just my opinion. Often the home country has the advantage of knowing the land and its tactical advantages.
Russians tend to be very clever with their armies and could really surprise the world. They have been a superpower since the world wars for a reason.

whether or not they win in the long run is another thing as the 29 countries can add resources but regardless russia will certainly be more difficult than some might think. It would take a lot to overthrow russia

and after all NATO is STILL in Afghanistan and cant seem to win that 1 even. Not exactly looking good on NATO

but its just my opinion
- SMBDragon

You don't know how NATO works, just my opinion.

Its tough to predict where it'll end up. Anything beyond 4 years means they are buying UFA years from him, so does VAN want to keep some leverage and pay later, or bet on him now and pay a little more annually hoping he exceeds the value
- WhiteLie

I'd like to see 8 years. We haven't had a first class prospect like Bo since the Sedins were drafted.

I'd like to see 8 years. We haven't had a first class prospect like Bo since the Sedins were drafted.
- neem55

Kesler?

Kesler?
- A_SteamingLombardi

I stand by my comment. Kesler can lick my undergully, if he was first class he wouldn't be such a hated player inside and outside of locker rooms.

I'd like to see 8 years. We haven't had a first class prospect like Bo since the Sedins were drafted.
- neem55

Schneider

how's that?

There are 29 countries in NATO
- A_SteamingLombardi

...mostly only American military at NATO bases that are worth mentioning. NATO admits they are at a disadvantage if war breaks out in Europe vs Russia. NATO figures Russia would have them disabled in 48 hours on the western front. Try and remember, America is half a world away... and NATO's 2nd biggest army is Turkey... which has defected to Russia's side now...

Russia's military capacity is mostly defensive... not like USA with their 20+ carrier groups and they have the best air/missile defence in the world. What the (frank) can NATO do... Russia would do the same thing as WWII... pull back and draw them in... remember, China would have Russia's back in the Pacific... which means USA could only commit so much to Europe... very little in fact if they wanted to keep the Pacific and middle east under control...

NATO should back the (frank) off that's for sure. They broke their agreement with Russia which was to never expand east... then came the anti Russian Clintons and pushed for NATO expansion east. Every single one of those NATO countries on Russia's border means nuke capable enemy to Russia... the Cuban Missile Crisis over and over with each new member.

Schneider
- Nighthawk

This I can almost get on board with. Bo is a fitting return for Schnieder. He was a pro's pro in handling everything in Vancouver.

Schneider

As for Kesler he was 1st class. Idgaf about personality when its about talent.
- Nighthawk

Oh really? Well for me who the person is/what they bring to the team is very important. I don't see underwear modeling and locker room distractions in Bo's future. I do see a "C" though.

Oh really? Well for me who the person is/what they bring to the team is very important. I don't see underwear modeling and locker room distractions in Bo's future. I do see a "C" though.
- neem55

Big part of getting us to the 2011 Finals.
I'm not a popularity contest type.

You don't know how NATO works, just my opinion.
- A_SteamingLombardi

you might be right on that.

tell me whats missing please

you might be right on that.

tell me whats missing please
- SMBDragon

If the goal is peaceful resolution to conflict, than winning is not beating or killing someone or some army.

You don't know how NATO works, just my opinion.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I do, I played Risk.

Big part of getting us to the 2011 Finals.
I'm not a popularity contest type.
- Nighthawk

That's fair. To me, First Class is reserved for folks that bring everything to the table. Not douchebags that happened to be good at hockey.
ie/ P.Kane= elite scorer but not first class IMo
Toews= First class. Work ethic, leader, just oozes the things you want all your players to be. Henrik and Daniel have been this for us for the better part of two decades IMO. not Kesler.

I do, I played Risk.
- Marwood

I remember smashing the play station controler to pieces when playing Advanced Risk with some friends.... 27 losing rolls in a row... I had all the armies... was dominating... and I'm supposed to believe that was purely random rolls? Smash smash smash...

...mostly only American military at NATO bases that are worth mentioning. NATO admits they are at a disadvantage if war breaks out in Europe vs Russia. NATO figures Russia would have them disabled in 48 hours on the western front. Try and remember, America is half a world away... and NATO's 2nd biggest army is Turkey... which has defected to Russia's side now...

Russia's military capacity is mostly defensive... not like USA with their 20+ carrier groups and they have the best air/missile defence in the world. What the (frank) can NATO do... Russia would do the same thing as WWII... pull back and draw them in... remember, China would have Russia's back in the Pacific... which means USA could only commit so much to Europe... very little in fact if they wanted to keep the Pacific and middle east under control...

NATO should back the (frank) off that's for sure. They broke their agreement with Russia which was to never expand east... then came the anti Russian Clintons and pushed for NATO expansion east. Every single one of those NATO countries on Russia's border means nuke capable enemy to Russia... the Cuban Missile Crisis over and over with each new member.
- boonerbuck

exactly what Ive thought about it. As well as I dont think they should even be there.

If the goal is peaceful resolution to conflict, than winning is not beating or killing someone or some army.
- neem55

yes of course.
However amassing an army on the border is not a conflict-less action. Its threatening and usually met with push back.

Better to have purely a peace keeping mission

yes of course.
However amassing an army on the border is not a conflict-less action. Its threatening and usually met with push back.

Better to have purely a peace keeping mission
- SMBDragon

Its posturing & Russia does their fair share of crap also.

I remember smashing the play station controler to pieces when playing Advanced Risk with some friends.... 27 losing rolls in a row... I had all the armies... was dominating... and I'm supposed to believe that was purely random rolls? Smash smash smash...

- boonerbuck

Now you channel your anger to origami.

yes of course.
However amassing an army on the border is not a conflict-less action. Its threatening and usually met with push back.

Better to have purely a peace keeping mission
- SMBDragon

UN is for peace peaking missions not NATO. Military movement is for posturing. The conflicts have gone into cyber assaults and it's beyond espionage now. For example, Estonia's entire system was shut down for days by Putin.

yes of course.
However amassing an army on the border is not a conflict-less action. Its threatening and usually met with push back.

Better to have purely a peace keeping mission
- SMBDragon

I wouldn't call 7,000 troops in 5 countries "amassing" and the only reason those troops are there is because of what the Russians did in Ukraine, maybe if there was some NATO troops in Ukraine they would still have Crimea. NATO is the push back.

Its posturing & Russia does their fair share of crap also.
- Nighthawk

Posturing to the Russians who were not massing their troops against NATO... this is America's bullpoop not Europe's. The EU sounds like they have had enough of it as well with these new sanctions that are killing it's members to appease the Yanks who are now a sinking empire desperate to knock their rivals back a couple of decades by way of war.

I wouldn't call 7,000 troops in 5 countries "amassing" and the only reason those troops are there is because of what the Russians did in Ukraine, maybe if there was some NATO troops in Ukraine they would still have Crimea. NATO is the push back.
- A_SteamingLombardi

fair enough. I didnt see the number of troops either.
Hopefully nothing develops into conflict

Posturing to the Russians who were not massing their troops against NATO... this is America's bullpoop not Europe's. The EU sounds like they have had enough of it as well with these new sanctions that are killing it's members to appease the Yanks who are now a sinking empire desperate to knock their rivals back a couple of decades by way of war.
- boonerbuck

America & Trumps chest thumping is nothing new. America has always had an invasive & domineering nature to suit their ends.

Posturing to the Russians who were not massing their troops against NATO... this is America's bullpoop not Europe's. The EU sounds like they have had enough of it as well with these new sanctions that are killing it's members to appease the Yanks who are now a sinking empire desperate to knock their rivals back a couple of decades by way of war.
- boonerbuck

US certainly has sure seemed to have been trying to start a war with russia. Trump seems to want it.
Odd though how russia has been said to have meddled in the election in favor of trump, then trump visits Putin, then Trump seems to want a war. Likely for reasons of $ generation.

Maybe they should just "build a wall"

America & Trumps chest thumping is nothing new. America has always had an invasive & domineering nature to suit their ends.
- Nighthawk

absolutely....meanwhile doing under the disguise of "freedom"