Dabura

My source can beat up your source.

I think if anything he was just put in a position to excel. Bylsma seemed to understand his strengths and limitations and play him accordingly. Put him on your second pairing, give the toughest assignments to your first pairing, and let him run the first unit PP. I fear we end up overpaying Sami Salo.

I really dig this draft class. I've seen a few of these kids play and I can tell you they're all future Hall of Famers.

My latest theory (the one I mentioned yesterday): we've been rebuilding since '09. We were legitimate contenders for roughly two straight decades, then the cap happened, then we started losing key players, and we had a weak prospect pool, and we decided that it was time to build a real pipeline of quality young talent through the draft, and that's essentially been the focus for the past five years. We've stayed competitive enough to at least keep the playoff streak (and yearly revenue windfall from home playoff games) going, but the real focus has been on assembling what every cap era powerhouse team needs: tremendous value, i.e. key young contributors on affordable early contracts. I think once we have enough of those "value players" in place and they've shown that they're legitimate difference-makers at the NHL level, that's when we're going to get really serious about acquiring a big name or two and truly competing for the Cup. (By that point, the Bruins will be old and slow and worn down. bwahahahahaha!!!)

I believe Dreger confirmed that these are, in fact, nothing more than rumors.

This could be a number of different things. Babs seemed pretty clear that he wasn't overly confident in his ability to play another full season. On the other hand, maybe this is more just Alfie being like "I don't need big money. Sign some quality talent and I'll play for whatever you have left" or something.

I like the road white. But yeah, the original Mighty Ducks jerseys remain the best they've had.

Never.

STEVE YZERMAN JUST SMILED

Don't be ridiculous. 9 years. Iginla walking from Boston? Bruins select Pastrnak. He's damn good.

Give Jim Benning credit, he gets stuff done.

Emo Yzerman. I actually wonder how much of it is physical pain. I vaguely remember reading that he's basically in a lot of pain 24/7/365.

lolz, Dats tweets that he's looking forward to playing with Larkin. Larkin's, what, four years away? Crazy Russian be trollin'. Also: Gary Bettman welcoming the Pittsburgh Penguins in Philadelphia = hilarity.

Wait, why was Y scowling? I missed it.

I hate the Chicago Blackhawks.

Stevie Y's really starting to establish himself as a legitimate GM in this league. The Bolts are going to be terrifyingly good in a few years. They could use this pick to get Dan Cleary and it wouldn't matter. So much great young talent in their system.

More like Dylan Suckin. AMIRITE

Dudes, Larkin is a solid, solid pick. We should be real happy we got him.

Oh man, I'd totally forgotten about Sanheim. He's Realgud.

Are Kenny and Babs standing on opposite ends of the line? Yes...yes, they are.

No problem with this whatsoever.

Larkin!

I want Tuch.

Commercial break right before our pick.

One pick before ours and Tuch and Larkin haven't been taken. Stars pick Honka.