We had to give up something to get rid of Panik's contract but idk how I feel about Mantha for Vrana.
We had to give up something to get rid of Panik's contract but idk how I feel about Mantha for Vrana.
This is a shit take from anyone saying it. While different skill sets(speed vs size), both players are pretty similar in production, though Mantha's team is dogshit so he should have an uptick in production alongside Backstrom or Kuzy.
Panik has been pretty bad here and one of the picks is purely to cap dump his contract. Mantha has another 3 years of a decent contract(great if he improves to 30G/yr) and Vrana is a RFA and probably expecting a big contract after a bridge contract. Also, we are talking 2 late round picks, so it's more like a 2nd and 3rd, in a draft with very little scouting due to covid shortened/cancelled seasons..
People acting like this was a massive fleece are just stupid right now. It's a pretty similar trade atm, just swapping similar production with different skill sets. Both are streaky but Vrana does almost nothing when not scoring, where Mantha at least brings size and PK time. Motivation seems to be the biggest issue with Mantha and coming from a bottom team to a cup contender should presumably help that.
The big emotional reactions atm is because Vrana is loved in DC, and DET doesn't care for Mantha much since he is streaky and unmotivated. I feel like the Caps coaches have mismanaged our young players and simply dealt them out instead of figuring it out. Burakovsky has done great in COL and Vrana will likely do well in DET where there is less pressure on him. It is hard though when we have been pretty loaded in Top6 talent and don't have a ton of extra minutes since our old guys continue to be great.
Vrana also had 0 points in the last 2 playoffs(15games) and 8pts(3g5a) in 38 games, not great for someone who's only talent is speed and scoring.
LeBrun was talking about the cost of the trade and alluded to cap space being a very valuable commodity in the upcoming years with a flat cap.
Mantha fitting in pretty well on the 2nd line already, 1G 1A in his debut here.
Perds so hot right now; routing the Bolts currently 5-1. May be peaking at the right time, but tough sched to finish the season (lot of CAR, FLA, CHI).
Caps have scored 14 goals in the last 2 games
Probably will, but it's tough. Both him and FF9 love Nashville; I can see us re-signing both, though it's going to be pricey. Ekholm would have fetched a nice haul though to your point.
Likely may need to send something to SEA to protect certain folks though at expansion draft.
Honestly, half the argument to trading either of them, to me, is that they'd be likely to re-sign in Nashville afterwards anyway, which is what I expect Foligno will do as well. I just don't get holding on to them knowing you're a bubble playoff team at best and only getting older from here.
GM Jack Eichel out for the year with herniated disc in his neck, yikes
That sucks
Yeah, I wouldn't wish that kinda injury on anyone. It's not a simple "Oh _____ finally got a punch in the mouth" type thing. That can totally mess with his quality of life as soon as you look at Neck/Back disc issues >.<
And suddenly the Sharks just can't beat anaheim.
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Canucks going to be re-evaluated to see if tomorrow night's return to playing is a thing.
Props to JT Miller for actually saying he's not comfy/ready yet though
The NHLPA not stepping in here is kind of shocking.
Unrelated, Matthews DTD and out for tonight against the Jets. Freddy was on the ice at practice though so that's promising.
Oilers/Canucks pushed back
Sweet, same number of games in even fewer days. Much better, NHL.
Canes are now on top of the Central.