06-29-2015, 04:03 PM
Recorded the First Round and watched it later that night, which I'll likely do from now on. The NHL sure knows how to drag things out. I find the most excitement surrounding the draft comes from trades, and this year certainly delivered. Some real winners & losers in some of the trades this year. Boston made some moves to pick three straight (don't think I've seen that before) but they paid a price for it. I hate that they traded Lucic to L.A., only to turn around and trade a third-rounder to Philly for Zac Rinaldo. I like Rinaldo, but I think Boston fans would be correct in saying he's no replacement for Lucic (although I don't think he's expected to be). Boston loses some toughness and offense, but gains some much needed cap space. Dougie Hamilton is another story. I don't think Boston got nearly enough for him in return. I don't like that deal.
I'm loving what Hextall has done so far - losing Pronger's contract, trading Grossmann to Arizona for Sam Gagner and somehow getting a draft pick out of it? Good stuff. Rumors swirling that Gagner is either getting bought out or traded when free agency opens, but honestly if the Flyers keep him and move him to wing I'll still love that deal. I feel like Gagner has a lot to prove, as he's yet to meet the lofty expectations that followed him into the league. He's also played for Edmonton and Phoenix, so it's tough to tell if he's a bust or the product of poor clubs.
As you mention, the Rangers were active. I didn't think trading Cam Talbot made them a better team, but I was glad to see Talbot go somewhere he'll get a shot at a starting job (Edmonton). The Rangers redeemed themselves in acquiring Antti Raanta, a solid replacement for Talbot - younger, less expensive. Nice save by Sather... no pun intended. I feel like they took a downgrade in trading Hagelin to Anaheim for Emerson Etem, but again it was a necessary fiscal move.
Looking forward to free agency opening on Wednesday!
I'm loving what Hextall has done so far - losing Pronger's contract, trading Grossmann to Arizona for Sam Gagner and somehow getting a draft pick out of it? Good stuff. Rumors swirling that Gagner is either getting bought out or traded when free agency opens, but honestly if the Flyers keep him and move him to wing I'll still love that deal. I feel like Gagner has a lot to prove, as he's yet to meet the lofty expectations that followed him into the league. He's also played for Edmonton and Phoenix, so it's tough to tell if he's a bust or the product of poor clubs.
As you mention, the Rangers were active. I didn't think trading Cam Talbot made them a better team, but I was glad to see Talbot go somewhere he'll get a shot at a starting job (Edmonton). The Rangers redeemed themselves in acquiring Antti Raanta, a solid replacement for Talbot - younger, less expensive. Nice save by Sather... no pun intended. I feel like they took a downgrade in trading Hagelin to Anaheim for Emerson Etem, but again it was a necessary fiscal move.
Looking forward to free agency opening on Wednesday!
