make it Isles 1st instead of TOR 2025

I’d be shocked if the Hawks signed a LD, let alone to a multi year deal. Del Mastro and Kaiser could each see NHL time this year but certainly by next year, and if Reilly signs that contact he isn’t good enough to justify blocking them.

Don’t think Winnipeg will settle for a middle 20s pick for Rutger McGroarty. He was fire last year at Michigan.

Yeah I thought about that too. Just hard to say how his game is going to translate into the NHL, don’t wanna give too much but don’t wanna give too little.

I’d love to see Del Mastro up and playing some minutes, guys are gonna get hurt this year and he’ll hopefully be the first call. RD are a rare find nowadays, Vinny D reminds me of seabrook in ways.

I have absolutely no problems with signing a RD, although I'd be surprised to see one signed for three years if the Hawks take Levshunov. There's no clear internal candidate to join the team this year, although Rinzel and Levshunov could both be NHL ready next year. Worst case, Murphy with retention should have plenty of suitors. I agree that there will be defensive injuries, but you don't sign a guy to a 2x$3 million contract to start the season in Rockford, and I would hate it if Del Mastro or Kaiser spend time in the AHL instead of the NHL only beause we don't have space for them in the NHL. I'd much rather resign Phillips or even Roos to a two way deal (or to risk losing to waivers) and save the spot for Del Mastro or Kaiserwhen they're ready.

He's one of the last guys id worry about transitioning, plays a NHL style of play already

They really don't have much of a choice at this point. The return for him is going to be underwhelming for WPG fans. I can almost guarantee that. Drysdale was an overpaid, injury prone, reclamation project, with high end draft pedigree, and he is not playing well at all for PHI. I think we can expect something similarly underwhelming for McGroarty.

Honestly wouldn't surprise me. Those guys have a lot of promise, but they need time. Also, if need be guys can rotate to the right side or they can all rotate up and down to be a #5-7, or we could even pump his tires and trade him. I would actually like to see EDM and Kaiser play most, if not all, of next season in Rockford, personally, unless they prove beyond a reasonable doubt they belong on the NHL roster in camp. In which case, waivers is always an option too.

Like: Vinny D
Dislike: Mike Reilly