Dabura

I would want some sorta Apollo reference, seeing as how we BEAT THOSE DIRTY COMMIES TO THE MOON and all. (Even though it was ALL FAKED and all.)

We need goals. More than that, though, we need a top-flight defenseman. Going into this season, we can all agree: if we have an Achilles' heel, it's our D. That's not good. Here are four defensemen who might be able to help our cause: [/bleacherreport] Dan Girardi had a rough year, I guess. Some would say brutal. And yet, the Rags did pretty well for themselves, all things considered. (Even though they were a crushing disappointment, and Brad Richards died in that terrible accident, etc.) This makes me think maybe Giradi's kinda sorta expendable tradable able-to-be-parted-with. OK, not really, but this is all pretend anyway. Dan Girardi for one or two or three of the following: - A roster defenseman who isn't Kronwall or DeKeyser (or maybe Smith) - A non-first-round pick (maybe a first-rounder. Depends) - A solid prospect/youngin' - Franzen

"GET OFF THE ICE, YOU LITTLE BRAT, OR SO HELP ME--"

Good call. Actually, the shape reminds me of the outline of an old ship, if you're looking straight at the rudder (rear, stern, whatever). Trainwreck. Shipwreck.

I know they don't make changes for the hell of it. I guess I'm just curious re: who contributes (or may possibly contribute) along the way in this kind of thing, beyond the decidedly obvious. Basically, I'm becoming Batman. And, well, it's tough.

What could've been....

So, wait, are the stars, like, bumpy?

These are great. And by great I mean terrible.

Is it possible that The Powers That Be do indeed use something along these lines and we just don't know about it (because They don't tell us about it)? Genuine question, because, well, I'm not an engineer.

Yup. No big story in this (i.e. Babs hasn't suddenly lost his marbles, Wings will be fine, etc.)

1. Someone buy this kid a beer bear Mountain Dew! 2. Suppose Malkin had thrown a few fake blows and sold it really well. Does everyone there gasp in horror? 2b. Evgeni Malkin Beats Up Little Kid Kid is apparently fine, but was probably paid off/intimidated by Malkin's mob friends

I assume you sit there in the stands every day, decked out in Blackhawks gear, taking notes, like a planted scout. Y'know, just to mess with him.

These are great! Blashill is an intensely likeable coach. Tatar = Clutch

Brunner? Brunner? [/bueller]

For the record (and I said this is one of the other threads): I love Cleary's heart, grit, determination, will, etc. I love Postseason Cleary. That Holland seems to want him back even now - it makes me think he really is very valuable as a leader, motivating force, teacher. And, hey, a good ole no-nonsense Canadian? Can never have too many of those on a hockey team. Except, Cleary's old. And his knees don't work. And pace is a big issue. And he doesn't have a "specialty" like Holmstrom did. And we're talking about a full season now. 82 games, probably plus the playoffs. Now, you could maybe make the same aguments against Alfredsson. Except, you can't. Even at 40, or however old he is, he's still a pretty dynamic force (relatively speaking). He's a guy who could, I think, really fit in the top-six without it feeling forced and super-cringeworthy. Slightly bigger picture: Alfredsson, Bertuzzi, Cleary, Samuelsson. And we're supposed to be getting younger...? But I don't want to turn this into a Cleary thread or anything like that. Poor Yost.

I'd say the big difference is Holmstrom was a specialist. No one could do what he could do, even when he was at the end of his career. Cleary? We like his..."veteran leadership." Unless you're talking about Alfredsson?

You're saying gooning is the toughest "job" in the NHL? I mean, sure, "tough" in the sense that you're fighting someone...once every six games....

Is Kovy's team any good?

I was just about to say almost the exact same thing. (Rhyming Rouse with house, etc.) GET OUT OF MY HEAD kthx

Think of it this way: If Samuelsson weren't on our team, would you all be like, "You know who we really need? Samuelsson." "Hey, that's a great idea!" "I'd be down with that!"

Samuelsson just isn't what we need, on any level. If we want skill, we should go for Skill. If we want a fourth-liner with physical chops and high-energy, we should go for that. If we want a 35-year-old who just...is, then, great, we've got Samuelsson. mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Doesn't "professional" just mean "Gets paid to do what he/she does"? I mean, in the "strict" sense of the word?

My impression is that Sens fans feel their shot is just as legitimate as ours. Something no one's talking about: he picked the Wings over the Bruins.

Two words: Tomas Vokoun.

The "Sammy sucks" thing goes way back. This isn't just about last season. To be honest, I don't think he sucks. He can just be maddeningly...Samuelsson-y. My big beef with him right now is he's 35. And he's given absolutely no indication that he's anything remotely close to an iron man. (The opposite, in fact.) Holland likes veterans, familiarity, big guys who aren't especially physical, reclamation projects. That's why he's here. Not because he's especially impressive. Also: he's a right-handed shot.