Yah i know what you mean.

i was kind of shocked to hear the prices were 85 bucks a game.

The Flames tickets I get through work are about 55 bucks and they are decent seats.

Now that is for the Flames, bet whether there is a whole lot of difference between the two teams this season is debatable.
- IanEsplen

only 85 bucks?

What do you see with it?

There are so many possibilities.. I actually think bringing in a quality coach with an average goaltender (Mike Smith) and trading both goalies for as much return as possible to bulk up the offense would be good.

The only thing is.. if Mike Smith signs around 3.5 million.. is it worth that extra little bit of cap space to trade CS? To me the return of that trade would have to be fairly monumental to make it worth it.
- kneughter

That's exactly what I was toying with...

They can raise the prices all they want. I didn't spend a dime on them this year and I won't spend another dime on them until I see some wholesale changes with the line-up and the coaching staff.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed. I didn't go to a single game this season out of protest for the lockout. Unless something significant happens I won't go next season out of protest for the product.

Supply and demand. Isn't there a a long ass waiting list for the season tickets? Sure they might sell a few less single game tickets, but overall this move probably pays off for them and single game ticket prices can always be adjusted in-season. Seems like a no-brainier business move to me.
- Nucker101

Agreed. This is a business and they are charging for their product. As with any product, they'll keep raising the price until that line is crossed where higher prices translates to lower sales, then the prices will be reduced.

It's pretty simple actually. Crying "unfair" just paints a person as naive.

That's exactly what I was toying with...
- DrChristianTroy

How close is Lack to making the jump to the NHL?

How close is Lack to making the jump to the NHL?
- AlexF

He's 25yrs old and has 2 good AHL seasons under his belt. So anytime now... Too bad he lost last season to injury. Had he thrown up a 3rd straight season like the previous 2, he'd be a large part of the convo. As is, I think he'll have to show dominance in camp to avoid another year in the AHL.

Completely agree with the international ice comment Ian. The past few years I've enjoyed watching the worlds more than the playoffs. The skill and movement on display is almost never in evidence anymore on NA rinks, which often appear overcrowded

He's 25yrs old and has 2 good AHL seasons under his belt. So anytime now... Too bad he lost last season to injury. Had he thrown up a 3rd straight season like the previous 2, he'd be a large part of the convo. As is, I think he'll have to show dominance in camp to avoid another year in the AHL.
- DrChristianTroy

That's some positive news. Sounds like he might be ready for back-up status.

Wow, MacKinnon making a statement with a hat trick after 2 periods against Seth Jones' Winterhawks.

This is essentially a Richard Cloutier campaign from a year ago. Not that I disagree.

Wow, MacKinnon making a statement with a hat trick after 2 periods against Seth Jones' Winterhawks.
- AlexF

Nice to see his wheels on display but I think mostly Carruth has gotten a little spooked.

Jones is pretty swank. He's going to look really good on Colorado.

Nice to see his wheels on display but I think mostly Carruth has gotten a little spooked.

Jones is pretty swank. He's going to look really good on Colorado.
- Morris

It's true Portland's goalie(s) looks like a sieve but MacKinnon is a genuine talent and a future top line C. I've found somewhat puzzling that he seems to have fallen to the consensus 3rd pick in recent weeks.

He's 25yrs old and has 2 good AHL seasons under his belt. So anytime now... Too bad he lost last season to injury. Had he thrown up a 3rd straight season like the previous 2, he'd be a large part of the convo. As is, I think he'll have to show dominance in camp to avoid another year in the AHL.
- DrChristianTroy

Agreed on Lack. I'm a big fan, but considering the severity of his injury/surgery, it would be foolish for them to not have a plan b, even if it's an older guy on a PTO.

Unless he has a very impressive camp, they'll likely want to evaluate him more in the AHL to see how he's recovered and see how much the time off has affected him.

Cannata's also nipping at his heals for the AHL starting spot.

It's true Portland's goalie(s) looks like a sieve but MacKinnon is a genuine talent and a future top line C. I've found somewhat puzzling that he seems to have fallen to the consensus 3rd pick in recent weeks.
- AlexF

There's an argument for him to either be in front or behind Drouin. I think Drouin is more toolsy and Mac is a north-south simple kind of guy (my go-to description is half Toews half Hall).

There's an argument for why Florida would either want a 1-2 punch of centres with him and Huberdeau, or a top flight linemate for Huberdeau.

In my opinion, Mac, Jones and Drouin seem to be pretty even, enough that Colorado will almost certainly go team need on this one.

Good article by Botch today on the Sedins in Sweden:

http://www.theprovince.co...tlight/8406324/story.html

Some highlights:

On their own, the Sedins instantly turned Team Sweden into Team Power Play, torching both the Canadian and Finnish squads with four goals on their first nine man-advantage opportunities. For reference, the Swedes were 2-for-30 before the twins hit home soil.

Next they play Switzerland for gold, and it’d be a fitting end if the Sedins win that, in the same week the Canucks make their inevitable coaching change.

In two games at the World Championship, the Sedins showed more creativity on the power play in Sweden than they did for an entire year in Vancouver.

OK, that’s some slight hyperbole there.

But seeing them able to freelance, kicking the puck back and forth down low, on the right side, then on the left side, and then behind the net, made the Canucks’ setup with Daniel back on the point seem needlessly restrictive.

It also incinerated the narrative the Canucks’ struggles on the power play were mostly because the Sedins skills have diminished.

Their skills are just fine, thanks.

It’s possible the Sedins just need Loui Eriksson. The left-handed winger scored two goals on their line in the semifinal win against Finland. He said he’d score 40 in an NHL season with the Sedins. Commentator, and former Canucks coach, Marc Crawford said more like 50.

There's an argument for him to either be in front or behind Drouin. I think Drouin is more toolsy and Mac is a north-south simple kind of guy (my go-to description is half Toews half Hall).

There's an argument for why Florida would either want a 1-2 punch of centres with him and Huberdeau, or a top flight linemate for Huberdeau.

In my opinion, Mac, Jones and Drouin seem to be pretty even, enough that Colorado will almost certainly go team need on this one.
- Morris

Agreed, CO is going with Jones. It makes too much sense given the state of their D (which ironically possesses another #1 overall D) and the fact that they've got Duchene, Stastny, O'Reilly already up the middle.

I'd go MacKinnon if I were Florida. The playoffs proves to me again and again that it's vital to run 4 quality lines given how easy it seems to shut down a single line if you focus on it. Toews has had 3 assists and no goals in 7 games but Sharp has potted 7 goals in 6 to pick up the slack.

You know, of the 4 major sports I like basketball the least. However the atmosphere at an NBA game is amazing. Always action, always something going on.
MLB live is awful
- Bieksa#3

Basketball has too much conspiracy but like you said is very fun and exciting to watch..
You think if howard doesnt re-sign that he might sign with Okc?
I want him so we are stronger on defence, rebound and a big presence in the paint on but his attitude and his performance from this year is questionable

Agreed, CO is going with Jones. It makes too much sense given the state of their D (which ironically possesses another #1 overall D) and the fact that they've got Duchene, Stastny, O'Reilly already up the middle.

I'd go MacKinnon if I were Florida. The playoffs proves to me again and again that it's vital to run 4 quality lines given how easy it seems to shut down a single line if you focus on it. Toews has had 3 assists and no goals in 7 games but Sharp has potted 7 goals in 6 to pick up the slack.
- AlexF

True and not a bad consolation prize for Tampa Bay; Essentially a new version of the Lecavalier-St Louis tandem in Stamkos and Drouin

Wow, MacKinnon making a statement with a hat trick after 2 periods against Seth Jones' Winterhawks.
- AlexF

If Colorado doesn't take MacKinnon with the first overall pick they're idiots! This kid is sooooo talented.

Basketball has too much conspiracy but like you said is very fun and exciting to watch..
You think if howard doesnt re-sign that he might sign with Okc?
I want him so we are stronger on defence, rebound and a big presence in the paint on but his attitude and his performance from this year is questionable
- RF_4eva

OKC traded Harden because they can't afford the luxery tax, as any non huge market team can't. No chance they sign Howard. Or any other big name FA. Sadly teams like OKC and Memphis have to make outside the box moves to contend with Lakers/Heat/Clippers/Knicks etc on a yearly basis.
Honestly I think they should move Westbrook for a all star big. How about Westbrook for Kevin Love and minny uses Westbrook as more of a combo guard.
Or Westbrook for Al Horford
Jeremy Lamb and a 1st for Illguskis in Cleveland?

Howard to the Hawks
Josh Smith to Houston
Red!ck to Memphis

If Colorado doesn't take Jones with the first overall pick they're idiots! This kid is sooooo talented.
- LeftCoaster

1st off I think Jones is the better player. Aside from that the A vs have Duchense, Stastny and O'Rielly. The have tweetle Dee and tweetle dumb on defense

If Colorado doesn't take MacKinnon with the first overall pick they're idiots! This kid is sooooo talented.
- LeftCoaster

I've been scratching my head for past little while thinking of how we can get that #2 pick from Florida. Would be great to have MacKinnon lining up as our 2nd or 3rd line center next season, eventually centering the top line.

1st off I think Jones is the better player. Aside from that the A vs have Duchense, Stastny and O'Rielly. The have tweetle Dee and tweetle dumb on defense
- Bieksa#3

Tough to compare but I did get a chuckle when MacKinnon burned Jones for his 2nd goal.

Good article by Botch today on the Sedins in Sweden:

http://www.theprovince.co...tlight/8406324/story.html

Some highlights:

On their own, the Sedins instantly turned Team Sweden into Team Power Play, torching both the Canadian and Finnish squads with four goals on their first nine man-advantage opportunities. For reference, the Swedes were 2-for-30 before the twins hit home soil.

Next they play Switzerland for gold, and it’d be a fitting end if the Sedins win that, in the same week the Canucks make their inevitable coaching change.

In two games at the World Championship, the Sedins showed more creativity on the power play in Sweden than they did for an entire year in Vancouver.

OK, that’s some slight hyperbole there.

But seeing them able to freelance, kicking the puck back and forth down low, on the right side, then on the left side, and then behind the net, made the Canucks’ setup with Daniel back on the point seem needlessly restrictive.

It also incinerated the narrative the Canucks’ struggles on the power play were mostly because the Sedins skills have diminished.

Their skills are just fine, thanks.

It’s possible the Sedins just need Loui Eriksson. The left-handed winger scored two goals on their line in the semifinal win against Finland. He said he’d score 40 in an NHL season with the Sedins. Commentator, and former Canucks coach, Marc Crawford said more like 50.
- AlexF

Thanks for posting this. Good read.

I mentioned for most of the year that their ES production hadn't dipped much, and it was the PP killing them.

Not surprised it was a system issue.

Those guys are still elite players. Can't wait to see this team with a new coach...

Tough to compare but I did get a chuckle when MacKinnon burned Jones for his 2nd goal.
- AlexF

Meh, look at the WJHC. Jones was a kingpin for the winning team while Mackinnon looked out of place in the tourny