Retool, reload. They don't want to tank, they want to stay competitive and leave it to scouting to find the gems in the middle of the 1st round.

As long as JB holds onto his picks, it isn't a bad plan, just have to stay the course. Chances are we may see another top 10 pick if we miss the playoffs once or twice over the next 5 years.
- hillbillydeluxe

That is key but that hasn't been his strategy the way I have seen it. He for the most part has been willing to move picks for what he sees as near NHL ready talent and character players.

Pedan, Clendening, Vey, Baertshi, Dorsett, Prust all fit that mold and were all (essentially) acquired for draft picks.

That is key but that hasn't been his strategy the way I have seen it. He for the most part has been willing to move picks for what he sees as near NHL ready talent and character players.

Pedan, Clendening, Vey, Baertshi, Dorsett, Prust all fit that mold and were all (essentially) acquired for draft picks.
- belcherbd

Hopefully it works out. Just don`t trade the 1sts...

Geez relax bud, im just saying thats his only motivation and classic stated it perfectly.
- SRam19

Still don't understand what you are saying. (only)

All these guys are getting paid. They all want to make as much as they can.

Did Miller work out in St. Louis? no. Will he play better during the last year of his contract? I hope so, because we will want to move him and need the picks.

Do I like Lack and would have rather kept him over Miller? Yes.

If Miller was just in it for the money, he wouldn't have been available for the playoffs last season, when he was still hurt... he is still a competitor. He wants to play, he wants to win.

So, if it is okay, I'll disagree on this with you and Classic? If that is allowed.

I'll agree with Thunda, Miller is better.

Better than paying a bunch of money on useless text books that can be bought way cheaper from other schools....
- Nucker101

Your best asset is pennies

Hopefully it works out. Just don`t trade the 1sts...
- hillbillydeluxe

Yup, made me want to visualize the picks in and picks out.

Kesler, Garrison, Bieksa, Lack out
for
1st, 2 2nds, 3rd and a 5th

Pedan, Vey, Baertschi, Clendening, Prust, Dorsett in
for
2 2nds, 2 3rds, and 2 5ths and a 7th

Yup, made me want to visualize the picks in and picks out.

Kesler, Garrison, Bieksa, Lack out
for
1st, 2 2nds, 3rd and a 5th

Pedan, Vey, Baertschi, Clendening, Prust, Dorsett in
for
2 2nds, 2 3rds, and 2 5ths and a 7th
- belcherbd

Of all those moves, I think Baertschi could be the best move if he can put up 20-25g a season, once he gets settled in. And McCann was a great pick too.

Hope Prust turns into assets and doesn't just walk at the end of the season.

Still don't understand what you are saying. (only)

All these guys are getting paid. They all want to make as much as they can.

Did Miller work out in St. Louis? no. Will he play better during the last year of his contract? I hope so, because we will want to move him and need the picks.

Do I like Lack and would have rather kept him over Miller? Yes.

If Miller was just in it for the money, he wouldn't have been available for the playoffs last season, when he was still hurt... he is still a competitor. He wants to play, he wants to win.

So, if it is okay, I'll disagree on this with you and Classic? If that is allowed.

I'll agree with Thunda, Miller is better.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think Miller is a proud competitor and definitely wants to be playing and winning. I would never accuse him of just taking the money. That said it was pretty obvious that his priorities when he hit the open Market were to find a job that was closer to his pregnant or soon to be pregnant? wife, I can't blame a guy for wanting that at all.

Miller was better 5 years ago, now both players a quite similar with Lack holding a slight advantage IMO.

Botchford
People who read Botchford
People who read Botchford and quote him

Botchford
People who read Botchford
People who read Botchford and quote him
- A_SteamingLombardi

Most of the Province and Sun staff have axes to grind with the organization, I take what they write with a huge grain of salt.

Of all those moves, I think Baertschi could be the best move if he can put up 20-25g a season, once he gets settled in. And McCann was a great pick too.

Hope Prust turns into assets and doesn't just walk at the end of the season.
- hillbillydeluxe

Yup Baertschi is the most likely to be an impact player, although there is a certain amount of do or die this season for him.
Vey and Clendening I see as guys who will always be in and out of the lineup.
Pedan I think is one more injury away from retirement and Prust and Dorsett are nice complementary players.

Yup Baertschi is the most likely to be an impact player, although there is a certain amount of do or die this season for him.
Vey and Clendening I see as guys who will always be in and out of the lineup.
Pedan I think is one more injury away from retirement and Prust and Dorsett are nice complementary players.
- belcherbd

Pedan in regards to concussions? Nice to have that big defender/tough guy, but getting punched in the head often can't be healthy.

Can't disagree with these expectations.

I like the fact we have more role players in the grit and just physical play departments. It makes everyone a bit more accountable and gives some confidence to those that don't have that in their game.

Pedan in regards to concussions? Nice to have that big defender/tough guy, but getting punched in the head often can't be healthy.

Can't disagree with these expectations.

I like the fact we have more role players in the grit and just physical play departments. It makes everyone a bit more accountable and gives some confidence to those that don't have that in their game.
- hillbillydeluxe

Ya, Pedan has missed significant time to either concussions or mysterious " upper body injuries" every season in the AHL. His fighting and physicality are obviously a big part of his game so whether he can still be a solid player without that element remains to be seen. I would hope his coaches and the mgmt are trying to convince him to not take those risks with his health but pro sports don't have the best records of doing this.

Most of the Province and Sun staff have axes to grind with the organization, I take what they write with a huge grain of salt.
- DariusKnight

I use Botch's articles to line the litter box. Now it's full of shlt even when it's just been cleaned.

I use Botch's articles to line the litter box. Now it's full of shlt even when it's just been cleaned.
- CubanBuffet

Most of the Province and Sun staff have axes to grind with the organization, I take what they write with a huge grain of salt.
- DariusKnight

i wouldnt say that....more just that they have to continually come up with stories to print.....often where there are none. especially right now. SO they invent crap, take out old crap and twist it etc. positive spin one day on a topic, negative next day on same topic etc etc.

I use Botch's articles to line the litter box. Now it's full of shlt even when it's just been cleaned.
- CubanBuffet

omg thats classic!

i wouldnt say that....more just that they have to continually come up with stories to print.....often where there are none. especially right now. SO they invent crap, take out old crap and twist it etc. positive spin one day on a topic, negative next day on same topic etc etc.
- SMBDragon

They should start their own website then.

Is this for real? Because I wanna take this course and ask him if he regrets anything.
- SRam19

You could have just paid $300 recently to have dinner with him and listen to him lie his face off in his defense about everything. My friend was there. So was Scooby's...

I've been on the the Lack over Miller bandwagon since Miller was signed but I think the debate was always Lack vs Markstrom for mgmt, and choose Markstrom.

I also think that is the wrong choice but can see why the younger goalie could be preferable.
- belcherbd

Agreed.

Come on bloated - admit the facts. People on this blog are always trying to get someone put "to bed"

I still don't understand the miller signing.

And nobody give me this poop that the veteran players requested it so JB had to find a legit starter. That's horsepoop.
- bloatedmosquito

I think you don't understand the signing because you are trying not to. There are many rational reasons and we've covered them.

Lack nowhere near proved he was a starter the season before JB was hired. JB hired the most proven starter available to a short contract. He then could turn his focus to managing this team rather than potentially having a season full of GT meltdowns and all the fan and media chaos that would follow. He probably had to promise to try and make the playoffs and this is one of the simplest moves to secure that.

All the arguing about what Lack and Miller did later is after the fact.

Your best asset is pennies
- A_SteamingLombardi

True

Reading Carol's blog about Eddie being shaky in the playoffs. I had no issue with him being pulled in the 2nd to last playoff game, thought he should have gotten the start for the last game.

Also, was wondering if the shaky Lack asked management, at the exit interviews, asked for a better defence and more run support?

If Lack could have garnered a higher pick, maybe he could have garnered an additional later round pick if they were dealing with Edmonton?

If you choose to move Lack because you think he isn't a number 1, just get the best deal possible. Sounds like they were hedging their bets.

If management is worried about attendance, Eddie playing in the same division might help sell tickets when we play against those teams.
- hillbillydeluxe

Rumor was at the time was Edmonton wouldn't give up an additional pick so maybe it wasn't worth trading him in division then. 57th to 66th really isn't a huge gap that late. Sounds like they tried to get more.... which is something JB keeps getting accused of not trying to do.

But as I said above, why need a better goalie during a rebuild? Use Lack as your transition goalie through the rebuild. Cheaper and younger and has a silly personality that would serve him well during the really, really bad times.

Why does Miller want to be a goalie for a rebuilding team? You would think he would want to go to a contender at such a late stage in his career. I guess the money JB through at him was too hard to resist.
- bloatedmosquito

JB wasnt doing a rebuild last summer. He was making moves for a coming transition while promising to try and make the playoffs to fans and owner.

This is why you can't understand. You have to go all the way back to the Miller signing and rethink what position the team was in. You seem to be arguing from the future which makes no sense. Even this season we are not in full rebuild.

Logically, the full rebuild will be when the Sedins are gone. It's no coincidence that Miller will be gone then. We will be in 100% rebuild then.

If you are truly interested in understanding the signing... open up you mind a bit.

Agree. JB paying off old friends.
- bloatedmosquito

See,,, that seems a bit narrow minded. There is so much rationality to explore but it simply comes down to this.


JB doesnt want to succeed... he just wants to throw the owners money at old friends.