DarthEbriate

Nor should it (the FA). At least, from the opposition GM's point of view. If I'm a GM I might consider Larry. But none of the rest of the UFAs interest me. The question is: is that D a Pilut or a Joker or a Risto? What are we willing to do for our 2C?

Anaheim fire sale: roast duck is on the menu. This is where the fun begins...

Good point. You'd have to find a seller (OTT) and do the sign and trade like Pageau. But a 1st and 2nd, with a conditional 3rd is a high a price for JPP. That big C is an offseason move in most accounts.

That's not how JBot works. You trade a 3rd for the opportunity to take on a 2.5M Vesey-style salary. You don't trade the salary for the 3rd. ?

Although Hutchinson did get moved and he was dreck this year, didn't even have Hutton's hot streak potential. (Though I don't think we move Hutton with Ullmark out; and JJ is a potential Roc starter next year)

He's not what he once was, and it's been pointed out above his 5on5 numbers are not solid anymore. He can be a grinder and an Okposo insurance policy. Question: Would Simmonds get 2PP time on our current roster?

I would have loved Simmonds in his mid-to-late 20s and prior to the $5M hit. Now... it's a good pickup for a playoff run. And a solid rental for a 5th and retained salary.

Hey, whaddaya fellers think of JBot? What are our choices? A) Like him. B) Don't like him. C) Sneak out in the middle of the night. Complain about and praise the moves he's made, hasn't made, or is yet to make. We'll take C. Very popular choice!

Like KO just said, I'm just glad that they've forced JBot to at least consider buying, rather than selling and just focusing on the future. Never his mind on where he was!

I'm of the conservative mindset as well. This team would benefit so much from a playoff appearance -- just to understand what's needed in the years to come. But, do not mortgage or risk the future for a big push this year (the team is solid, but they're missing too many pieces to go through the 2-month slog that is the playoffs). If we could give a 2nd for a UFA/rental 2C, then yeah, that'd be something to look into.

The GMTM school of goalie-ing... draft a really big guy of the Swedish disposition. I don't know that you want to limit yourself to just one nation's tallest people (no offense @MODO Hockey), but both Ullmark and JJ have really blossomed in their years since drafting.

I really like him as a player (and a person) and I still get scared any time he gets hit or worse... goes after someone to defend a teammate. Love him on the team (cost...sure...) but still worry about him because just like Tim C and LaFontaine and countless others, head injuries are scary.

The Isles are still playing, but we're not competing with them. JBot --- it's your call now. Are you going for it or selling for next year? This squad is playing well. Maybe still not quite there, but they're playing well.

You mean the squads that would play out the string on their heroic run to 8th or 9th? I hope so.

Good game, gents!

So much icing, I'm feeling like a sated wampa.

Well, I guess this is a free time out. And then an actual time out. I still need to practice that intro. Alternately, hello Cleveland!

You go, Okposo!

Yup --- Vesey out with Jack and Sam (although that's not surprising given the lead), but it could definitely just be to give the rookie a little rest, too.

I want Okposo wearing a new top hat today.

We've almost got a dinner here. I wonder if Olofsson's leg is really tight/sore on the back-to-back. He's tentative today.

Gooooooolkposo!

Scary turnover, but the GLO line shuts it down.

Are we talking about Ewoks? Jawas? Ugnaughts? Whoever hit Risto put on a heck of a hit.

A little C&C to start the 3rd