2004 Pittsburgh took Malkin with the second Pick. He's a first round pick any given year. Washington probably wishes they took him instead? Like to hear some Cap fans thoughts on that?
- grovegrizzlies

Meh, he brought the fans back and helped bring the Capitals out of the dark into the light. Hindsight is always 20/20, but in many ways Ovi saved the Capitals. Would I rather have an elite center to line up with Backstrom as a 1,2 punch? yes, but Ovechkin is still one of the best wingers in the game.

didn't even see this one. Goaltending had nothing to do with how their playoffs ended. Good lord, Tim Thomas or Ryan Miller? Where does Ek find these guys.
- TheJerseyDevil1

It actually had something to do with how their playoffs ended, Elliott melted when the pressure was on. He was not good at all the final 3 games, and we would have beat LA if he just played average the last half of the series as we lost by 1 goal each game.

Halak had nothing to do with it though, as he didn't play. He is good enough, especially with the team he has in front of him. I mean, Crawford just won a cup. If the team in front of the goalie is playing well, a pretty average goalie can win. And Halak is better than average.

Well if you wanna talk about "compensation" remember the time the NHL owned the Phoenix Coyotes? Now certainly they werent given anything in the way of gifted first overall picks... But they literally were being operated by the NHL. That's a bit in the way of making sure a team doesn't move/go under.

Let me guide you to a casino, where people are willing to risk a lot of money on random chance. The success rate at many casino games is far under the statistical probability which resulted in the oilers picking 1st overall 3 consecutive times. Unlikely; yes. Improbable: yes. However I find it confusing and concerning that you think it was rigged. Have faith in the odds. .

Yes I'm being sarcastic and snarky but its all in good fun. The 9/11 comment was made in jest, and I am quite familiar with the... Suspicious circumstances surrounding it. All very interesting stuff but great joke fodder.
- braidonh

I just can't though. I look at the Coyotes, and yes, they're being run by the league, but by default. As well, the Oilers are still a large fan-base where there is profitability. In Phoenix, lets be real, no one gives a poop and they make the NHL no money. I just find it remarkably hard to believe it happens 3 years in a row, when it doesn't happen in ANY other professional league with the same type of drafting systems based on season success. You guys may buy it, I don't. I won't be convinced otherwise, and I'm sure none of you will. So, lets agree to disagree.

"I'm still waiting for the Islanders to sacrifice one of their incredible young centers to bring in a top line winger to play with Tavares"

I think Snow believes Strome will be that guy in a year or two. Also I think they should deal one of their D prospects if they do make a deal. They have at least 5-6 solid B or higher prospects that play D.

It takes time. Edmonton contrary to some belief and a lot of their fans belief will be a power house within the next couple years. They need some D and stable goaltending. Not the easiest thing to come by in this league these days but it'll happen sooner than later.
- Cptmjl

I believe they will be, or at least have all the potential to. Whether it's realized or not is another issues only time will reveal.

Laugh all you want, but the NHL gave you those picks. Look how many other teams have struggled for so long and have received nothing in the form of compensation or draft picks... But, it's Wayne's old team, the face of hockey in the 80s and early 90s, can't let them re-locate or go under.


On another note as well, I won't get into 9/11 because that's a whole other topic, and your comment was clearly meant as a sarcastic chirpy comment, but do some research on that if you're curious. You'll be shockingly surprised...
- Flyers_V88

Your a nutcase
Do you even know how draft picks are "rewarded"?
Edmonton finished dead last the first 2 years of the three. Thats how they get those picks. The 3rd year they were lined up to get the 2nd overall but won the draft lottery to get the 1st overall. That is the only thing you can say is "sketchy" as its behind closed doors. Way less sketchy than the Crosby lottery i might add.
Those other teams "who struggled for so long" get those draft picks correlating how badly they struggled that season.
You talk of these draft picks like theyre some mystical gift from the almighty NHL.
Its pretty straight forward.

+1 for you TB comment

Yup. We have more offensive firepower than 95% teams in the league up-front. Our only glaring concern is the health of our D. Our season depends on their health and the play of Emery/Mason.
- Flyers_V88

and whether Streit will be a -10 or a -40?

The Flyers are a distrastrously run franchise? Your team drafted 1st overall 3 years in a row and has absolutely zero talent. Get a clue dude

I just can't though. I look at the Coyotes, and yes, they're being run by the league, but by default. As well, the Oilers are still a large fan-base where there is profitability. In Phoenix, lets be real, no one gives a poop and they make the NHL no money. I just find it remarkably hard to believe it happens 3 years in a row, when it doesn't happen in ANY other professional league with the same type of drafting systems based on season success. You guys may buy it, I don't. I won't be convinced otherwise, and I'm sure none of you will. So, lets agree to disagree.
- Flyers_V88

you just said they were in financial trouble liek 2 pages ago

us guys may buy what? your trying to say the NHL staged 3 entire seasons so the oilers could get last place?

On the Pens the Letang deal is a little more than we all had hoped but he's still here. His age and ability should make it possible to find a trade partner a few years from now if necessary. Malkin and Letangs new deals don't kick in until next year when the cap should go up significantly. Malkin actually didn't get much of a raise. Other than signing scuds and putting themselves in a position to have to trade someone I think they've done quite well. Considering on the open market 87/71 would command like 10 mil a season.

It actually had something to do with how their playoffs ended, Elliott melted when the pressure was on. He was not good at all the final 3 games, and we would have beat LA if he just played average the last half of the series as we lost by 1 goal each game.

Halak had nothing to do with it though, as he didn't play. He is good enough, especially with the team he has in front of him. I mean, Crawford just won a cup. If the team in front of the goalie is playing well, a pretty average goalie can win. And Halak is better than average.
- carcus

In the series Elliot let in 1 goal, 1 goal, 1 goal, 4 goals, 3 goals, and 2 goals. I don't think that is very bad, I just think they ran into a fresh Kings team.

I wouldn't take any of your top 6 for Ryan Suter. Parise would be on your top line. I have never seen a team have so many number one overall picks and still not improve.
- marcfournier

Just start watching last year?


Or just reaaaaalllllllyyyyyyy simple minded?

Meh, he brought the fans back and helped bring the Capitals out of the dark into the light. Hindsight is always 20/20, but in many ways Ovi saved the Capitals. Would I rather have an elite center to line up with Backstrom as a 1,2 punch? yes, but Ovechkin is still one of the best wingers in the game.
- Blackstrom2

I think both teams are happy with the way it played out. With OV Caps got a great player with a personality that brought fans to the game. We got Malkin and already had Sid so he could just stay out of the lime light which was good for him.

I was really impressed with Hillen and Oleksy last season. I watched a decent amount of games and they looked really solid for guys I had never heard of.
- pbrsimps

Was always a fan when he was with us. Smart player

The Flyers are a distrastrously run franchise? Your team drafted 1st overall 3 years in a row and has absolutely zero talent. Get a clue dude
- flyerscup2011

Brilliant...

you just said they were in financial trouble liek 2 pages ago

us guys may buy what? your trying to say the NHL staged 3 entire seasons so the oilers could get last place?
- DarcyTucker16

What?! No, I'm saying that the NHL provided Edmonton with the 1st overall pick 3 years in a row, despite their earning it the 2 with terrible seasons, the 3rd should not have occurred.

And the profitability comment is in reference to the potential of profitability, or larger profitability than currently, "when" the Oilers are a good, playoff team again. Success = profitability. No success = no to little profitability,

What?! No, I'm saying that the NHL provided Edmonton with the 1st overall pick 3 years in a row, despite their earning it the 2 with terrible seasons, the 3rd should not have occurred.

And the profitability comment is in reference to the potential of profitability, or larger profitability than currently, "when" the Oilers are a good, playoff team again. Success = profitability. No success = no to little profitability,
- Flyers_V88

You should stop talking...

Laugh all you want, but the NHL gave you those picks. Look how many other teams have struggled for so long and have received nothing in the form of compensation or draft picks... But, it's Wayne's old team, the face of hockey in the 80s and early 90s, can't let them re-locate or go under.


On another note as well, I won't get into 9/11 because that's a whole other topic, and your comment was clearly meant as a sarcastic chirpy comment, but do some research on that if you're curious. You'll be shockingly surprised...
- Flyers_V88

By what? A whole lot of BS conspiracy theories contrived by liberal nut jobs like Moore?

The Sabres haven't had a legitimate #1 center since Drury left back in the summer of 2007. While the team may be set at center in 3 yrs as you say...they have no one right now until the kids develop.

Hodgson...needs to be signed and learn how to play defense.

Grigorenko...while he obviously has offensive talent...did not look comfortable at all in the handful of wasted nhl games he played in last year...his defense is suspect too.

Girgensons...may turn out to be the best of the 3. He most surely will be better than a 3rd liner. This kid seems loaded with grit, determination and attitude...lets hope that rubs off on the other two.
- siket71

Well if he rubs off on the other two, the other two may request a trade.

Summarized:

Most everyone sucks ... and here's how a trade with Edmonton would help them.

Exactly, like how is Edmonton still even allowed to draft?! I'm speaking from pure jealousy here, it drives me NUTS they were literally swindled/given those picks to save the franchise from dying and going under... And yet, they're still a joke team. Had you drafted more selectively based on positional need, guarantee you'd be competing very closely for a playoff spot, or would have already been in the playoffs. Straight-up insane.
- Flyers_V88

Clearly you didn't watch many Oil games from 2009-2012. They earned those 1st overalls... by sucking, causing their fans much pain for those years.

PS: misuse of the word literally makes me figuratively insane!

That's going to be the story of Winnipeg. Drafting young players and paying up the a-ss to keep them around once they hit RFA because that's the only way. UFA's won't go there, they're the new Edmonton lol

Just start watching last year?


Or just reaaaaalllllllyyyyyyy simple minded?
- robin_steele264

I can't wait till you guys turn a corner. It's going to be fun to watch. I have zero idea how none of these guys have a concept of it?

Well if he rubs off on the other two, the other two may request a trade.
- kingbrehm