I love how all of these people love to devalue JVR and say that he's a scrub, won't amount to anything, etc. And then, in the same breath, having him as a centerpiece in a trade that lands great talents. Make up you minds, idiots. He either sucks or he's good enough to fetch you top talent.....
- steelydan

He's faking the concussion so when they cajole him out of feigned injury he will retrieve that talent

lol
- OrangeBlack27

Those guys are getting flak because alot of times the forwards aren't helping out. Furthermore with exception to Kimo I think they are all 3-4 guys being asked to step into that 1-2 role and it's just not happening. I really thought Mezy would fill the void left by Pronger. He has the offensive touch, the physical ability but just can't get it together. Just seems like the defense and team in general isn't firing on all cylinders, once it does look out.
- JoeRussomanno

Yea, thier offensive future looks bright, but their Defensive Future looks bleak. Lose Carle in the off-season, No Pronger, and Lose Timonen after next year... And Coburn, MAB, Mez are not going to take over as 1 or 2's....

I dont know if they really want to mess with the chemistry they have. Carter may cost more than their willing to spend. If they can add another offensive player for cheap that would make more sense (Doan, Selanne, etc.).
- stveshdy

Carter in NYR equals black out city errynight

I dont know if they really want to mess with the chemistry they have. Carter may cost more than their willing to spend. If they can add another offensive player for cheap that would make more sense (Doan, Selanne, etc.).
- stveshdy

Good point. I agree with you 100%

Yea, thier offensive future looks bright, but their Defensive Future looks bleak. Lose Carle in the off-season, No Pronger, and Lose Timonen after next year... And Coburn, MAB, Mez are not going to take over as 1 or 2's....
- RooNosHockey

I'm sure Homer has a plan roo.

High? erickson is 6'4 rinaldo 5'11, and late? once you commit to a hit theres no turning back
- Flyers4Life88

Regardless of whether or not you've committed to a hit, a dirty hit is a dirt hit.

They need to play as a team more too. I'm wondering if they get more in line with the game plan and play smarter if a big trade or piece is really missing. What happened in 2010? They bought into the system and rallied around each other. The biggest move I remember that year was picking up leighton off the waiver wire after emery went down. Oh yea and leino
- JoeRussomanno

tough to play the team game with that many rookies coming in and out of the lineup. not an excuse, but I've tempered my expectations since pronger got hurt...more focused on effort and progress.

I'm sure Homer has a plan roo.
- JoeRussomanno

Hopefully he isn't using Popcorn Clarkie as a consultant.

a nice lead-in for Gen Hosp i assume
- Crimsoninja

nailed it!

Regardless of whether or not you've committed to a hit, a dirty hit is a dirt hit.
- steelydan

now ur saying it was dirty? hahaha rinaldo get paid his $575,000 to take the body, i call that doing his job

I'm sure Homer has a plan roo.
- JoeRussomanno

I'm sure he does too, but until he tells me what it is, I have to guess at it....

tough to play the team game with that many rookies coming in and out of the lineup. not an excuse, but I've tempered my expectations since pronger got hurt...more focused on effort and progress.
- isaiah520

It is but I look at it as they are taking their lumps and learning. Sooner or later they aren't rookies anymore and everyone starts clicking together. I think this group will be just as good as boston NY etc when that happens.

nailed it!
- roenick97

Regardless of whether or not you've committed to a hit, a dirty hit is a dirt hit.
- steelydan

Rinaldo was just fined recently, so a hearing now means a suspension. He's been on the edge all year, Shanahan is probably tired of seeing Rinaldo's name pop up on his screen.

I'm sure he does too, but until he tells me what it is, I have to guess at it....
- RooNosHockey

nevermind

Rinaldo was just fined recently, so a hearing now means a suspension. He's been on the edge all year, Shanahan is probably tired of seeing Rinaldo's name pop up on his screen.
- PLindbergh31

The guy he hit made Lindros look like a poster boy for awareness all skating forward around the net while staring backwards. What a tool he deserved getting his clock cleaned.

He's faking the concussion so when they cajole him out of feigned injury he will retrieve that talent
- JoeRussomanno

this might go over like a grenade, but I don't think it's a stretch that JVR could be thinking that he's not going to take as much of a chance w/ the concussion given the proximity of the TDL. iow, if it's close, I'd understand if he felt like he wants to stay here and maybe an xtra week that could totally transform his life is not worth risking his health for...he's a young guy and it's not the craziest thought process, imo.

Yea, thier offensive future looks bright, but their Defensive Future looks bleak. Lose Carle in the off-season, No Pronger, and Lose Timonen after next year... And Coburn, MAB, Mez are not going to take over as 1 or 2's....
- RooNosHockey

First and formost draft heavy on D. Then I'd let Carle walk for anything over 4. Carrying three 3-4 defenseman only takes away money from elsewhere. Target the best D UFA as well as a solid vet or possibly two for around or under 2mil a piece for the 5-6.

this might go over like a grenade, but I don't think it's a stretch that JVR could be thinking that he's not going to take as much of a chance w/ the concussion given the proximity of the TDL. iow, if it's close, I'd understand if he felt like he wants to stay here and maybe an xtra week that could totally transform his life is not worth risking his health for...he's a young guy and it's not the craziest thought process, imo.
- isaiah520

He's gotta think of his health first no one's faulting him for that. It's when people want to sit there and say he's faking it cause he heard he could be traded that's when the shrapnel flies.

tough to play the team game with that many rookies coming in and out of the lineup. not an excuse, but I've tempered my expectations since pronger got hurt...more focused on effort and progress.
- isaiah520

The defensive zone coverage is terrible. Until that changes this team will continue to be who they are. Expectations at this point should be held in check bc their too inconsistent right now to be a contender.

Rinaldo was just fined recently, so a hearing now means a suspension. He's been on the edge all year, Shanahan is probably tired of seeing Rinaldo's name pop up on his screen.
- PLindbergh31

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVZCQLLNTuU
18.00 shoulder to the sternum perfectly legal, his momentum at the point of contact got him airborne.

The guy he hit made Lindros look like a poster boy for awareness all skating forward around the net while staring backwards. What a tool he deserved getting his clock cleaned.
- JoeRussomanno

Fair point. Blessing in disguise, it gives Shelley a chance to get back in the lineup and stay sharp.

now ur saying it was dirty? hahaha rinaldo get paid his $575,000 to take the body, i call that doing his job
- Flyers4Life88

At first, I called the hit questionable. Then, you had made a comment that he had already "committed to the hit". I followed up by saying regardless of whether or not he has committed, a dirty hit will be a dirty hit. I'm not necessarily saying that Rinaldo's hit was dirty (though it's certainly questionable, hence the meeting), I am simply stating that whether or not a player committed holds no barring on the "dirty-ness" of a hit.

First and formost draft heavy on D. Then I'd let Carle walk for anything over 4. Carrying three 3-4 defenseman only takes away money from elsewhere. Target the best D UFA as well as a solid vet or possibly two for around or under 2mil a piece for the 5-6.
- hereticpride

I'd keep Carle around for upwards of $5 million/year.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to grab a defenseman in the first round this year, as this year's crop is defense-heavy. But I don't know too many orgs who succeed by drafting heavily on defense. You still take the best player available, regardless of position.