PavelValerievichDatsyuk

He's in for Sammy. Babcock said he wants 4 natural centers so he can put abdelkader back on wing. read in some article, but too lazy for citation.

Actually I remember an article that said Franzen was helping his two linemates (Weiss and Alfie) through drills that they were unaccustom to, being new to the team. I never saw anything suggesting Franzen was fighting concussion symptoms during training camp.

In that picture Duncan Keith looks like he just played a game in Colorado.

I'm not really sure that's true. Or at least it's been kept a secret from me. I've never heard any quote to that effect.

Boys, Boys....

ridiculous! Howie made some huge stops in the game

So I get to see 1 game each year at the Joe when I go home for Christmas. And, hey, this was it this year. Not the best game to say the least. Some observations: They were with 5 D because of Big Rig's injury for half the game, but weirdly enough, the really bad defensive breakdowns came at the beginning when they were full strength. Hate it when the home crowd boos. I think it just accomplishes nothing. It's a lot of young player that need confidence and the support from fans. Lots of shots from the perimeter, but not enough forcing pressure in the slot. Dats really didn't get much support...44+13 often = success but the equation wasn't right tonight Helm's my fav...thought he was supposed to be back...damn Was really excited to see Mrazek, but didn't work out great for him

Why would we drop someone who has proven he can score when we're having so much trouble score? Yes, he's 41, but he's not "holding on far too long." He's got 27 pts in 32 games. There is no doubt Alfie's number will be retired in Ottawa. Melnyk would face a public flogging otherwise.

Kindl supporter here. He's had some rough points during the season, but I have no idea where all the hatred has come from.

Not really sure what you're trying to say here. Are you faulting management for drafting and developing a goalie who has turned out well? The team has a struggling and developing defence so they most definitly need a goalie to do "double work." There has been mispent money, but it's not in Howie's pocket.

Kenny's been adamently against the shootout for years. It's only recently that we've been bad at it. Hey...Maybe the team is trying to prove his point.

Hmm, so Burke will go for grit, of course. Would he trade for Tootoo?

Tootoo is still signed next year. Unless you want to buy him out, he's going to be back. Or he just stays in the AHL, but hopefully he gets traded just to give him a shot at being in an NHL lineup regularly.

Weiss did not play well on the wing. He's having enough trouble with positioning - I think we should keep him at his natural postion of center.

Other posters have said many times that you can't trade Franzen because if he retires there's a steep cap penalty against us. I don't know much about that, but it's been said enough that I trust it. Besides that, It has also been said many times that Franzen is a good cap hit for his production. Yes, he's inconsistent, but that's why he's not a higher cap hit. But, besides all this, he's really playing well at the moment. Maybe it's one of his streaks, but I've haven't seen him work like this in a while. Why call for him to be off the team now! Maybe you're thinking "trade while his value's high", but I'm an optomist and think maybe Franzen's turned some kind of corner at least for this season.

It was also back to back nights. That will diminish the complete level.

Emdog goes back down

By your characterization Tootoo(1.9 mill) would be playing and Tatar (630 000) wouldn't. And if it were all about who makes the most money, Sammy never would have been a scratch at the beginning of the season. I think you over simplify things. Jimmy can be great, we need him to be great so he still gets to play in hopes that he'll find his form. Monster's been getting the wins, but I for one wouldn't feel confident with him leading us in the playoffs. I also wouldn't feel confident with Howie in his current state, but I've never seen Monster look like a cup winner and jimmy has looked that way in the past.

I agree. The speed of Nyquist, Helm and Tatar wassomething that made us look strong at the beginning of the game.

Love Nyquist, but I wouldn't say he played excellent tonight. Do you see some of his decisions on the PP? A bunch on needless give aways.

For our 4 prospects who won't be waiver exempt next year, I think it's already made clear by past call ups and the preseason that Sheahan and Almquist are in consideration for next year, but Ferraro and Callahan probably won't make the cut

In Babcock's defence, he is trying to keep the lines as close to what's been working. If he did what most people are suggesting - moving Weiss to the 1st line - that would leave Sammy Cleary and Bertuzzi on the 4th line. I'm not sure too many people around here would like the geriatric line. I do hope Weiss gets moved up and they'd have to shuffle somebody else around to the 4th. Abby as center in place of bert?

Bertuzzi gets a lot of respect, then - especially in Colorado.

Cheap shot interference on Tatar! No call

Where's Kindl? I could see him being part of the trade, but if we keep him, he gets a spot over Lashoff.