This.

And that's the only reason I was rooting for NY last night. I'm jealous the Hawks haven't gotten to clinch on home ice...yet
- Ogilthorpe2

Had they done that at the UC last evening, I may still actually be at the UC.

That I know. Point was I would have rather kept Frolik then brought Versteeg back. Yes Frolik was making big $$ for his role, but he was an all purpose PK demon.
- z1990z

As it turned out - yes.

Didn't know how it would turn out then - Versteeg was supposed to be a contributor.

But having Versteeg didn't have anything to do with dumping Frolik (or vice-versa) - didn't have Versteeg to dump when cap salaries had to be reduced.

He did and he was still pretty early in coming back from that knee injury. I remember watching a few Panther games before his injury and he was playing well. Rest and a good summer off season should see a "better" Versteeg.


Maybe he needs a new jersey number. Perhaps his inverted 32 is screwing him up.
- z1990z

Versteeg needs to keep 23, because, he is the Michael Jordan of hockey

Some great game is under way in Brazil. England-Italy
- Uncheckable21

Glad you didn't say "great soccer game": that would have been an oxymoron.

We must be spoiled. No new blogs from JJ and the topic has shifted to "football". The pining of hungry fans looking for an trade rumor scraps!

Versteeg needs to keep 23, because, he is the Michael Jordan of hockey
- Tanuki

He could try 45?

Glad you didn't say "great soccer game": that would have been an oxymoron.
- StLBravesFan

It's rubbish Sage, absolute rubbish. No one will ever convince me otherwise.

We must be spoiled. No new blogs from JJ and the topic has shifted to "football". The pining of hungry fans looking for an trade rumor scraps!
- ikeane

The great C Louis Leblanc goes from Montral to the Ducks for a 5th.

Must be alot of things to analyze about that deal.

The great C Louis Leblanc goes from Montral to the Ducks for a 5th.

Must be alot of things to analyze about that deal.
- RickJ

In my greatest sarcasm from my cell Stan missed out on a #2 center

The great C Louis Leblanc goes from Montral to the Ducks for a 5th.

Must be alot of things to analyze about that deal.
- RickJ

Dominoes?

Dominoes?
- EKolb13

You know how this will go - Ducks acquire Leblanc, must mean they are no longer interested in Kesler and Spezza, leaving them both for the Hawks.

You know how this will go - Ducks acquire Leblanc, must mean they are no longer interested in Kesler and Spezza, leaving them both for the Hawks.
- RickJ

With Vancouver or Ottawa retaining half of the salary...

With Vancouver or Ottawa retaining half of the salary...
- EKolb13

Never been a doubt about that in my mind.

The officiating did suck this year. The NHL is too stupid to conspire though.

For example: Why they would have Wes McCauley officiate a series where he had called 11 straight wins for one team and 5 straight losses for the other (which had a significantly higher winning percentage)... That is just pure incompetence.

They need to start applying more advanced sets of statistics to officiating choices and pairings. They also need to lose the "let em play" Walkom style garbage. That way those statistics will be more reliable. This current style of officiating is way too subjective.

On the other point. There is quite a difference in Bettman's demeanor last year to this year. No question who he was happier to see win based on the speeches. Could not help but notice how giddy he was last night compared to Boston last year.

2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtJR0UtZRdY

2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFsa5P58nic
- tredbrta

A Corsi for refs...

With Vancouver or Ottawa retaining half of the salary...
- EKolb13

Why not both?

If we don't tell them that the other is picking up half, may get the whole salary retained.

That's what I mean when I say a Stan has to get creative.

It's rubbish Sage, absolute rubbish. No one will ever convince me otherwise.
- Ogilthorpe2

But they keep trying - and trying to get our children to play it.

Do you really think Kadri/JVR is any less of a fantasy than minute Ladd/Slater?
- Ogilthorpe2

Man don't harsh our buzz. That JVR trade has to happen

With Vancouver or Ottawa retaining half of the salary...
- EKolb13

Stan is going to announce that he has extended Toews and Kane for 8 years, $80M each, but the Canucks are going to pick up half the cap hit of both.

Just read a report out of Ottawa that they are seeking a top end/top 6 forward, a teams top prospect and a first for Spezza.

Still any interest?

Just read a report out of Ottawa that they are seeking a top end/top 6 forward, a teams top prospect and a first for Spezza.

Still any interest?
- CaptainBlackhawk

What they are looking for and what they get are 2 different things. Interested if the price is not too high

Just read a report out of Ottawa that they are seeking a top end/top 6 forward, a teams top prospect and a first for Spezza.

Still any interest?
- CaptainBlackhawk

He'd already be gone if anybody had offered that.

Car salesman ask full price too.

Just read a report out of Ottawa that they are seeking a top end/top 6 forward, a teams top prospect and a first for Spezza.

Still any interest?
- CaptainBlackhawk

I will honestly be shocked if Stan lands Spezza or Kesler. Blockbuster trades just aren't his style and that's not a bad thing. I think Stan will look for better value where he's not mortgaging the future but getting somebody solid in return...like maybe Frans Neilsen.

I will honestly be shocked if Stan lands Spezza or Kesler. Blockbuster trades just aren't his style and that's not a bad thing. I think Stan will look for better value where he's not mortgaging the future but getting somebody solid in return...like maybe Frans Neilsen.
- DarthKane

Source's ears are burning.

He did and he was still pretty early in coming back from that knee injury. I remember watching a few Panther games before his injury and he was playing well. Rest and a good summer off season should see a "better" Versteeg.


Maybe he needs a new jersey number. Perhaps his inverted 32 is screwing him up.
- z1990z

Players can be very superstitious about their numbers, when Rozsival is finally gone I have no doubt Steeger will revert back to #32.

Players can be very superstitious about their numbers, when Rozsival is finally gone I have no doubt Steeger will revert back to #32.
- DarthKane

I'm not superstitious, I'm just a little bit stitious.