frankgrimes

For Pietrangelo ? Absolutely, his limit in terms of hockey iq and potential is the sky. Right now ? There is nobbdy available Phaneuf was the closest thing to something like that. Maybe if Buffalo decides to trade Ehrhoff but after watching a few Sabres games I'm not sure he would fit in well.

Did I say I want him as the GM ? ******* no, but the truth of the matter is making a team tougher to play against, doesn't take "years of development" it can be done much faster. Flames gone out and got Westgarth now they have a one two punch on the fourth line, are you telling me Holland isn't able to find a cheap (6 round + player) that could something more than our current fourth line currently provides? I don't think so, if Bergevin and Burke can find these guys Hollabnd should be able to pull something so simple off too. Truth is nobody other than the scout stuff really knows, how far awaay McKee is, so waiting for him to develop and not doing anything doesn't help in such an easy to fix team weakness.

thanks to Mr. I don't use offersheets I mean he just could have called the Blues bluff and pushed harder to Pietrangelo.

I'm still wondering, is there really nobody on GR who could replace Quincey ?

there are only two guys on this club that I would really want: Peluso and Wheeler other than that meh I highly doubt Scheifele will be available so I didn't even include him.

The funny part is, when guys like Holland are saying...ya well developing size and toughness takes time to develop on the other hand Burke, Bergevin are going outthere and fix something like this in weeks / months. I personally can't wait to see this monster with the big club, he will bring some serious needed entertainment factor to this team and will keep guys like Neil, Cowen, Getzlaf and even Kassasian honest. the top belt needs to come back, where it belongs the days of Probi, Kocur and DMac have been gone for far too long, revival team. McKee + Bordelau on the fourth line and the softish Wingsfeeling will be gone do it Holland

Well.....if your D has guys like Pietrangelo, Seabrook, Keith, Karlson, Subban (both for the O side) than yes you don't need a stellar goaltender. But with our current group I'm very happy to have Howard and especially the Monster for such a cheap caphit. If St. Louis pulls of the Miller trade watch out, stellar goaltendewr + stellar goaltender. Another thing to keep in mind: if your D + goaltendending isn't stellar your offense needs to be top notch (we're talking P. Kane, Malkin, Crosbylike) here and even then, they hardly can pull it of in the playoffs. the current state of this team is as follows: nothing is stellar goaltending so far has been the best thing thanks to the monster. I really hope, Howard can find his form again, because this team will need a solid goaltending if they want to make the playoffs.

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/01/08/olympic-team-snub-frustrates-johnson.html I fully support and understand him, if my *own* coach isn't willing to go bot bat for me, I would be having a hard time giving my all and more for him. Seriously, Jack Johnson was traded to the BLue Jackets, came in with a positive attitude and that's the kind of "thanks" he is getting from Richards ? Man if my personal coach would tell others I'm not good enough I would be changing him immediately. Richards should kiss his .... thanks to players like JJ he is still having a job, yeah the guy [JJ] may not have the best season, but he is still miles better than the likes of Faulk. So how about backing him up and helping him out instead of basically throwing him under the bus ? I'm starting to wonder, if team USA should change their braintrust, I think some of them can't spell the word "classy" it just isn't in their vocabulary.

Hey there is already - a pretty long and informative thread - about him here http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/topic/75000-filppula-to-tampa-5-yr-5-million/?view=findpost&p=2443955&hl=filppula

This will be a Quick game...

Miller - Monster would definately be a nice tandem, another plus would be having one more local boy with the big club, helps to get fans more excited for the team again. Sadly, I don't think Buffalo is going to take this trade and the asking price for Miller is going to be very high, howard alone wouldn't do it.

Didn't expect anything differently, so I'm not surprised although I hope Holland is using this season (no matter the outcome) as an opportunity to modify this ship in the off-season. Start with the bottom 6 a create a fourth line that is going to cause havoc, add some young guys and let 80 % of the vets walk an DON'T sign new ones unless they are top guys (top 6 scorer or top 4 d). Sadly, from what I've read this is not a deep draft and the drop off might start after Reinhart and Ekblad if true, I don't think they'll find a gem like Mantha again.

Good point but with guys like Z, Sedins and Alfie do they really need even more leadership?

Can't wait till this gem is with the big club, especially in blow out games, only 3 minutes left ? Send out your fourth line led by McKee and show some heart, other teams won't like it I'd love it :-)

The olympics are the only international hockey tournament I really care about. It's nice to see the nations best players going at it for .

Couple of things: 1. Rookie GM stating he would be bold things, well it takes two to make a trade and if he doesn't want to get rid off one of the younger guys for defensive help, there isn't much for him to do. 2. Six Rings Kewin Lowe - if he would really know something about winning (in his position), things would already be better for them. 3. Rookie Coach who doesn't respect tradition, thinks he has to reinvent every wheel 4. maybe the most important thing: they aren't drafting BPAs needwise. Instead of trading down and getting another pick in the process picking another forward with KHL possibilities has was just dumb. Why not go for defensive help and add another nice pick for forward depth? plus they aren't tough enough to play against, Gazdic doesn't get enough icetime for what he brings and waiving Bigmac clearly didn't help their toughness.

Well pictured, when I think of soccer and basketball I think of people lying on the floor crying and when I think of hockey, Bergeron, Stamkos (playing with a broken nose), Campbell (broken leg) are instantly coming to mind or lately Clearly, losing 6 teeth and gets back outthere. Soccer or basketball players would act like the end is near.

I'm prepared for a tough game, a point would be nice. sadly the game starts at 4.30 here so can't watch it

so they now have: Ted Black > LaFontaine > Patrick > Murray > Dineen ? certainly not a bad stuff but I'm a bit shocked LaFontaine couldn't find a "better" GM with a bit more resumee.

That's the important part of the whole story. JJ is not so pissed about not being nominated, he's pissed because: 1. his OWN coach didn't go to bat for him - seriously, I'd expect that from my coach he expects me to go to bat for him so he should do the same for me...it's a two way street right ? 2. the way JJ found it out via TV that's just totally unprofessional, give the guy a freaking phonecall and some kind words.

It has nothing to do with the midget: central things are: - rise of full HD TVs - 24/7 to hockey - maybe most importantly no other teamsport has so much classy and humble stars, who are tough as nails and will play through almost everything in the name of the sport they love. as for ESPN well they just suck anyways, their homepage is a complete mess and most stories of other sports are controversal.

No, but he should have had his [JJ]s back. Since Richards doesn't have that big of an influence, how about saying he is a great player, a leader on our team in my mind, he should be there, how do you [others] see it? Personally if I were JJ I would ask for a t rade.

It is a very good roster but their defense to me doesn't seem to be that good, especially compared to the very good Canadian one. Would have prefered Hedman or Murray over Oduya. In the coming 4 years let's hope Nyquist is going to play his way onto that way.

I hope, Hockey is never becoming mainstream like someone already mentioned, showboaters, questionable atlethes, cocky superstars and crime stories aren't needed in hockey. Hockey thanks god for that, it's a real teamsport not some superstars need to show off and forget the team gongshow.

If the prize at the end is Connor McDavid for sure. The core is getting older and there is not one surefire prospect with superstar potential in the pipeline. So sucking one year to get one isn't a big deal to me.