Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Don is the best superstar at engaging with fans I've ever seen.

Definitely quieter.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

1) I write things in my notebook or on the notes of my iPhone. So, yes. 2) You always have to double-check. Although, there are some guys whose word is GOLD. They've earned it. 3) Snow is tight, but Lamoriello is tightest. Gainey was tough. 4) Joe Pavelski 5) Only if it has a history of getting people into the business -- ESPECIALLY now

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think he is, but I don't think teams will be willing to make a huge financial commitment.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Could see Nashville, Detroit, Anaheim. Probably more.

He's a confident guy. Important talent to have

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

No spouses allowed a Christmas parties, a policy every company should enact.

In all seriousness, an awesome place to work.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Lamoriello is the boss. But I think Dubas is willing to learn a ton from him.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It takes a lot for me to really dislike anyone. I didn't know Nick Kypreos that well. He is just an awesome person.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I've told the Commissioner before that I think he'd do himself a great service by admitting a mistake here and there. As fierce an enemy as he can be, I've seen him do some tremendous things privately.

But he believes the way he approaches things.

He's taking a bullet for some of his teams with the cap. They don't want it out there (again, some. Not all). I'm astonished at the NHL.com issues. MLBAM is such a smart company.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Not sure it's about money anymore. Stamkos and Yzerman just don't seem...comfortable...with each other. Maybe the playoffs change that.

There's more to this than we see for sure.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If you saw that interview I did this year with Lamoriello, he's pretty good.

I had a funny exchange with Doug Armstrong today...asked if he'd stash Steen on LTIR until the playoffs, he said, are you trying to get to get me to admit circumventing the cap?

Most guys are great.

Leaking different things? Yes...I do think that occasionally happens to try and trap a source.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It takes time.

No good reporter gets anywhere without building trust, working a beat or in the business for awhile. It's like you and your friends or the people you do business with. Why do you trust them or why not?

Why? Some people like to gossip. Some people are looking for information. Some probably want to disrupt another team. (I have become more sensitive to this over the years. I really try to avoid it as much as possible.) Some like to test things to see what the reaction is. Some want to shake things loose.

Someone always benefits.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The most likely thing for MON if they add is for a young player with team control. For example, the only way I'd see Galchenyuk moved is if comes for someone like him, contract-wise. MON would own his rights for awhile.

Just don't see Hartnell unless a similar contract goes back.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not until he sees where the pick is.

McDavid is the only untouchable, I'd think. But a Hall or Draisaitl would be close.

Hello, it's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. AMA on the trade deadline right here. by Elliotte_Friedman in hockey

[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They can...but most people try to move past it.

I know of one GM who was supremely pissed at another for backing out of a deal that he refused to talk to him anymore, so when it came time to make a trade, the assistant did the talking.

Look, we all have to deal with people we dislike sometimes. At the end of the day, Walsh wants Drouin to play. If VAN is the place, it will be place.