Gravesy

Good, sensible deal. Absolutely zero complaints with it.

Carp has always been terrible. He's just become even worse after the change in the front office. A 3-way deal like you describe certainly suits the Rangers. It becomes a question of whether you prefer the younger player on a shorter deal, or to re-up Zib with the health and potential tailing off issues that comes with it. I'm torn tbh. But if Eichel is healthy it's not crazy.

Yes, at face value, but I’d like to know why that is before I have on opinion on it. Seems strange if it’s “for no particular reason” given this alternative has been around for 20 years. And he doesn’t exactly provide a full dossier when Friedman asks him to provide details on who and in which leagues. “Uhhh some high school players, collegiate level”. Look I’m not trying to say this guy is a snake oil peddling quack, but there are some pretty significant questions imo.

Yeah, before the interview starts Friedman lays the table. He explains that the situation is the Sabres wants a fusion, Eichel and his people wants disc replacement. Look, I don’t necessarily disagree re the CBA but he knew that when he signed a contract regulated by that document.

I heard that and thought it was a pretty weak explanation. Sure, if you’re a 300 pound nose tackle. Definitely not the case for wide receivers, cornerbacks, safeties etc. Also, not “him” but “they” iirc.

It seems perfectly logical. And really straight forward. Which begs the question why it’s not more common. How many herniated discs in the NFL since 2000? I would love to hear what all these medical teams and surgeons who advise fusion has to say.

It isn’t? The premise of the interview is that Eichel and his camp prefers disc replacement whereas the Sabres want a fusion. The entire interview is the doctor arguing for his method. The fact Eichel doesn’t get to decide is regulated by the CBA, I can’t see how that’s on trial unless this is about changing the writing, which doesn’t seem to be the case. Again, I find it a bit strange to buy every word this guy says at face value when you know there’s a significant agenda here. And, again, if it’s that black and white it seems improbable that nobody else connected to pro football and hockey have gone this route. It’s obviously possible he’s correct. But I can’t help but think this is exactly the reaction they were going for.

No, but the fact he is contradicted by every surgeon who has dealt with herniated discs with NFL and NHL players certainly suggests there are two sides to this story. I mean, according to him, this is a procedure that - has been around since 2000 - significantly reduces down time - significantly reduces the risk of needing a 2nd surgery That sounds like a fucking no brainer. And if it was such a no brainer, it seems incredible that not one NFL or NHL team have chosen this route over the last 20+ years. It seems wise to assume there’s another side of this argument. Again, I’m not saying he’s wrong. I’m in advertising ffs, I have no knowledge on the topic. But the fact he’s seemingly alone on this hill makes me at least dubious that it’s as straight forward as he lays it out, and it seems like it’s a thinly veiled attempt at smearing the Sabres. Which is totally unnecessary, given they’re perfectly capable of doing that themselves.

I did listen to it. It’s informative, I guess, but it’s also given by the surgeon who’s a) part of Eichel’s team and b) the surgeon who is going to perform the actual surgery on him It’s hardly surprising he’s talking up his preferred method and it’s also blatantly obvious it’s a part of the “free Eichel campaign”. Let’s not pretend he doesn’t have an agenda here. Now, I’m not saying he’s wrong. I’m not an expert. But literally every surgeon who works with NHL and NFL teams on herniated discs would presumably tell you that he is, and explain why a fusion or conservative rehab is better with an equal amount of conviction. I don’t really buy into the idea that they’re all antiquated old fools opposed to medical advancement and living in the past. That seems pretty unlikely, given that professional sports teams rarely get their medical advice from dollar shop type establishments. So yeah, I still think this situation is pretty muddled and difficult to fully grasp. It would be really interesting to hear a surgeon on the other side of the argument. More than anything I’d like to understand what the Sabres plan is, because that’s even more of a mind bender than the surgery part.

It's such a strange situation. From what I can gather, Eichel wanted the surgery immediately, whereas the Sabres medical team and a second opinion recommended rest and rehab. This appears to be the preferred treatment of herniated discs in the NHL. I'm not sure why that is preferred to surgery, but it clearly is. As per the CBA, Eichel had no choice but to go the route the team wanted. Now, clearly, rest and rehab hasn't had the desired effect, given that he still wants the surgery. According to Eichels camp, the Sabres medical department initially agreed that surgery was now required. For whatever reason, they no longer do. The Sabres have denied this apparently and wants to continue with more rest and conservative rehab. In short, the mind fucking boggles. It's really hard to know what to think. Instinctively, the fact that the preferred and common treatment hasn't worked as intended seems to be a bit of a worry. And trading prime assets for a guy with what appears to be a lingering neck issue is pretty uncomfortable. At the same time, I've seen more than one expert say it's no big deal and that the surgery is fairly straight forward. In summary, I have no idea what to think.

Exactly. I'm sure there are instances where the teams medical personell could be wrong, and the players medical people are right. I don't know enough about Eichel's situation or herniated discs to have a strong opinion on this specific case. But in general, it would be impossible to run an organization where every medical decision is second guessed by the player and his entourage. And, from a legal perspective, the idea that "it's his body" isn't entirely true. Once you sign that contract you do hand over significant control of your medical situation to the team.

Obviously I'm all for laughing at the Sabres and they've clearly fucked up this entire situation. But really, players all of a sudden having an opinion on medical issues such as whether to have a certain type of surgery or not is a real slippery slope. Eichel is an 80m investment. I understand why the team wants their own medical staff to call the shots here. It's going to be completely untenable if every guy rocks up with his own "medical team" with their own ideas.

I had completely erased the memory of David Desharnais from my mind. Fucking hell, what a mind numbingly shit player.

Agreed Oz. Kreider makes sense to me on that 3rd line. Yeah, it's overpaying for a 3rd liner, but that is offset by your '1st liner being on his ELC. He'll also get his PP1 ice time as the net front guy. I think Hunt might make his way onto that 4th line as well.

I actually think the FO/Drury has done a pretty good job this off season. They've completely re shaped the bottom 6, which was needed. And they've done so without really over paying for anyone. You could argue Goodrow I suppose, but it's certainly not egregious. The Rangers are going to be A LOT harder to play against next season, for the first time in forever they have a couple of voices in the locker room who's been there, done that and they've accomplished it without sacrificing any skill. Of course, losing Buchnevich means Drury is banking on one of Kakko/Kraf/Laf to step into the top 6, cement their place there and pick up Buch's production. But you kind of have to do that at this point. If our 1st, 2nd or 9th overall pick can't do that we're absolutely fucked anyway. Kreider/Chytil/Goodrow is a heavy 3rd line that can also play. A combination of Blais/Reaves/Hunt/Rooney will be able to mix it up with anyone. I also like the fact they've completely stayed out of the race for the big FA's. Most people agreed that the Rangers had enough skill, and that looks like it's clearly the opinion of the FO as well. Scoring was not a problem last year and is unlikely to be one this season, so let's fill the holes and see what we have. It seems they're playing the long game with any potential trade for Eichel too, which I think is the smart thing to do. All in all, this has been a pretty good off season and I'm excited to see what this roster can do under Gallant.

I’m not sure what you’re disagreeing with. Buch either needs to be re signed or seen as a one year rental. That impacts what teams are going to be willing to pay for him. I don’t know what you expected to get for him, but a guy like Buch in his situation isn’t a hot commodity. I completely disagree with the idea that Lemieux and Blais are equals. BL wouldn’t have seen a sliver of ice during the Blues cup run.

I mean, place the boot on the other foot. How would you feel if the Rangers traded for a guy who's blown hot and cold for his entire career, had a bit of a career year in his RFA season and gave up a big return in addition to having to sign the guy to a multi year deal at a high aav? All the while knowing that it was unlikely the selling team was unlikely to be able to hold on to said player? You probably wouldn't love it. This is a classic example of over rating our own players imo. The return isn't mind blowing, but it's fine, makes sense from a roster construction perspective and opens up cap space for other moves down the line.

This. And I think Rangers fans who are upset with the return are grossly underestimating the effect of Buch’s status as RFA on the return. The options as a buying team is either give him his pay day or treat him as a one year rental. Both are negatives in setting his value.

What a fucking dreadful series of takes you've produced lately.

This. Taking Price at 10.5 per for another 5 years would have been a really bad move. Not only would it gobble up a huge part of their available cap. Price is getting older, has quite a few injury issues and isn't even a lock to outperform Vanecek and Driedger over the course of his remaining contract.

Sergachev was always a complete non starter. Not only was he always an elite prospect, it would also be complete insanity to move him from a roster construction perspective. That was literally never on the cards.

I’m pretty sure Keenan was the driving force behind that. Neil Smith said Keenan categorically dismissed Gartner as a player you could lean on when the going got tough in the playoffs. Like you said, many of those trades were pretty rough. Amonte for Noonan and Matteau is pretty brutal, as is the Marchant trade. But they were a means to an end, and you can’t really quibble with them given the end result. And we’ll never know if they’d won if they kept the team together instead of going all in at the deadline.

Hajek is an interesting one. Remember, Yzerman played hard ball when they wanted him included in the deal. Now, maybe he could smell blood when Gorton wanted him so badly and was just taking him for a massive ride. But it seems unlikely, given that this was happening pretty damn close to the deadline and I’m not sure he would’ve risked missing out on Mac if Hajek was just a JAG in his eyes.

The only reason I'm thinking of, and this is a pure eye test/gut feeling type of argument, is that Strome and his line seem a lot less effective when the going gets tough. He strikes me as one of those "good regular season team" types that's been discussed lately. I'm not sure Strome is your 2C for a deep playoff run and I'm pretty damn sure he's not your 3/4 C. But I say this fully aware that there might be underlying stats that proves I'm talking out of my ass.

That was my feeling as well. Not to take anything away from Price, who’s been amazing, but so many of those saves were made possible by the Vegas forwards not finding the corner. Take the Karlsson mega chance last night. Price obviously kicks across really well, but if Karlsson finds the right corner Price doesn’t save it. As it happened, the shot was 10 inches inside and Price made the save. Got to say I’m happy for him, with all the shit he’s had to take up there.