plenty of free agents who do the job they do without giving up a draft pick, despite it being a 7th rounder.

maybe cond pick...if VV scores 30 goals we will give you a 7th
- rinaldo

Then send them to the Phantoms...they have contracts that can be buried without any cap impact

Then send them to the Phantoms...they have contracts that can be buried without any cap impact
- Jsaquella

correct...though I wonder how that would effect the vet rule they have in place.

correct...though I wonder how that would effect the vet rule they have in place.
- rinaldo

They'd have to bench guys, like they did with Matt Lashoff last year, or send a guy to the ECHL. Can also loan AHLers to other teams.

I'm not saying he shouldn't have a spot. I just think there should be a little more competition for his spot than they've been saying.

I don't know anything about Lyubimov, but using Read to offset Gordon's possession deficiencies would definitely help. I just don't like the idea of using Read as a 4th liner when he's one of the better possession guys on the team. I don't like using Gordon as a top 9 guy because he doesn't do anything offensively, so it's hard for me to envision them together very often.

I've always been in the camp of focusing more on matchups and not zone starts. If the opposing team throws out the 3rd line for an offensive zone face-off, I'm ok with matching Laughton-Cousins-Read against them. I think Giroux was used a little too much based on zone starts (the loss of Couturier certainly had an impact as well).

Like you said though, if Gordon can add value on the PK, then he should have a spot. If not, then there is no reason to play him over a more skilled forward.

I still see the 4th line in the NHL as an area where teams can really exploit others' conservatism. Most teams fill out their 4th lines with passive players who produce no offense. Why not just put more skill down there and take advantage of those 5 minutes each game when 4th liners are matched against each other? I know special teams matter, but I still think those 5 ES minutes each night are there for the taking if some coach/GM is ballsy enough to do it.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree. Here's something funny, I was at the GnR concert in Philly last nite and after the 2nd opening act, just before GnR took the stage, they played Prince non-stop til the show started
- WhirlingDervish

How was the show?

- Mononoke

They'd have to bench guys, like they did with Matt Lashoff last year, or send a guy to the ECHL. Can also loan AHLers to other teams.
- Jsaquella

correct what I meant to say was who will they bench or what not? maybe loan amc to Europe!!!

How was the show?
- jmatchett383

Pleasantly surprised that Axyl (sp) still has the pipes to hit the super high notes, although he looks like he ate the other half of the band...

All the original musicians were there except the drummer, but the one they had was more than capable.

And the best for me was Slash. He put on a clinic all nite, it was truly wonderful to hear that level of brilliance live.

Overall, I must say, they rocked it

so wait, are faceoffs good or not?

Pleasantly surprised that Axyl (sp) still has the pipes to hit the super high notes, although he looks like he ate the other half of the band...

All the original musicians were there except the drummer, but the one they had was more than capable.

And the best for me was Slash. He put on a clinic all nite, it was truly wonderful to hear that level of brilliance live.

Overall, I must say, they rocked it
- WhirlingDervish

I was torn. I wanted to go, but it was tough finding someone to go, and I don't generally like stadium shows. Glad you enjoyed it.

so wait, are faceoffs good or not?
- BulliesPhan87

Faceoffs are the devil.

So Blues have supposedly signed Jaden Schwartz to 5 years at a bit under $5.5mil

Pleasantly surprised that Axyl (sp) still has the pipes to hit the super high notes, although he looks like he ate the other half of the band...

All the original musicians were there except the drummer, but the one they had was more than capable.

And the best for me was Slash. He put on a clinic all nite, it was truly wonderful to hear that level of brilliance live.

Overall, I must say, they rocked it
- WhirlingDervish

i just bought tickets today to go see them next saturday at MetLife, cant wait.

also leaving tonight to see Dave matthews at SPAC tomorrow. and coldplay august 6th. gonna be a fun few weeks

Faceoffs are the devil.
- jmatchett383

ty

Faceoffs are the devil.
- jmatchett383

so is vicki valencourt

Pleasantly surprised that Axyl (sp) still has the pipes to hit the super high notes, although he looks like he ate the other half of the band...

All the original musicians were there except the drummer, but the one they had was more than capable.

And the best for me was Slash. He put on a clinic all nite, it was truly wonderful to hear that level of brilliance live.

Overall, I must say, they rocked it
- WhirlingDervish

Izzy Stradlin?

Izzy Stradlin?
- MJL

he's a bit old to straddle anymore

So Blues have supposedly signed Jaden Schwartz to 5 years at a bit under $5.5mil
- Mononoke

Jaden>>>Brayden

So Blues have supposedly signed Jaden Schwartz to 5 years at a bit under $5.5mil
- Mononoke

All signs point to Braydunder5millionperyear Schenn

All signs point to Braydunder5millionperyear Schenn
- YuenglingJagr

It's spelled "T-r-a-y-d-e-n"

It's spelled "T-r-a-y-d-e-n"
- Mononoke

Doesnt roll off the tongue as well

I was torn. I wanted to go, but it was tough finding someone to go, and I don't generally like stadium shows. Glad you enjoyed it.
- jmatchett383

You're absolutely right, not a big fan of stadium shows at all, but friends had an extra (free) tix so I figured, 'how can I lose'? But despite that, it was actually a highly enjoyable show. Part of it is the set up of Lincoln Financial Field, no bad sight lines. And their stage set up had 2 GINORMOUS screens (one on each side of the stage) focusing on each one of them from time to time. So we got some great close ups of Slash's finger work on the frets. He hasn't lost a step...

And someone who looked just like Izzy was playing guitar all nite.

You're absolutely right, not a big fan of stadium shows at all, but friends had an extra (free) tix so I figured, 'how can I lose'? But despite that, it was actually a highly enjoyable show. Part of it is the set up of Lincoln Financial Field, no bad sight lines. And their stage set up had 2 GINORMOUS screens (one on each side of the stage) focusing on each one of them from time to time. So we got some great close ups of Slash's finger work on the frets. He hasn't lost a step...

And someone who looked just like Izzy was playing guitar all nite.
- WhirlingDervish

Several of my friends went, and shared videos today. Axl sounded better than he did when I saw GnR back in the 1990's. Glad you had a good show.

Since when does Kordell Stewart play guitar?

Since when does Kordell Stewart play guitar?
- YuenglingJagr

Ive made the decision to allow this