Hamhuis has been a cornerstone in the past , he had one goal last year. Tanev another cornerstone had 2
- VANTEL

Well when Sutter switches to defense than we can talk.

Well when Sutter switches to defense than we can talk.
- classic321

Ok Burrows is a cornerstone he had 17 goals last year and that was on the top line , not the third line like Sutter. Burrows is also more expensive. Can we talk now

We got younger , cheaper faster, and also defensively better. A first line pick up for 4.3 mil is not a bad thing

Just how many pieces of broken stick were in the Ducks zone during 3x3?

Not yet a fan of 3 on 3.

Ok Burrows is a cornerstone he had 17 goals last year and that was on the top line , not the third line like Sutter. Burrows is also more expensive. Can we talk now
- VANTEL

Nope. .....
Fingers in ears. ..
Lalalalalalalallalalalzlz
Can't hear you
Sutter is bad
Sbisa is bad
Fire jb

HB needs a feelings tab...

I wouldn't be surprised if Mccann sits next game for Virtanen.
- classic321

I'm wondering if they are doing all 9 games for Mcann 1st then JV after. It certainly would be easier to make room under the cap for 1 player and not 2 at once. so buying time essentially.
If they waited to see on both players they have to make a spot decision and scramble to make cap space. this will buy time and they'll also know if 1 player has already made the team 1st before deciding on the 2nd.

Lol... I forgot about that.

If we consider a cornerstone player as a guy who has never scored over 40 points with 7 years in the league then we are in trouble.
- classic321

Kesler was also a cornerstone player and he was a defensive specialist of a center. Wasnt till much later he even started scoring goals

when it comes to players it also depends on the team and how a coach uses you. Some players may never score goals despite talent to do so merely due to a coach using their defensive side mostly, role player essentially. Malhotra for example. Guy can score but he was so good with faceoffs, defense and gritty play he was used with that in mind. Because every team needs a defensive center and theres few good ones around

Beauchemin has 5 assists and the Ducks can't score. BXA "upgrade" working out...

This is a likable team

The Duck have 2 very good lines but after that meh. BXA as a to line D is mind boggling. I am going to wait a bit before I pencil them in as a top team

Nope. .....
Fingers in ears. ..
Lalalalalalalallalalalzlz
Can't hear you
Sutter is bad
Sbisa is bad
Fire jb

- Pres.cup

The Duck have 2 very good lines but after that meh. BXA as a to line D is mind boggling. I am going to wait a bit before I pencil them in as a top team
- VANTEL

Truthfully, I don't see the West as being the best conference anymore, all the teams in the West have flaws. I believe I said it during the off-season, the moves made at the draft by Anaheim/LA/Calgary are going to have a minor to negligible effect on them and probably won't work out like they want it to. Nobody at this point looks like world beaters.

Truthfully, I don't see the West as being the best conference anymore, all the teams in the West have flaws. I believe I said it during the off-season, the moves made at the draft by Anaheim/LA/Calgary are going to have a minor to negligible effect on them and probably won't work out like they want it to. Nobody at this point looks like world beaters.
- DariusKnight

I think the 4 top teams are NYR TB CHI and NSH not in any particular order

I think the 4 top teams are NYR TB CHI and NSH not in any particular order
- VANTEL

TB yes, I watched that game yesterday and it looks like they've learned their lesson from the Finals against CHI. NYR probably, because Lundquist can steal games all by himself and AV is the king of the shut-down-trap-after-being-up-one-goal game. CHI is too early to tell, at some point all the hockey they've played in the last 6 years is going to bite them in the ass and with the trades they made to get under the cap they don't have the depth they had. I won't annoint NSH as a top team until they make a run in the postseason, but they are on the cusp.

In my view (mind you it's based on only the first week of the season):

Elite Teams

CHI (can't count them out until they miss the playoffs)
TB
NYR

Contenders

NSH (need to show they've taken that next step from contender to elite)
ANA (heavy team, but the losses in Game 7s at home have to be in their heads)
NYI (or Brooklyn Islanders) (poised to take a step forwards this year)
MTL (Price and Subban will give them a chance, it's a make or break year for them)

Dark Horses

WPG (no goaltending but showed they could give ANA a run for their money)
CAL (probably takes a small step back but that defense (on paper) is great
PIT (more scoring, no defense and no Grant Fuhr to bail them out)
WSH (Flawed but getting there)
STL (can play against the top teams in the Central but horrible in the postseason)
OTT (amazing that even with Melnyk as their cheap ass owner they still can win)

Also Rans

VAN (transition year, could make the playoffs, might miss depending on how the West shakes out)
LA (dropping fast, starting to think the two Cups they won were outliers from a team that got hot at the right time)
SJ (Time for Marleau and Jumbo Joe to move on)
FLA
DAL (Same as Vancouver)
COL (Roy is wearing out his welcome)
CLB (Debated long on whether to put them here or as a Dark Horse)
DET (Magic is fading fast, Larkin the only real bright spot)
MIN (Average team all around)

Bottom Feeders

TOR (Need I really say anything?)
NJ (Ouch)
EDM (One of these years they'll get it right)
BUF (JE will help but they'll still be fighting for 1OA)

I've probably missed a couple of teams here and there, but that's my opinion and feel free to disagree with me, I do base it on what I've seen at the end of last season and this first week so far.

Vrbata's fine. He's got 14 shots in three games. They'll start going in real soon.

I think it would be a bad move. The Sedins are not kids anymore and it would be taxing on Henrik to play the 200 foot game. Sutter can get back a lot quicker to cover the defensive zone. That eases the burden on the twins to get all the way back and this way can concentrate more on scoring.

A lazy ass Vrbata would not help the line. We have 5 of 6 points , why tinker?
- VANTEL

Because it's only a matter of time before this lineup implodes. I only watched the 3rd period last night, but they were getting owned and did not deserve to win that game. I'm not suggesting that Vrbata is the answer, or that Virtanen is the answer, but unfortunately as good of a story as it is, Adam Cracknel does not belong in the NHL. I'm with Lefty, I'd rather have Gaunce there or Sutter playing C giving the team 4 solid options.

Because it's only a matter of time before this lineup implodes. I only watched the 3rd period last night, but they were getting owned and did not deserve to win that game. I'm not suggesting that Vrbata is the answer, or that Virtanen is the answer, but unfortunately as good of a story as it is, Adam Cracknel does not belong in the NHL. I'm with Lefty, I'd rather have Gaunce there or Sutter playing C giving the team 4 solid options.
- 1970vintage

A very fitting post for International Skeptics Day.

Because it's only a matter of time before this lineup implodes. I only watched the 3rd period last night, but they were getting owned and did not deserve to win that game. I'm not suggesting that Vrbata is the answer, or that Virtanen is the answer, but unfortunately as good of a story as it is, Adam Cracknel does not belong in the NHL. I'm with Lefty, I'd rather have Gaunce there or Sutter playing C giving the team 4 solid options.
- 1970vintage

Cracknel can be replaced. Vrbta should be moved off the team but until then he likes playing with Bo

I'm wondering if they are doing all 9 games for Mcann 1st then JV after. It certainly would be easier to make room under the cap for 1 player and not 2 at once. so buying time essentially.
If they waited to see on both players they have to make a spot decision and scramble to make cap space. this will buy time and they'll also know if 1 player has already made the team 1st before deciding on the 2nd.
- SMBDragon

Hopefully not. If they have a shot at both staying up, they need to play at the same time. I'd say sit Hansen, put Vrabata with Mcann and Burrows, and put JV with Horvat and Baerschi.

Hopefully not. If they have a shot at both staying up, they need to play at the same time. I'd say sit Hansen, put Vrabata with Mcann and Burrows, and put JV with Horvat and Baerschi.
- Retinalz

Sounds worth a look.

Different dynamic with the all the youth in the lineup. have to try a couple different looks to see what WD can get going.

So it appears Eichel > McDavid hey....who knew

I'm wondering if they are doing all 9 games for Mcann 1st then JV after. It certainly would be easier to make room under the cap for 1 player and not 2 at once. so buying time essentially.
If they waited to see on both players they have to make a spot decision and scramble to make cap space. this will buy time and they'll also know if 1 player has already made the team 1st before deciding on the 2nd.
- SMBDragon

I am not sure I understand your comment, both are on the roster and using cap space regardless of who is on the ice

So it appears Eichel > McDavid hey....who knew
- LeftCoaster

McDavid is a victim of the team he plays for. The oil can ruin the best of talents.