MacDonald has more points right now, but his career high is just a bit over Bouwmeester's career low.

Also, Bouwmeester is a really good, actual top pair defenseman, who has been a very good NHL defenseman for an extended period of time. MacDonald really isn't anywhere near his class as a player. Bouwmeester's been used in a top pair, toguh minutes role his entire career and been solid at it. MacDonald was really exposed as a top pair guy playing top competition, night after night.
- Jsaquella

I do wonder what the Blues are gonna do with Shattenkirk in 3 summers from now.

I think it's close. Maybe they throw in something else too.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's not even remotely close. I'm not accepting a really bad deal for B Schenn just to get out of the Umberger deal.

Sounds like J-Roll is a Dodger

Sounds like J-Roll is a Dodger
- BulliesPhan87

Beat me to it. Was just going to post that.

+


- Tomahawk

We have every reason to believe that one of Morin, Sanheim, Gostisbehere or Hagg could become a number one defenseman in the NHL. I think we'd be very lucky to have a defense that mirrors today's Hawks or Rangers defense in 5 years from now.

Beat me to it. Was just going to post that.
- MJL

Hopefully they're sending Kershaw for him. #optimism

Hopefully they're sending Kershaw for him. #optimism
- BulliesPhan87

Why does TJ Oshie have 8 points like Matt Read?
- Feanor

Was hurt for a bit, Freak Show Tarasenko's line eating into some of his OZ starts

They save a million I believe by trading Oshie for Read straight up. From our standpoint and Read's, it's a matter of a shake up. Plus an upgrade in the shoot out.
- SuperSchennBros

my issue with the trade had more to do with the inclusion of defensemen.

He's more hype than substance, but he's far from a bad player. Not an awful cap hit, signed for a few years, good at the gimmick.

Not willing to pay a premium, but as stated, I feel Read is a fair price for him.
- Jsaquella

this is exactly how i feel about oshie as well.

not an awful cap hit, and has term. that is so crucial to me.

but the only thing the pens really have to move are defensive prospects. i really wish they would have taken forsberg over pouliot.

Just backreading, but one thing I want to say is that TJ Oshie's a better player than Matt Read

Hitch is doing what Hitch does: Stifling offense in favor of lockdown defense

Oshie, last time I checked, had bought in and has played that style without complaint

But I see the Blues play a lot, and he's a better player than "good" Read by a fair margin

Sounds like J-Roll is a Dodger
- BulliesPhan87

mixed feelings obviously to see him go.

but overall, more good than bad.

i doubt they got anything of substance for him. but hopefully this is just a beginning of the realization that the leaves are starting to change colors.

in reality, we know these trees have been barren for 2 years now, but better late than never for the braintrust to wisen up.

Just backreading, but one thing I want to say is that TJ Oshie's a better player than Matt Read

Hitch is doing what Hitch does: Stifling offense in favor of lockdown defense

Oshie, last time I checked, had bought in and has played that style without complaint

But I see the Blues play a lot, and he's a better player than "good" Read by a fair margin
- AllInForFlyers

as much as i like read, i would agree with this. there is a talent discrepancy there. obviously id love to have either, but i would be more inclined to move more assets for oshie.

Sounds like J-Roll is a Dodger
- BulliesPhan87

COME ON, HECKSTEAL! YOU'RE GETTING UPSTAGED BY RUIN TOMORROW JUNIOR!

/talk radio

Just backreading, but one thing I want to say is that TJ Oshie's a better player than Matt Read
- AllInForFlyers

By a lot.

Just backreading, but one thing I want to say is that TJ Oshie's a better player than Matt Read

Hitch is doing what Hitch does: Stifling offense in favor of lockdown defense

Oshie, last time I checked, had bought in and has played that style without complaint

But I see the Blues play a lot, and he's a better player than "good" Read by a fair margin
- AllInForFlyers

I think he's a better offensive player then Read is, not so sure about being a better all around player. It's really a myth that Hitchcock system and style of play stifles offense. It really doesn't. Hitchcock, like most good coaches is all about the forecheck and puck pressure, and spending as less time as possible defending in your own end.

By a lot.
- Tomahawk

i really do think something has to be up with read. i just cant believe that he is just done and he is this bad of a player now.

but, by that same token, oshie has had a bad luck season too. and i know he isnt this bad.

like i said, i dont buy or give merit for the glitz of olympic flash or whatever. but he had the injury, plays in a defensive system, and his shooting percentage is too low to be sustained. i would go apepoop over the potential of buying low on him

I think he's a better offensive player then Read is, not so sure about being a better all around player. It's really a myth that Hitchcock system and style of play stifles offense. It really doesn't. Hitchcock, like most good coaches is all about the forecheck and puck pressure, and spending as less time as possible defending in your own end.
- MJL

It's not a myth -- I've watched dozens of Blues games for years. They're my hometown feed, along with the Blackhawks

So if you haven't seen TJ Oshie play more than 200 games, home and away, nor if you haven't seen Ken Hitchcock's Blues since he got there, home and away, then it's ok to defer

It's not a myth -- I've watched dozens of Blues games for years. They're my hometown feed, along with the Blackhawks

So if you haven't seen TJ Oshie play more than 200 games, home and away, nor if you haven't seen Ken Hitchcock's Blues since he got there, home and away, then it's ok to defer
- AllInForFlyers

Yes it is a myth that Hitchcock's system stifles offense. His system is all about forechecking in the offensive end. No need to defer, I know his system better then you do obviously. I think that Oshie is a better puck pressure player and forechecker then Read is, and better offensively overall. Read when he's at his best is a pretty darn good player. And both play in different situations. I'll certainly give the edge to Oshie over Read, but I don't think it's substantial.
Here's a little read on Hitchcock's system and style of play.

http://nhlwhiteboard.blog...ry-ken-hitchcock-and.html

i really do think something has to be up with read. i just cant believe that he is just done and he is this bad of a player now.

but, by that same token, oshie has had a bad luck season too. and i know he isnt this bad.

like i said, i dont buy or give merit for the glitz of olympic flash or whatever. but he had the injury, plays in a defensive system, and his shooting percentage is too low to be sustained. i would go apepoop over the potential of buying low on him
- stayinthefnnet

Same. He's underrated defensively, has a physical streak, and his hands are top-shelf.

Hitchcock isn't a D first coach.

Yeah..

Hitchcock isn't a D first coach.

Yeah..
- flyer_nutter

He's a forecheck and puck pressure first coach. Like all good coaches are. The NHL is all about forechecking and puck pressure.

He's a forecheck and puck pressure first coach. Like all good coaches are. The NHL is all about forechecking and puck pressure.
- MJL

If Hitchcock is a forecheck and puck pressure first coach.

What is Laviolette. Squirrel on crack?

Yes it is a myth that Hitchcock's system stifles offense. His system is all about forechecking in the offensive end. No need to defer, I know his system better then you do obviously. I think that Oshie is a better puck pressure player and forechecker then Read is, and better offensively overall. Read when he's at his best is a pretty dam good player. And both play in different situations. I'll certainly give the edge to Oshie over Read, but I don't think it's substantial.
Here's a little read on Hitchcock's system and style of play.

http://nhlwhiteboard.blog...ry-ken-hitchcock-and.html
- MJL

I watch them play -- just because they forecheck heavily doesn't mean their system isn't defensive. They aren't pressuring the puck so they can CREATE shots. They're pressuring the puck so they can PREVENT shots.

It's the difference between Babcock's system and Hitchcock's.

Same. He's underrated defensively, has a physical streak, and his hands are top-shelf.
- Tomahawk

and he is right handed. the pens could always use more of that. i know the pens really arent in a position to be moving their first, but oh well.

if a deal could get done around the first and dumolin, id be a buyer.