LeftWinger

For sure. It would be the only step he could take. Sending him back to junior would be a step back. I'm sure he won't get top line, but I mostly meant sitting in the press box most nights, because, you know, process. So, youngsters I want to see here next season: Dahlin (if) Cholowski Ras Svech Sr. (Jr. too If we get him instead of Dahlin) Hicketts in some capacity. Who do you feel should come up?

This is the first year that I feel there is nothing out there UFA that we need to pursue, outside of JT of course. Holland had mentioned not explorer UFA, but I'm sure he'll throw an offer at him. Maybe he'll bring Vanek back, which wouldn't be the worst thing. Him and Nielsen had pretty good chemistry before he got hurt. But, if we got nobody and just upgraded our kids (or Svechling in the draft) then this will most definitely be a first for me not being upset if we get nobody July 1st. Again, if Holland does land JT or even if he has others in mind, I also won't be upset.

Well, he will be mentoring Rasmus Dahlin afterall..... So ya, a healthy Kronner is a plus for us. Just don't sign Green....at least not more than one year.

I have a feeling we're going to see Ras on the team next season. His only option is Detroit or back to junior. Sending him to junior does absolutely nothing for his development. We all know my choice at that pick, we do need a high scoring RW, BUT we had/have so many needs and just look at our power play this year, it's no wonder Holland chose a power play specialist last season. Seeing it powerless this year gives me hope that Ras can change that. He really has dominated his junior league and needs to take a next step. It's just too bad he can't develop in GR a bit. But hey. Larkin came in and got a spot and stayed. I hope Ras comes in and earns a spot and helps jump start our PP and our rebuild. I just hope Blashill utilizes him correctly.

I believe we need to draft D with our first, but dang, the thought of having any of: Dahlin, Tkachuk, Svechling, Hughes, Boqvist, Bouchard, Dobson, Zadina.... I am forgetting a few too, but this will be a good one for us! Can Holland screw this up?

Of course Noah Dobson has rocketed up too. He just may be what a team like ours is looking for. But then the Q has a way of inflating stats. He is legit thougb and right handed too!

On the D, it's still not out of the question Kronner hangs it up, or sees significantly less games. Green is a huge question for sure. I agree XO should dealt, probably be dealt for a 5th at the draft. Open - Daley DD - Open Ericsson - Jensen Kronner may play all season, maybe not, so he could pick up 7th man duties or 2nd pairing. I believe if we draft any of the top 4 D, Dahlin, Bouchard, Boqvist or Hughes, they could make the team. It still leaves a spot for Hicketts and if Kronner calls it quits, another kid.

The Hughes bros. would be great! The problem is, we can get Quinn with a top 6 pick, we will absolutely need to win the lottery next year to get Jack. Not unless 3 or 4 other players can knock him down a few for us...

So I guess the question is then, if we're shopping one of our bright young players in AA, who are some examples of defensemen he could bring in return and would they make our D significantly better? I don't want to trade him for more of what we have. Especially not a 30 something guy. If were not upgrading, then no trade and hope for a gem in the draft and look UFA this or next July.

Dang, I sure would love one of K'Andre or Serron. But if they're gone, Akil is a good one! Especially if Holland has plans to deal AA.

If only there was a way to block all IP Adressess from Fullerton California. Anyway, even though I'm a fan of AA, if he, in some sort of package, brought us someone like Trouba, id have to do the deal. I hope AA stays and become a top line sniper, but we need D. Imagine getting Dahlin then making a deal for Trouba! Mia? Nah, I prefer Shakira. Plus we see which team she prefers!

Here's the funny thing, if we were able to land Stamkos that summer, everyone would be singing Datsyuk praises for the huge favor he did for this team. But we didn't and now it's like he's being ostracized for not staying the one last season.

Andy, you had me until you cut ties with AA. Especially just for a draft pick. The only way I trade AA is if he is a booger again and is difficult at signing. Then I trade him for full value, it must be an NHL asset coming back. This kid is dynamite, on a top line somewhere, he'll blow the NHL away.

Here's our backup who is going to push Jimmy out of a job! No he hasn't been signed, but Holland should be on the phone now!

This is why I believe the NHL had a hand in Gretzky going to LA instead of Detroit. All parties involved will never admit it, but Detroit and the Midwest was already a hot bed, Hockey in So.Cal was pretty much dead. ...and before anyone tried to jump on me about how do I know it was Detroit, Gretzky said it himself on Letterman back in 1989ish. Right around the 3:40 mark of the video. I remember watching this live and me and my buddy looked at each other and was like "WHAAAAAT!?!?!?!" I'd like to know what they wanted from Detroit in return. Maybe at the time, Ilitch couldn't match the cash? Not sure and we'll probably never know.

As much as Fedorov's number should be up, I do understand the reason's it probably won't. Doesn't mean I won't argue all day to have it up, but meh! 40 is going up. I do think that 13 should as well. We know he left with a year to go, but like @Learn2LuvIt said above, he wanted to go home earlier. He didn't want to sign a 3 year contract, he wanted to do one year at a time, but Holland convinced him to sign the 3 year. Each year, he wanted to retire, each year Holland convinced him to stay. The last year he decided it was enough, and it was for family issues as much as he wanted to go home and play. Holland had to be ok with it, he had to know that it was coming. He probably tried to convince him to stay, but it wasn't working, so he then probably asked him to waive his NMC so he could clear the cap. I believe it was amicable. After a few seasons of thinking about it, I don't feel he left any bad feelings back here. It's not like he signed with his owners arch-rival (Karmanos) or bolted to another NHL team to be "The Man" like Fedorov did. He retired from the NHL and then went home. Sure he played in the KHL, but that is his business. He didn't claim injury or anything like that for his reason to retire and then play out there, he was up front and honest after each season of the contract. I think he deserves it and it will go up sometime after 40. 30....I think he deserves it, he has the numbers, he has to Cups. He did not CHOOSE to leave Detroit he was waived because he made more than Legace. (funny how back then they said they could not have a $3M backup and look what they had this year!) Anyhow, it was not Ozzie's choice to go. He got claimed. He don't choose to go to St. Louis, he was traded there and when his contract expired, he came right back here. He deserves to go up and maybe when he gets into the Hall, it will. 91....again, deserves it, I think it should go up, but I do understand. IF all four go up, 91 might be the last one...unless it goes up with the name Tavares on it!

Makes me wonder who he is going to get rid of then. Because there ain't no room for 4-5 NEW young players. 2 will fit for sure, but damn, it would be nice to make room for and see 4-5 new youngsters! Draft Dahlin, dump some scrubs, sign JT, sign Karlsson next season! Game on!

Sadly, you will be correct.

On the D, it's still not out of the question Kronner hangs it up, or sees significantly less games. Green is a huge question for sure. I agree XO will be dealt, probably for a 5th at the draft. Open - Daley DD - Open Ericsson - Jensen Kronner may play all season, maybe not, so he could pick up 7th man duties or 2nd pairing. I believe if we draft any of the top 4 D, Dahlin, Bouchard, Boqvist or Hughes, they could make the team. It still leaves a spot for Hicketts and if Kronner calls it quits, another kid.

If you hadn't already figured it out, Lil Bert is here to stay. He is now a permanent part of the REBUILD.

You're right about the train pic. I could've gotten a different one. I just selected the first one that came up.

You have a list of user names that rival the amount of entries in the Dictionary, most of them made for one reason, to come in here and jump on me...I hardly think I am the stalker. But please continue to keep getting banned to only come back as a new one, the names are getting interesting. RightWeiner was a good one!

Fullerton, CA let their village clown out again. Aunt Peg left the lock off the basement door.

Yes, end the derailment as I tried to do hours ago.

No hate whatsoever to give. Not everyone has to like the same players you like. But hey lets keeping this going!