Hard in the Corner

Today, the New Jersey Devils dealt 45 point player Adam Henrique, depth forward Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 3rd round pick for Sami Vatanen and a conditional pick. The Ducks managed to not get worse in this trade and Devils got miles better. But what's more interesting, is that the Ducks reset the market on top pairing defensemen. After Oilers' GM Chiarelli went completely mental and dealt a Top 5 left winger for a 2nd pairing defenseman in the Hall/Larsson trade, this deal is a breath of fresh air and really proves what a dolt Chiarelli is. It would be weird to see a team fire their GM as a result of two other teams trading assets, but this one really should be enough to do it. Sami Vatanen was available, and for a pretty low price. This is a guy that makes any team he is on, better. And he is a much better defenseman than Larsson, unquestionably. So then, why did Chiarelli sell so low on Taylor Hall, getting a worse asset back? Well, it's because he is terrible at ...

OK, so not as easy on the ears as CAPTAINS OF THE ATLANTIC. Ahoy there matie....but just think, eventually we will get to the Pacific, and that's even better. Here is a list of the best and worst (and everything in between) captains of the Metropolitan Division. The Best: John Tavares of the New York Islanders Sidney Crosby has so many luxuries that John Tavares never has and seemingly never will. Crosby has a team with a wealth of talent, 3 Stanley Cups, stable ownership and a real future. That's not to take anything away from him as a leader. He is as good as they come, but Pittsburgh makes it too easy for him.  Amid the complete shit show that is the New York Islanders, John Tavares has stayed put, and been a good soldier. Some speculate that he is the reason that the organization even exists at this point in time. Without Tavares, the Islanders top player is...Matthew Barzal? maybe... Bailey and Lee are Tavares' linemates so God knows what they'd be witho...