I agree. It started out with a lot of promise, but I don't see any big deals. I really feel sorry for the TSN crew. What is it like 8 hours starting really early with nothing to talk about?
- tomcat24

And yet they do an awful lot of talking!

As far as I am concern. The US should stay out of it entirely. Let the rest of the world deal with it. If it doesn't resolve to their satisfaction. Tough. And if the world comes knocking on our door, slam the (frank)er in their faces.
- Elbows15

I know I'm coming in to this wayyy late, but the fact is that the US is the one that knocked on the worlds door, in this case. They didn't have to make arrangements that they would protect Ukraine in '94, but they did. And all of the involvements in NATO and the ever-present desire for oil will have the US (and UK and the rest of the EU) right in this.

Frankly I think this Russia vs Ukraine and everybody else business is the prime post-Cold War example of a Mexican standoff.

I'm starting to think it will be a typical boring deadline. Sure a lot of trades on wednesday but mainly 4th liners for 3rd and 4th round picks. GMs are wimps, afraid of pissing off fans with bad trades
- tomcat24

I can understand the thought about pissing off fans with bad trades, but I for one (and I am sure many other fans) will not get pissed at trades because I have seen this long enough. Not too long ago, we heard that Arnason, Bell, Calder were the best thing in hockey, Daze was the greatest scorer ever, and even before that Savard was traded to the hated Canadians. We as Blackhawks fans have survived losing the Gloden Jet. As a Cub fan, I have seen the likes of Pie, Patterson, etc claim to be the next "all everything" only to be disappointed.

If Shaw, Kruegs, even Kane get moved, it will hurt, but in reality, life moves on. The next win will heal the hurt, and a playoff series victory will bring back the casual fan. If a GM's job is to please the fans, then he cannot do his job because fans do not agree on anything.

I can understand the thought about pissing off fans with bad trades, but I for one (and I am sure many other fans) will not get pissed at trades because I have seen this long enough. Not too long ago, we heard that Arnason, Bell, Calder were the best thing in hockey, Daze was the greatest scorer ever, and even before that Savard was traded to the hated Canadians. We as Blackhawks fans have survived losing the Gloden Jet. As a Cub fan, I have seen the likes of Pie, Patterson, etc claim to be the next "all everything" only to be disappointed.

If Shaw, Kruegs, even Kane get moved, it will hurt, but in reality, life moves on. The next win will heal the hurt, and a playoff series victory will bring back the casual fan. If a GM's job is to please the fans, then he cannot do his job because fans do not agree on anything.
- powerenforcer

I vehemently disagree!

Agree on this...If you want to be moved your choices shouldn't be limited. However its in the CBA is it not. Why give the player the NMC in the first place?
Something which Stan does quite often.

I stopped watching hoops once the Jordan Bulls ended.

Doubt the Hawks do much here at the TDL, but one can always hope. Colorado at the UC tonight. Looking forward to this evening.

Interesting article by Lazarus in the Sun Times yesterday regarding Peter Regin...

http://www.suntimes.com/s...tanley-cup-contender.html
- DK002

Thanks for the share DK


Successful clubs always find value where none is obvious. Not sure if they've done that with Regin. Time will tell, but he's got a great chance to make an impact.

Thanks for the share DK


Successful clubs always find value where none is obvious. Not sure if they've done that with Regin. Time will tell, but he's got a great chance to make an impact.
- philco28

He has a great opportunity - past performances say the chances aren't great.

But - why not?

He has a great opportunity - past performances say the chances aren't great.

But - why not?
- StLBravesFan

Like he said though....the Isles physical, grinding style didn't suit him to a him a tee. Our fly-by, avoid contact style should fit him much better.

Kesseler?:


- InvisibleOrange

He's so damn pudgy he needs three "S's" in Kesssler!

Allot of times a player will reduce hsi salary demand for the security of a NTC or NMC. In a cap world the GM has to be creative.
- paulr

If I'm not mistaken, the No Movement Clause was used in order to prevent a team from burying a player in the minors to hide his cap hit.

Who thinks there will be significant trades on TDL eve ?
- mrpaulish

Not here.

Finally a (normal) home game.

Here's hoping they don't sh!t the bed.

Not here.
- EKolb13

I think some names will be moved like Vanek, Moulson, Halak.

There may be a lot of deals but I'm not expecting something out of left field or a major shakeup by a playoff team.

Finally a (normal) home game.

Here's hoping they don't sh!t the bed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Phuck that...let's play every game in an arctic blizzard

Finally a (normal) home game.

Here's hoping they don't sh!t the bed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Enjoy watching that. I'll be watching the Freezer Pigs take on Rochester tonight.

I think some names will be moved like Vanek, Moulson, Halak.

There may be a lot of deals but I'm not expecting something out of left field or a major shakeup by a playoff team.
- golfbard

Kesler to Detroit. (O3)

Kesler to Detroit. (O3)
- Ogilthorpe2

Just what they need, another oft injured center to play with Weiss, Zetterberg and Datsyuk.

I think some names will be moved like Vanek, Moulson, Halak.

There may be a lot of deals but I'm not expecting something out of left field or a major shakeup by a playoff team.
- golfbard

Maybe Buffalo holds onto Halak? He wouldn't be a bad guy to have to tandem with Enroth while the rebuild continues...

If I'm not mistaken, the No Movement Clause was used in order to prevent a team from burying a player in the minors to hide his cap hit.
- EKolb13

So it's a relic now, then, because you can only hide a small amount of the cap hit in the new CBA.

I'm starting to think that Kesler will get dealt in the offseason, not by tomorrow's deadline. If they deal him by tomorrow then Vancouver's throwing in the towel and I just can't see Gillis/Torts being those guys. They're both too stubborn.

That being said I do agree with some others that we will see some decent names get dealt tomorrow. Vanek, Moulson, Halak, Cammalari, McDonald, etc will all be traded.

I'm not expecting the Hawks to do anything.

Maybe Buffalo holds onto Halak? He wouldn't be a bad guy to have to tandem with Enroth while the rebuild continues...
- EKolb13

I'm thinking they trade him. He's a free agent and they can get something of value for him then sign someone in the offseason to be a veteran backup.

Like he said though....the Isles physical, grinding style didn't suit him to a him a tee. Our fly-by, avoid contact style should fit him much better.
- philco28

And - what were the chances Handzus would play so well last year - or that Oduya would turn into a solid top-4 defenseman?

So - I'm not sure I would be hopeful, but it's possible.

Maybe Buffalo holds onto Halak? He wouldn't be a bad guy to have to tandem with Enroth while the rebuild continues...
- EKolb13

Halak is a UFA, so I would think they'll lose him if they don't trade him, especially if they're not willing to pay the new market rate for goalies.

So it's a relic now, then, because you can only hide a small amount of the cap hit in the new CBA.
- mohel

Maybe? Teams can still bury players in the minors if need be, even though they can only save about $900,000 off the cap hit by doing so.

Perhaps it works for players with a cap hit less than $3 million?

Halak is a UFA, so I would think they'll lose him if they don't trade him, especially if they're not willing to pay the new market rate for goalies.
- mohel

Good point.

However, how many starting jobs for goalies are going to be out there this summer?

I'm starting to think that Kesler will get dealt in the offseason, not by tomorrow's deadline. If they deal him by tomorrow then Vancouver's throwing in the towel and I just can't see Gillis/Torts being those guys. They're both too stubborn.

That being said I do agree with some others that we will see some decent names get dealt tomorrow. Vanek, Moulson, Halak, Cammalari, McDonald, etc will all be traded.

I'm not expecting the Hawks to do anything.
- dan9189

I agree with you on Kesler.

As for Cammalari, hasn't it been reported that Burke is trying to get an extension done with him?