yes as much as I love all of our forwards one might be traded for a young defenseman in my opinion. Salo I don't think will be back and Sustr seems to be taking his place with Hedman, Carle-Gudas, Brewer-???

With all the young D talent I have been wondering if Brewer will be our second buy out. How about a Brewer, young forward for another top 4 defensemen. Would any team be interested?
- stammerman

No reason to trade Brewer right now. He's been really effective on that third pairing. In limited minutes, he's a very solid defender. It was when he got well north of 20 minutes that problems started to arise. Why mess with something that's clearly working right now?

conacher will be a top 6 guy but he will not be a marty not even drouin will be marty. At the time I viewed it as a great hockey trade tampa has great forward depth and ottawa had great goalie depth.
- todd1a

This. Though I'm not nearly as sold on Conacher as you.

yes as much as I love all of our forwards one might be traded for a young defenseman in my opinion. Salo I don't think will be back and Sustr seems to be taking his place with Hedman, Carle-Gudas, Brewer-???

With all the young D talent I have been wondering if Brewer will be our second buy out. How about a Brewer, young forward for another top 4 defensemen. Would any team be interested?
- stammerman

Brewer has been terrific on 3rd pair. if he keeps up his play, we'd be crazy to use a buyout on him with what then will only be one year left on contract. he's the perfect guy on 3rd pairing to groom another rookie Dman next season.

as much as i love the guy, Gudas sure has been frustrating to watch the last couple games. he's taking a lot of ill timed penalties and really needs to learn when to go for the big hit. we're lucky Big Ben's in net, or it couldve been another game like pittsburgh the way he kept taking himself out of the play

I agree for right now, I was thinking more about the off season going into next year when I think we start our run on consistently being a playoff team. I think one more top 4 D is needed with NHL experience. Wishful thinking maybe but doable with our prospects going into next year.

As for this year Brewer has played good with Sustr, and Sustr plays good when on the ice with Hedman. What will we do with Aulie and Barberio, they can't ride the pine all the time, I don't see Aulie with the team towards the end of the year for some reason.

No reason to trade Brewer right now. He's been really effective on that third pairing. In limited minutes, he's a very solid defender. It was when he got well north of 20 minutes that problems started to arise. Why mess with something that's clearly working right now?
- Michael_Stuart

Totally Agree with you here... He is the most frustrating player for me to watch on this home stand. He needs to be disciplined.

as much as i love the guy, Gudas sure has been frustrating to watch the last couple games. he's taking a lot of ill timed penalties and really needs to learn when to go for the big hit. we're lucky Big Ben's in net, or it couldve been another game like pittsburgh the way he kept taking himself out of the play
- Boltdolt84

as much as i love the guy, Gudas sure has been frustrating to watch the last couple games. he's taking a lot of ill timed penalties and really needs to learn when to go for the big hit. we're lucky Big Ben's in net, or it couldve been another game like pittsburgh the way he kept taking himself out of the play
- Boltdolt84

Definitely. With a player like Gudas, there are going to be growing pains. The nice thing is that most of them are coach-able. He doesn't get nervous or lose his calm. That's something you can't teach.

Brewer has been terrific on 3rd pair. if he keeps up his play, we'd be crazy to use a buyout on him with what then will only be one year left on contract. he's the perfect guy on 3rd pairing to groom another rookie Dman next season.
- Boltdolt84

I think vinny was are one and only buyout we will use! don't you guys think vinik paid enough on that buyout alone ?

What do you guys think of Cooper playing the fourth line in a much more limited role with a lot of less minutes? I like that the scoring lines are getting more minuted but what I like about the fourth line is when they are the ice so far this season they are dictating the action majority of the time. Labrie is standing out, love to watch him on the ice his skating is so much better, Thompson just grinds, and Crombeen is a really good defensive forward.

It would be great if Ben Bishop leads team usa to the gold medal over yzerman and team canada. I'm thinking Quick and Bishop would be the goalies if things keep going this way.

What do you guys think of Cooper playing the fourth line in a much more limited role with a lot of less minutes? I like that the scoring lines are getting more minuted but what I like about the fourth line is when they are the ice so far this season they are dictating the action majority of the time. Labrie is standing out, love to watch him on the ice his skating is so much better, Thompson just grinds, and Crombeen is a really good defensive forward.
- stammerman

The fourth line has been a huge bright spot this season. All three guys have stood out for various positive reasons. They earn their minutes, the dictate play, and they often create decent chances. That's all any team needs out of a fourth line.

What do you guys think of Cooper playing the fourth line in a much more limited role with a lot of less minutes? I like that the scoring lines are getting more minuted but what I like about the fourth line is when they are the ice so far this season they are dictating the action majority of the time. Labrie is standing out, love to watch him on the ice his skating is so much better, Thompson just grinds, and Crombeen is a really good defensive forward.
- stammerman

I think the ice time for all lines is fine and working so far depends if we are leading or behind a goal or two.

Definitely. With a player like Gudas, there are going to be growing pains. The nice thing is that most of them are coach-able. He doesn't get nervous or lose his calm. That's something you can't teach.
- Michael_Stuart

nah, he's rocky. "he's gettin mad!"

It would be great if Ben Bishop leads team usa to the gold medal over yzerman and team canada. I'm thinking Quick and Bishop would be the goalies if things keep going this way.
- todd1a

I think it's probably a little early to be talking about this, but I could definitely see Bishop in the three spot. I can't see him being top two for Team USA, but stranger things have happened.

He looks like a different goalie right now which I am happy about but he did struggle mightily and got benched for a rookie at the World Championships.

I think it's probably a little early to be talking about this, but I could definitely see Bishop in the three spot. I can't see him being top two for Team USA, but stranger things have happened.
- Michael_Stuart

He looks like a different goalie right now which I am happy about but he did struggle mightily and got benched for a rookie at the World Championships.
- stammerman

I'm just focused on his next game. I hope that's his focus too.

One last thing before I head to bed, I love the fact that Cooper is playing Stamkos on the PK. I really think this is going to elevate his game going forward. Its huge getting those minutes which will make him a better two way player.

And oh yeah he still has the most wicked shot in the league that wrist shot was straight nasty leaving a huge rebound for Marty to bury. I love watching him in the offensive zone.

I'm with you on this, he is looking good and I think he will continue to focus on the next game.

I'm just focused on his next game. I hope that's his focus too.
- Michael_Stuart

One last thing before I head to bed, I love the fact that Cooper is playing Stamkos on the PK. I really think this is going to elevate his game going forward. Its huge getting those minutes which will make him a better two way player.

And oh yeah he still has the most wicked shot in the league that wrist shot was straight nasty leaving a huge rebound for Marty to bury. I love watching him in the offensive zone.
- stammerman

Definitely. It's always good to play guys in different situations. That's something that Tortorella did too. Stammer and Marty are simply dominant. Nine and ten points respectively. Awesome stuff.

I'm just focused on his next game. I hope that's his focus too.
- Michael_Stuart

Bishop is making a strong case so far all the other american goalies are just sub par right now. Cory Schneider, Ryan Miller and J.Quick. It would be funny to see Mike Smith for canada vs Ben Bishop in the medal game.

Bishop is making a strong case so far all the other american goalies are just sub par right now. Cory Schneider, Ryan Miller and J.Quick. It would be funny to see Mike Smith for canada vs Ben Bishop in the medal game.
- todd1a

Ryan Miller has been fantastic. Legitimately incredible. Jimmy Howard is another name to watch. Craig Anderson too.

Marty's gonna keep me in the pool this year...love that little guy!!

Ryan Miller has been fantastic. Legitimately incredible. Jimmy Howard is another name to watch. Craig Anderson too.
- Michael_Stuart

If I was picking I would go Ryan Miller # 1 and Ben Bishop # 2.

If I was picking I would go Ryan Miller # 1 and Ben Bishop # 2.
- todd1a

We'll have to agree to disagree. Until Bishop proves that he can do this consistently, I can't put him in there.

Marty's gonna keep me in the pool this year...love that little guy!!
- LeftCoaster

He's one of the best.