We lost 261 man games to injury last season. More than any other team that made the playoffs. We couldn't create any chemistry long term because someone was always hurt. Versteeg is finally healthy. Kulikov is healthy. Upshall is healthy. Garrison was never going to resign here. Goaltending always worries me.

But I think Kuba=Garrison. Forget the 16 goals. They were ALL one timers from the point on the PP. All of em. All passes from Brian Campbell. Samuelsson didn't want to resign here, either. All things considered, I think we have remained status quo. If Mueller turns it up it'll be the steal of the off season. Huberdeau has some shoes to fill for sure. But he led our team in points last pre season so it's obvious he can score here. He just wasn't big enough. What's the point in drafting elite talent if you don't utilize them? We were never going to go after Parise, Doan, or Semin. Ever. We'll have to wait and see. But we didn't lose anyone significant enough to say we are "declining".
- Panthers88

not declining but i doubt everything will go right for you again this year to be honest... You had a good year, i definitely think your team is getting better with the likes of Markstrom Huberdeau Bjustad and Gubrandson getting older but i dont think you will be in the playoffs again, every team in the east is getting better and i cant see anyone carrying the team points wise and i dont see your goaltending holding up.... I guess we will see you definitely have promisisng guys coming up and Gudbrandson is due for a breakout year but i just dont see your roster being one in the playoffs...

Geez, mentioning Stastny in my blogs is like putting honey outside on a plate during the summer on a hot sunday afternoon....


- Colin Dambrauskas

you just stay away from Stastny and everything will be all right

Geez, mentioning Stastny in my blogs is like putting honey outside on a plate during the summer on a hot sunday afternoon....


- Colin Dambrauskas

lol, will check in shortly, finishing up some work.

Completely agree. I really believe that the reason we had so many OT losses last year was because of our injuries. We were just gassed. Hopefully we stay healthy and don't get to OT all the time. But I can see us in that 6-8 area.
- Panthers88

The only shot the Panthers have at winning the division is if they acquire Luongo.

And then trade Markstrom to Toronto.

Nothing we can do but wait unfortunately. He looked like a boy amongst men at development camp a few weeks back. Was really fun to watch. We also have Quinton Howden who may make the jump, but will most likely start the season in the AHL. This is all of course assuming we even have a season next year
- Panthers88

I like teams like Florida,, just throw something together and hope it works. I kinda wish the leafs would do that again. This re-building thing is pissing me off. Florida is like Tampa or Washington, skilled forwards but no D. I just believe losing Garrison is a bigger deal then you might think.

not declining but i doubt everything will go right for you again this year to be honest... You had a good year, i definitely think your team is getting better with the likes of Markstrom Huberdeau Bjustad and Gubrandson getting older but i dont think you will be in the playoffs again, every team in the east is getting better and i cant see anyone carrying the team points wise and i dont see your goaltending holding up.... I guess we will see you definitely have promisisng guys coming up and Gudbrandson is due for a breakout year but i just dont see your roster being one in the playoffs...
- Bar-South

The only team that scares me is Carolina. They really improved and I'm happy for them. I've never been afraid of the Rangers or Flyers. We always find a way to beat them anyway. The young kids are definitley exciting. I can't wait to see them in the NHL. If Weiss, Versteeg, and Fleischmann can stay healthy and contribute, along with contributions from Upshall, Bergenheim, Huberdeau, and Mueller.. anything is possible.

I like teams like Florida,, just throw something together and hope it works. I kinda wish the leafs would do that again. This re-building thing is pissing me off. Florida is like Tampa or Washington, skilled forwards but no D. I just believe losing Garrison is a bigger deal then you might think.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

For his defense, yes. But I think Kuba is a better defensive defenseman without-a-doubt. His offensive numbers were a lie, he was being spoon fed one timers.

The only team that scares me is Carolina. They really improved and I'm happy for them. I've never been afraid of the Rangers or Flyers. We always find a way to beat them anyway. The young kids are definitley exciting. I can't wait to see them in the NHL. If Weiss, Versteeg, and Fleischmann can stay healthy and contribute, along with contributions from Upshall, Bergenheim, Huberdeau, and Mueller.. anything is possible.
- Panthers88

In the regular season you find a way to beat them...it would be a lot different in the playoffs though...I do like Bergenheim though and I hope Huberdeau comes to his own.

Geez, mentioning Stastny in my blogs is like putting honey outside on a plate during the summer on a hot sunday afternoon....


- Colin Dambrauskas

Yeah, you totally blew the world away identifying a 6.6 million center playing on a third line as a possible obrainable player! Did you predict Stal leaving PITS too?? Who saw that coming??

The only shot the Panthers have at winning the division is if they acquire Luongo.

And then trade Markstrom to Toronto.
- Two_For_Truth

Haha, that will so never happen. If we do trade Markstrom, it will be for offense.. like Ryan or something. I don't want Luongo and neither do most fans down here.

I like teams like Florida,, just throw something together and hope it works. I kinda wish the leafs would do that again. This re-building thing is pissing me off. Florida is like Tampa or Washington, skilled forwards but no D. I just believe losing Garrison is a bigger deal then you might think.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I think the Canucks are really going to regret forking over 6+ a year for Garrison

Haha, that will so never happen. If we do trade Markstrom, it will be for offense.. like Ryan or something. I don't want Luongo and neither do most fans down here.
- Panthers88

I don't think fans anywhere want Luo...he's like the plague

Yeah, you totally blew the world away identifying a 6.6 million center playing on a third line as a possible obrainable player! Did you predict Stal leaving PITS too?? Who saw that coming??
- Schneiderman

Sorry I disapointed you.

Where's the fatman today?

Stuck in Dambrauskas' honey?

I don't think fans anywhere want Luo...he's like the plague
- celata29

Yeah, and to be more indepth about Markstrom, I think there is some concern from management. Keep in mind he has had knee surgery on both knees. For a goaltender that is a huge issue. But I still think he is in the plans at least for the next few years.

In the regular season you find a way to beat them...it would be a lot different in the playoffs though...I do like Bergenheim though and I hope Huberdeau comes to his own.
- celata29

Rangers are the new Canucks of the East, all flash during the season, big flops in the playoffs. Barely got through every series they won, eliminated by the 8th seed after finishing first. Can't wait to see them build themselves up for a big dissapointment again!

Yeah, and to be more indepth about Markstrom, I think there is some concern from management. Keep in mind he has had knee surgery on both knees. For a goaltender that is a huge issue. But I still think he is in the plans at least for the next few years.
- Panthers88

Yeah I would definitely hold onto him and see how it pans out. You have to do that with goalies.

I think the Canucks are really going to regret forking over 6+ a year for Garrison
- celata29

Ya probably haha.. but theres still a hole on FLA on D. Who knows i could be wrong and they could be great but i just want them to suck cuz they always play hard against the Leafs.

Rangers are the new Canucks of the East, all flash during the season, big flops in the playoffs. Barely got through every series they won, eliminated by the 8th seed after finishing first. Can't wait to see them build themselves up for a big dissapointment again!
- Schneiderman

If the last part is about the Rangers then they were knocked out by a 6th seed, but I catch your drift. If it was about the Canucks, disregard that statement.

Sorry I disapointed you.
- Colin Dambrauskas

No dissapointment, just seemed like you were taking credit for breaking this trade idea. If I misinterpreted, I withdraw the comment lol

Ya probably haha.. but theres still a hole on FLA on D. Who knows i could be wrong and they could be great but i just want them to suck cuz they always play hard against the Leafs.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Lol they do the same thing against the Bruins

If the last part is about the Rangers then they were knocked out by a 6th seed, but I catch your drift. If it was about the Canucks, disregard that statement.
- celata29

I stand corrected, thought the Devils finished 8th for some reason.

Haha, that will so never happen. If we do trade Markstrom, it will be for offense.. like Ryan or something. I don't want Luongo and neither do most fans down here.
- Panthers88

Wouldn't bet on that.

No dissapointment, just seemed like you were taking credit for breaking this trade idea. If I misinterpreted, I withdraw the comment lol
- Schneiderman

Not at all...Stastny to team X has been discussed several times over...its just I havnt discussed it thoroughly within a blog, and with the rumors of Jbo being traded, I saw a fit.

The honey comment was meant towards Leafs fans swarming over when they saw his name

Anyone have a link to the opening ceremonies? I can't watch it on CTV's website because I need to install something that I don't have administrative rights to install.