In my opinion players like Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are showing how young they really are. During Jeff Carter and Mike Richards first two seasons here, we expected them to instantly impact this team. That isn't how things work when bringing along young players. In those first two seasons with Carter and Richards, we were a one line team. Right now we are in an even worse situation. Giroux is a Forsberg without a Gagne.

In my opinion players like Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are showing how young they really are. During Jeff Carter and Mike Richards first two seasons here, we expected them to instantly impact this team. That isn't how things work when bringing along young players. In those first two seasons with Carter and Richards, we were a one line team. Right now we are in an even worse situation. Giroux is a Forsberg without a Gagne.
- SuperSchennBros

This team is deeper than the 06-07 team, both offensively and defensively. Also the goaltending is significantly better.

There are already three groups ready to dive into the Markham pool. Quebec has their prospective owner in place.

Markham is so close to Toronto that it would be unimaginable that they wouldn't be Toronto Something. Ontario Something may be an outside shot.
- mayorofangrytown

i suppose "toronto" could work given the NY Rangers/Islanders. But would the Leafs get to have a say there on the name? Don't like the idea of "Ontario".

i'm sure there's plenty of money waiting to be spent on purchasing a team. nobody wants to spend on a poopty franchise in PHX unless they can move it.

which is insane money considering jamison can't even scratch like 160 together to simply buy the team.wonder if jimmy ballsack will get back in the game with the markham situation, and if they get a team, WTF do they call them, the Markham somethingorothers?
- hammarby31

Jim is out at Rim, so I don't think he'll be looking to buy a team any time soon.

Plus, with the way Rim is going, it's probably not a bad thing he didn't get one to begin with.

Jim is out at Rim, so I don't think he'll be looking to buy a team any time soon.

Plus, with the way Rim is going, it's probably not a bad thing he didn't get one to begin with.
- MunsterMike

didn't know that. but they just changed the name of the company to Blackberry and have released their new phone which supposedly is very competitive with iphone/android - so they may be able to turn things around.

if TOR analyst bill watters knows anything, the yotes are moving to seattle. heard that on XM last nite.
- isaiah520

He doesn't. I like to listen to him but he's lost it. He just makes things up now. Doesn't mean it won't happen but he doesn't have any inside track on information.

As you say, not one player would turn all this around, but with the PP such a disaster, a guy like Carle would definitely help that out. Not a fan of a forward (Jake) on the point, but I get that as the roster is currently constructed, their options are limited.

I'd like to see Luke get a shot back there, but I guess that'd leave the team maybe more vulnerable to shorthanded breaks the other way. Although considering how many of those other teams have had up to this point anyways, I doubt it could be much worse.
- eayost

Trade for Rundblad!

i suppose "toronto" could work given the NY Rangers/Islanders. But would the Leafs get to have a say there on the name? Don't like the idea of "Ontario".

i'm sure there's plenty of money waiting to be spent on purchasing a team. nobody wants to spend on a poopty franchise in PHX unless they can move it.
- hammarby31

Leafs will get so much of that expansion money that they won't care what they call them as long as it doesn't have a Maple Leaf in it.

In my opinion players like Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are showing how young they really are. During Jeff Carter and Mike Richards first two seasons here, we expected them to instantly impact this team. That isn't how things work when bringing along young players. In those first two seasons with Carter and Richards, we were a one line team. Right now we are in an even worse situation. Giroux is a Forsberg without a Gagne.
- SuperSchennBros

Good analogy. Tough for a playmaker to make plays with no one around him. However, I think there is some element of the Flyers not adjusting to the new season. Plus injuries. These are not excuses. They are are explanations.

-Da Man

didn't know that. but they just changed the name of the company to Blackberry and have released their new phone which supposedly is very competitive with iphone/android - so they may be able to turn things around.
- hammarby31

It'll be a long term thing. News today mentioned that their stock took a bit of a poop following the release yesterday.

It'll be a long term thing. News today mentioned that their stock took a bit of a poop follwing the release yesterday.
- MunsterMike

Not available in the US until March (Da Man's understanding). Another mistake made by a company that can't afford mistakes.

They are a doomed company, that much is certain.

Will sell out to Microsoft at some point for under $10 per RIMM share.

Apple and Google. Really no need for a 3rd and 4th operating system.

didn't know that. but they just changed the name of the company to Blackberry and have released their new phone which supposedly is very competitive with iphone/android - so they may be able to turn things around.
- hammarby31

Tough market to break into, especially with a couple other big name software companies releasing new smartphones (Mozilla/Firefox and Ubuntu, as well as the newish Windows Phones out there). There does seem to be a lot of excitement for the new Blackberry, though.

Leafs will get so much of that expansion money that they won't care what they call them as long as it doesn't have a Maple Leaf in it.
- mayorofangrytown

not so sure about that. i'm just wondering if they have ANY control over the situation.

It'll be a long term thing. News today mentioned that their stock took a bit of a poop following the release yesterday.
- MunsterMike

wonder if the interview on the Today Show this morning with Matt Lauer will help.

- hammarby31[url]

I love how calm he is taking off his helmet before his meltdown. Then he just goes back to handing out penalties like nothing happened.

This team is deeper than the 06-07 team, both offensively and defensively. Also the goaltending is significantly better.
- NickTheKid87

Not by much. Goaltending, yes. Defensively, maybe because i feel that team moved the puck better. Handzus, Umburger, Sharp, Primeau, Branko D, Nedved, Brashear, Carter and Richards. I wouldn't discount what we had up front.

Not by much. Goaltending, yes. Defensively, maybe because i feel that team moved the puck better. Handzus, Umburger, Sharp, Primeau, Branko D, Nedved, Brashear, Carter and Richards. I wouldn't discount what we had up front.
- SuperSchennBros

In 2006-07, they didn't have Sharp, Handzus, Primeau, Radivojevic(who was a 3rd liner at best) or Brashear. Nedved played 21 games at age 35.

Richards, Carter and Umberger struggled just like Schenn, Couturier and Voracek are struggling now.

Not by much. Goaltending, yes. Defensively, maybe because i feel that team moved the puck better. Handzus, Umburger, Sharp, Primeau, Branko D, Nedved, Brashear, Carter and Richards. I wouldn't discount what we had up front.
- SuperSchennBros

Sharp wasn't on that team (traded in 05/06), Umberger, Carter and Richards were all sophomores, Primeau didn't play that year (last year was 05/06, Nedved only played 21 games, Handzus wasn't on that team either (left in 05/06), neither was Brashear or Radivojevic. I think you're thinking of 05/06.

In 2006-07, they didn't have Sharp, Handzus, Primeau, Radivojevic(who was a 3rd liner at best) or Brashear. Nedved played 21 games at age 35.

Richards, Carter and Umberger struggled just like Schenn, Couturier and Voracek are struggling now.
- Jsaquella

I said it yesterday.. the biggest glaring difference between that team and this team is defense.. not much else.

Sharp wasn't on that team (traded in 05/06), Umberger, Carter and Richards were all sophomores, Primeau didn't play that year (last year was 05/06, Nedved only played 21 games, Handzus wasn't on that team either (left in 05/06), neither was Brashear or Radivojevic. I think you're thinking of 05/06.
- NickTheKid87

But what about Mike York!?

But what about Mike York!?
- jak521

Yup. Here's a roster breakdown by GP (top 4):

Center
Umberger, 81
Carter, 62
Richards, 59
Forsberg, 40

Left Wing
Gagne, 76
Eager, 63
Calder, 59
Sanderson, 58

Right Wing
Kapanen, 77
Knuble, 64
Ruzicka, 40
Upshall, 18

Defense
Hatcher, 82
Pitkanen, 77
Jones, 66
Picard, 62
Gauthier, 43
Zhitnik, 31


Then there are guys like Randy Robitaille, Ryan Potulny, Dimitry Afanasenkov, Todd Fedoruk, Freddy Meyer and Braydon Coburn who played a handful of games. Goalies were Niitty, Esche and Biron.

But what about Mike York!?
- jak521

AFANASENKOV

Sharp wasn't on that team (traded in 05/06), Umberger, Carter and Richards were all sophomores, Primeau didn't play that year (last year was 05/06, Nedved only played 21 games, Handzus wasn't on that team either (left in 05/06), neither was Brashear or Radivojevic. I think you're thinking of 05/06.
- NickTheKid87

Don't confuse HB arguments with the facts. You will kill this website.

-Da Man

Don't confuse HB arguments with the facts. You will kill this website.

-Da Man
- Daman

That's for the heads up Da M.

AFANASENKOV
- Jsaquella

Kyle Calder was only -31 that year.