Clarkson has been a disaster. I would think the Leafs would like a do over there.
- PLindbergh31

CBO???

Clarkson has been a disaster. I would think the Leafs would like a do over there.
- PLindbergh31

You would think, but the Maple Leafs think in mysterious ways.

CBO???
- jmatchett383

unpossible

I don't know why you'd abuse your garden tools, but I see no problems here.
- BulliesPhan87

My hoes be gold diggers, and when they ain't gettin none o dat gold, dem hoes gots ta goes.

Although he was taken 15th, and Reinhart was taken 4th, I think Pulock will end up being the steal of the draft. That dude is putting up better numbers than Shea Weber was in the WHL, which is usually a good measuring stick for juniors to the NHL for defensemen.

Edit: This is a broken thought. I meant to also say that I think Pulock is the better of the 2 picks (he and Reinhart).
- jmatchett383

Reinhart is looking dud-ish. His two-way growth just hasn't been there.

Pulock looks like he's running in place, too. Guys like Morrissey and Zadorov are experiencing off the chart improvement in their post-draft year. Not really seeing a similar jump by Pulock, and that would worry me if I were Snow.

unpossible
- BulliesPhan87

They used them? On who? Komisarek I'm assuming for one. Finger?

They used them? On who? Komisarek I'm assuming for one. Finger?
- jmatchett383

He's not eligible anyway, you can only CBO contracts signed under the old CBA.

EDIT: Komisarek and Grabovski

You would think, but the Maple Leafs think in mysterious ways.
- BulliesPhan87

Well, he is quite truculent.

He's not eligible anyway, you can only CBO contracts signed under the old CBA.

EDIT: Komisarek and Grabovski
- BulliesPhan87

The funny thing is, even after the Clarkson fiasco, some GM will give Callahan the money and years he wants

Reinhart is looking dud-ish. His two-way growth just hasn't been there.

Pulock looks like he's running in place, too. Guys like Morrissey and Zadorov are experiencing off the chart improvement in their post-draft year. Not really seeing a similar jump by Pulock, and that would worry me if I were Snow.
- Tomahawk

Yeah, but Pulock already had mind-blowing numbers. His numbers last year were just shy of Seth Jones'. I'll give you Morrissey, but for Zadorov, putting up OHL numbers as a defenseman and WHL numbers as a defenseman are completely different ballgames.

The funny thing is, even after the Clarkson fiasco, some GM will give Callahan the money and years he wants
- Jsaquella

Given the choice between the two, I'd take Callahan every day of the week except for Tuesday, but I'd take him twice on Thursday.

That's one of the ways to hit on one. Don't hand out early round draft picks like a department store santa claus. Giving picks away for aging quick fixes is bad business all around. The more volume of picks you have, the more lines you have in the water, the more likely you will land the big fish.
- PLindbergh31

i'm not sure, but you aren't referencing Chris Pronger as the above "aging quick fix" are you?

I like to keep my lawyer friends happy. Also, I would like to share a meal with you at some point.
- jmatchett383

haha i do believe youre going to have to wait another few years until i qualify for that title. although im typically always down for meals that my schedule allows

Given the choice between the two, I'd take Callahan every day of the week except for Tuesday, but I'd take him twice on Thursday.
- jmatchett383

Absolutely, if you had to pick one or the other, it'd be Callahan every time...but neither is worth that kind of deal

Well, he is quite truculent.
- jmatchett383

Reminds me of a story... Howard Cosell was interviewing Muhammad Ali after a fight and Cosell quipped something like... "You're quite truculent tonight..." Ali shot back "I don't know what it means but if it's good, that's what I am". Never forgot that.

I'd look into Kevin Bieksa as a semi-affordable trade option at the deadline or draft -- Canucks have issues. He's cost-controlled, and can be a younger bridge than Boyle.

Then grab Diaz if he makes it to UFA and pair him with his Swiss partner Streit.

Both mobile right shots, neither breaks the bank, a complete makeover of the d-corps without risking another albatross/eggs-in-one-basket scenario.
- Tomahawk

I think that Bieksa is a fine choice, and he would be a strong add to the blueline. But I don't have any interest in Diaz. Especially paired with Streit. I'd rather play Gustafsson.

My hoes be gold diggers, and when they ain't gettin none o dat gold, dem hoes gots ta goes.
- jmatchett383

Ever heard of Lil' D icky?

Isn't Coburn a "Girardi" too? I think the pressing need is for puck-movers to compliment the Coburns and Schenns that they already have... seems a grossly inefficient use of cap-space to get preoccupied with Girardi, just because he's likely to be the brightest, shiniest object out there.
- Tomahawk

Same type of player for sure. But Girardi is a much better player then Coburn is. No slight to Coburn. The idea is to improve the team. Girardi can handle all of the key defensive situations that Timonen did in his prime here. And maybe you see him as just the shiniest brightest object out there. But I know how good Dan Girardi is. Without Timonen, as it stands right not, Coburn becomes the teams lead defenseman. I think that sets Coburn up for failure.

Same type of player for sure. But Girardi is a much better player then Coburn is. No slight to Coburn. The idea is to improve the team. Girardi can handle all of the key defensive situations that Timonen did in his prime here. And maybe you see him as just the shiniest brightest object out there. But I know how good Dan Girardi is. Without Timonen, as it stands right not, Coburn becomes the teams lead defenseman. I think that sets Coburn up for failure.
- MJL

girardi improves the makeup of any defensive core he will join. without question

You just described Dan Girardi, circa-2009, at the age of 26. Schenn's 24?
- Tomahawk

Girardi is not just an average defenseman.

Girardi is not just an average defenseman.
- MJL

I think Coburn is above average, but Girardi would give the team a steady guy who can eat up minutes. He's not a 40 point guy, but he will get between 20-30 every year along with his strong defensive work. Guys like that are very valuable. Thats why I think the Flyers should jump at a chance to get one without giving up assets. Just overpay for him. Its as simple as that.

yes....how would you know? anybody is available for a price.... and was JVR for L Schenn not open to scrutiny? that basically was a waisted asset....It is pretty realistic to assume Holmgren could have gotten more or done a better job in the player coming back......Again I ask How do you know whats open to him ???...PURE CONJECTURE on your part.
Holmgren has generated a laundry list of mistakes in the last few years, and what is evident is the D is a below average bunch that lacks a "franchise type".
you were bang on with piece mail approach....Perhaps Holmgren "over Values" his own assets?
- landros 2

It's not conjecture. It's based on what players have been traded and what defenseman have been available in Free Agency. I'm sure a lot of defenseman might become available to the Flyers if they want to trade Giroux, but let's be realistic here. It's pretty clear that teams hold top defenseman in high regard, and their availability is extremely limited. Either that or the price for one is ridiculously high.
And I disagree completely that JVR was a wasted asset. And I'd love to read that laundry list of mistakes, and see what kind of context it is given in.
That the Flyers defense has been made up of role playing defenseman, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, further illustrates my point of what is available at a reasonable price, and what isn't.

Yeah, but Pulock already had mind-blowing numbers. His numbers last year were just shy of Seth Jones'. I'll give you Morrissey, but for Zadorov, putting up OHL numbers as a defenseman and WHL numbers as a defenseman are completely different ballgames.
- jmatchett383

His early career numbers were mostly a function of him spending a lot time with Mark Stone in offensive situations. The last couple of seasons are probably stronger indicators of what he's capable of. The sheer number of points is usually less important than a strong trend of improvement when predicting how a guy might respond at the next level up.

His early career numbers were mostly a function of him spending a lot time with Mark Stone in offensive situations. The last couple of seasons are probably stronger indicators of what he's capable of. The sheer number of points is usually less important than a strong trend of improvement when predicting how a guy might respond at the next level up.
- Tomahawk

Well the Islanders do have a strong track record of development

CBO???
- jmatchett383

Believe they used both