I wasn't surprised at all that Carle was player "A".
- 77rams

Neither was I. I know without reading that article that Suter is a better player then Carle. But as the article suggests, the gap between the two isn't that large. And I've brought this up before. So if Carle gets 5M and Suter get's 7M. Is Suter 2M a year better then Carle? I have my doubts.

I wasn't surprised at all that Carle was player "A".
- 77rams

Nope. But the numbers are similar. I do agree with the assessment that Suter is the better player, but it's not comparing Mark Howe to Doug Crossman.

i have no problem with Carle.. but come next season i cant pay him more then 4.5 really... and i think he will get more so i dont know if he will be here after this season imho
- Slammed81

I'd agree that there is a point above which we probably can't afford to re-sign Carle. But for me personally, I think that point should be higher than 4.5M. If we can keep him for anything in the $5M range, I think that's smart money. But if he wants $6M or more (which I think it's at least possible he could get on the open market), than we may have to part ways.

I think the two main issues with our d-men this season (excluding the obvious #1 in the loss of Pronger), are

1. The forwards are for the most part doing a horrid job defensively. It has been evident on the five on five play almost all season long, and now it's even on the PK. It's everything from missed assignments to not coming far enough back into the zone on breakouts to awful puck support. When the forwards consistently play poor defense, it's very hard for the D to look good. Not that they haven't made any mistakes - they have. But they are being hung out to dry way too often for it not to affect their play and their stats.

2. As JSaq and a few others have pointed out, Carle and Meszaros are being asked to babysit AHL caliber d-men this season. Last year they both played with solid vets (Pronger and O'Donnell). That's going to affect their play - everything from confidence to positioning to concentration. They each have a hell of a lot more to think about on each shift than they did last year. It would be foolish to think they can immediately play at the same level they did last season when faced with these challenges. We have to hope they learn from it and grow into the kind of players who can carry a sub-par partner and still play at a high level. They're not there yet, but that doesn't mean they've suddenly become talentless scrubs.

I'd agree that there is a point above which we probably can't afford to re-sign Carle. But for me personally, I think that point should be higher than 4.5M. If we can keep him for anything in the $5M range, I think that's smart money. But if he wants $6M or more (which I think it's at least possible he could get on the open market), than we may have to part ways.

I think the two main issues with our d-men this season (excluding the obvious #1 in the loss of Pronger), are

1. The forwards are for the most part doing a horrid job defensively. It has been evident on the five on five play almost all season long, and now it's even on the PK. It's everything from missed assignments to not coming far enough back into the zone on breakouts to awful puck support. When the forwards consistently play poor defense, it's very hard for the D to look good. Not that they haven't made any mistakes - they have. But they are being hung out to dry way too often for it not to affect their play and their stats.

2. As JSaq and a few others have pointed out, Carle and Meszaros are being asked to babysit AHL caliber d-men this season. Last year they both played with solid vets (Pronger and O'Donnell). That's going to affect their play - everything from confidence to positioning to concentration. They each have a hell of a lot more to think about on each shift than they did last year. It would be foolish to think they can immediately play at the same level they did last season when faced with these challenges. We have to hope they learn from it and grow into the kind of players who can carry a sub-par partner and still play at a high level. They're not there yet, but that doesn't mean they've suddenly become talentless scrubs.
- BringBack25

Do me a favor and delete this post? There is far too much rational and informed thought here.

Do me a favor and delete this post? There is far too much rational and informed thought here.
- MJL

Well, quite honestly I felt the need to redeem myself after posting that 2real was actually right about something.

Well, quite honestly I felt the need to redeem myself after posting that 2real was actually right about something.

- BringBack25

i love you too buddy

cripes what's wrong with washington they're going to let toronto into the playoffs

I have a gut feeling a deal will be made tomorrow

i love you too buddy
- 2Real

Just messing with you. I may not always agree with you about hockey, but over the years you've been pretty much on target with what you've posted about IT.

I have a gut feeling a deal will be made tomorrow
- griouxmvp2012

Try Gas-X. It'll help.

http://thehockeyguys.net/matt-carle-vs-ryan-suter/

Interesting look at Carle against another pending UFA defenseman
- Jsaquella

Good article. Still think Suter is head and shoulders above Carle, imo. If Suter does sign with us he probably will find a way to be terrible (just our luck). If they keep Carle or sign Suter thats a step in the right direction but they still will need to upgrade the 5th & 6th defenseman.

Try Gas-X. It'll help.

- BringBack25

Lol thanks for your concern

Lol thanks for your concern
- griouxmvp2012

I just hope we don't do any deals that require us to give up more than a mid to late round pick. This is not the year to play "Let's try to save the season at the trade deadline".

Just messing with you. I may not always agree with you about hockey, but over the years you've been pretty much on target with what you've posted about IT.
- BringBack25

And here I thought all he was saying was that his IT is better and easier and more elegant and more wonderful and poops rainbows

I just hope we don't do any deals that require us to give up more than a mid to late round pick. This is not the year to play "Let's try to save the season at the trade deadline".
- BringBack25

I honestly don't think they are gonna trade for a rental. I do sense a blockbuster coming tho

Just messing with you. I may not always agree with you about hockey, but over the years you've been pretty much on target with what you've posted about IT.
- BringBack25

thanks for recognizing

And here I thought all he was saying was that his IT is better and easier and more elegant and more wonderful and poops rainbows


- BulliesPhan87

Should know in the next hour or so

Edit, two games, just announced

http://video.nhl.com/vide...onsole?catid=60&id=157353

Good explanation, and Rinaldo clearly left his feet.
- Jsaquella

amazing, two games for a shoulder to shoulder hit

amazing, two games for a shoulder to shoulder hit
- flyerscup2011

welcome to the new nhl it sucks at times

Wow Habs winning again they might go to sellers to buyers
- Slammed81

Good. That might put an end to the Hal Gill lovefest that has been going on in here lately.

http://thehockeyguys.net/matt-carle-vs-ryan-suter/

Interesting look at Carle against another pending UFA defenseman
- Jsaquella

I have always appreciated Carle. He plays a subtle, well thought, game. If he had an accurate cannon for a shot he'd be a very good d-man, (dare I day borderline elite?), but he is what he is and he is solid. I hope they find a way to sign the guy.

I have always appreciated Carle. He plays a subtle, well thought, game. If he had an accurate cannon for a shot he'd be a very good d-man, (dare I day borderline elite?), but he is what he is and he is solid. I hope they find a way to sign the guy.
- Lexington Flyer

4 years 13 million

4 years 13 million
- Deasr1

If you're offering that to me you got a deal! No haggling at all! But Carle is going to walk without a second thought if Holmer even dreams about such a low ball offer.

This is a lineup i really think could cause some problems with the right match up:

Harts-g-jagr
simmongs-danny-read
jvr-schenn-vor
talbot-gaustard-cooter

kimmo-coburn
carle-grossman
gill-mezzy

bryz
bob

It pains me greatly to say this, but in this one, single, isolated case, 2real is right. There is no real technological reason not to have an ignore button. It doesn't have to be slow or glitchy, but to avoid that they'd have to change their software. And even if they chose open source software, there are still costs for migration, training, etc., etc., and I'm sure those costs are not in the HB budget. So I don't doubt that you're right when you say it's not going to happen.

But...2real...is...not...wrong......(gag).








I feel dirty.

- BringBack25

Dude this post has set me off on an archaeological back read wtf!