Ottawa welcomes JT Miller

Par Steve Simpson (Senators) Le Tuesday 9th April 2024 / 12:29am

It's tough to improve a team without sacrificing. Ottawa Senators improved their roster today with the acquisition of JT Miller, but at the cost of some talented youths. 
the key player going to Seattle is Pavel Zacha, a very talented youth who was developed in the Senators system. A player who has been considered basically untouchable was moved when Ottawa found themselves playing well but coming short of being a contender. When the talented JT miller became available, Sens management decided now was the time to make a move. Going with Zacha is the talented Denisenko and a future 2nd. The former high 1st who is developing nicely and a possible future recreate is a piece every team likes to have in their pipeline. 

Nick Simpson (Ducks) Le 9th April / 2:02am : Miller sucks!

Nouveau commentaire

Huge rift, end of an ERA

Par Mike Klein (Kings) Le Sunday 17th March 2024 / 6:49pm

In shocking fasion the Kings traded arguably one of the leagues all time defenseman in Thomas Hickey.   Hickey has won every piece of hardware you can as a defenseman and is probably the all time leader in points by a Dman.  However, Hickey made it clear he was unhappy with the way Kopistar left and publicly placed the blame at GM Kleins feet on numorous occasions.  reports are coming out now that the two had many heated arguements in the halls and locker room over the Kopistar "issue".   Klein had very little to say today, but gave us this little piece "The Kings are forever greatful for Hickeys hard work and dedication to winning and all the success he has brought our organization over the years."

GM Elvig parts ways with cornerstone Olli Maatta

Par JR Elvig (Kraken) Le Wednesday 13th March 2024 / 12:39am

There has been one constant on GM Elvigs roster over the last 16 seasons, both as GM of Vancouver and Seattle, and thats defensemen Olli Maatta. Elvig used his highest pick he's ever had (#3 overall) to select the defenseman 16 seasons ago. It was a pick best remembered by Elvig as the pick he got from Dave Charron in a signature deal that was made with the Rangers before Charron retired. Since taking Maatta #3 overall,  Elvig has turned down numerous offers for the star defensemen year after year, determined to turn the youngster into a star. Like Kulikov in Vegas, Elvig was committed to throw every developmental point on him that he could. Today, Olli is not only one of the highest skilled defensemen in the league, but one of the top players in the league at only 26 years old. Sporting a 99 PH, 99 PA, 99 SC and 99 DF is not something you find very easily in the league especially at the young age that he still is. 

But over the last few seasons there has been hints of the relationship souring a bit as Maatta shows the flashes of brilliance followed by some down moments. This season Seattle brought in Oliver Ekman Larson to pair with Olli on the top pairing, on what most would call one of the top defensive pairings in the DCHL, but Maatta did not respond well. "Ollie really needs a fresh start somewhere. We brought in the best defensive core we have ever had in Seattle and surrounded him with all the support we could give him and his game did not respond the way it should have. Effort was an issue. Comfortablilty was an issue. So unfortunatly a change had to be made".

The historic deal for Seattle sends Maatta to Elivg's former mentor, GM Hunnex in Vegas. "Look, no one wants to see Olli turn this ship around and perform like a superstar more than i do, Elvig said. Im not sure there is a team in the league that could do a better job getting this kid back on his game. Im excited to watch him get a chance to flourish in Vegas". Coming back to Seattle in the deal is one of the top defensive prospects in the game, Adam Fox. At only 22 years old, there is still some growing pains to go through with this kid, but developmental wise, he hasnt nearly reached his potential yet and the sky is the limit. He will settle in on a pretty deep Seattle blueline with no pressure to contribute right off the bat. Along with Fox, Seattle picks up prospect Jay O'brien. O'Brien is loaded with talent but figures to be atleast 2-3 seasons away from contributing at the pro level. He will head to Coachella Valley where he will see plenty of ice time with the top 2 lines there.

Sad day as the Kulikov era comes to an end

Par Tyler Hunnex (Golden Knights) Le Monday 19th February 2024 / 12:17am

12 years and 24 seasons ago, Dmitry Kulikov became the first player that (at the time) Montreal GM Tyler Hunnex I ever drafted in the DCHL. Saku Koivu was traded for a package that included the 7th overall pick where the big bruising Russian was selected and had countless manual points and development poured into him.

But, in recent seasons the relationship seemed to sour and for the first time in his entire career, Kulikov will play for a GM other than Hunnex as he was traded to Chicago for Dmitri Orlov, Laurant Brossoit and a pair of 2038 1st round picks.

The end of an era.

IS IT POSSIBLE?

Par Brian DeGrace (Canadiens) Le Sunday 11th February 2024 / 4:13am

Can the Habs three-peat

heading into the last 20 games last season we were worried we might not even make the playoffs, but we came on strong and ended in sixth place. Then went on to win the cup for a second time in a row, so is it possible you say? 
I think so, anything is possible.

says the GM Brian Degrace to the media before the game tonight.