any word on his status with the rangers? id make a play for his rights.
- Sabresfan-365

Haven't see anything lately.

Watch Vegas sign him, after refusing to draft other teams D.

We will strike out all over the place

Don't ever disrespect my feet like that
- chilliard77

Feet are feet

He's not a #1 by any stretch.
- sbroads24

Is he a solid #3 though?
Because I'd be cool with that

But should we give a long term deal to a #4?
I'd like to think that either McCabe, Antipin or Beaulieu could be that guy

http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/player/6263

He was good in the playoffs...
but I'm nervous about giving someone who is "inconsistent in all areas" a long term contract

And I'm not buying that a coach as smart as Babcock used him incorrectly his whole career
- jdfitz77

(frank) the hockey news

Smith has been consistenly good in his own end.

i think the main difference i honestly dont believe it will take 3-5 years and i do think they would be better than some of the guys available now.

There's a lot of rationalizing going on with the defencemen that are available right now.
- Sabresfan-365

U seem to have very high (and probably unrealistic hopes) for the defensemen available in next year's draft

1) where do u think we will pick (if we went about the rest of the offseason your way)?

2) how long till the player you'd pick next year is contributing in our top4?

Haven't see anything lately.

Watch Vegas sign him, after refusing to draft other teams D.

We will strike out all over the place
- sbroads24

im not sure they're even swinging at any of these guys

U seem to have very high (and probably unrealistic hopes) for the defensemen available in next year's draft

1) where do u think we will pick (if we went about the rest of the offseason your way)?

2) how long till the player you'd pick next year is contributing in our top4?
- jdfitz77

1)about same place as we did this year

2) 2-3 years depending on the guy. This in addition to whoever we draft this year and any trades they want to make next year (see im not against it in general just this particular off season)

(frank) the hockey news

Smith has been consistenly good in his own end.
- Sabresfan-365

It's widely said that he's been inconsistent for years
He's never quite reached his potential
Have u read reports otherwise?

If he was consistently good in his own end...
why did Detroit trade him?

It's not like they got a great return they couldn't pass up

If we don't trade down,
I'm thinking we get Liljegren or Tippet
I like them both
We really need defense in our system though
So if we take Tippet,
we better spend our 2nds & 3rd on defense

Probably should draft a goalie in there too though if we lose Petersen
- jdfitz77

Hopefully somebody slips to 8, if not, I think you're absolutely right. When I see tippet I think of Kessel

Don't want to know...
- gordong

It's widely said that he's been inconsistent for years
He's never quite reached his potential
Have u read reports otherwise?

If he was consistently good in his own end...
why did Detroit trade him?

It's not like they got a great return they couldn't pass up
- jdfitz77

all his numbers in his own end are very good for a 2nd pairing guy, especially shot suppression.

These people saying hes inconsistent are probably the same ones who still think the best shut down defender in the league is the one that consistently blocks shots. archaic mother(frank)ers

1)about same place as we did this year

2) 2-3 years depending on the guy. This in addition to whoever we draft this year and any trades they want to make next year (see im not against it in general just this particular off season)
- Sabresfan-365

So a guy we draft next year will be in our top4 in 3-4 years from now
Or...
we can trade for a guy (maybe, I'm not as confident of this anymore) who can be in our top4 NOW

Alot of people will hate it..

Mushrooms and sardines on pizza
- GERBE!!!75PTS

You nailed it! My fav to toppings

So a guy we draft next year will be in our top4 in 3-4 years from now
Or...
we can trade for a guy (maybe, I'm not as confident of this anymore) who can be in our top4 NOW
- jdfitz77

difference here as well is a) these guys available for trade are low end top four guys and b) the ceiling on the prospects is much higher

all his numbers in his own end are very good for a 2nd pairing guy, especially shot suppression.

These people saying hes inconsistent are probably the same ones who still think the best shut down defender in the league is the one that consistently blocks shots. archaic mother(frank)ers
- Sabresfan-365

We're talking about a widely held opinion dude

Tell me about these shot suppression numbers though

Wonder how many gms would like a shot at what McPhee gets to do. Murray was as close as you can get to starting from scratch and booted it. Lvk will be very competitive, very quickly.

Hopefully somebody slips to 8, if not, I think you're absolutely right. When I see tippet I think of Kessel
- turbo044

I was going to say Heater with better wheels ..

But a bigger phil is good

You nailed it! My fav to toppings
- turbo044

My man

Wonder how many gms would like a shot at what McPhee gets to do. Murray was as close as you can get to starting from scratch and booted it. Lvk will be very competitive, very quickly.
- Khmylev

Yeah. But McPhee will have more assets of value in 24 hrs than GMTM had on his first day, than the OIlers had in 2009, and the Canucks currently own. He's in a very nice spot if he can manage the get a couple 1st or 2nd overalls in the next few drafts.

Yeah. But McPhee will have more assets of value in 24 hrs than GMTM had on his first day, than the OIlers had in 2009, and the Canucks currently own. He's in a very nice spot if he can manage the get a couple 1st or 2nd overalls in the next few drafts.
- Larsson_fan

That's what I'm saying. They are really hooking him up.

difference here as well is a) these guys available for trade are low end top four guys and b) the ceiling on the prospects is much higher
- Sabresfan-365

Who do u think is available?

How about Dumba?
Picked 7th overall

That's what I'm saying. They are really hooking him up.
- Khmylev

Yep. They will still be cellar dwellers but with a (frank) load of picks , young defenders, etc...the killer for them is not having a legit #1 centre that isn't some old fart.

Yep. They will still be cellar dwellers but with a (frank) load of picks , young defenders, etc...the killer for them is not having a legit #1 centre that isn't some old fart.
- Larsson_fan

They can have Sam

We're talking about a widely held opinion dude

Tell me about these shot suppression numbers though
- jdfitz77

again, so is the notion that shot blocking+hits=great defensively.

Just because its the popular opinion doesnt make it correct.

Who do u think is available?

How about Dumba?
Picked 7th overall
- jdfitz77

I dont think dumba is very good. he might be, so might one of the guys we draft, and he'll cost less.