French Collection

Thoughts on the 2008 combine. Bogosian blew away Erik Karlsson. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/bogosian-vs-karlsson-cant-overvalue-nhl-combine/

Link to the NHL combine, defenseman discussion. https://www.nhl.com/news/heiskanen-makar-rising-defensemen-at-nhl-scouting-combine/c-289677218?tid=289593026

Skating is the #1 requirement in my opinion. An intangible I like to call "fire in the belly" leads to never quitting, practicing hard, constantly improving and battling for every inch of ice. Luck does play a part in health and getting noticed. Connections help as well, we see many second generation players making it.

I'm a Jack Nicklaus fan so it looks less likely every year that Tiger will break his Majors record.

I'm pulling for the Preds too. Pens have their Cups.

He put up better numbers in junior than Eric Cornel.

I don't miss Vanek face.

I concur that he would be a tremendous player in the playoffs. Keep in mind that he needs to convey whether he likes it here or prefers UFA. This should be where JBot starts the discussion.

Good comparable, we could use a Keith but Woolley will help. He may also help on the PP. I watched him play a bit in the IIHF WHC and he wasn't a standout but he can skate and helped the Russians move he puck. He seemed comfortable on their PP.

Correct. First they need to determine if he wants to stay. Then they can start to work on the money issue, cap hit, value and term.

Antipin with 2 assists as Russia eliminates the Czech Republic.

That is creative! Forward it to JBot.

I hope the new coach tries Sam at 3C. He may not be as productive there but should get some good matchups and be able to feed his wingers. Having 3 scoring lines would help everyone's even strength scoring. A lot of his points would come from remaining on the #1 PP unit.

Since the Bobby Orr era the award has gone to one of if not the top scoring defenseman. The only exception I can recall is Rod Langway. Doughty's numbers were not eye popping either, but he drove their possession game. Risto's numbers will probably improve with a higher scoring lineup. He may get some consideration. He is big and likes to be physical. He does need to improve his defensive game to be considered elite.

I agree. Moulson needs to go to Vegas, eliminating one problem. I think Ennis still has value for a trade, find a taker. Bogo will probably be staying so let's live with him. Gorges can be a depth D for one year and he comes off the books in time for our big RFAs.

I remember Grigorenko sliding from #2 to where Darcy took him.

Reporting late for work.

Can we afford him once he reaches FA status?

I'd be willing to give Girgs a bottom six role for one more year. If someone else wants him (Vegas?) then bon voyage.

You need players that embrace their roles on the team. Moulson and Ennis have been first line players and Girgs even had a taste of it under Nolan. They may feel they deserve better.

I'm just not a fan of Gillis.

Don't think TP will be satisfied with missing the playoffs. Even a narrow miss on the last day of the season would keep us all engaged.

Guardians 2 was good, loved Baby Groot retrieving Yando's mohawk.

Nice gesture by Bellemare of France declining the Player of the game award and giving it to his goalie. Guy stopped 42 shots vs Finland.

Gillis was 1/2 of the brains behind the Kassian-Hodgson trade. He also drafted CoHo.