Come on down and talk hockey!
We will know later today. The Blues have an optional skate and the team may have an update then. Tom Timmermann traveling with the team on this trip.
Yeah, but . . . turns out they got it wrong. Per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic:
"When you watch the video, it’s clear Andrighetto puts himself offside. And ultimately, that's what the review decided, too, so the Avs’ tying goal was nullified.
However, upon further reflection, the league now realizes that since Andrighetto wasn't ruled offside by the linesman on the spot – which he should have been – you've got a new zone entry when he skates back into the zone with the puck.
Hence, the NHL nullified a goal on a second zone entry which, as per the current video review rules, you can't do. Only the last zone entry can exist for any review. When Andrighetto re-enters the zone without the play being blown dead, it's by definition a clean zone entry.
So what should have happened is the goal stands, and the Blues get a penalty for a failed challenge."
They are off to a a great start. But Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay are really strong and then Washington and Columbus are handfuls too.
Tom Timmermann took the trip. Jim Thomas is headed to the road soon.
Yes, Bouwmeester will step back in the lineup when he returns. That could still be a while, since he will need to be on the ice for a while before he returns. But like you say, pulling somebody out will be difficult. All six are playing well. Dunn just keeps getting back.
A shorter deal will make sense for both sides. Fabbri would have to take a modest AAV to get a long-term deal, given the injury uncertainty. And Armstrong definitely wants to see if Robby can hold up for a year or two before committing. There is this, too: The team has a lot of young forwards coming fast.
No, I like the officiating better. The NHL came a long way since the grim Ron "Horrible" Hoggarth and Denis Morel, but some of the rules tweaks put in by owners -- like the slashing crackdowns -- makes their job difficult. They are erring on the side of punishing dangerous hits, which is ultimately good for the industry.
I'd bring Stastny back for, say, three years and $15 million. He and Schenn look like a solid tandem and Thomas could become a natural No. 2 some day too. Turris would be an OK No. 2, but he is likely to get overpaid. As for Tavares, he is going to get $10 million-plus and this team doesn't look like a candidate for that. Too many other good players getting paid and to get paid down the road.
Bortuzzo got in Hutton's lane. Although he got nudged, he was largely responsible for running his own goaltender over. So that was a good no-call.
Vegas is more vulnerable with Subban in goal, so I like the Blues chances despite the strong Vegas start.
As I noted before, Ken Hitchcock wanted a larger leadership group for some reason. Yeo, given a chance to open a season on his own terms, did not want such a large committee.
Yeah, about half the league has been busy and the other half hasn't. This will actually help the Blues because they've done some heavy lifting done early. They only have one extended road trip next month. A chance to catch their breath.
One, the linesmen needed to catch that. The Blues pointed it out, after all, as it was happening. Two, the league may need to tweak the offside challenge rule to cover this scenario.
Get better players. For now, due to injuries the early-stage development status of younger forwards, they will just have to make the most with what they have.
Perhaps he would, but right now injuries are keeping him in the mix. At some point Armstrong may try to add a forward for depth scoring -- and he will have some defensive surplus to work from, since Dunn is ahead of schedule.
As I noted earlier, the Tim Man should have an update later today.
Nashville is a great fit for Duchene, since that team can afford to move a Top 4 D-man to get him -- even if Poile has expressed concern about paying that price. The Islanders have a defensive surplus and might want to get insurance at center. Montreal needs Duchene, but Bergevin doesn't have much to trade.
If this team gets in the bracket, it will be a contender. Ask the Preds about that. This team needs more forward depth and Berglund and Sanford will add that as they return. Also, Kostin/Thompson could address that. And so could a minor defenseman-for-winger trade. But with a half-dozen good young players on the cusp, I can see Armstrong just letting nature run its course. The potential for next year is huge -- and Armstrong won't want to jeopardize that with a costly rental trade.
Robby Fabbri: With him playing just 143 NHL games, and his entry level contract expiring this summer, what kind of a deal do you think he signs? I'm afraid Army will sign him to a long term deal (5+ years) based on his play two years ago. For a guy that created opportunities using his speed, I am very concerned with how he'll rebound from knee injury. I hope Army plays it cautions and only offers a 1, MAYBE 2 year 'Show Me' deal.