I think it's pretty obvious that Moulson doesn't suck. His career numbers are no where near Vaneks, but he's still managed to average almost .70 points per game over 6 plus seasons.
- MnGump

Moulson doesn't suck... I understand why he was in the trade.

But... he is what he is.

Good hands around the net... not a speedy guy, not a great back checker.

To be honest... I can now see him back with JT next year.

Snow will have to suck it up a bit... but crazier things have happened on the Island...

Vanek is an upgrade over any options the Isles had.

The trade was top 10 protected this year... don't forget.

The problem with Mouslon is that he wants 6 million next year.

He had a bad playoffs last year... just looked slow and didn't backcheck.

So I guess the team thought they would take a chance on Vanek.

If they got him early enough... they thought playing with JT on the top line would make him consider staying.

They did form one of the top producing lines while he was there.

To be honest we will not know the true cost of trying to convince Vanek to stay until the trade is made, and where the Isles finish next year.
- jimmc7722

That's a helluva price to pay to "take a chance" on a pending UFA when taking the chance in the first place doesn't even solve your team/s biggest need(s)

Not a ducks fan?

Color me confused.
- ImThatGuy

Love the ducks they are my second team. But Isles are my team

Ownership needs to step into the management situation in Edmonton and take the keys away from the current drivers. The only thing we know for certain is that they have screwed up every time they have had a chance to do something.
- spatso

Well if by current driver you mean MacT, I'd have to disagree. He's done a lot of moves this year and I wouldn't say many were screw ups. He's been the most active GM and the supremely devoted to changing the culture of the team.

If you mean Lowe, than obviously you've got agreement from some fans. Although I think it's a poor characterization to say that he's the current driver. In fact, if he is, then he sort of retroactively absorbs the mistakes made under Tambelinni's tenure, which means that rather than "screwing up every time they have had a chance to do something", he's more at fault for "not having done anything".

I'm also interested in what you call a "chance to do something". Are you talking about concrete moves? I know you were interested in Bouwmeester for the Oilers. Well, if Gillis set the interdivisional markup on Schneider at an extra 2nd and Klefbom, what do you think the markup for the Flames trading their #1 defenseman to the Oilers would have been?

To L.A. Gagner
To EDM: GLUE
- glove_was_stuck

Elmer's or off-brand?

The problem with NHL GMs is plain and simple - they lack total creativity

Look at NBA GMs - how many 3 and 4 team deals do we see?
Thats creativity to help improve your team

NHL GMs should focus on calculated risks

Well if by current driver you mean MacT, I'd have to disagree. He's done a lot of moves this year and I wouldn't say many were screw ups. He's been the most active GM and the supremely devoted to changing the culture of the team.

If you mean Lowe, than obviously you've got agreement from some fans. Although I think it's a poor characterization to say that he's the current driver. In fact, if he is, then he sort of retroactively absorbs the mistakes made under Tambelinni's tenure, which means that rather than "screwing up every time they have had a chance to do something", he's more at fault for "not having done anything".

I'm also interested in what you call a "chance to do something". Are you talking about concrete moves? I know you were interested in Bouwmeester for the Oilers. Well, if Gillis set the interdivisional markup on Schneider at an extra 2nd and Klefbom, what do you think the markup for the Flames trading their #1 defenseman to the Oilers would have been?
- Morris

Moving a newly signed Smid on the face does not seem like a good move

picks 1-3 Isles need to keep the pick. If we get a #5 overall (We always end up with) it needs to be dealt this year.
- mighty13duck

I'm not sold on the whole <10 they keep it... outside of Reinhart and Ekblad none of the other guys would even go top 8 in next year's draft..

I think if it is 3-5 they keep it.. but 6-9 they would give it to us.

Elmer's or off-brand?
- uf1910

Elmer's back to school twin pack with a complimentary glue stick.

Correct. Vanek is one talented player himself, but he is limiting options for NYI, by saying he wants to test FA (Allegedly)
- ImThatGuy

I don't think there's any doubt he wants the freedom to entertain offers. I don't know if he'll wind up in Minny, if I had a gun to my head I'd say probably, but I have a lot of doubts about how Fletcher would take on another Dany Heatley like contract with all the youngsters that will be looking for pay days within the next 2 to 3 years. Granlund, Brodin, Coyle, Zucker, Niederreiter etc...

I guess it all depends on how deep Mr. Leipolds pockets are and how long he's willing to continue dumping that kind of money into a small market team... and if Vanek truly does want to come here.

I heard this the other day

MTL - EDM 1st - Yakupov +
EDM - Subban -

MTL - CGY 1st - Monahan +
CGY - Price

Mtl takes 2 of the top picks this year and then MTL signs Halak as a stop gap for a couple of years for when Fucale is ready
- MTL1

You're crazy to even consider trading Price

Elmer's back to school twin pack with a complimentary glue stick.
- JVince11

One team to watch is the Senators.

If they fall back a bit... they will make some changes.

Owner is still losing money... and with the Canadian dollar slipping, he is losing a little more at the gate.

Maybe a rebuild coming in Ottawa.

Mostly to cut costs!!!

I don't think there's any doubt he wants the freedom to entertain offers. I don't know if he'll wind up in Minny, if I had a gun to my head I'd say probably, but I have a lot of doubts about how Fletcher would take on another Dany Heatley like contract with all the youngsters that will be looking for pay days within the next 2 to 3 years. Granlund, Brodin, Coyle, Zucker, Niederreiter etc...

I guess it all depends on how deep Mr. Leipolds pockets are and how long he's willing to continue dumping that kind of money into a small market team... and if Vanek truly does want to come here.
- MnGump

I wouldn't count Detroit out... Just a big hunch of mine... Vanek in Detroit makes sense.

You're crazy to even consider trading Price
- FinAddict

Its not my proposal - something that was bandied about

The problem with NHL GMs is plain and simple - they lack total creativity

Look at NBA GMs - how many 3 and 4 team deals do we see?
Thats creativity to help improve your team

NHL GMs should focus on calculated risks
- MTL1

Agreed, a lot of the time GMs are too risk-concious. I mean Tambelini didn't really stand out as being dithering for several years!

On the other hand, in the NBA with so few players, and players hittting their peak at such a young age, there's generally less place for mediocre players to hide. Chances are if you're getting a roster guy, you're not getting a complete lemon.

I find in hockey a lot more guys can look promising and never make it, or only look good in a certain situation, which is what GMs are so wary of.

Yakupov for Voynov?

One team to watch is the Senators.

If they fall back a bit... they will make some changes.

Owner is still losing money... and with the Canadian dollar slipping, he is losing a little more at the gate.

Maybe a rebuild coming in Ottawa.

Mostly to cut costs!!!
- jimmc7722

They need a winger to play with Spezza... Conachar is underperforming and Milachek doesn't have much left in his knees..

I heard that they might even redeal Ryan and entertain the thought of trading Spezza for a young center and a top 10 pick.

Yakupov for Voynov?
- jamesfrombuff

EDM would have to give more... Voynov was a ROCK for them in the playoffs last year and is a proven NHL ready guy... Yak could be a bust.

One team to watch is the Senators.

If they fall back a bit... they will make some changes.

Owner is still losing money... and with the Canadian dollar slipping, he is losing a little more at the gate.

Maybe a rebuild coming in Ottawa.

Mostly to cut costs!!!
- jimmc7722

Perhaps but the fresh infusion of cash from the Rogers national deal and then the newly signed regional deal with TSN - any shortfall is made up from those 2 tv deals and may even up his spending

EDM would have to give more... Voynov was a ROCK for them in the playoffs last year and is a proven NHL ready guy... Yak could be a bust.
- JVince11

He will not be a bust, I guarantee it.

Moving a newly signed Smid on the face does not seem like a good move
- MTL1

Brossoit immediately became the franchise's best goalie prospect

All for dumping an overpaid #5 defencemen with a few years left that wasnt helping us win

Ill agree best case we got marginally worse in the short term, but since we were struggling anyway, we saved on cap long term. Sideways move.
Brossoit turns out; huge win
We use that money to sign a better dman; win

That's a helluva price to pay to "take a chance" on a pending UFA when taking the chance in the first place doesn't even solve your team/s biggest need(s)
- uf1910

I didn't think we were talking about the Isles needs... I thought it was the Vanek trade...

Yes the Isles biggest issue is defence.

But the trade was made before Vis, and Strait got hurt. Donovan didn't live up to his potential. Only because he was trying to play top 4 minutes... he wasn't ready.

That's part of the Isles problem... no top 4 defencemen.

Hamonic, and Vis are close.

de Haan, Donavan, Amac, etc... either needed time or a lesser role.

Agreed, a lot of the time GMs are too risk-concious. I mean Tambelini didn't really stand out as being dithering for several years!

On the other hand, in the NBA with so few players, and players hittting their peak at such a young age, there's generally less place for mediocre players to hide. Chances are if you're getting a roster guy, you're not getting a complete lemon.

I find in hockey a lot more guys can look promising and never make it, or only look good in a certain situation, which is what GMs are so wary of.
- Morris

Id like to see more 3 team trades - I believe NHL GMs are scared of losing their jobs so they do nothing - cant be blamed for bad trades

Perhaps but the fresh infusion of cash from the Rogers national deal and then the newly signed regional deal with TSN - any shortfall is made up from those 2 tv deals and may even up his spending
- MTL1

They said last night it might help them break even if lucky.