[quote=hillbillydeluxe]It isn't just about Vrbata being better than those players, it is chemistry and role within the lineup.

The knocks against him is he doesn't play with the Sedins even strength and if Bo is going to be 2nd line centre, it sounds like the offense from that line is coming from Sven and Bo with Vrbata being replaceable. He provides no physical game.

The big positive for Vrbata is he is a sniper, likes to shoot. a threat on the pp. Just too bad he isn't producing results.

Not much of a sniper - all his shots are from 60 feet out and either go directly into the stomach of the goalie or they miss the net - last year and this you'll notice his goals come from in and around the netn too bad he rarely goes there - the guys a moron - I'll be happy to see him go

For what's its worth on Zaitsev this is from Jeff Veillette of the Nation Network.

http://theleafsnation.com...defenceman-nikita-zaitsev
- belcherbd

Ive read that. I have no respect for toronto media they lie and make up stories to suit the leafs interests. Not to say it wont happen but I guess we will find out in APril/ May

NA A CLAGUE KALE BRANDON WHL 5' 11.75" 177 D
NA A MCAVOY CHARLES BOSTON UNIVERSITY H-EAST 6' 0.25" 208 D
NA A BEAN JAKE CALGARY WHL 5' 11.75" 173 D
NA A LAJOIE MAXIME SWIFT CURRENT WHL 6' 1.0" 183 D
NA A CHYCHRUN JAKOB SARNIA OHL 6' 2.0" 215 D
NA A FABBRO DANTE PENTICTON BCHL 6' 0.25" 189 D
NA A JUOLEVI OLLI LONDON OHL 6' 2.5" 179 D
NA A KRYS CHAD USA U-18 USHL 5' 11.0" 185 D
NA A SERGACHEV MIKHAIL WINDSOR OHL 6' 2.5" 206 D
NA B CARROLL NOAH GUELPH OHL 6' 1.0" 178 D
NA B BUDIK VOJTECH PRINCE ALBERT WHL 6' 1.0" 189 D
NA B JOHANSEN LUCAS KELOWNA WHL 6' 1.25" 174 D
NA B ALLARD FREDERIC CHICOUTIMI QMJHL 6' 1.0" 179 D
NA B CHOLOWSKI DENNIS CHILLIWACK BCHL 6' 0.25" 170 D
NA B NEVEU JACOB ROUYN-NORANDA QMJHL 6' 1.5" 206 D
NA B MATTSON MITCHELL GRAND RAPIDS HIGH-MN 6' 4.0" 186 C
NA B GREEN LUKE SAINT JOHN QMJHL 6' 0.25" 189 D
NA B ROSSINI SAM WATERLOO USHL 6' 2.25" 197 D
NA B LUCE GRIFFIN USA U-18 USHL 6' 3.0" 217 D
NA B LINDGREN RYAN USA U-18 USHL 5' 11.5" 198 D
NA B DAY SEAN MISSISSAUGA OHL 6' 2.0" 224 D
NA B BOYLE MICHAEL SIOUX CITY USHL 6' 2.0" 208 D
NA B PEEKE ANDREW GREEN BAY USHL 6' 2.75" 209 D
NA B GIRARD SAMUEL SHAWINIGAN QMJHL 5' 9.5" 160 D
ITL B RUBINS KRISTIANS VASTERAS JR. SWEDEN-JR. 6' 4.0" 216 D
NA B METE VICTOR LONDON OHL 5' 9.5" 174 D
ITL B MOVERARE JACOB HV 71 JR. SWEDEN-JR. 6' 2.5" 198 D
ITL B BERNHARDT DAVID DJURGARDEN SWEDEN 6' 3.0" 191 D
ITL B CEDERHOLM JACOB HV 71 JR. SWEDEN-JR. 6' 3.5" 187 D
NA B NIEMELAINEN MARKUS SAGINAW OHL 6' 4.75" 189 D
NA B MIDDLETON KEATON SAGINAW OHL 6' 5.5" 233 D
ITL B HRONEK FILIP HR. KRALOVE CZREP 6' 0.0" 163 D
NA B HAJEK LIBOR SASKATOON WHL 6' 2.0" 185 D
NA B MAHURA JOSHUA RED DEER WHL 6' 0.25" 178 D
NA B STANLEY LOGAN WINDSOR OHL 6' 6.75" 220 D

These are all the D that could be expected to go in first 3 rounds, A = likely first or early 2nd, B means 2nd/3rd. I have looked up a few of them and I think if we can get a bunch of 2nd rounds instead of trying for late firsts and draft all D, we could get some solid back end support in 5 years.

I actually feel bad for John Scott. Now he can't play in ASG
- pker2theend

I do in the sense that if his team won, he was looking at a $90k bonus on his league minimum $575k salary. He was probably pretty stoked about an extra 2 months pay

Thats exactly what I think and its why we really need to push to acquire a top end guy who is already a couple years past the draft to try and catch up.
- mauryballstein

There's exceptions like Drew Doughty, who came in at a young age, or Noah Hannifan (sp) who also came in at 18....but you've gotta finish low to get those guys or draft really really well in the second round.

Ive read that. I have no respect for toronto media they lie and make up stories to suit the leafs interests. Not to say it wont happen but I guess we will find out in APril/ May
- mauryballstein

For what it's worth the author run the Canucks army site but like you said we will see.

I actually feel bad for John Scott. Now he can't play in ASG
- pker2theend

Three pretty meaningless transactions, probably facilitated by the league, just to (frank) with John Scott.

Three pretty meaningless transactions, probably facilitated by the league, just to (frank) with John Scott.
- LeftCoaster

Bob confirmed it.

Just because its Tuesday... and I was looking at our cap space for next year and possible UFA's I thought I would share.

Buyout Higgins
.833

Sign
Gryba 2 million
Russell 4.5 million
Boedker 5 million
Martin 2.5 million

Resign
Beiga 1 million
Etem 1 million
Baertschi 1.5 million

Call up
Pedan .8

Bigger Younger Faster ?

Sedin Sedin Hansen
Baertschi Horvat Boedker
Burrows Sutter Etem
Martin McCann Virtanen
Dorsett

Edler Tanev
Russell Sbisa
Hutton Gryba
Pedan Beiga
- belcherbd

That would be a successful summer

Three pretty meaningless transactions, probably facilitated by the league, just to (frank) with John Scott.
- LeftCoaster

Its very likely, but since the league mandates each team is represented I think the term All-Star needs to be removed anyways. Just call it the mid season showcase and the participants are just selections. Previously you would consider a player for the HOF and would say, "wow, hes a 10x all star, 3x first team all star, 1,000 points..." etc. now its becoming much more meaningless. Just avoid it and call it something else and showcase the talents of the players. I think John Scott would surprise many (and was probably hoping to do so) who think he and other fighters have absolutely no hockey skills at all...

Not much of a sniper - all his shots are from 60 feet out and either go directly into the stomach of the goalie or they miss the net - last year and this you'll notice his goals come from in and around the netn too bad he rarely goes there - the guys a moron - I'll be happy to see him go
- Brooks_Light

I don't mind seeing him go, just hope JB finds a better fit in the offseason and is able to move him for picks.

Demko is playing on TSN now channel 240

I actually feel bad for John Scott. Now he can't play in ASG
- pker2theend

The one guy that actually wants to.

Demko is playing on TSN now channel 240
- VANTEL

905 for Telus folks

I actually feel bad for John Scott. Now he can't play in ASG
- pker2theend

I dont feel bad for the bafoon. This league would have looked so bush league if that moron was playing in the game.

Seriously, Nobody likes the ASG as it is. Who the hell would want to watch that jerk skate a a quarter mile an hour around the ice.

The NHL did the right thing.

They honestly had no choice but to nix that guy. Im sure head office had a hand having him sent down to the AHL. I almost garauntee it.

I dont feel bad for the bafoon. This league would have looked so bush league if that moron was playing in the game.

Seriously, Nobody likes the ASG as it is. Who the hell would want to watch that jerk skate a a quarter mile an hour around the ice.

The NHL did the right thing.

They honestly had no choice but to nix that guy. Im sure head office had a hand having him sent down to the AHL. I almost garauntee it.
- vancity787

Like who didn't see it coming, the whole voting for someone that shouldn't be there...

And what is John Scott supposed to do?

Handled rather poorly from the get go.

Like who didn't see it coming, the whole voting for someone that shouldn't be there...

And what is John Scott supposed to do?

Handled rather poorly from the get go.
- hillbillydeluxe

Rory Fitzpatrick mysteriously didnt go years back. Its the same thing. The NHL didnt want to look stupid by having a horrible player represent them at an event that requires the best.

Its a joke of a game as it is, this would just have been awful if he played.

Rory Fitzpatrick mysteriously didnt go years back. Its the same thing. The NHL didnt want to look stupid by having a horrible player represent them at an event that requires the best.

Its a joke of a game as it is, this would just have been awful if he played.
- vancity787

Rory Fitzpatrick didn't go and the fans are still able to vote for anyone to play? Sounds like the league continues to drop the ball... Bettman should be embarrassed that this has happened under his leadership a 2nd time.

It is a joke of a game. an event that requires the best to attend almost as bad as Lynch saying he is only there so he doesn't get fined.

I am surprised the players union isn't giving it to the league.

I had to check the calendar to see if it's a full moon today. Very (frank)ing strange out there today, the Daughter said drivers were baa (crazy) and she drives in Bangkok.

Rory Fitzpatrick didn't go and the fans are still able to vote for anyone to play? Sounds like the league continues to drop the ball... Bettman should be embarrassed that this has happened under his leadership a 2nd time.

It is a joke of a game. an event that requires the best to attend almost as bad as Lynch saying he is only there so he doesn't get fined.

I am surprised the players union isn't giving it to the league.
- hillbillydeluxe

Rory didnt win though, Neidermayer and Lidstrom were voted as starters. Some suspect they altered the count, but most said the NHL was lucky to have avoided the situation

Rory Fitzpatrick didn't go and the fans are still able to vote for anyone to play? Sounds like the league continues to drop the ball... Bettman should be embarrassed that this has happened under his leadership a 2nd time.

It is a joke of a game. an event that requires the best to attend almost as bad as Lynch saying he is only there so he doesn't get fined.

I am surprised the players union isn't giving it to the league.
- hillbillydeluxe

The players don't have to play in the all star game, just say they have an injury and they are out.

The players don't have to play in the all star game, just say they have an injury and they are out.
- A_SteamingLombardi

True.

But isn't there something wrong with the league when they don't address the Rory Fitzpatrick loophole?

With the whole injury thing, haven't some players had to sit the first game back after the ASG because they didn't attend due to injury?

Anyway, the game is a joke, the league as they hype it have been the only group in the past taking it seriously. Maybe they should bring in a few more fringe all star players that would take it more seriously?

I was curious to see what Scott could do. There has to be some skill there like when Marek Malik scored in the shootout...

True.

But isn't there something wrong with the league when they don't address the Rory Fitzpatrick loophole?

With the whole injury thing, haven't some players had to sit the first game back after the ASG because they didn't attend due to injury?

Anyway, the game is a joke, the league as they hype it have been the only group in the past taking it seriously. Maybe they should bring in a few more fringe all star players that would take it more seriously?

I was curious to see what Scott could do. There has to be some skill there like when Marek Malik scored in the shootout...
- hillbillydeluxe

They would be better served to showcase the personalities of some of their players. John Scottès instagram post from a bar claiming he was training was funny. Biznasty has been entertaining over the years. The league would be better served to highlight the skills of the various roles in the league to prove that even the worst NHLer has a lot of skill. Mix in some guys that maybe are the best NHL players but have high skill levels and make something out of it

Also I think the league believed their system worked when Rory lost, the fans were only voting for the starters and he was 3rd. The league probably assumed that enough fans would take this seriously..

Couple good early chances for the Nucks.

They would be better served to showcase the personalities of some of their players. John Scottès instagram post from a bar claiming he was training was funny. Biznasty has been entertaining over the years. The league would be better served to highlight the skills of the various roles in the league to prove that even the worst NHLer has a lot of skill. Mix in some guys that maybe are the best NHL players but have high skill levels and make something out of it

Also I think the league believed their system worked when Rory lost, the fans were only voting for the starters and he was 3rd. The league probably assumed that enough fans would take this seriously..
- WhiteLie

NHL interviews are so predictable it's disgusting