He addresses secondary scoring and grit. He's played in Stanley Cup final games and would be a fine replacement for MacArthur.
- PrinceLH

I think so too. Im just trying to figure out why people don't want him.
If it's strictly monetary, then I understand, but I think if he wants to come here to badly, we can get em cheap!

I think so too. Im just trying to figure out why people don't want him.
If it's strictly monetary, then I understand, but I think if he wants to come here to badly, we can get em cheap!
- UsernameUnknown

If we were paying MacArthur almost 3 million a season, then why not Clarkson for $4.5 on a 4 year deal?

I dunno, I just heard that LA was kinda down on Kopitar, so I took a long shot saying mabie the Leafs can look into that. Now if I wanted to have fun, I'd say Leafs should go after Stamkos, ha ha ha now that would be funny.
- GCHonda

Honda, a few weeks ago u said if the jays get within 5 games by the all-star break they have a chance and a bunch of people told u the jays were done this year. I wonder if they've changed their minds.

If we were paying MacArthur almost 3 million a season, then why not Clarkson for $4.5 on a 4 year deal?
- PrinceLH

Beats me. I think its just because he'd be expected to get more on the open market. People dont wanna overpay and I dont blame them.
Butfif we can get him cheap, would there be any reason not to?

Beats me. I think its just because he'd be expected to get more on the open market. People dont wanna overpay and I dont blame them.
Butfif we can get him cheap, would there be any reason not to?
- UsernameUnknown

He fixes a couple of our weaknesses. He makes it tougher for opponents playing against the boards, coming out of their own end. He doesn't mind going to the dirty places, in front of the net, to take out the garbage. If he were on this years team, we may have made it past the Bruins. One more guy with grit to take on some of the Bruin forcheck. Once teams like the Red Wings join our division, it's going to be much harder to make the playoffs. This guy gives us a chance.

He fixes a couple of our weaknesses. He makes it tougher for opponents playing against the boards, coming out of their own end. He doesn't mind going to the dirty places, in front of the net, to take out the garbage. If he were on this years team, we may have made it past the Bruins. One more guy with grit to take on some of the Bruin forcheck. Once teams like the Red Wings join our division, it's going to be much harder to make the playoffs. This guy gives us a chance.
- PrinceLH

As long as Buffalo, Tampa, Florida, Montreal and Ottawa are in the division, we're good

He fixes a couple of our weaknesses. He makes it tougher for opponents playing against the boards, coming out of their own end. He doesn't mind going to the dirty places, in front of the net, to take out the garbage. If he were on this years team, we may have made it past the Bruins. One more guy with grit to take on some of the Bruin forcheck. Once teams like the Red Wings join our division, it's going to be much harder to make the playoffs. This guy gives us a chance.
- PrinceLH

You sure know how to sell a guy. Im guessing you were an auctioneer in the 1800's.

Oh for (frank)sakes... why in blue hell does liver failure take so Goddamned long to kick in?

You sure know how to sell a guy. Im guessing you were an auctioneer in the 1800's.
- UsernameUnknown

No, just a realist. When Carlyle had teams, in Anaheim, he had toughness and very few European's on his roster. We need more Canadian grit and toughness. I can live with Bozak, but want Grabovski gone. We need to add a true 3rd line center, with size, and another top 3 defenseman. We need to sign Franson, get rid of Liles, and give Phaneuf a decent top pair defenseman to play with. We have cap space, so now is the time to take advantage of it.

No, just a realist. When Carlyle had teams, in Anaheim, he had toughness and very few European's on his roster. We need more Canadian grit and toughness. I can live with Bozak, but want Grabovski gone. We need to add a true 3rd line center, with size, and another top 3 defenseman. We need to sign Franson, get rid of Liles, and give Phaneuf a decent top pair defenseman to play with. We have cap space, so now is the time to take advantage of it.
- PrinceLH

I concur.

As long as Buffalo, Tampa, Florida, Montreal and Ottawa are in the division, we're good
- lumlums

Ottawa will be tougher next year, once healthy. Montreal is a wildcard. It only takes a surge by one of these teams to keep us out of the playoffs. Boston and Detroit are locks, so it comes down to either knocking out Montreal or Ottawa, out of the playoffs.

Mike Augello: Bernier Banter
- mikeinbuffalo

What this now, 3 consecutive blogs about a back up goalie trade that makes zero sense......

What this now, 3 consecutive blogs about a back up goalie trade that makes zero sense......
- burn

Only deal that I'd make for Bernier, is even up for Reimer. We can't use both. Sometimes, you need to take a chance, to get better. I like Reimer's game but his puck handling skills are a detriment that may never develop.

No, just a realist. When Carlyle had teams, in Anaheim, he had toughness and very few European's on his roster. We need more Canadian grit and toughness. I can live with Bozak, but want Grabovski gone. We need to add a true 3rd line center, with size, and another top 3 defenseman. We need to sign Franson, get rid of Liles, and give Phaneuf a decent top pair defenseman to play with. We have cap space, so now is the time to take advantage of it.
- PrinceLH

So close for me. I'd much rather keep Grabo than Bozak. Grabo is a great 2nd line center when used right and healthy. Grabo may be smaller, but he plays a tougher game than Bozak and can handle himself on that kind of game.
Bozak would be a good 3rd line center bt he wants first line money.
Everything else is a plus!

Only deal that I'd make for Bernier, is even up for Reimer. We can't use both. Sometimes, you need to take a chance, to get better. I like Reimer's game but his puck handling skills are a detriment that may never develop.
- PrinceLH

Same age. Reimer is signed. Reimer has played more and has better #. I don't make that trade at all.

So close for me. I'd much rather keep Grabo than Bozak. Grabo is a great 2nd line center when used right and healthy. Grabo may be smaller, but he plays a tougher game than Bozak and can handle himself on that kind of game.
Bozak would be a good 3rd line center bt he wants first line money.
Everything else is a plus!
- UsernameUnknown

Bozak is younger and is much better on the faceoff. There is some chemistry with Kessel and even-though he doesn't put up the same amount of points, he still has the ability to elevate his game. Grabo was a writeoff, versus the Bruins. That price tag for Grabo is a killer. I'd rather pay Bozak 4, then pay Grabo 5.5.

Same age. Reimer is signed. Reimer has played more and has better #. I don't make that trade at all.
- burn

The puck handling skills is a real detriment to this team. Reimer is good, don't get me wrong, but can we go the distance, with a goaltender that can't play the puck?

The puck handling skills is a real detriment to this team. Reimer is good, don't get me wrong, but can we go the distance, with a goaltender that can't play the puck?
- PrinceLH

If they can stop the puck is most important. The rest is gravy.

I don't think for second that his puck handling is going to hold us back.

Bozak is younger and is much better on the faceoff. There is some chemistry with Kessel and even-though he doesn't put up the same amount of points, he still has the ability to elevate his game. Grabo was a writeoff, versus the Bruins. That price tag for Grabo is a killer. I'd rather pay Bozak 4, then pay Grabo 5.5.
- PrinceLH

You wont get Bozak at 4. That's part of the problem to keep him.
Also, younger doesnt mean a lot if he's not better. Grabovski isnt old, so there isnt much to worry about there. Especially considering he's practically indestructible.
Kadri can do what bozak does and he worked fine with Kessel in the playoffs. There was chemistry there too. Kadri works well with almost everyone he plays with.
The only thing I can agree with is that he's our best guy at faceoffs. Which is an overrated stat anyways as far as indivisual assessment is concerned. As a team, yeah it'd be nice to have a good guy or two for the draws. But Mcclement wasnt that bad. And we can always sign Gordon.

One bad half season is no reason to get rid of a valuable overall asset.

You wont get Bozak at 4. That's part of the problem to keep him.
Also, younger doesnt mean a lot if he's not better. Grabovski isnt old, so there isnt much to worry about there. Especially considering he's practically indestructible.
Kadri can do what bozak does and they worked fine together in the playoff. There was chemistry there too. Kadri works well with almost everyne he plays with.
The only thing I can agree with is that he's our best guy at faceoffs. Whichsis an overrated stat anyways as far as indivisual assessment is concerned. As a team, yeah it'd be nice to have a good guy or two for the draws. But Mcclement wasnt that bad. And we can always sign Gordon.

One bad half season is no reason to get rid of a valuable overall asset.
- UsernameUnknown

I don't agree that it's an over-rated stat. Boston killed us in the faceoff circle. We win the series, if we can win a few more faceoffs. The last 2 minutes of game 7 is a testament to why we need good faceoff men. Grabo did absolutely nothing against the Bruins, except get pounded. Did he even have any points? He was one of our worst forwards, in that series. For 5.5, we can replace him with someone like Colborne. He doesn't fit the profile of this team.

I don't agree that it's an over-rated stat. Boston killed us in the faceoff circle. We win the series, if we can win a few more faceoffs. The last 2 minutes of game 7 is a testament to why we need good faceoff men. Grabo did absolutely nothing against the Bruins, except get pounded. Did he even have any points? He was one of our worst forwards, in that series. For 5.5, we can replace him with someone like Colborne. He doesn't fit the profile of this team.
- PrinceLH

He didn't play well for 7 games so its time to drop him? No i dont get that.
I wouldnt even count game 1 because the only people to show up in that game were Orr and Reimer.
Winning faceffs would be nice, but I dont think it was the reason we lost that series. Not at all. But if thats all it takes to win a series we dont need a Bozak. We sing Gordon and Steckel and the cup is ours
He didn't fit this season because Carlyle didn't play him right. If he sucks next year, yeah okay, drop him.

He didn't play well for 7 games so its time to drop him? No i dont get that.
I wouldnt even count game 1 because the only people to show up in that game were Orr and Reimer.
Winning faceffs would be nice, but I dont think it was the reason we lost that series. Not at all. But if thats all it takes to win a series we dont need a Bozak. We sing Gordon and Steckel and the cup is ours
He didn't fit this season because Carlyle didn't play him right. If he sucks next year, yeah okay, drop him.
- UsernameUnknown

Lalalalalalallalala Goooooooooordon lalalalalalalalalalalalala la la Goooooooordon

Background singers chime in with Steckel Steckel Steckel

The puck handling skills is a real detriment to this team. Reimer is good, don't get me wrong, but can we go the distance, with a goaltender that can't play the puck?
- PrinceLH

Quick can't play the puck at all, it's worked out for LA...... As long as he doesn't play the puck.


He is god awful at that, sometimes he thinks he can do it, but he can't.....


Bernier is pretty decent at it.

Lalalalalalallalala Goooooooooordon lalalalalalalalalalalalala la la Goooooooordon

Background singers chime in with Steckel Steckel Steckel
- PinkSock

I love that song! Clapton, right?

What this now, 3 consecutive blogs about a back up goalie trade that makes zero sense......
- burn

Agree. Its idiocy.