Only the brain trust in the NHL would shut down their season right after football ends to put on a tournament that nobody cares about.
Didn’t think I would be but I’m into this one. The way both teams are hitting I could definitely see some guys getting hurt!
Strong game from the USA....the first period was definitely the most entertaining but that was incredible hockey from start to finish.
That was a lot of fun to watch. Poor Canada, the 51st state gets beaten and outclassed by the USA, no surprise. USA USA!!! If they play again in the championship game, I hope the Boston fans have some loud payback for 51.
It will mostly likely still be Canada vs USA in the finals. I would be shocked if Canada doesn’t beat Finland
Agreed, high likelihood we see a rematch on Thursday night in Boston. That would be a lot of fun, and I want to hear the Boston crowd like we heard the Montreal crowd. BTW - I have been to Montreal many times, and it doesn't take a lot for the people in Montreal to boo, there is love lost for Americans there. But the hockey atmosphere is great in that city, and it added to the game for sure.
I was thinking the same thing; Drury should offer half the team for Brady. Put him, Miller, and Trocheck together and you have the grit you need to win in the biggest toughest games. That's one of the concerns as I see it; to make a mega trade and add a high impact star, it takes major balls and "courage", and I really don't think Drury has the stones for it and he isn't up to it. It's why he didn't break the team up last summer when he very obviously should have, along with lack of foresight. I'd love to see an identity changing swing with a real breakup, I just doubt he can/will do it.
At this point, if i can get Tkachuk, i am willing to give up Lafreniere without hesitation. He’s no longer cheap and has regressed this season.
Agreed, Brooks wrote an article saying Drury should trade Lafreniere for Zegras, which is absurd, so yeah for Brady, you'd do it in a second. I would be open to dealing Lafreniere and Othmann OR Perreault OR K. Miller (if they wanted him for their D) and a mid-prospect/picks, for Brady. This plays to my point above, to make a trade like that you need some balls to take that swing. It is a lot to give up, but to get a player like Brady you do it without a doubt IMO. Again, I do not believe Drury has the courage or foresight to make that big of a deal and deal those types of assets. I simply don't believe he has the type of risk tolerance needed to make a franchise changing move. Look at what Florida did adding Matthew, both Huberdeau and Weegar are good players, and they gave up a 1st round pick, but they made the deal and took the risk, and it's the move they needed to get over the top. That should be the blueprint. Look, the Rangers have talent, they have 6 players in the 4 Nations, among the most of any team. What they lack is a transformational player. They have the assets to add one, Lafreniere, K. Miller, Othmann, Perreault, but is there a player of that level available, and again does Drury have the stomach for it, I say no. If they dealt Lafreniere, with the cap going up, they can afford that guy also. This is the mindset Drury should operate with IMO.
What I think Drury should do is trade away Lindgren and Smith for 100% sure, not 99%, 100% for sure. They have no 1st rounder this year, and no 2nd rounders for the next 3 drafts, so recoup some picks by dealing those two guys. I would also look to deal Kreider if I could get a very good return, a 1st rounder. Then I would swing really big and go for that transformational guy. You can flip the picks you get for Lindgren/Smith, and maybe Kreider if you deal him, along with Lafreniere and a mix of the others I mentioned and jump in. That would be my approach, I doubt Drury sees it the same way.
