Grateful Dead.
- Marwood

Have never really gotten into them (never hear them on the radio), always seemed like a band you had to see live to get... cant even name a song beyond touch of grey(which I like-but not sure if it is popular among deadheads).

You actually got my attention with Chicago, was thinking of the band and the song Take me back to Chicago... was once one of my favourites, Chaka Khan wailing at the end, just love her voice. Damn, I like just about everything, disco, rock, pop, a little bit of country, and even some hard stuff like Tool.

Was trying to picture John Mayer with Chicago, sounded kind of different...

Just commenting on the stamkos conversation from the last blog.
10 mill

He will get closer to 12 mill on the open market. How often does a player of SS age and skill hit the opeb market.

Leftie and I picked apart Lack on a few occasions in the regular season and the playoffs and almost everyone was against the thought of trading him thinking he is better than Miller. I for one think Eddie is a great back up goalie. Thats about it.
- thundachunk

I have a numerous occasions referred to him as Riemer 2.0.

Just commenting on the stamkos conversation from the last blog.
10 mill

He will get closer to 12 mill on the open market. How often does a player of SS age and skill hit the opeb market.
- Bieksa#3

If he goes to Toronto as UFA, I hope for Toronto's sake they have accumulated some talent to surround him with. Wouldn't be surprised if he was offered 12mil. But it all depends on what SS wants, be a god in the centre of the universe, and not have a chance at a cup for a while or stay where he is or go to another contender.

In a way, I kind of like what Hossa did. Tried a few teams, short contracts, until he found the fit he liked.

But yeah, SS is young and has a lot of hockey in front of him.

If he goes to Toronto as UFA, I hope for Toronto's sake they have accumulated some talent to surround him with. Wouldn't be surprised if he was offered 12mil. But it all depends on what SS wants, be a god in the centre of the universe, and not have a chance at a cup for a while or stay where he is or go to another contender.

In a way, I kind of like what Hossa did. Tried a few teams, short contracts, until he found the fit he liked.

But yeah, SS is young and has a lot of hockey in front of him.
- hillbillydeluxe

In a salary cap world 12 million for one player is a big hit.

In a salary cap world 12 million for one player is a big hit.
- VanHockeyGuy

4 sure.

Could never understand Toronto overpaying for players that wanted to play for their childhood favourite team. a star like Stamkos, must be able to make some big coin in endorsements if he wanted to play there and give a hometown discount.

Was just thinking it doesn't make sense if they want to tank and get some high picks. Maybe if they got a top 5 pick next draft and then signed SS in the summer it wouldn't be so bad, I dunno. Just picture them trading phenuf and eating more salary like Kessel, or maybe they changed their mind on him? Full rebuild or little retool?

4 sure.

Could never understand Toronto overpaying for players that wanted to play for their childhood favourite team. a star like Stamkos, must be able to make some big coin in endorsements if he wanted to play there and give a hometown discount.

Was just thinking it doesn't make sense if they want to tank and get some high picks. Maybe if they got a top 5 pick next draft and then signed SS in the summer it wouldn't be so bad, I dunno. Just picture them trading phenuf and eating more salary like Kessel, or maybe they changed their mind on him? Full rebuild or little retool?
- hillbillydeluxe

I could see TO signing him and surrounding him with wingers at 6-7 million each. Then end up with a great first line and 3-third lines.

I want to post the emoticon shaking it's head 'no', but was wondering if you see something that makes you say this beyond his age or stats?

Not a big fan of Miller, he looked good at times. As long as he is healthy, he should be okay. Looks like he is very professional and meticulous in his preparation.


Just wish he wouldn't worry about the weather- humidity and rain in Vancouver
- hillbillydeluxe

That's not enough?

4 sure.

Could never understand Toronto overpaying for players that wanted to play for their childhood favourite team. a star like Stamkos, must be able to make some big coin in endorsements if he wanted to play there and give a hometown discount.

Was just thinking it doesn't make sense if they want to tank and get some high picks. Maybe if they got a top 5 pick next draft and then signed SS in the summer it wouldn't be so bad, I dunno. Just picture them trading phenuf and eating more salary like Kessel, or maybe they changed their mind on him? Full rebuild or little retool?
- hillbillydeluxe

You do it to drum up interest in the tea... Wait a minute.

Okay, so maybe you do it to make it an attractive destination for future UFAs... Who you would no longer be able to afford.

I guess you do it because as a franchise you just never learn from your mistakes. There's no shortcut to respectability.

I don't disagree about Lack, but I think Miller is approaching back up status himself, if he's not there already.
- CubanBuffet

You also have to surround him with support on the backend as well, which is another issue in itself. We will be seeing average goaltending (with any luck)

That's not enough?
- CubanBuffet

well....

If he didn't get hurt, what kind of season would he have had?

I try not to look at age and say, well he has 1 or 2 more years left before the wheels fall off. Lots of goalies have put up respectable numbers late in their career. I know he isn't Brodeur or Roy, but he is a former Vezina winner. Was thinking of a goalie like Kolzig who played well enough late into his career.

He wasn't my fave JB acquisition, but I am not ready to write him off yet.

Interesting post from a PITTS article. They claim Bonino is a huge upgrade on Sutter. He actually may be in that division. It will be interesting how Sutter adjusts to the west.

You also have to surround him with support on the backend as well, which is another issue in itself. We will be seeing average goaltending (with any luck)
- VanHockeyGuy

Is it the d that sucks or the goalie is a sieve? Have to ask that after a bad season or even the opposite for a good season.

There might be a slight slip in the play of the defence, but I don't think it should be too bad.

I don't think we will see a big decline in Miller, but even if there is, I can live with it if it means missing the playoffs and getting a better pick. Just hope jb will be able to make lemonade out of lemons.

Is it the d that sucks or the goalie is a sieve? Have to ask that after a bad season or even the opposite for a good season.

There might be a slight slip in the play of the defence, but I don't think it should be too bad.

I don't think we will see a big decline in Miller, but even if there is, I can live with it if it means missing the playoffs and getting a better pick. Just hope jb will be able to make lemonade out of lemons.
- hillbillydeluxe

This is exactly why we will have problems next season.

4 sure.

Could never understand Toronto overpaying for players that wanted to play for their childhood favourite team. a star like Stamkos, must be able to make some big coin in endorsements if he wanted to play there and give a hometown discount.

Was just thinking it doesn't make sense if they want to tank and get some high picks. Maybe if they got a top 5 pick next draft and then signed SS in the summer it wouldn't be so bad, I dunno. Just picture them trading phenuf and eating more salary like Kessel, or maybe they changed their mind on him? Full rebuild or little retool?
- hillbillydeluxe

Not saying Stamkos is going to sign with Toronto but how doesn't it make sense to sign him if possible? If you're passing up opportunities to acquire elite talents like stamkos then your doing your job wrong

well....

If he didn't get hurt, what kind of season would he have had?

I try not to look at age and say, well he has 1 or 2 more years left before the wheels fall off. Lots of goalies have put up respectable numbers late in their career. I know he isn't Brodeur or Roy, but he is a former Vezina winner. Was thinking of a goalie like Kolzig who played well enough late into his career.

He wasn't my fave JB acquisition, but I am not ready to write him off yet.
- hillbillydeluxe

I don't expect his play to fall off a cliff because he's a year older, just degrade a little further as it has been doing. He's won a vezina, but he's not that guy anymore.

Not saying Stamkos is going to sign with Toronto but how doesn't it make sense to sign him if possible? If you're passing up opportunities to acquire elite talents like stamkos then your doing your job wrong

- ClarksonDavid

His point was why over pay for a guy whose childhood dream was to play for your team? Obviously you take a run at him though.

Interesting post from a PITTS article. They claim Bonino is a huge upgrade on Sutter. He actually may be in that division. It will be interesting how Sutter adjusts to the west.


- VanHockeyGuy

I love seeing all the different charts the advanced stats guys come up with to compare players ...the only true way to use advanced stats is to compare players in identical situations ...as soon as you change one factor these stats are useless ....statistics only work if all the variables are the same ...once the season starts bonino will have a healthier and more offensive group than sutter had to play with and sutter will probably have a much more inexperienced set of wingers or possibly older than bonino had in Vancouver ... Plus the east is less tight checking

I love seeing all the different charts the advanced stats guys come up with to compare players ...the only true way to use advanced stats is to compare players in identical situations ...as soon as you change one factor these stats are useless ....statistics only work if all the variables are the same ...once the season starts bonino will have a healthier and more offensive group than sutter had to play with and sutter will probably have a much more inexperienced set of wingers or possibly older than bonino had in Vancouver ... Plus the east is less tight checking
- Redmile247

Exactly, from PITTS perspective they won this deal hands down. Goals are important but Sutter brings size and work ethic. You can't judge this deal yet.

Exactly, from PITTS perspective they won this deal hands down. Goals are important but Sutter brings size and work ethic. You can't judge this deal yet.
- VanHockeyGuy

And I totally expect bonino to have a better year than sutter based on everything I mentioned ...not because he is actually a better player

His point was why over pay for a guy whose childhood dream was to play for your team? Obviously you take a run at him though.
- CubanBuffet

Yep, you have to have a look at what it would take to land him.

But also saying, if you do land him, I doubt you are much worse than the Canucks are now. They want a rebuild, but not likely to finish right at the bottom and get those almost guaranteed players... but hey, you get that ufa elite talent like SS, just means scouting becomes even more important like with the Canucks.

This is where ufa signings become even more important. You can't over pay for everyone. It all depends on the plan.

Yep, you have to have a look at what it would take to land him.

But also saying, if you do land him, I doubt you are much worse than the Canucks are now. They want a rebuild, but not likely to finish right at the bottom and get those almost guaranteed players... but hey, you get that ufa elite talent like SS, just means scouting becomes even more important like with the Canucks.

This is where ufa signings become even more important. You can't over pay for everyone. It all depends on the plan.
- hillbillydeluxe

Plus they will have a top 5 pick this coming draft.. probably finish in the bottom 3 of overall standings so depends what happens with the lottery. To go along with Nylander and Marner. So they have a great start to the prospect system. Signing a talent like Stamkos would never be a bad thing.. will be interesting but I think he will stay with Tampa.

Yep, you have to have a look at what it would take to land him.

But also saying, if you do land him, I doubt you are much worse than the Canucks are now. They want a rebuild, but not likely to finish right at the bottom and get those almost guaranteed players... but hey, you get that ufa elite talent like SS, just means scouting becomes even more important like with the Canucks.

This is where ufa signings become even more important. You can't over pay for everyone. It all depends on the plan.
- hillbillydeluxe

And it's been suggested JB has been doing that, is it overpaying or balance?

Plus they will have a top 5 pick this coming draft.. probably finish in the bottom 3 of overall standings so depends what happens with the lottery. To go along with Nylander and Marner. So they have a great start to the prospect system. Signing a talent like Stamkos would never be a bad thing.. will be interesting but I think he will stay with Tampa.
- ClarksonDavid

12 Million is a big number. I get it he's great, but...

This is exactly why we will have problems next season.
- VanHockeyGuy

I am hoping the slip in play will not be that great. They survived well enough without Bieksa when he was injured last season.

Want to say the addition of Prust might help but we also lost Matthias who was defensively responsible enough.

A fair amount of change.

Can't wait to get the season going. There will be challenges but just trying to be optimistic.