Yeah, it's been a good start for him there. Unfortunately, he never showed much of that while in Tampa(granted he was only getting 8-10 minutes a night and playing with much worse linemates). He may end up as yet another player that has top 6 skill, but didn't show enough in Tampa nor was he going to get that opportunity anytime soon(whether that's been the right decision, same as with Marchessault and Verhaeghe, is another discussion). Hagel has looked pretty good as well, despite notbuaving as many early points. The team has been awful though for 3+ weeks, so it may take some time. I think it will work out fine, as there's been no reason to doubt JBB's moves up to this point.

Hagel played pretty well yesterday. Obviously the goal, but not just the goal, overall it was by far his best game for us. I think it will be fine.

Are you kidding me?! Go figure...

I totally agree. The trade makes us a better team right now. But it's not gonna stop people from saying stupid things.

Sammy Walker and Minnesota are a minute away from OT on ESPNU and Nick Perbix is down 0-1 in the 1st on ESPNews right now in case any of you are hockey deprived tonight.

NCAA tournament action.

Minnesota won in OT so we're not on Sammy Walker watch yet. Could be on Perbix watch but his game is tied 2-2.

Joe Smith is reporting McDonagh is out "a couple weeks". Time to to tank for WC2. Better draft pick if we don't make conference finals and a theoretically easier path to conference finals.

Well, Perbix and St. Cloud State lost 4-5.
We're officially on Nick Perbix watch for signing an ELC!

Duke, Guttman, Webster, and Walker all moved on to the regional finals. Guttman and Webster play tomorrow, and Duke and Walker on Sunday.

Friday update on my favorite WHL prospects:

Huuhtanen: 3 goals & 1 assist
(got the hatty after coming up short last week)

Dureau: 3 assists
(Assist hatty!)

I think we can trade Vasy. Elliott is a brick wall.

The playoff race is in full swing. Favourable result put us second in the division. Or we could end the day occupying the second wildcard spot.

He's been wicked.

Guttman and Webster are going to the Frozen Four with Denver after beating UMD 2-1!

Guttman scored first goal and assisted by winning faceoff on the second one.

Strong forechecks = great goals. pic.twitter.com/bR90yUjJ5n

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 26, 2022

I think I have seen Point pull this move before.

What's our thoughts on the lines:
Stamkos - Point - Kucherov
Killorn - Cirelli - Palat
Colton - Paul - Hagel
Fine Wine Line

I liked it. Stamkos playing as the net front and most physical guy on a line is kinda funny but it seemed to work.

Anything to get the top guys rolling I'm all for it.

Palat Cirelli Killer as a Matthews/Huberdeau/Marchand-killer line would be nasty to play against.

Yeah I'm okay riding these lines as long as they work. Colton-Paul-Hagel should have been a line to begin with and if things ever go cold it's not hard to switch Palat and Stamkos.

There's still some slop in our play, but it seems like things are clicking offensively again.
A good step in the right direction.

Go Habs Go
Go MSL Go

Crazy how you watch one game, see them starting to get their games game, and you start to wonder if they can catch Florida. :-)

We each have 16 games left.
We're 3 games back.
1 H2H meeting.
No room for error if we're going to win the division. Gonna have to be lights out in April.

If there's a time to be lights out its the next 32-44 games. :-P

Weird out of context stat for the day. Hagel 3rd on the team in goals. :-)

Kucherov washed

We have signed defenseman Nick Perbix to a one-year, entry-level contract.He'll finish the 2021-22 season with the @SyracuseCrunch.📝: https://t.co/kaVWQSnfQb pic.twitter.com/bHC2UTW59t

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 31, 2022

Finally!

Just an interesting observation on our signed NCAA prospects:

$842,500 cap hit
Nick Perbix
Cole Koepke
Odeen Tufto

$855,000 cap hit
Declan Carlile

I'm not sure how Carlile swung that. Maybe free agent premium?