

What I could see happening is another Baily type of deal to get the buy-out on the books and take on an asset. As you said, the Hawks have a lot of dead money (~$3.3 million) coming off the books next season. I don't see them signing any top end free agents so they'll need to get to the cap floor somehow.
- DarthKane

When i say dead money, I'm also talking about TJ, the Frenchman, Zaitsev, Keith, about $15 mil

And i don't want them to get any top line talent, i would really like to see KD signing 3 quality NHL forwards who are middling 2nd and 3rd line guys. It'll be 3 more than we have this year.

I also saw a VERY frustrated Bedard last night. 91 has ZERO business skating with him. NOne.

THey need to find him another winger besides Hall, until he breaks down, and Kurashev fills his void......next year. That has to be a top priority because what will happen is 98 will go off the rails and try to do too much and get smoked in the slot like he did vs NJ.

It's like having a 4 x100 team with 1 stud, and 1 OK option and 2 turds.....hard for the stud to carry the others every game. Bedard does make everyone better but he needs his linemates to have some skill on his line......and guys like Donato and 91 are not the answers.

Also, very sad to see Raddysh lost in his own mind. I feel for the guy. Just has zero confidence. Fighting the puck the minute it comes near him.
- SteveRain

I think the refs are frustrating him more than anything else. Couple of really nice slashes on him last night.

And the stats show that guys like Vlasic has performed best when playing with Jones vs without him. Hmmmm.
- breadbag

Well in fairness....what other D man on this team is playing for a contender at this point?

Megna may be the worst defensemen they have had in YEARS. Tinordi is broken down and just misfires on a ton of outlet passes which leads to icings, which leads to lost faceoffs and more time pinned in their zone. Creuavalier (spell)?

That leaves Korchinski and Vlassic.....those 2 arent' ready to be paired together.....

So yeah, stats can be misleading when your options are crap.

I think the refs are frustrating him more than anything else. Couple of really nice slashes on him last night.
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed....and he's starting to finish some checks he didn't before. Good for him. Showing he's not going to back down to some of these teams testing his resolve.

I also saw a VERY frustrated Bedard last night. 91 has ZERO business skating with him. NOne.

THey need to find him another winger besides Hall, until he breaks down, and Kurashev fills his void......next year. That has to be a top priority because what will happen is 98 will go off the rails and try to do too much and get smoked in the slot like he did vs NJ.

It's like having a 4 x100 team with 1 stud, and 1 OK option and 2 turds.....hard for the stud to carry the others every game. Bedard does make everyone better but he needs his linemates to have some skill on his line......and guys like Donato and 91 are not the answers.

Also, very sad to see Raddysh lost in his own mind. I feel for the guy. Just has zero confidence. Fighting the puck the minute it comes near him.
- SteveRain

Last night I watched on a number of occasions Kurashev and Beauvillier skate in front of Bedard impeding him. Or neither being in a position to receive a pass. Both guys are in way above their heads playing with Bedard. Yes Kurashev has had a reasonably good year but imagine how a good winger with a better hockey mind and skills would be.

I was watching Jones last night to see if he would pass to Bedard. I’m not sure I saw one direct pass in the offensive zone? I saw Bedard pass then move into position for the give and go and Jones skated the puck into a position where he ran out of options. I’m not so sure Jones just doesn’t have good on ice vision. However if there’s even an inkling Jones has a problem with Bedard he has to go. That nonsense would become toxic in no time.

It may be a good idea for KD to look at acquiring a top talent to play with next season. If Nazar is ready great, but if not scour the trade market or free agency and find someone who has a chance at creating some chemistry with Bedard before Bedard gets so frustrated he starts getting into all kinds of bad habits.