The Leaf

Apparently it's only 700k salary too, so it doesn't mess with our cap if things don't work out.

Elliotte Friedman reporting that Thornton to TML are heating up....

Mirtle reported in the Athletic this afternoon that we've touched base with Jumbo Joe.

At least it's short on term and low enough on AAV

Unreal signing for that price

An interesting take I just read in Jonas Siegel's article in the Athletic is that, because we only picked one guy from the CHL, we generally have control over the guys' rights that we picked for longer. That's very helpful when we may lose a season of measurable development on which to decide if we're going to sign players. Perhaps it's giving Dubas too much credit, but it sounds like he's playing a game of 3D chess.

Lots of reasons why it may be a smarter strategy to go for a forward with an early pick: they're more likely to pan out. Don't believe me? The numbers bear it out. https://theathletic.com/1828498/2020/05/21/why-nhl-teams-should-gamble-on-defencemen-over-forwards-later-in-the-draft/

William Villeneuve with pick 122

I can't say I'm enthralled by the Amirov pick, but it's not the end of the world, either. Yes, we've got a critical need for some physicality on D, but we're not filling that via the 2020 draft. D-men take a year or two longer than forwards to develop, so chances are someone drafted now will be ready in ~3-4 years. My biggest contention is that, supposing Amirov was the guy we were targeting, we probably could could have traded down to grab another 3rd or something. I have to say I liked how CGY did it, picking up two extra 3rds and still getting their guy.

Sad boi that a dman wasn't taken?

I'm interested in seeing how next season plays out-- if it's quiet, it may make scouting the NHL draft a very odd process.

If AOR's posted return is true, I'm pretty pleased with it.

Was Lindgren really that highly touted? He's 23 and has only played a handful of games in the American league...

Not to mention other undertones...

It's obvious there's still a ways to go when it comes to the sport's culture. That said, at a certain point terrible will will get their just deserts, and this is a case in point.