e_prime

If people think Smith is useless, they're clueless. ...but I certainly think he's trade-able, just not a MUST TRADE NOW. (Like Kindl) I'm also not a stats guy, but they're certainly important to measuring player worth, effectiveness, etc. Marek and Wysh had their goalie guy on the other day (I can't recall his name. Will edit later) and he was talking goal stats which is interesting, but at the same time IMMENSELY BORING to the layman, average fan, or pretty much anyone who isn't a scout or super-nerd. (No offense to the super-nerds. I'm one. Just not for stats.)

I LOL'ed.

Agree with you on all of those trade pieces. I guess I think the prices are going to be a bit higher. IF we're trading with Buffalo. Buffalo is going to want players and prospects over picks as they don't need anymore picks. At this point over the next two years as they have the following: 2014: #2 pick overall and they pick first in each subsequent round. In round 2 they have their own pick at #31 plus two additional picks at #39 and #49 The only round they don't have a pick in is the 4th round. 2015: Their own pick in the first, plus the Islander's 1st rounder, plus St. Louis' 1st rounder. Without much doubt, both of their pick and the Islander's pick will be slot in somewhere in the 1-5 position, maybe as low as #8. In the second round, they have their own pick plus the Islander's pick. The draft cupboard is stocked for the future. They want players that can play now. Grow with the team. That's why I think if we want Ehrhoff, it's going to cost us Smith and additional players/prospects. I'm willing to pay that price. I'm high on Niskanen, but I'm not sold on Boyle. In all honestly, I'm over Holland's aging vet stop-gap maneuver. Boyle's going to command too much money and if Holland is going to overpay, I'd rather it be for Niskanen with some term. Pay Niskanen! Pay him, Kenny! For the rest, I'm okay with all of them... ...as third pairing guys to go with a kid which means that we've still got to make a trade for a top flight defenseman In a dream world, KH would trade for Ehrhoff and grab Niskanen. Kronner - Ehrhoff DeKe - Niskanen Ericsson - Marchenko Lash/[kid] In my dreamiest of dreams, we'd somehow retain Smith as well (Go ahead, laugh at me. I'm practically asking for it.) Kronner - Ehrhoff Deke - Niskanen Ericsson - Smith Kid

I don't think Kindl is capable of "showing up." The only place I want him to "show up" is on another team. If he's not traded for a better d-man, I'm willing to give Smith some more time to grow. I was patient with Ericsson, I can be patient with Smith. Realistically, until he got bumped up to pair with Kronwall, he was being tasked with being more defensively responsible. While I think that's something he needs to learn to balance out his game, I just don't see how that was going to happen when he was constantly with Quincey. Kindl has no business being on the PP.

Agree to disagree. That's cool. Understand about the wait and see approach, but I'm thinking that KH has gotta move on either some prospects or Kindl/Smith/Lashoff this offseason. Who's on your decent UFA list?

...and would immediately bolster our top 4 D-core. Lets be honest: You have to overpay to make a trade these days. Especially intra-conference (Ehrhoff/Buffalo) or for top flight (maybe not elite - Yandle) players. It's not overpayment, it's the market. Could you trade Tatar + Kindl+ pieces for Yandle and keep Smith? I dunno? I'm not a GM, really just spit-balling here. Also, Smith is a lefty. So you're really just trading a lefty with potential for a lefty that's further along in his development.

I'd still want Ehrhoff/Yandle over Boyle/Markov which means we'd give up Smith and Kindl plus pieces to Buffalo. (Abdelkader? Andersson?, Almquist's rights?, Monster's rights? forward prospect? a pick or picks?) A package of Smith + Tatar + pieces to Phoenix. (probably viewed as overpayment by most of you, but you all know how that goes.) Then KH would have to sign a 3rd pairing guy (Green/Mitchell/Tallinder) as well. Kronwall Ericsson DeKeyser Ehrhoff/Yandle Vet* + [kid] Lashoff

Just as long as the s***ty attitude and concussions aren't part of that equation, I'm all for Mantha being Primeau-esque. We're talking Keith not Wayne, right?

Ewwwwwww. ...and not the trade Kindl part.

I know you meant to say "on the third" ...but Quincey IN THE THIRD is EXACTLY when he bothers me. Timely gaffes guaranteed.

It'll be relevant when THIS FAN has to listen to the rest of LGW ***** and moan about we overpaid Dan Boyle for the year... (...and we're talking about Ken Holland here... you know it'll be more than a year!!)

Really? We're not? Unless you're saying that they're in a slightly better position than us... Looks pretty goddamn famililar. Core that can't get over the hump in the playoffs? Veterans that only play well only so often? Goaltender that TONS of the fan-base question about their ability to win a cup? Youth that looks promising. Etc. Except that he's going to get $5 or $6 million. You all comfortable paying that type of money for Dan Boyle?

For what? They've given away all their picks.

Honestly, no one should be surprised by this AT ALL.

Sure, nice goal by Williams ...but what a gift-wrapped giveaway by Girardi. (Sorry Dabura.) http://twitpic.com/e5gxgg Grrr. Why can I not get things to display anymore!?!

2nd round. 41st overall. I cringe looking at some of the names that got picked "right afterwards," but at the time Emmerton was in the top ten of central scouting's NA skaters and not the only one in those top ten that didn't make much of a dent in the NHL.

Let me break it down for you. 1. Never stated that a penalty shot = goal. In the history of internet posters talking about wanting a penalty shot, no one has ever thought that a penalty shot equals automatic goal. ...but it doesn't mean that there shouldn't have been a penalty shot. Furthermore, and to address the non-calls on both players. If you're a ref and you ignore the obvious holding/hooking on Nyquist, you also should ignore the almost non-existent interference on the goalie. 2. Second part = joke. sarcasm. funny stuff. "interpretation of the rule" was a play on the kicking a goal in rule vs. the no rule about kicking a goaltender and getting a goal. it's all right there.

Couldn't grab the video from this article, but if you watch, he's got something to say to several players... Weisse and Emelin specifically. ...and maybe I'm reading too much into it, but those don't look like hearty good-natured handshakes to me that he's handing out. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/14/weise-lucic-was-disrespectful-during-post-series-handshake/ http://i.imgur.com/rTGY9J1.jpg

Recap goes something like this: Reporter: "Weisse says you had something to say to him in the handshake line..." "That stays on the ice, if he wants to be a baby and make it public that's his business...." Reporter: "The Canadiens have said that there has been some lack of respect..." "Lack of respect? What? A goal celebration?" "I don't know what to say about that." "I don't have any comment about that." *befuddled* "I don't have anything to say about that." --- So, he has plenty to say in the handshake line... the freaking handshake line!!! ...to a player that tossed everything that he had to say/give right back in his face, but has nothing to say afterwords. Loves to dish it out, but can't take it.

Lucic. He couldn't stand to have a taste of his own medicine from Weisse and now ends up looking like the big ole' baby he is. What a sore sore loser.

Wait. You guys are worried about pieces traded away and acquisitions, but you fail to see who your third line center is... really? REALLY? Really?

So you want the goal reviewed for goalie interference, but you miss the holding/hooking call that leads to the penalty shot for Nyquist? There's no distinct kicking motion. (...of goaltender) The call on the ice stands. I lol'ed. That being said... let's hope so.

Not everyone can be a good sportsman. There are such things as sore losers. "Fatso wouldn't even shake my hand." That being said, he's a cheap-shot artiste who doesn't need to be. I wish he weren't such a slimy PoS and would just "man up" in defeat the way he does on the ice when he's feelin' top o' the world. EDIT: Just saw Lucic's post-game, "no comment" nonsense. Can "give it" but can't "take it." What a friggin' baby he is. Such a sore sore sore loser.

My head hurts with all the hypothetical.

Styling and Profiling! (Then slaps on a figure four for good measure.)