The Hurricanes always have a shot being in the weakest division. They could win the division with fewer points than most playoff teams. Same goes for Tampa Bay.

Ottawa seems like they're screwed but still find a way to gather points. How long that lasts is unknown. Probably not much longer.

The Flyers and the Rangers (with games in hand) are the two teams that are really underachieving. If they get their act together, they easily move up.

It's a fight for the low playoff seeds and it's going to be a dog fight.
- Two_For_Truth

Maybe they should trade L. Schenn for JVR, their 1st for Kessel, and 2nd for Phaneuf

Also we switch our coach and all of a sudden our goalies save percentages are like .931 and .929 and both have GAA hovering around 2.

If you told me going into this season "Yo, we're going with Reimer/Scrivens, I think they should be good for around .930 and 2.00 GAA" I would have laughed you out of these forums.

I mean I didn't think they would do terrible, but you can tell this system is so much easier for the goalies than Wilsons system.

Wilsons system was 25 shots against a game, 20 of them 2 on 1s.

Carlyles system is 35 shots against a game, 30 of them perimeter shots with no traffic.
- Scruffton

Wilson's system hung the goalies out to dry... Carlyle's makes the other players responsible.. it wasn't news to me I argued with many folk that said we had a goalie problem last year.

We had a lazy team problem with too many defenders jumping into rushes.. and being soft in their own end and forwards not back checking.. never seen so many easy tap ins in my life.

Things that would have been laughed at mercilessly January 10th:

"Yeah, I think Reimer/Scrivens should be around .930 sv%."

"I can see JVR being on pace for 50 goals."

"Kessel will have 4 times more assists than goals. Natural play-maker."

"Mark Fraser should be a +13 or so."

"We'll probably have one of the best goals against totals in the league."

"Kadri and Frattin will look like legit top 6 forwards."

"I think Colton Orr will dominate this year."
- Leeman4Gilmour

All of those things have been instituted by Carlyle.. you would think the fire wagon style of Wilson hockey would be more entertaining.. but that is complete hogwash.. Even when this team plays poorly they hang in there and fight.. only really 3 games they were a no show for.. not bad out of 18.

It has been very entertaining watching them fight and compete for every puck.. and have some confidence even when the game starts off wrong.. they always look in it.

Leaf games are once again fun to watch been probably 4 or 5 years since I could say that.

All Leaf fans want is compete.. and fire.. even if they don't make the playoffs if they compete hard in every game.. most Leaf fans would be happy.

Looks like Franson's turned into what we wanted him to be.

Let's just say it'll cost more than 1m in order to resign him after this season.

Which means Liles can be bought out for all I care.

And as far as Scrivens is concerned, he may not have to be spectacular, but he is incredibly solid, and his rebound control is almost as good as Reimer's.

Looks like Franson's turned into what we wanted him to be.

Let's just say it'll cost more than 1m in order to resign him after this season.

Which means Liles can be bought out for all I care.

And as far as Scrivens is concerned, he may not have to be spectacular, but he is incredibly solid, and his rebound control is almost as good as Reimer's.
- AngryWhiteMale

Liles and Lupul for a 1st?

Looks like Franson's turned into what we wanted him to be.

Let's just say it'll cost more than 1m in order to resign him after this season.

Which means Liles can be bought out for all I care.

And as far as Scrivens is concerned, he may not have to be spectacular, but he is incredibly solid, and his rebound control is almost as good as Reimer's.
- AngryWhiteMale

Agreed I have been very hard on Franson.. he looked really nervous.. even last year when he got consistent playing time.


Under Carlyle he has simplified his game.. the errors aren't there as much.. and in the offensive half.. he is getting good pucks on net that guys are putting in.. Phaneuf can learn from him in this regard.. as he blasts everything and sometimes pops right out for a break.

Good on him.. with Fraser he doesn't feel like he is the big guy.. and has to play tough... just simple plays.. and fantastic results.

Liles can be traded at the deadline.. there will be some desperate team.. and he doesn't have a roll in Carlyle's new system. 3rd rounder will suffice. It is funny because Liles is a great guy off the ice.. but his play needs to be extracted.

Liles and Lupul for a 1st?
- Unholy_Forward

Lupul is a valuable guy.. much more than a first... unless you are trading with Washington.. who has a good chance at top 3 pick.

It will be interesting what Carlyle does with Lupul when he returns.. because JVR & Kessel are playing so well.. but even on the second line he will be able to provide some much needed scoring.. this is a good problem to have...


Liles and MacA for a first.. would do that deal in my sleep.

Lupul is a valuable guy.. much more than a first... unless you are trading with Washington.. who has a good chance at top 3 pick.

It will be interesting what Carlyle does with Lupul when he returns.. because JVR & Kessel are playing so well.. but even on the second line he will be able to provide some much needed scoring.. this is a good problem to have...


Liles and MacA for a first.. would do that deal in my sleep.
- DoctorNHL

I like how MacA/Kadri/Komarov play together. At this point in time I'd shop the hell out of Kulemin. When Frattin and Lupul come back this won't be as good as a problem as you say. Lupul has a bad history of injury and right now his value is inflated. He plays well with Kessel but JVR is showing that he belongs with Kessel.
Why not a Lupul/Kulemin/Liles/Holzer/Blacker/Bozak package for a legit number one C? I'm sure O'Rielly or Duchene could be had for some or most of those pieces.

I like how MacA/Kadri/Komarov play together. At this point in time I'd shop the hell out of Kulemin. When Frattin and Lupul come back this won't be as good as a problem as you say. Lupul has a bad history of injury and right now his value is inflated. He plays well with Kessel but JVR is showing that he belongs with Kessel.
Why not a Lupul/Kulemin/Liles/Holzer/Blacker/Bozak package for a legit number one C? I'm sure O'Rielly or Duchene could be had for some or most of those pieces.
- Unholy_Forward

The same reason why people don't trade away first line centers. It's usually a bad idea. And not like a package of any of those players (Maybe most if not all) will get you that.

At this point, I dont see the MLSE doing anything til the offseason to properly evaluate the roster needs. Yes, the obviously "We need a first line center" problem is there. However, Do we really need a protypical scoring first line center, or do we just need a great defensive specialist with a good scoring touch, also known as, another 2nd Line center? Is this team 3 Scoring lines deep with different secondary roles or will this club go back to Top 6 Bottom 6?

If anything, why I'd love to trade for O'rielly, is that is playstyle fits right in between Kessel and Lupul so they can continue to play like they were encouraged to do under Wilson. Obviously, in a system full of accountability and defensive responsibility, Kess n' Loops will be defensively responsible. But add in A better version of Tyler Bozak defensively well... That makes for a good line. It has a bit of everything and can do everything. You also have to remember... He's 22. He's more than likely on the threshold of getting better. What if, in 3 years if he stays with Colorado, he surpasses Duchane on the depth chart? He has the potential, and he plays a more complete game in many areas.

Think about it, calculated risk is likely your best bet. If you can get away trading for a Number 1 centerman, good. You don't have to necessarily draft for need, but simply draft the best you can get. I see tons of guys in the Middle of round 1 banging on the door for top ten and many of them are centers anyways. I see the potential to set up the franchise with O'rielly and this draft for years.

Resigned Lupul
Resign Kessel
Discounted Phaneuf?
Reimer is a #1?
Great depth and decent prospect pool as is.

The team is on the threshold, and O'Rielly, the draft, and the offseason might push them into that position of greatness. We ended up with a lot of the pieces we needed, no it's time to see what you can do with them.

The same reason why people don't trade away first line centers. It's usually a bad idea. And not like a package of any of those players (Maybe most if not all) will get you that.

At this point, I dont see the MLSE doing anything til the offseason to properly evaluate the roster needs. Yes, the obviously "We need a first line center" problem is there. However, Do we really need a protypical scoring first line center, or do we just need a great defensive specialist with a good scoring touch, also known as, another 2nd Line center? Is this team 3 Scoring lines deep with different secondary roles or will this club go back to Top 6 Bottom 6?

If anything, why I'd love to trade for O'rielly, is that is playstyle fits right in between Kessel and Lupul so they can continue to play like they were encouraged to do under Wilson. Obviously, in a system full of accountability and defensive responsibility, Kess n' Loops will be defensively responsible. But add in A better version of Tyler Bozak defensively well... That makes for a good line. It has a bit of everything and can do everything. You also have to remember... He's 22. He's more than likely on the threshold of getting better. What if, in 3 years if he stays with Colorado, he surpasses Duchane on the depth chart? He has the potential, and he plays a more complete game in many areas.

Think about it, calculated risk is likely your best bet. If you can get away trading for a Number 1 centerman, good. You don't have to necessarily draft for need, but simply draft the best you can get. I see tons of guys in the Middle of round 1 banging on the door for top ten and many of them are centers anyways. I see the potential to set up the franchise with O'rielly and this draft for years.

Resigned Lupul
Resign Kessel
Discounted Phaneuf?
Reimer is a #1?
Great depth and decent prospect pool as is.

The team is on the threshold, and O'Rielly, the draft, and the offseason might push them into that position of greatness. We ended up with a lot of the pieces we needed, no it's time to see what you can do with them.
- Viktory

So overpay for a 22 year old and give him a 5-6M/per year contract based on the fact that he put up 50 points last year? I'll agree he'll be better then Bozak but you really need to get your head out of O'Rielly's ass.
Horrible idea IMO.
I was more hinting towards Duchene in my previous post.
Kessel and Lupul are fine defensively. Duchene is a beauty playmaker and also has a decent two way game.

Given his interest in former players, I'd say it increases. He's probably got his eye on a few guys in the system that he'd like.

Maybe a couple minor deals here and there for late picks. That kind of thing.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Connolly will be a duck for a 4th rd pick javascript:emoticon('')

Last year lupul has his best year playing with kessel

This year jvr is having his best year playing with kessel

.......... Yep kessel is just a goal scorer


Can't build a team around him because he won't make the players around him better


Oh and he plays with a 3rd line centre [/img]

Biggest difference maker this season, IMO. Love this guy as a coach, especially on this team. His demeanor seems lighter than it was back in Anaheim, which is exactly what we needed.
- LotekLeafs

Agreed.

Also we switch our coach and all of a sudden our goalies save percentages are like .931 and .929 and both have GAA hovering around 2.

If you told me going into this season "Yo, we're going with Reimer/Scrivens, I think they should be good for around .930 and 2.00 GAA" I would have laughed you out of these forums.

I mean I didn't think they would do terrible, but you can tell this system is so much easier for the goalies than Wilsons system.

Wilsons system was 25 shots against a game, 20 of them 2 on 1s.

Carlyles system is 35 shots against a game, 30 of them perimeter shots with no traffic.
- Scruffton

Indeed.... and clear cut breakaways.

Scott vs. McLaren made me happy in my special area.
- Unholy_Forward

Scott need to stop fighting before he dies. My god he's terrible.

HAve never seen a player call it quits like that in the middle of a fight.

Agreed.
- burn

Morn.

Looks like Franson's turned into what we wanted him to be.

Let's just say it'll cost more than 1m in order to resign him after this season.

Which means Liles can be bought out for all I care.

And as far as Scrivens is concerned, he may not have to be spectacular, but he is incredibly solid, and his rebound control is almost as good as Reimer's.
- AngryWhiteMale

Agreed.

Liles and Lupul for a 1st?
- Unholy_Forward

????

Last year lupul has his best year playing with kessel

This year jvr is having his best year playing with kessel

.......... Yep kessel is just a goal scorer


Can't build a team around him because he won't make the players around him better


Oh and he plays with a 3rd line centre
- The_Vark[/img]

I'm starting to buy into this opinion.

On another note:

Burkie - thanks for JVR.

????
- burn

Swap Lupul for Garbo and I'd do it.

Last year lupul has his best year playing with kessel

This year jvr is having his best year playing with kessel

.......... Yep kessel is just a goal scorer


Can't build a team around him because he won't make the players around him better


Oh and he plays with a 3rd line centre
- The_Vark[/img]

Swap Lupul for Garbo and I'd do it.
- Tee-Dot

Yes.

So, it appears some teams have shown interest in Connolly?

So, it appears some teams have shown interest in Connolly?
- Pecafan Fan

I sure hope so..... I dont know who or why, or where it's coming from though.

I sure hope so..... I dont know who or why, or where it's coming from though.
- burn

Apparently, it's Nonis that said that.