Dabura

US, eh?

My guess is it's more or less what it looks like: he wants good team defense (to a man) more than anything else. Defense, defense, defense, defense, defense, defense, defense, defense, defense. Defense. (Defense.) And he's basically said as much (see, for example, his comments about Trust being all-important to him). Players who play for him know: "Oh man, I could totally pinch here and it's almost certainly a goal. But, no. Coach would kill me." I think this is one of my favorite LGW posts ever.

The reason why defense should be the priority is that addressing it would, in theory, help both our defense and our offense. Good offense starts with good defense. Good defense is a team concept, but it of course begins and ends with the blue line (and the man between the pipes, but yeah). A good blue line has a very strong top four. We have a decent top three with Kyle Quincey rounding out the top four. And then Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl. If the goal is to go deep in the playoffs, our D corps is not going to cut it. Putting Smith on the first pairing isn't really a plan for improvement. Nor is bringing up Callahan. We should be thinking about changes that might help us win a Cup.

(Also: prior to this season, there were those who thought Tatar had a bad attitude.)

I've nothing against you whatsoever, Bob, but I have to say: this stance - which many NHL fans share - makes me a sad panda. I tend to think the attitude thing, whatever you want to call it, is probably overblown. And even if it isn't, you know what? He's an obscenely talented hockey player, a franchise offensive defenseman who's coming off a Norris Trophy win. And he's only 24. And he's playing for a mickey mouse organization. (Well, maybe not the organization, but certainly the GM and head coach. Not to mention the lack of first-class veteran leadership on the team.) So I give him the benefit of the doubt. Besides, attitude/maturity issues aren't necessarily the end of the world. Fedorov had a big ego, girl problems, and a pain-in-the-ass dad. The Bruins are the class of the East, with Brad Marchand on the roster. Patrick Kane grew up. Tyler Seguin grew up. Riley Sheahan's come a long way since Tinky Winky. There is hope for a 24-year-old Norris Trophy winner with some maturity issues.

Justin Bourne's take on Team Russia's demise: Lack of top-end talent on the back-end killed Russia's Olympic dreams [backhand Shelf] Sound familiar? (No pressure, Mr. Marchenko.)

I've been meaning to mention Pulkkinen for the past few days but I keep forgetting. More specifically: I'd like to see him up next season, if possible. But yeah, there's probably nothing much to this.

I'm assuming this has been mentioned: http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/chesnokov-ahead-of-contentious-russia-finland-match-up-datsyuk-still-playin Gold.

We'd lose the foot - but it wouldn't hurt!

I'm just messing, well aware that we've got a snowball's chance in hell of acquiring him.

OK, fine. How about P.K. Subban?

Yes to all of this.

Give the Finns credit, tons of it.

PHASE 1 Acquire Tuomo Ruutu PHASE 2 ? PHASE 3 Stanley Cup

Re: Moulson - Most people don't realize this, but he was producing as an Isle both with and without Tavares. Played on a number of different lines, just kept scoring. And he's been good as a Sabre.

I'm thinking a package for Ott would probably have to include Kindl. His cap hit is very close to Ott's.

P.K. Subban.

You know who'd be great? Patric Hornqvist. (Just spitballin'.)

Hell, I'd consider trading Datsyuk.

I feel like Canada has pretty much the greatest forward corps ever assembled. All we hear about is how monstrously deep they are and the countless different ways they can hurt you. So, "Yeah, well, all the teams they've played have been really good defensively"...that kinda rings hollow to me. I do think there's something to what you're saying. And, like I said, I do fully expect "The REAL Team Canada" to emerge from its slumber now that they're past the prelims. But, any way you slice it, this can't be the kind of start Canada was hoping for. I mean, sure, a win is a win. But...dat lineup. It should be crushing a depleted Finnish team with one hand behind its back, meaningless game or not.

No-brainer. WHY YOU NO LIKE KIMMO TIMONENPUMBA?

Well, your rooster can only be so big.

Canada has not impressed. That's a fact. And with the roster they have, and the expectations/pressure on them, it's a decidedly less-than-comforting fact (from a Canadian perspective, I assume). So there's definitely room for talking a wee bit of trash on them. I fully expect them to find another gear, though. The threat of elimination brings out the best in the best.

Rooster limit.

Never a bad play to put it on net.