harmfuljays wrote:
The end of the day finally culminated in the Avs getting off their arse. Unfortunately that had them picking up Nazim Kadri. I guess this move works for both teams but you can't help but feel that Toronto got the better of this one. If I didn't already have a reason to dislike this team....I certainly don't like that guy. As Butch said.....Kadri doesn't like to play hockey in April so......
Thank Goodness Kadri (with his whopping 16 goals) nixed a trade to the Flames earlier in the day! Already enough passengers on that train.
Overall I really liked what Dallas did and Leafs look to come out retooled here if they can sign Marner.
I don't understand the Varlamov signing in NYI or the Lehner signing in CHI but maybe more to those stories.
The offersheet, more than likely a token, served up conversation and discussion all day.
A very enjoyable day that makes up for the trade deadline duds. Even better that it comes during the offseason.
Kadri scored 16 goals as a 3rd line defensive specialist when his ES ice time and superior linemates got all snatched up by Matthews and Tavares. He scored 32 in back-to-back seasons when he was the 2nd-line center. I don't think he'll reach THOSE numbers with the Avs, but there's reason to believe he'll bounce back. As for maintaining discipline in April, well, we'll see...they gotta make the postseason first.
I too like what Dallas did, even though they made themselves look older and slower. BUT...if anyone knows what to do with slow-moving talent, it's John Stevens. That right there might have been their best offseason acquisition. Friedman said in a recent 31 Thoughts pod that he's the best assistant coach in hockey.
Not thrilled that pretty much every team in the Central got better, and fucking both O'Reilly AND Duchene are back in the Central (just wait, Tyson Barrie will sign with a Central team last season), but the Avs improved themselves as well.