Thanks. At the end of the day that is still a good deal for that kind of production.
- tpcg402

Im worried he's going to want 6+mil on his new deal though. Gonna have to make some tough decisions in the future, which is why there's a chance next season is the last true push the Hawks make for a Cup in the Toews/Kane era.

I could see her playing the role of villain and turning into a reincarnation of her father. I could also see Jon Snow being revealed as a Targaryen and that throwing a monkey wrench in the whole thing, possibly leading to a union between himself and Daeny. The possibilities are endless. What if the White Walkers complete the cycle of Winter taking over the world again, as it did before, freezing everything over and taking out a wild, evil, out of control Daeny empire? Ever since episode one we've been told "Winter is coming", and for the most part the human minds have taken it for granted, become greedy/corrupt, and fought among themselves. Ultimate lesson learned/shock ending. I would love it. Just imagine a giant zombie dragon that breathes ice beams....
- SimpleJack

I can't see Danerys story ending well. Its a story of historical fiction. When has a "benevolent People's Dictator" ever worked out in the real world. She seems like you typical leftist revolutionary like Mao, Che, or Stalin. All those characters have dished out in history is death and poverty. As problematic as Westeros is its still basically an oligarchy. Their may be someone sitting on the Iron Throne, but their power has always dependent on support from the other powerful families. No family has enough soldiers to defeat all the other families. Except for Targaryn's with dragons. Plus she has a Dothraki horde which basically demands rape and pillaging. I can't see how bringing in 100,000 bloodriders can end up well for anyone. Their are still a few powerful militaries left. Vale skipped the War of the 5 kings so they still have 20-30k knights. Hightowers are also as powerful as anyone, but have never been involved in politics preferring trade.

Didn't Schultz do the same thing and get $3+? Maybe I'm mistaken
- jchst22

I think the rules have changed.

I can't see Danerys story ending well. Its a story of historical fiction. When has a "benevolent People's Dictator" ever worked out in the real world. She seems like you typical leftist revolutionary like Mao, Che, or Stalin. All those characters have dished out in history is death and poverty. As problematic as Westeros is its still basically an oligarchy. Their may be someone sitting on the Iron Throne, but their power has always dependent on support from the other powerful families. No family has enough soldiers to defeat all the other families. Except for Targaryn's with dragons. Plus she has a Dothraki horde which basically demands rape and pillaging. I can't see how bringing in 100,000 bloodriders can end up well for anyone. Their are still a few powerful militaries left. Vale skipped the War of the 5 kings so they still have 20-30k knights. Hightowers are also as powerful as anyone, but have never been involved in politics preferring trade.
- sditulli

People seemed to like Ataturk.

I can't see Danerys story ending well. Its a story of historical fiction. When has a "benevolent People's Dictator" ever worked out in the real world. She seems like you typical leftist revolutionary like Mao, Che, or Stalin. All those characters have dished out in history is death and poverty. As problematic as Westeros is its still basically an oligarchy. Their may be someone sitting on the Iron Throne, but their power has always dependent on support from the other powerful families. No family has enough soldiers to defeat all the other families. Except for Targaryn's with dragons. Plus she has a Dothraki horde which basically demands rape and pillaging. I can't see how bringing in 100,000 bloodriders can end up well for anyone. Their are still a few powerful militaries left. Vale skipped the War of the 5 kings so they still have 20-30k knights. Hightowers are also as powerful as anyone, but have never been involved in politics preferring trade.
- sditulli

The way i think of it is the more men the opposing armies have, the more for the White Walkers to raise from the dead and assimilate into their Wight army. I think what eventually stops them might be some form of magic or higher power we haven't seen yet(or maybe just a ton of dragon glass), not just sheer number of soldiers.

Agree on all accounts RW.

Re: powerplays - It's insane that the NHL and the head referees can't see it. Trying to 'manage the game' by calling/not calling penalties is EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of letting the players decide the outcome. Powerplays SHOULD decide close games, that's the whole point. Taking them away is taking away the most unique part of hockey's rules and de-incentivises all of the things fans want to see. Calling penalties more strictly showcases your 'star players vs roleplayers' narrative, results in more scoring and entertainment and provides incentive to not make illegal plays. It's a no-brainer.

You guys are absolutely fine at forward. No need to go out and add IMO, your youth and speed are your strength. If anything try to upgrade on defense.
- SimpleJack

We are. But you add because you can add. Its not easy to win a cup. Every good player you can add to your team increases that chance. If we add a top 6 this summer then we could take a major injury in the playoffs and still field the team we are currently fielding. Putting together 3 #1 lines which we have a chance to do this offseason will be a huge edge come playoff time. Especially when we have all season to figure out fit.

I 100% disagree with this blog post. I'm glad the NHL is nothing like the NBA. Yes, I'd love if Hockey was more popular, but if he wants NHL players to start behaving like NBA players then it's really going to kill what makes Hockey such a humble sport.

Jason Demers might not be a bad pick up in the event we lose Schulutz and Lovejoy.

I 100% disagree with this blog post. I'm glad the NHL is nothing like the NBA. Yes, I'd love if Hockey was more popular, but if he wants NHL players to start behaving like NBA players then it's really going to kill what makes Hockey such a humble sport.
- Rinosaur

I would much rather have the game played the way its suppose to be, not all the clutch and grab, interference, slashing, hooking and boarding that the refs let go in the playoffs...my god, it was so obvious and the refs just let it go. I want super stars to be able to move on the ice without being hooked or held...is that too much to ask? I would love to see a playoff series where a 3rd line no skilled dude isnt as valuable as a top 5 player. Could you imagine the flow of the game if they actually called penalties, my god the ice would open up so much.

Anderson for 1st/30th overall and a second then signed @ 5 years 5 mil/per. Seems crazy to me.

Jason Demers might not be a bad pick up in the event we lose Schulutz and Lovejoy.
- joescullz

Depends on cap hit. His last contract was for 3.4 mil. I don't know about that.

Anderson for 1st/30th overall and a second then signed @ 5 years 5 mil/per. Seems crazy to me.
- Thorny87

Andersen is a very good goalie. I think it was fair.

Andersen is a very good goalie. I think it was fair.
- Victoro311

On a pretty good team he was ~league avg. if not below. Seems like too much to give up and too long term.

On a pretty good team he was ~league avg. if not below. Seems like too much to give up and too long term.
- Thorny87

You know, I just looked at his stats. For some reason I always thought he was better.

Here's another reason to add a UFA forward contract this year....the expansion draft.

If we end up protecting 4 forwards/4 defenseman then we are guaranteed to lose a good forward. Say we add Ladd this offseason.

We would end up protecting Crosby/Malkin/Kessel. 4th forward would be a tough choice. If Wilson has a big year (probably the guy I think mostly likely to be a real top 6) then you protect him. And expose Hagelin/Horn/Ladd.

Granted this scenario all depends on Pouliot or Schult playing their way into a guy you need to protect. But its very likely a few teams lose a mid-6 contract to expansion. So the UFA market could be hotter than normal and tough to sign at reasonable costs.

Depends on cap hit. His last contract was for 3.4 mil. I don't know about that.
- Victoro311

im a big fan of demers game. he would cost more, but he is a complete guy who i think is a solid second pairing member on mostly any team in the league.

but yeah, he isnt the "defensive depth" grab because he will probably get 5 per

Here's another reason to add a UFA forward contract this year....the expansion draft.

If we end up protecting 4 forwards/4 defenseman then we are guaranteed to lose a good forward. Say we add Ladd this offseason.

We would end up protecting Crosby/Malkin/Kessel. 4th forward would be a tough choice. If Wilson has a big year (probably the guy I think mostly likely to be a real top 6) then you protect him. And expose Hagelin/Horn/Ladd.

Granted this scenario all depends on Pouliot or Schult playing their way into a guy you need to protect. But its very likely a few teams lose a mid-6 contract to expansion. So the UFA market could be hotter than normal and tough to sign at reasonable costs.
- sditulli

Do what now? You lost me at here's.

Jason Demers might not be a bad pick up in the event we lose Schulutz and Lovejoy.
- joescullz

That's about the first guy I've seen mentioned in the past week where it was like, hey, that makes sense.

They've got 11 forwards returning who they simply aren't out to replace. Then add in Wilson/Sundqvist/Simon/Guentzel/eventually Sprong and there's just no room.

Defense makes so much more sense. You let Schultz and Lovejoy walk, then take their money (and a little from Fleury) and get a right-side top 4 guy.

That's about the first guy I've seen mentioned in the past week where it was like, hey, that makes sense.

They've got 11 forwards returning who they simply aren't out to replace. Then add in Wilson/Sundqvist/Simon/Guentzel/eventually Sprong and there's just no room.

Defense makes so much more sense. You let Schultz and Lovejoy walk, then take their money (and a little from Fleury) and get a right-side top 4 guy.
- hardnosed

Is Demers actually a top 4 guy or is he just payed like one? Don't know much about him but I've seen some Dallas guys on this board gripe about him.

Tampa has a ton of RFA's to sign holy poop! Kucherov, Namestnikov, Killorn! They have the cap space to do it but then they have Palat, Drouin and Johnston next year AND Hedmans payday. Can't see how they keep that together without parting with Stamkos.

That Callahan contract looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad right now. Yikes!

Tampa has a ton of RFA's to sign holy poop! Kucherov, Namestnikov, Killorn! They have the cap space to do it but then they have Palat, Drouin and Johnston next year AND Hedmans payday. Can't see how they keep that together without parting with Stamkos.

That Callahan contract looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad right now. Yikes!
- Thorny87

Carl too. And Filpula. I cannot for the life of me figure out if Yzerman is a good GM or not.

Is Demers actually a top 4 guy or is he just payed like one? Don't know much about him but I've seen some Dallas guys on this board gripe about him.
- Victoro311

he's pretty good. not great at anything, but fairly balanced in all aspects.

if this team rolls letang/dumo as the first pair lock, demers could go on the second pairing with maata. makes daley a very well paid number three, but a third pairing of cole/daley is pretty sweet (although definitely expensive).

it depends on schultz and his number. but if you get demers, it will be costly but will really shore up the defense.

unfortunately leaving little to no money for forwards, and youre basically needing malkin to continue to provide daily blood transfusions for kunitz or two make due with young guys

Tampa has a ton of RFA's to sign holy poop! Kucherov, Namestnikov, Killorn! They have the cap space to do it but then they have Palat, Drouin and Johnston next year AND Hedmans payday. Can't see how they keep that together without parting with Stamkos.

That Callahan contract looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad right now. Yikes!
- Thorny87

Its near a double Kunitz... but better phrased as the RW of the Girardi contracts

Is Demers actually a top 4 guy or is he just payed like one? Don't know much about him but I've seen some Dallas guys on this board gripe about him.
- Victoro311

On most competitive teams he's a bottom pairing guy. He could slide into the top 4 in case of injury and hold down the fort, but on the pens, he'd be Paired with Cole on the 3rd pairing.

I think demers would do well here, but he's probably going to get around the same contract (3-3.5 mil). I'd rather go with Schultz since we already know he fits in here