I was at the game last night. Two things that were very evident to me. Now mind you it was just the one game, therefore I want to watch them both carefully for a few more games.

First, Cody Franson showed me why he is constantly a healthy scratch. He makes lame passes. Its like he taps the puck, no authority on his passes. Its like he's afraid.

Second, Kotska. I don't think has the hockey IQ of the NHL level. By this I mean, I don't think he reads the plays quickly enough. He seemed lost a number of times out there with the puck.

One game, so I'm not going to go postal on either one of them....... yet.


Oh, and other note. As most of us already know. Our goaltending stinks.
- faceto27

Franson: good shot, after that he is pretty well.. bad. people like to point out his assists and say well he must be a good passer.. umm no.. most of those come from firing the puck on the net and letting the forwards either tip it or smack in the rebound

Kostka: wouldnt be terrible in the 5th or 6th slot. but i think its a bit of a stretch to expect him to play a solid game against the top offensive players in the league.

Personally I would trade Franson right now. his value is only going to decrease. He didnt get it under Wilson, more of the same under Carlyle, and Nashville gave him away for nothing.. there is an issue there.

Frattin tied for the second spot in team scoring after one game.

Keep him up please.

actually.. the lupul injury was probably a blessing in that regard.

nonis might not be so quick to pull a "get into the playoffs" move with one of his core guys out for the next 6 weeks.
- Dozzer

Hi. How was your evening?

and it lets Frattin buy into the lineup.

Frattin who has 3 more points than Lupul
- Feeling Glucky?

Yeah, Frattin came in and played the type of game Carlyle wants.. he keeps this up he will be staying even when Lupul comes back

Franson: good shot, after that he is pretty well.. bad. people like to point out his assists and say well he must be a good passer.. umm no.. most of those come from firing the puck on the net and letting the forwards either tip it or smack in the rebound

Kostka: wouldnt be terrible in the 5th or 6th slot. but i think its a bit of a stretch to expect him to play a solid game against the top offensive players in the league.

Personally I would trade Franson right now. his value is only going to decrease. He didnt get it under Wilson, more of the same under Carlyle, and Nashville gave him away for nothing.. there is an issue there.
- Dozzer

I agree. Franson's stats doen't tell the story of him

Kotska would be a decent bottom pairing defensemen. He shouldn't be on the first pair with Phaneuf.

Too be fair, Steve Simmons wrote that article in the Toronto Sun, and we all know Simmons hates the Leafs.
- PatC80

Figures.... I didn't even open it. Saw the title said (frank) it, left the site.

Hi. How was your evening?
- hscesq

well.. i ate nachos and watched the leafs collapse

then i watched islander fans try to troll.. they were pretty cute. sort of like a a kid learning to hit their mouth with the spoon without help

and yours?

Yeah, Frattin came in and played the type of game Carlyle wants.. he keeps this up he will be staying even when Lupul comes back
- Dozzer

Agreed.... but he'll have to because he'll be out of waiver options by then.

Goooood morning!

well.. i ate nachos and watched the leafs collapse

then i watched islander fans try to troll.. they were pretty cute. sort of like a a kid learning to hit their mouth with the spoon without help

and yours?
- Dozzer

I see. Well, mine was slightly better. But it's just one evening and the Caps are in a real rut. But I'll take it.

Goooood morning!
- robin_steele264

Yakupov; Greatest celebration ever or what, eh??

I agree. Franson's stats doen't tell the story of him

Kotska would be a decent bottom pairing defensemen. He shouldn't be on the first pair with Phaneuf.
- faceto27

yeah Kostka is in over his head.. he'd be fine on the bottom pairing tho

Franson, i never liked him... i honestly tried to like him.. see him for his asset (singular on purpose) but his play always drove me nuts.. big d-man who doesnt use his reach, skates like a rock (tho looks like a speed demon with steckel out there), passes like a tyke, terrible in front of his own net.

he can shoot the puck hard.. beyond that. i just dont like his game.

Goooood morning!
- robin_steele264

What an ending last night, I stayed up and watched it. Nail was in the right spot to score his 2 goals, but he has a lot to learn.. Defensively poor, so far.

Agreed.... but he'll have to because he'll be out of waiver options by then.
- burn

well.. its likely someone else will be hurt by the time lupul is back anyways so no biggie

- No. He wasn't great last night, but it's only one game. the game previous he completely shutdown Malkin and Crosby. He's been just fine all the other games.

- No. We're not giving up Bozak+KAdri+2nd. that is laughable. That was a terrible trade weeks ago and Kadri has done nothing but come in and lead our team offensively(Playing from the 3rd line). we don't want Lou and that disgusting contract, and we certainly aren't trading 2 young centers (where were are lacking depth) and a 2nd for him. We don not want him, that is why Gillis has been whining and carrying on the last little while.
- burn

Im with you Burn..Early in the year 3 games in 4 nights and Dion is asked to play 26/27/28 minutes.. Not in that type of game shape yet.. Of course mistakes will happen. Plus he is also playng with an AHL D that we all want to think is found money but lets be real..Kotska will probably be back on the farm soon or picked up on waivers when attempted.

Don't want Lou.. Don't need Lou. Why do we want to trade young assets for a goalie who will"almst" get us in the playffs. Stupid stupid thought.. If our goalies implode so be it.. Get a top draft pick and then deal with it in off season. Not a big deal

Yakupov; Greatest celebration ever or what, eh??
- PatC80

He seemed happy.






I was so pumped. Just about smashed my tv a minute before

I am lovin the fact that Washinton has only scored 6 goals as a team so far..

Joey Crabb is a head of OV in scoring.. Love it.

I see. Well, mine was slightly better. But it's just one evening and the Caps are in a real rut. But I'll take it.
- hscesq

oh believe you me i am happy for you guys

the more you win the better odds we have of finishing low

What an ending last night, I stayed up and watched it. Nail was in the right spot to score his 2 goals, but he has a lot to learn.. Defensively poor, so far.
- bixll

Give him time. It's not like Stamkos or Ovechkin or even Kessel were/are all that great defensively either.

Give him time. It's not like Stamkos or Ovechkin or even Kessel were/are all that great defensively either.
- Pecafan Fan

Did you watch the game. He looks out of position, a lot.. And I did say so far.

oh believe you me i am happy for you guys

the more you win the better odds we have of finishing low
- Dozzer

Oh, don't kid yourself. The Habs will finish below the Leafs with ease. How many games you think Markov can play?

Did you watch the game. He looks out of position, a lot.. And I did say so far.
- bixll

Not all the game.

That being said, it's not like he can rely on a lot of current Oilers players to help him get better defensively

Oh, don't kid yourself. The Habs will finish below the Leafs with ease. How many games you think Markov can play?
- hscesq

True, he has already hit his career average for games played in a season.

Did you watch the game. He looks out of position, a lot.. And I did say so far.
- bixll

He's still a baby. The only thing he's played is junior hockey. That is why I believe all players should spend at least one year in the AHL. Learn to play a pro type game.

He's young. If he's still all over the place in a couple of years time, then you have a problem.

Oh, don't kid yourself. The Habs will finish below the Leafs with ease. How many games you think Markov can play?
- hscesq

well.. when it comes to games played he's out in front of lupul already

and you have price.

and kaberle.. you can never forget kaberle.