nawein

The Datsyuk thing really kind of sucks. Hopefully it doesn't cause a rift when everyone gets back. On another note I haven't seen anyone post practice line combos for any teams but I found a few articles. http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2014/2/11/5400194/winter-olympics-2014-mens-hockey-practice-lines-canada-us-russia-sweden http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/10/hossa-handzus-tatar-line-highlights-slovakias-first-olympic-practice/ I couldn't find anything on the Czech's or Finland and the rest of the teams combos seem irrelevant.

I wouldn't be too opposed to Quincey coming back. He has been better lately and he's not our worst defenseman. That said though I don't think he fills a need that we have. I know most of you won't agree with this but I think the bigger hole here is at a number 2 defenseman. E would be a great number 4 but I don't see him as a number 2. He still make too many boneheaded mistakes. If we could bring in a number 2 defenseman (Boyle on a short deal in the offseason) we could play DK with Kronner and #2 with E. That would be a solid top 4.

Keep in mind last year Subban signed a bridge deal for 2 years at 2.875 cap hit. Not saying that DK isn't worth 3 at 3 because I think he definitely is, just that we may be able to sign him for less. Also that this past offseason we signed Nyquist for 950,000 hit for 2 years, so Sheahan should get somewhere around there. That said though I'd be happy with all three of those deals you have.

No love for Jack the chimp from MVP? Set him up on the half wall and let him fire pucks in. I am digging Hanson line though. And I agree with needing Fulton as a PP qb. This whole thread made my day though guys. Props.

Good points, as an already soft team depending on who we'd move for him he could make us softer. I haven't really watched him play a whole lot lately and I just know he scores a lot of goals, which we lack. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Gilbert's salary was somewhere around 1 million this year and he has an expiring contract? I'm at work and Capgeek is blocked on my computer (too much armchair gm) so I can't look. If it is 5 mil though I take back wanting him.

Actually, both Boyes and Gilbert were fa signings by florida this summer, so Weiss never has played with either. Boyes can score and if we can flip Quincey or Kindl for Gilbert it's an upgrade. I'd actually be pretty for this.

Care to elaborate? If it's because the value on our side isn't enough make the roster player Smith. Bottom line is we need a top dman. That's what I would go after.

Apparently we're going after Vanek which I would be okay with as long as we don't lose Tatar in the deal AND he agrees to resign. Honestly though if we're healthy we don't need a forward. I would trade Backman/Marchenko, Pulkkinen and our 1st for a #1/2 dman though. Probably have to sweeten the pot with a roster player though, Kindl or Q. Who knows if that would get us one, but that's where I'd start.

Franzen out tonight per Khan's twitter.

How do you guys feel about Ekman-Larsson? I don't know how we'd do it but I'd love to get him here.

That with a top 6 of Z-D-Alfie Nyquist-Weiss-Mule And Howard on his game and people are saying we don't have a real shot at the cup? Hm. News to me.

Keep them both and send Glendening down until Weiss comes back. Then Sheahan will go back down because he's waiver exempt. Long term though Sheahan has a higher ceiling in my opinion.

Fair enough, go play professional hockey.

Man Kronwall looks off today.

I take it you've never had a back injury? Any back injury isn't minor..

I have a feeling Mule will go to 1st line center. Also watch for Tatar to have a great game with Z out. I get the vibe Tatar likes to be the man and with Z out he has to be a bigger part of the offense.

100k relief. So not much but as long as we have guys on IR it's all about roster spots. And it's about freaking time this happened.

This is the only place I've seen it. Just says possible target so who knows.http://www.mynhltraderumors.com/2014/01/23/morning-rumors-iii-sharks-ufas-and-a-potential-target-bruins-blueline-oilers-options-and-larsson/

From November 21st to December 6th our roster was *mostly* healthy. In that time we went 6-2-0 while scoring 30 goals in 8 games. This healthy roster is better than a lot of people give it credit for being, especially if Weiss figures it out. Also currently out we have 7 players. Datsyuk, Alfie, Helm, Franzen, Weiss, E, and Gustavsson. Correct me if I forgot anyone, it's early. For arguments sake and since you made the point of other teams winning with key injuries, I want to equate that to the Penguins. Datsyuk = Malkin Franzen = Neal Alfie = Kunitz E = Martin Weiss = I don't know... Jokinen Gus = Vokoun Helm = Dupuis (with the way Helm was playing offensively this year) So. The Penguin can win with a key injury. But can they win with 6? Sure they would probably still be doing better than us, but I guarantee they would be losing more games than they win. So no, it's really not an excuse. It is reality that, with the number of quality players out that we have, any team would be doing poorly.

What our C group could look like: Pav, Z, Weiss, Mule, Helm, Andy What it does look like: Z, Sheahan, Glendening, Emmerton

I agree that he would fill Tootoo's role; however, Ott currently plays 19:40 ish per game with the Sabres, 2:30ish of that shorthanded. So he kills penalties as well. He also can play on the PP and I can see us trying to make him a net front guy. So he fills Tootoo's role and more. I honestly see him as more of an Abdelkader type player than a Tootoo type player.

Answer these questions on who you would rather have, and please try to do so objectively. Steve Ott or Drew Miller? Steve Ott or Patrick Eaves? Ott or Cleary? Ott or Tootoo? Ott or Glendening? Ott or Sammy? Yes he's what we have but he's better at it, much more annoying to play against, and plays with a good amount of heart. And don't get me wrong here, I like Miller, Eaves, Glendening and Toots and I think Cleary can still play a role. I just would rather have Ott.

This. I have been saying this (not on LGW but in conversations with other fans) for months. This is a "weak" draft class anyways so we probably wouldn't be missing out on much. I'd be all for that trade.

Left practice early today per Khan's twitter but they said they wont know anything on any injured playera until after tomorrow's practice.

I would LOVE having Ott here mostly because I've always hated the guy. I'd be concerned with what goes the other way but I might actually be okay with giving up a 2nd and a decent prospect. Almquist maybe.