Spin the Wheel: How Many Games for This One?

Everyone is talking right now about the NHL’s safety protocols. Or as people like to say—well, no, I’m not allowed to say that, this is a family blog. In all seriousness, I wonder what kind of statement the NHL is making lately with its latest game suspensions.

Radko Gudas

First of all, let me say this: I am a huge fan of Radko’s abilities. Every team in the NHL needs a solid physical defenceman who takes care of business in front of the net. But this was not good hockey. The hit was a deliberate knee-on-knee hit. Matthew’s season is over. Are you telling me that when all is said and done, Austin Matthews is only worth five games? This should have been more than a five-game suspension. The NHL needs to clean up its act.

AJ Greer

There is no room in the NHL for AJ Greep’s hit on Connor Zary. It was a malicious hit from behind. I am all for a good physical style of game; that’s part of the game. But that was not good hockey. Connor was defenseless; he had no chance to protect himself from that kind of attack. The NHL has to eliminate this kind of hit from the game. Sidelining Greep for three games does not make the statement that the NHL is trying hard to take these kinds of hits out of the game. If the NHL wants to attract new fans, they have to show people this isn’t a barbaric game.

Final word

There has to be a better way. Players have to respect each other and the rules of the game. There need to be stiffer regulations and penalties. They need to motivate the players not to commit homicidal acts. Let’s try to improve the game, shall we? I’m not saying I want a goody-two-shoes league; what I do want is a safer league for our players.

Randy

P.S. I could have picked from several incidents, but I chose these two because they were the most recent. 

I Screamed at the Leafs—Now Let’s Talk Solutions

Can I act like a two-year-old for 5-10 minutes? I just wanna go downstairs and fall on the floor and yell and scream obscenities. It doesn’t even have to be coherent. It was just so satisfying to let the Toronto Maple Leafs have it.

Now, back to being an adult

Now that my tantrum is over, how can the Maples fix this? It can’t be a total rebuild. We have a schedule on our hands. We have to fix this as soon as possible. A rebuild now is not acceptable.

The players who will probably go

Bobby McMann and Scotty Laughton. These two are probably the two most valuable assets the Leafs have. Both of their contracts expire at the end of the season, and they become UFAs. In a perfect world, Bobby should get a first-round pick and return as part of a package. Scotty, on the other hand, could get a B+ prospect. Another pick up if we are lucky.

The players they will try to move

Morgan, Riley, and Anthony Stolarz fit this route. I do not think they will ever be able to trade either of them, simply because of mathematics. The salary hit is too much, but I’m not sure any team can fit them in. Morgan has a $7.5 million cap hit. Anthony just signed a four-year deal worth $3.75 million, which kicks in next season. Anthony just signed a four-year deal worth $3.75 million, which kicks in next season. I have a hard time believing Toronto can find a new home for him with that term.

The ones who will go if there are offers

Calle Jarnkrok

Calle is a good fourth-line forward who is willing to get his nose dirty. If you need a momentum change on a good hit, he is your man. He’s an option for any team in the league for the penalty kill or a fourth-line forward when you need a spark plug.

Simon Benoit

Simon is a stay-at-home defenceman, a left-hander who would help any team in the league. He is a good third-pairing defenceman who can kill penalties. He may not get many points, but that isn’t why he’s on this team. He is a reliable defenseman.

Final Word

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be sellers; it just remains to be seen how much they will sell. They are desperately trying to get a first-round pick in the 2026 draft. If not the 2026 draft, they will try to get an extra pick in the 2027 draft. Some extra prospects won’t hurt them either. I don’t think they will do a full rebuild; I think a retool is the route they will go.

Randy 

The Islanders Are Playing for One Thing Only

Seriously, I love the Islanders fans’ attitude: “It’s all about the cup.” Who can blame them? There seems to be a different hero every night. For example, against the Montréal Canadiens, it was the old, familiar, but young Schaffer.

Most nights, the old reliable goaltender is the star of the team. Ilya Sorokin. The Vezna candidate goalie has been outstanding this season. After his game starts, I’m thinking he can’t get any better than this. Until the next night—how is he even better than the previous night?

Where are all the haters of Lee and Pageau?

That question was quoted word-for-word from my source, Paul Kreischer of Isles Talk. Paul took this question even further. He continues, “Does anybody want to trade Lee and Pageau now?” Would the Islanders be moving up the ladder at this pace without these two players in the lineup? The question is easily answered with a big negative.

There’s no way the New York Islanders are going anywhere without the progress of Lee and Pageau, and both have been enormous of late. You can reach Paul on Twitter @P_Kreischer or, of course, @IslesTalk.  

Do the Islanders need a new backup goalie?

This is a question, not an accusation. I am wondering out loud. Would the New York Islanders look at another backup goalie?

Big Save Dave has struggled in his last two starts. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Every goalie goes through a couple of bad starts, so it’s nothing. The biggest name on the market seems to be out of Toronto, but there’s no way the New York Islanders will go after Stolartz. Another team with several goalies is Buffalo. Could the New York Islanders pry one out of them?

Final word

My blogging hat has been taken off. This final word is written as a fan: It’s all about the cup; that’s all that matters. If it means New York will be near the Stanley Cup final. It’s time to go all in.

Randy 

Maple Leafs Yard Sale: Bring Cash, Take a Defenseman

There is a difference between a yard sale and a fire sale. A yard sale implies some tinkering. At a fire sale, you sell everything, almost like a going-out-of-business sale. So far, my understanding is that the Leafs are listening to all players, but keeping it to the yard sale. They still want to be competitive for next season.

Here is the list of players rumored to have a price tag:

Anthony Stolartz

Great stand-up goalie, but he may be the odd man out. With the emergence of Hieldby and Woll, the Maple Leafs are set for years to come. Anthony could be a starter for a few years, making him a valuable commodity.

Bobby McMann

I was talking to a fan who was perplexed by the Leafs' decision to put Bobby out in the market. He was questioning it because he would be a very good player for the Maple Leafs to build around. My response is that Bobby, being a UFA, might have priced himself out of the Leafs' price range. Any contending team could use a versatile forward with some scoring punch. Add to that the fact that Bobby plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is a talented forward who might be the final touch for a contender.

Adam Larson

Arguably, Larson is the best defenceman the Maple Leafs have had this season. I would be sorry to see him go. He has been everything to the Leafs this season. He is the best defenceman for the power play. He has an underrated slap shot and puck-moving skills; he could bring in a haul for the franchise. He is showing some signs of his days with the Phoenix Coyotes, when he was one of the best.

Derrick Roy

A great fourth-line centre who is very good in the face-off circle. Bobby is good at helping with the defensive zone coverage, slowing down the scoring chances against them. His no-nonsense attitude, combined with the abandonment of anything nice in the world, means the Leafs could get some assets in return for him. Several teams will have inquired about his availability or plan to do so. His leadership skills and his Stanley Cup ring will increase his value.

Final Word

The Leafs are trying to get back into the first round of the draft. Triliving needs to get the rebuild done, as it's vital for this job that this year remains an anomaly. I suspect that McMann and Stolartz are gone, but I'm hoping for more!

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Darche Goes to the Candy Store: Picking the Sweetest Deals for the Isles

Imagine Darche shopping. What kind of shopper would he be?  

I imagine he will be looking for a scorer. If we lived in the ultimate fantasy world, Steve Stammer freaking Stampkos would be in an Islander jersey. We all know he is not waiving for now. But anything can happen. If I were the Islanders, I would inquire.

Players on my List

Bobby McMann, Toronto Maple Leafs LW/RW

Bobby makes a very good second-line forward. It will probably fit perfectly with Barzal and Horvat. He mixes it with rough stuff; he doesn’t go looking for trouble, but he won’t shy away from an altercation either. He is a younger version of Lee.

Claude Giroux Ottawa Senators RW/C

Claude is a terrific all-around player; he may not be a point man like he was in his prime, but I am sure he would fit in nicely. Primarily a right-winger, but in his past, Centre days, he was very good on the draw. He has a great shot and is a great penalty killer. If the Sens put him on the market, the Islanders should be interested.

Evander Kane Canucks LW

Go beyond all the drama and look at the player himself. I know it’s a huge gamble, but he could thrive in a new environment out of the limelight. He could be a hit in New York. He could be a successful project. There is no doubt about his talent, but can he thrive under Roy’s direction?

Blake Coleman (Goleman) Calgary LW/RW/C

The ultimate third-line forward. Coleman can easily shift up to the second line in case of urgency because of injuries. The versatility of Coleman, who can play all three forwards, can be vital to the Islanders. He has a great shot; he will get his nose dirty and get you those dirty goals.

Final word

That is my list! Who is on yours? Would you put an enforcer on the list, or is it all about scoring? Where would you put the Colorado pick the Isles acquired? 

If Hockey Never Paused, These 5 Guys Would Hold the Line (and the Snacks)

What would happen if the NHL had no off-season?  Can you imagine the freedom, husbands? You could watch the TV as much as you liked. Think about it—we would not have to listen to whiny kids ever.  It would be your wife’s job to take care of the kids year-round during hockey season.

The only problem is the cost of a bodyguard to protect you from your wife killing you. Who would you pick as your bodyguard? I thought I would pick my favorite enforcers this week. I will give you my top 5 and let you choose which you would like for your bodyguard.

First, let me lay down some ground rules.  Actually, let’s make it with no rules.  How do you feel about anarchy? So, since I don’t have to follow any rules, you may not know all my picks.  That is because I am an old fart.

Dave “Tiger” Williams

Tiger was one of the best fighters and enforcers in Toronto over the years. He is the NHL’s career leader in penalty minutes. He had several seasons with over 300 regular-season penalty minutes. He will always be known for his skate after he scored a goal. I will always remember him protecting the big guns in Toronto, threatening to beat whoever’s face if they crossed the line.

Dave “the Hammer” Schultz

The Hammer was the ultimate fighter during the big, bad Philly years. I remember a huge fight between him and Gillies during the playoffs. It was one of the best fights I have ever seen.  And then there was the scene with them shaking hands at the end of the series. He was nasty, a terrific fighter who always went to the wall for his teammates.

Stan “Bulldog” Jonathon

The Bulldog was one of the toughest enforcers in the League. He had a chip on his shoulder and never really got the respect he deserved.  He never backed down from a challenge. Whether he won or not, he never cheated.

Derek “Boogeyman” Boogaard

Boogeyman Boogaard was probably the strongest enforcer in the NHL this past season. I am not sure I have ever seen him lose a tussle this past year. He is as big and strong as an ox. He cannot be moved easily and protects his stars. He earned his paycheque.

Jody “Hedgehog” Shelly (really?)

Shelley played 36 games and got 78 minutes in penalties last year. He was no angel, coming out on the ice just looking for trouble. It wasn’t just that he was looking; it was that he was smiling when he found it. He is one man I would not want to meet in a dark alley somewhere.

Here are my top 5 picks for your protection if hockey became an all-year sport. Truth be told, you would probably need two or three bodyguards. Let’s be truthful now, we all aggravate our wives just a little during hockey season.

So, who is your enforcer?

Randy