PavelValerievichDatsyuk

Let's see if Blash has learned: will he start the the fast youth (Larkin, AA, or Nielsen and Z or the safer choices he did early in the year

Okay, maybe not always seemed like a good guy, but that's kind of what I was referring to: That event that doesn't seem to reflect his real character and it's just too bad that he's so defined by one negative act in most people's mind. I'm sure that would be a hard thing to have that tied to your name. It's good that he's doing well now

GO WINGS!!!!

Apparently he's the coach of the Oakland Grizzlies. http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2016/01/15/bertuzzi-catches-coaching-bug-after-retirement-bringing-his-oakland-grizzlies-from-michigan-to-peterboroughs-midget-tournament-of-champions-this-weekend It's to bad that Bert had some troubles post retirement, but good that he seems to be in a good place now. Always seemed like a good guy

Maybe technically you're right that he could reject the offer and take less, but there's no realistic situation where that's going to come into play. For one thing, If he did that the player's union would be pissed at him. Secondly, he probably doesn't hate money, so he's going to take it. The likely scenarios are us making that one year deal offer to keep him and give him a chance to earn a longer deal. Or he becomes a free agent and then he has great negotiating possibilities If he wants to sign for less in Detroit they'll discuss that and he'll sign after free agency starts. Why would they go your convoluted way? just so he can sign a few weeks earlier and have less negotiating power/ contract/team options?

Other former player news: Oilers hired Paul Coffey as a skills and development coach. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/oilers-paul-coffey-coach-2017-1.4497362

If that's true, that'd be great, but I've never seen reference to this anywhere else. But as Dickie said, I don't know why he'd choose to sign for less after getting the qualifying offer. Maybe if we made a longer term deal, but that wouldn't be a smart move given the state of things with him and I can't think that would actually happen. I think if we're to keep him we'd have to bit the bullet with a 4 million one year deal (which we probably couldn't fit in with our other FAs) or take our chances in free agency - but I forsee Mrazek wanting a fresh start somewhere else if he goes to free agency.

I like that they think Nash is "the premier rental property on the market." Green has more points then him as a D man. I do like that they think Nash will bring a 1st and a youngster because of what that might mean for Green's return, but the writer's judgement might just be off judging by the "premier.." comment

I don't think it's that clear. He is only if a team is prepared to qualify him for 4 million next year and sign him at least that much on a future contract. Otherwise, his value at the deadline is just as insurance depth for a couple of months. And teams trading at the deadline aren't usually going for large unsure bets for the future. Howard has another year on his contract and is a proven starter so would be more of a fit to teams at the deadline who are looking to compete now. I guess it depends on the team. To get a large return, Mrazek's market would have be a team with cap space to burn and needing to take a gamble at goal, but still buyers at the deadline for some reason. Don't know who that would be.

Maybe, but they're still always among the franchises that lose money big time (-11 million last year) https://www.forbes.com/nhl-valuations/list/#tab:overall But I guess that's not as bad as the 'Yotes or the Sabres so maybe there's some Nordiques in those cities. Edit: Though I know it's not happening from anywhere while the CAD is weak.

Was my initial thought too, but they're below us and so they'll probably just ride the tank to the draft with an AHL goalie at the helm. I guess it was a shortlived return with them finishing 1st in the Atlantic 2 years ago. Time to move them to Quebec city!

All triggered because the Panthers mistakenly thought that Roussel hit Reimer. Looks like Reimer just had a random groin pull or something. https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2018/01/23/without-actually-anything-antoine-roussel-sparked-tuesdaysstars-panthers-slugfest With Luongo already out and now Reimer, 3rd string time for the Panthers

Haha, Darren Eliot saying he punching a goalie coach! He always seems like the nicest guy - I'd like to have seen that scene.

Sweet!!!

Inconceivable!!!!!

Patrick Kane is an 88.

He's on pace for a career year with 24 pts. so far (10g, 14a) The deal he signed last year (2mill X6 years) is going to be great for Nashville. Calle should fire his agent - should've taken a short bridge deal and he would have made a whole lot more. He's just ahead of Nyquist and Tatar for production right now, but locked in at that 2 mill cap hit for another 4 years. That's definitely a trade that doesn't look good in retrospect (or even just spect - yes that should be a word). Would be another supporting cast member and a young center at that. Like Sheahan, didn't have a place with our other options at 3rd line center, but if we had not signed Nielsen or Helm could have been a better option for the future.

The response to any Cholowski doubters will now be, "Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man."

No, I don't think anyone expects 24 retired. Was just responding to a supposed curse for Red Wings multiples of 8.

I'm starting think you're not a hipster.

Chelios did pretty well with 24, though. And if your thinking the 8 as a hex - since his career was longer than any other NHL defenseman, I don't think it fits.

Learned from the best in that role:

But that is kind of the project of this thread, though. haha I don't remember Z having a slow start last year - seems like the story on him was his resurgence all throughout the season. The way I remember it, when we switched Larkin from center and Z took back the top center spot he was really solid and driving the team pretty much. But, I guess after his 50 pt. 2015-16 campaign 28 pt. was a resurgence at the halfway point. (and 29 isn't bad, by the way - just thought it showed a decline from last year before you showed last year's halfway stats) If he has another hot 2nd half then, points or shots could be about the same as last year. I guess we will see. More than anything, just something seems to be missing with him this year so far. I'm entirely open to the possibility that I'm thinking of a late season possessed Z as my comparison. Or the factor that Larkin's getting to play some of the more advantageous situations (offensive faceoffs after icings, etc) and Z could be getting harder assignments that aren't making him look as good.

Well I'm mostly just judging by the eye - he seems slower and has seemed less noticeable for his magic, with some more giveaways and missed defensive plays than the past. But I'm sure I can find some stats to back it up: I don't know where his points were at last year through 41 (and he does often have slower starts), but his 29 pts. is on pace to be a dropoff from 68 last year. 6 goals, on pace for 12, lowest of his career. His fo% is 46% which is the lowest ever in his career. He was quite outspoken in the preseason against the new policy on enforcing the set up strictly by the rule book. Seems to have effected him negatively. Shots on goal: 96, on pace for 184 lowest of his career (he almost had that much when he played half a year and during the lockout shortened half-year) Giveaways: 29, on pace for 58. Last year had 37 and would be higher than his usual. higher than past 6 years. Corsi: 47.5 down from 52.2 last year. Lowest of his career Fenwick: 47.3 down from 52.4 last year. Lowest of his career https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/z/zettehe01.html Again, I love Z and I don't think he's been bad at all, but a definite decline to me - especially compared to last year when he seemed to have a resurgence. I think he's just going into the lesser role as leader in transition like Yzerman did. If Larkin and AA continue to do well at center, I'd experiment again with putting him on a wing so we can load up on the 2 top lines. Also, might be good not to have Nielsen as pretty much our 4th line center.

I'm going to go controversial partly for the sake of conversation, but I do think these are true: MVP: Jimmy! Okay, so this ain't controversial...Larkin gets an honourable mention here for me. Biggest Surprise: Ericsson: He's actually having quite a good year. Maybe it's the wrist surgery has got him back to feeling comfortable. Or maybe it's the addition of Daley, but I don't really know who he's been playing with most of the time. For evidence, he's a +4 on a team where every other regular is a minus and he gets a lot of the tough defensive assignments. Biggest Disappointment: Zetterberg: Now, I love me some Z and he hasn't been bad by any stretch, but there seems to be a significant drop off from last year. All other guys that have been bad: Mrazek, or those playing below their contract (Nielsen, Abby...) have been pretty much where they were the year before or taken steps forward (Abby's 1 short of last year's pt total). Z's the only one who seems to have really declined for me. Even Kronwall's had a better year when injuries suggested he was on a one way trajectory. It's not really all that surprising since he is 37. It's actually kind of good for the team since Larkin, AA, Mantha can take over ice time and start to take over leadership. P.S. I think Nielsen's been good - better than last year for me. He's really good defensively - look at that diving save he made to save a goal when E took Mrazek out of the net the other night. He found some good chemistry with Helm for a good while. He's also lived up to his reputation on the shootouts. He's playing about a minute less per game now that Larkin's doing well at center, so the slight drop in points is understandable (also no Vanek on his wing) He's also getting more defensive assignments - gone from 57.8 O zone starts vs. 42.2 D Zone to 41.1 OZ vs. 58.2 Dzone (hockey-reference.com). Not worth that contract, but still...