PavelValerievichDatsyuk

You just have unique definitions of that term. For most playoff caliber would mean able to make the playoffs and making the playoff would be proof of that. You seem to discount the lower seeds as playoff caliber because they usually don't "control there own destiny." That's going to be an uphill battle against common sense, I think. It is possible that we wouldn't have made the playoffs with a different coach, but it's also possible we would have finished higher without our injury woes. Both are what ifs - I think it's better just to deal with what did happen and we did make the playoffs. Also, I have not come across a commentator who's predicting we won't this year with the same roster. I also disagree your rhetorical question, "top coach plus playoff-caliber team should at least be in that discussion, right?." I've never heard anyone argue that a lower seeded playoff team was a contender because of their coaching - it's always that the team underperformed during the season or they made some big deadline aquistions.

I'd forgotten that. Tatar and Jurco do go together really well.

Wasn't he playing with Jurco at the end of last season?

I'm pretty sure we burned a year of Dekeyser's contract in 2012-13 when we kept him up at the end the year even though the "smart" business decision would have been to send him to GR.

Still, after less than a year, he's not perfect. And he's not better than Our number 1 in his rookie season. Of course! Dickie, I appreciate that you often try to level peoples opinions of certain players, but here i think your expectations of him must be unreasonable. he's played in the league less than a year and already solidified a place in the top 4. 2nd in pts for defencemen (with little pp time). You argued against "his amazing development" in another posts. what did you expect? He's gone from undrafted player to solid top 4 in about 4 years. (2010 was his last draft eligible year) Maybe you're arguing against his NHL development because he really good when he first made the team? he has developed a lot since then and been given an increasingly large role. You also said in your other post that he might only become an ok #2. First of all, are we only supposed to be happy with players if they are a future #1? Second, judging a player's ceiling from their rookie season is far from fool proof. Third, you're basically saying that he, as a 24 year old, only has the possibility of improving a very little amount over the rest of his career because I and many others already consider him a solid 2nd pairing defenceman.

Also, Holland said in an interview recently "It takes two to make a deal." Holland rarely makes negative public comments about negotiations. It really sounds to me more like DD's agent is the one causing this delay. But anyway, they're having the same argument we are: he's played great and been given a large role, but hasn't played that long in the league. It really is a hard negotiating situation since the are few comparables and it's hard to judge risk. Yes, he stepped in to the NHL without the usual growing pains and looks like he'll only get better, but he's dealt with some injuries and we just haven't seen all that much of him. I'm predicting DD is there for the beginning of camp.

Jagr is still damn good. Alfie was still very good as well, when not dealing with his injuries. Call me naive, but these guys love the game - they not going to "just hang on for the sake of it". They'll spend the rest of their lives wishing they could still play, so why not try to play as long as it's still possible and you think you can be effective?

To me this isn't really news. We knew that Alfie is questionable. It is news that he tweaked his back, but his status is still the same. Alfredsson would be great to have, but we've got Jurco/Pulkinen/Mantha fighting for that spot if he's not around so I think it's far from the end of the world if he hangs up the skates. Ericsson says he's at camp on day one. That's great. He's not having another surgery and no new problems. It's a shattered finger that was reconstructed along with a metal plate for support - pain will be around for quite a while. It is worrisome that he couldn't train all out during the summer, but that should've been clear that would be the case.

I think that the diving fines are more of a method of public shaming. I hope that being a player who's been fined will just be incredibly embarrassing and that will be enough of a deterrent. You know fans and commentators will mock those who are fined and it will surely be the subject matter of on ice agitators. Since diving isn't dangerous like head shots or spearing, the fines shouldn't be that big. Anyway, with the player's union involved you couldn't implement huge fines the first year this is around. Maybe if diving remains a problem they can raise the fines. Anyway, I think it's good for them to do something to get rid of the diving problem.

What in that article do you actually disagree with? Helen called for Quincey to be traded or scratched last year. She wrote that Clearly shouldn't be brought back this summer. She gets more flack than she deserves.

None, because I've read Osgood's helmet would not meet the modern safety requirements of the league. Hasek's mask was always ugly.

? They were both on the Rangers team that went to the finals. Diaz played himself into being a healthy scratch for all but 4 games in the playoffs.

Weiss is 31. That's really not very old. He's also nothing like Franzen as player. I think Mule Weiss and Gus is probably what we'll see

I'm sure it will be fine. (speculation alert) I think they must talking about a long term contract because a 2-3 year deal wouldn't have much to differ on. Would love to lock up DD.

We love the Sein! I hate the Drake, though.

Filpulla was great on Z's wing. Then the following year he got injured and was bad for a year due to his injury. You said that you couldn't imagine Helm going to wing would be any better. So...by your own comparison, Helm will have a career year where we all think he has fulfilled his potential. Then we just hope he doesn't get injured. Sounds good to me!

It does free up Zetterberg and Datsyuk. That's what Glendening's value is. We've often had top guys on defensive assignments and it means they're not creating offense. If we can trust Glendening with top guys then he won't be on every time Malkin's on, but he allows us to get our top guys with better matchups. That said, I really didn't notice Glendening much last year. That's due in part to his role, but he'll have to develop other parts of his game to be really effective.

That's a good idea except that Weiss is still a big question mark. If he doesn't work as our #2 center we'll need our extra centers. If he proves to be the player others say he is, someone could become expendable. I think we just wait and see. Love this idea from Babs. Helm is too good for the fourth line, but I couldn't see a way around it. Helm absolutely has better hands than Abby. 12g in 42 games without playing with Datsyuk or Zetterberg. And for whoever said he doesn't have the ability to finish all the chances he creates - How about having D and Z around to pick up his rebounds?

The Betmen Gambling reference, tribute to the sugardaddy, horrible mangling of the english language: It's got it all!

That is very true. But that the Panther's arena is actually in Sunrise, Florida - pretty far from the tourist spots. If a Las Vegas team had an area in walking distance from the strip and your choice for the evening was between Carrot Top, Celine Dion and an NHL game I think they could take advantage of the tourists. Also, the hope would probably be that there would be that people would gamble on the game and then go watch it. Again, I think it's a horrible idea, but (if the rumour is true) that is probably what bettman is thinking.

I think Las Vegas is a horrible idea, but one thing against that study is the fact that Las Vegas is vacation city. Even if there isn't local support, the number of hockey fans passing through would make their numbers higher.

I was thinking of Beatlejuice. I've never ventured into the world of Dune. I don't know what the Dune Sandworms look like, but I doubt they would be this potential mascot: http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120323000047/villains/images/e/e8/Sandworm01.png

The Las Vegas Sandworms Sandworms, I hate em!

It doesn't mean it's a certainty. I think he'd stay away from 11 just with the chance that Alfie will be back. I mean, if Cleary took 11 and Alfie signs after training camp, it would be to late for them to switch at that point due to merchandising.

I'm confused...Do you work at the airport? Edit: Sorry, I guess I don't get that one.