Trettioåtta

Pominville trade was like a relative dying of a sudden heart attack. Sudden, cruel, seemingly unfair. It inspired anger, initially before acceptance Vanek trade was like the kid you don't really care for leaving for college. You should feel sad but you just don't. It had to be done, he should go on to get a good education but he never really cared for you in the last few years so it is hard to feel sad Miller trade is like a relative dying from a battle with cancer. Melancholy but you are glad their suffering is over and they are in a better place

I see it as two separate trades. Maybe that's why. I agree with Bob, who thinks we will flip Halak to MIN and Stewart to OTT. But I do like this haul. It is as good as we could ever get in my mind. Flipping Stewart on deadline day could net us quite a lot as well. It gives us a powerful card up our sleeve. Imagine if the trade was Ott/Miller for 2014 1st, 2015 1st, 2014 2nd, 2016 3rd, Carrier, Carrier

Yeah I guess. I think he is a big piece in the return. He is still young. There is literally no other player on the Blues we could get. Berglund is the only other possible but he is an RFA after this contract, so suddenly that becomes a big part of the trade (probably a second instead of the first and no third). Stewart is inconsistent, but if Nolan can work his magic, who knows. The average first line player scores something like 55 points. 49 points is a top 6 forward. In the last full season 49 points would put him in the top 100 forwards (points) We got a top 100 scorer who plays with a physical edge for 20 games of Miller

His points average out to 50 points per season. That is a top 6 forward. And he isn't a one dimensional guy - offence isn't all he brings. We traded a few months of Miller and Ott (and we might resign Ott), we were never going to be getting anything heart stopping good back. What did you expect? Who on the Blues would you rather have?

Sabres just said 3rd round pick was 2015?

I really like this deal. We got a first and carrier for Ott - i.e. what was asked of him and we got Halak (place holder), Stewart and conditional third for Miller - far more than the 2nd that was expected of him. How anyone can be against this is beyond me. Stewart is better than a first round pick from the Blues in this years draft. He is proven (albeit, inconsistent), young enough and can step in now. if all we get are picks we will be 5 years away. I am also not too bothered if Stewart is flipped

An inconsistent one. 36 points in 48 games last season. Plus he brings a huge physical edge. He is our best cornerman by a large margin.

Lots of ex-sabres on that blues team and lots of team USA guys. They have to be the favourite for the cup now. Plus does Miller have the chance at the vezina now?

Why do you dislike Stewart so much? Prince is not a dead cert for the NHL by any means. He is a potential top 6 whereas Stewart is a physical top 6 already

Halak must be a cap thing. Guy is a UFA this year

Yeah exactly. He was pushed a bit but he wasn't trying to stop in anyway. He was following through from his momentum and push. Dick move But watching that response made me a little sad. Compare and contrast with Lucic were everyone just watched. And no, it isn't because the team hates Miller, it is because we were (are?) pathetic

Zetterberg was injured before the Olympics. He recovered then reinjured himself because he wasn't actually recovered. It is 6 extra games that are far less physical than the NHL. Stamkos broke his leg early in the season. Injuries happen. 6 games of Olympic hockey are negligible. The owners don't have to pay a single dime for their players. A player goes and is injured for 10 years? Fine, let the IOC pay the bill. The risk they bare is that a star will lose time and they won't be able to recover the season. But freak injuries happen and the only way the NHL can get true international exposure is through the Olympics. NHL games start at 12am n Britain. In Europe it is 1am. Further east it is 4am. People don't stumble across the NHL. But they do watch the Olympics and go hey this is pretty cool. The top players play in the NHL, I'll check the NHL out see what it is like. Well, that is what I did anyway. My friend is from Sweden, pretty big Swedish national team hockey fan - if you asked him to name 5 NHL teams he couldn't do it. After these Olympics he said "I might check the NHL out next season" As a unit of 30, the owners will make more money from sending players and getting the exposure. Sure one or two might have their season go down hill afterwards, but that's part of the game. The NHL grows and that is the important thing

LOL I'll remember the argument the team lost motivation the next time Miller lets 5 in a game

Man I wish we had Toews. The guy is a beast

Interesting idea - you're probably right. Until now I literally hadn't thought about the lack of true winner takes all style events in British sport. Weird. I have no problem with males or females crying after a heartbreaking loss. And I am sure they do do it. However, I think that whilst you might be completely devastated, I don't see anything wrong with putting on a brave face for a few moments to represent your country with pride and honour. And as I said, I also feel when you don't put 100% effort into something, it is somewhat childish to then be distraught if it doesn't go your way. I have no horse in the race and as a general rule I usually want the underdog to win a game, or if I support a particular player then I want that team to win. For example, I wanted Latvia over Canada because underdog but wanted Canada over USA because Miller wasn't playing (and I thought he should) and because Toews is one of my favourite players. The medals are awarded 10-15 minutes after the game, if not more. I am not saying they have time to completely bounce back and move in in life. But they have enough time for the initial shock and immediate emotions to wear off and to get themselves into a state worthy of representing your country. Nor I am i suggesting they should be grinning when they get the medals. But I think they should look respectful, look the medal giver in the eye, say thank you and salute the crowd (and their home nation). Sobbing and staring at the ground whilst you receive your medal because you ###### up in the biggest game is just a little immature Again, I understand why they did it. But I think someone (e.g. the captain) should have rallied them into a team for one last moment

I think it depends. I appreciate it is heartbreaking, but I also think there is a time to be humble and pay respects to the winning team and also your country. The men didn't cry on the podium 4 years ago - and that is part of the problem. I think, although it is a double standard, having 20 women cry at the medal ceremony just seems quite 'weak' (for lack of a better word), like the women can't handle their emotions etc. Not to mention, the medal ceremony is not straight after the game. You have a few moments to collect yourself. How many minutes should a team of adults be allowed to sob before it becomes a bit self-indulgent. I also think there is the issue that the women were celebrating on the bench with a few mins to go. That is why it was so heartbreaking for them. They had written it up as a win for it to be snatched away. Their captain and coach should have focused them. They learnt a hard lesson about playing till the end. In this situation the women were crying but they didn't give it their all, the played a 55 minute game. So I think it also comes across as mixed messages - if the game meant that much to you don't celebrate until it is over.

What would these clauses do? Some NHL teams would let their players go - probably one of the best ways to sign top talent. Team A is offering me $7.8 million and says I can go to the Olympics team B is offering me $8 million but says absolutely not. I wonder which they pick. All comes down to game theory in the end.

Two people commented in paper about how it was a disgrace the women cried on the podium rather than celebrate their silver - calling it petulant and not the character of a true competitor. Someone thinks the letters are harsh, whilst JJ thinks they are great

The criticism/worry of the US team was it went for grit over offense. They just got shutout in back to back games. Hard to defend that when people pointed it out before the Olympics. If I am a UFA I might sign a one year deal with the KHL so I can play in the Olympics... Maybe I like it. Maybe I extend my time there. Suddenly young players have a better chance of representing their country at the highest level if they stay in Europe

Petulant Patrick Kane

The contacts are insured. The issue isn't the money, it is the missing time

Mentally weak. That is the USA. This is an embarrassing game for them.

Yeah that last goal isnt. But as someone said - the first was a weak goal, the second he way over committed and Kesler made a few big saves for him too. The guy played 20 hours ago. He must be exhausted Truculence wins trophies. GODD must be disappointed. His ideal team has just been shown to be useless in the two most important games

Burns was drafted primarily as an RW. It is the position he has developed for most of his life. (although he had played D a fair few times as well). If you haven't been raised playing a position at least infrequently i think you have little hope at the NHL level. All of Myers instincts would be wrong (waiting for someone to say "they are already always wrong" - they're not) and his positioning would be all over the place. As we have seen Myers real issue is his demons in his head. He is someone who needs confidence to play well. Moving positions would obliterate his confidence as he would be making mistake after mistake (as everyone does when they first start something). The NHL is not a place to learn. It is a place to develop. In short - no.

Don't argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience