Grow a beard?
- Tomahawk

lol. I think he also runs his own goalie over better. We can't leave that out.

What does MacDonald do better than Niskanen besides blocking shots?
- PLindbergh31

I think it's pretty equal in terms of defensive play, and in puck movement. Niskanen is a little more physical. But the big edge is in offensive production. At least this year.

And listen, I understand. MacDonald plays for the Flyers and was acquired by Paul Holmgren. So he's not that good. I get it.

I hear Shea Weber's main area of focus this offseason in affixing laser beams to his eyes so that he can single-handedly annihilate any enemy within sight.
- jmatchett383

It's hard for a goalie to stop the puck if he's just been blasted my laser beams.

I think it's pretty equal in terms of defensive play, and in puck movement. Niskanen is a little more physical. But the big edge is in offensive production. At least this year.

And listen, I understand. MacDonald plays for the Flyers and was acquired by Paul Holmgren. So he's not that good. I get it.
- MJL

You're going to make me go brew a cup of coffee just so i can spit it all over my monitor and keyboard if you keep this up.

I think it's pretty equal in terms of defensive play, and in puck movement. Niskanen is a little more physical. But the big edge is in offensive production. At least this year.

And listen, I understand. MacDonald plays for the Flyers and was acquired by Paul Holmgren. So he's not that good. I get it.
- MJL

Well gee.... With Holmgren getting promoted and all, I look silly criticizing any transaction he made.

Well gee.... With Holmgren getting promoted and all, I look silly criticizing any transaction he made.
- PLindbergh31

I'm glad you realize this.

I don't think Timonen has a shot. You've got guys from his time like Lidstrom, Pronger, Blake, Chara, and Niedermayer all ahead of him.
- jmatchett383

If Chara doesn't win a Cup in Boston do you have him on the list and why?

Well gee.... With Holmgren getting promoted and all, I look silly criticizing any transaction he made.
- PLindbergh31

As if Holmgren moving into a different role with the Organization has any bearing on how good a player is!

Well gee.... With Holmgren getting promoted and all, I look silly criticizing every transaction he ever made.
- PLindbergh31

FTFY

If Chara doesn't win a Cup in Boston do you have him on the list and why?
- mayorofangrytown

He's borderline to me as it is. 1 Norris Trophy, 500 points, punishing defender, 1 Cup. Definitely a step down from Pronger, minus being the captain of a Cup team. But still above Kimmo.

He's borderline to me as it is. 1 Norris Trophy, 500 points, punishing defender, 1 Cup. Definitely a step down from Pronger, minus being the captain of a Cup team. But still above Kimmo.
- jmatchett383

I'm thinking Chara's aura as a leader is what really puts him over the top. They seem to put a lot of stock in that at the HHOF.

Maybe Saku Koivu has an outside chance of making it on similar grounds.

I'm thinking Chara's aura as a leader is what really puts him over the top. They seem to put a lot of stock in that at the HHOF.

Maybe Saku Koivu has an outside chance to make it on the same grounds.
- Tomahawk

and here I was thinking it was his stunning good looks.

I'm thinking Chara's aura as a leader is what really puts him over the top. They seem to put a lot of stock in that at the HHOF.

Maybe Saku Koivu has an outside chance of making it on similar grounds.
- Tomahawk

That's probably why Stevens made it so soon after retirement.

FTFY

- MBFlyerfan

Yes, I tore the Mason signing to shreds, blasted him for not re-signing Leino, etc....

When anyone tries to rationalize every transaction including giving Jody Shelley a 3 year deal it's nothing more than blind yes man homerism. Sorry, ain't gonna be me.

That's probably why Stevens made it so soon after retirement.
- Jsaquella

That, and his 3 Stanley Cups.

I'm thinking Chara's aura as a leader is what really puts him over the top. They seem to put a lot of stock in that at the HHOF.

Maybe Saku Koivu has an outside chance of making it on similar grounds.
- Tomahawk

So Zherdev's a lock?

I'm thinking Chara's aura as a leader is what really puts him over the top. They seem to put a lot of stock in that at the HHOF.

Maybe Saku Koivu has an outside chance of making it on similar grounds.
- Tomahawk

If Koivu makes it it'll be because he was Captain of the Leafs and nothing else.

So Zherdev's a lock?
- jmatchett383

His limo driver might be.

Yes, I tore the Mason signing to shreds, blasted him for not re-signing Leino, etc....

When anyone tries to rationalize every transaction including giving Jody Shelley a 3 year deal it's nothing more than blind yes man homerism. Sorry, ain't gonna be me.
- PLindbergh31

Let's not start this again, and stay to the other topic that we've beaten to death 30 times.

Niskanen is a good defenseman. He happened to have a great year, after he was pressed into a top pair spot on a very offensively-minded Pittsburgh team. He was also (partially) playing for his next contract. It's entirely possible that he repeats those number,s but it seems like the perfect storm for him. I, personally, don't think he'll warrant the long-term, huge-money contract he'll get, regardless of the AMac signing. I see them as 2 separate entities. The AMac signing was (sadly) a necessary evil for the Flyers. Had he gone to UFA, he'd likely be getting what the Flyers gave him or better. But again, that's a separate issue.

If Koivu makes it it'll be because he was Captain of the Leafs and nothing else.
- mayorofangrytown

He punched cancer in the face, too.

Yes, I tore the Mason signing to shreds, blasted him for not re-signing Leino, etc....

When MJL tries to rationalize every transaction including giving Jody Shelley a 3 year deal it's nothing more than blind yes man homerism. Sorry, ain't gonna be me trying to put the brakes on my obsession with proving him wrong even when he is right, just cause he said it
- PLindbergh31

FTFY too!

His limo driver might be.
- Tomahawk

Ahhhhh February 2011... where have you gone.

http://articles.philly.co...nik-zherdev-flyers-career

Yes, I tore the Mason signing to shreds, blasted him for not re-signing Leino, etc....

When anyone tries to rationalize every transaction including giving Jody Shelley a 3 year deal it's nothing more than blind yes man homerism. Sorry, ain't gonna be me.
- PLindbergh31

I assume this is meant towards me, so I'll elaborate and respond to you directly. Instead of responding indirectly.
I'm on record as stating that I would not have signed Jody Shelley. Also on record as saying I understand the argument for not having an enforcer. But here's what I "ain't gonna be." I'm not going to be a guy who harps on every move and complains repeatedly that they team has an enforcer on the roster. As if that's a deciding factor in what kind of season they have. It's just not that important to put that kind of complaining into. Nor am I gonna be a guy who complains about the same moves, including repeatedly complaining about a player that was traded 9 years ago.
What I am going to be is a fan who looks at the team and it's moves objectively. The same way any reasonable pundit would do. And have a reasonable view point, and come to the conclusion that although I don't agree with signing an enforcer, I understand the viewpoint of the team and why they want one. And I'm okay with that. And if that makes me a "blind homer", so be it. I'd rather be that then a constant complainer, and full of negativity.

Another name I'd consider in round 2

Dominik Masin -D- HC Slavia Praha

Bill,

What do you think of Ville Husso?

Had a solid year & seems to be in line to lead Finland at the World Juniors next year.