Would you do Simmonds, Grossmann, Laughton for Subban+ a pick.
- youarewrong

No, but I'd probably do Simmonds, Gustafson + pick

Definitely not giving up Simmonds and Laughton in one shot for Subban. Gustafson is more valuable and can somewhat replace what Habs would be losing in Subban. Could be a conditional pick depending on if he signs long term.

I dont think anywhere near as highly as some do in Subban. That pick would absolutely not be a 1st rounder. He's not worth a 1st and two roster players IMO.

Things are ok. Mommy still has abdominal pain from the c-section. Baby is finally gaining weight and has his 1-month appointment tonight. M4 is an awesome older brother and helper around the house. His charge is our cat, Clarke, who most probably has cancer based on his vet's opinion. This morning we noticed his face was swollen on one side where they think the tumors are. *sigh*
- Flyskippy

superior vena cava syndrome, not good

I hope Clarke doesn't suffer

No, but I'd probably do Simmonds, Gustafson + pick

Definitely not giving up Simmonds and Laughton in one shot for Subban. Gustafson is more valuable and can somewhat replace what Habs would be losing in Subban. Could be a conditional pick depending on if he signs long term.

I dont think anywhere near as highly as some do in Subban. That pick would absolutely not be a 1st rounder. He's not worth a 1st and two roster players IMO.
- mochoson

well he did win a norris trophy, thats no small feat.

well he did win a norris trophy, thats no small feat.
- PhillaBully

In a lock-out shortened season because he scored a bunch of points. That trophy bullpoop doesn't mean anything to me anymore.

Ryan Suter was the best all around defender this past season IMO.

Opinion time. Who is going to have an up season, down season, stay the same?

Giroux - UP; 87 points (37 G, 50 A)
Hartnell - UP; 55 points (25 G, 30 A)
Voracek - UP; 82 points (35 G, 47 A)
Lecavalier - SAME; 60 points (25 G, 35 A)
Simmonds - SAME; 53 points (28 G, 25 A)
Schenn - UP; 52 points (23 G, 29 A)
Read - SAME; 47 points (25 G, 22 A)
Couturier - UP; 37 points (16 G, 21 A)
Gagne - DOWN; 29 points (13 G, 16 A)
Talbot - SLIGHTLY UP; 17 points (8 G, 9A)
Rinaldo - SAME; 7 points (5 G, 2 A)
Hall - SAME; 3 points (1 G, 2 A)
Laughton - UP; 4 points (2 G, 2A in nine games; he'll get sent back)
McGinn - UP; 19 points (10 G, 9 A in 55 games as first forward to get recalled)
Rosehill - SAME; 1 point
OTHER

Timonen - SAME; 31 points (5 G, 26 A)
Streit - SAME; 33 points (6 G, 27 A)
Coburn - SAME; 17 points (4 G, 13 A)
Meszaros - Just don't believe he'll be on the roster
Schenn - SAME; 13 points (4 G, 9 A)
Grossmann - SAME; 9 points (0 G, 9 A)
Gustafsson - UP; 21 points (4 G, 17 A)
Gervais - DOWN; 6 points (2 G, 4 A) in 45 games as 7/8 defenseman
OTHER

Mason - UP; 35 starts; 18-11-6, 2.55 GAA, .910 SVPCT
Emery DOWN - (Because his last year was record-setting); 47 starts, 26-15-6, 2.68 GAA, .911 SVPCT
OTHER
- youarewrong

That adds up to 44-26-12, 100 points. I absolutely think this team is capable of doing that.

In a lock-out shortened season because he scored a bunch of points. That trophy bullpoop doesn't mean anything to me anymore.

Ryan Suter was the best all around defender this past season IMO.
- mochoson

Plus Karlson was injured all season

No one is the least bit nervous about the goaltending?
Both guys come with pretty big question marks.
I also wonder if the defenseman they have will be able to mesh into something good.
I think if they make the playoffs they will have had a successful year.

Giroux- SAME.
Hartnell- UP. Maybe not 2012 up, but better then last year.
Voracek- SAME. I think Voracek will level off here for a while.
Lecavalier- UP. Change of scenerly might spark Vinny
Simmonds- SAME. No forward progress, but no regression.
Schenn- SAME. Adjusting to the wing perminately will be an adjustment
Read-DOWN. Less ice time and checking role will hurt his numbers.
Couturier- SAME. Another checking role will still limit his offense
Gagne- UP. Full year on the team with low expectations. I see him potting 20.
Talbot- UP/SAME. I dont expect 2012 numbers, but more then last year, but due to injury he can do more then last year.
Rinaldo- DOWN. I think less ice time, and time away from the game might hinder his dicipline.
Hall- SAME.
Laughton- Juniors
McGinn- DOWN. Will struggle with spot duty
Rosehill-DOWN. Impressed with what he had, afraid with 13th forwards minutes might see a second coming of Shelly.
OTHER

Timonen- DOWN. On the decline, but still good enough.
Streit- SAME. Different team, non captain might allow him to focus ont he job.
Coburn-UP. Bad season last year, only has up to go if not asked to be the puck mover.
Meszaros- UP. Needs to come back strong from Injury
Schenn- SAME. No Regression.
Grossmann- SAME. Be sturdy, but might be traded IMO
Gustefsson- UP. If given time, will rise to top 5 defender.
Gervais- DOWN. Wont get much time.
OTHER

Mason- UP. Taking what he learned and the confidence from last year and becomes the number 1 guy.
Emery- DOWN. After 17-1 season on the best NHL team, might be too hard to improve on that, but will be solid, wont win starting job.
OTHER

IMO, this team gets a lot better even though most guys stay the same. We improved in the areas we need to improve, and I have a feeling Mason is going to take the league by storm this season like Bob did last season. Break-out year.
- youarewrong

Agreed, Though I think Coots could have an up year though depending on who he ends up playing with on the 3rd line. Gags & Read could tap some more offense from him. If he's playing with Talbot, probably a lot less.

No one is the least bit nervous about the goaltending?
Both guys come with pretty big question marks.
I also wonder if the defenseman they have will be able to mesh into something good.
I think if they make the playoffs they will have had a successful year.
- Marc D

I have concerns with the goaltending, but if healthy I think the defense can be really solid.

No one is the least bit nervous about the goaltending?
Both guys come with pretty big question marks.
I also wonder if the defenseman they have will be able to mesh into something good.
I think if they make the playoffs they will have had a successful year.
- Marc D

I just can't be worried about it yet, without me seeing how the team looks in a few games.

I realize that's silly of me, considering this franchise doesn't get lucky with young goaltenders too often. But I do think Steve Mason is young enough, hungry enough, athletic enough and handles the puck well enough that I just can't worry yet.

Not saying he's great, or a franchise goalie. But at some point, you gotta look at a 1.90 GAA and .944 SVPCT and say, "Well, hell. We've started worse guys than Steve Mason."

No one is the least bit nervous about the goaltending?
Both guys come with pretty big question marks.
I also wonder if the defenseman they have will be able to mesh into something good.
I think if they make the playoffs they will have had a successful year.
- Marc D

i'm hopefully optimistic

and of course i'm easy to tease about wanting meszaros to stick around but after last year i think we can't have too many defensemen

I just can't be worried about it yet, without me seeing how the team looks in a few games.

I realize that's silly of me, considering this franchise doesn't get lucky with young goaltenders too often. But I do think Steve Mason is young enough, hungry enough, athletic enough and handles the puck well enough that I just can't worry yet.

Not saying he's great, or a franchise goalie. But at some point, you gotta look at a 1.90 GAA and .944 SVPCT and say, "Well, hell. We've started worse guys than Steve Mason."
- AllInForFlyers

I agree Mason is beyond hungry. Had a stellar rookie season and got stuck it Columbus. Change of scenery helped. With Bryz and him fighting, you almost would think Mason would think he could get starter in his favor, but now with Razor, more competition which I think will push Mason even harder. We played great with him last year and even our team looked like they had more trust and life when he was between the pipes. Very excited. How many more days till the season ?

About the goalie situation, we are so relieved to be done with the cosmonaut media circus that anything looks good in comparison.

I do like how Mason moves the puck but technically he has a lot of room for improvement, rebound control, etc.

Emery, well I love his story. It's a minor miracle to come back from avascular necrosis of the hip. But I am glad he accepted a one year deal, because who the heck knows what his future will be.

The defense is kind of scary too. Kimmo is another year older.
Streit is going to need very protected minutes.
Grossmann when healthy is a stud, but his health?
Luke Schenn is going to be asked to play a top pair role.
Mez is likely gone. Coburn, hope he rebounds back into form.

I agree Mason is beyond hungry. Had a stellar rookie season and got stuck it Columbus. Change of scenery helped. With Bryz and him fighting, you almost would think Mason would think he could get starter in his favor, but now with Razor, more competition which I think will push Mason even harder. We played great with him last year and even our team looked like they had more trust and life when he was between the pipes. Very excited. How many more days till the season ?
- arichardson22

This seemed very noticeable to me as well.

i'm sure Hammarby31 will be able to fill in the details when he gets back, but in case anyone is wondering, the 40+ US men's hockey team has done the following at the Maccabiah games in Israel:

Game 1: lost to Canada 6-5 (he didn't play)
Game 2: lost to Russia 11-6 (he did play and the score was not indicative of quite how badly team USA was outplayed - he played very well, breakaways, odd man rushes, etc. - good enough to earn him the next start)
Game 3: today, beat Israel 5-2 (he played)

They next play Russia again to see who gets to take on the Canadians for the gold. Not sure if he's playing or not.

I agree Mason is beyond hungry. Had a stellar rookie season and got stuck it Columbus. Change of scenery helped. With Bryz and him fighting, you almost would think Mason would think he could get starter in his favor, but now with Razor, more competition which I think will push Mason even harder. We played great with him last year and even our team looked like they had more trust and life when he was between the pipes. Very excited. How many more days till the season ?
- arichardson22

Truthfully? I'm excited, too.

I think this team is going to be LETHAL, absolutely LETHAL, on the power play. I think both units are going to be smoking all season.

Again: I'm not dense: I realize that Mark Streit is going to have be shielded at 5v5. I know it. And there are going to be games when he gets exposed defensively. I already know it.

But I think what he and Erik Gustafsson will provide in the transition game, as well as with how much better Steve Mason and Ray Emery are at handling the puck.

I think we're going to score more at even strength. I think we'll be slightly better defensively. And if Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier truly do make tangible, noticeable progress this year, I think by the time the playoffs roll around, this team could be very, very scary.

i'm sure Hammarby31 will be able to fill in the details when he gets back, but in case anyone is wondering, the 40+ US men's hockey team has done the following at the Maccabiah games in Israel:

Game 1: lost to Canada 6-5 (he didn't play)
Game 2: lost to Russia 11-6 (he did play and the score was not indicative of quite how badly team USA was outplayed - he played very well, breakaways, odd man rushes, etc. - good enough to earn him the next start)
Game 3: today, beat Israel 5-2 (he played)

They next play Russia again to see who gets to take on the Canadians for the gold. Not sure if he's playing or not.
- wilsonecho91

Truthfully? I'm excited, too.

I think this team is going to be LETHAL, absolutely LETHAL, on the power play. I think both units are going to be smoking all season.

Again: I'm not dense: I realize that Mark Streit is going to have be shielded at 5v5. I know it. And there are going to be games when he gets exposed defensively. I already know it.

But I think what he and Erik Gustafsson will provide in the transition game, as well as with how much better Steve Mason and Ray Emery are at handling the puck.

I think we're going to score more at even strength. I think we'll be slightly better defensively. And if Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier truly do make tangible, noticeable progress this year, I think by the time the playoffs roll around, this team could be very, very scary.
- AllInForFlyers

Your point about the PP is really a good one.

A smart coach would recognize that he has some question marks on D and in goal, and play a tight 5 man defensive system and try to win close games with that lethal PP.

Not sure Lavi has that side in him.

6-5 games do make for exciting hockey, so there is that.

i'm sure Hammarby31 will be able to fill in the details when he gets back, but in case anyone is wondering, the 40+ US men's hockey team has done the following at the Maccabiah games in Israel:

Game 1: lost to Canada 6-5 (he didn't play)
Game 2: lost to Russia 11-6 (he did play and the score was not indicative of quite how badly team USA was outplayed - he played very well, breakaways, odd man rushes, etc. - good enough to earn him the next start)
Game 3: today, beat Israel 5-2 (he played)

They next play Russia again to see who gets to take on the Canadians for the gold. Not sure if he's playing or not.
- wilsonecho91

I'm surprised that there are enough Jews left in Russia to field a team.

I'm surprised that there are enough Jews left in Russia to field a team.
- Marc D

He's gonna be awfully tired if he gets 60 minutes a night.


- Flyskippy

100% agree on Gus, Mason, and Lauridsen's growth. Exactly, way too early to tell. Not like we fell from Barkov/Mac/Drouin to Morin.
- five4fighting10

Actually weren't we bottom 4 at one point? So if I'm remembering right we fell from Seth Jones to Morin.

100% agree on Gus, Mason, and Lauridsen's growth. Exactly, way too early to tell. Not like we fell from Barkov/Mac/Drouin to Morin.
- five4fighting10

nah, they just dropped from Jones

I'm surprised that there are enough Jews left in Russia to field a team.
- Marc D

interesting that you say that because he alluded to the fact that the team was not made up of all (any?) Jews - it's been difficult to communicate with him, but that's what I took away anyhow.