chaps80

Exactly. Besides what you mentioned above about him not wanting to move again, i also think Vanek only agreed to sign with an NTC because he was considering retirement. He's a journeyman depth scorer at this point. He knew he was signing with a non-playoff team where he wouldn't be counted on to do very much. Easy money. I can see him retiring after this.

Resume tank.

heyyyyy Rassssss nm-Vanek. He didn't miss that one at least.

Thanks for showing that Cup loss.....

Correct. lol And another... Holy open net misses there boys.

SHOOT VANEK!!! Where is Bert tonight? He injured? nm, he is.

Wow, that goal was bad. Cholo's fault or Howard's? Good stop.

ooooohhhhh jimmayyyyy

Yeah, applefritter should be the one fighting.

He is, but AA is getting better and better at it. And if Mantha won't use his size, pretty much negates the argument for keeping him over AA

Almost another for Ras. Soft. Mantha hasn't impressed me at all this year. If they are going to trade one of AA or Mantha anytime soon, Mantha has to go.

Howardddd...nice stop!!

RAZZZZZ

Just in time for the third. Down 3-1, not a big hole. Can get two more on Flower... Weak try De La Rose... PP

True, but I don't think they make a move for Howard to have him sit on the bench.

Whoa, I just noticed in the article this movie was shot here in Sudbury. I never heard anything about it, and usually info passes quickly here. Have to see if i can find what locations were used.

Yes it was. Funny how many great goalies the Wings went through in those days with how small the league was. Traded Harry Lumley because Sawchuk was ready to step in, then traded Sawchuk because Glenn Hall was ready to step in.

HELL YES!! Greatest goalie of all time, despite all the mental demons he suffered with throughout his life. A life that ended too soon.

A ton of playoff experience? He's started 47 playoff games since '09-'10. Last season he played more than 3 playoff games was in '12-'13. Last playoff game was in '15-'16, when he lost the first two in the opening round before being replaced by Mrazek. I agree he's a proven starter, but he doesn't have a ton of playoff experience for a starting goalie in his tenth NHL season. He might be a bit rusty... If he won't be resigned, you gotta take whatever you can get. If they are planning to resign him, no point even moving him, unless he plans to come back July 1. 2nd rounder would do it for me. You think Calgary will definitely look to trade for a goalie before the deadline? Why is that?

Correct.

I don't necessarily like him, but i don't hate him either. Many nights he pisses me off, but some nights he pulls a hell of a game out of his ass. He may just need to play more. If Howard get traded, he'll get that chance. Although the odds are slim he will be traded.

First paragraph, agree completely that those teams won't be looking for goaltending help. Even if Murray and Holtby are struggling, they have two Cups and one Cup respectively, no way they bring anyone aboard to threaten their jobs. Calgary would be the team most interested I would think. Rittich has done well this season, but the playoffs are a completely different thing, and he has no playoff experience. They do have Smith, who hasn't played a playoff game since 2012, but he's a good veteran presence to help Rittich, and can step in if need be. If they traded for Howard, he would end up in the same role as Smith is currently. Vancouver is probably fine rolling with Markstrom, since they aren't contenders. NYI has Lehner and Griess, I figure they are set. Unless a playoff team suffers an injury, like you said, it will be difficult to trade Howard, especially for what Holland wants in return. As for the outside teams, Edmonton just signed Koskinen for three years, he's their starter, bringing Howard aboard is unnecessary as Koskinen has proved mostly capable and they aren't making the playoffs anyways. Don't know much about Colorado's sitch, but Carolina has an insanely cheap tandem in Curt Mac and Mrazek, and they haven't hinted at bringing anyone else aboard. Seem confident in Mac as the starter. Although they are only a couple points out of the last WC spot, so that may change in the next month. If they did trade for Howard, i'd want Mac as part of the package in return, sign him for a couple years to split time with Bernier.

Vanek probably wouldn't waive it, unless he was going to an absolute top contender. Only reason to have an NTC on a one year deal is because you really don't want to be moved. He knew he was signing with a non-playoff team, easy pay. Basically, he's gettin too old for this s***.

Nah, I don't care what Mrazek does anymore. He plays in Carolina. I give Howard his due when deserved, always have. I know you were joking about Howard being worth three firsts (hopefully you were). Holland has said he doesn't think he'll even get one. My opinion isn't undermined. Bernier is having a s***ty year, most can agree on that. Howard has been solid, most can agree on that. I'm just not one of those fans that thinks Howard is irreplaceable and should be held onto by all means unless it's top return, and if he is held onto, throw 6 million a season for a few years at him. Holland overvalues him, always has. When Mrazek stole his job and he was on the trade block, Holland kept saying no one wanted him. Either because he was asking too much and his contract still had years left on it, or Holland didn't want to trade him at all. Probably a bit of both. Everytime trading Howard comes up, it's always "first rounder". Other teams won't be giving a first for him, unless desperate. He's a solid goalie, but he has plenty of similar company across the league. He's never won a Cup, never been past the second round. Never won any individual awards like a Vezina that would elevate his status either. He's just not special...

Well, if he pulled the trigger on that himself, i doubt top brass was happy. They were probably hoping Koskinen looked shaky and lost the game last night so they could commence firing. Can't really fire him right after making the deal, even though they were 99% there. Wouldn't really have looked good or given the goalie any confidence. "Peter got fired because he signed me??" hahahaha I'm sure it still doesn't help one day later, but hey.