PTR 37 - Free Agency Preview / Transaction Week In Review

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 37

Joe Thornton & Kevin Shattenkirk are two of the top free agents available in a mediocre class
(Photo Credit: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America)

Both the expansion and entry drafts are in the books, and next up is free agency season. Adam & JC examine a very mediocre free agent class, and talk about the best fits for some of the top guys at each position. They'll also go through the big moves and signings since last week, the pending Connor McDavid contract extentsion, plus Mike Smith's comments about his former club and the 2017 Hockey Hall of Fame class in Short Shifts. It's all inside the latest edition of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

*Here is the link to the story about the fire across the street from JC that resulted in the background siren/horn noise

**Also, here is the link to PTR36 since that post has disappeared. We talked about the Vegas Golden Knights roster and the NHL awards among other things. 

WRINK WRAP - FRIDAY 6/23

A lot has happened since we recorded and posted yesterday. There will be plenty more to come with the draft tonight, but here are some thoughts on the big moves that have happened in the last 24 hours.

Dave Tippett's tenure in Arizona is over

(Photo Credit: Christian Peterson: Getty Images)

DESERT REBUILD

Last night, the Coyotes fired Head Coach Dave Tippett. This was a power shift move considering Tippett had been there for eight seasons. GM John Chayka and ownership (Andrew Barroway) are clearly looking to give this team a new identity. I don’t think anyone can argue that the Desert Dogs needed to go in a different direction, but  the way they've gone about it is rough around the edges (ie: the Shane Doan release). Lindy Ruff, Dallas Eakins, and Willie Desjardins are some names that could fill the vacancy (especially since Jack Capuano officially signed on to be Bob Boughner’s assistant in Florida). Arizona continued to make moves today as they sent the seventh overall pick in tonight’s draft and D prospect Anthony DeAngelo to the New York Rangers in exchange for C Derek Stepan and G Antti Raanta. Stepan’s name has been out there for a couple of weeks in the rumor mill, and some thought Raanta would be taken by the Golden Knights in the expansion draft. Arizona gets a very good second-line center/mediocre top line center and a goalie who is capable of starting. Stepan can also provide some leadership to a young group. As for the Blueshirts, they get a much-needed right-handed shot on the blueline in DeAngelo, and could bolster their defensive prospect depth with tonight’s pick. They haven’t had a first round pick since 2012 (Brady Skjei-28^th), and haven’t had a pick as high as seventh since they took Dylan McIlrath with the tenth overall pick in 2010. The Rangers last single digit first round pick was the sixth overall pick in 2004, when they took the immortal Al Montoya.  The Coyotes also added D Niklas Hjalmarsson (presumably to play on the top pair with Oliver Ekman-Larsson), but more on that in a second…

Antti Raanta and Derek Stepan are heading to the Western Conference

(Photo Credit: Adam Hunger - USA Today Sports)

CHANGES IN CHICAGO

Marian Hossa (left) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (right) won't be in a Blackhawks uniform this season, but Brandon Saad (center) will be

(Photo Credit: Blackhawks.com)

Stan Bowman said there would be changes after the way the Blackhawks season ended (first round sweep by the eventual conference champion Nashville Predators), and he wasn’t kidding. It started with the firing of Assistant Coach Mike Kitchen, and then trading G Scott Darling to Carolina. Nothing earth-shattering there, but Bowman got out the sledgehammer today. In his first move, he sent D Niklas Hjalmarsson to Arizona for D Connor Murphy and F Laurent Dophain.  While many Hawks fans are up in arms about this move, Murphy provides a younger, cap-friendly D-man with some term (signed through 2021-22).  You can also make the argument that Hjalmarsson’s style of hockey could cause his game to slip a bit in the coming seasons. The Blackhawks weren’t done there, sending Artemi Panarin, Tyler Motte, and a sixth round pick in tonight’s draft to Columbus for Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg, and 2018-5^th round pick. This was another move that had Hawks fans scratching their heads, but Saad is signed through 2021 at $6 mill per, and Panarin is up at the end of 2018-19 (also $6 mill per). Saad is more of a complete player and will help fill the void left by Hossa. As Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times puts it “Jonathan Toews hasn’t been the same without Brandon Saad. Patrick Kane can still be highly productive without Artemi Panarin”. I completely agree, and getting Forsberg allows them to  have a backup behind Crawford. Columbus gets a needed offensive weapon up front that should slot in to their top line from day one. 

Also the Edmonton Oilers signed Kris Russell to a four year contract extension worth $4 million per season.  It’s a smart move for a team that’s looking to build on the foundation already in place for years to come. Russell slots in nicely on the second pairing and kills penalties. 

PTR's MOCK EXPANSION DRAFTS

We'll know what the very first roster of the Vegas Golden Knights looks like Wednesday night, but until then here are Adam & JC's Vegas rosters...

(Photo Credit: Gary A Vaszquez - USA Today Sports)

ADAM'S VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS ROSTER

GOALIES:

1) Marc Andre Fleury (PIT) 

2) Petr Mrazek (DET)

3) Phillip Grubauer (WAS)

4) Jack Campbell (LA)

DEFENSEMEN:

1) Sami Vatanen (ANA)

2) Matt Dumba (MIN)

3) Marc Methot (OTT)

4) Martin Marincin (TOR)

5) Colin Miller (BOS)

6) Trevor vanRiemsdyk (CHI)

7) Brendon Dillon (SJ)

8) Phillip Larsen (VAN)

FORWARDS:

1) James Neal (NAS)

2) Benoit Pouliot (EDM)

3) Cody Eakin (DAL)

4) Joe Colborne (COL)

5) Tomas Plekanec (MTL)

6) David Perron (STL)

7) Jonathan Marchessault (FLA)

8) William Karlsson (CLB)

9) Michael Grabner (NYR)

10) Marko Dano (WPG)

11) Cedric Paquette (TB)

12) PE Bellemare (PHI)

13) Brock Nelson (NYI)

14) Jacob Josefsen (NJ)

15) Joakim Nordstrom (CAR) 

16) Lance Bouma (CGY)

17) William Carrier (BUF)

18) Alexander Burmistrov (ARI)

Marchessault-Plekanec-Neal

Perron-Eakin-Nelson

Pouliot-Karlsson-Grabner

Dano-Bellemare-Nordstrom

Methot-Vatanen

Dillon-Dumba

Marincin-vanRiemsdyk

Mrazek (if not traded) / MA Fleury (if Mrazek traded, Fleury/Grubauer)

JC'S VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS ROSTER

(Photo Credit: Sportsnet.CA)

GOALIES:

1) Pete Mrazek (DET)

2) Brian Elliott (CGY)

3) Louis Domingue (ARI)

DEFENSEMEN:

1) Sami Vatanen (ANA)

2) Zach Bogosian (BUF)

3) Jason Garrison (TB)

4) Colin Miller (BOS)

5) Brayden McNabb (LA)

6) Matt Dumba (MIN)

7) Ben Lovejoy (NJ)

8) Matt Hunwick (TOR)

FORWARDS:

1) Joe Thornton (SJ)

2) TJ Oshie (WAS)

3) David Perron (STL)

4) Alexander Radulov (MTL)

5) Benoit Pouliot (EDM)

6) Jonathan Marchessault (FLA)

7) Michael Grabner (NYR)

8) Brock Nelson (NYI) 

9) Colton Sissons (NAS)

10) Matt Read (PHI)

11) Clarke MacArthur (OTT)

12) Nick Bonino (PIT)

13) Carl Soderberg (COL)

14) Marko Dano (WPG)

15) Lee Stempniak (CAR)

16) Jamie Oleksiak (DAL)

17) Reid Boucher (VAN)

18) Jordin Tootoo (CHI)
19) William Karlsson (CLB)

PTR 35 - STANLEY CUP FINAL WRAP & UPCOMING OFF-SEASON

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 35

(Photo Credit: Fox 5 San Diego Website)

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the Stanley Cup Champions for a second straight season. Adam and JC will go through Games 5 & 6 and give their full thoughts on the series  The bad news is that NHL hockey is officially over for a little over three months, but the good news is the best part of the off-season is just around the corner. We'll look ahead to the big things coming up, talk about Marc Andre Fleury's future, the Bob Boughner hiring and plenty more in Short Shifts. It's all a part of the latest edition of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

PTR 34 - STANLEY CUP UPDATE PART 2 / SHORT SHIFTS

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 34

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

We're four games in to the Stanley Cup Final, and it's been nothing but home victories thus far. The series shifts back to the Steel City tonight for Game 5, and Adam & JC will give their thoughts on the last two games and for the remainder of the series. Is it more important for Pittsburgh to take a 3-2 lead and continue the home ice dominance, or is it more important for Nashville to win tonight so they wouldn't have to win a potential Game 7 on the road? Plus they'll also talk about the Calgary Flames (it's a punfest), the Kings, and an update on an NHL team in Seattle in Short Shifts. It's all a part of the latest edition of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

PTR 33 - STANLEY CUP FINALS UPDATE

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 33

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

We're two games in to the Stanley Cup Final, and the home team has held serve so far. The Penguins head to Nashville with a 2-0 series lead and hope they head back to Pittsburgh without the Predators after Game Four. Adam and JC recap the series to this point and give their thoughts on what's ahead for the next two games in the Music City. They'll also talk Ilya Kovalchuk, David Pastrnak, a potential Catfish Challenge, and plenty more in Short Shifts. It's all a part of the latest edition of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

PTR - EDITION 32 - STANLEY CUP PREVIEW

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 32!

(Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire - USA Today Sports)

It's been a long hiatus, but Adam is married, JC is back from China, and we're ready to talk hockey again, just in time for the Stanley Cup Final! We'll give a comprehensive breakdown of the Penguins and Predators up to this point and how they'll match-up against each other starting Monday night. There's also farewells to the Senators and Ducks, Ben Bishop heading to the Lone Star State and plenty more in Short Shifts. It's all a part of the fourth postseason edition of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: 2ND ROUND WRAP-UP & CONFERENCE FINALS PREVIEW

THOUGHTS HEADING IN TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS

by Adam Bernard

*Apologies for the lack of Pucking Thoughts Radio. JC has been in China, and next week I will be gone for my wedding. 

(Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasqyez - USA Today Sports)

ANAHEIM (P1) vs NASHVILLE (WC2)

It's a 2 vs 8 match-up and a rematch of last year's first round series (which the Predators won in 7) for the Western Conference Finals. Nashville was expected to be out in the first round against Chicago, but after making quick work of the Blackhawks and taking care of the Blues in 6, they find themselves in the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Pekka Rinne (8-2, 1.37 GAA, .951 save%, 2 SO) has been fantastic so far in the playoffs, and will need to continue his performance for the Predators to advance. Nashville's offensive contributions are balanced throughout the lineup, and their top notch blueline is right on par with Anaheim's blue ribbon blueliners. The Ducks made quick work of Calgary and then needed a tight seventh game to advance past Edmonton. John Gibson will need to be a little better (7-3, 2.80 GAA, .908 save%, 0 SO) considering how great Rinne has played. Ryan Getzlaf (15 points), Jakob Silfverberg (11 points) and Rickard Rakell (10 points) have been shouldering the load offensively for Anaheim. I like Anaheim to win the series in seven games, but they'll need more out of their special teams. If there is one area where Nashville has a big advantage in the playoffs, it's on the power play and the penalty kill. 

(Photo Credit: NHL.com)

PITTSBURGH (M2) vs OTTAWA (A2)

The #2 seeds from both the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions face off in this year's Eastern Conference Finals. Pittsburgh made quick work of Columbus in the first round and took care of the Presidents Trophy winning Capitals (again) in the 2nd round. What's more important is that they dodged two separate Sidney Crosby head injuries that could have been a lot worse. Marc Andre Fleury (8-4, 2.55 GAA, .927 save%, 1 SO) is doing to Matt Murray what Murray did to The Flower in last year's playoffs. Offensively it's been Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel being three of their top four producers. Jake Guentzel is the missing Penguin from that mix and is having a breakout playoff campaign (9G, 5A). Ottawa comes in to the series after two straight rounds of victories in six over Boston and the NY Rangers. Like Nashville, Ottawa is getting offense from all over their line-up, but Erik Karlsson leads the way with 13 points and is the top Conn Smythe candidate at the moment. Craig Anderson (8-4, 2.19GAA, .914 save%, 1 SO) has been consistent and has made the big save when the Senators needed it. I like Pittsburgh to win this series in six, but I wouldn't be surprised if Guy Boucher and his team frustrate Pittsburgh in to a lot of tight games in a long series. 

HAPPY TRAILS TO THE...

-New York Rangers: You can't blow leads late twice in a series, lose in overtime, and expect to advance. Ottawa wasn't that much better of a team than the Rangers, but the Senators showed up when it mattered and the Blueshirts disappeared at crucial times. After a bit of a shaky season, Henrik Lundqvist stepped up in the playoffs yet again, but that recipe continues to fall short. Hank isn't getting any younger. 

-Washington Capitals: What can be said that hasn't already been said about this franchise routinely coming up short, especially when they have to go through Pittsburgh. The rumors are that there will be major roster shake-up's in DC, and why not. You can't really point the finger at Barry Trotz considering Bruce Boudreau, Dale Hunter and Adam Oates have all had similar results running the Caps. 

-St. Louis Blues: It was an interesting season for the Blues. After getting off to a terrible start, the team improved when Ken Hitchcock was fired and Mike Yeo took over. St. Louis didn't play a bad series against the Predators, they just had the misfortune of running in to the Cinderella team of the playoffs. With Yeo behind the bench to start the 2017-18 season, St. Louis should be a playoff team again next season but with a few more points in the standings. 

-Edmonton Oilers: They are kind of like the polar opposite of the Capitals in the "what else can be said" department on the positive side. Making the playoffs this year was good progress. But to eliminate the defending conference champions in the first round and taking the divison champs to seven is a leap in the right direction. The one thing people held against the Oilers coming in to the playoffs is a lack of postseason experience. That is no longer a demerit against McDavid & co. 

AB & JC 2nd Round Playoff Picks

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Adam & JC have very different thoughts on how the West will go...


(Photo Credit: NHL.com)


(Photo Credit: NHL.com)

Nashville Predators vs St. Louis Blues
AB: St. Louis in 7
JC: Nashville in 6

Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks
AB: Anaheim in 7
JC: Edmonton in 7

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Both Adam & JC have the Blueshirts and the Penguins meeting in the Eastern Conference Finals

(Photo Credit: Gene J Puskar - Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals

AB: Pittsburgh in 7
JC: Pittsburgh in 7

New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Seanators
AB: NY Rangers in 6
JC: NY Rangers in 7

*Forgot to post this yesterday

PTR 31 - Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round Preview

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 31!

(Photo Credit: NHL.com)

The first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs are in the books, and the second round kicks off tomorrow. Adam and JC analyze each series and reveal their conference final match-ups. We'll also say farewell to the eight playoff teams whose seasons are already done, plus plenty more in Short Shifts. It's all a part of the third postseason edition (and last edition for a month) of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

PTR 30: 1st ROUND PLAYOFF UPDATE & SABRES CLEAN HOUSE

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 30!

(Photo Credit: Jeff McIntosh - Canadian Press)


(Photo Credit: Margaret Hickling - Olean Times Herald)

We've got one first round series in the books, and the potential for two more to end tonight in Pittsburgh and Nashville. Adam and JC will give their thoughts on all of the playoff match-ups thus far. They'll dive in to the Sabres decision to clean house today by firing GM Tim Murray & Coach Dan Bylsma, plus plenty more in Short Shifts. It's all on the 30th in-season edition of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

OUR 2017 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF BRACKETS

^Adam's Bracket ^

^JC's Bracket^

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 29 - PLAYOFF PREVIEW!

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 29

(Photo Credit: Chris Ehrmann)


(Photo Credit: USA Today)

The NHL regular season is over, and now it's time for the second season. Adam and JC preview all eight series of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, give you our winners, and reveal our brackets. They'll also go through all of the firings from Black Monday, say good bye to Joe Louis Arena, and talk about the weekend that was for Bryan Bickell. It's all a part of the latest, pre-playoffs edition of Pucking Thoughts Radio!

CONGRATS UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

(Photo Credit: John Leyba - Denver Post)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016-17 NCAA HOCKEY CHAMPIONS - THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER PIONEERS!!


(Photo Credit: John Leyba - Denver Post)

PUCK 'EM PICK 'EM - LAST DAY OF THE 2016-17 REGULAR SEASON!

We're down to the last day of 'Puck 'Em' for the 2016-17 regular season. While JC had the lead for most of the season, Adam finally pulled ahead (after failing to do so when tying him the previous ten times it seemed like). With a three game lead going in to today's ten game slate, basically Adam needs to go 0-5 or 1-4 and JC needs to have a great day to tie or win it at the buzzer. Adam declined first pick to JC to try and gobble up as many teams that had something to play for today (Detroit is out of it, but they sure as shit want to win the last ever game at Joe Louis Arena, especially against an equally bad opponent)

ADAM (319-219): Toronto (2nd), Detroit (3rd), Anaheim (5th), Washington (7th), NY Islanders (10th)
*Carolina upset

JC (316-222): Edmonton (1st), Tampa Bay (4th), St. Louis (6th), Philadelphia (8th), Pittsburgh (10th)

PUCK 'EM PICK 'EM - 3 DAYS REMAINING!

We've come down to the last three days of our Puck 'Em picks for the 2016-17 season. There is only one game on Friday night, so it's all about maintaining ground at this point. JC has had the lead for most of the season, but usually by not more than a handful of games. Adam has caught JC on probably eight or nine occasions this season, but can never hang on to the lead for more than a day or two. Adam retook the lead with a big 5-1 Tuesday night, and now has a two game lead on JC in the standings. It's a twelve game Thursday before a fourteen game Saturday and ten game Sunday slate, and Adam decided to pick first. 

ADAM (311-214): Columbus (1st), St. Louis (4th), Nashville (6th), Calgary-upset (8th), San Jose (10th), Vancouver (11th)

JC (309-216): Pittsburgh (2nd), Minnesota (3rd), Toronto (5th), Carolina (7th), Boston (9th), Chicago-upset (12th)


Our Picks For Tonight's Frozen Four Match-Ups

ADAM: Minnesota-Duluth over Harvard/Denver over Notre Dame
JC: Harvard over Minnesota-Duluth/Denver over Notre Dame

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 28

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 28

There's only five days left in the NHL regular season, and Adam and JC will run through all of the divisional and wild card races as they come down to the final game of the season. They'll also talk about the NHL's decision to not participate in the 2018 Olympic games in South Korea, say farewell to more teams for the 2017-17 season, plus more in Short Shifts. It's all a part of the latest edition of PTR28!

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 27

PUCKING THOUGHTS RADIO - EDITION 27

(Photo Credit: kylejgraybeal / Instagram)

There's only nine days left in the NHL season, and Adam and JC talk about where each team stands as we head in to the home stretch of the regular season. They'll also talk about the Vegas Golden Knights' Expansion Draft, the NHL's decision to go to Asia (but not the one you think), a review of Adam's Ramgers/California road trip, and plenty more in Short Shifts. It's all a part of the latest PTR!

NY Rangers / California Road Trip

Adam's Rangers Road Trip begins tomorrow with a 10:30PM Eastern start at the Staples Center against the Kings...

(Photo Credit Jim McIsaac - Newsday)

It then resumes on Sunday 3/26 at 9PM Eastern at the Honda Center against the Ducks...

(Photo Credit Bruce Bennett - Getty Images)

A one day break (Disneyland!), and then Tuesday 3/28 a 10:30PM Eastern start at the SAP Center with the conclusion of the trip against the Sharks.

(Photo Credit Michael Reeves - Getty Images)

Adam will be tweeting about it when he can, posting thoughts and pictures from each stop. Feel free to interact or say hi if you'll be at any of the games!

NCAA Hockey Tournament / Frozen Four Picks

(Photo Credit: Chris O'Meara - Associated Press)

North Dakota took home to the 2016 NCAA Hockey Championship last year. Can they do it again? They'll basically have home ice in the first round (and second if they advance), but they'll need to go through BU in order to advance to the regional final. We'll find out when the tournament starts tomorrow! Adam & JC are by no means authorities on college hockey, but we filled out brackets anyway. For what it's worth:

CINCINNATI

Denver vs Michigan Tech - both picked Denver

Penn State vs Union (NY) - Adam took Penn St, JC took Union

JC took Union over Denver to advance to the Frozen Four

Adam took Denver over Penn State to advance to the Frozen Four

MANCHESTER

Minnesota vs Notre Dame - JC took Minnesota, Adam took ND

Cornell vs UMass-Lowell - both picked Cornell

JC took Minnesota over Cornell to advance to the Frozen Four Adam took Cornell over Notre Dame to advance to the Frozen Four

PROVIDENCE

Harvard vs Providence - both picked Harvard

Air Force vs Western Michigan - JC took AF, Adam took WMU

Both Adam & JC had Harvard advancing to the Frozen Four

FARGO

Minnesota-Duluth vs Ohio State - both picked UMD

North Dakota vs Boston U - both picked North Dakota

Both Adam & JC had UMD advancing to the Frozen Four

JC FROZEN FOUR

Minnesota over Union

Harvard over Minnesota-Duluth

Minnesota over Harvard - Golden Gophers 2017 Champs

ADAM FROZEN FOUR

Denver over Cornell

UMD over Harvard

UMD over Denver - Bulldogs 2017 Champs