Also conveniently it is below the amount that moves off the cap if sent down. So they showed some confidence but they also kept themselves safe that nothing is one the cap if they send him down
- J35Bacher

It also acts as a waiver claim deterrant to a certain extent.

Just don't understand why a team would take the chance of making a mistake when they literally have nothing to lose by playing these players.
- PhillySportsGuy

Except for a Stanley Cup

It also acts as a waiver claim deterrant to a certain extent.
- MJL

Correct.

I think we are on the same page.

When I worked in Hershey it was fun to see how the front office works. Like one year the Bears traded a former 1st rounder for a guy named Denis Bonvie. They needed a veteran presence and knew the intangibles that he brought could help them in a calder cup race. Now he was a fighter. But a great locker room guy and knew when to exactly drop the gloves when they team was flat or he needed to send a message.

But people wondered why the team would do something like that. Well they had their reasons and they knew they would get more from Bonvie and the former 1st rounder just didn't show enough to think he would ever amke an NHL difference.

if only jon kalinski didn't cut his leg.

Yeah, please... let's not hurry any of our young defensemen, even if they look great in camp or w/ the Phantoms:
http://blogs.edmontonjour...-oilers-have-miscast-him/

Except for a Stanley Cup
- Streit2ThePoint

The players and FO aren't thinking this is a throw away season. They know the obstacles they face but if they get big contributions from players like Schenn and Couturier and Read to go with their top guys Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds, then maybe they feel the veteran players on the back end can keep them in a playoff hunt and maybe surprise someone in the playoffs.

4) As I wrote in today's blog, a player doesn't lead even a major junior league in scoring and average a point-per-game in the AHL if he lacks offensve ability. Couturier's issue is really one of offensive confidence and learning how to produce NHL offensive while still remaining strong defensively. That balance takes time to strike.
- bmeltzer

If Coots is going to score 40+ in this league, it's gonna be the way that you described Zeus doing it: strength, smarts and soft hands.

I don't see him suddenly turning a corner and morphing into Ryan Johansen, tho. I suspect he's a middle-six guy, through and through.

Play Manning in the same role and same situations that Schultz played in last season, and I think you'll find that the step from Schultz to Manning is rather large.
- MJL

The world will never know.

The players and FO aren't thinking this is a throw away season. They know the obstacles they face but if they get big contributions from players like Schenn and Couturier and Read to go with their top guys Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds, then maybe they feel the veteran players on the back end can keep them in a playoff hunt and maybe surprise someone in the playoffs.
- J35Bacher

They will be in the playoffs.

Gudas will deliver the Stanley Cup with a bow on top.

Except for a Stanley Cup
- Streit2ThePoint

Take your optimism somewhere else, bumhole

The players and FO aren't thinking this is a throw away season. They know the obstacles they face but if they get big contributions from players like Schenn and Couturier and Read to go with their top guys Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds, then maybe they feel the veteran players on the back end can keep them in a playoff hunt and maybe surprise someone in the playoffs.
- J35Bacher

Not at all a throw away season. First off Giroux is not going to have 73 points again he will most likely shatter that total. I also see Brayden and Coots having big years, schenn looked comftorable on the wing with cooter. Some improved play from the defense and another solid year from Mason and this team can make some noise.

They will be in the playoffs.

Gudas will deliver the Stanley Cup with a bow on top.
- Streit2ThePoint

"Don't go home with hope"

They will be in the playoffs.

Gudas will deliver the Stanley Cup with a bow on top.
- Streit2ThePoint

If they do make the playoffs, Gudas will probably have the best playoff beard on the team.

#Analysis

Not at all a throw away season. First off Giroux is not going to have 73 points again he will most likely shatter that total. I also see Brayden and Coots having big years, schenn looked comftorable on the wing with cooter. Some improved play from the defense and another solid year from Mason and this team can make some noise.
- ClaudeFather

I think they can make the playoffs and, if things fall the right way, they could win a round, even two. However, I don't see them hanging with the big boys out West in a best-of-seven.

Take your optimism somewhere else, bumhole
- PhillySportsGuy

I'll see you on the field, chump.

If they do make the playoffs, Gudas will probably have the best playoff beard on the team.

#Analysis
- johndewar

It will be a delight to see.

If they do make the playoffs, Gudas will probably have the best playoff beard on the team.

#Analysis
- johndewar

No, that will be Shea Weber after they acquire him for some spare parts and a 1st rounder when the team is forced to trade him when a slight cough from him levels the city of Nashville and its surrounding areas.

I think they can make the playoffs and, if things fall the right way, they could win a round, even two. However, I don't see them hanging with the big boys out West in a best-of-seven.
- jmatchett383

I totally agree with you. Lets hope for Pitt in round one

I totally agree with you. Lets hope for Pitt in round one
- ClaudeFather

Of teams that made the playoffs in the East last year, they could probably take out Pittsburgh and Montreal in a best-of-seven. That's about it, barring some unexpected factors.

I think they can make the playoffs and, if things fall the right way, they could win a round, even two. However, I don't see them hanging with the big boys out West in a best-of-seven.
- jmatchett383

They could squeak in. Looking at the standings from this past season I see the top six in the East making the playoffs again. It will be a question if Pittsburgh's offensive power can supplement their defense. If Ottawa can have their key guys step up to the plate again they could be in as well.

So I see Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Columbus, Florida, and Philadelphia battling for a spot.

An in depth statistical look at Matt Read's struggles last season, and his career so far.

http://alongtheboards.com...ression-recovery-rebound/

They could squeak in. Looking at the standings from this past season I see the top six in the East making the playoffs again. It will be a question if Pittsburgh's offensive power can supplement their defense. If Ottawa can have their key guys step up to the plate again they could be in as well.

So I see Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Columbus, Florida, and Philadelphia battling for a spot.
- Streit2ThePoint

Pittsburgh was beset by a crazy amount of injuries last year to key players (Letang, Maata, Ehrhoff, Pouliot) for a large part of the season and had the most man-games lost due to injury by a wide margin. Barring a repeat of that, they'll be just fine.

Pittsburgh was beset by a crazy amount of injuries last year to key players (Letang, Maata, Ehrhoff, Pouliot) for a large part of the season and had the most man-games lost due to injury by a wide margin. Barring a repeat of that, they'll be just fine.
- jmatchett383

They lost Ehrhoff, Martin and Despres so it will be a different group. They'll have a lot of youngins in their line up

They lost Ehrhoff, Martin and Despres so it will be a different group.
- Streit2ThePoint

Yes, but they will have Letang, Maata, and Pouliot. They can slot Lovejoy and Cole properly and have added Kessel without losing a core roster player. Despres was overrated.

Yes, but they will have Letang, Maata, and Pouliot. They can slot Lovejoy and Cole properly and have added Kessel without losing a core roster player. Despres was overrated.
- jmatchett383

He seemed to play well for Anaheim.

I would have still kept him over lovejoy.