Yeah, I wasn't stating it as a fact, more interpreting what I thought Boonsey was implying by stating his age. What are the prime years, 25-27? If that's the case, you would hope that a player was playing NHL games at 23/24 to actually be in his prime, during the prime years.
- 1970vintage

I thought prime years were now 22-27. 23 years old is even my limit to see what a player is capable off in the NHL. I seem to be able to wait longer than most before moving on.

Don't you have a pom-pom making clinic today?
- Marwood

No that's Saturday...I'm meeting the cheerleaders down in Vegas!

The Colorado Avalanche have locked up one of their young defensemen before he ever gets close to restricted free agency. Samuel Girard has signed a seven-year extension which will keep him under contract through the 2026-27 season. Girard is on the final year of his entry-level contract currently. PuckPedia reports that the deal will carry a $5MM average annual value.
- manvanfan

I really like what sakic has done. Guy has built a nice team for today and for years to come.

Bonino had a great shot but we could not surround him with the right players here to succeed like in PIT and ANA or NSH for that matter. There were times out there when he looked so bloody slow here he could barely make a Junior B club. I don't really think he wanted to be here or gave a sh!t as well. His effort level looked alot higher on the other clubs IMO.
- LordHumungous

Then there's also the fact we had Desjardins here too. Lots of players sucked during that time

I'm not so simply, I think I would go with at this point we will find out what type of NHL player he becomes. Does he flourish and prove he's capable of a middle 6 or is he destined for 4LC Jay Beagle type if he is willing to grind it out for the rest of his career.
- manvanfan

imo players like beagle have been and will continnue to be phased out of the nhl. the rugged/physical shutdown dman got all the attention as the players that the new nhl left behind but i think bottom 6 grinder/pk specialists like beagle are slowly being replaced by guys who can contribute a little more offensively

I really like what sakic has done. Guy has built a nice team for today and for years to come.
- Codes1087

I REALLY don't get the love for everything that he has done. He started end of 10-11 as an advisor and took over fully in 2013. Pretty much starting out with a 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall pick on his team. Playoffs only 3 out of 9 years he has been in the front office.

Created a team that had one of the worst seasons in a long time in the NHL while having 3 top 3 picks on the team. If JB has a mediocre bad season the fans call for his head.

Did a good job of the Duchene trade by getting real lucky that Ottawa had such a poopty season.

They had a 90 point season and beat a Flames team that I wish Vancouver could have played in the first round because Van could have made it through.

For me what the team does now will be the telling whether or not Sakic has done anything good. it's very nice to add 2 more 4th overall defence selections to the team.

imo players like beagle have been and will continnue to be phased out of the nhl. the rugged/physical shutdown dman got all the attention as the players that the new nhl left behind but i think bottom 6 grinder/pk specialists like beagle are slowly being replaced by guys who can contribute a little more offensively
- johnnykarate

Except by teams that win cups

imo players like beagle have been and will continnue to be phased out of the nhl. the rugged/physical shutdown dman got all the attention as the players that the new nhl left behind but i think bottom 6 grinder/pk specialists like beagle are slowly being replaced by guys who can contribute a little more offensively
- johnnykarate

There just aren't that many good players to fill 4 lines on every NHL team. There will always be the Beagle types.

I really like what sakic has done. Guy has built a nice team for today and for years to come.
- Codes1087

He sure seemed to frustrate JB at the draft when they were talking on the floor, apparently about Barrie.

There just aren't that many good players to fill 4 lines on every NHL team. There will always be the Beagle types.
- manvanfan

I miss Dorsett

Except by teams that win cups
- SMBDragon

except they usually arent the reason anymore. the match up/shutdown game imo is now between guys like bergeron, oreilly, toews, kopitar, kesler(back in the day). i see the days of 'sami pahlsson' types being critical to cup teams passing

There just aren't that many good players to fill 4 lines on every NHL team. There will always be the Beagle types.
- manvanfan

i dont think youll see many 30+ y/o career grinders going forward. my guess is youll see some young guys get a shot on 4th lines but teams will replace them sooner

I miss Dorsett
- VanHockeyGuy

That will change with Ferland.

i dont think youll see many 30+ y/o career grinders going forward. my guess is youll see some young guys get a shot on 4th lines but teams will replace them sooner
- johnnykarate

There hasn't been that many 30 + 4Ler for a while now. You will still see the grinder type though as 4th liners. If I have to watch the first line career AHL's as 4th liners in hockey. I might opt for just 3 Lines.

That will change with Ferland.
- manvanfan

I hope so, it's easier to deal with a loss when you have guys bring it day in and day out.

I'm not on the bandwagon but I do agree with the odds makers that we'll be better but short of the postseason. Just entertain and work hard.

I hope so, it's easier to deal with a loss when you have guys bring it day in and day out.

I'm not on the bandwagon but I do agree with the odds makers that we'll be better but short of the postseason. Just entertain and work hard.
- VanHockeyGuy

Hard... No, Impossible to figure out how a season will actually go. I just hope i'm entertained.

There hasn't been that many 30 + 4Ler for a while now. You will still see the grinder type though as 4th liners. If I have to watch the first line career AHL's as 4th liners in hockey. I might opt for just 3 Lines.
- manvanfan

thats what im saying bealge is 32 and already rare, itll only get rarer as the nerds infiltrate the league

except they usually arent the reason anymore. the match up/shutdown game imo is now between guys like bergeron, oreilly, toews, kopitar, kesler(back in the day). i see the days of 'sami pahlsson' types being critical to cup teams passing
- johnnykarate

While I agree the NHL is going in a bit of a different direction there will always be needs for players like Beagle and the like. Generations of different players coming up through the NHL ranks and yes speed, style, talent level so on all change over time but one thing that has remained pretty consistent over the years is cup winners have two scoring lines, A checking line that can contribute on the score sheet and a grinder line when needed and as a bonus a few 4th liners that can score. It really hasn't changed much over the decades and the beagle types will always be needed IMO.

While I agree the NHL is going in a bit of a different direction there will always be needs for players like Beagle and the like. Generations of different players coming up through the NHL ranks and yes speed, style, talent level so on all change over time but one thing that has remained pretty consistent over the years is cup winners have two scoring lines, A checking line that can contribute on the score sheet and a grinder line when needed and as a bonus a few 4th liners that can score. It really hasn't changed much over the decades and the beagle types will always be needed IMO.
- LordHumungous

i dont disagree that certain types are needed to balance the lineups, i just dont think someone can carve out a career longer than a few years on the 4th line anymore. i saw blues bottom 6 were like 25 and under and my guess is that trend will continue over the course of the next decade

i dont disagree that certain types are needed to balance the lineups, i just dont think someone can carve out a career longer than a few years on the 4th line anymore. i saw blues bottom 6 were like 25 and under and my guess is that trend will continue over the course of the next decade
- johnnykarate

It's a young mans game now. Teams have to be mindful of how much they pay to shelter these kids. JB's got his work cut out for him this season.

Team Finland is dishing out a beating in the first period against Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase—but Toni Utunen has a goal!

New blog is up with that, plus notes on Brock Boeser and Chris Higgins. Spare a thought for Brock's dad today if you can.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...r-has-returned/194/100761