As we approach August, this time of year typically signifies the gateway to the dog days of summer for the NHL. There already has been significant movement up to this point, including Alex DeBrincat, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Dmitry Orlov, etc., but dominoes such as Vladimir Tarasenko, and Erik Karlsson, still need to fall.
With all the moves being made so far, the question arises about what acquisition moves the needle the most for the acquiring team. Stanley Cup contenders certainly added to star-studded rosters, and several teams made moves to end lengthy rebuilds.
At this stage of the summer, what do you think has been the best off-season acquisition?
The Cat
Best in terms of Long term impact: Debrincat
Best in terms of value and impact this upcoming season: Wheeler
I’m going rouge on this and saying that if Duchene plays like he’s capable of in Dallas, it’ll be the best no risk acquisition of the summer and puts the Stars in legit Cup contention.
@Gbear – Alright, Mr. Mary Kay—rogue! Think of this line from Thievery Corp.’s “Lebanese Blonde”—“too low to find my way, too high to wonder why…” :) My top offseason acquisition was getting blasted by construction equipment simulating a 10-hour/day earthquake, tearing up my street and the future promise of a new name that can’t be called “Bomb Crater Blvd” anymore. Second to that is the hope that Bonesy & Ralphie will be back, but thanks to @Dave’s excellent reporting, I’ll have to miss Dan Wood on Ducks games.
@Mac – The construction crew just wanted to see if they could match the decibel levels of Krakatoa. :D
@Gbear – They stopped several hours ago, and I still can’t hear what you wrote! :(
Stop whining Mac. Texas is so hot, even Satan is looking for a store with a walk-in beer cooler.
@KRB – Much truth there, Kemosabe! I have been there when it’s hot. And mucky with dewpoints in the 80s (“air that you can wear”). Also, when ice storms hit in North TX. Even Captain Evil can’t stop spin-o-ramas. I’d gladly give the beer to you guys and keep a cozy space in the cooler for myself.
@Mac
Some people freaked out when our last snow storm in Texas hit a couple of years ago, and we lost power for days, but I loved it. My whole neighborhood came together, we had bonfires, we went checking on the elderly, and gave food to those who’d run out, it was a lot of fun. I tried to organize a outdoor hockey game, but I was the only one that could skate!
Texans are at their best, in a crisis!
@KRB – I remember reading about that. I’ve never had to experience such a lengthy power outage like you guys had. A week or so ago, a newly installed transformer croaked next to me and only affected my house. At least our light & power guys fixed it as fast as they could, in about 2.5 hours.
I’d have only been physically able to be the equipment guy at your game! :)
@KRB – Good thing those wind turbines kicked in during the big freeze, eh! Hehe. :D
In terms of price paid vs potential its newhook to the habs, i maybe a little skewed. In reality tgo its likly the karlson deal yet to be made
The price paid for Newhook was astronomical and absurd
Duchene is a dog and DeBrincat is nice player…on a losing team, he’s not carrying anyone.
Dubois provides the Kings with an elite 2nd line center who can supplant Kopitar on the top line one day.
“Duchene is a dog”
You’re one of the least knowledgeable posters about hockey here, with only Wilf being worse. Duchesne had 86 points a couple years ago, and 56 points last year. On a stacked Dallas team, 56 points would be just what they need, from a Number 2 center, on a team that could very easily challenge for the Stanley Cup.
And Dubois has whined his way out of two organizations, so far. And you think that prima donna is a better acquisition?
So unless you mean Duchene is a cocker spaniel, or a French poodle, you couldn’t be more wrong. Again.
There is nothing ELITE about Dubois, except perhaps his whine.
You are grossly overrating Dubois. He’s a good 2nd line centre, but he’s not a permanent 1C, and certainly not in the same standard as Kopitar. Not really sure why so many people like this guy, he is not the elite center so many posit he is. He just behaves like one in the media.
Weird, a pedantic drip replies to me but I can’t reply back, only flag or mute….even the website knows there is no point in trying to explain the obvious to the oblivious…but…
A guy who is capable of getting 86 points a season but has spent years getting 43 because he cares more about “his country music CAREER” than the team that pays him $8 million a year is a DOG.
Dubois is a selfish prick, but I don’t see him dogging it on the ice. He can be what everyone pretended Toews was.
They are both good pickups. Kind of harsh telling someone they wrong on there opinion when the season hasn’t started yet. Duchesne could flop, it’s happened before, and Dubois despite all his whining may shut up and actually play, but I dont agree he’s a number 1 center for any team trying to win.
A good 2nd centre is extremely valuable, especially when it pushes Danault to 3C
Imagine not realizing that a guy who is CAPABLE of putting up 86 point seasons who consistently puts up 40 to 50 point seasons instead while pocketing $8 million a year because his priority is his “country music career” is a DOG.
“If he’s such a DOG, why is he capable of being good when he wants to….HUH????”
K.
You’re asserting that a guy having interests outside of work – and an interest that defines the city he plays in, no less – makes him somehow a bad player? What? “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
Like seriously, are you going to sit there and tell me a car fanatic has never played on Detroit, a beach bum has never played in Tampa, and an advocate for terrible infrastructure has never played in Toronto?
@KRB – Only the artist formerly known as Josh would call 65 goals over the past few seasons dog player territory. A true genius armchair GM.
A team just paid him huge money to not play for him because he’s a DOG. That should be the fiftieth clue. If you missed all the others.
If a player signed for top money as a first line player in Detroit and then proceeded to play like a low end 2C because he was too busy working on cars, then he too would be a DOG. Yes.
If he maintained the level of production they paid him for while he worked on cars, then he would not be.
This is pretty straight forward.
Trotz talked about changing the culture when they paid him to go the **** away just as the Avs and Sens did after he fouled up their rooms. Adam Foote tore him a new one for booking an April vacation in January and bragging about it in the locker room. He has failed his teammates at every stop.
Guy’s an epic DOG.
Zach Parise and Ryan Suter were both bought of large contracts and have been productive players since their buyouts, so your point is mute.
But sure, the current GM of the year in Dallas is an idiot and should have taken your advice on Duchene. If only you had Mr. Nill’s phone number.
The Rangers signing Blake Wheeler for $800k is the best off-season acquisition, smart move.
Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers) ;)