e_prime

Awww c'mon. That's no fun.

TB is in the mix for the playoffs, so maybe they're interested in picking up a proven, playoff goaltender... but I agree it's a questionable move for both teams.

On this team, anyone not named Lidstrom is considered a pylon and garners constant complaint at any point during the season. So, that's relative... Lilja offers a solid PK-ing and shot blocking presence. Played solidly before he went down. Like I said, we know what Lebda has to offer. We need to see if Lilja can get back to form in consideration for next season. I don't think that's desperate.

Nah. We know what Lebda is capable of... I'd rather see Lilja up and playing to see if he's worth re-signing for next year.

I would be surprised.

Only if you're also keeping him on the D-H-E line as well, and double shifting him ala Jake Ryan.

Quoted for truth. ...I hope.

I like some of the names that are being thrown around here in this topic, but I think most of them are free-agency moves, not trade deadline or Olympic break/trade-freeze panic day. We're stuck at this point. Without moving one of our big names or key role-players, because of cap-space issues we can't be making additional trades. So let's say we're moving Lebda for a pick, and waiving May to bring up Lilja. (is this even enough space? probably not.) So, sure. Williams could be moved in a trade, but he's been looking alright since coming back from injury, no? Who really wants him and his expiring contract? Who wants to help us out? Only those who are not making the playoffs and looking to dump salary at this point? Atlanta. Carolina. Florida. St Louis. Colombus. Edmonton?? Also realize that it's going to take at least Williams and Meech, or Williams, Meech, and a pick to make a move. (I actually think it'd take Williams and Lebda because of cap-space. ...but hypothetically let's say it's Williams and Meech) Looking at those teams: Atlanta: Get off the idea of Afinogenov. ATL isn't going to take Williams for Afinogenov... Maxim makes less. The only reason they'd trade him is because they don't think they can re-sign him in the offseason. Which I think with a modest salary bump – they can, and will. There's no one else on that team that they're willing to part with that I'd want at this point. Carolina is going to get much better offers for the players that they want to move and that we'd want to have that we can't afford anyway. Colombus. Yeah... slim pickins there. Torres is out of our price range. Edmonton does not have anyone that I would want to take on at this point, with the exception of maybe Moreau or Comrie. I tend to think that Williams is probably a better fit for us than either of these guys anyway. Florida. Matthias? I joke, I joke. St. Louis: nah. They're said to be willing/looking to move Tkachuk, Kariya, and Colaiacovo. (can't afford. can't afford. defenseman that we dont' need.) Wow. That was a lot of blabbing for this: If I'm Holland: Today, I'm getting us cap compliant. That's it. Waive May. Trade Meech and/or Lebda for picks. Done.

Agreed. Seems like some whining on these phantom GM's part. Here's how it's done: If you want Phaneuf, you make an inquiry. Your inquiry is either rebuffed*, or met with "Make me an offer." You make an offer.** Offer is either accepted or denied***. Upon approval, trade is consumated. * sometimes, no does not mean no. ** NOTE TO GMs: you sometimes have to give, to get. sometimes more, sometimes less. *** Try harder if you want the player. Include a bag of pucks.

"When it matters most" is when you're in the playoff hunt for the Stanley Cup. That's why the regular season doesn't "matter as much." I don't necessarily think it's an excuse so much as it is another saying to add to the ever growing pile of sports cliches. It's an 82 game season and not everyone is going to play their best through the entire season, whether it be due to injury or streakiness/slumps. (I sometimes think we, as fans, forget this...) However, it's ridiculous to *not* think that it matters in the regular season. In fact. Right now, it matters more. If we don't "bring it" or "take it to another level" in the next stretch of games, we won't even be playing when "it matters the most." To me, it's all soundbyte sports cliche. The things players say in interviews that cause us all to groan and shake our heads. Don't want to throw a teammate under the bus or call 'em out for poor play? Hell no you don't so, dial up a cliche. I absolutely hate it when being interviewed after a loss, a player says, "It is, what it is." Really? No s***. You lost. It's a loss. How about some insight as to why you lost? Why you couldn't "bring it?" Why you weren't able to "reach down inside you for something more?" Was tonight just not a "giving 110%" kind of night for you? s***. Just come out and say it, "Lebda blew goat balls tonight. Kenny's gotta trade that pylon."

Yeah, at this point Williams, Lebda, Meech, and Leino isn't enough to nab Kozlov.

Tell us how you really feel. I mean, c'mon RWAbner. Open up. Bottling it up inside only makes it worse.

That's because everyone was crying out for Travis Moen. There. I did it. I brought this discussion all the way back to July or August of 2009. ...and they say TIME TRAVEL is impossible!

Yes, because it is now evident that Waddell will take just about anyone for quality pieces.

I agree, but that's not going to happen. He's worth every cent of that $800,000 he's making. In 55 games -- 17 goals and 27 assists / 44pts. [sarcasm] ...and with Atlanta being in the middle of the playoff hunt?? (At least that's what Waddell would love his fanbase to believe.) I guess we could trade Leino for Maxim. They make the same amount of money!!! [/sarcasm]

Interesting. I really though New Jersey was looking forward to having him play for them next year. A nice "out" for them if they really weren't interested in dealing with him and any future elbow issues he might have.

That's a nasty result to a horrible play.

I'm not one to so easily get on the Nostalgia Bus. In 50 Games Played he has 8 goals, 15 assists, and he will be 38 years old in May. Clutch in the playoffs, okay... but when was the last time Kozzie saw the playoffs? Does he still have it? He is a UFA after this year. I mean, does he want to retire a Red Wing? Well, that's nice and everything, but I don't know if this makes much sense for us.

I just realized that this topic was supposed to be called: "Chicago Blackhawks will go FOR broke!" ...makes a world of difference.

DownGoesBrown is awesome. He was also the guy behind the fake Brian Burke Twitter account...which was friggin' hilarious. If you haven't seen this, do yourself a favor and check it out: http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2009/04/archi...kes-tweets.html EDIT: Fixing the link. Sorry, address string was too long to use link tool.

Fixed. First. Really, you're going to punish a guy for not waiving his NTC?? That'll do wonders for bringing in future players. Second. Really??? You're going to let a top-4 defenseman languish in the AHL??? This is true, but I still don't think Rafalski is going to waive his NTC to go to Atlanta. This. I agree with.

This article does not address their cap woes for next year at all, so the topic title is a little misleading. They are in no way claiming that they are planning on keeping all of their pieces after the playoffs and for next year. It's an impossibility due to the salary cap. It only states what we already know, Chicago thinks they are a contender with the pieces that have. Great, Swell, Good luck to them.

I understand how negotiations work, but I believe there will be a better offer out there than Flip, JWill, Leino, + Ericsson. Maybe I'll be surprised. Maybe I won't be. I'll certainly say "coulda, woulda, shoulda" if I am.

For sure. They certainly don't want to have to try and re-sign any of the players that they get in this deal for at least a season or two.

Right. ...but wouldn't you play third line on Detroit to get out of Edmonton? Mainly just throwing it out there because he meets the salary requirements and Edmonton might take a chance on Leino. (Although not really their style of player, I guess. Maybe they should rethink that as they seemingly cannot keep the type of player they covet?)