Josh Thomson@jthomson22
“It’s tough. I hate to say it, but I am getting older and the window might be closing,” Dan Girardi said.






They just traded Duclair, TB has their 1st rounder this year and PHX has their 2016 first rounder.

Sather probably isn't planning to be around as GM long enough for those moves to hurt him though.

Benning has made some strange/concerning moves I'll agree, but nothing major IMO. You've gotta give a guy at least five years to judge him.

Hell, Yzerman finished 3rd last only two years ago and that was three years into his tenure with a 1st and 2nd overall on his team.
- LeftCoaster

For sure. Like any GM, his drafting and asset management will make or break him. I'm just a bit worried since there's some early warning signs.

I know he's not gonna go out and say he sucks, but don't treat everyone like they're stupid by saying you like the kid so much when we have eyes and can see the game ourselves. Plus he paid him too much, but whatever, he won't be with the club when they're turning the corner in five years.
- LeftCoaster

That is the biggest point, I am thinking he won't be here after this contract and I am hoping he won't be here when it expires. Would like to think he continues to improve, but I am not really holding out hope for that.

You have said it is too early to judge him (JB), I agree, but not sure what else we would be doing here if we didn't.

I still don't know what else he can say about a player he signed to an extension. Can't say no comment. If he doesn't give him a ringing endorsement, or some sort of praise, the next question would be, why did you sign him if you think he isn't very good?


Looking forward to some moves before or at the draft, to really give us something to female dog or praise. I just find it hilarious the combo of JB and WD, like, like, real good, like, you know....

Just hoping some GM's don't think he is that swift and he is able to hood wink a few of them... or he really isn't that swift. I guess we'll see.

That is the biggest point, I am thinking he won't be here after this contract and I am hoping he won't be here when it expires. Would like to think he continues to improve, but I am not really holding out hope for that.

You have said it is too early to judge him (JB), I agree, but not sure what else we would be doing here if we didn't.

I still don't know what else he can say about a player he signed to an extension. Can't say no comment. If he doesn't give him a ringing endorsement, or some sort of praise, the next question would be, why did you sign him if you think he isn't very good?
- hillbillydeluxe

So that means he does think he's good when he's clearly not. And I don't buy the stopgap BS, if you want a physical stopgap defensemen, there's dozens of Andrew Alberts/Aaron Romes available every summer either as UFA's or through trade at a much cheaper cost.

So that means he does think he's good when he's clearly not. And I don't buy the stopgap BS, if you want a physical stopgap defensemen, there's dozens of Andrew Alberts/Aaron Romes available every summer either as UFA's or through trade at a much cheaper cost.
- Nucker101

The dozens part may be a slight exaggeration. he likely thinks he paid around the market value for what Sbisa brings.

I thought Biega looked as good as anyone we have who played in our bottom pairing. If JB has a chance to pick up some dmen and move some out, I hope he does. Not in love with anyone on the back end, but I am not sure who is readily available that is much of an improvement and what the price tag really is.

dmen that are ufa with some value usually have an inflated price tag and want term.

The dozens part may be a slight exaggeration. he likely thinks he paid around the market value for what Sbisa brings.

I thought Biega looked as good as anyone we have who played in our bottom pairing. If JB has a chance to pick up some dmen and move some out, I hope he does. Not in love with anyone on the back end, but I am not sure who is readily available that is much of an improvement and what the price tag really is.

dmen that are ufa with some value usually have an inflated price tag and want term.
- hillbillydeluxe

What does Sbisa bring? He's near the bottom of the league in allowing goals when he's on the ice and had 11 points in 76 games. Basically his only use is that he's physical, there's plenty of defensemen both in the NHL and AHL that can give you below average defensive and offensive play and be physical at league minimum.

You named one of them yourself, Alex Biega. We've had them in the past and they normally didn't make more than 1M or so(Alberts, Rome, O'Brien, etc.). It just makes no sense. It's not hard to find a Luca Sbisa-type.

What does Sbisa bring? He's near the bottom of the league in allowing goals when he's on the ice and had 11 points in 76 games. Basically his only use is that he's physical, there's plenty of defensemen both in the NHL and AHL that can give you below average defensive and offensive play and be physical at league minimum.

You named one of them yourself, Alex Biega. We've had them in the past and they normally didn't make more than 1M or so(Alberts, Rome, O'Brien, etc.). It just makes no sense. It's not hard to find a Luca Sbisa-type.
- Nucker101

This year he was the worst defensively, the rest of his career his 5V5 numbers are very a coin flip with edler's. However his points for 5v5/60 is better than Edler's, I think once #23 has to stop riding the inflated PP points and +'s when the Sedins slide hard or leave, we'll see the same #23 stand up that did in his -39 season. There's no difference between these 2 players in my honest opinion.

Josh Thomson@jthomson22
“It’s tough. I hate to say it, but I am getting older and the window might be closing,” Dan Girardi said.






They just traded Duclair, TB has their 1st rounder this year and PHX has their 2016 first rounder.

Sather probably isn't planning to be around as GM long enough for those moves to hurt him though.
- Nucker101

Maybe they want Higgins, Vrbata and Bieksa.

- Nucker101

Tough way to go out, getting shut out in a game 7 at home. I wonder what that feels like.

I like AV, but he did it to himself tonight. The Rangers were sitting back all night, trying to protect a 0 goal lead.

What does Sbisa bring? He's near the bottom of the league in allowing goals when he's on the ice and had 11 points in 76 games. Basically his only use is that he's physical, there's plenty of defensemen both in the NHL and AHL that can give you below average defensive and offensive play and be physical at league minimum.

You named one of them yourself, Alex Biega. We've had them in the past and they normally didn't make more than 1M or so(Alberts, Rome, O'Brien, etc.). It just makes no sense. It's not hard to find a Luca Sbisa-type.
- Nucker101

Truth be told, I am not a fan. He skates nice, and makes some good hits, but is just as erratic as Bieksa. He gets the puck and when he has it on his stick too long, it often results in a turnover.

Like leftcoaster has said, it is too early to judge JB. Maybe JB has a plan to move him? I don't know.

Sbisa had to get a raise or be released outright. Or traded. Maybe he has more value in a trade if he is under contract?

Lots of time before the draft and after for trades an into next season.

Willing to give JB some time to see what he is going to do.

Tough way to go out, getting shut out in a game 7 at home. I wonder what that feels like.

I like AV, but he did it to himself tonight. The Rangers were sitting back all night, trying to protect a 0 goal lead.
- CubanBuffet

I missed most of the game AV outcoached again?

I missed most of the game AV outcoached again?
- LordHumungous

The Rangers choked, and it looked too like they were out of gas a bit, they couldn't generate much offense and TB was on loose pucks like stink on poop.

Tough way to go out, getting shut out in a game 7 at home. I wonder what that feels like.

I like AV, but he did it to himself tonight. The Rangers were sitting back all night, trying to protect a 0 goal lead.
- CubanBuffet

AV learns nothing

In 2 Career game 7's Ben Bishop has 2 Shutouts and 2 assists


Im calling it: TB vs ANA with Tampa wining it in 6


It's time for Garrison and Rick Bowness to win the Cup

AV learns nothing
- A_SteamingLombardi

He's the worst, best coach in the game.

Regular season overlord. Playoff dummy.

He's the worst, best coach in the game.

Regular season overlord. Playoff dummy.
- vancity787

He won the matchups though

I'm up for offer sheeting Jesper Fast. Somewhere in the 1.5 range. So giving a third back.

So does AV give a post mortem presser in NY, or does he bail on the first flight to Quebec like he did in VAN?

Does. Anyone know much about Corey pronman and whether he is right about anything. I just read he has timo Meier at 26. I would be absolutely shocked if he even made it to 20.
Travis konecky at 7 to the flyers.

Truth be told, I am not a fan. He skates nice, and makes some good hits, but is just as erratic as Bieksa. He gets the puck and when he has it on his stick too long, it often results in a turnover.

Like leftcoaster has said, it is too early to judge JB. Maybe JB has a plan to move him? I don't know.

Sbisa had to get a raise or be released outright. Or traded. Maybe he has more value in a trade if he is under contract?

Lots of time before the draft and after for trades an into next season.

Willing to give JB some time to see what he is going to do.
- hillbillydeluxe

I agree with leftcoasters mentality that you need to give Benning more time before he is judged, but some of his moves are definitely worth questioning.

With Sbisa the biggest thing was why sign him then and why not try and get him cheaper. RFA making over 1 million need to be offered the same or higher under a million is a raise I believe. 3.6 cap isn't going to cost the nucks the cup but it raises the question of benning's mgmt skills. The extra 500k could be helpful for a cap team.

He also very easily could of waited and seen what the market looked like before committing to that deal.
He also didn't need to commit 3 years to a player that previous 3 years have not been very successful.

I judge Benning on those points more than for resigning a player who I don't particularly like.

I agree with leftcoasters mentality that you need to give Benning more time before he is judged, but some of his moves are definitely worth questioning.

With Sbisa the biggest thing was why sign him then and why not try and get him cheaper. RFA making over 1 million need to be offered the same or higher under a million is a raise I believe. 3.6 cap isn't going to cost the nucks the cup but it raises the question of benning's mgmt skills. The extra 500k could be helpful for a cap team.

He also very easily could of waited and seen what the market looked like before committing to that deal.
He also didn't need to commit 3 years to a player that previous 3 years have not been very successful.

I judge Benning on those points more than for resigning a player who I don't particularly like.
- belcherbd

Too early to judge Benning & Sbisa.

I agree with leftcoasters mentality that you need to give Benning more time before he is judged, but some of his moves are definitely worth questioning.

With Sbisa the biggest thing was why sign him then and why not try and get him cheaper. RFA making over 1 million need to be offered the same or higher under a million is a raise I believe. 3.6 cap isn't going to cost the nucks the cup but it raises the question of benning's mgmt skills. The extra 500k could be helpful for a cap team.

He also very easily could of waited and seen what the market looked like before committing to that deal.
He also didn't need to commit 3 years to a player that previous 3 years have not been very successful

I judge Benning on those points more than for resigning a player who I don't particularly like.
- belcherbd

Rare any of us like what vans GM does.

Too early to judge Benning & Sbisa.
- VanHockeyGuy

Benning has shown that he is more willing to give money for a physical element and to have contracts that don't include nmc or Ntc.

Benning has shown that he is more willing to give money for a physical element and to have contracts that don't include nmc or Ntc.
- manvanfan

Which I'm okay with.