Jacksoni

We are officially on a winning spree. How about that. I do agree with the posts about most things looking more fluent, especially the "forward stuff". Even our defense was a little better on handling pressure, albeit they are still way below what is desired. A Trouba or Lindholm would have done wonders back there. Statistically I would say we are right where we were expected to be. As many said, I can't see us improving noticeably unless we get a fresh, skilled defenseman with an offensive touch and gods gift of passing laser beams on tape from our back end. In fact, we would probably need two of those. Addon: Mantha is ready. Shouldn't be going anywhere. And Ott needs to stay to protect Mantha and Larkin, at least this season. And waive Miller already. Bertuzzi is ready, for that role at the least.

Oopsie daisy thought 10 years was max, thanks for clarifying that. I'd bet he'll get more than 8. 9 is fine, could get more.

Burns ain't worth no 8 mill in a few years for sure. Just to shift gears, Carey Price is coming up for negotiation soon. What's he worth? 10 for 10? That's what I'd pay if I was a hard-pressed french-canadian GM in Montréal.

Stop this bickering. We are back! Playoffs against Tampa in the first round next. Revenge time for all that they have taken from us. It's all fantasy but a win is a win, I'll take it in any shape, form or size. Won't be to many this season.

Liked your tune in the other thread better. Come on now. 0% chance of that happening. Reality check please. Let's just observe our demise this season and see what follows. Holland or any other GM would be forced to alter team structure for the younger. What shape that will take we'll only know come august.

I like your little tune there. You're right. The deal is, if you gonna squeeze the defense for the puck on the dump in, you need speed to reach the defense, then you need to ensure that pain will be delivered, or at the least the notion of pain. Our quicksters are feathers waving with their little magic wands hoping to steal the puck gently. Does not work that way. As a defenseman I would be tempted hitting Tatar or Helm on the forecheck during the passing motion. Hit or not, I'm trying to make the same point your doodle does. It almost looks like the forecheck is for show.

We played as well as we could have in this one I think. The outcome was expected, Washington is simply more talented and should win that game. Our league standing is looking more and more grim by the week. I just hope they win a few in a row, giving us a little sunshine before sinking for good.

I remember that game like it was yesterday. It was Ovechkin's private shooting gallery party. It was a miracle that he didn't score. He should have had 2 at least. We need that Mrazek back fast, or Jimmy if he can reach that level, which I doubt personally but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

We are a bit over our heads on this one I'm afraid. I'll gladly take one point. Still my optimistic side says there's a chance, however small. Let's go Wings win those 50-50 pucks!

Stamkos ruptured his meniscus. He should be out.. 3-4 months I'd guess, based on my two ruptures.

May the posts be with us.

He will be out at least this week if it's a sprain. He should be able to bike about now if it's a regular sprain, meaning he won't drop much when back.

I agree, this one should be Mrazek starting. He tends to play well against them and I'm sure Tampa view him as a hard nut to crack, you want to get into their heads prior to puckdrop if you can.

This game revealed much of our problems. I think anyone who watched this game realized we had no chance of winning this game once the puck dropped and a minute passed by, the Habs should be a division above us if applicable.

Mantha idolized the Canadiens growing up. Has scored on them in the big leagues, twice. He should be pretty fired up playing in his home town. Perhaps he can lift us up in this game and save us from ourselves. *mumble defense mumble trouba mumble swearing*

Jimmy is on a roll and yes it seems he'll go head to head against Carey Price. Ansar Khan confirmes:

Really looking forward to seeing him on the team. I think he's close to overripe and should have had a spot starting this season. Hopefully he'll prove that come saturday against Montréal Canadiëns.

AA out, Mantha in. Not a bad sub normally but AA has just lifted his stock price considerably. I like Mantha being in but losing AA is a blow to this team right now which needed his speed.

He has earned that right if you ask me. A pleasant surprise coming in to this season for sure.

Seems many just log in to *****. I agree Howard has been great lately, he's playing like a legit #1 for a top-tier playoff team. We need both him and Mrazek to be demigods if we are going to squeeze in for another run. Our next game I doubt any of those two will be able to steal though. Montreal is clicking like they did in the early 70's. But that game will be quite interesting to watch, how will we hold up against a really good looking divisional rival..

AA looking sharp. He is scary fast and will be a cornerstone on this team if he just stays healthy and keeps working. Bertuzzi looked hungry and has a good feel for the game. He can cause other teams problems with that stick of his, he seems to have an understanding of how the game flows and shuts down angles with the best of them. That will lead to a goal eventually if he stays on. Though overall I am dissapointed with our play after watching the early season. I doubt we'll place higher than we did last season, at best. There is just not to much clicking in regards to set plays, outlet passes and board battles. But I could be wrong, one can hope so.

Let's win this one and get Trouba on our bandwagon, I'm quite sure he will watch this game. We are rested, at home and have no excuses against a talented but inexperienced WPG. Confirmed by both Swedish media and St. James - Kronwall debutes tonight.

He sure was. People forget, Bowman was a Freak. If there was a stronger word he'd be that. He studied books, game sheets and all available hockey statistics for fun since an early age. He could quote game stats from the 1940's onward from the top of his head and discuss them in relation to game strategy for specific coaches if he had enough data over the years which he almost always had. If he didn't, he sure would find out. It'd mean he missed something or possibly eliminated a faulty perspective from an input someone gave. Once he commanded the respect he deserved by mastering the theory, the locker room and the psychology of individual great players he was destined for greatness. Which made rich men listen, among them someone named Ilitch in an era where no cap existed.

Having watched all our games this season, some twice and being a defenseman, here are my pairings with what he have as of today November 3rd: Green - Smith Ericsson - Sproul DeKeyser - Marchenko Smith is a bandaid but we are broke, simply can't do better with what we have. Kronwall replaces Marchenko when back for starters. Ericsson keeps playing his designated role, but gets more ice time. Let the big man do his thing, it's working.