Leave Rielly in the minors for at least this full season (if there is NHL hockey)..maybe even next for the first portion of it. We have Gardiner to tide us over for now, when he doesn't win the norris immediately we can crap on him for the time being.

He has more mobility than Percy and Finn, also has offensive capabilities, I rate him higher than Finn and Percy, also in the mix is Granberg, Gunnarsson is still young enough to be in the group, can't rush them, they need a couple of years with the Marlies.
- LeafMan

IDK.. im not sold on blacker.. His production has dropped in the AHL.. He's not that big either. I like Gunner tho, he seems to ofter a little Swedish pizazz to the N.American dominated D corps.

not rushing is key.

the red wing way.

i say we follow that suit, its worked very well for them, for many years.

example: Brendan Smith.
- big_dion

Depends, don't rush those who aren't ready like throwing Tlusty out there at 19 when he clearly wasn't ready and benching him giving him fourth line time. Much like what happened to Nino Niederrater. One of the issues with the CHL, some guys are way too good for junior but not ready for the NHL so they either have to learn nothing and sometimes become complacent or they go to the NHL and stifle development.

No one will win the Norris other than Karlsson, Letang, Weber, or Chara for the next 10 years...

Depends, don't rush those who aren't ready like throwing Tlusty out there at 19 when he clearly wasn't ready and benching him giving him fourth line time. Much like what happened to Nino Niederrater. One of the issues with the CHL, some guys are way too good for junior but not ready for the NHL so they either have to learn nothing and sometimes become complacent or they go to the NHL and stifle development.
- AdamFrench

very well put Frenchy.

not giving up on a prospect just because he cant make the leap when you "the fans/staff" want him to, is also key.

leafs easily could have traded kadri for an NHL ready player who would be ok, but hes like holding onto a wild card, he could boom or bust.

anyhow, well said frenchy.

No one will win the Norris other than Karlsson, Letang, Weber, or Chara for the next 10 years...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

luckily for them Grabovski plays centre lol

Forsberg won because of Sakic. And its never personal because i'm not even sure you are a person.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

That's location worthy.

IDK.. im not sold on blacker.. His production has dropped in the AHL.. He's not that big either. I like Gunner tho, he seems to ofter a little Swedish pizazz to the N.American dominated D corps.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Blacker is being held back in a defensive role with Kostka, Gardiner, Ranger and Gysbers on the powerplay, once the NHL season starts and Gardiner and possibly Ranger gone, you will see him get time there. Also Blacker lays out some big hits, he is more Physical than Finn and Percy, better skater to. He had good numbers in junior, just needs the chance from Eakins.

edit: 6'2", 200 pounds is big enough.

Reilly, Gardiner, Percy, Finn, Phaneuf, Liles...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

No Gunnar?

That's location worthy.
- bloatedmosquito

What did he win without Sakic? To be honest... Crosby wouldn't have won without Malkin.

Query: If the League starts on Dec 16th, Will Burkie still have a self imposed trade freeze?

No Gunnar?
- As_I_See_It

Im not sure there is much room. Dont get me wrong i love his game and consistency. I'd be happy if they kept him over blacker or finn but wouldn't lose any sleep if they traded him.

Not that im aware of... Im kinda pissed that they killed Lilly Bell tho. She was the only decent looking thing on that show. Justified is back in January
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I just found this.

http://screenrant.com/hel...n-wheels-season-3-delayed

Lilly deserved it. She got killed because she wouldn't let Bohannon kill the Swede. Always thinking she knew best, stubbornly refusing to do what she was told despite all the men around her giving her sound advice. I mean, what woman would ever do that...oh, wait. Nevermind.

Never seen Justified. Can't wait to see what goes down when The Walking Dead returns!

What did he win without Sakic? To be honest... Crosby wouldn't have won without Malkin.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

That wasn't your point.

What did Gretzky win without Messier?

Blacker is being held back in a defensive role with Kostka, Gardiner, Ranger and Gysbers on the powerplay, once the NHL season starts and Gardiner and possibly Ranger gone, you will see him get time there. Also Blacker lays out some big hits, he is more Physical than Finn and Percy, better skater to. He had good numbers in junior, just needs the chance from Eakins.

edit: 6'2", 200 pounds is big enough.
- LeafMan

Oh, i had him at 6'1 190... He shoots right too so thats good.. From what i read about Percy, he has a knack for slowing the game down, is good at breaking up offensive rushes, and has an offensive side. An all around trust-worthy dman.

That wasn't your point.

What did Gretzky win without Messier?
- Scooby_Doo

Bring hockey to the southern US and ruin the future of the league.

No one will win the Norris other than Karlsson, Letang, Weber, or Chara for the next 10 years...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Probably, unless another youngster that all the broadcasters get a massive boner for lights it up offensively while getting almost no time starting in the defensive zone or penalty killing time. You know, actually playing defense instead of just being put in a position to capitalize offensively without having to do any of the grunt work on the blue line or in front of his own net.

Also, I'm going to go ahead and throw Pietrangelo into that group of possible winners over the next decade. Maybe OEL too if he gets out of hockey hell. Justin Faulk is coming along nicely too.

What did he win without Sakic? To be honest... Crosby wouldn't have won without Malkin.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

That argument could go both ways. I'm not sure either Sakic or Forsberg would have won much without Roy. So it's a silly argument. They complimented each other.

That wasn't your point.

What did Gretzky win without Messier?
- Scooby_Doo

Gretzky couldnt carry a team to the Cup either.. Messier could tho.

Oh, i had him at 6'1 190... He shoots right too so thats good.. From what i read about Percy, he has a knack for slowing the game down, is good at breaking up offensive rushes, and has an offensive side. An all around trust-worthy dman.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

With Gardiner, Rielly, Blacker, Finn and Percy, we have some good potential at defence. Can't rush some of them though.

That wasn't your point.

What did Gretzky win without Messier?
- Scooby_Doo

What did Messier ever do without Kevin Lowe?

Yzerman Cups without Lidstrom = 0

Lidstrom Cups without Yzerman = 1

BOOM

That argument could go both ways. I'm not sure either Sakic or Forsberg would have won much without Roy. So it's a silly argument. They complimented each other.
- bloatedmosquito

The arguement was that Swedes never deliver championships.. With the exception of Lidstrom but even he had a very strong supporting cast. It take a well rounded team to win no matter what.

Yzerman Cups without Lidstrom = 0

Lidstrom Cups without Yzerman = 1

BOOM
- AdamFrench

OMG

Yzerman Cups without Lidstrom = 0

Lidstrom Cups without Yzerman = 1

BOOM
- AdamFrench

You're good at this!