The Vancouver Giants aren't good but still good value for seeing hockey.
- ob18

Yeah, and they're playing Kamloop who aren't chock full o stars. At least Vancouver has Thrower on there, I think he was a 2nd rounder.

Yeah, and they're playing Kamloop who aren't chock full o stars. At least Vancouver has Thrower on there, I think he was a 2nd rounder.
- jmatchett383

Kamploops put all their hope into last years team that came up short......Now they are like Vancouver in rebuilding mode.

Kamploops put all their hope into last years team that came up short......Now they are like Vancouver in rebuilding mode.
- ob18

If I lived in the NW USA, I'd travel just to see Brandon play to see Pulock.

If I lived in the NW USA, I'd travel just to see Brandon play to see Pulock.
- jmatchett383

I'd like to go to the London, ON area........from that point you could see them, Kitchener, Guelph, Barrie, Owen Sound, Mississauga, Sarnia, Oshawa, Windsor, Plymouth & Niagara in under 2 and a half hours.

I'd like to go to the London, ON area........from that point you could see them, Kitchener, Guelph, Barrie, Owen Sound, Mississauga, Sarnia, Oshawa, Windsor, Plymouth & Niagara in under 2 and a half hours.
- ob18

Well the OHL is pretty condensed. The WHL is like the KHL to the OHL's NHL. It's really, really spread out. Probably due to the fact that there are like 3 people and 6 moose per average square mile in Western Canada.

Well the OHL is pretty condensed. The WHL is like the KHL to the OHL's NHL. It's really, really spread out. Probably due to the fact that there are like 3 people and 6 moose per average square mile in Western Canada.
- jmatchett383

I know the WHL has the most travel of the 3 major junior leagues.

I know the WHL has the most travel of the 3 major junior leagues.
- ob18

I think it covers, what, 3 provinces and at least 1 US state.

I think it covers, what, 3 provinces and at least 1 US state.
- jmatchett383

2 US States.....Washington & Oregon.

If I lived in the NW USA, I'd travel just to see Brandon play to see Pulock.
- jmatchett383

Believe me. You wouldnt.

Final

Oshawa - 5
London - 3

Stolarz had the night off.

Laughton had a hat trick (short handed, & empty netter)

Final

Oshawa - 5
London - 3

Stolarz had the night off.

Laughton had a hat trick (short even strength, short handed, & empty netter)
- ob18

He helped Stollie with this game, none of this split starts BS. Stollie > Patterson

Final/OT

Rimouski - 3
Shawinigan - 4

Morin no points

BOGOTRON




Dude is a force when he's feeling it

Final

Oshawa - 5
London - 3

Stolarz had the night off.

Laughton had a hat trick (short handed, & empty netter)
- ob18

Good for the stats, but I never considered that a true hat trick - when the last is scored into an empty net.

I'd never lose my lid over the glass for one of those.

Good for the stats, but I never considered that a true hat trick - when the last is scored into an empty net.

I'd never lose my lid over the glass for one of those.
- 77rams

I'll count it, he played a nice game with his dad in the stands.

I'll count it, he played a nice game with his dad in the stands.
- ob18

That's what really counts. Good for him.

Nice to see Taylor Leier be listed as the captain of the Portland Winterhawks.

After 1

Swift Current - 1
Portland - 1

Leier an assist

Oh man, am watching the Blues/Jets Trouba just went face first into the end boards on the forecheck...the Blues player kind of swooped in to get the puck and he went over him and faceplanted...taken off in a stretcher.
- exlund

Well that should kill the Buff rumors.

If Timo is out an extended amount of time it gives Mez a chance to up his value.

If Timo is out an extended amount of time it gives Mez a chance to up his value.
- jstross

day-to-day...wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't miss any time

day-to-day...wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't miss any time
- isaiah520

He really is the "Timonator"...I can picture him in his hotel room, fixing his injuries...




With all his ad hoc repairs catching up to him and his advancing age he's becoming slowed and dragging himself around...but the phucker keeps coming!

I think we all agree that the veterans on this team, and many on the D should be moved around the deadline. You cannot in, any way, shape or form defend that back end. Highest paid in the NHL for a bunch of mediocrity.

While I think many of us preach patience, there is a line there.

Aside from Giroux, Read and Voracek. Is the rest of that young core really something you want to build around? Are they going to be good enough players?



Now... On one hand its early in their career and players develop different. On the other hand, I will openly say (I know this view isnt the favourite), that I think they are overrated in general.

I wouldnt be throwing any of this young core away, especially not for over the hill veterans. However if a deal comes across that has the opportunity to bring in better talent, or improve the team. I do not There are many elements that come into play.
hesitate. That "young core" is not untouchable to me anymore under the right circumstances, and if I am Holmgren, I call around.

Its not the popular opinion, but I do not think this young core is good enough. I think its foolish to compare them to the Hawks of a few years ago. I'd like to keep them around, but if a good deal comes up...

Edit: A core is the foundation of an NHL team. It cannot be mediocre, it has to be one of the best to win the cup. I do not think, even if certain players hit that top end of "potential" this current one is good enough. They need ELITE. A few years of sucking, while hard, may be what this organization truly needs. They have avoided that for a while, but its about to fist them up the ass.
- flyer_nutter

I think you may be fixated a little too much on so called "elite" players. Sure, any team can use top end talent, but it's not a set formula where you get enough supposedly elite players together and you win a Cup...other elements come into play.

I think the Flyers can build around Giroux, Voracek, Couturier and B Schenn on O, and quite possibly one or two of either Laughton, Raffle, McGinn, Cousins, Akeson will surprise to the upside and become a key player. On D, they can rebuild with L Schenn, Morin and Hagg, maybe Ghostisbehere or Alt or Gusty emerges as a top 4 guy...of course, always be on the lookout for #1 d men that may become available. In goal, Mason could continue to regain his top form and play another 10+ years and Stolarz is one of the best goalies in Jr hockey. Free agents and trades can bring in more young talent, speaking of which, it's looking like we may be looking at a lottery pick this year, so add what will likely be one of the org's top prospects to the mix by this time next year. This kind of plan takes time because the young talent needs to blossom more before they are able to produce consistently (i.e, making up for the loss of Jagr/JVR etc.). There's reason for hope, but patience will be necessary in order for the youth be adequately served.

Meh, we all have our thoughts.

I think we all agree on the D, and dealing veterans around the deadline.

Where I go further, is with all this "potential" of guys other than Read/G/Voracek.

Honestly? I see it, but its not at the point where I would consider them untouchable under the right deals. There is mediocrity throughout this lineup, and if a good deal comes along. I have zero issue moving the young pieces. I question them, more than anything else on this team.
- flyer_nutter

Of course nobody is untouchable under the a"right" deal. As far as the preception of mediocrity throughout the lineup and bascially looking to get rid of them (that's kind of what you seem to be implying), that's the kind of mentality that ends up sending quality players elsewhere to blossom. You need to give young players more time to come into their own in the NHL, about 250-300 games (a ballpark figure for forwards) before you can really see of the are able to readily apply their skillsets at the NHL level...of course, there are exceptions, but a kid like B Schenn or Couturier...they're soooo young, and one shouldn't rush to judgement. Let's see where they are in two years. Again, I agree nobody is untouchable in the right deal...the Flyers drafted/acquired a crap-ton of centers with the idea that they can always trade from that strength for their needs...well, they may need to do that at some point, and you have to give to get, so I'm not opposed to it if it furthers the plan for long term success.

I absolutely love people coming around to the fact that these players are a little over rated. I've been harping this since 3 weeks into the lockout season. If you truly look back even further to the last 2 times we were eliminated in playoffs you can tell. Now that said they are good but I don't see the elite in them at all. Outside of g who I refuse to fully judge without a true #1 winger. Not hartnell and Jake with their career years. Jake looks bad. He's best as a playmaker. He's not an elite scorer. I understand why Philly wanted him to shoot more ( because he was always looking pass) but theyre not going to make him gaborik. It's going to be interesting to see what they decide to do.
- SMS4016

I think the winger argument is a strawman and just an excuse to "refuse to fully judge Giroux" because doing so would force you to admit that it's not the lack of talent, per se, that's the thing holding them back, but other factors. Giroux is the perfect example of an unequivocally talented player being hindered by whatever "suck virus" is plaguing this team right now. Once they shake this off, and they will, shake it off at least somewhat (they're not going to lose 70 games), I think the perspective will be more balanced and we'll have a better I idea of what we're looking at here.