evilzyme

He's not throwing them in the mix, he's saying that those players aren't good at defense. So if other teams hold onto players that aren't good defensively, why would he not continue to be in the NHL? That's all. Basically saying, goal scorers don't NEED to be responsibility defensively, and that's what Brunner is. I think it's wrong to say that he's "molded" in his ways. Within a sample size of games, the franchise is already making him into a better player, which will fulfill his completeness. To see change within this small of a sample size, and NOTICEABLE change, you could expect if the pattern continued, that within 3 years he certainly won't be the same player as he is right now, but more complete and better. Some players just need the right guidance and staff to develop their game, in which this franchise has some of the best players, staff, and guidance within the locker room.

So why don't they do this.... divisions 1 + 2 that form 16 teams equal the "western conference", divisions 3 + 4 that form 14 teams equal the "eastern conference".... then, just equal it out and make the western and eastern sitting at 15 and 15. Trade a team closest, that wouldn't make the traveling outrageous and call it a day. Obviously it isn't that easy (or atleast, they... would've done it, right?!) but each "conference" currently has 15 and 15... sigh this just isn't my forte, i'll shut up.

Here's some information I got, which hopefully can spark some debate. It sounds like you can avoid the draft if you're over 20 by the deadline but from that it seems like if you're not North American, you can go into the draft after 20. Obviously he can avoid it by just not playing, as we've seen in different cases over the years, but I don't forsee someone coming from the same family as Lidstrom to do something like that. Someone help me dissect this.

I think he could decline the draft, but would have to wait some years before being eligible for a ELC? I'm not exactly sure though

with his foot injuries it just shows he cant be up to speed anymore. he lost his feeting and has zero speed. he's not good in his own zone but *used* to have one hell of an outlet pass. not sure why we would want someone with no speed (have enough dmen that don't have wheels) and no real breakout abilities anymore. personally id stay away from it.

he didn't even watch the game yesterday. he was asking about it in the gdt. dude has absolutely no idea what the hell he is talking about, which is normally the case anytime he opens his mouth on here.

I'm sorry, and I haven't read the most of this thread since I last posted, but to compare the 02 team to anything to this generation and salary cap is absolutely historical. The 02 team didn't just get hot, they were dominate, they were it. Nowdays with cap space you aren't going to have an all-star lineup as 02 wings once did, it's impossible unless you have superstars willing to pull hometown discounts. Please don't compare those two together, because it's seriously an absolutely joke within generations.

Brother, the amount of scoring chances that Howie denied today... should just shut anyone up calling him decent. His play reading, his lateral movements, he was one step ahead of the forwards and you wish that upon any goaltender. The first goal wasn't his fault, as a perfect second chance came to a stronger Kopitar versus Cleary. It was a horrible matchup all game, and if you want to blame Cleary whatever, but he certainly tried to tie his stick down and eliminate the shot. Kopitar is just a strong ass player that can outwork most of this league, in my opinion, he's one of the best forwards in this league (I may be biased, as the Kings are one of my favorite teams). On the second goal, Quincey went to grab the puck like he was a goaltender instead of just dropping and clearing the puck. He got out of position and allowed them to get the secondary on Howard (which, all night Howard was sharper than ever on the secondaries).

I meant to specify what i meant by hate. It wasn't exactly hate but not believing in him, or making fun of him sort of say. What i'm saying is, he could help out another team, much more than what he can help our team. So I just want to give him the congrats and hopefully he can be that good backup for someone, because in my eyes, given the opportunity to back someone up with solid playing time, he could make the best of it. He knows how to ride the bench and accept it, and he can come out big when needed... some teams need that.

Steal em when you can, absolutely. This team played 19 hours before they played a very physical Kings team. They went from young and high speed Edmonton, inwhich they had to try and shut it down or match it, to a very physical Kings team. Luckily, Howard was there to step it up and keep em in it. First period, we looked good. Second, we looked HORRIBLE and ran down. Third period, it looked like Babs or someone got through to the team and they got that second wind. They knew they had only 20 more minutes til it was done. When looking at the clock, and having 40 minutes to play, it affects your game, especially if you just played the night before. When you see the final 20 minutes on the board, you get that adrenaline rush and you push it. As much as it sounds silly, it seriously acts that way. When you see 40 minutes, it's hard to push the motivation, but when you have 20 minutes left, you can excel those final 20.

I don't see all the hate on MacDonald. When he came up for us, he came up big. When we needed him, he threw out some outstanding performances. If he did get claimed, and was able to secure himself a back-up role permanently for someone, I would be happy. He certainly could help out someone, just unfortunately it can't be for us. Howie, Monster and Mrazek seem to be the future of this organization right now (obviously we haven't seen Monster, but I feel like he's going be outstanding for us when needed)

A poster on HFB said it the best, inwhich most can agree with; paraphrased, he simply said, the refs didn't call offsides, the la kings didn't scream about it, the players didn't scream about it, quick didn't scream about it, it was a missed call. it happens. you win some you lose some. normally linesmen are outstanding when it comes to offsides, but when noone screamed about it after it had happened, it's not their fault. if people "knew" it was offsides, it would've been pointed out during the game.

From HFB; i'd have to see a full replay to see exactly how the puck was played, but it probably was ruled.... positive control? I know there's been some messy calls with that ruling, especially when Iginila burned us on it a few seasons ago

Oh man, if an average goalie did that to them, I don't even WANT to see what an "elite" goaltender would do!!

******* A BOYS

Oh Edzo, I love you buddy. Keep hatin'

Mrazek with his single NHL game is elite!

Emmerton straight up being clueless. My god kid, go change before stupid stuff like that happens because you didn't.

Really, you don't remember? Take a random guess who always starts the most insanely stupid threads.

BRUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Tootoo is gunning for Doughty, went for the hit like 3 seconds after the pass while Doughty skated away

My god the Kings are allowing us to split their D sooooooooooo easily....

laughing at the fact that he wants to throw big hits but a gust of wind just made him fall over. doesn't add up!

I wish Pasha looked over at the bench and winked at Doughty.

Oh my bad, ima just skate through you and teach you what's up.