Impressive numbers. Good size. Interesting pick. I'd be onboard with that.
- Jsaquella

At the very least another player to seriously consider I'd also be fine if they looked at Spencer Martin of Mississauga in the 3rd too

After 1

London - 0
Portland - 0

Welp, buckle up for the ride in the pursuit of one of the following: Pieterangelo, Bogo, or Edler. Not sure which one.
- ravishingone

I'd be happy with any of those three. In the early 1980's, they traded their leading scorer and a big package to land Mark Howe. It's not necessarily a bad thing.

Nurse's hockey sense is the big unknown... it's really hard to tell right now if it's something that will come with time, or not at all.


- Tomahawk

I didn't really get the lack of hockey sense thing, but I think his substantial increase in offensive production (from 10 pts to 41 pts) this season should speak to at least some progress in that department...with Sproul leaving next season Nurse will have more repsonsibility and more opportunity to develop and show his stuff.

Coburn's defensive hockey sense has developed nicely, but he hasn't been able to do the same on the other side of the puck. With his mobility, size and skills, he could be a #1 guy... but he's often behind the play in the o-zone.
- Tomahawk

It's puzzling. Coburns first couple of years here he thrived with Timonen and showed some of his offensive upside. Then Carle kind of came in and stole some of his role/minutes and his offensive production dried up. He has some capabilities to produce. I have a theory, I think he does best on a pairing with a clearly defined role....he doesn't operate well when it's unclear as to whether or not he's supposed to be the stay at home guy or the puck mover with more offensive responsibilities...it seems like he's confused out there sometimes with what he's supposed to be doing. Just a theory.

I'd be happy with any of those three. In the early 1980's, they traded their leading scorer and a big package to land Mark Howe. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
- Jsaquella

I'll admit I'm probably in the front seat of the Coots bandwagon. My untouchables in the organization are the following: G, Voracek, Coots, and Ghost (just got a feeling this guy is going to be a player in the league, don't know why). All other assets are available in negotiating.

Welp, buckle up for the ride in the pursuit of one of the following: Pieterangelo, Bogo, or Edler. Not sure which one.
- ravishingone

Alex P is untouchable. I dont understand why his name keeps coming up.

And you're saying Giroux, Jake and Coots are off the table? Good luck with that.

I'll admit I'm probably in the front seat of the Coots bandwagon. My untouchables in the organization are the following: G, Voracek, Coots, and Ghost (just got a feeling this guy is going to be a player in the league, don't know why). All other assets are available in negotiating.
- ravishingone

I agree with Giroux, Voracek & Couturier. I really would be very loathe to trade any of those 3.

I like Gostisbehere, too.

I'd be looking at something built out of a Simmonds for Edler deal. It does address needs for both teams and is a pretty fair swap, based on several factors, including ages, cap hits and possibility of improvement.

If Edler's being shopped, I'd definitely be taking a test drive.

I didn't really get the lack of hockey sense thing, but I think his substantial increase in offensive production (from 10 pts to 41 pts) this season should speak to at least some progress in that department...with Sproul leaving next season Nurse will have more repsonsibility and more opportunity to develop and show his stuff.



It's puzzling. Coburns first couple of years here he thrived with Timonen and showed some of his offensive upside. Then Carle kind of came in and stole some of his role/minutes and his offensive production dried up. He has some capabilities to produce. I have a theory, I think he does best on a pairing with a clearly defined role....he doesn't operate well when it's unclear as to whether or not he's supposed to be the stay at home guy or the puck mover with more offensive responsibilities...it seems like he's confused out there sometimes with what he's supposed to be doing. Just a theory.
- exlund

Coburn can be a very solid guy as long as he's not the anchor for the pair. If he's playing with a Timonen, he can just go out and do his job and not have to worry about the other guy's job, he's great.

It's when he has to be the key guy in the pair that gives him troubles. Look at last year, Grossmann was very solid and Coburn played well in the pair.

Coburn can be a very solid guy as long as he's not the anchor for the pair. If he's playing with a Timonen, he can just go out and do his job and not have to worry about the other guy's job, he's great.

It's when he has to be the key guy in the pair that gives him troubles. Look at last year, Grossmann was very solid and Coburn played well in the pair.
- Jsaquella

When I see Johnny Boychuk play for the Bruins, I wish Coburn could be that player. Consistently good, not great, in all situations. I'm not knocking Coburn, just want more consistency.

When I see Johnny Boychuk play for the Bruins, I wish Coburn could be that player. Consistently good, not great, in all situations. I'm not knocking Coburn, just want more consistency.
- ravishingone

Yeah, Boychuck does his job, stays in his limits and generally gives you a solid job.

Big part of that is being used right, though. Not saying Coburn shouldn't be able to handle a bigger role, but at the same time, a guy like Boychuk isn't usually asked to do things he has troubles with.

Was curious if anyone knew more about Morgan Klimchuk. Seems to rated as a late 1st/early 2nd. Is he someone that could slip to us at our second round pick (41) or would trading up most likely be required?

Love the skill the guy has and among the other interesting guys mentioned, it'd be great to snag a dman (Pulock) and Klimchuk with our first two picks.

Yeah, Boychuck does his job, stays in his limits and generally gives you a solid job.

Big part of that is being used right, though. Not saying Coburn shouldn't be able to handle a bigger role, but at the same time, a guy like Boychuk isn't usually asked to do things he has troubles with.
- Jsaquella

My question about Coburn is he better suited to be in a pairing where he isn't the primary puck handler? Yes, he played better with Grossmann, but that pairing had a difficult time generating offense coming out of the zone.

My question about Coburn is he better suited to be in a pairing where he isn't the primary puck handler? Yes, he played better with Grossmann, but that pairing had a difficult time generating offense coming out of the zone.
- ravishingone

Absolutely. He's better with a guy who is more adept and moving the puck, either via passing or stickhandling

After 2

London - 1
Portland - 1

Absolutely. He's better with a guy who is more adept and moving the puck, either via passing or stickhandling
- Jsaquella

With that in my mind, I question Coburn, Schenn, and Grossmann being in the top 6 next year if they do upgrade the blueline and acquire the puck handler we all crave. $11.6 million dedicated to three guys who are better suited to be the shutdown role seems a little high to me. Not impossible, just high, especially since the likelihood of the new d-man will probably be making a good chunk of change also. If so much money does get dedicated to the blueline, gotta believe Bryz will be bought out.

Also, I am expecting nothing from Mez other then a long stint on LTIR. If he gives anything, it will be a bonus.

With that in my mind, I question Coburn, Schenn, and Grossmann being in the top 6 next year if they do upgrade the blueline and acquire the puck handler we all crave. $11.6 million dedicated to three guys who are better suited to be the shutdown role seems a little high to me. Not impossible, just high, especially since the likelihood of the new d-man will probably be making a good chunk of change also. If so much money does get dedicated to the blueline, gotta believe Bryz will be bought out.

Also, I am expecting nothing from Mez other then a long stint on LTIR. If he gives anything, it will be a bonus.
- ravishingone

If it becomes a serious cap crunch, I'd be trying to use Meszaros as a salary dump. If the cap isn't too crushed, I'd try to keep all three.

If you add Edler to the mix, for the sake of discussion, you could roll:

Edler-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Gustafsson-Grossmann/Meszaros

With that in my mind, I question Coburn, Schenn, and Grossmann being in the top 6 next year if they do upgrade the blueline and acquire the puck handler we all crave. $11.6 million dedicated to three guys who are better suited to be the shutdown role seems a little high to me. Not impossible, just high, especially since the likelihood of the new d-man will probably be making a good chunk of change also. If so much money does get dedicated to the blueline, gotta believe Bryz will be bought out.

Also, I am expecting nothing from Mez other then a long stint on LTIR. If he gives anything, it will be a bonus.
- ravishingone

I would be surprised if Bryzgalov is here.

Edler-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Gustafsson-Grossmann/Meszaros
- Jsaquella

Exactly what I'd like to see, with Mesz being dealt if possible. A solid mix of size and speed IMO.

I would be surprised if Bryzgalov is here.
- stveshdy

I thought we had possible confirmation that Bryz isn't getting bought out this summer?

Final

London - 1
Portland - 2

Portland vs Halifax for the Memorial Cup which will be on the NHL Network Sunday at 7pm

I thought we had possible confirmation that Bryz isn't getting bought out this summer?
- Rocktane

We had possible confirmation that Carter wasn't getting shipped to Columbus, too...

Coburn can be a very solid guy as long as he's not the anchor for the pair. If he's playing with a Timonen, he can just go out and do his job and not have to worry about the other guy's job, he's great.

It's when he has to be the key guy in the pair that gives him troubles. Look at last year, Grossmann was very solid and Coburn played well in the pair.
- Jsaquella

Maybe that's part of it...but I remember, in his first couple seasons here, he was being featured more offensively and got a ton more powerplay time. He showed the ability to skate and move the puck and join the play. Remember those wicked one timers he'd unleash from the right circle on the PP? He put up some half decent points and showed offensive upside. He should be in his prime and even better right now...but now he's lucky to see any time on the PP and isn't utilized in that way. Is it his own doing or the coaching???

Maybe that's part of it...but I remember, in his first couple seasons here, he was being featured more offensively and got a ton more powerplay time. He showed the ability to skate and move the puck and join the play. Remember those wicked one timers he'd unleash from the right circle on the PP? He put up some half decent points and showed offensive upside. He should be in his prime and even better right now...but now he's lucky to see any time on the PP and isn't utilized in that way. Is it his own doing or the coaching???
- exlund

True, he did show a lot more in his first few seasons.

Of course, Timonen's two way ability open that door for him a bit, too. That success could have just been an outlier for his career, too.

He does have the physical tools to be a top pair defender, who plays in all situations, which is one reason I hate to dump him.

I really do like Homer's style of making good value out of little to no value. Gustafsson and Read were both undrafted free-agent signings. On top of the Lilja comments, that is why I have alot of hope for Alt, they obviously see something in him like they saw in Gus and Read. Grossmann was acquired for a 2nd and 3rd rounder, which have historically been worth almost nothing to us. It's a good tactic for building team value, imo. If we could package Read and Mezaros for Edler, and then in turn draft a great future Dman (which in such a deep draft, sitting at 11th, shouldn't be hard to do), then we'd have a balanced group of outstanding young players spanning from our forwards to our goalies.

I really do like Homer's style of making good value out of little to no value. Gustafsson and Read were both undrafted free-agent signings. On top of the Lilja comments, that is why I have alot of hope for Alt, they obviously see something in him like they saw in Gus and Read. Grossmann was acquired for a 2nd and 3rd rounder, which have historically been worth almost nothing to us. It's a good tactic for building team value, imo. If we could package Read and Mezaros for Edler, and then in turn draft a great future Dman (which in such a deep draft, sitting at 11th, shouldn't be hard to do), then we'd have a balanced group of outstanding young players spanning from our forwards to our goalies.
- JAKEw1234

Vancouver wants to get bigger and younger. They'll want Simmonds over Read and have no interest in Mesz's price tag.