Let’s start with the notion that the Blue Jackets have outplayed the Penguins this series. I don’t buy it. Don’t confuse working harder with outplaying the opposition. The two things are not mutually exclusive, however one can happen without the other. The Blue Jackets are working their tails off, but most times in this series they have not had the puck.

Isn't that saying the same thing twice? And I'm not bustin' balls here, just trying to work out the logic of the statement.

Also, I'm not familiar with Shot Attempt %. Any help?

Mike Richards
Drew Doughty
Tanner Pearson

for

Evgeni Malkin
Kris Letang


- SuperHenderson13

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That would take a while to get used to.

And I'm not even sure you get Doughty straight up for Malkin.

I will not excuse his play. But every goalie is going to have bad plays. MAF has been showing that at the worst times in recent years. And if he contunes the bad play he should be looked at as potentially being replaced (by what who knows). But he isn't even in the top 5 for reasons this team is TIED for this series. Despite the last two goals he is one of the least of the pens concerns.
- ChrisMS

i love fleury. was an ardent supporter of him for very long. i still think he belongs in the nhl, and can have a fruitful rest of his career. but a separation has to be made. like i said, im more concerned with the OT goal than the gaffe. Fleury was on all night. he was great. gaffes like that are always going to occur with him. it sucks that one was at an awful time. but his inability to bounce back, to the point where it was inevitable that he was going to let in a softy to end it, i just cant excuse. even the sequence before, he was rattled to the point where he had no idea where the puck even was. when he gets that rattled, he might as well just stand still with his eyes closed and hope it hits him, because he is done. and that simply cant be tolerated anymore.

no, im not blaming this series on him. he shouldnt even have been in that situation. he played marvelously all game. these things are all true. but what also is true, is that the confidence issue is still glaringly there. and im not so sure its something that will ever leave, at least in this current situation. the team has given enough chances to try and find out

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That would take a while to get used to.

And I'm not even sure you get Doughty straight up for Malkin.
- wolfhounds

i dont think you do, just given his age, and the value of the position. doughty is probably one of the most valued players in the game.

i want kopitar.

Kunitz definitely embellished that slash.

i dont think you do, just given his age, and the value of the position. doughty is probably one of the most valued players in the game.

i want kopitar.
- stayinthefnnet

Yup. Plus he's signed for less money for the next 6 years. That Malkin deal could look like a noose or be a real gem in 6+ years. Same with Richards.

i love fleury. was an ardent supporter of him for very long. i still think he belongs in the nhl, and can have a fruitful rest of his career. but a separation has to be made. like i said, im more concerned with the OT goal than the gaffe. Fleury was on all night. he was great. gaffes like that are always going to occur with him. it sucks that one was at an awful time. but his inability to bounce back, to the point where it was inevitable that he was going to let in a softy to end it, i just cant excuse. even the sequence before, he was rattled to the point where he had no idea where the puck even was. when he gets that rattled, he might as well just stand still with his eyes closed and hope it hits him, because he is done. and that simply cant be tolerated anymore.

no, im not blaming this series on him. he shouldnt even have been in that situation. he played marvelously all game. these things are all true. but what also is true, is that the confidence issue is still glaringly there. and im not so sure its something that will ever leave, at least in this current situation. the team has given enough chances to try and find out
- stayinthefnnet

I guess I don't see the second goal as him being rattled. It could be... but I think it was just bad timing. He was probably going to let in a bad goal someime or two. Now if he comes out Sat and craps the bed then he is following a pattern.

JMO, you get a better return sending them separately. I do think we will see several Letang rumors in the offseason and thus, a trade could happen.
- Oneonta Penguin

No team is going to take him. Who wants a high risk player on the ice who often gets burned because of it with a high cap hit and oh yea he had a stroke so there's that

Yup. Plus he's signed for less money for the next 6 years. That Malkin deal could look like a noose or be a real gem in 6+ years. Same with Richards.
- wolfhounds

i dont think malkins deal will ever be a noose. barring chronic injuries, he is one of the few 100 point potential guys in the game. it will only be even more value oriented as the cap rises

i dont think letang is awful by any means. but god id love to be able to trade him. I would be open to a malkin trade if the deal was incredible, but that likely wont happen. Im still convinced the team can win with him and crosby. letangs is the deal that worries me. it simply isnt worth his current production, nor does it mesh with the makeup of the team.

if i can play ray shero, my offseason tentatively looks like this.

deal letang. Hope for a young, cost controllable NHL ready winger. Im open to suggestions. Depending on how good this player is, im very flexible on the other components coming back with him. I dont expect to get stud winger, stud prospect, and a first.

Orpik can walk

try like hell to rid the team of scuderi. i cant see it happening though.

try very hard to use this cap space to resign niskanen. i would be willing to push 6. that might not get it done, but i would try. I would look to resign jokinen as well, hopefully on approximately a 3 year 10M deal. I would look hard at resigning stempy as well, if he could be had for the same he is making this year.
- stayinthefnnet

if i'm shero

1. Fire Bylsma before the draft. set the tone early that we mean business this offseason
2. Hire someone not named Barry Trotz. Seriously, don't get the obsession with him. good coach doesn't make you the right coach. I wouldn't mind Lavy. Wouldn't mind Tocchet. Wouldn't mind Guerin as an assistant if he's interested.
3. Look to deal Letang at the draft. There are numerous teams that would fight for his services and all would be looking to get him. someone would make a stupid offer. take the offer and run. look for a forward prospect who is NHL ready, a younger NHL ready guy, and a 1st round pick in this draft. maybe alter the pieces, but something like that.
4. Let Jokinen, Niskanen, Oprik, and Glass walk. I'm assuming that Jokinen and Niskanen will want too much to keep.
5. Look for someone, anyone, to take Adams and/or Scuds. Useless players taking up money, dump them.
6. Based on my math, that leaves 1 top 6 role, 2 spots on the 3rd line, maybe 3, and at least 2 spots on the 4th line. long story short, we have about 5 forwards.
7. Qualify Sutter for RFA. If he wants 4 million, look at other options.
8. Look to make a trade or two to fill some of those holes. no way you will find those number of quality players in FA.
9. Reset the culture and expectations in this city and franchise.

No team is going to take him. Who wants a high risk player on the ice who often gets burned because of it with a high cap hit and oh yea he had a stroke so there's that
- Genev21

Letang making it through the playoffs will put some of the questoins of his health off the table. And he's shown enough that many team would take a crack at him. He wont garner the return people think. I personally think he gets retained and moved maybe if poiliot wows up the joint. shero got the half league non trade clasue and thats plenty of teams to drum up bidding wars

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That would take a while to get used to.

And I'm not even sure you get Doughty straight up for Malkin.
- wolfhounds

ever since he left Philly, I like Mike Richards a lot more now.

how funny would that be. Richards on our team, Lavy as our coach... man. get Bryz and we got the gang back together.

but in all seriousness, gotta wonder what happens with LA centers. No way they need Kopitar, Carter, Richards, Soll, Lewis, etc.

i dont think malkins deal will ever be a noose. barring chronic injuries, he is one of the few 100 point potential guys in the game. it will only be even more value oriented as the cap rises
- stayinthefnnet

That's the reason for the gamble. And sports being what they are, it's all a gamble. But I tend to agree. I'd take him on the Flyers in a heartbeat.

Who are you moving for Kopitar?

if i'm shero

1. Fire Bylsma before the draft. set the tone early that we mean business this offseason
2. Hire someone not named Barry Trotz. Seriously, don't get the obsession with him. good coach doesn't make you the right coach. I wouldn't mind Lavy. Wouldn't mind Tocchet. Wouldn't mind Guerin as an assistant if he's interested.
3. Look to deal Letang at the draft. There are numerous teams that would fight for his services and all would be looking to get him. someone would make a stupid offer. take the offer and run. look for a forward prospect who is NHL ready, a younger NHL ready guy, and a 1st round pick in this draft. maybe alter the pieces, but something like that.
4. Let Jokinen, Niskanen, Oprik, and Glass walk. I'm assuming that Jokinen and Niskanen will want too much to keep.
5. Look for someone, anyone, to take Adams and/or Scuds. Useless players taking up money, dump them.
6. Based on my math, that leaves 1 top 6 role, 2 spots on the 3rd line, maybe 3, and at least 2 spots on the 4th line. long story short, we have about 5 forwards.
7. Qualify Sutter for RFA. If he wants 4 million, look at other options.
8. Look to make a trade or two to fill some of those holes. no way you will find those number of quality players in FA.
9. Reset the culture and expectations in this city and franchise.
- SuperHenderson13

you can make a spot for me on board the tocchet bus please. I would really try to look at jokinen and niskanen. if you can get the pair for a combined 9M, its worth a look. id look at stempy for 2 and change or whatever it is as well. Sutter is only worth it if he is very cost effective. at 4M, id definitely shop around.

Ryan Wilson: Non Marc Andre Fleury Related Issues From Game 4
Non Marc Andre Fleury Related Issues From Game 4
- Ryan_Wilson

I like to read the other sides view on our team and am not here to cause trouble but I do have a question. I noticed you talked about the refs and reffing the situation not the play. I was at the game, and I and the rest of the crowd thought some of the Columbus penalties were bad calls and the pens benefited from those calls, no question in the first period ( the Mackenzie "roughing"). I feel like some of the calls we got may have been make up calls for earlier in the game. Do the refs review the game in between periods? I ask because it may explain why a later call may have been made.

That's the reason for the gamble. And sports being what they are, it's all a gamble. But I tend to agree. I'd take him on the Flyers in a heartbeat.

Who are you moving for Kopitar?
- wolfhounds

a deal involving Kopitar is probably one of the only few deals where Id sacrifice malkin. Short of crosby, there really isnt much on the roster I wouldnt consider in play for a deal involving him.

Mike Richards
Drew Doughty
Tanner Pearson

for

Evgeni Malkin
Kris Letang


- SuperHenderson13

Mike Richards

I'm moving Bylsma to the unemployment line long before I'd think of moving Geno. Give another guy a chance to coach these guys. I'm starting to think Shero might need to find a new home too.

I like to read the other sides view on our team and am not here to cause trouble but I do have a question. I noticed you talked about the refs and reffing the situation not the play. I was at the game, and I and the rest of the crowd thought some of the Columbus penalties were bad calls and the pens benefited from those calls, no question in the first period ( the Mackenzie "roughing"). I feel like some of the calls we got may have been make up calls for earlier in the game. Do the refs review the game in between periods? I ask because it may explain why a later call may have been made.
- bjacket

i absolutely hated the reffing last game. it was awful. i wont even say it was done solely for columbus, because there were times when they were victims of the same momentum based reffing as well. absolutely awful.

if i'm shero

1. Fire Bylsma before the draft. set the tone early that we mean business this offseason - BYLSMA WAS HUGE THIS YEAR.... FIRING HIM WOULD BE A HUGE MISTAKE
2. Hire someone not named Barry Trotz. Seriously, don't get the obsession with him. good coach doesn't make you the right coach. I wouldn't mind Lavy. Wouldn't mind Tocchet. Wouldn't mind Guerin as an assistant if he's interested.
3. Look to deal Letang at the draft. There are numerous teams that would fight for his services and all would be looking to get him. someone would make a stupid offer. take the offer and run. look for a forward prospect who is NHL ready, a younger NHL ready guy, and a 1st round pick in this draft. maybe alter the pieces, but something like that. WILL NEVER GET CLOSE TO THAT RETURN... MAYBE A PICK AND PROSPECT OR A POTENTIAL TOP 6 WINGER
4. Let Jokinen, Niskanen, Oprik, and Glass walk. I'm assuming that Jokinen and Niskanen will want too much to keep. DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO KEEP NISK AND ONLY SIGN JOKINEN FOR AROUND HAT THEY ARE PAYING HIM NOW
5. Look for someone, anyone, to take Adams and/or Scuds. Useless players taking up money, dump them. NO ARGUMENT... NO ONE IS TAKING ADAMS
6. Based on my math, that leaves 1 top 6 role, 2 spots on the 3rd line, maybe 3, and at least 2 spots on the 4th line. long story short, we have about 5 forwards.
7. Qualify Sutter for RFA. If he wants 4 million, look at other options. CAREFUL... IS HE ARBITRATION ELIGABLE?
8. Look to make a trade or two to fill some of those holes. no way you will find those number of quality players in FA.
9. Reset the culture and expectations in this city and franchise.
- SuperHenderson13

ever since he left Philly, I like Mike Richards a lot more now.

how funny would that be. Richards on our team, Lavy as our coach... man. get Bryz and we got the gang back together.

but in all seriousness, gotta wonder what happens with LA centers. No way they need Kopitar, Carter, Richards, Soll, Lewis, etc.
- SuperHenderson13

I guess after seeing Jagr and Talbot in orange and black in recent years, I can't begrudge you a little payback.

He's had a rough year, and he has to agree to the move (I think), but a change might be good for Richards, and I would have to imagine not many players would turn down a chance to play with Crosby.

I guess after seeing Jagr and Talbot in orange and black in recent years, I can't begrudge you a little payback.

He's had a rough year, and he has to agree to the move (I think), but a change might be good for Richards, and I would have to imagine not many players would turn down a chance to play with Crosby.
- wolfhounds

would love him but you guys gave him too much damn money in his contract. we cant afford to have him take up 7.5 million.

would love him but you guys gave him too much damn money in his contract. we cant afford to have him take up 7.5 million.
- SuperHenderson13

kopitar is at under 7

would love him but you guys gave him too much damn money in his contract. we cant afford to have him take up 7.5 million.
- SuperHenderson13

Richards? Capgeek has him at $5,750,000 for the next 6 seasons. If this season is an anomaly and not a predictor, that's likely a bargain price.

Richards? Capgeek has him at $5,750,000 for the next 6 seasons. If this season is an anomaly and not a predictor, that's likely a bargain price.
- wolfhounds

the length though, i just dont think i can palate. hes not dust yet, but i dont see him being viable in 3 or 4 years time. but for now though, id really like him. if he got bought out, id give him 5 for 3.

Richards? Capgeek has him at $5,750,000 for the next 6 seasons. If this season is an anomaly and not a predictor, that's likely a bargain price.
- wolfhounds

jeez. I thought he was at 7.5 million. thought someone had said that in a previous blog.

alright. F it. I'm on the Mike Richards train. All aboard.

Would love to get him and one of Dwight King or Kyle Clifford.