Not every teams system is right for every player. We have no idea what philly asks of him as a player. Baertchi wasn't a fit for Calgary , with a hug and a long leash from Willie he is turning into a serviceable player for us.
- Bullfrog77

This is true, Hamilton is a good example. But Shenn was a bust in Toronto and has continued to not be good. He's young, so there is a chance he develops into something I just don't see it. Vantel it will be interesting to see how he does in LA, this really is the first time where he's had a good defensive team to play for. I don't think he would thrive in a Canucks uni, not a good first passer and does not play position well.

Shink scores again today. I think he scored yesterday too. 15 th of the year
- VANTEL

Stoked he's doing so well in Utica, I think it's smart to leave him and the rest down there to learn. Honestly Higgins might do Utica good as far as dressing room, got to be better than keeping him in Van

This is true, Hamilton is a good example. But Shenn was a bust in Toronto and has continued to not be good. He's young, so there is a chance he develops into something I just don't see it. Vantel it will be interesting to see how he does in LA, this really is the first time where he's had a good defensive team to play for. I don't think he would thrive in a Canucks uni, not a good first passer and does not play position well.
- neem55

" not a good first passer and does not play his position well " totally sounds like a Canucks d man to me...

Thumbs-down from me on Luke Schenn. I think he's a poor skater and not very good at defense. The Kings essentially brought him in as an upgrade on Jamie McBain, who was acquired off a PTO last year.

I just corrected my post from earlier - Higgins was extended a year before Gillis was fired; my mistake.

Higgins signed his four-year extension in April of 2013.
AV was fired in June of 2013 - enter Torts.
Gillis was fired in April of 2014, and Torts shortly after - enter Trev, JB and Willie, now in their second season.

Why isnt higgins gone already? I am impatient and want it done 3 months ago.

Am i alone in thinking we have no business pursuing Stamkos at this point in his career and this point in the rebuild??

I would be quite happy to take a run at Lucic in the offseason and/or Buff.

Seems a much better fit and (slightly) more reasonable.

Thumbs-down from me on Luke Schenn. I think he's a poor skater and not very good at defense. The Kings essentially brought him in as an upgrade on Jamie McBain, who was acquired off a PTO last year.

I just corrected my post from earlier - Higgins was extended a year before Gillis was fired; my mistake.

Higgins signed his four-year extension in April of 2013.
AV was fired in June of 2013 - enter Torts.
Gillis was fired in April of 2014, and Torts shortly after - enter Trev, JB and Willie, now in their second season.
- Carol Schram

Ntc and partial ntc should only ever go to top 6 forwards, top 2 dmen, and #1 goalies.

Am i alone in thinking we have no business pursuing Stamkos at this point in his career and this point in the rebuild??

I would be quite happy to take a run at Lucic in the offseason and/or Buff.

Seems a much better fit and (slightly) more reasonable.
- dbot

Yeah I don't want Stamkos not at 10 mil

Thumbs-down from me on Luke Schenn. I think he's a poor skater and not very good at defense. The Kings essentially brought him in as an upgrade on Jamie McBain, who was acquired off a PTO last year.

I just corrected my post from earlier - Higgins was extended a year before Gillis was fired; my mistake.

Higgins signed his four-year extension in April of 2013.
AV was fired in June of 2013 - enter Torts.
Gillis was fired in April of 2014, and Torts shortly after - enter Trev, JB and Willie, now in their second season.
- Carol Schram

I 2nd this.
Not a fan of Schenn.
No thanks for anything more than a league minimum salary 1 year deal and play him as a 6.

Am i alone in thinking we have no business pursuing Stamkos at this point in his career and this point in the rebuild??

I would be quite happy to take a run at Lucic in the offseason and/or Buff.

Seems a much better fit and (slightly) more reasonable.
- dbot

Stamkos is 24 and will stil be in prime when rdy to compete. He would also allow for a draft of all dmen to try and find a future #1.

I 2nd this.
Not a fan of Schenn.
No thanks for anything more than a league minimum salary 1 year deal and play him as a 6.
- dbot

Talk to me after the Kings make a long run in the playoffs

Am i alone in thinking we have no business pursuing Stamkos at this point in his career and this point in the rebuild??

I would be quite happy to take a run at Lucic in the offseason and/or Buff.

Seems a much better fit and (slightly) more reasonable.
- dbot

Stamkos>>>>>!!!>>Lucic

Lucic is wearing down fast, and he's glacially slow. If Stamkos does end up here (doubt it) and you have Stamkos/Sedin/Horvat down the middle, that looks pretty good.

Buff is a bit different, but I don't think he'll fit well here with what JB wants to go after, and the money he's going to command is going to be more handcuffing long-term than Stamkos I think.

Stamkos is 24 and will stil be in prime when rdy to compete. He would also allow for a draft of all dmen to try and find a future #1.
- Retinalz

He also would cost $10 million (huge part of our available money to spend), seems to have lost a step (still a great player) and is somewhat 1 dimensional.
To say nothing of the fact that he would likely sign elsewhere.

I would not be upset at all if he was on my team, just saying it seems like we'd be biting of more than we can chew.

Stamkos>>>>>!!!>>Lucic

Lucic is wearing down fast, and he's glacially slow. If Stamkos does end up here (doubt it) and you have Stamkos/Sedin/Horvat down the middle, that looks pretty good.

Buff is a bit different, but I don't think he'll fit well here with what JB wants to go after, and the money he's going to command is going to be more handcuffing long-term than Stamkos I think.
- NewYorkNuck

Yes. Stamkos is better than Lucic.
i just don't think he's a great fit for the team and/or financially viable.
and we have virtually no chance landing him.

woah woah woah. You think Buff is going to go for more than $10 mil/year??

Talk to me after the Kings make a long run in the playoffs
- VANTEL

do you mean if the kings go far they'll lock up Lucic, or that i'll be really impressed with Schenn's play??

The first scenario i can see, but i don't think that an LAK run in the playoffs is going to be because of Schenn.

Stamkos is 24 and will stil be in prime when rdy to compete. He would also allow for a draft of all dmen to try and find a future #1.
- Retinalz

Isn't Stamkos 26?

Yes. Stamkos is better than Lucic.
woah woah woah. You think Buff is going to go for more than $10 mil/year??
- dbot

No, I don't. Maybe 8/8.5? But that on a long-term contract versus 10 or so for Stamkos... I don't think the 1.5-2 is going to be as great a saving as the impact the players could have.

That being said, I don't see either/any of them coming here (maybe Lucic, but I pray that doesn't happen).

hes only 32, not too old and hes always in shape....so I suspect his decline to be more injury related....past injuries that nag and accumulate

do you mean if the kings go far they'll lock up Lucic, or that i'll be really impressed with Schenn's play??

The first scenario i can see, but i don't think that an LAK run in the playoffs is going to be because of Schenn.
- dbot

Definitely not because of him but he will prove he is not a liability . When he drops a few players our fans will be saying we can use his toughness.

I am not saying he a world class Dman I am saying he is better than Weber. If we can get him for 2.5 to 3 then I think it is worth it.

Definitely not because of him but he will prove he is not a liability . When he drops a few players our fans will be saying we can use his toughness.

I am not saying he a world class Dman I am saying he is better than Weber. If we can get him for 2.5 to 3 then I think it is worth it.
- VANTEL

Oh. right. sorry.

Dorsett can drop the odd guy and people freaked when he was signed for 2.whatever million/season.

Pedan can do that for cheaper.

Schenn will have to really step up on LA for me to think he can justify that kind of payday.

Isn't Stamkos 26?
- LordHumungous

25 according to nhl.com

Fair points but I will give Gillis credit where it's due. It was more than a few moves that got that 2011 club to dominance and a shot at the final. Ehrhoff, Hamhuis, Malholta, Samuelsson, Higgins and a few others were all Gillis. Without those moves we don't reach the finals so some real credit there. It was the 9-10 NTC's that followed and believing for almost three years after the same core could get us back there. All the while giving away picks for rentals. The Horvat trade/pick was Gillis so credit there. But the handling of the Lou situation was so poor after getting pounded by LA in 2012...it was almost like Gillis completely forgot how to do his job. And making Lou captain will go down as one of the stupidest moves in NHL history.

But with Benning we are starting to see the inner workings on how to do things properly. Infuse some youth while ridding the team of NTC's and scout/draft/develop. I like Benning so far and we have seen every indication that this club will be contending again in 3-5 years...maybe sooner.
- LordHumungous

I certainly agree. Gillis was very good in some ways and a certain timne period. He was a genius with knowing what we need player wise....all6 of his moves in 2010/11 were perfect and instrumental in the cup run.
He was great in getting pl;ayers to sign for less....time as an agent likely helped. Contract were good value wise outside of the loungo 1 and the NTCs.
JB is clearly better at trading and has good relationships with GMs....his best is drafting obviously. But his value on contracts kinda sucks.
Stick to your strengths and pass your weaknesses to someone who is strong in it. We need a better contract guy. Otherwise JB has been very good

Dorsett can drop the odd guy and people freaked when he was signed for 2.whatever million/season.

Pedan can do that for cheaper.

Schenn will have to really step up on LA for me to think he can justify that kind of payday.
- dbot

If we had a team that could defend themselves we wouldn't need to hire tough guy specialists . Today Subban and Friesen both got into fights. Two of the smallest guys. That is a positive sign.

I have never been a fan of turn the other cheek. Thankfully the new guys defend themselves

If we had a team that could defend themselves we wouldn't need to hire tough guy specialists . Today Subban and Friesen both got into fights. Two of the smallest guys. That is a positive sign.

I have never been a fan of turn the other cheek. Thankfully the new guys defend themselves
- VANTEL

Totally.
Out with Burrows, Higgens, Vrby.
In with McCann, JV and BO.