Derrico

I think this time the decision really was all Botts.

I do and appreciate the link!

This seems to be the narrative but I'm not sure it's right. Mcdavid and Eichel will always have that parallel (obv mcdavid much better) but the teams are not overly similar to me. For one, I don't see Edmonton having a Dahlin or even a Montour on their blue line to be honest.

Having a coach with a full head of hair will be a refreshing change if anything....

Wow that’s a super bold prediction considering goalies usually take the longest to develop and bots seems like a guy that really pushes developing in roch. I would think he needs at very min a full season there.

If McLellan is bots top guy then I hope this gets done. It appears ownership is staying out of the hiring process which is great. If bots wants him then get it done. Going forward this is bots guy and may be his last if things don’t turn around.

He's had one 40 goal year. Don't pay him like he's a perennial 40 goal scorer. Pay him what he is. A nice 30 goal scorer who has a shot to hit 40 over the next couple years during his prime and appreciating the last 2-3 years of the contract could be an issue.

I don't think there's much of a chance the leafs fire Babcock. Being swept in 4 is the only scenario there is a slim chance.

Here is another quick read on him https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/players-think-d-j-smith-destined-to-be-a-head-coach

Ok I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and promote DJ Smith. This is not just because I live in Oshawa and a Gens fan. He was an EXCELLENT coach when he was here. The year the Gens won the memorial cup there was no indication it would be that special of a year going in. They overachieved (imo) every single year he was behind the bench. Yes they had some good players and yes they were an older team but they overachieved with him. Plain and simple. He was named OHL coach of the year in 2013-2014 (not even the year they won the Mem cup) Won the Memorial Cup in 2015 Mike Babcock made him one of his first assistant hires in 2015 Several Leafs have praised him in their development (including Morgan Rielly who is a legit Norris candidate) Below is a good article on how he is being groomed under Babcock to be a future head coach https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-grooming-d-j-smith-become-nhl-head-coach/ I will admit that I can't recognize coaching to the point of visually seeing the adjustments they make in-game. All I know is the team was almost always better in the second period if they were behind in the first. To me it had to be coaching making the in-game adjustments. I think he will be a great head coach one day.

So instead of improve the team by getting rid of the dead weight and surrounding the core with better players you would propose the opposite? Got it. Insert a million eye rolls here.

Who would be your pick true?

I don't love the trade based on how obvious our second line centre weakness was this year. Saying that, damn I like the looks of Montour. A pairing of he and Dahlin for the next decade sounds pretty nice.

Sam has been good to very good for a full season and a half now. Jbot can extend Reinhart contract beginning July 1. Does he try and get something done before next season hoping he can get a little cheaper now or wait for more proof after next season? Ofcourse if Sam puts up huge numbers next year it will cost even more going forward. I wonder if Sam's camp even wants to talk this summer or wait until the conclusion of next season.

Same story as me brother.

Rick and it aint even close.........

Almost like playing with jack can inflate your points. I hope sabres don’t overpay for Skinner.

Mcdavid for Dahlin and a third E5.

Surprisingly it was alright. They showed up for a change.

Ya that was weird. Ref is just like nah I'm ready for the intermission.

Best period over the last month?

I LOVED DJ Smith when he was with oshawa. His in game adjustments were so impressive. There’s a reason Babcock wanted him on his staff. I don’t think he’s the guy the sabres need right now but he’s an interesting name to watch down the road.

This is fantastic lol

Ya I don't really understand. The team falling off a cliff coincides with the timeline of him arriving. Yet to my eye he's been very good. Love his speed and aggressiveness. I'm thinking this is just a bad coincidence but I would like to see the underlying stats as well.

We actually just booked a family vackay to Hawaii. We're on a 9 night Disney Cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii (four ports of call I believe) and then booked a 5 night condo stay just outside of Honolulu for afterwards. Trip isn't until May 2020 but we've already got a count down board started!! My son is obsessed with Dolphins so I'm looking into swimming with the dolphins excursions right now. This thread is very appropriate timing. Looking forward to some suggestions as well.