At least when we banter it makes sense.
- mayorofangrytown

No, what we really need is a second line right winger.

- BINGO!

We'll trade you him for all your broken Staals. That should assure you a first or second overall.

Yeah, he hits, but sometimes I think he couldn't defend himself with a gun in a knife fight.
- flyersbuzz

He could most likely kick his brother's ass.

At least when we banter it makes sense.
- mayorofangrytown

True. You're also kind of cuddly, in a homeless vagrant sort of way

No, what we really need is a second line right winger.
- jmatchett383

and a #5 defenseman

and a #5 defenseman
- Marc D

Maybe the Phantoms can resign Danny Syvret and/or Denis Hamel for the 50th time. What's David Laliberte up to?

Maybe the Phantoms can resign Danny Syvret and/or Denis Hamel for the 50th time. What's David Laliberte up to?
- jmatchett383

Just filled my tank at wawa

Hope Maata is alright after surgery. Pretty amazing how well he's played despite knowing he likely has a cancerous tumor in his neck.

Just filled my tank at wawa
- Jsaquella

I did yesterday. $2.76

Just filled my tank at wawa
- Jsaquella

I just hope he didn't take Peter White's job to do that.

I did yesterday. $2.76
- PhillySportsGuy

The other day it was 2.68 at the gas station down my road.

I just hope he didn't take Peter White's job to do that.
- johndewar

Nah, he made my hoagie. Bruno St Jacques was in the cooler jacket

I did yesterday. $2.76
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah we're right near that...Guy in Avalon is still at $3.20

Nah, he made my hoagie. Bruno St Jacques was in the cooler jacket
- Jsaquella

Did Ryan Bast ring you up?

Edit: I always liked Bruno St. Jacques.

The price for defensemen is nuts right now because so many people need them.

First team to blink is going to pay a boatload for a top 4 d-man.

Really, who's available right now that's legit top-4? Myers, Sekera, and... uh... That's basically it.
- BINGO!

The actual price will be a lot less than you think when the time comes.

The trade market in the NHL is dead not just because the salary cap but because the majority of GMs are scared to lose a deal. That is why the prices are ridiculous. Think about how much abuse Holmgren and Burke took for bad trades but at least they tried. It is better to sit on your hands, make your draft picks, and stay in mediocrity than to actually try to better a team with a trade. Cheveldayoff, Poile, and Maloney are perfect examples of guys who would rather just run the clock out on their contract than take a risk. MacTavish is another one. That is why there are virtually not trades anymore except salary dumps, impending UFA, and lockerroom problems.

Hope Maata is alright after surgery. Pretty amazing how well he's played despite knowing he likely has a cancerous tumor in his neck.
- PhillySportsGuy

A pretty good success rate with the surgery. Usually remains encapsulated in the thyroid for quite a while, which is why no radiation or chemo needed. If they take 1/2 the thyroid, he may not even need hormonal therapy. But if he does, you usually have pretty normal health even on the hormone replacement (synthroid or the generic).

(I have a precancerous thyroid condition that is monitored. So I've done all the research, questioning, especially when it looked like it had morphed to cancer and I might have to face the surgery. Fortunately it hadn't. But it isn't a scary cancer to deal with if caught early.)

Maybe the Phantoms can resign Danny Syvret and/or Denis Hamel for the 50th time. What's David Laliberte up to?
- jmatchett383

scoff all you want, but Michael Chaput has played 8 games for the blue jackets so far this year

and I won't even bring up Patrick Maroon

Yeah we're right near that...Guy in Avalon is still at $3.20
- Jsaquella

WHAT A (frank)ING LOSER!

scoff all you want, but Michael Chaput has played 8 games for the blue jackets so far this year

and I won't even bring up Patrick Maroon
- Marc D

Chaput was a pretty darned good pick... it's just too bad the Jackets will be reaping the benefits of that one. Tom Sestito...

A pretty good success rate with the surgery. Usually remains encapsulated in the thyroid for quite a while, which is why no radiation or chemo needed. If they take 1/2 the thyroid, he may not even need hormonal therapy. But if he does, you usually have pretty normal health even on the hormone replacement (synthroid or the generic).

(I have a precancerous thyroid condition that is monitored. So I've done all the research, questioning, especially when it looked like it had morphed to cancer and I might have to face the surgery. Fortunately it hadn't. But it isn't a scary cancer to deal with if caught early.)
- bodiva88

That's good that it doesn't seem to be serious. Both for you and Maata

Chaput was a pretty darned good pick... it's just too bad the Jackets will be reaping the benefits of that one. Tom Sestito...
- Tomahawk

Hey, Fantasy Camp carried the Flyers to a win over the Lightning

Chaput was a pretty darned good pick... it's just too bad the Jackets will be reaping the benefits of that one. Tom Sestito...
- Tomahawk

I hope Hexy has turned a corner and doesn't devote as much to finding enforcers. It's kind of amazing how the Flyers have hurt themselves over the last few years by chasing enforcers.

Signing Shelley then having him rarely play for the next 3 seasons. Was only $1M in cap space, but for a team right up against the cap ceiling, it could have helped to have that wiggle room.

Drafting Z2 instead of a skilled player. They may not have found anyone of significance anyway, but they gave themselves no shot of finding a gem in an area where teams have found some nice prospects that year.

Trading Chaput for Sestito then waiving him.

It probably doesn't add up to a whole lot, but chasing after enforcers just hasn't worked out for them recently.

Hey, Fantasy Camp carried the Flyers to a win over the Lightning
- Jsaquella

he did enjoy his five games though

I hope Hexy has turned a corner and doesn't devote as much to finding enforcers. It's kind of amazing how the Flyers have hurt themselves over the last few years by chasing enforcers.
- PhillySportsGuy

Think Homer got carried away by watching Lucic break out for Boston... thought Sestito had a shot at being that type of player.

Shelley was indefensible.

Great article as always, Bill. I picked up a little anger in your accurate defense of Mason.