2019-2020 NHL season thread

Most of the emergency goalies don't have that kind of association with the NHL club. In the case of the guy who suited up in the middle of a game with the Blackhawks 2 years ago, he was one of several former goalies who took turns being the emergency goalie. They show up with their gear, drop it off downstairs and then sit in the press box or they get a ticket. 99.9 percent of the time they get fed, watch a game, head back down and get their gear and go home. The Blackhawks guy was a former NCAA level goalie who was playing in rec leagues at Johnny's Ice House. He wasn't associated with the Blackhawks prior to that game.

 

Granted, I don't get to see Athanasiou much, and with the small sample size I was working with over the past few years, he looked all-world every time I saw him. But my sense is, if you put him next to McDavid or Leon Draisaitl (but especially McDavid), he is going to break out. Guess we'll see.

 

Last night and this morning, a bunch of reports, including from Larry Brooks, were saying that the Rangers and Kreider were too far apart and I needed to prepare for them to rip the team apart. And then they got it done! Sounds like they both compromised. The Rangers gave him 7 years, Kreider took way less per year than he would have gotten on the open market. That contract may be an albatross for the last 2 or 3 years, but I am glad they did it. They don't need more draft picks or prospects. That was what the last few years gave them. They actually have a really good top 6 now, and letting Kreider go would have blown a hole in it that they could not replace.

Unfortunately, now they are going to have to shed some guys who are about to get paid to make Kreider work. I love Jesper Fast, but they are not going to be able to afford his next contract. Tony D'Angelo will probably have to go, too. Or if they can find someone interested in Brady Skjei -- their defensive prospects are better than up front. Then there are the potential buyouts of Brendan Smith, Mark Staal and Henrik, although those are problematic toop. I am sure they'd love to trade Smith or Staal if there is a contender looking to sure up defensively, but their contracts are way too big, so the Rangers will have to eat some if that is going to happen. And Henrik? The situation just sucks. I am sure they would love for him to just retire, but he should be able to go out on his own terms.