< NHL Discussion Thread >

[Hines]

I never said I wanted him on the team. If the Pens sign him though, I trust that Shero did his homework and did a lot of research on it. Maybe Ovie was the one rubbing bad off Semin. Who knows?

If it was like a 2 year deal for close to 5 million, I think I would do it.

[holt_bruce81]

David Perron signed a 4-year deal worth 15.25 million to remain a Blue!

[Xiomera]

Love the Tom Renney hire as a Wings assistant coach.

I was really ticked last year when they hired two nobodies without NHL coaching experience. Our special teams were the worst they've been in 20 years last season.

[SuperMcGee]

Sabres signed Kevin Porter. I imagine a lot of AHL time for him, but we could see some spells of Porter and Gerbe on a low line, for anybody who enjoyed NCAA hockey from 2007-2008.

[Hines]

I saw that the Leafs are going to try JVR at center. Why?

[tjsunstein]

Watching game1 of the Flyers-Pensseries all over again. I forget the ending, but its been enjoyable so far. I cant imagine theyd be replaying it if it werent epic. Its 3-1 Pens with 12 mins left and Im forcing myself not to look at thisbox score. Tons of embellishment by Pitt so far and Carle is sucking ass.

[Cudders]

As a Blue Jackets fan (we do, in fact, exist), I hope the teams that fell short in the Zach Parise sweepstakes spark a bidding war and the acquisition cost for Nash’s size and skill escalates. A package of an NHL forward, a promising prospect, and a pick or two would be enough to entice me. While I wouldn’t mind netting some of the hauls that Columbus is seeking, I’m also not as delusional as Howson. It’ll be a pleasant surprise if a team surrenders even a pair of blue-chippers in return for Nash. Like I said, the Blue Jackets’ best hope is that two or more teams panic once the goal-scorer market dries up and then those competing clubs drive the price up. Given Howson’s insistence on the inclusion of absolute non-starters though, I’m not sure he can keep a team on the line long enough to even make progress on a deal.

However, if Nash can fetch Columbus another roster piece, a second-tier prospect to develop into something, and either a first-rounder or a pair of other picks, I won’t feel too down on the future. The team addressed its organizational goaltender depth issue and seems to have a solid pipeline of defensemen to choose from to fill their backend for now. There’s not much to get excited about in terms of offensive potential though. Johansen has the talent to shoulder some of that burden, and Prospal has been a wonderful veteran presence, but the top six is desperate for an infusion of serious skill. Both down the middle and on the wings.

So Columbus isn’t too far gone for an eventual turnaround, right?

…Right?

[Borat]

Originally Posted by Cudders

So Columbus isn’t too far gone for an eventual turnaround, right?

…Right?

Ummmm ... no comment.

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by Cudders

As a Blue Jackets fan (we do, in fact, exist), I hope the teams that fell short in the Zach Parise sweepstakes spark a bidding war and the acquisition cost for Nash’s size and skill escalates. A package of an NHL forward, a promising prospect, and a pick or two would be enough to entice me. While I wouldn’t mind netting some of the hauls that Columbus is seeking, I’m also not as delusional as Howson. It’ll be a pleasant surprise if a team surrenders even a pair of blue-chippers in return for Nash. Like I said, the Blue Jackets’ best hope is that two or more teams panic once the goal-scorer market dries up and then those competing clubs drive the price up. Given Howson’s insistence on the inclusion of absolute non-starters though, I’m not sure he can keep a team on the line long enough to even make progress on a deal.

However, if Nash can fetch Columbus another roster piece, a second-tier prospect to develop into something, and either a first-rounder or a pair of other picks, I won’t feel too down on the future. The team addressed its organizational goaltender depth issue and seems to have a solid pipeline of defensemen to choose from to fill their backend for now. There’s not much to get excited about in terms of offensive potential though. Johansen has the talent to shoulder some of that burden, and Prospal has been a wonderful veteran presence, but the top six is desperate for an infusion of serious skill. Both down the middle and on the wings.

So Columbus isn’t too far gone for an eventual turnaround, right?

…Right?

[SuperMcGee]

Not sure how quickly I can see Columbus turning it around. Dansk should be a good prospect for future, but Bobrovsky and Mason in net is uninspiring. You have an intriguing defense, for sure. Forwards are tough to comment on, especially with all this in limbo. Nash trade needs to get done, period. I like Johansen a lot as a prospect, but every one of your forwards can seemingly be described by "well, he could be an alright 2nd-liner." Not good.

[Cudders]

Originally Posted by SuperMcgee

Not sure how quickly I can see Columbus turning it around. Dansk should be a good prospect for future, but Bobrovsky and Mason in net is uninspiring. You have an intriguing defense, for sure. Forwards are tough to comment on, especially with all this in limbo. Nash trade needs to get done, period. I like Johansen a lot as a prospect, but every one of your forwards can seemingly be described by "well, he could be an alright 2nd-liner." Not good.

Realistically, I know this isn’t a short-term project. It’s going to be another extensive rebuild. Especially since the Jackets play in a division where points are hard to come by. Bobrovsky seems to be plagued by some of the same inconsistencies that have haunted Mason. Although, I’m inclined to believe that Mason is damaged beyond Columbus’ repair. He needs a change of scenery in the worst way. Basically, my hope for the Jackets’ future between the pipes rests with Dansk and Korpisalo.

With regards to that forward group, they have a bunch of interchangeable pieces (both in the NHL and in the minor circuits) that ultimately project as bottom six players. Outside of Johansen, the system is completely barren of gifted creators and scorers. At this point, Nash absolutely needs to be flipped for the best young assets he can get, preferably for contributors up front. Honestly, this team probably needs to make over at least two-thirds of its top six, and it’s hard to expedite the timeline on that kind of undertaking.

But, we do have JMFJ, so there’s that to be a little thankful for.

[Borat]

You should just become an absolute laughingstock of a franchise like Edmonton and re-build that way.

[mqtirishfan]

Originally Posted by Borat

You should just become an absolute laughingstock of a franchise like Edmonton and re-build that way.

They kind of started that this year, then Edmonton won the lottery instead of them.

[TimD]

Originally Posted by mqtirishfan

They kind of started that this year, then Edmonton won the lottery instead of them.

[SuperMcGee]

Originally Posted by TimD

P.P. Development Camp week!

[BroKing]

Originally Posted by Hines

I saw that the Leafs are going to try JVR at center. Why?

Because Burke is a ******* moron. JVR is soft and defensively meh as a winger, and all of a sudden he's going to be better as a center? ***** please.

[SuperMcGee]

In shocking news, Nash wants to go somewhere where he can be on NBC a lot.

Something should happen. I'm bored and there's not even training camp yet.

[SuperMcGee]

Looks like Tampa signed Purcell to an extension. He's a good top-6 piece but had an awful start last year. Vinny is as much of a question mark as one can be outside of their defense/goaltending, but I'm interested by Tampa this year. I want to see how Connolly grows and if Pouliot can do much. I also adore Nate Thompson. Carle/Salo/Lindback is a good amount of change on the backend, but it's not a whole lot that you can trust. We've seen how this team has bounced around from year to year, and I'm a Lindback fan, so I'm excited to see it.

Last thought - Eric Brewer is about 19 years younger than I thought he was.

[slightlyaraiderfan]

I didn't go to the Kings prospect camp this year, first time in a long time, but the hours they set were screwy and we didn't have enough players for a scrimmage, which are one of the main reasons i go

But reading some reports, Toffoli continues to impress - kid can score, and Tanner Pearson impressed folks this year.

[SuperMcGee]

I can't make any of the prospect camp, except for a paid scrimmage on Thursday if I'm able to. But oh man, do I want to see Armia, Grigorenko, and Girgensons. Armia will be in Finland and I hope Girgensons does go to Vermont (as he should), but Grigorenko is still a wildcard and I want to see how he handles this camp. I want to see him dominate just as much as I do with Hodgson, who really should dominate this kind of camp. Matching top-line centers in the scrimmage, I must see it!

[slightlyaraiderfan]

Whoa you guys have to pay for a scrimmage? I don't see the hockey culture in LA ever reaching those levels. I think we've only had one paid scrimmage vs the yotes prospects

PS - The Kings are the first team to offer Doan a contract

[SuperMcGee]

Originally Posted by slightlyaraiderfan

Whoa you guys have to pay for a scrimmage? I don't see the hockey culture in LA ever reaching those levels. I think we've only had one paid scrimmage vs the yotes prospects

We never have before. They moved it to the Sabres arena this year and came out that they were charging a small amount. I do know a ton of people that are going, still. Many are in sports journalism or have nothing better to do, but it's still odd to me and I don't want to go on principle.

[Hines]

I'm very excited to see how well Despres does. Bylsma said that he could play with Letang this year.

[Hines]

Also, Beau Bennett could get a look with the Pens' top 6 in camp this year. That'd be cool, but I want to see what the Pens have in Tangradi and let BB take a year in the AHL first before anything.

I really want Doan on Sid's line.

[slightlyaraiderfan]

keep dreamin' hines!