CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

i would imagine they have a bunch of young guys in the system that you will see jumping around the roster during the season. draft picks aren't for nothing now a days.

BstonBruin

6 years $45 million for Heatley. Definitely worth it, you can't let a guy like that go. One of the best players I have seen in person

TSXforme

This is the Leafs we're talking about here. The Leafs and Rangers pre lock out have dealt away many of their prospects/draft picks for a chance to win now. Unfortunately the Leafs have a GM who seems to always handcuff the team (hello JFJ?). No need to worry Dom...if the Rangers can turn it around, the Leafs will too someday.

dom

No, not really. Unless there are injuries we won't see the young guys. And they aren't anything to get excited about anyway.

dom

He did them a favor. He could have possibly got max money which is 10 mil.

fdl

Would you rather be Phoenix?

dom

Let me look into it, but I'm guessing yes. I can't think of a more dysfunctional franchise.

Yumcha

Um. Try being a Chicago fan.

dom

Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews = /your argument.

Yumcha

And that's after how many years of disappointment and agony...?

Let's count the countless GMs, coaches replaced in the time since the last GOOD Hawks team.

What even gets me going is how the Hawks could SCREW up finishing poorly. The years when Malkin was in the draft, the Hawks picked 3rd. Same thing for Ovechkin too.

Moog-Type-S

savage

this is gonna be a long season for Bruins fans...

thank god we have the Celtics...

who would have ever thought I would be saying that at the end of last season...

dom

Leafs = 40 years since appearing in Finals.

Hawks = 15 years since appearing in Finals

= /your argument.

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

Islanders? Mike Milbury? Can't get much more dysfunctional than that. We have an owner who wants to build a state of the art landmark as a stadium... but the government doesn't want it. Hello, more revenue? We paid the longest contract in history for a 19 year old goalie. We have... 2... serious veterans? Rumor has it the team will be moving.

dom

^ See post 8115

dom

BTW - Milbury ain't half bad as an analyst on TSN.

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

well islanders havent even been around for 40 years yet.. hehe.

oh, milbury knows the game, but has ZERO managerial skills.

btw - who did toronto beat in 02 to advance in the playoffs?

dom

Isles then Sens and then lost to Canes.....

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

anyone notice the trend that the largest hockey franchises (mostly original six) which have always had a large representation in the finals disappearing lately? For some reason i've been getting the feeling that betman is turning the NHL into Nascar by trying to bail out all the southern expansion teams. The leafers are hurting so bad I feel that they need to do a full revamp and fire everyone start from scratch.

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

we also tangled with you guys in the 70s, but that predates me so i dont know the details.

even so you guys still hold more titles than almost anyone in the league. you know what they say, good things come to those who wait.

Yumcha

Disagree.

I bet nothing would make Bettman giggle in his little suit more than seeing an Original 6 team back in the Finals. And to an extent, excellence still exists for the Red Wings...they were and still are quite the powerhouse. The Rangers are making a comeback with all of their mad-signings...

It's more the Leafs, Bruins, and Hawks that are maddening...but, that's more to mismangement than some higher-League conspiracy.

BstonBruin

I think they'll be pretty good this year...much better than last year at least. I think they'll finish in the top 5 in east

savage

i don't know... a good season for this team would be getting the last spot for the playoffs... they don't have anyone who can carry this team outside Bergeron...

Chara is great, but he just holds up the defense...

if the forwards can't get backcheck and make plays this team isn't going far...

moving Thorton was possibly one of the stupidest moves by the B's ever... they should have built a team around him. Add a veteran to be the leader and let Joe just play his game...

dom

That will likely go down as one of the worst trades in the history of the NHL. Top 3 for sure.

BstonBruin

Only Bergeron can carry the team...? I think there a bunch of players on the team that can lead mainly Savard and Chara. Chara is saying that he will go back to the way he played in Ottawa. Savard one of the best passers and leaders I have seen in a while. They've added some grit, the defense corps is going to be very good imo (Alberts, Stuart, Chara, Wideman etc)

They finally have a possible top 10 goalie in the league in Fernandez, while still having Thomas who could challenge for the the number one spot.

The only thing that they are really lacking is pure goal scoring, can't rely on Murray alone as the teams sniper.

I agree with the Thornton ordeal, I don't even want to get started on that.

savage

I hope they prove me wrong, i have been a huge Bruins fan for years, but there is nothing on this team outside Bergeron and Chara that impress me...

Savard isn't bad so he could help turn things around, but with Fernandez the book is still out... like you said he is a "possible" top 10 goalie, but we will see.

It will be tough if the Bruins give up as many shots as they did last year... even for a top 3 goalie...

BstonBruin

I still don't know how you are overlooking Savard. Last two season totals

164 games 50 goals 143 assists 193 points

the way he sees the ice, he makes everybody around him so much better.

Yumcha

Darned Hawks!

Moog-Type-S

Looking good in the "goals for" category so far. :wink:

fdl

So how do you guys think the pens will do this year?

Yumcha

Well, from all intents and purposes, they played a pretty good game. But, now I'm suddenly quite concerned that Havlat's injured for an extended period of time...again.

Yumcha

Quite good.

They are the "Avs" of this decade.

dom

Top 3 in the conference in the reg season and possible finalists, For sure in conf finals.

Where they lose to the Leafs.

Yumcha

The Leaves and what army...?

dom

If the Leafs and Hawks combined rosters do you think they would make the playoffs?

Yumcha

You guys have the blueliners we need. And we have the young 'uns you need for enthuiasm and some speediness.

TSXforme

I think they'll finish around where they ended up last year. I'm still not entirely convinced that the Pens have the depth on defence to sustain any long play off runs. Scoring in the regular season is one thing...

TSXforme

Havlat is hurt again? That guy can't buy a break.

Moog-Type-S

Yumcha

Yup...his surgically repaired shoulder seems to be reinjured. MRI is due today with results announced later.

2-3 weeks at least. Fawk. There goes the optimism of the season again. As good as Kane and Toews have looked, you can't put your hopes on two rookies.