Hi folks,
This has been a busy season, and the captivating deadline has kept up with the trend. Since it’s been a minute since we shared our opinions (and god knows, we have some), we decided to give you a Quick Hits this week.
As usual, we have a lot to go through, so let’s get into it.
Our trade thoughts
The Penguins lost to the 23-24 Ottawa Senators, and things are not looking well. After onboarding Kyle Dubas, the team started on an optimistic note, which quickly died down, especially now after the Jake Guentzel's trade. The tides are starting to turn on Kyle Dubas, which feels unfair, given the absolute mess the previous organization left. Also, it's funny that he got his emotional support Soo Greyhound player with the Michael Bunting acquisition. We’ll see how it plays out for Dubas, but in our opinion, he should have taken a year off.
The San Jose Sharks… Rebuild?
Our boy Anthony Duclair got traded to the Lightning, which is fantastic!
The Hertl Trade was weird. Everyone was calling it a buyer’s market, but offloading two third round draft picks ON TOP of the salary retention? We’re happy for him, though. He deserves to get a shot at a Stanley Cup ring.
They acquired an interesting new set of goalies — one who’s been on injured reserve for a hot minute and another who has never played a game in the NHL…
Overall, the moves scream tanking, which isn’t too problematic if they are trying to finish in the top three for the draft. However, it’s been five years since they made the playoffs. How long can a rebuilding era last before officially calling it a flop?
Flamin’ Hot Flames (derogatory)
It started with the Elias Lindholm trade to the Canucks, then Chris Tanev to Dallas (with a 50% salary retention), Noah Hanifin to Vegas (another 50% salary retention plus the 25% retained by the Flyers) and the additions of multiple prospects.
Side note: There are rumours of the Knights considering giving an extension of 8 years with a 7M AAV to Hanifin, which is funny to me since they aren't even paying 75% of his salary with his current contract of 4.5 M, so why are they in a hurry to tie themselves down to a contract that will probably age poorly?? Seth Jones, you must pay for your crimes with your ugly contract.
Back to the Flames nonsense - there was also the Markstrom mess. He was supposed to be traded to New Jersey since they were in the market for a goalie who could bring them far during the playoffs, but the deal got scratched because the front office's higher-ups were against it. The GM might have done his best, but getting more prospects isn't changing the issue long-term. The Flames, who have been middle of the road most of the time, might finally have to embrace their mediocre status — I mean rebuild.
I - Perrye - don’t have much to say, except I thought the Buffalo Sabres were in better playoff contention position. I was surprised when I saw them trading pieces and acquiring so little, but when you’re currently positioned 24 out of 32 teams, the hope of making it has probably vanished by then, which is unfortunate because they were so close to making it through last year. I guess it’s back to the drawing board during summer, uh?
Vegas is going for a two-peat; why wouldn’t they go all in to make sure to accomplish the end goal playoff? If everyone has the same opportunity to do the maneuvers Vegas did to circumvent the cap, is it really considered unfair? You know what they say: “don’t hate the player, hate the game?” I - Perrye - would also add, “Hire GMs better at their jobs,” but I doubt y’all will start listening to that advice.
The miscellaneous stories
The Blackhawks are the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. They’re still developing their pipeline, but it’ll be a few years before they’re real contenders. However, it still feels like they’re missing a piece for Bedard, so… first-overall, again? (cue, Gaby and her hockey conspiracy theory board)
Matt Rempe got suspended for four games for an elbow to the Devils’ Siengenthaler, and ho boy, the hot takes are something. Stardom is fickle indeed, and Rempe has learned that real quick, going from folk hero to “dirty player” scorned in only a handful of games. Frankly, we’re not sure what folks expected. His “old school” style of play was being encouraged, and he rolled with it. It’s not right - and we do hope he gets his act together - but it’s what to be expected in said circumstance. Maybe listen to the people saying fighting doesn’t have a role in this era of hockey, idk.
Anson Carter and a new ownership group have officially requested an expansion team to Atlanta. While the premise is exciting, an ownership group in Salt Lake City also requested an expansion team, making us question the NHL’s long-term growth strategy. The sport is still inaccessible in so many ways, so shouldn’t they at least be focused on that?
Ahh, wouldn’t be a Tortorella coaching tenure if it didn’t feature a spectacular tantrum. Tortorella was suspended for two games and fined $50,000 after a lengthy back-and-forth with the refs while his team was getting routed. Listen, we get that he’s passionate, and players love him, but we’d also argue that he’s the king of self-sabotage. We’ve seen how this turns out: he starts getting mad, he starts souring his relationship with the team, and then he’s out the door. Is he not tired of doing this at his big age?
In case you missed our last issue:
Many thanks to everyone who supports the mentorship program and reads our mentees’ work! It makes working on THWL all that much more fun.
With Love,
Perrye & Gaby