I don't think he's a franchise player, either. But I think an offensively-inept team would throw a Simmonds type, a defenseman and a 1st at them to acquire him.
- bradleyc4

Ah. The first-rounder we better not trade right now, considering it could be a Top 10er.

A penguins fan proposed this trade on Ek's board:
Weber + Smith <-> BSchenn + Voracek + Coburn + 1st

It'd be hard for me, but I think I'd do that. First, though, Couturier would have to show himself capable of a top 6 forward, and Lecavalier would have to prove himself capable on the wing. That, or we'd have to make another trade involving a guy like Vanek coming to us, with only prospects and picks going back.

LA wanted a goalie backup and cap relief, not a winger with one year left before becoming a free agent.

And I would much rather have Read, Mason and the draft pick than just Bernier.
- Feanor

Good point. That's fair enough

Fair enough -- again, it's entirely possible that I'm undervaluing Eberle, and I don't want to do that. But Simmonds is the kind of player Edmonton desperately needs, at the right age and signed for a number of years...but hey, if they wanted to do that deal, it probably would've been done by now.
- AllInForFlyers

That's definitely true. Once Smyth retires, who do they have who is a physical power forward type? Maybe they have someone waiting in the wings

A penguins fan proposed this trade on Ek's board:
Weber + Smith <-> BSchenn + Voracek + Coburn + 1st

It'd be hard for me, but I think I'd do that. First, though, Couturier would have to show himself capable of a top 6 forward, and Lecavalier would have to prove himself capable on the wing. That, or we'd have to make another trade involving a guy like Vanek coming to us, with only prospects and picks going back.
- JAKEw1234

Any thoughts on why Smith seriously regressed last Season?

A penguins fan proposed this trade on Ek's board:
Weber + Smith <-> BSchenn + Voracek + Coburn + 1st

It'd be hard for me, but I think I'd do that. First, though, Couturier would have to show himself capable of a top 6 forward, and Lecavalier would have to prove himself capable on the wing. That, or we'd have to make another trade involving a guy like Vanek coming to us, with only prospects and picks going back.
- JAKEw1234

Huh. The first is this year's? Because if I could move that to next year, I'd probably do that.

Fair enough -- again, it's entirely possible that I'm undervaluing Eberle, and I don't want to do that. But Simmonds is the kind of player Edmonton desperately needs, at the right age and signed for a number of years...but hey, if they wanted to do that deal, it probably would've been done by now.
- AllInForFlyers

I just agree with Brad that if they open the door to an Eberle deal, they're going to get a bidding war. The kid's a sexy name, he's a guy GMs will overpay for.

Looks like Greiss is starting tonight for Yotes. Not sure it makes much of a difference, but it's something.

Adam Kimelman ‏@NHLAdamK
Dave Tippett confirms Thomas Greiss will start in net tonite. Said Yip will take warm ups and he'll determine lineup then

I just agree with Brad that if they open the door to an Eberle deal, they're going to get a bidding war. The kid's a sexy name, he's a guy GMs will overpay for.
- Jsaquella

I don't think there's any doubt about that.

I just agree with Brad that if they open the door to an Eberle deal, they're going to get a bidding war. The kid's a sexy name, he's a guy GMs will overpay for.
- Jsaquella

I'll carve some time to watch them again, zoom in on him -- I've already watched them twice, though, and man...he's a good player. But he's not a player I break my 40-man roster for.

A penguins fan proposed this trade on Ek's board:
Weber + Smith <-> BSchenn + Voracek + Coburn + 1st

It'd be hard for me, but I think I'd do that. First, though, Couturier would have to show himself capable of a top 6 forward, and Lecavalier would have to prove himself capable on the wing. That, or we'd have to make another trade involving a guy like Vanek coming to us, with only prospects and picks going back.
- JAKEw1234

I'd want to get a winger back, rather than Smith, but to be honest, they don't really have a lot of forwards that are intriguing to me.

I just agree with Brad that if they open the door to an Eberle deal, they're going to get a bidding war. The kid's a sexy name, he's a guy GMs will overpay for.
- Jsaquella

I was hoping to deal Letang for him before he resigned. Probably still would. The offer stated here wouldn't be enough imo.

I'll carve some time to watch them again, zoom in on him -- I've already watched them twice, though, and man...he's a good player. But he's not a player I break my 40-man roster for.
- AllInForFlyers

Exactly. I could probably agree to Simmonds & Coburn for him and an add on, and I'd happily ship Simmonds and Grossmann to get him, but if he's going to be shopped, I'm really sure that somebody would beat that offer.

I was hoping to deal Letang for him before he resigned. Probably still would. The offer stated here wouldn't be enough imo.
- canadianpenfan

If the Oilers continue to struggle as they have, don;t be surprised to see some of those kids being shopped.

If the Oilers continue to struggle as they have, don;t be surprised to see some of those kids being shopped.
- Jsaquella

As they should be. You can have all the talent in the world but if they don't gel it won't work. The Oilers have too many players that are similar.

If the Oilers continue to struggle as they have, don;t be surprised to see some of those kids being shopped.
- Jsaquella

You have to, right? You can't just keep losing and losing -- and yeah, I get it: It's early in the season. But they can't stop anybody, and they get pushed around physically.

I'd have broken that team up over the summer, to be honest.

You have to, right? You can't just keep losing and losing -- and yeah, I get it: It's early in the season. But they can't stop anybody, and they get pushed around physically.

I'd have broken that team up over the summer, to be honest.
- AllInForFlyers

Well, it would have been hard for MacT to come in a chopping right off the bat...but I suspect that if things don't improve soon, he'll toss a grenade into the room

what do you guys think 10 games for kaleta?

what do you guys think 10 games for kaleta?
- 2Real

At least five, probably closer to ten. Dude is more than a "repeat offender"

what do you guys think 10 games for kaleta?
- 2Real

I wish, just once, somebody would slap a "Chris Simon" on one of those guys --25-plus games -- just to see what would happen.

Kaleta's a repeat offender. Drop the 25 on him, see what his game his like when he misses a third of the season. I don't think much of Matt Cooke, but having his career threatened changed his game.

what do you guys think 10 games for kaleta?
- 2Real

It's an in person hearing, so he's going to get a fairly long one.

I wish, just once, somebody would slap a "Chris Simon" on one of those guys --25-plus games -- just to see what would happen.

Kaleta's a repeat offender. Drop the 25 on him, see what his game his like when he misses a third of the season. I don't think much of Matt Cooke, but having his career threatened changed his game.
- AllInForFlyers

Didn't see the hit, but agree on repeat offenders.

Meszaros has made a lot of strides since the Pre Season. He looks better and better every game. I thought he was the teams best defenseman in the last game against Florida.
- MJL

this is good to hear

Well, it would have been hard for MacT to come in a chopping right off the bat...but I suspect that if things don't improve soon, he'll toss a grenade into the room
- Jsaquella

I hope so -- not because I care at a high level, but at some point, all teams should swallow hard and acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, what you have just isn't working, no matter what it looks like on paper.

That's a classic example of a talented group that simply isn't right.

Edler gets 3 games for hit on hertl