kipwinger

Why? We're not in the same division? Teams trade within the conference all the time. Plus we're a good trading partner if they want prospects given that we've got 3 of the top 30 in the AHL. And the rivalry days are long gone.

I don't think they will, no rumors I'm seeing say they want a roster player, and they're certainly not going to get a key component of any team for a guy who doesn't have a contract. That's the key, without having him signed, nobody is going to give too much for him, and the Avs can't really ask for the world either. Edit: Just read about how the Avs have an absolutely horrible PK right now. Give them Miller, Tatar, and 2nd for O'Reilly's rights. Clears out our glut of forwards, gives them their prospect and pick, and helps their PK with a good third line forward and PKer. Win, win, win.

As I said, I've seen this guy play a lot. Defensively he's as good as Flip or Helm, works hard, back checks, plays physical for his size, has real good speed. Offensively you're talking about a guy who put up 55 pts. in his second year, so I don't know if Nyquist really does have more upside. Especially considering O'Reilly has better size and strength and is still developing his game at the NHL level as well. I doubt he could transition to the wing though he seems like a Jordin Staal type center, big strong puck carrier who likes to gain the zone and then dish. But we all know Zetterberg definitely can play the wing effectively.

Haha, funny we came up with the exact same line combos. Screw it, why not? O'Reilly is the real deal.

I hope so, this guy is only getting better. I've actually seen a lot of him over the last two years and he reminds me a lot of Helm, but with the ability to finish. He's obviously not quite as fast, but works very hard, defensively responsible, finishes his checks, competes every night, and has some offense. Only drawback is that he's a center, and we're pretty loaded with those right now. Then again... Flip-Dats-Franzen Brunner-O'Reilly-Zetterberg Bert-Helm-Sammy Tootoo-Abby-Miller/Eaves/Cleary/whoever?

I agree with your point, but again I'd like to say that this this WAS NOT his first NHL goal. So that's not an excuse. This is what his first goal, and celebration, looked like...

The goal in question in this thread was not his first goal. So that's no excuse.

No celebration this time, and this goal was even bigger than the last one. Wonder if he got a talking to from the coaches after the last one? Good on him for celebrating with his teammates this time around, and what a start to this kid's career eh?

Where I stood at the beginning of the season. We're a playoff team that's one or two defensive moves away from being a Stanley Cup competitor.

In the two games he's played so far I've noticed two things I really like about Kindl this season. He seems more confident with the puck, and more importantly, he seems to be using his size and strength a little bit more. In both games I've noticed him taking guys into the boards very hard. Good for him.

Yeah but his cap hit is 6.8 million...so no thanks. But someone with his type of skill set would be fine.

Guys with NTC's move all the time. Especially when they play for garbage teams like Buffalo, or if they aren't getting the ice time they want/deserve. I'm not saying it wouldn't make finding one a little harder, and I definitely see your point, but it's not impossible to find one. Also, Regehr was just an example. Doesn't have to be him. Though given that it's a contract year for him, acquiring him is definitely in the realm of possibility.

Visnovski is definitely the best of the bunch, but we don't need what he brings to the table. He's essentially Kronwall without the hitting. Not particularly good defensively, but can score about 30-40 pts. a season. Again, a stay at home d-man that can play 20+ minutes a night is what we need for the top pair, then shift the rest of the personnel accordingly.

well I agree with all of that except the last part. Brad Stuart was the epitome of steady, physical, stay at home defenseman. That we didn't replace his skill set is one of our bigger problems this season.

The problem is that White cannot cover for Kronner because White doesn't play particularly good defense, also, neither Kronner nor White are big enough to play against big powerful forwards...like the ones that Chicago, St. Louis, L.A., and San Jose have. Also, don't let Huskins' reliability fool you. If this guy was good enough to play top 4 in this league, against high quality forwards, he would have been signed by someone. Also, why would Colaiacovo cover for Ericsson, Colaiacovo is the better point producer, Ericsson has never produced points at the NHL level. Are we even watching the same team?

I agree with your post, I think this is the best we can field right now, based on the personnel that we've already got. But I think it can be improved dramatically with the acquisition of one defensive defenseman who plays big minutes. For examples sake I'm going to say Robyn Regehr, but it doesn't have to be... Kronwall-Regehr Smith-Ericsson White-Lashoff Let the rest compete for the 7th spot, and keep the guy with the best 2-way defensive game as the replacement.

Why does every single article or commentator who speculates on the wings defense suggest that what we need is another puck moving d-man? Visnovsky, Streit, Leopold? How are any of these guys an upgrade over White, Colaiacovo, Kronwall? They're the exact same players only 5 years older. It's like they think that a team full of guys who are essentially worse versions of Brian Rafalski can somehow learn to play actual defense through osmosis.

I agree, I've been saying this for a while around here. I don't think it's a good idea to have the two guys who lead your team in shots on the same line.

Has anyone else noticed that while Tootoo is a pretty good skater, he's awful at trying to stop? I guess if you've been hitting guys your whole life there's probably no reason to learn how to stop, but if you watch you'll get a kick out of it. Who was the kid from the Mighty Ducks movies who couldn't stop? Love the guy, and love that once he gets going he's either hitting a defenseman or hitting the glass, but he's never stopping.

Really impressed with the deflection goal last night. Takes a lot of guts to go to the crease and make that play. I will agree with Shanahan above though, I'd really like Brunner to be attacking more on the power play. I think he's still getting used to being an equal partner on that unit, and so he's looking to pass or one time the puck. But how many times have you seen Dats or Zetterberg attacking the net, forcing the defense to respond, and then getting the puck to the open man, or putting it in the net when the defense fails to commit to them? Brunner has the skill to do that too. Hopefully that part of his games comes with a little more time. Good play so far though. As others have said, a little bit to learn on the defensive end of things. But I agree that this part of his game will come too. Forwards aren't really required to play defense in most euro leagues...but that doesn't mean they can't.

How interesting, you can say that you're ok with something and then six months later say that you've been against it all along. Neat trick. Does that work on people usually or no?

You said Quincey should never have been re-signed huh? From the thread "[signed] Red Wings re-sign Quincey: 2 years, 7.55 million total" on page 22. "Blah...a little more than I would have liked, but whatever...if he becomes one of our top 4, I guess the $250,000 overpayment will be alright...At least we have 6 D now, wonder who the 7th will be, or are we to expect a REAL top 4 defender and have Kindl be #7" - Leftwinger. "A little more than I would have liked, but whatever...I guess the $250,000 overpayment will be alright". Meanwhile, 6 months later "I said he should have never been re-signed!" No you didn't say that, and the proof is in the pudding.

You seriously question what Holland was thinking huh? That's funny, because in the thread "Kyle Quincey traded to Detroit in 3 team trade" on 21, Feb. 2012 at 5:13 you said, and I quote, "I may be in the minority here, but I think this is a nice deal. Kyle is a big upgrade over Kindl, he is much better (maybe not tougher) than Commodore, he will be a nice addition here. Welcome back Kyle!" For anyone interested that post can be found on page 54 of this forum. Not only did you know what he was thinking, but according to your own words it was a good move, and as an armchair GM you would have likely done the same thing. Enough with your castigating these moves already please.

Whatever happened to the Tollefsen guy we traded Leino for? I know there wasn't any place to put him when the trade took place, but seems like someone could have used him for depth. Was he that bad?

I completely agree, and I don't mean to sound like I think the guy should be given a spot just because he's been around a while. He needs to sink or swim, BUT I also think it's unfair to suggest (not that you did) the guy is sinking when he hasn't been given any kind of regular playing time, and when he does, he's typically utilized incorrectly. Tonight he'll be paired with a shutdown guy, he should be able to play to his strengths (the transition game), and he'll get some time on the PP. That's using his skill set properly. If they do that for 3 or 4 games and he still doesn't look good, then I'd say it's fair to cut him loose.