Well, I disagree, and I don't think he created as many chances as you think he did. Hustle and effort don't matter much if you physically can't win puck or board battles. Ever.
- Hockey66

How did he end up with the best xGF% at 63.3 when he didn't create anything and killed all the cycles?

It sounds kind of stupid to me that ownership will give Rutherford more money during the season if we are in a good position... we have no 1st round pick next year. We had better well make sure we are a playoff team next year. Why not sign the UFAs now instead of waiting and then having to give up assets? I get it saves money, but it makes our situation worse in a lot of ways.

I agree with Ryan about most of this article. I'd clear out Horny & Johnson as the 2 main cap casualities. If you can find someone better than Bjugstad, fine. But if you clear out Horny/Johnson, that gives you some good money to play with.

I think people undervalue Murray's trade value. Goalies are hard to value, all it takes is one GM willing to pay a big price.
- SuperHenderson13

Yea that first paragraph is what is glaring. Like, ok they are good now go get players. A lot harder to do mid season and you have to spend picks, prospects or players.

Agree. Needs the right partner to, but I thought he'd play well with Riikola or POJ. Had a nice year in Anaheim.

EDIT although Ruhwedel may do a similar job minus the toughness factor which probably isn't worth the extra 3.3M.
- Tojo.

When comparing to Ruhwedel I agree, but just comparing between two overpayments I'm taking Guds all day every day.

How did he end up with the best xGF% at 63.3 when he didn't create anything and killed all the cycles?
- Tojo.

Because Simple Jack said so.

How did he end up with the best xGF% at 63.3 when he didn't create anything and killed all the cycles?
- Tojo.

Maybe line rushes with one of the greatest players of all-time, an elite winger on the other side, and an elite PMD? Maybe because the Habs admittedly focused their defensive attention on Malkin's line? Anyone playing Crosby's wing is going to have good stats, but, unfortunately, hockey is played on the ice, not on the stat sheet. Did he win a single puck or board battle (if you can call them "battles")? No. Do you remember an extended cycle for the top line? I don't. Was he ever a threat to actually score, (you know, the primary objective of a winger)? No. 2 goals in 38 playoff games says you don't need to worry about defending Sheary. I don't know how people don't see this, I really don't. He went undrafted for a reason and the only team who has ever wanted him is the Pens (and an ex-Pens assistant GM who quickly realized his mistake).

Because Simple Jack said so.
- Rinosaur

Name calling? How old are you?

Name calling? How old are you?
- Hockey66

Using an alt? How much of a wuss are you?

From DK's Friday Insider....

“We plan on competing for the Cup next year, as always,” one very high-ranking team official told me Thursday night, adding that the commitment from owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux remains completely firm, financially and otherwise, toward that end. There’ve been no discussions about any reduction in payroll, the official added, nor anything else that could be construed as an altered approach on the business end toward competing toward a championship.

So... Like I mentioned last night.... I think this is a situation where the ownership is still willing to spend whatever it takes, but they don't enjoy spending the money to have their team sh!t the bed in the playoffs. There's simply no excuse for the team to be so listless.

I wonder if someone like Gallant would come in as an assistant coach, knowing that he's the head coach in waiting (just like Sully was himself).
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Kirk Mueller is the guy you want. He took TWO inferior Montreal teams and embarrassed the Penguins.

Using an alt? How much of a wuss are you?
- Rinosaur

Your attempts at ad hominem won't work with me. Just because other people don't like you, either, doesn't mean they are the same person in disguise. Sorry you embarrassed yourself yesterday.

Kirk Mueller is the guy you want. He took TWO inferior Montreal teams and embarrassed the Penguins.
- Thunderbolt

From DK's Friday Insider....

“We plan on competing for the Cup next year, as always,” one very high-ranking team official told me Thursday night, adding that the commitment from owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux remains completely firm, financially and otherwise, toward that end. There’ve been no discussions about any reduction in payroll, the official added, nor anything else that could be construed as an altered approach on the business end toward competing toward a championship.

So... Like I mentioned last night.... I think this is a situation where the ownership is still willing to spend whatever it takes, but they don't enjoy spending the money to have their team sh!t the bed in the playoffs. There's simply no excuse for the team to be so listless.
- madmike71

Well, I think a lot of that falls on the JR acquiring listless players and the coach for playing terrible hockey players higher in the lineup than they should and more/important minutes than they should. If the owners don't see this, then there is no hope.

This statement seems to contradict what was reported earlier. Are they a cap team or not? Not being a cap team means a reduction in payroll.

Maybe line rushes with one of the greatest players of all-time, an elite winger on the other side, and an elite PMD? Maybe because the Habs admittedly focused their defensive attention on Malkin's line? Anyone playing Crosby's wing is going to have good stats, but, unfortunately, hockey is played on the ice, not on the stat sheet. Did he win a single puck or board battle (if you can call them "battles")? No. Do you remember an extended cycle for the top line? I don't. Was he ever a threat to actually score, (you know, the primary objective of a winger)? No. 2 goals in 38 playoff games says you don't need to worry about defending Sheary. I don't know how people don't see this, I really don't. He went undrafted for a reason and the only team who has ever wanted him is the Pens (and an ex-Pens assistant GM who quickly realized his mistake).
- Hockey66

Yeah I should have stopped when you started blaming Sheary for Malkin's line not scoring.

Yeah I should have stopped when you started blaming Sheary for Malkin's line not scoring.
- Tojo.

So you don't think what the Habs said means anything? How many offensive zone starts did the Malkin line get because of what the first line was able to do (or not do)? Sheary is not entirely to blame (obviously), but he's definitely a factor.

From DK's Friday Insider....

“We plan on competing for the Cup next year, as always,” one very high-ranking team official told me Thursday night, adding that the commitment from owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux remains completely firm, financially and otherwise, toward that end. There’ve been no discussions about any reduction in payroll, the official added, nor anything else that could be construed as an altered approach on the business end toward competing toward a championship.

So... Like I mentioned last night.... I think this is a situation where the ownership is still willing to spend whatever it takes, but they don't enjoy spending the money to have their team sh!t the bed in the playoffs. There's simply no excuse for the team to be so listless.
- madmike71

Thanks. Gonna be an interesting off-season.

Well, I think a lot of that falls on the JR acquiring listless players and the coach for playing terrible hockey players higher in the lineup than they should and more/important minutes than they should. If the owners don't see this, then there is no hope.
- Hockey66

Can't argue with that. As someone who is very thankful for the work Rutherford and Sullivan did to win those two cups, they've really f'd up the last couple of years. Rutherford has been chasing his tail looking for the right mix of players and Sullivan's blind faith in some of those stiffs is inexplicable. It's like he doesn't believe his lying eyes. How can you look at tape and not see some blatant faults.

Habs giving Philly fits. Nice!

Your attempts at ad hominem won't work with me. Just because other people don't like you, either, doesn't mean they are the same person in disguise. Sorry you embarrassed yourself yesterday.
- Hockey66

Ohhh, someone looks ready to meltdown!

Can't argue with that. As someone who is very thankful for the work Rutherford and Sullivan did to win those two cups, they've really f'd up the last couple of years. Rutherford has been chasing his tail looking for the right mix of players and Sullivan's blind faith in some of those stiffs is inexplicable. It's like he doesn't believe his lying eyes. How can you look at tape and not see some blatant faults.

Habs giving Philly fits. Nice!
- madmike71

Habs are probably better than what they get credit for. I'm sure the Pens series was a nice confidence boost.

Ohhh, someone looks ready to meltdown!
- Rinosaur

No, and I didn't "meltdown" the other day when you said I would in 3...2...1, either. Again, ad hominem won't work with me. Since you are not an adult, I will ignore you. Please do the same to me. Thanks!

No, and I didn't "meltdown" the other day when you said I would in 3...2...1, either. Again, ad hominem won't work with me. Since you are not an adult, I will ignore you. Please do the same to me. Thanks!
- Hockey66

You actually just gave yourself away and now I know 100% this is an alt, but you got it. Let the ignoring begin!

Can't argue with that. As someone who is very thankful for the work Rutherford and Sullivan did to win those two cups, they've really f'd up the last couple of years. Rutherford has been chasing his tail looking for the right mix of players and Sullivan's blind faith in some of those stiffs is inexplicable. It's like he doesn't believe his lying eyes. How can you look at tape and not see some blatant faults.

Habs giving Philly fits. Nice!
- madmike71

I'd feel much better about losing if MTL takes them down.

Habs are probably better than what they get credit for. I'm sure the Pens series was a nice confidence boost.
- Hockey66

The first game was 50/50. They're skating circles around Philly right now.

The point being missed here is that the team cares about cash, not cap. In two years, Crosby's 8.7M cap will be 3M in cash. Thats a big advantage for the organization financially.

Bjugstad will be gone. His 4m cap is 5m cash. I'll take horny over bjugstad every day.

When you look at Pens trade targets look at guys mid contract that had some front loading. Thats who they will be hunting for if all of this nonsense is true.

The first game was 50/50. They're skating circles around Philly right now.
- madmike71

The crHabs are looking great!

Won't feel as bad as I do if they can beat the Cryers

Also, the concept of Bjug being the best option at 3C is a trap. He would be if he could ever be counted on to be healthy but he won't be. The organization will know this and contingency plan. That means inefficiently deployed assets and cap space.