I just can't see it. Trading Lu to a division rival with as many top prospects and young talent as Edmonton would be suicide. There is no way that we'll be able to match them in a few years with what we have coming up. Giving them Lu would murder our own hopes.

i never said prospects in the pipeline was my definiton of depth. i asked him what his was. and provided some options.

ill be clear.
the oilers have no interest in changing our 1st line center.
and if not for our his brutal contract, no one would consider changing our 3rd line guy either.
and our 4th line guy has actually proven in the past to be quite a capable 3rd liner.

so we basically have 1 position of 4 that we're not satisfied with...but could still turn out.

this is my point. wheres the horrible depth? what is it exactly?

im no gags fan, and want someone with size in that spot, but, what if he got 60 pts this year? would we then all of a sidden have GOOD depth? 60 pts for a 2nd line center is a good deal above average.

also, toews was the leader and he was younger than all of them. kane was a driving force on that cup winner too.
the burden of proof is on him, not me, to prove why hall and ebs arent mature enough until there 5th year, but said guys were in there 3rd? its just a silly statement with no real meaning
- hugefemale dog77

Ok man, youre getting bent out of shape over nothing. No one said horrible depth, just a lack of depth. It's true, nothing personal, but true.

Hopkins, Gagner, Horcoff, Belanger is not depth. If Hopkins goes down to injury, can any of those guys step in to pick up the slack? I would argue no.

Again, love the future for this team, just making a point.

And Toews was a leader on that club... amongst others. Different situations. But if you want to expect the kids to be "mature" at 23, that's cool. Just hedge your bets.

Ok man, youre getting bent out of shape over nothing. No one said horrible depth, just a lack of depth. It's true, nothing personal, but true.

Hopkins, Gagner, Horcoff, Belanger is not depth. If Hopkins goes down to injury, can any of those guys step in to pick up the slack? I would argue no.

Again, love the future for this team, just making a point.

And Toews was a leader on that club... amongst others. Different situations. But if you want to expect the kids to be "mature" at 23, that's cool. Just hedge your bets.
- Farva

But this really comes down to the 2nd line centre ONLY. If Datsyuk gets injured, only Zetterberg could pick up the slack. Same for Malkin with Crosby and Couture with Jumbo Joe. Gagner doesn't hack it as a top end 2nd line centre, but all we're saying is that good 2nd line centre =/= depth

I just can't see it. Trading Lu to a division rival with as many top prospects and young talent as Edmonton would be suicide. There is no way that we'll be able to match them in a few years with what we have coming up. Giving them Lu would murder our own hopes.
- micah555

The window for the Canucks (if you even believe they have one right now), will be done by then anyway.

But this really comes down to the 2nd line centre ONLY. If Datsyuk gets injured, only Zetterberg could pick up the slack. Same for Malkin with Crosby and Couture with Jumbo Joe. Gagner doesn't hack it as a top end 2nd line centre, but all we're saying is that good 2nd line centre =/= depth
- Morris

I disagree. That's not depth, it's just enough.

That's like saying that no teams have depth....except the ones that do.

I disagree. That's not depth, it's just enough.

That's like saying that no teams have depth....except the ones that do.
- Farva

But would you agree that the main difference between our centre depth (or lack thereof) and Detroit's is that their 2nd centre is the excellent Zetterberg and our's is the mediocre Gagner?

Hey Ian what are your thoughts on Lou to Toronto being a much bigger deal then was originally thought ? I heard through the grapevine it might be REALLY big !! Lou, Edler, Raymond for Colbourne, Phaneuf, Frattin and Ashton plus a pick. Any thoughts on that ? Edler is in final year if contract
- Greg7705

Not sure. I can see it being a 5-8 player/pick deal to even things out, but I would be shocked to see Dion traded. I also think Vancouver would want a young Cheap D for Edler.

I can see Lu, Raymond and something else
For
Bozak, Jake and something else

But would you agree that the main difference between our centre depth (or lack thereof) and Detroit's is that their 2nd centre is the excellent Zetterberg and our's is the mediocre Gagner?
- Morris

Well, for the most part, but to make the answer easier, yes I agree. But that is a major difference. The difference between a Zetterberg, Malkin, Couture, or M. Richards is a vast gap to bridge.

I also feel that Nuge could use a quality, productive vet to look up to (read: not Horcoff). But really, I'm just nitpicking.

Not sure. I can see it being a 5-8 player/pick deal to even things out, but I would be shocked to see Dion traded. I also think Vancouver would want a young Cheap D for Edler.

I can see Lu, Raymond and something else
For
Bozak, Jake and something else
- IanEsplen

I realize that Tor isnt getting Lou for free, but Gardiner, Rielly and Colborne are non-starters.

What about Kadri for Lu straight up?

Well, for the most part, but to make the answer easier, yes I agree. But that is a major difference. The difference between a Zetterberg, Malkin, Couture, or M. Richards is a vast gap to bridge.

I also feel that Nuge could use a quality, productive vet to look up to (read: not Horcoff). But really, I'm just nitpicking.
- Farva

Well, from my perspective if the only way to solve our "centre depth" problem is to get a much better 2nd line centre, than we might as well diagnose it as a "2nd line centre" problem. I agree though that's a pretty vast gap at this point.

And my main beef with Horcoff is what he gets paid. Other than that, he's a fair producer and a solid leader.

Well, from my perspective if the only way to solve our "centre depth" problem is to get a much better 2nd line centre, than we might as well diagnose it as a "2nd line centre" problem. I agree though that's a pretty vast gap at this point.

And my main beef with Horcoff is what he gets paid. Other than that, he's a fair producer and a solid leader.
- Morris

I guess its an argument about semantics. A for Horcoff, totally agree. One of those players punished for his paycheque.

I realize that Tor isnt getting Lou for free, but Gardiner, Rielly and Colborne are non-starters.

What about Kadri for Lu straight up?
- Farva

I believe you mean "I know Edmonton isn't getting Lu for free."

The window for the Canucks (if you even believe they have one right now), will be done by then anyway.
- prock

Is that a fact jack?

Once we get Kadri from y'all our "window" should stay open for the next five to ten years, according to Ur assessments of the kid anyways.

I believe you mean "I know Edmonton isn't getting Lu for free."
- prock

I believe you mean "I know Edmonton isn't getting Lu."

Not sure. I can see it being a 5-8 player/pick deal to even things out, but I would be shocked to see Dion traded. I also think Vancouver would want a young Cheap D for Edler.

I can see Lu, Raymond and something else
For
Bozak, Jake and something else
- IanEsplen

Jake Gardiner???

Are you on drugs? Unless that something else is Kesler, not a chance.

That's a massive salary Luongo, and a free agent, for a decent 3rd line centre and a top young Dman.

I believe you mean "I know Edmonton isn't getting Lu."
- Morris

As long as you know "Toronto isn't getting Lu".

Columbus it is then!!!!!

So, either he waives his NTC for Columbus, or they're stuck with him.

Is that a fact jack?

Once we get Kadri from y'all our "window" should stay open for the next five to ten years, according to Ur assessments of the kid anyways.
- Whiskey-Tango

With Gillis in charge, your window closed 4 years ago.

If Van could get Sutton and Kbu for Lou and Ballard and whatever else it would take to get the deal done via draft pic or prospect. Boom done deal.

Not sure. I can see it being a 5-8 player/pick deal to even things out, but I would be shocked to see Dion traded. I also think Vancouver would want a young Cheap D for Edler.

I can see Lu, Raymond and something else
For
Bozak, Jake and something else
- IanEsplen

You obviously need glasses then

i am right. check how they did the draft after the lockout in 04-05
- hugefemale dog77

You are asuming that 1) there will be a new CBA by then (if there isnt a new CBA, then no draft) and 2) that they would use the same rules as the last time.

As long as you know "Toronto isn't getting Lu".

Columbus it is then!!!!!

So, either he waives his NTC for Columbus, or they're stuck with him.
- prock

I bet you that Toronto does end up with Lu.

I guess its an argument about semantics. A for Horcoff, totally agree. One of those players punished for his paycheque.
- Farva

I suppose there's an argument to be made that if you're top 6 centres aren't good, it doesn't matter who your bottom six guys are.

It's an interesting question of who has better depth: New Jersey with two good top 6 centres and lesser guys filling in the bottom two lines or Phoenix maybe who has a bunch of 2/3 centres and a solid 4th line guy?

With Gillis in charge, your window closed 4 years ago.
- prock

That totally makes sense.

Either talk hockey or get out.

If Loungo goes then who are Canuck fans going to blame when they are knocked out of the playoffs this year?

If Loungo goes then who are Canuck fans going to blame when they are knocked out of the playoffs this year?
- Ihatebrianburke

Probably the refs. They are a reliable source of questionable discretion.