JohnC

I thought he responded well to the questions asked. He wasn't evasive or defensive. He gave clear and succinct answers to the questions. I thought his answer regarding Docker and why he was not signed was reasonable and made sense. He pointed out that his arbitration comps would be higher than how they valued him. I have been critical of him as a GM but I don' see why this clip should provoke any criticism. I'm not going to read too much into this interview and come away with any negative or positive feelings. It was a standard presentation that most GMs do.

I'm confident that you have more growth potential to work with. However, no need for any demonstrations. I'll take your word for it.

I gotcha. I'm a dullard whose obtuseness is often publicly demonstrated. 😃

I'm sure you are aware of my attitude toward the GM and owner. I have been castigated for repeating my scorn. To put it mildly, I'm contemptuous of the both of them. When compared to the rest of the league for the caliber of other GMs and owners I rank the both of them at the bottom. It's imprisoning and tough to break out of. That's the ugly reality that we are contending with.

If you are saying that Ruff isn’t much of a factor in these offseason transactions, then I respectfully but strenuously disagree with you.

My calculation is simple: if you don’t get a fair value return for him I. e. second line forward, then your team is not better if he is dealt. He’s more of an offensive defense than defensive stalwart. I recognize what his assets and liabilities are as a defender. But not getting a reasonable deal for him doesn’t help this team, it sets it back.

I strongly believe that the Docker departure is a Ruff influenced decision. What did you expect from Ruff-KA-Pegula organization? If you expected some smart and strategic thinking coming from this faded group, you are being unrealistic. Mediocrity begets more mediocrity.

It shouldn't be a surprise that a franchise with an odd silent owner who oddly selects an unqualified person to be a GM who makes odd decisions. From an overview standpoint, the GM is mostly sticking with his build from within and draft and develop strategy. It is being tweaked with more emphasis on physicality, a Ruff influence. The biggest gamble relates to the goalie position. Was it sufficiently addressed this offseason? I would say no but not at a conclusive level. We shall see.

My guess is that this was a Ruff influenced transaction. I really don't think it was a money issue because the player who replaces him will be in the same contract strata.

I believe that you hit on what the source of the Docker decision was: a preference for Johnson. We'll just have to wait and see how this plays out. The bigger and more consequential decision on the blueline relates to what is the organization going to do with Byram. I'm starting to lean towards keeping him, especially if they can't get a second-line player for him.

What love are you talking about? The fringe is getting magnified into something bigger than what it is. If I had to make a choice between having Docker or Bryson, I would decisively take Docker. I suspect that the decision to not sign Docker was primarily a Ruff decision.

As I said in prior posts, I liked Docker. I would have preferred to have kept him. I’m baffled as to why he was dispatched. I strongly suspect that this was a Ruff influenced decision. However, this wasn’t a significant loss in the grand scheme of things.

It’s not excuses. It’s the reality of the situation. You work with what you got. Imaginary players don’t skate because they are a figment of our created fantasy.

I liked Docker. But he’s a replaceable player whose loss is inconsequential.

I consider the sixth d-man to be a replaceable player. I'm not saying that that slotted position is unimportant, but I'm not saying he is a critical player whose loss can't be compensated for.