At the end of the day they really, really need one more big time player. Particularly a center that can drive the play. Hirschier or Hughes in New Jersey might be good targets. Malkin if we want an old guy. Austen Matthews seems to be a likely possibility too.
I like Yurov but he's gotta be better at faceoffs. I'd love to see something like this next year:
Zucarello-Hirschier-Kaprizov
Yurov-Ek-Boldy
Trenin-McCarron-Hartman
Foligno-Stramel-Some Guy
“Around the rest of the league, he’s one of the least popular players,” Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn wrote in December 2025. “And that’s because of his mouth. He talks a ton of trash. He also starts fights by blocking defensive backs so violently that he pushes them off the field. But his mouth is the reason he got punched in the groin two weeks ago when the 49ers faced the Panthers. And his mouth is the reason Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris was so upset with Jennings last Sunday in Cleveland.”
The success under KAM/KOC has been inarguably built on moves that happened long before their tenure started - Jefferson, Darrisaw, O'Neill, Smith, Hunter, Metellus, etc. The only saving grace has been free agency.
That effort was rough. I know we're missing two of our best defenders but we can play much, much better than this.
If they don't find that gear though...our taste of round 2 is going to be short lived.
Golday is almost identical in size as Van Ginkel and was used as both an edge rusher and nickel-type defender. He's the replacement plan for Gink.
And yeah, DTs in this system are great if they can get off blocks and get to the QB like Redmond but their primary role is to free up blitzers and chew up the running game. I think both of these guys will fit their roles well pending health.
Are we sure Owens wasn't a janitor or something? My god....why even bother?
I think ultimately this draft will come down to the feet of Banks. I think Golday will be a player that thrives for this team. The two late third rounders are big upside swings which is the kind of move I love for them to make.
Orange is going to be a fan favorite I predict.
So....not sure that game was an indicator of anything other than answer the question "What would an NHL playoff game look like if everyone but the goalies did cocaine beforehand?"
Avs tomorrow night. This series should be really, really good.
Game 1 will be interesting. The Wild just won a war...did it tire them out or sharpen their resolve? Did blasting through the Kings soften up the Avs?
I think what happens Sunday night is going to be a really good indicator.
Honestly, we just need a draft guy. I'd even be ok with a tandem operation where Rob primarily handles contracts.
We need a dude who lives and breathes football.