32 Thoughts From Elliotte Friedman

from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, - Very interesting note sent by the NHL on Wednesday, announcing “a comprehensive audit of the hits statistic in every game this season,” and “appropriate adjustments.” (There was also a promise audits will now be done on a nightly basis, to be updated by the next morning.) That led to jokes about teams who inflate these totals, but it was the opposite. Teams were informed that hits per game were adjusted up by almost nine, closer to what we’d seen in previous seasons. What it says is that agents or NHLPA genius Roland Lee, who use these numbers as salary comparables or in arbitration, noticed the drop and pushed for clarity. - One trend gaining traction is teams destined to pick later in the first round aren’t married to their picks. Vancouver and Winnipeg already moved them. Sportsnet draft gurus Jason Bukala and Sam Cosentino see a drop, and several organizations agree with them. - I can only imagine how tired Tanev is of this, already. There are a lot of teams interested in him, but it’s a unique market. There are teams who aren’t ready to win this year, but are determined to be a playoff team next year (Ottawa). There are teams who aren’t yet sure if rentals make sense for them (New Jersey). There are teams who like him but find it tricky cap-wise and trade-wise (Boston, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver). I suspect Dallas lurks, which makes a lot of sense. Undoubtedly, there are others I’m missing. He’s the Taylor Swift of trade deadline coverage. - When it comes to goalies, Marc-Andre Fleury will have the biggest impact. He’s earned the right to call his shot; nothing happens without his approval. Fleury initially was unhappy to move from Vegas to Chicago, and needed convincing to go to Minnesota. But the guy eats, breathes and loves hockey, so he adapts upon arrival. This screams Carolina, Colorado or Edmonton, all playoff-bound. But, in some of those situations, he wouldn’t be the starter, so that factors in. Again, it’s his call, and deservedly so. many more Thoughts, including the Arizona situation...