PavelValerievichDatsyuk

There was a few articles last year with Babcock saying that he was really interested in using analytics. I think it was around the draft.

Hmm, I don't quite remember. That might change my guess at what his motivations are, but he definitely could have got better deals than both that he's taken.

Well, he did actually sign a long term contract when he had chance and that didn't turn out too well. H's still collecting 850 000 a year from the Sabres for the next 11 years so he's actually doing pretty well financially. I see these deals as a player on the backside of his career trying to win a cup. He could have gotten more years or money elsewhere. Clearly he's taken a cut the past 2 years to be with contending teams.

Who are your friends? I don't know anyone with a DUI. I know a few who have probably deserved one... I don't think he should lose his position - let him do public service and then become a public voice against drunk driving.

Hmm, don't know who you're talking about. There was a Pitt goalie named Wendell Young, but I don't think he ever played for the wings. We did, of course, trade for Wendel Clark from Tampa and he was underwhelming in his dozen games here.

She's dead to me!

A humongous big mistake.

Bryzgalov to Flyers for the 9 year deal, 51 million deal?

I wouldn't want him to wear a wings jersey. After he ruined True Detective this past year, I think if you want to keep a successful franchise you keep Vince Vaughn away from it.

I'm against Vegas (and Pheonix) having a team, but I think the Phoenix comparison is problematic. Maybe hockey wouldn't survive there regardless, but it seems that a lot of their problems stem from putting the arena in Glendale rather than downtown Phoenix where there is a more dense population and near nightlife, etc. If the Vegas arena was on or near the strip, that would make it more likely to succeed than the Yotes.

haha, beat me to it. the jersey have a built in punch line because of that. The only saving grace is that the divers diagonal goes the other way (top left to bottom right). Maybe only Nyquist's jersey will be flipped.

I think these would work as a realgud form of birth control.

My guess is that Erhoff wants to stay with the Penguins (he did take that measly 1 mill deal to go there) Penguins probably prefer Franson, but he's asking too much and they're trying to deal him down, while Erhoff waits out the situation. That's my assessment pulled directly out of my ass. They probably are related, though. Teams would surely prefer the younger Franson and someone will take Erhoff once Franson's off the market

The next time someone snowed Jimmy he would just have a bit of mid-game ice cream. I'm taking this idea to the board of governors.

I just hope they get an Elvis impersonator to sing the national anthem.

I don't really think we dissagree on anything here, actually. I agree that expectations for Larkin don't seem to as crazy as they were for Mantha last year. I do think that is people learning their lesson a bit, but Mantha also had the crazy high offensive numbers and pure goal scorers are more sexy and get more excitement behind them In my previous post I wasn't saying that expectations for Larkin should be higher - I meant that we have more/better evidence that he will succeed because we've seen him play in many different situations and with NHL and AHL player and seen him succeed. We didn't have that for Mantha. Also, Mantha had the bad reputation (founded or not) of inconsistant compete level whereas there hasn't been any similar knock to a specific part of Larkins' game.

I don't know why you're deriding "the same folks" - I think common sense would make most people excited about our highest picks. Once we see more of players then potential steals in the later rounds can be seen, but draft order obviously reflects their achievements up to that point and high drafts picks are chosen because the professional scouts think they have the highest chance at success. Excitement for Larkin seems to be on a stronger footing than Mantha last year (I'm not writing Mantha off at all - I just think he'll struggle for a bit and hopefully he can adapt/develop/overcome). We saw Larkin at College, we saw him at the World Juniors, the World Championship, Grand Rapids playoffs. He stood out everywhere and adapted to the AHL right away. At this point last year, we hadn't seen Mantha against NHLers or in the AHL. He already had some struggles in the Memorial cup and had the reputation for inconsistent compete levels. I don't know of many warning signs for Larkin that suggest he might struggle with the transition. I do agree that non-1st rounder is a more interesting discussion, though. I like AA. Nobody's mentioned any Dmen. I'd also be interested on perspectives on who people think will play the biggest part in the team's future blue line. It seems very unclear at this point to me.

Few know very much about Svech and Mantha didn't live up to the unrealistic hype so, of course Larkin's going to win this poll. I'll vote Mantha to send some good vibes his way.

Has Riberio's case even gone to court?

There's absolutely no chance that Mrazek plays another game in the AHL. Waivers only apply to players going to and from the AHL (or coming from another league, or for buyout purposes). Frank, you always surprise me with your comments. Why would we send a goalie who was solid as our playoff starter to "round out his game?" He had some consistency issues during the season, but that's to be expected as he gets used the better competition. Bernier's better than he looks with the Leafs. It'll be interesting to see if Babs can whip the defence into shape to help out his numbers.

Toews is 8 years in. He's missed 57 games. In Zetterberg's first 8 seasons, he missed 70 games. Not a huge difference, especially when you consider that Z played a harder game than Toews does.

There's a certain very large amount of money that's profited from the NHL. If you're against these large salaries and think they should be rolled back, then you're for larger more ridiculous amounts to go to owners. Salaries need to keep going up as long as profits are. The Game makes ridiculous amounts of money so give it to those most responsible. If florida and pheonix can't compete it's because their teams don't generate enough profit in their area. Move the teams to places where they will. This is too much for Voracek, but only a bit I think. SInce 2012-13 he's had the 3rd most point for a winger behind OV and Kessel (from TSn). But nowhere near the goals - I would think 7.25-75 would make sense

I think one of Erhoff or Franson will be a Penguin. I think that's part of their intention with the Sutter trade. Surprising that these 2 haven't signed yet, though. Maybe Green's deal (shorter term) messed up negotiations for them.

Maybe. But I think We'll see Jurco there as well. Otherwise there's no room for him if Pulkkinen or Mule play once Pav is healthy. Z-P-Abby TT-Richards-Gus Helm-Shea-Pulks/Mule/Jurco Miller-Glen-Ferraro/Callahan Miller is valuable for us on the PK and on the defensive side, but I could see his spot being taken after his contract is up.

Yeah, I misread Zombo's post and thought Bonino was 3 years younger. Malkin probably has Kessel next year. It's been reported/speculated that he'll be there instead of with Crosby. That's not much of an insult. Bonino played 2nd line center with the Canucks - he'll replace Sutter as the 3rd C. After reading some things, I think it has to do with the fact that Sutter's Caphit is 3.3 and he's set to be a UFA next year. Bonino's caphit is 1.9 and he has 2 years left. They just signed Eric Fehr and maybe they want to get in on Erhoff or Franson. Also, Bonino's possession numbers are better and if he's played 2C last year I think that bodes well for what they got. Seems to make sense for both sides.