They should tank for at least one more year. None of our prospects are franchise type players. It's a nice thought trying to get Sid a cup run, I just don't see it as realistic.

I see this just keeping us in mediocrity for years longer. Ask Sid to mentor like Mario did him, or see if he wants to play elsewhere.
- 10inchTerror

I agree with this. Even below mediocre, but enough to keep us from drafting top 5.

I agree with this. Even below mediocre, but enough to keep us from drafting top 5.
- madmike71

Strongly depends on what we do this offseason. If all we do is a Smith-like trade and sign some bottom six guys for $3mil a pop then this is very bad. If we make legitimate moves, we everything starts to make a lot of sense

If you’re a top FA at the apex of their career line Marner…would you really sign in Pitt?

If you’re a top FA at the apex of their career line Marner…would you really sign in Pitt?
- sammy87

Well he's not taking a discount but if we offer top dollar there could be appeal. He might want to try and craft a run at the end of Crosby's career and then take the torch as the Pens captain after Sid retires. He might want to get out of the Toronto media spotlight and go somewhere quieter. He might have a good relationship with Dubas, who paid him big once before... Hed probably be open to at least hear the pitch.

Nothing is certain about Marners desires, but he is going to free agency after Toronto tried to trade him. There's a chance.

If you’re a top FA at the apex of their career line Marner…would you really sign in Pitt?
- sammy87

Sid was his idol growing up, he's probably got a good relationship with Dubas -- I think it's a possibility, especially depending on if Dubas throws a bucket of money at him.

If you’re a top FA at the apex of their career line Marner…would you really sign in Pitt?
- sammy87

Johnny Hockey signed with one of the most hapless franchises in the whole league and his first choice was the Flyers. Literally anything can happen. Money talks and you can fool yourself into thinking you’re going somewhere with legitimate cup aspirations if you want to believe hard enough

If you could get Marner and Tavares for both combined 16/17ish mill would you go for it? I would. Then still like 9ish mill in space left to use. I think it's really possible those two guys would go to same place. They're known to be close in locker room and away from ice.

Marner 12ish per and Tavares 5ish.

If you’re a top FA at the apex of their career line Marner…would you really sign in Pitt?
- sammy87

But if you see Dubas bring a good center like Hagens or Misa at the draft, maybe sign a guy like Ehlers, and still have Crosby for a couple years, then it becomes enticing.

The issue becomes goaltending and possibly defense. I think moving Karlsson and bringing in Ekblad in free agency would be a better move. You probably save some cap while having a more stable dman. Resign Grz to help with the PP. Might be able to move Acciari and Heinen for nothing to unload their cap hits.

MacPatty's write up was excellent and he looked into this a lot. In my own research, it's usually Scaffer slightly in front, but Misa, Hagens and Martine (a big power forward wing), are all really close and a tier together. Feels like anywhere in the top 4 is great. Then there's another tier of guys from 5-8 that is close, but I personally like some of them more than others. But anyone in the top 4 is fantastic if we get there.
- Tojo.

Thanks man. I didn't mention Martone, but in 3 years he might actually end up the best of the bunch. YouTube highlight videos of him and Draisaitls draft year. Super similar skating and skill set. If Martone was more aggressive he'd be #1. Despite being the biggest physically, he is the least likely of the big 4 to to make the leap to the NHL in year one. Draisaitl took 2-3 years before he really showed what he was capable of, expect the same from Martone.

If you could get Marner and Tavares for both combined 16/17ish mill would you go for it? I would. Then still like 9ish mill in space left to use. I think it's really possible those two guys would go to same place. They're known to be close in locker room and away from ice.

Marner 12ish per and Tavares 5ish.
- MattStrat

I think Marner is going to take $14M and Tavares $7M. In the spirit of competing for a cup next season, I'd definitely take those two for $21M.

I'd give SJ the NYR 1st to take Graves & Jarry w $2M retained if that's what it took to get it done. Marner & Tavares for Graves, Jarry & #15 pick would be a great trade.

Watched pretty much the whole game today. Jarry was fantastic hahah.. The kid does have the tools to be good or at least a consistently average goalie.. It's his head I think is a bit of a mess.

I think Marner would go for 12-14million. Tavares I could see going for 4-7million. I could see Sid and Dubas talking Marner into coming here. If we are able to grab Misa I could see them using him right away. I do wonder if we end up trading some players for cap space this offseason even with our current cap space. We have tons of picks and I know Jarry and Graves are two players we are wondering what to do with.

I think Marner is going to take $14M and Tavares $7M. In the spirit of competing for a cup next season, I'd definitely take those two for $21M.

I'd give SJ the NYR 1st to take Graves & Jarry w $2M retained if that's what it took to get it done. Marner & Tavares for Graves, Jarry & #15 pick would be a great trade.
- MacPatty

I dont know about 21 mill for those two... How many more roster spots need to be filled with 5 mill cap space left?

I guess there could be more space if other players are sent out but I don't think anyone is taking Graves or Jarry, unfortunately

Jarry is still killing this team...

Ned needs to start most of the games down the stretch. Definitely not the time to get good tending lol.

We can’t depend on Jarry for anything, lol. Jesus, wtf was that. Although, any game where Sid, Geno, and Letang get on the scoresheet, I’m happy with it.

Watched pretty much the whole game today. Jarry was fantastic hahah.. The kid does have the tools to be good or at least a consistently average goalie.. It's his head I think is a bit of a mess.
- MattStrat

Competent D and forward support also goes along ways.

As we get done the stretch though, the final 4-5 games are going to be so interesting. The domino effects of a single win/loss are going to annoy tf out of me, haha

Jarry is still killing this team...
- sufi-judge

Can’t buy a save when winning is still winning. Stands on his head when losing becomes winning. Thems the ropes.

Glad to see the rangers losing. Would be awesome to have 2 top 15 picks this draft

I hate how draft picks take 3+ yrs of development to see if they’re worth anything

NFL top 3 rounds most likely go right in the roster

Steelers traded a 2nd for metkalf…can’t compare to the nhl.

I hate how draft picks take 3+ yrs of development to see if they’re worth anything

NFL top 3 rounds most likely go right in the roster

Steelers traded a 2nd for metkalf…can’t compare to the nhl.
- sammy87

You’re right. Completely incomparable on account of being completely different sports. Then you have basketball where a handful of the top talent each year probably didn’t need to go to college at all and could have jumped from high school to the NBA, so what’s the point of comparing?