If the league folded and they had a dispersal draft (new teams with every player), I'd argue that Karlsson would be picked ahead of Crosby or Towes.
- Charliebox

See, if you had just used the word "could," or even "should" instead of "would" then I'd say you have an interesting point...but you didn't. Also, I don't think anyone takes Stamkos over Crosby from an angle of jersey and ticket sales alone.

If the league folded and they had a dispersal draft (new teams with every player), I'd argue that Karlsson would be picked ahead of Crosby or Towes.
Before you charge me as a homer, I'm simply saying that because:
1. Dmen play more mins and are more valuable than forwards.
2. Karlsson is younger than both and Crosby has injury problems. No one really knows if the next concussion will end his career.

Now I could see how one would argue that Weber or Chara would be picked ahead of Karlsson. There is the age issue there as well though.

But mainly, simply because Dmen eat up more mins and are much harder to find than good forwards, I would think Karlsson would probably go #1 or at least ahead of any forward (outside possibly Stamkos).
- Charliebox

Your credibility just went out the window.

I didn't read all the comments, but all Cooke has to do is fight.

Cowen knocked Skinner out of a game, and he fought twice in the game (which happened to be his first of the year)

If Cooke doesn't fight, that's when things will get ugly
- Ottawa Fan

No he doesn't!!! If our fanbase didn't like something done by Alfredson does he have to fight? He did nothing wrong and we have plenty of guys willing to fight. MacIntyre, Glass, Engo, Murray are all ready and willing. We have nothing to lose the Sens do.

I know that this is going to sound completely uninformed, but what's up with Malkin ? Injured or just having an off-season (or combination of the two) ?

Honestly the only debate should be who is #2.

Nobody dominates like Sid at full strength.
- Sell My Monkey

To be honest, when Geno's at his best, the conversation for #2 is not really a debate either.

He's arguably the best defenseman... Crosby is way better. Toews is way better.
- lloyd095

If he said Karlsson is more important or valuable to Ottawa than Crosby is to Pittsburgh, I couldn't disagree with him. Pittsburgh can survive without Crosby. We have seen Ottawa and while its surviving without a few more, its drastically a different team without him. However, to say Karlsson is the best in the league is utterly ridiculous. I think you need more than one year to assent to the top like that.

If the league folded and they had a dispersal draft (new teams with every player), I'd argue that Karlsson would be picked ahead of Crosby or Towes.

Before you charge me as a homer, I'm simply saying that because:
1. Dmen play more mins and are more valuable than forwards.
2. Karlsson is younger than both and Crosby has injury problems. No one really knows if the next concussion will end his career.

Now I could see how one would argue that Weber or Chara would be picked ahead of Karlsson. There is the age issue there as well though.

But mainly, simply because Dmen eat up more mins and are much harder to find than good forwards, I would think Karlsson would probably go #1 or at least ahead of any forward (outside possibly Stamkos).
- Charliebox

I know that this is going to sound completely uninformed, but what's up with Malkin ? Injured or just having an off-season (or combination of the two) ?
- MadCap2008

Small combination of both, but moreso from the lingering shoulder injury suffered earlier this season.

I didn't read all the comments, but all Cooke has to do is fight.

Cowen knocked Skinner out of a game, and he fought twice in the game (which happened to be his first of the year)

If Cooke doesn't fight, that's when things will get ugly
- Ottawa Fan

I agree. Satisfies fan bloodlust and lets the players get back to the real business. Cooke can handle himself well enough and has been around long enough to know what to expect.

Even if I agree with most that the incident was an accident. Code or no code, it is what it is. Just don't expect it to be Neil or Kassian. Cooke isn't dumb.

I didn't read all the comments, but all Cooke has to do is fight.

Cowen knocked Skinner out of a game, and he fought twice in the game (which happened to be his first of the year)

If Cooke doesn't fight, that's when things will get ugly
- Ottawa Fan

Hurts Ottawa more than Pittsburgh. Both literally and figuratively based on the line ups these teams will be fielding tonight. I hope he doesn't fight and the Sens spend the entire game in the box trying to get him. Then finish 9th by 1 point.

That'll show us.

I know that this is going to sound completely uninformed, but what's up with Malkin ? Injured or just having an off-season (or combination of the two) ?
- MadCap2008

Health, specifically shoulder.

If he said Karlsson is more important or valuable to Ottawa than Crosby is to Pittsburgh, I couldn't disagree with him. Pittsburgh can survive without Crosby. We have seen Ottawa and while its surviving without a few more, its drastically a different team without him. However, to say Karlsson is the best in the league is utterly ridiculous. I think you need more than one year to assent to the top like that.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agreed. Case in point, Claude Giroux.

I know that this is going to sound completely uninformed, but what's up with Malkin ? Injured or just having an off-season (or combination of the two) ?
- MadCap2008

He seems to just have had a bad season so far but was coming around. Same as Ovi prior to last 20.

I know that this is going to sound completely uninformed, but what's up with Malkin ? Injured or just having an off-season (or combination of the two) ?
- MadCap2008

I personally think he has been playing with minor injuries all season, maybe even things the medical staff are unaware of. He certainly disappointed me a little during the regular season, but all will be forgiven if he has another Conn Smythe worthy performance in the coming weeks.

Hurts Ottawa more than Pittsburgh. Both literally and figuratively based on the line ups these teams will be fielding tonight. I hope he doesn't fight and the Sens spend the entire game in the box trying to get him. Then finish 9th by 1 point.

That'll show us.
- canadianpenfan

This is why I think this is all hype and nothing happens - Ottawa needs these points tonight, they have games left against the Caps (could be a huge game for Washington, depending on result tomorrow night of Caps-Jets) and Boston (which could be a big deal for Boston for seeding). I think Ottawa comes out, takes care of business with limited extracurriculars, and moves on.

I agree. Satisfies fan bloodlust and lets the players get back to the real business. Cooke can handle himself well enough and has been around long enough to know what to expect.

Even if I agree with most that the incident was an accident. Code or no code, it is what it is. Just don't expect it to be Neil or Kassian. Cooke is dumb.
- Sell My Monkey

Why should Cooke fight? Let him do what he does best piss people off draw some penalties. We're missing a bunch of guys tonight we might need some PP's

Hurts Ottawa more than Pittsburgh. Both literally and figuratively based on the line ups these teams will be fielding tonight. I hope he doesn't fight and the Sens spend the entire game in the box trying to get him. Then finish 9th by 1 point.

That'll show us.
- canadianpenfan

If the league folded and they had a dispersal draft (new teams with every player), I'd argue that Karlsson would be picked ahead of Crosby or Towes.

Before you charge me as a homer, I'm simply saying that because:
1. Dmen play more mins and are more valuable than forwards.
2. Karlsson is younger than both and Crosby has injury problems. No one really knows if the next concussion will end his career.

Now I could see how one would argue that Weber or Chara would be picked ahead of Karlsson. There is the age issue there as well though.

But mainly, simply because Dmen eat up more mins and are much harder to find than good forwards, I would think Karlsson would probably go #1 or at least ahead of any forward (outside possibly Stamkos).
- Charliebox

You are one delusional person. No one knows when Karlsson's next Achilles tendon problem happens either. No one knows if the next achilles tendon problem will end his career. Crosby has done it longer than Karlsson, who has only had two good years - one solid and one studly. Top flight centers don't grow on trees either, especially guys of Sid's ilk. I think the fact he was well ahead of the competition for a few major awards at the time of him taking a puck to the jaw proves it.

Keep talking. The more you post, the more you are looked at as a homer or an idiot. Your choice.

I know that this is going to sound completely uninformed, but what's up with Malkin ? Injured or just having an off-season (or combination of the two) ?
- MadCap2008

Both... but who knows.

When Malkin won the Art Ross and Conn Smyth in 2008-09, his play dipped a little the following year, and was really bad (by his standards) in 2010-11, and was cut short with the knee injury.

He refocused and rebounded and was the best player in the league last season, then took a dip again this season.

Not sure if it's a motivation thing, or if having it so easy in the KHL this fall had something to do with it, but even when healthy, he wasn't the same this season as last season.

No he doesn't!!! If our fanbase didn't like something done by Alfredson does he have to fight? He did nothing wrong and we have plenty of guys willing to fight. MacIntyre, Glass, Engo, Murray are all ready and willing. We have nothing to lose the Sens do.
- lloyd095

If it was Chris Neil (instead of Cooke), and Sid or Malkin (instead of Karlsson), how would you react if Neil refused to fight anyone? It happens all the time in the NHL. A player is hit, on the ice, then the offender fights someone from the other team. That right there usually closes the book.

If Alfie knocks Sid out with a headshot, I would expect him to fight someone from the Pens.

Someone fighting Engellend does nothing here

Your credibility just went out the window.
- nbartley9

Well I don't think any Pens fans think I have any credibility anyways. Hard to lose something you don't have..

Just watch. Unless someone new comes into the league, Karlsson will be the most dominant Dmen in the NHL for years to come.

When it comes to forwards, Sid is in a class of his own. If he never had injury problems, I would agree that he would go #1 every single time. The injury issue may scare people off, though.

Both... but who knows.

When Malkin won the Art Ross and Conn Smyth in 2008-09, his play dipped a little the following year, and was really bad (by his standards) in 2010-11, and was cut short with the knee injury.

He refocused and rebounded and was the best player in the league last season, then took a dip again this season.

Not sure if it's a motivation thing, or if having it so easy in the KHL this fall had something to do with it, but even when healthy, he wasn't the same this season as last season.
- rival22

It does seem like every other year he plays out of his mind

Hurts Ottawa more than Pittsburgh. Both literally and figuratively based on the line ups these teams will be fielding tonight. I hope he doesn't fight and the Sens spend the entire game in the box trying to get him. Then finish 9th by 1 point.

That'll show us.
- canadianpenfan

Hate to say, I'd laugh.

Hurts Ottawa more than Pittsburgh. Both literally and figuratively based on the line ups these teams will be fielding tonight. I hope he doesn't fight and the Sens spend the entire game in the box trying to get him. Then finish 9th by 1 point.

That'll show us.
- canadianpenfan

It will definitely hurt the Sens if they run around. You have to stick up for your teammate. I hope the Pens went after the Caps player who hit Sid in the Winter Classic

This is why I think this is all hype and nothing happens - Ottawa needs these points tonight, they have games left against the Caps (could be a huge game for Washington, depending on result tomorrow night of Caps-Jets) and Boston (which could be a big deal for Boston for seeding). I think Ottawa comes out, takes care of business with limited extracurriculars, and moves on.
- MadCap2008

I think the Pens take it. I think the remaining players take great enjoyment of winning when all the "stars" are out of the line up.

3-1 Pens!