BE HAPPY! Portugal and Ghana are OUT!

Coming from a person who understands the game: you've played against a Top 3 team today. You lost 1-0 and could have tied it.

I like the hard nosed american style. Wish you luck (beat Argentina!)
- Orpik44

Yeahhhhh

Good post back.

Yes I am indeed pessimistic but also a realist. Sometimes the two get confused.

Agree with your points on Pens cap situation moving forward. Next year at this time, I hope they are 1 or 2 players away from setting themselves up for Cup runs for the last 3-4 years of 87/71 primes. That's why I hope they don't do something stupid for short-term gain.

Next, look at the B's cap situation. Actually, they are in a world or hurt because they have to sign quite a few guys in the next little while and no way they are going to fit them all under the cap. That's why there is lots of talk on their board about moving different pieces.

I think you are spot on about the Habs. Even with PK's new deal, they have some nice pieces. They are 1-2 players away from being a serious contender. They have the goalie. They have the D stud. Depth at FW. Bit more size gets added, look out.
- 87_71_11_29

As far as the Bruins go, I can see what you are saying. Still, they have quite a few solid players signed to reasonable cap hits for at least 1 or 2 years. Better than a lot of teams out there.

Chad LaRose is attempting an NHL comeback. There's a Rutherford connection in waiting.....


Fun fact: Chad's brother did contracting work on my house.

Is Rutherford sleeping? Trying to get something for Niskanens rights isn't worth it I guess..

Is Rutherford sleeping? Trying to get something for Niskanens rights isn't worth it I guess..
- keatondixon

I know right? Somebody get the man an alarm clock he missed the Umberger sweepstakes!

As far as up and coming teams, Tampa and Columbus are not far off. Both have excellent management and solid rosters and both are quickly climbing the Eastern ladder.
- Topshelf Mountain

Tampa very much so.

As for Columbus, they are going to have to make some tough choices with players this season and next on who to pay. Dubinsky, Fologino, Atkinson, Calvert, Johnason, and Bobrovosky will all have to be re-signed this season and next. I need to see more from them than 1 season.

Is Rutherford sleeping? Trying to get something for Niskanens rights isn't worth it I guess..
- keatondixon

I'm sure if anyone wants his rights this late Rutherford would even bypass the entire focus group of the GM system or whatever the hell they have, to take the offer.

Not a whole lot of rights being moved, and Islanders in the recent past are the one team who seem to be active on that front.

With this free agent "talking" window, it is almost pointless to do. Maybe Rutherford just ran out of time with the coach search and everything. You figure once you trade someone's rights, you very likely aren't getting that player back. So, you need to be sure that you can't/won't sign him.
- rival22

Thats just it, its more of a ploy for teams like flames, oilers, isles, jets cause they have trouble attracting free agents when going against everyone else. The new talking window changes the game.

I'm sure we all love and agree with Mark Madden (in most sarcastic tone I could possibly use). He just put out a semi interesting list about which players could/should be traded at the draft, my responses after the arrow:

I wouldn’t trade Kris Letang unless the offer was overwhelming. <--AGREE

I would trade James Neal for the right offer. That offer should include two young, established third-line players. <-- NO, at least one player has to be in top 6

I would rather trade Chris Kunitz than Neal. <--Open to trading Kunitz, but the return probably would never be enough to justify

If Kunitz and Neal both return, Neal should play on Sidney Crosby’s line and Kunitz should skate with Evgeni Malkin. There’s more than one way to affect change. <--Sure

I would trade Paul Martin, but the return would have to be very impactful. <-- I really think it makes sense to move him if we aren't extending him next year. But we really need him this year to hold down the top pairing with Letang and stabilize the youth on D.

I would not trade Marc-Andre Fleury. The Penguins wouldn't get anyone better to play goal.<-- Disagree, we might not find anyone much better...but equal and cheaper, sure. Still think Fleury and Neal could end up in Winnipeg on a trade centered around Kane.

I would trade the first-round pick. But that would add immediately to your salary-cap number. <-- Disagree, unless some other move gives us another pick in round 1

I would shop Rob Scuderi to a team that must add payroll to reach the cap floor. The New York Islanders, perhaps? Scuderi is a Long Island native. <-- Anyone with a brain agrees.

If a big offer got made, I would examine whether the Penguins need both Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot. They’re two of a kind on defense. <-- Hmmmmm....no. They're actually fairly different players. Pouliot could run the #1 powerplay THIS year. We need him.



Read more: http://www.1059thex.com/o...l-12506405/#ixzz35lpA2x9w

Tampa very much so.

As for Columbus, they are going to have to make some tough choices with players this season and next on who to pay. Dubinsky, Fologino, Atkinson, Calvert, Johnason, and Bobrovosky will all have to be re-signed this season and next. I need to see more from them than 1 season.
- s0rcerer1984

Columbus have the right management team in place to make it work. They're most definitely not the Isles in that department. A budding superstar, tough physical secondary pieces. They're gonna be around for a while. And don't forget Kekalainen helped develop the Senators in the early 2000's and the current Blues. Much more of a say with the Blues.

I'm sure we all love and agree with Mark Madden (in most sarcastic tone I could possibly use). He just put out a semi interesting list about which players could/should be traded at the draft, my responses after the arrow:

I wouldn’t trade Kris Letang unless the offer was overwhelming. <--AGREE

I would trade James Neal for the right offer. That offer should include two young, established third-line players. <-- NO, at least one player has to be in top 6

I would rather trade Chris Kunitz than Neal. <--Open to trading Kunitz, but the return probably would never be enough to justify

If Kunitz and Neal both return, Neal should play on Sidney Crosby’s line and Kunitz should skate with Evgeni Malkin. There’s more than one way to affect change. <--Sure

I would trade Paul Martin, but the return would have to be very impactful. <-- I really think it makes sense to move him if we aren't extending him next year. But we really need him this year to hold down the top pairing with Letang and stabilize the youth on D.

I would not trade Marc-Andre Fleury. The Penguins wouldn't get anyone better to play goal.<-- Disagree, we might not find anyone much better...but equal and cheaper, sure. Still think Fleury and Neal could end up in Winnipeg on a trade centered around Kane.

I would trade the first-round pick. But that would add immediately to your salary-cap number. <-- Disagree, unless some other move gives us another pick in round 1

I would shop Rob Scuderi to a team that must add payroll to reach the cap floor. The New York Islanders, perhaps? Scuderi is a Long Island native. <-- Anyone with a brain agrees.

If a big offer got made, I would examine whether the Penguins need both Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot. They’re two of a kind on defense. <-- Hmmmmm....no. They're actually fairly different players. Pouliot could run the #1 powerplay THIS year. We need him.



Read more: http://www.1059thex.com/o...l-12506405/#ixzz35lpA2x9w
- YouMeAndDupuis9

One wonders how Madden finds the time to write anything, what with all his porn re-tweets and self-promotion.

Is Rutherford sleeping? Trying to get something for Niskanens rights isn't worth it I guess..
- keatondixon

Umberger for Hartnell, right. So good luck with that decision.

One wonders how Madden finds the time to write anything, what with all his porn re-tweets and self-promotion.
- errey12

With his left hand in between loading times

With his left hand in between loading times
- Guile

ewww!

Chad LaRose is attempting an NHL comeback. There's a Rutherford connection in waiting.....


Fun fact: Chad's brother did contracting work on my house.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Certainly would be cheap. But he's likely just another Matt D'Agostini at this point.

I'm still on the Mueller train.

Columbus have the right management team in place to make it work. They're most definitely not the Isles in that department. A budding superstar, tough physical secondary pieces. They're gonna be around for a while. And don't forget Kekalainen helped develop the Senators in the early 2000's and the current Blues. Much more of a say with the Blues.
- Topshelf Mountain

Its not the development I'd worry about; more about how you find the Cap room to pay everyone.

Is Rutherford sleeping? Trying to get something for Niskanens rights isn't worth it I guess..
- keatondixon

BTW Hartnell"s Corsi 6.5 and Umberger's -4.5, ouch. Hartnell lifted people up, Umberger drags em' down. Read em' and weep.

Its not the development I'd worry about; more about how you find the Cap room to pay everyone.
- s0rcerer1984

Looking at Capgeek they're fine. They shouldn't have any issues resigning Johansen or any of their current RFA's. Aside from Johnson's contract and assuming Horton comes back healthy they're looking solid.

Looking at Capgeek they're fine. They shouldn't have any issues resigning Johansen or any of their current RFA's. Aside from Johnson's contract and assuming Horton comes back healthy they're looking solid.
- Topshelf Mountain

Short term, I agree. But give it 2-3 years. Boone Jenner, Ryan Murray, all the guys I listed before...If CBJ has sucess they will all need to get paid.

It happens with every team, but just saying that it is unlikely that CBJ will be able to keep all of the. Pittsburgh couldn't keep Scuideri, Malone, Staal, Kennedy, despite all being solid players which could have helped. It just happens.

Dreger now reporting Kesler deal is imment and likely destination to be known by tomorrow morning.

Dreger now reporting Kesler deal is imment and likely destination to be known by tomorrow morning.
- usethe1-2-2

I sure hope its not with Pittsburgh. I have nothing against him as a player, but his price is too high for us.

I sure hope its not with Pittsburgh. I have nothing against him as a player, but his price is too high for us.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't see how he fits with the Pens. I know he can play wing, but it is not worth the price. I wonder if Washington makes a move for him given their need.

I'm sure we all love and agree with Mark Madden (in most sarcastic tone I could possibly use). He just put out a semi interesting list about which players could/should be traded at the draft, my responses after the arrow:

I wouldn’t trade Kris Letang unless the offer was overwhelming. <--AGREE

I would trade James Neal for the right offer. That offer should include two young, established third-line players. <-- NO, at least one player has to be in top 6

I would rather trade Chris Kunitz than Neal. <--Open to trading Kunitz, but the return probably would never be enough to justify

If Kunitz and Neal both return, Neal should play on Sidney Crosby’s line and Kunitz should skate with Evgeni Malkin. There’s more than one way to affect change. <--Sure

I would trade Paul Martin, but the return would have to be very impactful. <-- I really think it makes sense to move him if we aren't extending him next year. But we really need him this year to hold down the top pairing with Letang and stabilize the youth on D.

I would not trade Marc-Andre Fleury. The Penguins wouldn't get anyone better to play goal.<-- Disagree, we might not find anyone much better...but equal and cheaper, sure. Still think Fleury and Neal could end up in Winnipeg on a trade centered around Kane.

I would trade the first-round pick. But that would add immediately to your salary-cap number. <-- Disagree, unless some other move gives us another pick in round 1

I would shop Rob Scuderi to a team that must add payroll to reach the cap floor. The New York Islanders, perhaps? Scuderi is a Long Island native. <-- Anyone with a brain agrees.

If a big offer got made, I would examine whether the Penguins need both Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot. They’re two of a kind on defense. <-- Hmmmmm....no. They're actually fairly different players. Pouliot could run the #1 powerplay THIS year. We need him.



Read more: http://www.1059thex.com/o...l-12506405/#ixzz35lpA2x9w
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Interesting!

A lot of this I have been proposing as well. Especially the Kunitz, Neal, and Martin stuff.

Pretty much agree with all of this...

Interesting!

A lot of this I have been proposing as well. Especially the Kunitz, Neal, and Martin stuff.

Pretty much agree with all of this...
- 87_71_11_29

I like what Madden said about Neal for 2 young and established 3rd line guys. I don't think a Neal trade has to be for a Neal replacement.

I also like the Martin idea but think he will be dealt later, if it becomes apparent he will not re-sign.

If Kunitz and Neal both return, Neal should play on Sidney Crosby’s line and Kunitz should skate with Evgeni Malkin. There’s more than one way to affect change. <--Sure


- YouMeAndDupuis9

Why change something that has worked? Both players have good chemistry with the guys who are centering them.

His idea of trading Neal for two third liners is laughable. You don't trade guys who would most likely be first line players for lesser players just to fill a void. You need to get value for trading someone like Neal and that simply doesn't cut it. Then we will go back to the complaints prior to the arrival of Neal about not having a scoring winger.