O no you caught my spelling snafu! Can tell your in the right when people pick apart internet spelling. Of course that's what I meant by good. You go from second worst to battling for a playoff spot in two years? That's good lol. You cerntainly disrespect the wild card spot when your team made the playoffs in the wild card spot. It's funny though I think your hung up on the word good (what I said) and Improving? Really? Splitting hairs no?
That's true about the game day threads no point in "chatting" when the two teams are going in different directions. If they were both bad or good it would be different.
And that is why I clarified my point regarding what good meant in my original post. If good means they could maybe be battling for a lower WC as we head down the stretch of the season, yes MAYBE they can be that in two years. They won't be a legit big threat for at least 3 years I'd say. And the Rangers got over 100 points this season. I do not see the Devs getting 100 points in two years...no way I don't think. If I were a Devil fan I'd have 3 years in my head for when I want to see this team really be back in the game. Look how long it took Toronto and Edmonton.
Last thing. When you are bad it is always great to win the lottery and get the # 1 pick, but it kind of stinks for the Devs they won it in a year without that stud dominant talent available. Again very similar to the Browns in the NFL this season. No doubt you'll get a very good, maybe even great player, but it won't be THE guy like the guys I mentioned are.
Your definition of good is insane lol. There's good and that's making the playoffs. Then there's great teams and those are the teams that are cup worthy. Go from 28th to maybe 16 is good. Or as you like to think Improving which I think is the same thing
If your definition of good is maybe compete for a WC down the stretch of the season, yes the Devs could maybe be in that position in two years (although I still think 3 years is more realistic). Took the Leafs and Oilers a lot longer than two years though, so that is no given. The Devs have a long road ahead of them to get back to being a legit threat of a team. Years I'd say. I think that's reality.
If the Devs were a little better as a destination for FA that would accelerate their ascent more, but they are realistically at 3-4y before making noise in the playoffs. You figure they probably have a pick in the 10-15 range next year so that's another pretty good player they'll add. Schneider probably has a good 5 high end years left.
Your all over the place with your thoughts. Your not even doubting that we will get a very good or maybe great player. I get it's not a mcdavid or Matthews but only two teams have them it's not like the entire NHL has 20 year olds putting up 40goals. That's rare type of player. So while it sucks they aren't in the draft this year having a great player like you said is still a huge win. I'm still confused on what your definition of good is? Your saying that making the playoffs and threatening for a cup is good? But making the playoffs isn't good? I get there are two types of playoff teams those that are good and then those that are cup contenders but to say a team isn't good because they made the playoffs? That just crazy talk
When 16 teams make the playoffs I am not throwing parades because you get in. To me the bottom line on the Devs is we are years away from them being a legit long run threat. That's the way I see it. We can discuss semantics about what is good versus what is a contender. But my opinion still holds. As for the # 1 pick, it isn't McDavid, or Matthews, or Sid, or OV, or Malkin. Always great to win the lotto, but better to win it when a potential league changer is available. That is not the case this year, even though of course they will get a very good player at worst.
Cup are they looking to keep Kovalchuk? I saw something today he wants to stay in the NY area or maybe Florida. Can't see anything with the Rangers or Isles. The Rangers can't even afford him if they wanted.
At 34 i wonder how good Kovalchuk can still be, but will be interesting to see what happens to him. And does Bettman want Arizona to fold? seems like they're always getting screwed in the lottery moving down a few spots from where they'd most likely be picking, missing on the sure-things like McDavid/Eichel, for example.
Was just coming to post the same thing when I saw that. They would never trade him to the rangers maybe the islanders I doubt it. So that would mean only Florida. But realistically he has no leverage. Unless he wants to sit out a year and be a ufa at age 35 and then that contract is guaranteed on the cap. I would definitely want him back he's a lock for 20 goals and 50pts. He will be slower but that shot won't have gone away. Playing in the khl probably is easier on his back too giving him time to heal like jagr. If I'm shero sign him to a two year deal and look to flip him at the deadline after everyone sees what he has in the tank. They get him at a discounted rate for the year so they can fit his salary and he can put a team over the top. It's found money and I would think after seeing what Minnesota paid at the deadline kovy should command a 1st and a prospect. Trade him in the summer? Doubt you get that back but hey Garth snow is an idiot anything is possible I'd do a Brazal for kovy deal
Kovy on the rangers and you would have more then the two goals on the power play this playoff that's for sure
