BeeRYCE

With others tearing it up while he's injured, it's unfair to say he's the best. I will say this though, I'm a guy who watched alot of hockey, I focus in on certain players. When Washington plays, I focus closely on Ovechkin. When Atlanta plays, I focus on Kovalchuk, when Tampa plays, I focus in on Lecavalier. With all that said, the skillset that Crosby has is REMARKABLE. Crosby is probably the best at maintaining the puck along the boards. He might be the best at creating offensive opportunities while starting in the defensive zone. He's for sure a top 5 stickhandler in the league, and as the media kind of overhypes... He DOES in fact see the ice exceptionally well. He has so many assets, and watching him play, he literally does something, whether it's creating opportunities or cashing in on points, he literally does at least something every shift. Focusing in on all of those assets, I'd consider him the best player in the world. Right now, you can't say he's the best, but in the grand scheme of things, he's the best.

It's official, Richards needed to be THE big name, not A big name.

This is pretty much why I thought he wouldn't play in the NHL this season. I actually completely forgot Staal played on the team when Francis was still there.

I don't think a guy like Malone is going anywhere. He's from Pittsburgh, so expect a reasonably low, fair contract. 2.5M, perhaps? They can keep him committed with ease. Also, with them letting go a whole 4 potential depth assets, guys like Malone (and Staal) need to be kept. I'd love Malone, but I can't picture him leaving Pittsburgh soon.

A point per game power forward like Shanny, I'll take him any day.

Give Ericsson time.

LMAO.

Worked perfect for me, I was surprised, the posting here was nuts. Bottom line, if this site wasn't around, I wouldn't have found out about the Stuart trade until MUCH later, as I would have been on TSN.ca.

Oh, PS... It's his WIFE. They have two kids, so it might have something to do with the kids liking it in Cali.

Unofficially retired like Vladdy's #16.

If it's any consolation, Canadian sports channels don't tend to overhype any other trade deadline in sports.

Ship his GF's ass to Michigan.

I really don't think Schneider is offended by this, and I really don't think it was Stuart's intention to offend him, but yeah, take that SCHNEIDS!

Okay, I've been hearing so much rants today about what we DIDN'T do. I'll admit, I'm as angry as the next guy. I'm a guy who likes to see new names imprinted on the back of jerseys, BUT there is a bright side. If we wanted to acquire a rental player, we weren't going to. They are notoriously failures. Pittsburgh acquired Hossa for what they gave up, I feel is a big let down to their promising future. We wanted Olli Jokinen? Yeah, he's a wet dream, but good luck re-signing Zetterberg and comfortably adding depth with him in the line-up. Onto secondary scoring... Our major downfall was Filppula and Hudler not playing up to full standards, and Cleary being hurt for a significantly long time. Well don't you think Holland not trading Filp or Huds will give them a slight confidence boost by saying, "hey I'm not going to trade you guys, I'm confident in you guys." I think that alone will make them play better. Physical/depth defensemen? Sure, maybe an issue, but us allowing the fewest shots again for the majority of the season and helping Ozzy get into the all star game was a huge part of our defensive core. Once we're fully healthy, I believe we will once again excel defensively. Remember, we didn't gain anything, but we also didn't lose anything. We're slumping right NOW, but we didn't give up our future to get a rental player.

Yep. Filpulla, Hudler, Emmerton, and a pick.

Can't say that's a good thing. Esposito is a future second liner at least, Armstrong is character, depth, secondary scoring, Christenson same as Armstrong, and a the first rounder may even be better than all them guys. Atlanta benifitted in the long run.

Jason Smith? But why?

That's right.

I love hopeful thinking like that. If we get Hal Gill, I'll drop down and cry.

YES.

- An agitator in Matt Cooke, they needed that. - A potential supporting scorer for Ovechkin in Fedorov, why not? - A better goalie than Kolzig? Only helps. Good moves thus far.

If we could have got Fedorov for next to nothing like the Caps did, I would have been thrilled.

Did you not read the thread title? A BREAK FROM THE DEADLINE FRENZY!

Zetterberg looks 50. Nice pics though.

Well, Feaster at it again. OVERPAID.