Belarus

Wait a minute, now I'M intrigued! If I understand this right (which is always a roll of the dice), you would like to trade Klingberg for someone else but still pay 3.5 million of his salary. So, we'd end up with someone else and pay 3.5 million more than what they're worth. Who exactly is it that you would trade for to make this all worth while?

Very nice! I was hoping we'd sign him. FS93 might be happy for the first time in months...

OK, let me stir the pot here. If he wanted to play here again, would you sign Bobby Ryan? If so, for how long and what salary range? Do consider, in his last four active seasons he played for bottom-dweller teams, which didn't help his stats.

This is a curious topic. The general consensus seems to be, "Cam Fowler is a lousy defenseman because he's not as good as Scott Niedermayer." Well folks, most defensemen aren't!

Of course, it's always better to make the right move than to make no move. But... It's always better to make no move than to make the wrong one.

Gads, couldn't find this anywhere on Google, so I had to read the NHL CBA (GASP) to find it: "Lower Limit. No Club shall, after commencement of the regular season, be permitted to have an Averaged Club Salary that falls below the Lower Limit for that League Year." I take it that the cap floor must be met before the regular season starts, as opposed to a specific date, say, "August 24." So, we have lots of time to meet the cap floor.

Worthwhile article. Some unique and memorable photos. I'd never seen the one of Giguere's infant. I laughed out loud at "Vancouver Riot 2011." Of all the places to... https://www.si.com/nhl/2014/06/04/100-best-photos-stanley-cup-finals-history#gid=ci0255884d4005279d&pid=bobby-orr-1970

I've been intrigued by Klingberg as well. The only caution I see is the negative plus/minus over the last three years, but he has played for a poor Dallas team. And it seems like all the lousy teams saddle their players with poor plus/minus stats. Is he too expensive? Thoughts? An speaking of Matthew Tkachuk, can you imagine what it'd be like if Ottawa signed him and put him on the same line as Brady?

I'm excited about Strome and Vatrano. But it seems odd that no one has mentioned the other five signed. I am puzzled about these signings though: De Leo - 26 years old - 7 NHL games Gawdin - 25 years old - 9 NHL games Kirkland - 25 years old - 0 NHL games Strand - 25 years old - 21 NHL games White - 25 years old - 38 NHL games Were these players signed to fill out the ranks at San Diego? Does that mean a few youngsters will make the "big club" this year, creating openings for these new players? They DO seem to have good minor league stats, but little to no NHL time. Any thoughts?

"Judge, I'm not Michael Gallow, I'm Michael CALLOW!"

Gads, I just discovered that Arizona has seven picks in the first two rounds, including three picks in a five pick spread. Must be nice! (However, you do normally have to be pretty lousy to get that many picks in the first place...)

Is Dadonov russian for "Father's Day?" 😐

Maroon and Perry for the Lightning, Cogliano and Manson for the Avalanche. But I'm torn! I want to see Perry win another one before he retires, as well as not wanting him to lose a third straight final with three different teams. But I would also love to see the thrill for Cogliano and Manson, being as neither one has ever won a cup. Especially in Cogliano's case after the disappointment of the way his "iron man" streak ended. I think I'd like it more for Perry, but I like the Avalanche better as a team! It'll be bittersweet regardless. Any thoughts from you guys? I think I know who Getzlaf is rooting for...

On a lighter note - on the Avs/Oilers post game discussion tonight they were mentioning Gretzky's five Lady Byngs, and how Rick Tocchet should get "the opposite of the Lady Byng." Made me laugh. Say, if they DID give an "anti-Lady Byng" award to the most UN-gentlemanly player, who do you think would get it? Marchant? Wilson? Beagle?

Was watching the Avs/Oilers post-game wrap-up with Gretzky and friends, and they were opinioning on what off-season moves the Oilers might need to do to improve for next year. One of the thoughts offered was to get a replacement for goaltender Mike Smith, being as he's in the twilight of his career. Hmm, think the Oilers might have Gibson on their radar?

I find such a silly idea inex-HUGHES-able... 🙄

Lots of articles on this subject, but here's just one. https://thehockeywriters.com/the-best-late-round-nhl-draft-picks/ Shows that you don't have to be a first round draft pick to make a difference. How some of these players went so late is mind-boggling to me!

I'm not as "player savvy" as others on the board. As far as positions go, do you think we need to further increase our offensive abilities, or do you think we need better defense? Goaltenders perhaps? With Terry, Zegras, Milano, and players like McTavish on the way, perhaps we should add to our defense this draft. (I know what Gibson would say...) Opinions?

Interestingly, Terry was wearing an "A" for the game against San Jose, one game after Getzlaf's last.

The moment I heard Getzlaf was retiring I though, "Uh, oh. They didn't decide to keep..."

A quick Google image search will prove you incorrect. There's plenty of photos with Selanne wearing a "C" on his sweater. Also, see this link: https://www.nhl.com/ducks/team/captains-and-coaches

The board has noted that Fowler might be too soft spoken. However, "volume" has nothing to do with leadership. Selanne and Niedermayer weren't confrontational, but were good leaders. Selanne perhaps the best of all. I think a reasonable idea would be for the players, at the beginning of next season, to vote among themselves as to who should take the helm. If were up to me, I'd select Fowler, then either Henrique or Silfverberg.

Gads, if this was a BM deal it'd be like, "After conferring with Dany Heatley, I've decided to trade Josh Manson's third cousin for Drew Helleson's second cousin twice removed. Neither one knows how to ice skate but they're both taking lessons as we speak. And to sweeten the deal, we just gave Drew's cousin a one-way 18 year 249 million dollar contract extension with a no-movement clause." Good luck and thank you, Manson.

Geez, shots on goal 16-45? Really? REALLY? Gibson ought to be throwing his helmet at half the team. Oh well. Enough ranting. Happy New Year everyone!

Geez, Pittsburgh won the game on their first shot on goal. Was an entertaining final minute of play, though. Puck went everywhere but in the net!