Not in a million years.
- VANTEL

so you feel that Kassian is head and shoulders (literally and figuratively lol) better than Gallagher? As touched on, I don't think I would trade Kassian for Gallagher, but you make it sound like the latter isn't anywhere near the same league as Kassian is, which I think is significant under-evaluation. Gallagher is a very good player and I think you're selling him short (pun not intended)

so you feel that Kassian is head and shoulders (literally and figuratively lol) better than Gallagher? As touched on, I don't think I would trade Kassian for Gallagher, but you make it sound like the latter isn't anywhere near the same league as Kassian is, which I think is significant under-evaluation. Gallagher is a very good player and I think you're selling him short (pun not intended)
- Zogg

I think Kassian is just starting to realize his powers like Neo

http://www.usatoday.com/s...erfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Not sure how old this is. Not sure what I think of Allen's Canucks assessment. Probably pretty accurate if only looking to next year. But anyone who seems to have a hrd-on for Spezza has got to be questioned.

That's a bit of a tough call. I've had and have a man-crush on Gallagher so would love to have him on the Canucks, but I'm not sure I would trade Kassian at this stage, given he's shown a lot of improvement. I think both players still have a lot of upside but in the end I think it's harder to find a power-forward like Kassian (albeit Gallagher often plays like one )
- Zogg

I had Kassian in the deal because in a few years i think Virtanen kinda replaces Kassian therefore making him expendable and its also an opportunity to open a roster spot for a prospect as well

I had Kassian in the deal because in a few years i think Virtanen kinda replaces Kassian therefore making him expendable and its also an opportunity to open a roster spot for a prospect as well
- GloveHandStrong

Different sides of the ice

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/columnist/allen/2014/07/12/western-conference-grades-nhl-offseason-moves/12581663/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Not sure how old this is. Not sure what I think of Allen's Canucks assessment. Probably pretty accurate if only looking to next year. But anyone who seems to have a hrd-on for Spezza has got to be questioned.
- bazz

You don't think that was a good move? Although I've never been that big a fan of Spezza (primarily due to his inability to stay healthy) I think he's going to make an excellent number 2 center behind Seguin (or even getting a look on the top line) There's no denying Spezza has the talent and he's not exactly old (31) so I see this change of scenery for him as a good move (and I think most Stars fans would probably agree, even though they are giving up some potentially quality young assets)

That division is going to be a killer as pretty much every team (other than perhaps Winnipeg and Nashville) has improved significantly. Arguably now one of the toughest divisions in the league (Western Conference got even better this summer )

Just found this interesting tidbit on the Toews and Kane contract extensions.

"$44 million of the $84 million total will be paid in signing bonuses"

Edit: on a separate note, given Chicago is right against the cap, I think it would be interesting to offer-sheet Leddy. A lot of skill and upside there (only 23 and the victim of getting fairly nominal minutes due to the team's having an excellent top 4). It just depends on what sort of $$ ball park we'd be looking at

You don't think that was a good move? Although I've never been that big a fan of Spezza (primarily due to his inability to stay healthy) I think he's going to make an excellent number 2 center behind Seguin (or even getting a look on the top line) There's no denying Spezza has the talent and he's not exactly old (31) so I see this change of scenery for him as a good move (and I think most Stars fans would probably agree, even though they are giving up some potentially quality young assets)

That division is going to be a killer as pretty much every team (other than perhaps Winnipeg and Nashville) has improved significantly. Arguably now one of the toughest divisions in the league (Western Conference got even better this summer )
- Zogg

Every team in that division now thinks it has a chance with Detroit gone, they've gone from the Snorris to the Destroyus division

Every team in that division now thinks it has a chance with Detroit gone, they've gone from the Snorris to the Destroyus division
- A_SteamingLombardi

See? now that is a quality division name

Reimer would need to be traded first to get the best deal. I know every team would cream their jeans to get a goalie of that calibre .
- VANTEL

Why? Reimer is poop

Why? Reimer is poop
- walshyleafsfan

Ok, I think we really need to get a sarcasm icon

so you feel that Kassian is head and shoulders (literally and figuratively lol) better than Gallagher? As touched on, I don't think I would trade Kassian for Gallagher, but you make it sound like the latter isn't anywhere near the same league as Kassian is, which I think is significant under-evaluation. Gallagher is a very good player and I think you're selling him short (pun not intended)
- Zogg

From what I saw last year. Zack Kassian very well has the potential to be a domininant player in this league. Question is..... Does he have the killers mentality. The talent is there, he just needs the right person to squeeze it out of him. Which is why I was so happy with the desjardin signing. Guy knows how to mold young talent.

Ok, I think we really need to get a sarcasm icon
- Zogg

It's just hard to tell with Vantel. He has this weird hard-on for Toronto, that it's easy for him to go either way when suggesting Rielly, Kadri, Gardiner and a 1st for Luongo. Spose, we just have to trust him.

It's just hard to tell with Vantel. He has this weird hard-on for Toronto, that it's easy for him to go either way when suggesting Rielly, Kadri, Gardiner and a 1st for Luongo. Spose, we just have to trust him.
- walshyleafsfan

We would have lost in that trade

From what I saw last year. Zack Kassian very well has the potential to be a domininant player in this league. Question is..... Does he have the killers mentality. The talent is there, he just needs the right person to squeeze it out of him. Which is why I was so happy with the desjardin signing. Guy knows how to mold young talent.
- vancity787

Apparently Kassian has been killing it this off season and is in the best shape ever. Expecting some good things.

Every team in that division now thinks it has a chance with Detroit gone, they've gone from the Snorris to the Destroyus division
- A_SteamingLombardi

Not a Spezza fan at all. He may look good at first, but will likely be destroyed in the west. Expect him to miss 25+ games.

Apparently Kassian has been killing it this off season and is in the best shape ever. Expecting some good things.
- anavar

Very nice to hear.

From what I saw last year. Zack Kassian very well has the potential to be a domininant player in this league. Question is..... Does he have the killers mentality. The talent is there, he just needs the right person to squeeze it out of him. Which is why I was so happy with the desjardin signing. Guy knows how to mold young talent.
- vancity787

Exactly, given how Kassian has been (mis)handled to date, by both Vigneault and Tortorella it's a bit of a miracle that he's made some significant strides in spite of that (which I think shows that much more character). I think he just needs and has always needed the proper motivation and guidance, and hopefully WD (along with guys like Henrik and Daniel continuing to work with him) will be able to bring that out. There's nothing like giving a player confidence and a proper chance to succeed, by placing him in positions that will ensure that is the case. And unfortunately that has not been the case since we acquired him.

We would have lost in that trade
- VANTEL

I'm sure you would. Nevermind, you have Lack, no wait, Eriksson, no hold on Markstrom. Wait.... hold on Lack again (I think). Nope maybe Miller. (actually not sure who's in there anymore). Oh well, like you say, at least you don't have Dion, Nonis or Dreger working for you.

I'm sure you would. Nevermind, you have Lack, no wait, Eriksson, no hold on Markstrom. Wait.... hold on Lack again (I think). Nope maybe Miller. (actually not sure who's in there anymore). Oh well, like you say, at least you don't have Dion, Nonis or Dreger working for you.
- walshyleafsfan

It's ok . Leaf fans haven't seen a decent goalie since Johnnty Bouwer .

Apparently Kassian has been killing it this off season and is in the best shape ever. Expecting some good things.
- anavar

Crushin puss Vantel style

Crushin puss Vantel style
- A_SteamingLombardi

No one is on that level

No one is on that level
- anavar

I am a legend in my own mind

I am a legend in my own mind
- VANTEL

All our minds bro

It's ok . Leaf fans haven't seen a decent goalie since Johnnty Bouwer .
- VANTEL

Tuukka Rask is pretty good