Bro I'm watching this memorial service. It is so heartbreaking and bit humorous. "Torts even flew in and he hates goalies *everyone dies*" "Matiss wouldn't even want all this, he'd just want everyone to have a beer and move on."

It's such a hard watch. Brings you back down to earth.

NHL RULE 699: Players are forbidden from playing with Fireworks even during the offseason get it done BETTMAN

Any player who touches or uses fireworks will shamed

Chara played with McAvoy and Grz was on the third pair if I remember correctly

I know it's such a small detail to the rest of the story (I mean someone literally died) but it's so heartbreaking when you consider that CLB was likely moving one of their 2 NHL goalies (most likely Korpisalo) so Mattiss was going to ghet his chance at being a regular.

Just a very very sad story. RIP

Catching up on another signing:

3 years, 3 million AAV
Anthony Duclair

Apparently Kivlenieks died protecting Merzlinkins and his wife. Mad respect for this guy. R.I.P

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10007857-elvis-merzlikins-says-matiss-kivlenieks-saved-him-his-wife-on-night-of-his-death

Sacrificed his own life to save anothers. Nothing but respect for him. He died a hero. Rest in piece, Matiss.

Scenarios on why Bishop waived his NMC:

1. He’s not fully healthy and will spend the entire of next year on LTIR
2. Not healthy at all and will retire, which in place gives Dobby his spot
3. Want to do that to bait Seattle into taking him, hidden circumstances on his health.
4. To give Dobby more trade value after the draft because he wasn’t getting picked.
5. Gives us a better chance of keeping Dickinson and Oleksiak.

So Zito has been active today, Forsling and Duclair signing are good deals, potential steals, later. Bishop waived which is interesting, have to think Seattle at least takes a look at him and Sakic allegedly offered Landeskog a Nuge type deal which won’t cut it, Landeskog will and should get at least 7mil

Also the Matiss Kivlenieks story just keeps on getting more emotional

are you ****ing kidding me

If Sakic actually offered Landeskog a RNH deal he either is really stupid or has the balls to try. 7.5mill over 6-8 years is easily his earnings. If Sakic cant do that then what hope is there for Mackinnon. Losing a big piece like that is not easy to replace and could tip the scales for Mackinnon staying. Sakic better treed the waters carefully

especially when you consider the fact Hyman is asking for over 5mill (reportedly his agent is asking 6x5)

Sakic maybe thought Landeskog would go for a team friendly deal? Idk, dumb move by Sakic

Well I got to say is if Landeskog leaves. I feel Mackinnon may need to rethink his idea of staying in Colorado. Cause a piece like that is almost irreplaceable.

Cause his 9 years of not winning **** quote will hit even harder should the captain leave.

So to clear

Only buyouts this far
Yandle
Suter
Parise
DeAngelo
Virtanen possibly

Only NMC waived
Lucic
Bishop
Skinner
Johnson

I don't think ADA was officially bought out yet

And who's Johnson? Tyler Johnson?

Kuemper said he won't resign with the Coyotes

Avalanche and Leafs are front runners - Frank Seravalli

Erik

Should have clarified

ADA hasn’t but it’s inevitable

Im surprised with Colorado considering Grubaur had a pretty good season

Toronto makes sense as Kuemper/Campbell tandem combined with the defense and the new assistant coach would make most teams offense go "UH OH"

In general this free agency has so many good choices for all teams. Defense, grit, skill, scoring you name it this pools got it rn.

Bishop waives NMC for Seattle expansion

1 year, 750k
Cole Smith


AHL top 6 guy with NHL bottom 6 potential. Why not bring him back and see if he's got anything left to prove?

Kevan Miller retires at age 33 due to injury

So people seem to be hung-up on Hyman but what people need to realize. Guys like him push their bodies to hard get hurt (as was the case twice with Hyman) and then are never the same. The track record has been there Okoposo, Lucic, Ladd among others.

Like I get it Hyman was the heart and soul guy but what people also need to realize his solid production was thanks to playing with 2 of the best centers in the NHL and having a superb playmaker with Marner on his right-side.

There are plenty of replacements via FA or trade so not concerned

to name a few

Trade: Garland, Foegele, Bertuzzi
Free Agency: Saad, Granlund, Tatar, Schwartz, Coleman

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/07/14/who-can-replace-zach-hyman-on-the-toronto-maple-leafs-breaking-down-the-free-agent-and-trade-options/

Hyman didn't play well in the playoffs either

Not to mention he's already had a couple of knee injuries.

I think anyone who gives him more than 5 x 5 is going to be looking back unfavorably on the signing.

honestly I wonder could Dubas make a deal with Seattle

2 former leafs coaches are on the Kraken

I can honestly see Dubas make a deal with Francis where its Hyman for FC but in expansion FC means something. So Lets say Seattle takes Mccann or someone Dubas wants. A deal can be worked around for said player

Really interesting stuff to be worked out as per a recent report Holland may be willing to fork over a third for Hymans rights lul. Dubas could start a bidding war and its gonna be fun. But I believe its gonna be a sign and trade as Hyman will ensure Dubas gets something for him before he goes. Nothing big but at least something (3rd to 4th pick this year is my guess)