Why did Nick Ritchie have trouble scoring in Toronto is one of those I have no explanation questions

No joke his whole situation made no sense on paper or on the ice lul

Based on current trends, I'm not sure what's worse ...
That Nashville can still make the playoffs despite throwing in the towel on the season, or that Winnipeg can still miss the playoffs despite half of the conference dropping out of the playoff race.
Nashville is only 7 points behind with 4 games in hand and .800 in their last 5. Winnipeg is .400 in their last 5. Winnipeg isn't the only team at risk, but Colorado also has games in hand and Calgary is currently struggling as well.
This is why I say balancing the schedule is a good step towards further parity. How different would the deadline have been if Nashville had even 4 more points from those games in hand?

Maybe Winnipeg makes different/stronger moves, they certainly don't get Neiderreiter because Nashville doesn't sell. Edmonton doesn't get Ekholm. Tampa doesn't get Jeannot. Maybe Calgary sells instead. There's a whole cascade effect simply because you can't accurately or easily compare your standing against other teams due to an imbalance in the schedule.
Winnipeg racked up 8 points against Chicago. Nashville only got 2 against them before the deadline, another spot where there's an imbalance.
It doesn't just happen with these two teams, they are just the ones currently in a "race" in this example (even though Nashville isn't technically running).

Pettersson is solidifying himself as a top 5 center in the game. What a player

Old saying: "Follow the Money."
Large part of the schedule imbalance comes down to multi-use/purposes of the venues (ie: shared NBA, concerts, monster-truck, WWE etc.) which are needed in order to pay for these often 'billion' dollar barn$.
NHL schedules are rarely going to be in-sync except on the seasons opening/closing nights.

Maybe he’s not suited on a possession oriented team

But isnt that what CGY is they love possession and forecheck

Like the funny thing is he should have worked with Kampf and Kase but like ZAR-Kampf-Kubel just didnt happen

Ur right actually if we go by corsi they’re like 2nd in the league

Honestly I think the saying

"Not every team is meant for every player" or whatever the saying is

As we saw it this year with Namestnikov

Where there's a will.
I'm not saying the schedule is even throughout the season. I'm saying it is evened up once. Say 24-48 hours before the trade deadline, everyone has the same number of games played against the same slate of opponents.

Can't see it without some teams getting another "break" while others catch-up.
* MSG is in use for probably more than 350 nights a year...
* LA has hockey & 2-basketballers...
* Nashville has >100 bbq + monster truck shows (jk)
yadda yadda...

Yea but remember that leaf game against them earlier this year they started jumbling the lines and they put him on the 1st line. They lost that option like their bottom 6 is probably stuck there (maybe Paul). But we got O’Reilly so how have the turn tables

If you squint. you probably couldn't tell the difference between Arturs Silovs and Thatcher Demko. Their playstyle is so similar. Ian Clark masterclass

I wonder what contract Vince Dunn gets this offseason- 26 YO top pair D with 48 pts in 63 games who plays in all situations. Maybe 7.5 x 8 gets it done

Better investment than Jakob Chyrun imo.

That’s a stretch for me. I get why Dubas traded him (he was never going to get this types of opportunities with Morgan Rielly here) and having great depth on D (getting Gus back) is nice. But, not flipping the pick at least to add a middle 6 scorer is a missed opportunity and what bothers me most.

Edit:

We gave up on a homegrown developed NHL player for a mystery box.

It’s Sandins birthday today

Not trying to get ahead of myself but sandin is best trade for the caps since Oshie

You are getting ahead of yourself lmao

Which ones would you say are better since then? Jensen and Orpik trades were nice but this could be one of the best trades MacLellan has made as gm, there hasn't been a trade with this much potential value since Oshie was acquired.

Ekholm-Bouchard has been far and away the Oilers best pairing the past 4 games

Dubas either makes great moves or terrible ones . There’s no in between IMO

Just an overall good fit with a cascade effect. Barrie's liabilities out, Bouchard's responsibility up, confidence in the defense up, mental boost for the goalies/players. Then Ekholm's individual play.

I need to see how this plays out (two-three years) before I call it a good or bad trade. I personally don't believe we will be looking back like we gave up a Devon Toews (not a dig) At the end of the day Sandin struggled against heavy forechecking teams, lacks straight on foot speed, and calling a spade a spade is rather small even tho he plays big.

The writing was on the wall for Sandin the moment they committed to Morgan Rielly (Sandin wasn't going to get PP1 time, didn't kill penalties) the options were limited here.

What makes this a bad trade today for me, was not flipping the BOS 1st for help today. Yes this is a deep draft but that selection isn't helping us for what, two-three year down the road.

I am more concerned with how Keefe has done a poor job of developing our young talent than I am with Dubas and his trades.