They might trade Malkin, because he's UFA in a year and probably going to want a deal similar to Ovechkin/Crosby. I think they need more of an upgrade in goal then defense, maybe sign Smith and trade MAF.
- DariusKnight

IMO Smith is a product of a defenisve-minded system (see Bryz in PHX). I saw Smith play a number of games in TB and recall him and Nittymaki almost literally getting pulled every other game. Smith could possibly be a worse option than MAF, if that's possible. They would benefit from Luongo but that's not likely to happen.

IMO Smith is a product of a defenisve-minded system (see Bryz in PHX). I saw Smith play a number of games in TB and recall him and Nittymaki almost literally getting pulled every other game. Smith could possibly be a worse option than MAF, if that's possible. They would benefit from Luongo but that's not likely to happen.
- AlexF

Its not unreasonable.

I guess I find it odd that established players in the league have much more respect for him than his fans.
- golfingsince

I have loads of respect for him.

What does this have to do with him wanting out of Vancouver?

The bridges have been burned, and I don't blame him at all for wanting a fresh start elsewhere.

EDIT: not sure how my comment could be misconstrued as a knock on Lou—is the news of him wanting to be traded just getting out...?

I have loads of respect for him.

What does this have to do with him wanting out of Vancouver?

The bridges have been burned, and I don't blame him at all for wanting a fresh start elsewhere.
- Fosco

100%

anyone know the release date for next years schedule

I have loads of respect for him.

What does this have to do with him wanting out of Vancouver?

The bridges have been burned, and I don't blame him at all for wanting a fresh start elsewhere.

EDIT: not sure how my comment could be misconstrued as a knock on Lou—is the news of him wanting to be traded just getting out...?
- Fosco

Lu maintains he just wants to play, be a starter. Unless i've missed him saying otherwise.

Lu maintains he just wants to play, be a starter. Unless i've missed him saying otherwise.
- golfingsince

He's said "it's time to move on" directly in multiple interviews, if his mannerism, tone, and guarded answers in every other interview haven't made it clear enough.

I'd love for them to keep him and get a better return for Schneider if it was an option—I'm just shocked that some still think it is an option after everything that's happened the last 3 years.

Lu maintains he just wants to play, be a starter. Unless i've missed him saying otherwise.
- golfingsince

I think his standards have come down after the trade deadline debacle.

He's said "it's time to move on" directly in multiple interviews, if his mannerism, tone, and guarded answers in every other interview haven't made it clear enough.

I'd love for them to keep him and get a better return for Schneider if it was an option—I'm just shocked that some still think it is an option after everything that's happened the last 3 years.
- Fosco

I personally think hes sick of this market, media and the frequent scrutiny. Its time for him to move on and he knows it.

Snagged Kerby in the Mock draft today with Adam, Mark, Richard and Travis


Thoughts?

He's said "it's time to move on" directly in multiple interviews, if his mannerism, tone, and guarded answers in every other interview haven't made it clear enough.

I'd love for them to keep him and get a better return for Schneider if it was an option—I'm just shocked that some still think it is an option after everything that's happened the last 3 years.
- Fosco

It is an option, however unlikely. He wants to move on from the circus more than anything else. The speculation has always been that he is leaving, not Schneids and it is still the most likely scenario.

However, a coaching change and a roster shakeup would help create a new environment. I don't believe it can be automatically discounted as an impossible scenario. I know I would neither give that asset away nor buy him out.

Snagged Kerby in the Mock draft today with Adam, Mark, Richard and Travis


Thoughts?
- IanEsplen

Dozzer will love you.

All due respect to NYI and OTT but that was literally the easiest first 2 rounds any of the remaining 4 teams had, and the easiest they could have devised if they asked for it.
- AlexF

Toronto and NYR was easier.

Meh, he had a crappy team in Dallas but didn't overachieve at all either. He was a "hot" AHL coach like Eakins though.
- Nucker101

Disagree. Better than Eakins.

Snagged Kerby in the Mock draft today with Adam, Mark, Richard and Travis


Thoughts?
- IanEsplen

Wouldn't be dissapointed at all, but there are a couple others I'd prefer that I'm hoping fall to the Canucks.

Really hope Brett Pesce falls to the late 3rd so they can snag him, but I doubt he'll make it far into the 2nd round.

I personally think hes sick of this market, media and the frequent scrutiny. Its time for him to move on and he knows it.
- vancity787

I don't think he was too enamoured with it from day one.

Eklund stirring it up.

Disagree. Better than Eakins.
- DrChristianTroy

Please explain your thinking. I thought they were both pretty similar.

I believe the pens would be all over Lu if his contract was bought out by the Nucks... I think they would actually be first in line.

Have you seen him play? I'm just wondering if he's not to similar of a prospect to Gaunce?
- AlexF

Brock Nelson is a fantastic prospect, and of Nino, Strome and Nelson, I truly think Nelson will be the one to make the biggest impact in his first couple of seasons in the league. Big physical centers that can skate, dangle and hit aren't an easy thing to find.

Isles fans are extremely high on him because of the improvement he's shown as he's jumped each level in hockey. He's going to be an excellent NHL'er, which is why we'd be pissed if he was traded.

agreed. Smith is a huge risk in a different system, not sure I'd be wild about the Isles taking a shot at him. Might blow up in their face if he pulls a Bryz

Please explain your thinking. I thought they were both pretty similar.
- Nucker101

<---------------

Gulutzan has never coached in the AHL. Like most successful coaches, he was an average player, mostly ECHL and IHL with some international play. He coached four seasons in the ECHL with record results, 3 consecutive 100pt seasons, and a championships appearance. My concern here is that the ECHL is difficult to judge because it is all about who you happen to have on your team at any one time. The ECHL feeds players to the AHL but has no actual feeder. When an NHL team calls up players, the AHL affiliate does the same, from the ECHL. If the NHL/AHL team go through the season with few call ups, the ECHL team could have a consistent/solid roster the whole season and be very successful. If, on the other hand, the NHL team has a run of injuries, then the ECHL team could find themselves depleted of quality hockey players and have a terrible season as a result.

I'm not sure of the details of Gulutzan's experience in the ECHL, but it may not have been his coaching that was the primary reason for the success, then again, maybe he's a wizard with an under-manned team and is the best candidate...

EDIT - my bad, two years coaching with the Texas Stars of the AHL.

blog up

<---------------

Gulutzan has never coached in the AHL. Like most successful coaches, he was an average player, mostly ECHL and IHL with some international play. He coached four seasons in the ECHL with record results, 3 consecutive 100pt seasons, and a championships appearance. My concern here is that the ECHL is difficult to judge because it is all about who you happen to have on your team at any one time. The ECHL feeds players to the AHL but has no actual feeder. When an NHL team calls up players, the AHL affiliate does the same, from the ECHL. If the NHL/AHL team go through the season with few call ups, the ECHL team could have a consistent/solid roster the whole season and be very successful. If, on the other hand, the NHL team has a run of injuries, then the ECHL team could find themselves depleted of quality hockey players and have a terrible season as a result.

I'm not sure of the details of Gulutzan's experience in the ECHL, but it may not have been his coaching that was the primary reason for the success, then again, maybe he's a wizard with an under-manned team and is the best candidate...

EDIT - my bad, two years coaching with the Texas Stars of the AHL.
- 1970vintage