While there is value. I dont think the Pred's even consider Yakupov as an option to theyre team. Sure hes full of talent and his value is up there. Just not the kind of guy theyre gonna be into. Id also bet that they would target Marincin over Klefbom. I dont see anyways Nashville moves Weber to EDM without someone like Eberle going back. Hes theyre kind of guy.
- poisondhearts37

I'd actually imagine they'd prefer a 1C coming back, but agree 100% that they'd prefer Eberle over Yakupov.. I made that proposal some time ago with Eberle for Weber as the centerpieces. Seemed to get the EDM fans interested.

It'll take something like that to pull Weber out of there anyway, and that's if NSH are even considering it.

It'd be a waste for EDM to trade anything of substance for a pending UFA. More than likely he wouldn't re-sign in EDM and the team is so far back that this year's playoffs may already be realistically out of reach.
- AlexF

Yeah I agree, ten points out with 67 games to play just can't be done.

I'd actually imagine they'd prefer a 1C coming back, but agree 100% that they'd prefer Eberle over Yakupov.. I made that proposal some time ago with Eberle for Weber as the centerpieces. Seemed to get the EDM fans interested.

It'll take something like that to pull Weber out of there anyway, and that's if NSH are even considering it.
- AlexF

EDM doesnt have a 1c to send to Nashville. The Pred's have a ton of centers as it is. If Eberle could click with one of them then they got something to work with. I just dont think EDM is gonna do anything like that yet. Theyre prolly content with another lottery and see if theyre team figured out how to play hockey in the offseason. Then be content with another lottery and then lose some guys because they cant pay theyre 10 lottery picks 6mil+ each.

I'd actually imagine they'd prefer a 1C coming back, but agree 100% that they'd prefer Eberle over Yakupov.. I made that proposal some time ago with Eberle for Weber as the centerpieces. Seemed to get the EDM fans interested.

It'll take something like that to pull Weber out of there anyway, and that's if NSH are even considering it.
- AlexF

As much as I'd love to see Weber come to Edmonton, I feel our biggest problem is the forwards. May it be the lack of size, the unwillingness to back check or just missing the drive to play hockey, I think there needs to be some work done. It'll be a lot better when our players are back from IR, but even then I still think there's needs to be a couple changes. I'd like to see Schultz try playing forward, I think it'd suit him much better. I think people forget that we have a few very talented defensemen still developing. Marincin, Klefbom and Nurse will all be big parts to this team in a couple years.

the only reason it would happen is because pekka is out for the season and for some reason they think they are a contender. Miller is only signed through the rest of this year
- IndianaSabresFan

Wouldn't Preds get some sort of long term injury relief if Rinne is on shelf for remainder of yr or is that only a career ending injury scenario? I don't think Miller to Preds is all that far fetched if Rinne is done for yr. Considering he doesn't even get the IV taken out for another 3 weeks at the earliest, I can't see him back until early January at best.

The Gaustad deal was a completely different scenario but I think the Sabres would really have Poile over a barrel for Miller. As far as Miller not wanting to go to Nashville, I think that's absurd. Why not, if it's for the remainder of the yr. The outcome of the Preds current road odyssey will help make a lot of decisions.

I'd actually imagine they'd prefer a 1C coming back, but agree 100% that they'd prefer Eberle over Yakupov.. I made that proposal some time ago with Eberle for Weber as the centerpieces. Seemed to get the EDM fans interested.

It'll take something like that to pull Weber out of there anyway, and that's if NSH are even considering it.
- AlexF

weber isn't going anywhere. the PR hit alone would be unthinkable.

Weber needs to go to Polile and say it's gotta be Trotz or me, and Trotz is done. benching your best offensive players because they miss a back check is getting old.

15 yrs worth of old and they have nothing but 1 2nd round to show for it.

I can't tell you how sick to death I am of hearing about grit and sandpaper and The Predator way. It's BS. They will never advance past an occasional 2nd round appearance.

I miss Bryz in Philly. His off ice performance was a breath of fresh air to the otherwise command and control Flyer organization style. He definitely was the relief valve for all of the high pressure. The reporters and beat writers liked him and the team announcers were always saying he was not the problem on the ice, no matter how poorly he played, some nights. Look what has happened since he was bought out. The pressure and tension have reached critical mass.

Wouldn't Preds get some sort of long term injury relief if Rinne is on shelf for remainder of yr or is that only a career ending injury scenario? I don't think Miller to Preds is all that far fetched if Rinne is done for yr. Considering he doesn't even get the IV taken out for another 3 weeks at the earliest, I can't see him back until early January at best.

The Gaustad deal was a completely different scenario but I think the Sabres would really have Poile over a barrel for Miller. As far as Miller not wanting to go to Nashville, I think that's absurd. Why not, if it's for the remainder of the yr. The outcome of the Preds current road odyssey will help make a lot of decisions.
- coaster28

LTIR would bring some cap relief.

As much as I'd love to see Weber come to Edmonton, I feel our biggest problem is the forwards. May it be the lack of size, the unwillingness to back check or just missing the drive to play hockey, I think there needs to be some work done. It'll be a lot better when our players are back from IR, but even then I still think there's needs to be a couple changes. I'd like to see Schultz try playing forward, I think it'd suit him much better. I think people forget that we have a few very talented defensemen still developing. Marincin, Klefbom and Nurse will all be big parts to this team in a couple years.
- mbxiphos1527

Not trying to be a richard but your last 5 games read as follows:

L 5-0
L 4-0
L 2-1
L 5-4
L 4-1

I agree that your forward core could use some variety of skillset and bigger bodies but unless you're talking about bringing in defensive-minded forwards or Selke type guys those stats shout pretty loudly for D and G upgrades.

Avs getting Lundqvist to fill in for Brawlamov

weber isn't going anywhere. the PR hit alone would be unthinkable.

Weber needs to go to Polile and say it's gotta be Trotz or me, and Trotz is done. benching your best offensive players because they miss a back check is getting old.

15 yrs worth of old and they have nothing but 1 2nd round to show for it.

I can't tell you how sick to death I am of hearing about grit and sandpaper and The Predator way. It's BS. They will never advance past an occasional 2nd round appearance.
- coaster28

Don't take this the wrong way but I thinking coaches like Trotz destroy the game as a spectacle. This is a sport and sport is entertainment. Tough to be entertained when your best players are all D and Gs.

As you say, they've tried the system he brings and it's been proven to have its limits. Would be great to see a new voice bring in a more up tempo system.

Not trying to be a richard but your last 5 games read as follows:

L 5-0
L 4-0
L 2-1
L 5-4
L 4-1

I agree that your forward core could use some variety of skillset and bigger bodies but unless you're talking about bringing in defensive-minded forwards or Selke type guys those stats shout pretty loudly for D and G upgrade.
- AlexF

I'm talking more all around forwards really. Every game I've watched the forwards didn't backcheck. And when we were in the offensive zone we lost chances due to the forwards coughing up the puck continuously. The whole team is a total mess right now. But a lot of the goals against could've been prevented if the forwards weren't caught so deep in the offensive zone and not coming back with the play.

But I won't deny the fact that the D needs work as well. Like I said, its such a mess that the management probably doesn't know where to start. It would help if there weren't so many injuries and of Eakins would keep the lines the same. Every game he moves everyone around and they don't get the chance to gel or learn how to play with one another.

Don't take this the wrong way but I thinking coaches like Trotz destroy the game as a spectacle. This is a sport and sport is entertainment. Tough to be entertained when your best players are all D and Gs.

As you say, they've tried the system he brings and it's been proven to have its limits. Would be great to see a new voice bring in a more up tempo system.
- AlexF

I think that people who understand all aspects of the game appreciate both aspects of the game. I honestly enjoy watching the Preds play. I love watching a defensive game. But then agian. Thats just me. Seeing high scoring games is cool to. But would rather watch a game thats in control then a hot mess of 6to5 victories.

I'm talking more all around forwards really. Every game I've watched the forwards didn't backcheck. And when we were in the offensive zone we lost chances due to the forwards coughing up the puck continuously. The whole team is a total mess right now. But a lot of the goals against could've been prevented if the forwards weren't caught so deep in the offensive zone and not coming back with the play.

But I won't deny the fact that the D needs work as well. Like I said, its such a mess that the management probably doesn't know where to start. It would help if there weren't so many injuries and of Eakins would keep the lines the same. Every game he moves everyone around and they don't get the chance to gel or learn how to play with one another.
- mbxiphos1527

Vignault would do that perpetually the last few seasons. It never seems to end well.

The other aspect is that losing seems to have a momentum all of its own. The longer it goes on the more it starts to seep into every aspect of the team and you then you can't see the forest from the trees. MacT should be bold without losing his head.

I miss Bryz in Philly. His off ice performance was a breath of fresh air to the otherwise command and control Flyer organization style. He definitely was the relief valve for all of the high pressure. The reporters and beat writers liked him and the team announcers were always saying he was not the problem on the ice, no matter how poorly he played, some nights. Look what has happened since he was bought out. The pressure and tension have reached critical mass.
- TJ

So why hasnt another team picked him up?

And the media liked him? Are you f'ing kidding me? They railed on him nonstop and made him the biggest scapegoat this city has seen in years. They openly mocked him during interviews, including racially charged jokes. I've never seen any sports media anywhere have the balls to ask a struggling athlete the questions they asked him. Do you have any clue what you're talking about in the slightest?

Vignault would do that perpetually the last few seasons. It never seems to end well.

The other aspect is that losing seems to have a momentum all of its own. The longer it goes on the more it starts to seep into every aspect of the team and you then you can't see the forest from the trees. MacT should be bold without losing his head.
- AlexF

He's said in interviews lately that he isn't going to make any drastic trades or risky moves this early in the season. Which I understand, good for him. But it doesn't have to be a big move. It just needs to be a slight upgrade in the bottom 6 whether it's signing someone or trading for a more defensive forward or an all around player kinda like Ryan Jones. Eventually this season there's not a doubt in my mind that there won't be a big trade involving a big name or maybe two that will wake the team up.

Agree, which is ANOTHER reason this rumor makes no sense. Besides, Edmonton is a weird place. Where else can you suck this bad for four years and still sell the building out. If people are going to show up anyway, why waste assets on a goalie who'll be gone by the end of the year?
- duxcup07

um...Toronto.

weber isn't going anywhere. the PR hit alone would be unthinkable.

Weber needs to go to Polile and say it's gotta be Trotz or me, and Trotz is done. benching your best offensive players because they miss a back check is getting old.

15 yrs worth of old and they have nothing but 1 2nd round to show for it.

I can't tell you how sick to death I am of hearing about grit and sandpaper and The Predator way. It's BS. They will never advance past an occasional 2nd round appearance.
- coaster28

I agree from a simple marketing standpoint if weber is traded a star needs to be coming back, I don't think Edmonton has anyone who has proven over a consistent period they are in the "elite" category now that they have traded horcoff. I also don't see how poile could come to his owner and say I know you've cut 2 $13,000,000 cheques in bonuses for a guy and there's only been 65 games played since the deal started but I want to trade him for future assets and a young player I think will be a star but has struggled so far.

Wouldn't Preds get some sort of long term injury relief if Rinne is on shelf for remainder of yr or is that only a career ending injury scenario? I don't think Miller to Preds is all that far fetched if Rinne is done for yr. Considering he doesn't even get the IV taken out for another 3 weeks at the earliest, I can't see him back until early January at best.

The Gaustad deal was a completely different scenario but I think the Sabres would really have Poile over a barrel for Miller. As far as Miller not wanting to go to Nashville, I think that's absurd. Why not, if it's for the remainder of the yr. The outcome of the Preds current road odyssey will help make a lot of decisions.
- coaster28

Him and goose are best friends. I think he would be more likely to go to the preds.

Vasilevski????? I would say Gibson and Vasi are neck and neck for that title.
- uf1910

Has he dominated a world cup filled with NHL talent???? I don't think he has let him continue his play against kids and feel good that you have a decent goalie prospect I would take Gibson over him everyday of the week and twice on sundays.

Has he dominated a world cup filled with NHL talent???? I don't think he has let him continue his play against kids and feel good that you have a decent goalie prospect I would take Gibson over him everyday of the week and twice on sundays.
- blizzzard

To be fair to goalie development, it's probably the most unpredictable of hockey positions to make future projections on. Even early success at the NHL level isn't a sure thing for continued success.

Has he dominated a world cup filled with NHL talent???? I don't think he has let him continue his play against kids and feel good that you have a decent goalie prospect I would take Gibson over him everyday of the week and twice on sundays.
- blizzzard

Gibson was terrible in preseason. But I do like the kid. He has a style similar to Quick.

Avs getting Lundqvist to fill in for Brawlamov
- SotaPopinski

Why didn't you Wild fans inform us of Matt Hacketts temper?

How does a goalie get kicked out of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct!

Does anyone know where I can find an avatar that will fit the 70 x 70 minimum?
All the ones I want are too big...thoughts?

Why didn't you Wild fans inform us of Matt Hacketts temper?

How does a goalie get kicked out of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct!
- ImThatGuy

Did you see Rask's tantrum when he was in the AHL?