Last years team sucked . It was not only the coaches fault. They have been free falling for two years. It needed change and they brought someone in and is making changes right away. It is hard not to be excited at someone who will do everything to win.
- VANTEL

We got rid of Lou, Kesler and Garrison and replaced them with youth, I don't see that making us better. The biggest difference next year will be coaching.

Iggy is the best FA forward IMO. We have the money Benning has the history.
- VANTEL

Just curious, how much do you think having #12 available will factor into Iggy destination decision?

We got rid of Lou, Kesler and Garrison and replaced them with youth, I don't see that making us better. The biggest difference next year will be coaching.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Lou got beat out two years in a row by his understudy. he had experience but the fact is Lack beat him out of the spot . One point youth.

Garrison I always found very Vanilla , never lived up to the hype . I think Sbisa will bring more toughness in front of the net than Garrison. With the extra cap space we can find an offensive Dman . Draw.

Kesler was selfish and a cancer , He scored less points than Bonino . Doresett will add the Kesler toughness and did play against Crosby and shut him down in the playoffs. We also have people that will pass. I give the trade one point to the youth .

So I think we are a better team today.

Just curious, how much do you think having #12 available will factor into Iggy destination decision?
- PetrolSexual

Honestly...0. I doubt he cares that much, if at all. He wants a cup, so I can't see him signing in Van.

He has speed and skill, it is up to one of the best in the game to get him scoring opportunities. When Henrik is not looking for his brother I think he is great.
- VANTEL

Exactly

Just curious, how much do you think having #12 available will factor into Iggy destination decision?
- PetrolSexual

Good question 21 ?

Honestly...0. I doubt he cares that much, if at all. He wants a cup, so I can't see him signing in Van.
- Canuckleafer

Where will he sign?

Lou got beat out two years in a row by his understudy. he had experience but the fact is Lack beat him out of the spot . One point youth.

Garrison I always found very Vanilla , never lived up to the hype . I think Sbisa will bring more toughness in front of the net than Garrison. With the extra cap space we can find an offensive Dman . Draw.

Kesler was selfish and a cancer , He scored less points than Bonino . Doresett will add the Kesler toughness and did play against Crosby and shut him down in the playoffs. We also have people that will pass. I give the trade one point to the youth .

So I think we are a better team today.
- VANTEL

I don't know how I feel about the Dorset deal yet. Not sure I like it.

I don't know how I feel about the Dorset deal yet. Not sure I like it.
- thundachunk

Did you see him frustrating Crosby in the playoffs and shutting him down? I think Benning loves that.

We got rid of Lou, Kesler and Garrison and replaced them with youth, I don't see that making us better. The biggest difference next year will be coaching.
- A_SteamingLombardi

So are you saying you hate the youth comin up?

Torts was a mistake. I have moved on . AV was a great regular season coach but could not get this group over the top. He would get outcoached.

It is and was a time for a change. We have to stop trying to roll out the same old crap year after year.

Hank when his brother was gone with the broken foot scored 29 goals that year. Last year when his brother was out , the line scored 8 goals in five games with Hank Burr and Jensen. The year where Laperierre and Burrows played with Hank when Danny was down also looked very good.

Hank is much more dominant when he isn't looking for his bother first IMO.

I hate the idea of a Sedin Sedin Burrows first line. Let's move on.
- VANTEL

I think Daniel could benefit from that as well. If he doesn't feel the need to be the goal scorer he can be a passer on the second line. He is a good playmaker in his own right

Lou got beat out two years in a row by his understudy. he had experience but the fact is Lack beat him out of the spot . One point youth.

Garrison I always found very Vanilla , never lived up to the hype . I think Sbisa will bring more toughness in front of the net than Garrison. With the extra cap space we can find an offensive Dman . Draw.

Kesler was selfish and a cancer , He scored less points than Bonino . Doresett will add the Kesler toughness and did play against Crosby and shut him down in the playoffs. We also have people that will pass. I give the trade one point to the youth .

So I think we are a better team today.
- VANTEL

Agreed - Even the fact that Management and the coach seem to be on the same wavelength now is a major benefit.

The organization is in better shape now, and that's what I'm more concerned with - not if the get 3-4 more wins.

Where will he sign?
- VANTEL

I think Boston will try and find a way to make that happen.

We got rid of Lou, Kesler and Garrison and replaced them with youth, I don't see that making us better. The biggest difference next year will be coaching.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I think on paper we are currently a worse team, but the dysfunctional coaching and likely lock room miasma has hopefully been cleared enough for this team to crawl its way back into some semblance of unity and team play. At the very least I expect this team to be more fun to watch, even if they stink it up in the standings.

Did you see him frustrating Crosby in the playoffs and shutting him down? I think Benning loves that.
- VANTEL

I didn't watch much of that series, was he getting shutdown minutes?

I think on paper we are currently a worse team, but the dysfunctional coaching and likely lock room miasma has hopefully been cleared enough for this team to crawl its way back into some semblance of unity and team play. At the very least I expect this team to be more fun to watch, even if they stink it up in the standings.
- bezz44

this is how I feel as well, hopefully it is at least entertaining. Not expecting big things but at least have some enjoyable hockey. Very curious to see what this WD coached team will be like.

I think Daniel could benefit from that as well. If he doesn't feel the need to be the goal scorer he can be a passer on the second line. He is a good playmaker in his own right
- bezz44

Daniel is a damn good playmaker. He needs to be on a different line.

I didn't watch much of that series, was he getting shutdown minutes?
- bezz44

He had Sid so frustrated Sid was slashing and looking to fight.

Daniel is a damn good playmaker. He needs to be on a different line.
- VANTEL

Only problem is we have no shooters on our roster I actually wouldn't mind Linden/Benning going after an FA sniper if they can shorten the term.

I think Boston will try and find a way to make that happen.
- Canuckleafer

They would need to move too much to make it work. They would need to move three 3.3 mil salaries to make it work

He had Sid so frustrated Sid was slashing and looking to fight.
- VANTEL

That is awesome, sounds like a great 4th line guy

Only problem is we have no shooters on our roster I actually wouldn't mind Linden/Benning going after an FA sniper if they can shorten the term.
- bezz44

Like Iggy?

BTW Daniel stopped being a sniper two years ago after the concussion

this is how I feel as well, hopefully it is at least entertaining. Not expecting big things but at least have some enjoyable hockey. Very curious to see what this WD coached team will be like.
- anavar

Yea, in the end I think entertainment value is paramount if you aren't a contender. Obviously everything short of a Cup is subpar but I don't think LA fans would be lining up to watch their team play shutdown hockey if all they were winning was Presidents Trophies. At least a team like the Islanders has some exciting players to watch, despite all the losing

Like Iggy?

BTW Daniel stopped being a sniper two years ago after the concussion
- VANTEL

I would be down for Iggy I just don't think he would sign here. Yep, his shot looks weak and inaccurate most of the time. IDK how many times I saw him miss the net last year, it was almost Kesler-like

I would be down for Iggy I just don't think he would sign here. Yep, his shot looks weak and inaccurate most of the time. IDK how many times I saw him miss the net last year, it was almost Kesler-like
- bezz44

Kesler did score 26 goals and Iggy scored 30. Most teams would jump at that. Keslers 18 assists is sad for a second line centre.