kipwinger

I've read that he's a tough dude, with good size, and an excellent work ethic. The knocks were his skating and generally being passive in his approach to the game (I.e.waiting for the play to come to him). I've never heard him describes as lazy, overweight, etc.

Who centers Frk?

Jesus, they could at least let Darren Elliot call the game. Even he's better than Ozzy. And he's already on the staff.

Osgood is a god damn embarrassment as an announcer. If he mispronounces another name, or uses improper grammar one more time, I'm going to switch to the Los Angeles feed. I can't believe they fired Larry Murphy for a guy who can't speak correctly.

Smart move, win-win for the wings.

You might have to swallow a year or two of bad contract,but it won't even be that big of a deal with cap inflation.

I'd take Buf long term in a heartbeat. Squeeze all his value as a defenseman out and he will still have value as a forward at the front of the net. The dude can skate, is durable, and has had no serious injuries in his career. He will be good for another 5 or 6 years.

Dekeyser-Byfuglien Kronwall-Marchenko Smith/Ericsson/Quincey-Green Cup.

The folks suggesting it would take AA to get him are dramatically overestimating his value. The fact that he wants out of the organization reduces Columbus' asking price. A comparable would be Nino Neiderreiter, who went to Minnesota for a fourth liner, not the organizations top center prospect.

Ive liked Rychel for a long time. Hes a fairly big, very abrasive and physical, first round draft pick who's scoring at roughly a point per game in the AHL. What's not to like? Columbus wants defense, I'd flip them a good defense prospect for him given our lack of power forward type prospects.

He won't be an undisputed number 1 if he doensnt produce points, and so far he's inconsistent in that regard.

I don't think he will be anywhere close to 6.8 million.

Contracts tend to be higher money for shorter term, and lower money for longer term. Not vice versa.

There aren't any comparables. He won't sniff 7 million. One way defensemen don't get max contracts. He will get 5.75-6 million long term. Mark it.

Dekeyser will making more money than guys a few years ago, merely as a result of cap inflation. But it won't be exorbitant because he doesn't score much.

I'm OK with naming it after Howe. But I'm totally against naming it after Illitch. I don't think a city owned facility in a bankrupt city should be named after a guy who owes millions in back taxes to said city. Pay up and then we will talk Mike. Not only would it be "considered" racist, it would actually BE racist considering not all indigenous people are the same and most of them (including Tootoo and is ancestors) didn't live in teepees. Good catch.

Krsmith, what's your evaluation of Nosek this season? I see that he's producing a little less than a year ago, and he hasn't seemed to be doing much during the 12 game win streak, but I'm not watching him regularly.

He had been scratched.

I've kinda always wanted Vrbata on Datsyuks wing. Am I the only person that thinks it would really pretty a lot.

Couple of good penalties to take there by Kronwall and Smith. *facepalm*

I HIGHLY suggest everyone go look at the goal Ovechkin just scored. Jesus Christ.

Or maybe getting called out by the organization for effort, and then getting scratched, did exactly what it was supposed to and woke him up. Maybe *gasp* Jimmy D (the guy with 7 Cup rings) actually knew what he was doing.

Agreed. Its like the Richards signing all over again.

You're right, I should have used quotes as I wasn't (originally) responding exclusively to you. I responded to you after you responded to me with the numbers on our winning percentage after leading two periods...and here we are. I don't always make an effort to use quotes when responding to what I consider general attitudes. Its a weakness. But you hit on something I do agree with, and have stated in this thread. Which is usage. Probably, and this is just a theory, Blashill is still learning how to coach this team at this level. And is realizing (and hopefully adjusting to the fact that) leads are harder to hold in the NHL than the AHL. That he can't lay back and protect leads like he is accustomed to because everyone is too good at this level. So he's got to figure how who to use, and when, in order to stay aggressive enough to keep the pressure on in the third without giving up chances. And that will probably take a little time. But I'd be really surprised if our winning percentage after leading two is as bad in march as it is now...even without noticeable changes otherwise. We are still figuring out who this team is and how good they can be. We are good, but not perfect. And our issues (usage and power play mostly) are likely an issue of making adjustments. IF, once we get that sorted out, we still struggle then I'd be willing to consider more substantial changes. But not until we know what we have. I'm just not on board with any of this "we need a number one defenseman", "we need to get bigger", "we lost Lindstrom", "we need a killer instinct", stuff. Which is what I was responding to. And those comments I consider knee jerk.

And I do think it's knee jerk considering this thread, and most of the opinions herein, didn't spring up while we were regularly beating good teams. Nobody was rushing around to talk about all the changes we needed to make when we were busy beating Montreal in regulation. But lose two games and here we go. Look back through the GDT's and see how many people were saying "I know we're scoring goals, winning games, and even getting points in our loses...but dammit we need roster changes". They weren't. But I'll give you one thing. Our win percentage when leading after two periods IS low. So low, in fact, that I'd argue its an anomaly. So low that its almost a freak thing. So low that MUCH worse rosters aren't even comparably bad. And as such, it's probably not something a roster change is going to fix. THIS is a mental thing. And probably a usage thing as well. Changing around bodies for depth players, who probably aren't going to be on the ice late in games anyway, isn't going to address the issue.