e_prime

Must win.

Cleary, unfortunately, is a marginal NHL player at this point. His value is zero to other teams. His only worth to this team is his perceived "hard work attitude" and that he knows the system. Why would anyone take him at this point?? Sammy. Injured. Oft injured. NTC. Good luck moving him. Number 19 - Wysh isn't an analyst... or should I rephrase that and say, he's not a reputable one. (He's there for the jokes and jersey fouls.) Especially if he's not giving a F to Calgary who got fleeced for two of their top players.

...and that's the difference this year. Holland said early on, in fact, that there was a possibility that this team might not make the playoffs... but in all likelihood we will make the playoffs. He might, as so many of you like to pipe up with, "Like our team." ...maybe he doesn't. Don't forget he also drafted Matthias before both of those guys too. ...and well, hindsight... always 20/20.

Feaster and the Flames got hosed on this, but the Blues haven't done themselves any favors with JBouw's cap hit. It's a pure salary dump for the Flames and obviously a lot of teams weren't willing to take on that salary with the cap going down, but I can't believe they couldn't get more. Even if he could have been had for cheap, don't think this the defenseman Holland is looking for.

Is this even worth mentioning? It's certainly a dealbreaker for almost ANY MOVE... and certainly for any Calgary player.

You can qualify some of these RFAs or offer them a more friendly deal with term ala Lashoff or Kindl's previous deals avoiding the need to pay them the $963,000 that would be the 110% raise for their qualifying offer. Let's say that's Andersson, Gus and Smith. Let's say it's an even $3 million for their combined cap hit. 12 Forwards 7 Defensemen: 1 Goalie - $50 million towards the cap. Still have $14 million, two buyouts, and trade possibilites of moving salary out to bring salary in. EDIT: Crym. I'm not saying it's the best idea... and yes, it will cost assets -- you and I both know that it's the price that's paid to bring in a guy like JBouw (or Yandle, for those that would prefer him) ...but those saying that to bring JBouw will cripple the team from having the room for another top-six forward are not correct. It's just like where I stood for bringing in Iginla. It will cost too much in FUTURE ASSETS than cap space.

Cap is $64. We sit at 47,221,212 for next years signed players. Almost $18 million in cap space so it's not as grim as you might think. 10 Forwards signed: Dats, Z, Mule, Sammy, Helm, Bert, Tootoo, Abs, Eaves 6 Defensemen signed: Kronner, Q, Ericsson, Cola, DeKeyser, and Lashoff 1 Goaltender: Monster UFAs: Howard, Flip, Brunner, Miller, White, Cleary RFAs: Andersson, Gus, Kindl, Smith Play GM and tell me how you spend that money?? How JBouw works or doesn't?

*pulls diamond from pocket* *breathes on diamond* *buffs diamond* Welcome DeKeyser!! ...oh, wait. Not the big name you're looking for? *puts diamond back in pocket*

As a guy who likes to get out to the Isle to catch a game or two and ultimately, to be able to walk down the block to catch games at Barclay's. It's nice to see the Islanders can retain some of their veteran guys. It was not only stability for his family, but there were issues in Slovakia he wanted to deal with. Keeping Streit would be great for them as well.

The price he is speaking of is the players/prospects/pick that would be headed to Calgary not salary cap hit.

Doesn't matter what Holland offered. It wasn't the Flames/Feaster's choice, it was Jerome Iginla's choice. We might have been on an expanded short-list, but Iggy wanted Pittsburgh. The Pens do like their pylons when it comes to winning Stanley Cups. (See: Hal Gill See also: SCF I'd like to forget) Whether he is slow or not, he punishes people in the defensive zone and that is an improvement for Pittsburgh.

Either Yandle or JBow would be fine with me depending on the price. I'm more concerned about what we're going to be giving up than I am about either of their cap-hits for next year. I think either would be a great addition and would flourish playing on a better team.

For this team and our actual chances to win a cup this year... Absolutely too much. Why are we going to give up pieces of our future for a guy who in all likelihood is a pure rental? I'd rather we concentrate on developing our good prospects for our team rather than giving them away to a team that has no luck with drafting and would misuse the talent anyway. ...and for those that say, "Well, the Pens didn't even give them their best prospects for Iginla anyway... so why did Holland do NOTHING?!?" Remember, Iginla had final say on the trade. Teams made their pitches. Feaster tried/wanted to take the Boston offer. Igninla was the one that said, "Naw. I'd rather go to Pittsburgh"

Do not want.

*slow clap* Amen! Please! Lets not pretend our middling, first round exit, playoff team has any players in the middle/bottom rungs of depth that have any REAL WORTH... Flip has absolutely no value except to US in re-signing.

Surprised, yet not. Boucher has been known to have been on the hot seat. Obviously his scowl and shocked facial expressions are not driving the team to victory as they once did.

Wow. What a birthday present. Did not expect that kind of performance from Abdelkader at all. ...but to hear him give it up for his linemates is not and one of the reasons why I like the guy on our team. WHO IS THIS GUY?!?!! As far as the fights go... I'll take 'em. I'm sure they'll be up on hockeyfights.com before mid-afternnon for those that are looking. Would have been great to see Abby have one. He's going to need to show that side next year. I have to say, heading into our division in the East, we've gotta get some more under our belts. I watched the BOS/OTT game and man, did it get testy in the third period. McQuaid. Thorton. Campbell. Lucic. (spotpicker, I know, but who, more than us, is prime for spotpicking.) On the Sens: Neil. Kassian. We'd need to have Tootoo in the line up for a game like this. He's not a chump. Get him in the lineup. Also, I wouldn't complain if we happened to get ourselves a guy who can actually fight.

It's my birthday boys. Get a W.

So, what you're saying is that we still need a number one defenseman? (I think most of us here are in agreement)

Players are often paid for their future potential... additionally, as mentioned, they are paid to keep them happy and to keep other teams from signing them. Our numbered values for players in dollar amounts are usually off... and better let up to professionals and cap-ologists. That being said, I initially balked at his cap-hit, but have been confident with his improvement and hope he keeps it up. So, everyone's watching games but we're all seeing different things... hmmm... when you've decided they're your whipping boy, how clearly are we watching the player and their game? I don't think Ericsson has ever been slotted with potential higher than a #4 role and is is doing well enough to keep him in that role. Either way, this fanboy is glad to see you're willing to give him a chance as I think he'll be around for a while. On topic: No to Komi. I had thoughts about him earlier in the season, but once Lashoff stepped up and we got Huskins... my mind quickly drifted from those delusions.

score four (or more!)

wow. incredible pressure by the wings

whew!

yay!