Vegas/Detroit

[Jeff - Red Wings]

First off I would like to thank everyone for there opinion on this matter but I feel like this is the best deal for my team. I took over this team that was in shambles from the previous GM and its gonna take some time for me to get it to where I want it to be to contend for a championship. As far as the players involved, Rakell has produced more points in 2 straight years and i feel is only gonna go up and I dont care how he does it but hes getting top 6 forward mins and on PP. I also could care less if hes not getting Dzone faceoffs, you cant put the puck in the net when youre in your own end. Getting Dvorak was big for me, I watched him his whole JR career in London and he can fill the score sheet and with the team thats coming up and will be exciting to watch. My team struggles every year to put up points so i feel adding those two players will help me. As far as Dipietro, yes hes young and you never know with goalies if they ever pan out so heres hoping.

Nos, as far as not responding to you. Ive said to you in the past that i will not deal with you due to the way you negotiate but with that being said yes you are right I should have resonded to you and at least hear what you would have offered me. I hope moving forward we can talk trades and be respectful doing so.

Time will tell with this deal and how to helps both teams.

[Nos - Sharks]

Aug 11, 2017 12:40:31 GMT -5 Derrick - Senators said:

Rakell was able to score that many goals because of injuries namely Perry who was nursing an (unconfirmed) injury most of the season. Rakell also very rarely was on the ice for a defensive zone face off. This doesn't show progression but rather that his increase in points is due to situational change and being sheltered due to his inability to play defense or anything on offense other than wait around waiting for a breakout pass and/or attempting to do too much causing turnovers a la Rick Nash in his early years. Rakell is a 2nd Line player who is able to move up the lineup if necessary and a fringe keeper in our league as you confirmed. Ironic you should mention that neither Chris or I offered up a keeper because the offer that was accepted didn't include a keeper. Care to wager a 1st Round Entry pick on who scores more points? I'll take Okposo if you want Rakell.

As for Hellebuyck, I like him. I think he has all the potential in the world but his mental game is off and he lacks consistency. The fact that he had to file for arbitration means something isn't there on one or both of the sides negotiating a deal. It's not an ideal situation. He either has a sub-par year and Winnipeg let's him walk or he "breaks out" and goes to the highest bidder which likely won't be Winnipeg with 8-9 RFA's this coming summer. Either way, I think the plan is to roll the dice and develop Comrie behind Mason.

Regardless of how you feel about the value of what I was offering, it was a starting point. Not to mention that a non-tandem starting goalie who will likely play 50+ games in this league is much more valuable than any 60 point forward, or any prospect that isn't considered elite (Supply and demand and the fact that goalie categories are 1/3 of all scoring dictated by 2-3 roster spots). Factor in that Raanta is still fairly young and is on an "up and coming team," to make matters worse. But of course I'm not telling you anything you don't already know and what's done is done so I'll won't waste my breath.

Rakell played in the lineup exactly where he should have played, and was slotted as such, Perry didn't miss a single game last season. Unconfirmed is right. Rakell missed 11 games due to injury during the regular season and 2 playoff games. Yet he still outperformed Perry in the playoffs, 13 points in 15 games vs. Perry's 11 points in 17 games on top of a superior points per game average during the regular season. Rakell doesn't even play Perry's wing, he's slotted on the left wing, playing some center, his natural position. Silfverberg was the guy taking the majority of Perry's ice time during the regular season and that's because he's a better player now than Perry. Silfverberg then switched to the point on the PP when Eaves was acquired. In other words, there was no room for Corey Perry and there won't be any room for him in the new season either. He's clearly on the decline. Rakell's increase in points is due to offensive trust and reward by the coaching staff for bringing impressive offense to the team and winning games with his goal output, 10 GWG translates to 20 points in the standings. Rakell doesn't need to take defensive zone draws, nor should he, that's not part of his game, that's not what he brings to the table. That's like saying, 'Hey Leopard, lose the spots.' The fact is, Rakell was a keeper, Mike kept him. You two offered no keeper, you two offered no player better than Rakell. I'm not one for wagers in this format, it's unnecessary because time will tell who is correct. Rakell will outproduce Okposo, for sure, no doubt in my mind.

Hellebuyck's mental game is fine, he'll improve with more experience, he's 24. You're right, there isn't something there negotiating, Hellebuyck thinks he's worth more than the Jets are willing to pay and the Jets want to see more from him before committing big money/years. The fact that he took a 1-year deal tells me he's not willing to settle and has guts and confidence that he'll be able to show the Jets what they want to see. Winnipeg isn't going to let a 24-year old goalie with his pedigree 'walk' either, do you know how restricted free agency works? There is no 'highest bidder' either, he's an RFA, Jets property, for 2 more years beyond this one. You're getting way ahead of yourself on this one. Once again, Comrie sucks, he's droppable garbage and has absolutely no chance to do anything at the NHL level.

Starting goalies are good and worth a lot if they're good, if they put up good numbers/stats and can win you categories. Raanta is an iffy goalie at best and he's going to be playing for a bottom 5 team, therefore he's close to being worthless. I understand it was a starting offer and I've stated as such, Jeff should have followed up, but as is neither of you offered anything even close to the offer that was accepted and neither of you should be pissed off or upset over what was accepted based on your initial offers.

Sorry for the late reply, I couldn't disappoint my fans.