LaLaLaFontaine

If this happens this will be sad. Hockey needs artists. Of course we also need hard checks and fights ( I love fights). But to send goons against super stars because the scored an awesome goal is crazy.

Hertls goal was simply awesome! The whole league should tap their hats to this expression of talent instead of bitching around like Oates. This is hockey in one of his purest forms, the artist side of the coolest game on earth.

Another fantastic video! Love it.

I would like Vanek as captain, but only with a contract extension. Ott is a very good choice ( needs cotract extension), but i also would like Ehrhoff.

This is plain awesome!!!

Very good new episode. I like the parts with the open communication at the draft table. That Ristolainen was so clearly their number one surprised me.

I think Ott is worth something crazy like 5 years 4.5 to 5 million. I like if we can get him for the money you suggested but i can not see it. Maybe 8 years at 3.5-4 million is possible but i am not sure we want this.

Me too :)

Great watch. About the interview of Mike Weber: We came out of the room and knew he may not make it but he will die trying. This is what i want of a player of my team.

I like this post. High picks does not guarantee anything. You need to be able to develop them in high quality players build the team around and need a good portion of luck to win the.stanley Cup. I think the Nhl is working currently in two steps. Step one: clinch a playoff spot in a very lomg 82 games season. For this you have to manage your energy, injuries, callups etc well. Step two: Play good playoff hockey and make a deep run. Playoff hockey is different, it is harder, much more intense, a kind of attricion war, where you have to manage carefully your possible step ins if player get injured ( what is normal). Basically it is a total different game, because you need a team to be able to focus on important games, a team which is able to put in a higher gear on command, because in the playoffs you need this additional power. Because of this i am not a fan of a complete rebuild from scratch. You need to get into the playoffs and show if Ou are able to play the second kind of hockey. During a rebuild you probably won't see playoff hockey in the beginning, but you really need to train the rookies how to play it early. You need a core team in which you trust and build around it. If it does not work change the bad parts of the core and add new parts. When you have an expceptional scorer like Vanek, who also scores in the playoffs, i would not trade him if i am able to sign him instead. Miller can be traded, because good goaltenders can be found more often. Elite goaltenders not, but unfortunately he only showed us one elite season. But now i am going away from my reply. I hope it is understandable what i wanted to write.

This and he shows our new young core some things about work ethic. Iw ould love to have him here, but it seems not to be so.

great post

Grabovski to Buffalo please. Oh and Michael Ryder too please

Honestly, they have to earn their spot. A nhl roster spot is not something you give away easily. If there is no competition there will be no improvement. Roy is a good example. He was lazy because of the lack of competition although he was an established center at that time. Grigo, Girgenson and Larson have to battle for their nhl spot. If they deliver, good and be welcome. If they don't, also good, to not waste too much time with a non/low performer ( on nhl level of course). The strong/ superior players will survive and help us to be a contender.

I am 100% with on this. We need a regular second line center, who can help us ( not like Roy).

I really would like to sign Grabovski. I like him somehow although he played for Toronto. And his age is is fine too. I think he would be cheaper than Filpulla, who is more a left wing than a center anyway. There is some second line center talent available in the current ufa season. What do you think?

I think it is not worth much, because as long Pronger is on LTIR his salary does not count against the cap. Philly has money so Pronger is not a (cap) burden as long he does not retire.

You are right, but his offseason the contenders do not have so much cap room left, so that some of them has to play for less money or go to a not contending team. I would love to sign Jagr for one year to teach our young squad. The same goes for Iginla. Character players like Dupuis i would also love to sign. Unfortunately Bickel is also off the market.

Thanks and i agree regarding targets. This would be a sign that we want to contend and go on a short rebuild which could convince Vanek to sign for some more years. I know many on this board want to start from scratch. I don't.

Hmmm this sounds like a dream. I believe that Buffalo premium needs to be much bigger to sign those guys. The UFAs easily take less money to be on a contender. They have enough, but if you talk about a Buffalo premium of 50 to 70% over market value, then they start to listen. Offer Vinny 40 mill for 4 years and he would be here. I don't believe he is worth half the money but he won't come to us for less. The same for Iginla 28 for for four and you have him. I also believe that we won't get the return for Vanek or Miller when the UFA market is loaded in such a ridiculous way. What i want to say is you have to ridiculous overpay to lure some old stars to us. I don't feel that this is the kind of rebuild i would like to see. But why not. It would be very exciting to read how this board rips them apart one by one.

Who should we sign then? Superstars are not interested. Maybe Jagr for 5 mill.

I agree, we need to sign Jagr and/or Iginla for the veteran presence and to keep Vanek happy. I do not want a rebuild from total scratch. A short succesful rebuild would be my prefered scenario.

I WANT BICKEL!!! Hire him Darcy! I love this guy! Congrats to Chicago for a great season!

Phaneuf is on the market: I would like him in a Sabres uniform. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/23/report-phaneuf-in-play-for-trade/

I also thought that Boston will win it now 3:2 in OT. Luckily this did not happen. I think Kanes performance in the finals is awesome so far. He scores when it counts. Bravo!!!