PavelValerievichDatsyuk

Helm-D-Tatar Abby-Z-Nyquist Franzen-Sheahan-Jurco Miller-Glendening-Weiss Pulkkinen K-Big RIg DD-Quincey Smith-Marchenko Kindl I don't think there's many player's who are really question marks. Only really Zidlicky and Cole. I think Zidlicky is gone and Cole is only back if Mule is still on LTIR and, of course, only if he himself is healthy (I think both of those things are unlikely due to recent reports). The only opportunities for changes up front are if we get a taker for Weiss. Then we could sign an UFA, but there's not much available. We'll look very similar in my opinion. On D, I think we'll try to sign a high end RH UFA. If we don't land one, we'll look for a trade. Kindl, Smith (he'll be re-signed for sure), Quincey, would all be pieces open to trade - Probably in that order. We also have Ouelette who looks ready. To me, it's just turning 2 (or even 3 if 1 is Kindl) of those 4 players into the elusive high end RH offensive Dman. We can also add to the pot with depending on the situation. I really feel that something will happen on D next year.

As someone else pointed out Ericsson's brother was on the last Swedish olympic team. Also, since the olympics are only every 4 years all 4 players didn't have the same opportunity. Both Nyquist and Tatar played in the olympics during their first year with the wings. If the olympics had taken place a year earlier it's possible both would have still been chosen. Tatar for sure would have been chosen for Slovakia. Zetterberg played in the Olympics just a year before joining the Wings so then they would be in the same situation. This comparison is pointless, though, - we know they're in different situations. There's a chance Tatar and Nyquist can become dominant players. They have a ways to go - let's hope they get there. Regardless they are quite good right now and just need to keep moving ahead and prove themselves in the next playoffs.

Mike Richards was sent down to the AHL this year. We could have had him for nothing. he had 5 goals in 50+ games and carries 4 mill caphit for many years to come. We don't want him

Still like the Bruins, eh? If you're worried about our aging stars, Chara will be 39 next year. I guess we'll see what the next GM does, but I'm doubting they'll have a drastic turnaround. With their free agents to resign, I doubt they'll look much different. Not going to have to worry about Buffalo for a few years.

Not to get off topic, but I've seen comments on Filppula around and it really shouldn't be though of as Weiss vs. Flip. It wouldn't really be good to have the money commited for either player. You should have noticed that Filppula was on T.B.'s 3rd line in the playoffs. and he has a 5 mill cap hit. Furthermore, his stats for the year were 82gp, 12g 36a 48 pts. and -14. That minus on a team where no one else was close. He had a good year last year, but he played beside Stamkos for a lot of that year (as he suceeded beside Z that one year here) and now has returned to the player he was for the majority of his time here. I always liked him, but as a secondary player and he's not worth the chunk of change he takes up. Then again, neither is Weiss at this point. As for Babcock, I really like that interview. He seems really emotionally involved with team. It seemed like he felt he let down Z, Dats, and Kronwall. I'm still on the fence here and I switch opinions whether he should stay or go. He says not to read into his comments, but he made a few things clear. He considers important to stay in the D since his children all grew up there and have roots (friends, etc) there. He doesn't care all that much about the issue of raising the salary bar for coaches. Doesn't want GM duties. Without surefire places to win (Pens are the closest) that point me toward him wanting to stay.

Is he really? Wasn't he on the Coyotes' 1st line? Were they really that bad that they had Helm on their first line? (legit question - haven't seen a whole lot of Vermette) Well, of the experienced NHLers that we've brought in, Cole, Sammuelsson, Coliacovo, Gustavesson, have been injured to the point to cancelling their positives. Weiss, Legwand, White, played themselves out of the lineup (Legwand just down the lineup to little icetime). We have a better record with bringing up our youth. Sheahan, Glendening, Tatar, Nyquist, Mrazek have all grabbed spots and are long term pieces now. Jurco, Marchenko looked to be on their way there. Pulkinnen hasn't looked spectacular, but there's definately potential there for him to be a consistent NHL scorer When we bring up the youth, we're not strapped to a large contract that hurts us if they fail - We just send them back or release them a la Emmerton, Mursak, etc. I think our recent history shows that youth has been the better way to go when it comes to mid-level talent. If we can bring in another Alfredsson, great, but let's let Ouelette play over bringing in Ian White Edit: I now think "Injured to the point of cancelling out their positves" was a bit harsh for Monster and Cole. Monster was a good bridge signing and Cole was good for a while. But now we have good prospects at every position who are knocking on the door so I do think we should let them play unless a high end UFA/fgood trade is an option.

I don't watch the Preds and I've seen reports that Franson hasn't worked out at all and I've been curious about this. Can you shed some light on this? Who did he pair up with? Maybe just give some impressions if you don't mind. Is it just that the team fell off when he came in so he's a scapegoat or did he specifically play badly?

It was actually reported somewhere that he had broken his hand when Abby left the game in which he was injured. Then magically there was no reference to it after that so the team must have told everyone to keep quiet. I've played with a broken toe once and that was no picnic. Ericsson's play was concerning in the playoffs. If it was due to an injury, that is reassuring.

Glad Jurco is going to keep playing. Hopefully he'll play a large role in the worlds and get some of his offensive game and scoring confidence back.

I'd like one of Franson, Erhoff or Green. Martin wouldn't be so bad either. Upfront, I hope Franzen is back next year. If he's not, I'd like a big body replacement. Cole would be nice, but it sounds like he's questionable as well. I think we need find a taker for Weiss at this point. If we were able to, it would open the door for adding a 2nd line Center or winger. Ribeiro and Vermette are sort of attractive, but no one looks ideal (Vermette will get overpaid and Ribeiro has off ice issues which tells me Holland wouldn't bite). We should go with Howie and Mrazek as a tandem. If we can trade Howard at a point where his value is still high and after Mrazek has proven consistent, then that is something we need to take advantage if it allows some upgrade (either a high end Dman or Scorer). I think that is something that will take place at least after next year, though.

In the handshake line you could Abby was shaking with his left hand and hiding his right hand even though it was closer to the other guy. I'll bet he's got some minor fracture there or something. It was a great effort tonight. We were without: Franzen Cole Zidlicky Kronwall Weiss and Howard played themselves out of the lineup Quincey had a bone fragment in his ankle Glendening had some big cut in his hand And, yet, If any of Z, Helm, Miller, or Tatar had scored on those grade A chances they each got this game was. I feel we out played them tonight so it stings especially. Now I will clear the floor for the curmudgeons.

Z looks like he means business!

I think we live in our isolated LGW land forget that the cap world is designed to make good teams worse and bad teams better. We've been able resist this and sustain a playoff bound team. That is a huge accomplishment. I think you have to look at the rise and fall of other teams to appreciate it. I think The Devils are best comparison. They had great success in the 90s and 00s. They were in roughly the same situation with draft picks where they didn't get high draft picks due to this success. Now look at them. The mistakes they've made (Parise, Kovy, etc.) crippled that team. Holland's mistakes (Samuelsson, Hossa, Cleary, Kindl) have been made while still allowing us to have a level of success. Every GM makes mistakes. As for this current series, we've got one game to win it. We've played pretty well on the whole. I think it's important have a reality check for our situation. We had Howard, our starting goalie, lose his s*** half way through the season. 2 major sources for scoring are gone (Franzen, Cole - though Cole was kind of a Mule replacement). We have a huge contract that was supposed to be a significant part of the team sitting in the stands (Weiss). And yet we're in a position to win this series. That's a testament to organizational depth. I think few teams could take those hits and still be the place we are. For Tampa, that would be the equivalent to taking Filppula, Bishop, and Callahan(for Franzen - maybe Killhorn instead) out of their lineup. I also think people need to remember that we are currently a rebuilding team. We weren't expected go the distance this year. This team has had flashes of greatness and definitely shows that we are a team going in the right direction. We have a great stoke pile of prospects could very well be the missing pieces. If you want to blame Holland for his mistakes, you also have to praise him for that. Now, finally, I have to say, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS NOW?!! We have a game 7 tomorrow! The Lightning look very beatable to me. I'm predicting a win. Let wait to assess this season until it's over.

We made the playoffs by 2 or 3 points. he was good for us down the stretch. He even had at game winning goal (his first game I think). Maybe we don't make the playoffs without his 11pts. in 21 gp. He definitely added something in the regular season. He has been pretty bad in this series, though. In the interest of level assessment - he did save a goal in game 1 when Petr was caught behind the net and he took a penalty out front. In retrospect, that is an important play now. Other that he hasn't done a whole lot that I've noticed to be positive. If Babcock put in Kindl or Oulette I wouldn't think it a mistake. Not sure who would take over the 2nd powerplay unit though. Isn't it refreshing to have the kneejerk, post-loss thread not be about goaltending?

Trollingoverrated

I seem to remember some expression to do with hindsight... Anyway, we're looking at the future - 7 o'clock to be precise.

They did boo their own team in one of these games, as well. It was after a period was over and we were up.

I don't believe that kind of stuff. Refs aren't really fans like you and I - I think they're worried more about keeping their paycheck and keeping a good reputation so that they get chosen for playoff games and Olympic finals, etc. Then again, I refereed when I was younger so maybe I'm baised. But, yes, the quick whistle was the problem. As the CBC commentator said, it was the result of the many net front scrums that happened throughout that game. It's the human element.

That wouldn't help in this case. Once the play was whistled down, the Habs players stopped playiing. It's arguable that The Canadiens might have swept the loose puck away if the play hadn't already been whistled down. If you allowed it after review, then you'd be giving a goal to one team for something done outside of the actual playing time.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/glendening-7-lightning-win-away-from-advancing/?row=0&row_ids=1617477 Glendening is asked about missing the last 6 minutes of game 4. He responds "it was tough letting the team like that." I like this guy

PETR IS AMRAZING!!!

Looking great so far! Hopefully we've learned a lesson from last game and keep the foot on the gas. Since Z has gotten a lot of flack recently, we should salute him for looking a lot better.

Yeah, It'l be interesting to see what they do. Both Martin and Erhoff are UFAs. If they both leave, That's a pretty thin blue line.

Yeah this was a definite problem last game. Pav had that bad one and Tatar did one of those hail mary flips to clear the zone that went for an icing.

That's good for them. They've been horrible at drafting (except their 1st pick, haha) and now they'll have a career scout as GM to hook them up with some good scouts.