I hope Guds shows up and has a terrific year. All these guys saying the trade was horrible can slink back to the rock they came from.


- Garnie

100% agree with you on that point.

Afternoon all, thank you Carol for another good blog.

I would like to say that I was impressed with the discussion in yesterdays blog, it was really good to see varying points of view on different subjects. Our "out of team" posters having input in a constructive manner, and holy sh!t there was no name calling or derogatory innuendos being throw around.

Two hopefully we can keep it going
- Makita

The NHL as a whole is a money grab. If the average ticket price is around a regular season Leafs/Nucks game and the average game is as exciting/enjoyable as your average regular season Leafs/Nucks game, I don't see how one is particularly worse than the other.

It's more of a question of value for $ as opposed to whether or not it's a money grab because of course it's a money grab.

If it turns into the all-star game 2.0 then it is going to be a poor value money grab imo (some people would prob love the experience regardless).

If it is taken seriously by the players and turns into an exciting tournament then it is going to be a good value money grab.
- RonPielep

My main beef is that the young players team only takes from US/Canada. Weakening those two squads does not make for a good start to a new tourny IMO, it only makes Sweden and Russia stronger. I personally see Sweden as having a very good shot at winning because of it. I know it's only Forsberg and Landeskog, but still.

This is your second post that I've seen, can't say I share your opinion when the first thing you say is "they wouldn't have won with Fluery". What if debates are pretty lame, as the lack factual data of existing in reality. Let me guess: you're religious?
- neem55

No..it's just my opinion that Fleury's just not that good anymore and I was just kiddin about debating with you.

No..it's just my opinion that Fleury's just not that good anymore and I was just kiddin about debating with you.
- Garnie

haha. He's won a cup and he's waffled in the playoffs. He's one of those guys where who really knows. When he's on, he's very good. is he over the hill? at 31 years old I dont think so, but maybe.

That's the impression i want the GM to capitalize on. Hopefully get, like i said, Nichuskin and either Honka or Johns out of Big D... strike while the iron is hot and people have, what i believe, is an inflated opinion of Tanev.
- kaptaan

That's a lot to ask regardless of inflated opinions of Tanev.

That's a lot to ask regardless of inflated opinions of Tanev.
- RonPielep

Nill is not going to give up on Honka or Nishuchkin without significant return.

My main beef is that the young players team only takes from US/Canada. Weakening those two squads does not make for a good start to a new tourny IMO, it only makes Sweden and Russia stronger. I personally see Sweden as having a very good shot at winning because of it. I know it's only Forsberg and Landeskog, but still.
- neem55

I don't think team NA hurts Canada much, McDavid is the only real question mark.

Team NA definitely hurts USA a bit more but to me, missing U23 players is not a very impressive excuse. Especially when players like Kessel have still been left off. The USA have a deep enough pool to draw from, their downfall will be their stupid personnel decisions which is their own damn fault. They had much better options available in multiple positions.

Canada and USA are widely acknowledged as the two deepest powerhouses in hockey these days so I think being dependent on players over the age of 24 should not be much of an issue.

For what it's worth, if Canada disappoints and people try to blame that on team NA those people are straight up delusional.

If team USA disappoints and people try to blame team NA they should instead look at the options that were still available to them before they decided to go with Abdelkader and Jack Johnson

No real excuses either way in my opinion.

My main beef is that the young players team only takes from US/Canada. Weakening those two squads does not make for a good start to a new tourny IMO, it only makes Sweden and Russia stronger. I personally see Sweden as having a very good shot at winning because of it. I know it's only Forsberg and Landeskog, but still.
- neem55

Sweden is going to take this tourney.

Nill is not going to give up on Honka or Nishuchkin without significant return.
- neem55

Yep.

I don't think team NA hurts Canada much, McDavid is the only real question mark.

Team NA definitely hurts USA a bit more but to me, missing U23 players is not a very impressive excuse. Especially when players like Kessel have still been left off. The USA have a deep enough pool to draw from, their downfall will be their stupid personnel decisions which is their own damn fault. They had much better options available in multiple positions.

Canada and USA are widely acknowledged as the two deepest powerhouses in hockey these days so I think being dependent on players over the age of 24 should not be much of an issue.

For what it's worth, if Canada disappoints and people try to blame that on team NA those people are straight up delusional.

If team USA disappoints and people try to blame team NA they should instead look at the options that were still available to them before they decided to go with Abdelkader and Jack Johnson

No real excuses either way in my opinion.
- RonPielep

I'm pretty big on Ekblad, but other than that I agree. I just think it should be from all of the big four teams. Kessel I'm pretty sure has chosen not to go, pretty sure they aren't that deep. He would make team Canada IMO

edit: I just looked, youre right no Kessel by choice. that's ridiculous.

Sweden is going to take this tourney.
- thundachunk

I think that the olympics would have been closer with Backstrom in the final. Just rememeber Chunk, I told ya so and then yout had to get old winky out. There is a chance Schnieds just plays unreal for USA, He'll actully have a d in front of him!

I think that the olympics would have been closer with Backstrom in the final. Just rememeber Chunk, I told ya so and then yout had to get old winky out. There is a chance Schnieds just plays unreal for USA, He'll actully have a d in front of him!
- neem55

Personally I am a fan of anything hockey but this tourney holds no real value for me. I think it is very possible that Sweden wins regardless of the winky.

Personally I am a fan of anything hockey but this tourney holds no real value for me. I think it is very possible that Sweden wins regardless of the winky.
- thundachunk

Ya I don't like the tourny either, if one or two of these guy's gets injured it's a bust IMO. The Olympics is another thing, a different stage and its not just for bragging right but a true representation of your country (or in Brett Hull's case, how much of a douche you are). Sweden's D is a force to be reckoned with.

If we do keep Edler I hope he takes a step back and concentrates on his point production. The last couple of years he has had to do it all. If Tryamkin and Gudbrandson can take care of the shut down part of the game and let Edler concentrate on attacking.

More back door plays by Tanev and Edler to chip in on scoring. It would also be easier on his body/back to not be relied on for the big hits.
- VANTEL

Wait ....you have tanev who is supposed to be this shutdown God and you want a rookie to do his job so he can score more ?

Sweden is going to take this tourney.
- thundachunk

These things are typically won by European teams in Europe and by Canada in North America

Wait ....you have tanev who is supposed to be this shutdown God and you want a rookie to do his job so he can score more ?
- Redmile247

I thought Brodie was the shutdown god? Or did a season of getting scored on more than anyone in the league put that to rest?

Sweden is going to take this tourney.
- thundachunk

Outside of the players does Sweden know they're in the tourney?

Wait ....you have tanev who is supposed to be this shutdown God and you want a rookie to do his job so he can score more ?
- Redmile247

I can't wait to see your posts as we finish 12 points ahead of your team this year

Wait ....you have tanev who is supposed to be this shutdown God and you want a rookie to do his job so he can score more ?
- Redmile247

Trade him already for a top six player or a honka/ johns prospect...

I can't wait to see your posts as we finish 12 points ahead of your team this year
- VANTEL

Have you guys proposed a bet with each other yet?

I can't wait to see your posts as we finish 12 points ahead of your team this year
- VANTEL

Ill be here ...I post win or lose ...12 points hey ...dang thats rough ...guess we would have the best chances at the draft lotto for this to occur

Seriously tho ...tanev is supposed to be your shutdown guy ...and has almost no offensive upside ...so you want to take a player away from an area he excels at and hope a rookie picks up the slack ? Why not just have tanev play shutdown and get tree to be offensive

I thought Brodie was the shutdown god? Or did a season of getting scored on more than anyone in the league put that to rest?
- neem55

Yes Brodie is awful ...what a bum ...

Yes Brodie is awful ...what a bum ...
- Redmile247

I'm only joking, I actually think he is better than Gio. I forgot my winky face. no excuses behind them in net this year!

Ya I don't like the tourny either, if one or two of these guy's gets injured it's a bust IMO. The Olympics is another thing, a different stage and its not just for bragging right but a true representation of your country (or in Brett Hull's case, how much of a douche you are). Sweden's D is a force to be reckoned with.
- neem55

I don't have a problem with the format of this tournament and won't be crushed by the fact the Swiss, Germans, Slovaks and Latvians don't have teams. This was always going to be small and Team Europe was the only way to get those guys in. Team N.A. should be interesting.