I can't listen to the morning show on 1040 anymore. Pratt is a complete moron.
- Isles_since_6

Yes he is, and his co announcer is worse

Just had a good chuckle seeing PIT fans' reaction to the Despres trade. If Rutherford took a stroll through town right now I doubt he'd make it back home in time for dinner. Or he might be drinking dinner out of a straw.

Define "force"...I'd say they're upcoming.
- Nucker101

They have gone from about horrible to beating top teams they are probably ranked top 10 now in the world.

Just a good chuckle seeing PIT fans' reaction to the Despres trade. If Rutherford took a stroll through town right now I doubt he'd make it back home in time for dinner. Or he might be drinking dinner out of a straw.
- AlexF

I wish we went after him

Not sure if it has been discussed here already but Bob Mac just stated on TSN that Baertschi asked for a trade.

I'm not that high on the trade, to me it was a good value gamble to take but I wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't pan out.
- Nucker101

But you never like anything

I wish we went after him
- VANTEL

For what they gave up to get him I'd imagine 28 other fan bases would have wished the same.

Didn't Kenins play on the Swiss Nationals?
- VANTEL

Kenins is Latvian

But you never like anything
- VANTEL

I'm just realistic about young players.

They have gone from about horrible to beating top teams they are probably ranked top 10 now in the world.
- VANTEL

To be fair, being top 10 in hockey doesn't mean much. There's typically only 4-6 teams capable of actually winning tournaments. CAN, USA, SWE, RUS, and 2 or 3 of CZE/SLVK/FIN depending on who they have playing.

sven signs in the khl in the off season calling it now
- monymonymony

unlikely

Boinker kept calling him Cody Franchise. That speaks for his expectations loud and clear.

For what it's worth I too saw him as our 2C and nothing more. If anyone needed a change of scene in the league right now it's Cody Hodgson.
- AlexF

Too bad with that contract he is harder to move then M. richards.

To be fair, being top 10 in hockey doesn't mean much. There's typically only 4-6 teams capable of actually winning tournaments. CAN, USA, SWE, RUS, and 2 or 3 of CZE/SLVK/FIN depending on who they have playing.
- Nucker101

I think the gap between teams like SVK and the CZE and teams like SWI, NOR, and even GER is narrowing

To be fair, being top 10 in hockey doesn't mean much. There's typically only 4-6 teams capable of actually winning tournaments. CAN, USA, SWE, RUS, and 2 or 3 of CZE/SLVK/FIN depending on who they have playing.
- Nucker101

I do agree with Vantel though, the sport of hockey is definitely grasping more national attention in Switzerland and it's being reflected in the team's performance. I still remember how close Switzerland came to beating Canada in 2010.

I think the gap between teams like SVK and the CZE and teams like SWI, NOR, and even GER is narrowing
- bezz44

Agreed.

I do agree with Vantel though, the sport of hockey is definitely grasping more national attention in Switzerland and it's being reflected in the team's performance. I still remember how close Switzerland came to beating Canada in 2010.
- AlexF

No doubt.

I'm just realistic about young players.
- Nucker101

Baerschi has just as good of a chance of making the NHL as someone we would draft @ 46.

The kid is 22 has wheels and good hands. I think he has more of a chance of making the club than Shink .

He may make the NHL he may not. The kid we would have drafted @ 46 May make the NHL ,he may not.

I do agree with Vantel though, the sport of hockey is definitely grasping more national attention in Switzerland and it's being reflected in the team's performance. I still remember how close Switzerland came to beating Canada in 2010.
- AlexF

In a sudden death tournament like the Olympics, there is no team that is safe from upset. Lots of teams like SWI and LAT putting together patchwork rosters that consistently surprise

Baerschi has just as good of a chance of making the NHL as someone we would draft @ 46.

The kid is 22 has wheels and good hands. I think he has more of a chance of making the club than Shink .

He may make the NHL he may not. The kid we would have drafted @ 46 May make the NHL ,he may not.
- VANTEL

I think Nucker feels the same way as you here, still, there is a good chance that Baertschi fails to meet expectations. For a 2nd, I think it's a smart gamble

To be fair, being top 10 in hockey doesn't mean much. There's typically only 4-6 teams capable of actually winning tournaments. CAN, USA, SWE, RUS, and 2 or 3 of CZE/SLVK/FIN depending on who they have playing.
- Nucker101

I don't care. They are top 10 in the world , that accounts for something. I think right now they are about the equals of Slovakia. They are getting better every year while Sweden seems to be slipping and Czech Finns and others seemed to plateau.

You can try to minimize it any way you want but they are still top 10 in the world

Already is IMO
- bezz44

I'm thinking he may center your second line as early as next season.

I think Nucker feels the same way as you here, still, there is a good chance that Baertschi fails to meet expectations. For a 2nd, I think it's a smart gamble
- bezz44

Yup.

Baerschi has just as good of a chance of making the NHL as someone we would draft @ 46.

The kid is 22 has wheels and good hands. I think he has more of a chance of making the club than Shink .

He may make the NHL he may not. The kid we would have drafted @ 46 May make the NHL ,he may not.
- VANTEL

and really, trading a 2nd for him isn't the same as gillis trading away a pick for a mid 30's ufa that would do nothing and walk. at least you guys get a player close to NHL ready who could turn the corner with a fresh start.

I don't care. They are top 10 in the world , that accounts for something. I think right now they are about the duals of Slovakia. They are getting better every year while Sweden seems to be slipping and Czech Finns and others seemed to plateau.

You can try to minimize it any way you want but they are still top 10 in the world
- VANTEL

Slovakian hockey has been on a downward slide for a while but I think it is due for a comeback. And then you have teams like Slovenia starting to put money into its hockey program. I think we're going to see an increase in parity and an overall increase in teams that participate significantly in hockey. Hope I get to see a Hungarian team in the next 10 years

I don't care. They are top 10 in the world , that accounts for something. I think right now they are about the duals of Slovakia. They are getting better every year while Sweden seems to be slipping and Czech Finns and others seemed to plateau.

You can try to minimize it any way you want but they are still top 10 in the world
- VANTEL

Not arguing, they're working their way up to that Slovak/Czech tier for sure. And all I meant was that once you get past the top 8 or so it's basically crap with a few teams with 3 or 4 good players and a bunch of guys who could barely make AHL teams.