PavelValerievichDatsyuk

That's the thing, though, we went to dump and chase because of our extreme trouble in carrying the puck in. This was especially a problem a few years ago. The "balenced" lines are partly Babcock, but Abby on the top line/Zetterberg's line is Datsyuk's doing and that has worked out quite well. Not sure why you think we have "an anchor" on every line. I assume you're refering to Helm and he was great up there before his injury. Also, he would be on the 3rd line if Franzen or Cole were healthy.

Good game, get pulled, good game, get pulled is kind of a funky rhythm. It might work for a James Brown lyric, but I think we should go for something a little smoother and steady.

Well, I totally missed this game so keep that in mind for my comments. Seems like it boiled up some rage on here. In the highlights it noted that the team was without Datsyuk, Sheahan, and Miller left. With those considerations, a 2-1 shootout lose to a desperate team who's playing for their playoffs lives doesn't seem too bad, but I know the context of the slump and upcoming playoffs obviously changes the perspective on things. Our recent worries have been goaltending and defence. From the highlights, Mrazek looks to have played great and if we only let in 1 goal then suggests that the D must have at least somewhat tightened up. On another note, we now have the same number of points now as we did for all of last year. These last 6 games will show how much of a step forward this season has been (at least in statistical terms). Time is running out for the team to get things together. I want to see a big game from Z against Boston to lead the way.

http://www2.tsn.ca/bardown/Story.aspx?Update%253a%2BHelmersson%2Bto%2Bpress%2Bcharges%2Bon%2BAndre%2BDeveaux%2Bfor%2Bvicious%2Bpregame%2Battack&id=523103 Looks like the assistant coach told him to do it. Helmersson is laying charges.

It'll mean that Monster will be named our new saviour. Are you related to Ed Gein?

I think Dipietro made that suit out of his couch.

I agree that Mrazek has let in some bad goals and had some bad games, but he's definitely ready to be an NHL goalie. Young goalies don't come into the league flawless. He was ready at the end of last year in my opinion. That said, I don't think he's ready to be a #1 goalie.

As Son of a Wing said, Kovy didn't retire even though they called it that. He switched leagues. Contracts inherently block against that. And the KHL and the NHL have an agreement to stop pursuing players under contract in the other league. All I'm saying is that to get this done, I think it took some good will on the part of the Devils. They did have a choice to let him go. I'll even allow that it might have be slightly dickish to point to the contract when a player really wants out, but that doesn't negate that it was classy for them to let him out of this gigantic contract where he had promised 9 more years to them. Also, they wouldn't have blocked him "out of spite." It would've been because they wanted him to play for their team and they had a contract. My original point was just that Kovy might feel some debt or gratitude or respect for them letting him out of the contract. That's me speculating on Kovy's mindset. There's no way of knowing how he interpreted the events or knowing his true opinion of the Devils organization. I feel it would be a possibility. Anyway, he denied the rumour and I don't see a return happening for him.

When you sign a contract, you're expected to fulfill it. If you decide one day, nevermind, i don't wanna do that thing that I legally put my name to and promised to do, then you are the dick not the otherside who is fulfilling their end of the contract. When the other side waives their legal right to enforce said contract and allows you out of it that, is a personal favour. In this case, it was a favour that was detrimental to the interests of their organization. They had a contract it's not "forcing him to stay in NJ." Any NHL contract blocks that person from playing in Russia or any other league.

Okay, I see that. It's a more compelling argument than "lol, naaaaa." For what it's worth, kovy denied the rumour: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/khl-denies-ilya-kovalchuk-nhl-rumours/

They could have tied him to his contract. Not sure that it would qualify as "being a dick" to make him fulfill a contract that he signed. They also voided the contract outright. That allowed him outright freedom. They could have just loaned him to the KHL (think of Radulov or Hudler). Not every GM would have been so willing to let him go and and relinquish his NHL rights. And for number9: Here's Kovalchuck when left: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=677712 Kovalchuk said in a statement released by the team. "Though I decided to return this past season, [general manager] Lou [Lamoriello] was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me." Yes, he's saying it partly for PR reasons, but I'm not sure why people disagreed with me that he might feel some good will toward Lamoriello. Is there some stated animosity that I'm unaware of?

Why? Lamoriello could have held him to their contract. That was a huge favour to let him go. That doesn't deserve some respect from Kovalchuck? I'm not talking respect from the rest of us.

But the same can be said for Howard with your playoff comment. He was killer at the beginning of the season. The definitely was a horrible game for him, though. I agree with Kip that Kindl looked good tonight (and has since his stint in GR). I'd like to see him in next game. If Kronwall out then no changes would have to be made, but if the Kman isn't on IR then I wonder who could/should be taken out for him. Love Helm, but that spear was just incredibly stupid. He's not usually the type to do something like that.

Wow that's a horrible goal.

I bookmarked these posts I made in the offseason to see how far off I would be with my bold speculation, haha. That Alfie guy really let us down this year with his production.

Still have hopes that Zetterberg will get there this season.

Lamariello let him go and relinquished his NHL rights to allow him to go to the KHL. He's no longer tied to the team. If he comes back for another team, that would make that a bad GM decision. It was classy at the time, though, so maybe Kovalchuck would feel some sort of debt to him or just a general respect.

I assume you're responding to me. I sort of explained it in my post, but i'll expand on it. It was with the idea of adding one of the top 4 RH offensive UFA Dmen (Franson, Green, Erhoff). If we could add one of them and keep Quincey on the 3rd pair for next year and make it work under the cap then count me in, but I'm not sure that it would. That would make sure no prospects were on the roster next year, but I guess that's not the end of the world. Anyway, Quincey's 4.25 contract in up after next year. I think we'd have to give him a raise to resign him, but regardless resigning him doesn't seem ideal. It would lockup our top 4 for a while (DD isn't going anywhere and K & E are signed for the long term) and we'd have no RHers in the top 4. I think most agree the top 4 needs to be upgraded. Because of that I don't think Quincey's in our long term plans. If we can get that missing piece, Quincey is one of the expendible pieces even though he's played well.

I think It could be interesting come Free agency. I like our chances at Franson (its not working out for him in NSH) Green, Erhoff. If we got one of those guys I could see us trading Quincey. Quincey's been really solid, but he'll be in the final year of his contract and it would be much better for us to use his spot for that elusive RH offensive top 4 Dman. Dion trade is still interesting to me. replacing him for for Q and Smith. Or even him for E might work. I know there would have to be other parts to the trade - I'm more thinking what work for roster slots. Otherwise, I see us going with the same. Zidlicky has been great for us, but it having him in that 3rd pairing spot blocks the youth. It wouldn't make much sense to me to have to have two stopgap players (Q, Zid) for a year when we've got prospects ready. It'd be nice to find a taker for Kindl, but I think he will stay as the #7 if we don't have any cap issues (and we don't unless we add players). K-E DD-Q Smith-March Kindl

Yep, my mistake. Then Jurco is on the 4th line for sure again next year unless he impresses big time in taining camp. Anyway, that's thinking too far ahead. This year, I want him on the 4th line over Andersson when we're healthy.

He is the one guy for us who didn't do the overripe school of development. So his struggles support that way of doing things. I like him a lot too. I just hope he doesn't fall through the cracks here. Next year, I see our top 9 wingers will be Tatar, Goose, Helm, Abby, Franzen, Pulkkinen. We, of course, still have Weiss and Miller. That puts him in the same situation as this year - 4th line or scratched for Weiss. Also, AA and Mantha will be realistic options next year as call-ups and further competition for playing time. Then again Pulkkinen might start in GR for depth sake (and LGWers will go crazy). And, ideally, we could trade Weiss away so there might be some opportunity for the Jerk.

So you were trolling? You're interpretation of the word Anything is way too literal. Kip was saying that Datsyuk isn't responsible for Tatar's offence - He was doing quite well before being put on that line. Or maybe this is just further trolling. Damn! I bit.

Not necesarily. Our wingers are still healthy (Tats, Nyquist, Cole, Abby, and now Helm). All this does is move Sheahan up to the 2nd line center and either put Weiss in as 3rd line center or Andy as 4th C.

Helm's problems haven't been due to him coming back too soon. He's had a bunch of unrelated injuries. I'm sure if they say he's back, he's ready. He's an important player for us and I want him back ASAP especially as we're setting the stage for the playoffs.

So Helm's back and Pulkkinen's playing really well... Do you hear that Mr. Andersson? That's the sound of inevitability.