stevkrause

you make a very compelling argument!

I can't believe I'm talking a sport I couldn't care less about here on LGW, but the Darko signing actually makes more sense... he was actually an 11pt, 6rb a game player last year on a HORRIBLE team that is going to have a hard time just making the salary floor and they had to give SOMEONE their money (when no one wants it) and there is still SOME potential there... The Boogard signing was HORRIBLE

The career -111 Paul Mara? We don't really need more offensively minded defensemen, we need a stay at home, physical, defensive defenseman...

I've been just reading this thread and kinda hanging back, but I have to pipe in - You have been nothing but respectful and had some of the most lucid arguments of ANY other teams fans we've had at this board and the very least the rest of the LGW posters could do, is reply with the same respect and rationale - there is a BIG difference between backing an argument and flaming someone for no reason... not cool. Now, to Gordon Bombay - The changes Chicago has been forced to make are going to drastically change the team and will most likely make them very considerably weaker as they must pay for their sins and you have to accept that the team will probably be a 5-8 seed(or lower) now for at least a couple years as they re-tool... with that in mind, Stanley Cups don't grow on trees and even IF(and I say if) it meant sacrificing the next 10 years of the franchise for a cup now - it was worth it... Anytime a team turns over even 3 or 4 players(not just star players) there is going to be a MASSIVE gelling curve and you cannot quantify team chemistry by ability and I think it is one of the most undervalued concepts in professional sports and to turn over 7, 8, 9 players - expect MAJOR growing pains next year - this is a deep league and even with one of the most talented top 6 in the game and one hell of a top 2 D pairing... your depth took a SERIOUS hit and THAT is what wins championships... Next, onto the Huet thing - it may only be one player, but that sets a BAD precedence and it will cost the team in the future, especially with goalies(which you may need if Niemi signs an offer-sheet which you cannot match) and also, lets not discount the fact that although this is not the old man, the Blackhawks are still pretty tight with money and I doubt the son is willing to just eat 5 million dollars to make a problem go away... there is a VERY good chance Huet stays on this roster if the cannot trade him (which there's NO way they'll be able to do with all the goalie's on the market right now) As you have already stated and have been very clear about (you expect a drop off) and for that reason alone, I don't see how anyone really has a problem with your posts, you are being pretty logical and of course you are going to defend your team, as you should. Everyone needs to read, process and be respectful.

and people give Kenny Holland crap for his signings... people are just never happy... We should be grateful to have such an amazing GM... damn those deals look good in perspective... I'd still rather have Brad Winchester

Wow... talk about conceding your career... he's certainly not going to get another shot to start... I guess he'd rather take a shot at winning as a backup...

First they make one HELL of a signing, but adding Biron to lighten Lundqvist's work load and add a LEGIT NHL netminder as a backup and at a VERY reasonable price at that... and then they follow it up by WAY overpaying for a one-dimensional player and at WAY too long of a term to boot... odd to say the least... They also re-signed Prospal who was very good for them, as well as Christensen and added some good depth (AHL) guys in Newbury and Byers... All and all, they would have got about a B for their off season thus far, but that Boogard signing drops it WAY down to a C- so far for them in my book...

There's no doubt (even at his age) that he would make our team better and be a good influence on guys likes Abs, however, we still need to add that 4th line nastiness, so if we add Modano, be prepared to give up on Ritola and say bye to Miller too as trades will NEED to get made to clear the roster space... Also, for the people saying a "win it for Mike" scenario would be the same as Drake, you are WAY off - Drake was a former Red Wing (who makes his off season home in Traverse City) and had NEVER won a cup - Mike (although a MI native) has made Texas home and already has a ring... if you can't see the difference in urgency, I don't know how much clearer to make it... If it means signing him at the cost of adding a real decent 4th line guy, who can play 7+ minutes every night and is a mean SOB, or a veteran stay-home 6th d-man... then I have a problem - If it's done as WELL as this, then I think we got one hell of a team and I'm willing to let Ritola go and risk his potential, potentially biting us in the ass... As I've said since this was first brought up - I wouldn't love it, but I wouldn't hate it.

no way in hell... alright, I'm out... I'll check back in tomorrow...

wow... what a waste of cap space...

good deal for the Yotes...

big raise for Manny, he could really help Van too though... interesting... maybe a little steep for him with the NTC, but could be good...

not possible, because the cap hit would be the average of the salary over the term...

yea, that was a shocker... apparently not going after a legit starter... unless Greiss is on the move... odd...

they both want lots of $$

Military?

Good solid backup for Price who can actually push him to raise his game and balance the work load

Apparently that's not a legit source...

7m?!?!?! WOAAAA - now THAT is an overpayment if that's true... I don't even think he's worth 5 to be honest...

I still see Turco ending up in SJ for some reason... I've thought this since I saw SJ wasn't bringing back Nabby...

the difference there, is that you have to give up assets to make that happen, not just $$

double boooooooo

big, physical, puck moving defensemen don't grow on trees...

booooooo

what!?!? no way... bs...