Recruits 2026 and Beyond

[stereax]

Yeah I ain't even replying to that load of crap. Not when I have 20 pages to write for tomorrow at 5 pm and 80% of the argument is "wahhh, bad because competent front office" lmao.

Anyways, Gio DiGiulian's invited to Rangers dev camp. Maybe that'll brighten your day?

[arugula]

Yeah I ain't even replying to that load of crap. Not when I have 20 pages to write for tomorrow at 5 pm and 80% of the argument is "wahhh, bad because competent front office" lmao.

Anyways, Gio DiGiulian's invited to Rangers dev camp. Maybe that'll brighten your day?

My day doesn't need brightening.  Sports without a team to hate is no fun. But happy to see digiulian get a shot, though even if he was a legit prospect, Drury would screw it up. Sorry to distract from your work. Figured it was over by now. Focus and remember it doesn't have to be 20.  Quality over quantity. 

[arugula]

Yeah I ain't even replying to that load of crap. Not when I have 20 pages to write for tomorrow at 5 pm and 80% of the argument is "wahhh, bad because competent front office" lmao.

Anyways, Gio DiGiulian's invited to Rangers dev camp. Maybe that'll brighten your day?

My day doesn't need brightening.  Sports without a team to hate is no fun. But happy to see digiulian get a shot, though even if he was a legit prospect, Drury would screw it up. Sorry to distract from your work. Figured it was over by now. Focus and remember it doesn't have to be 20.  Quality over quantity. 

VGK, definitely a classy organization, says no one ever, except perhaps Carter Hart.  Here's to Sam Mailinski scoring about ten goals over the next week

https://nypost.com/2026/05/18/sports/the-john-tortorella-golden-knights-act-is-already-tired/

[RichH]

Vgk!?!?  Now you lost me.  Pure evil.

Tawdry, but not evil.

The only evil in the NHL is the Slave States. FLA, TB, NSH, CAR, DAL. 

I can't abide any team south of the line connecting DC and St. Louis. L.A. Kings get the exception for longevity.

Given the Bay Area's hockey history, are you OK with the Sharks? Fun fact: San Jose is south of St. Louis.

I meant what I said. I made one exception for a CA team. Sorry, team teal.

[ursusminor]

Brad Gardiner finally posted an Instagram about his commit to Cornell.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfywQcz7hJ/

[stereax]

Brad Gardiner finally posted an Instagram about his commit to Cornell.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfywQcz7hJ/

As I usually do, scrolling the comments. Lotta teammates poking fun at him for being smart. Love to see it 💜

[Dafatone]

Of course you do. We all have a right to be wrong.  My feeling is first you root for your hometown team.

Hence the Devils. I root for the Fucking Devils. Let me have something in my life.

My perspective is VGK fans are remarkably spoiled and entitled. They haven't suffered at all so I'm not in the least sympathetic.  The league gave them sweetheart to enable them to build a team fast.  How do you think they ended up with Fleury?

They ended up with Fleury because Matt Murray was seen as the future in net for the Pens. A lot of what made Vegas good was GMs of other teams who panicked and shipped off useful pieces to Vegas to ensure they got to choose who to keep. Like how Florida gave Reilly Smith away so Vegas would select Marchessault. They also got lucky as hell that William Karlsson took the Vegas move as an insult and went nuts ever since. (Plus, after the shooting in Vegas that killed 58 or so people, the team seemed to have a little bit of hockey magic on its side.)

They routinely flout the injury rules to enable them to bypass the salary cap.

Like Kucherov in 2021, who missed the entire regular season before popping up shiny as a dime Game 1? Like Matthew Tkachuk, whose opportune LTIRing allowed Florida to grab Seth Jones and Brad Marchand for the repeat? Like Patty Kane in 2015?

Every team does the LTIR bullshit. Or did, because they closed the loophole. The Knights aren't unique. Also, Mark Stone is actually made of wet paper.

They fire coaches faster than prime George Steinbrenner.

Seen the Oilers recently? The average NHL coach only lasts like 2 years with a team. Couple notable exceptions, like Bednar and Cooper, but that's far from unique. (In fact, they probably should have fired Cassidy sooner when it was apparent he lost the room.)

Just this week they were docked a draft pick for their constant breaking of media access rules.

Which will most likely be rescinded after some ass kissing and was done most likely as a warning to other teams. (Plus, there's at least some credibility to the rumor that they were trying to get out of Anaheim quickly so as to avoid a noise violation with their plane that would have kept them grounded all night.)

Also, I agree with Trotsky in that 99% of sports writing and media today is utter fucking garbage.

Mark Stone plays for them. Mitch Marner plays for them.

Fucking Carter Hart, one of the defendants in the 2018 WJC rape case who admitted to having sexual contact with the victim, also plays for them! But yeah, you're right, let's instead talk about two really good players who are shining now that they're in Vegas. Deadass, what did Stone ever do to any of you?

They have too many colors in Their uniforms.  They stole their name and logo from Army.

...That's valid.

I enjoy underdogs.  Hence I lose a lot.  Hard pass on VGK. They are the Cowboys or Duke.  I'm sure you're convinced.

They're not the Cowboys because they win lmao.

Wow defensive much? 
I would note that the Devils have three Stanley cups in recent memories. They ain't suffering. U fortunately for you you likely missed them. Otoh you're young and that team is still very promising.

I'll focus on the draft rules first. They got Fleury because h like last expansion teams were only able to protect & skaters and one goalie. In the past you'd be picking from theis stringers not slightly aging hall of famers so please. 

Next, Carter Hart. Full stop.

As to LTIR, just because other teams have done it doesn't make it right and VGK seemed to be the main offender. 

I failed to mention my frustration that Howden, who couldn't put a puck in the ocean at MSG is somehow now Mr. Clutch.  Not VGK fault but annoys me.  Fundamentally, I'm frustrated because I have watched my team(s), the denizens of MSG, for a combined 106 seasons and have one title.  Corrodes the soul.




Acknowledge VGK has gotten some breaks.

I'll note that the Devils only have three cups in recent memory if you aren't young.

[BearLover]

Declan Wotton has taken down his commitment post on Instagram, so I assume he is decommitted. He made the Q as a 16-year-old so I think he was probably a good prospect, even though he put up just 4–2-6 in 28 games this season.

[chimpfood]

Huh. Yeah might not be much point in investing resources into recruiting younger guys any more.

[pfibiger]

Huh. Yeah might not be much point in investing resources into recruiting younger guys any more.

That was a big component of the hockey think tank podcast with topher that someone posted last week. Coaches are focusing on "what wins next year" not "building a program" and they're not fighting for young kids, they're letting them develop in the CHL and recruiting later. Also there are fewer slots on average and kids are getting cut to bring  in these new CHL players. It's a weird time.

[The Rancor]

Huh. Yeah might not be much point in investing resources into recruiting younger guys any more.

That was a big component of the hockey think tank podcast with topher that someone posted last week. Coaches are focusing on "what wins next year" not "building a program" and they're not fighting for young kids, they're letting them develop in the CHL and recruiting later. Also there are fewer slots on average and kids are getting cut to bring  in these new CHL players. It's a weird time.

This exactly. They also emphasized that with the Settlement, smaller roster sizes, plus CHL eligibility, has made it way harder to find a spot on a team, and that kids are being told to go to the Portal, by their coaches. It isn't that the grass is greener, they are just being replaced.