come on, compare these posts with the ones I used to make and tell me which ones sound more sane.
- Nucker101

I'll give you credit, you've come a long way. Son. Who was it that used to say son all the time?

Anyway, JB has got better at his job, which is all anyone can expect from a rookie GM.

A show down for the back up position in the pre season between Demko and Nilly. I wouldn't just hand it to Demko and send a goalie on his way that's for sure. Demko could quickly work his way back to Utica for all we know.
- boonerbuck

I just hope people don't freak out if he struggles at first. I remember how nervous/scrambly Schneider looked in his first few games with the big club. Or look at Hellebuyck in Winnipeg, had a mediocre start to his career as a 1A/1B goalie despite a dominant collegiate/AHL career and now he's an all-star.

Ken Holland will extend the Sedins for 3 more years with a NMC and Edler to the same.
- Marwood

Flagged for not using a sarcastic emoji.

I just hope people don't freak out if he struggles at first. I remember how nervous/scrambly Schneider looked in his first few games with the big club. Or look at Hellebuyck in Winnipeg, had a mediocre start to his career as a 1A/1B goalie despite a dominant collegiate/AHL career and now he's an all-star.
- Nucker101

Takes adjustment. Timing, passing, shots, lanes are all much different at the NHL level

Thanks Brooks.
- Marwood

no prob

Actually, Dylan Sikura who plays with Gaudette, was drafted by Chicago and is in his 4th year - putting up great numbers. Turned down the Hawks first attempt to sign him last March, he could easily hold out till August, and be free to sign with anyone. Bowman said he'll sign in 2018 when he's done school, but who knows, its a big gamble to lose.

no prob

Actually, Dylan Sikura who plays with Gaudette, was drafted by Chicago and is in his 4th year - putting up great numbers. Turned down the Hawks first attempt to sign him last March, he could easily hold out till August, and be free to sign with anyone. Bowman said he'll sign in 2018 when he's done school, but who knows, its a big gamble to lose.
- Brooks_Light

It's their coach, I've read his comments regarding both Sikura and Gaudette, he's in these guys ears and telling them to stay the full 4 years. He's a real problem.

Move on how?
What do u do with Tanev & Edler?
- Nighthawk

Tanev is very tradeable. Edler unfortunately we are stuck with as he won't waive...but they need to ask him a little harder

Tanev is very tradeable. Edler unfortunately we are stuck with as he won't waive...but they need to ask him a little harder
- LordHumungous

Sounding like the Sedins will probably get 1 more year so I feel like the 2019 TDL will be the most realistic time to trade him.

Yeah, he was going to get picked even if WD wasn't the coach. People forget how good he was in the AHL before making the leap to the nHL full-time. And this tournament is basically filled with AHL all-star type of talent.
- Nucker101

The Spengler Cup = the Olympics lol They are going to lose so much viewership.

I hate Gillis but is the most bizarre comment I’ve seen regarding him.

“He traded and drafted for a guy that turned out better than he had hoped for”

It was Canuck fans who were really freaking out that they didn’t take the Oilers pick and draft Nurse or that they didn’t draft Nichkushin.


- Nucker101

Who are you giving credit to that quote for? It would be bizarre if someone thought like that I agree.

What I'm saying is Gilman couldn't just be honest and admit Horvat is better than they were projecting.

What's bizarre is how you project quotes.

and we were 1-8 leading up to Boeser joining the team. Talk about sh&t show!!!

2-15 to close out the season - thats how you tank ladies and gentlemen!!!


- Brooks_Light

lol

The Spengler Cup = the Olympics lol They are going to lose so much viewership.
- SMP8719

Probs, I just hope the NHL continues to play hardball then because they'll look like idiots if they come crawling back after sitting out this year.

Who are you giving credit to that quote for? It would be bizarre if someone thought like that I agree.

What I'm saying is Gilman couldn't just be honest and admit Horvat is better than they were projecting.

What's bizarre is how you project quotes.
- boonerbuck

They seemed pretty high on him. I can't remember seeing a single draft list that had Horvat above both Nurse and Nishkushin back then so I'm inclined to believe Gilman.

And this is coming from someone who hated their drafting strategy even back then, not just in hindsight.

The fans, likely including both you and myself are the ones with an egg on their face. A lot of us wanted Nurse/Nich/Domi, very few had Horvat ranked above all 3 of them.

If they fired Benning, unlike Gillis, he'd get another chance in the NHL I think. Possibly Seattle.

I think after a couple of seasons removed from Benning, we'll look back at the core he drafted and be forced to say he's done better than any of our other GM's at turning over the roster.

The time will be right to move on soon one way or the other after next season. We are going to be busting at the seems with young players after the next draft and college free agency period. We'll need a more capable GM who will have to balance trading a lump of vets and some of the young talent that is built up too much in a particular position to fill in elsewhere. I would not go as far as calling JB a drafting genius but he's lived up to his reputation and done well so far.

I think our next GM will get a ton of credit but he'll have a lot to work with and be in a very fortunate position.
- boonerbuck

True on all counts.

Playing 3 years in the AHL isnt a bad thing, but its unnecessary for some players, and I think Demko is one of them. Schneider actually played 8 games in the NHL, his 2nd AHL season, it didn't seem to affect his development in any way. Some guys are ready faster than others, Andersson, Murray, Elliot, Rask, Hellebyuk, Gibson, Quick, these guys made the jump after 2 years in the AHL. Considering Demko's 3 years of NCAA experience and the fact he was stealing games in his first year on a mediocre Comets team, I don't see why he wouldn't be able to play in a backup role next year.
- Brooks_Light

Why would you want our goalie of the future sitting on the bench 8 out of every 10 games? You know that's exactly how it would be...id rather he played everyday in Utica until management is fed up with the Swedish meatballs

During his first 2 seasons here I never thought I’d be agreeing with this statement, but I do.
- Nucker101

I understand. I know I was always showing more confidence than I had. There is still a long way to go before we celebrate anything though.

I really wish Corrado made it just so we could say we were right about him

#TanevWithMoreOffense
- Nucker101

Horvat, Guadette, Brackett (possible future GM)

#TeamBuilder
- VanHockeyGuy

Team Builder who can't get a job

Alright then, Rask you used. He played two years in a finnish Men's league and then two in the AHL after being drafted. So doesn't really fit your narrative. Tim thomas played all over the place, 3 years in the AHL and 3 in Various leagues, niot sure why you cited either of them. There really isn't a generalizable time they need to play in developmental leagues, Demko could be the backup next year but I think he would benefit from getting a 40-50 start season under his belt first. As I said, I don't mind him coming up this year and next for some starts. But bringing him up to sit on the bench seems kind of silly.
- neem55

I don't think there's a big difference between developing in the Liiga and NCAA so that one specific example does fit my narrative and I never even used Tim Thomas as an example, so i don't know where you got that from. I don't understand why you're trying to discount the examples where guys have made the jump successfully - some of them went straight into starting roles. Its fine if you think Demko should play another year in the AHL, I agree but to say its silly for him to be a backup doesn't make sense.

Team Builder who can't get a job

- boonerbuck

Hey, he's teaching at UVic

Why would you want our goalie of the future sitting on the bench 8 out of every 10 games? You know that's exactly how it would be...id rather he played everyday in Utica until management is fed up with the Swedish meatballs
- Bullfrog77

For the exact same reasons I suggested in my first post, where I pointed out guys like Andersson, Rask, Gibson, Hellebyuck, Quick and Murray as examples - I don't see Demko being any different - He's played really well so far in Utica, so i don't see how being a backup next year is a bad thing. I'm also not saying that a 3rd year is a bad idea, I just think its necessary.

I don't think there's a big difference between developing in the Liiga and NCAA so that one specific example does fit my narrative and I never even used Tim Thomas as an example, so i don't know where you got that from. I don't understand why you're trying to discount the examples where guys have made the jump successfully - some of them went straight into starting roles. Its fine if you think Demko should play another year in the AHL, I agree but to say its silly for him to be a backup doesn't make sense.
- Brooks_Light

it does though, because a backup plays 15-20 games. So it's better for him to play 50-60 games in the AHL and dominate.

Liiga is a pro mens league, NCAA is a 18-21 year old league. There's a pretty significant difference. NCAA has a high level of skill/competition, but not physicality and maturity.

So overall, agree to disagree!

this is his 2nd full season as the starter
- Brooks_Light

Split duties last year with Bachman.
This is his first full year as the starter.

Split duties last year with Bachman.
This is his first full year as the starter.
- Pres.cup

This is more accurate.

But to Brooks' point, he could finish with 45-50 starts this year depending on how much they ride him down the stretch.