but what do you really think?
- 2Real

I think... that Craig Button is comparing him to a hall of famer and that is a bit extreme. My opinion is he's a poor man's M. Richards.

So we can look forward to being shot in the bowels by our dwarf son with a crossbow and die while sitting on the privy?

Must be an analogy to 40 years without a Cup.
- Marc D

No matter where he starts the season I believe by seasons end he'll be on the roster and excelling.

Edit: Unless we trade him to move up to the 1st pick, then he'll be in FLA kicking our @$$ for the next 12 yrs and I'll be looking for a new team to root for.

What are the Canucks threads like?
- mayorofangrytown

Rookie of the year material? I haven't watched him but from what I've read I like him a lot. Seems like he can play anywhere.

My thoughts on the Hartnell trade is that it was something that needed to be done. I thought he had more value but oh well. Hexy doesn't see him as a fit and judging from the games I watched last year he didn't really fit the new way of playing.

It is what it is. I'm not gonna sit here and complain about the trade too much. Umberger, read, and cooter could combine to become our second best line for all we know. I'll wait to pass complete judgement until the trade deadline at least.

Still wish we got a little bit more value. If that fourth rounder is a second, or Columbus retained salary I'd be jumping for joy still.

The most exciting thing for me is that it opens up a spot on the top pp unit for hopefully baby schenn to grab. I think he will excel in the spot and it could be a catalyst to him having a break out year.

This trade also makes Simmonds virtually untouchable for me. Previously I would of been open to selling high and dealing him in a package for a bona fide #1 dman. I don't think I make that move now.

I think... that Craig Button is comparing him to a hall of famer and that is a bit extreme. My opinion is he's a poor man's M. Richards.
- GOA88

No, that's Brayden Schenn. He's a Brayden Schenn lite. Which is Mike Richards lite lite.

I think... that Craig Button is comparing him to a hall of famer and that is a bit extreme. My opinion is he's a poor man's M. Richards.
- GOA88

and I think we should let him play before we start comparing him to any poor man.

Rookie of the year material? I haven't watched him but from what I've read I like him a lot. Seems like he can play anywhere.

My thoughts on the Hartnell trade is that it was something that needed to be done. I thought he had more value but oh well. Hexy doesn't see him as a fit and judging from the games I watched last year he didn't really fit the new way of playing.

It is what it is. I'm not gonna sit here and complain about the trade too much. Umberger, read, and cooter could combine to become our second best line for all we know. I'll wait to pass complete judgement until the trade deadline at least.

Still wish we got a little bit more value. If that fourth rounder is a second, or Columbus retained salary I'd be jumping for joy still.

The most exciting thing for me is that it opens up a spot on the top pp unit for hopefully baby schenn to grab. I think he will excel in the spot and it could be a catalyst to him having a break out year.

This trade also makes Simmonds virtually untouchable for me. Previously I would of been open to selling high and dealing him in a package for a bona fide #1 dman. I don't think I make that move now.
- JFlyers00

I will say this: I'm glad that Hexy has a vision of how he wants the team built, and that he's more concerned with getting the right fit than chasing the shiny new toys.

I think Bill commented on that earlier, that Del Zotto would not be a good fit. I tend to agree, if Grossmann is on his way out. He's not a #1 guy, more of a 6/7. I'd rather take a chance with a prospect or AHL'er
- leon neon

True, but who says we don't flip him in a package to move up at the draft or for another player.

No, that's Brayden Schenn. He's a Brayden Schenn lite. Which is Mike Richards lite lite.
- jmatchett383

Already taken by Laughton. After Horvat, I think we're on to Richards^5 already.

True, but who says we don't flip him in a package to move up at the draft or for another player.
- Deasr1

I'd rather trade Grossmann for additional picks as opposed to packing himw ith our #1 to move up. I don't think he has enough value for us to move up significantly. If we trade him, I'd prefer we do it straight up for picks/prospects.

Oh, and CORSI!

I think... that Craig Button is comparing him to a hall of famer and that is a bit extreme. My opinion is he's a poor man's M. Richards.
- GOA88

That had always been the scouts take as well but he tore up the O last year and blew away any offensive numbers Mike ever put up so maybe he is the "Rich man's M. Richards"

I have just paged through most of the thread. There's not a lot of speculation on the defense. The defense scares me. We need a major upgrade. Frankly, I think the Hartnell-Umberger trade is minor compared to our need for defense.

Timmo-MacDonald
Streit-Coburn
Grossmann-Schenn

This ain't going to cut it.

Any prospects going to step in???, will Hexy move them in or give them more time in the minors. Any line 1 guys in the UFA, that would look nice in the O&B. Sound's like Bill wants to add more meat to the line up, esp. if Grossmann is on his way out?
- leon neon

There is no doubt that the Flyers defense is missing that top pairing high minute all situations player. But I don't see why the defense in it's current makeup is so scary. It's actually a solid defense. I'm more worried about the team's ability to improve it's overall team defense, and 5 on 5 play.

Already taken by Laughton. After Horvat, I think we're on to Richards^5 already.
- Tomahawk

Wait...who are you talking about?

I will say this: I'm glad that Hexy has a vision of how he wants the team built, and that he's more concerned with getting the right fit than chasing the shiny new toys.
- jmatchett383

Lets just hope he sticks to that vision for the long haul. Seems like they have a new vision each year. But I agree completely.

We still female dogging about the Hartnell trade? Its gonna be ok fellas.

If I'm Hextall I'm contacting Florida about Upshall also in regards to Grossman. That gives them a solid stay at home Dman for a few years at a manageable cap hit, they can unload Upshall's contract on us for $$ relief and they'll just have to add a late pick. Flyers can then make a pitch for Fayne. Thoughts?

I'd rather trade Grossmann for additional picks as opposed to packing himw ith our #1 to move up. I don't think he has enough value for us to move up significantly. If we trade him, I'd prefer we do it straight up for picks/prospects.

Oh, and CORSI!
- jmatchett383

But to fully rid of yourself of VL you will hae to take something back, and dmen are always at a premium.

I think Bill commented on that earlier, that Del Zotto would not be a good fit. I tend to agree, if Grossmann is on his way out. He's not a #1 guy, more of a 6/7. I'd rather take a chance with a prospect or AHL'er
- leon neon

Bill also has a known soft spot for Grossmann, so gotta factor that in.

Unless Coburn and Luke are going anywhere, I'm not sure MDZ would turn them into a soft/small d-corps. He's actually decently physical, and well built, for a fancy-pants puckmover.

That had always been the scouts take as well but he tore up the O last year and blew away any offensive numbers Mike ever put up so maybe he is the "Rich man's M. Richards"
- juiced

as a overager....

Other than Vinny for MZD....bad contract for one year rental Dman. We dont have the space for a FA.

I know people are scared of "ruining" our prospects confidence by rushing them, but personally I think we should push Ghost as much as possible. Clearly he has the skating and puck skills, he showed he is calm on the ice in high pressure situations (college playoffs) so having him play as extra D-man in bottom pairings feels OK. I just dont see much difference then doing what the Bruins did with Krug.
- juiced

Krug played 63 games in the AHL before making the Bruins team full time.

That had always been the scouts take as well but he tore up the O last year and blew away any offensive numbers Mike ever put up so maybe he is the "Rich man's M. Richards"
- juiced

I think saying he "blew away" Richards' junior numbers is a bit of a stretch...if fact, a lot of a stretch.

If I'm Hextall I'm contacting Florida about Upshall also in regards to Grossman. That gives them a solid stay at home Dman for a few years at a manageable cap hit, they can unload Upshall's contract on us for $$ relief and they'll just have to add a late pick. Flyers can then make a pitch for Fayne. Thoughts?
- Just5

Would love to sign Fayne. I think he could be a good player, however, he isn't as physical as Grossmann. We non physical guys in Streit, Amac, Kimmo and Coburn

But to fully rid of yourself of VL you will hae to take something back, and dmen are always at a premium.
- Deasr1

I'm talking about Grossmann, not Vinny.

Other than Vinny for MZD....bad contract for one year rental Dman. We dont have the space for a FA.

I know people are scared of "ruining" our prospects confidence by rushing them, but personally I think we should push Ghost as much as possible. Clearly he has the skating and puck skills, he showed he is calm on the ice in high pressure situations (college playoffs) so having him play as extra D-man in bottom pairings feels OK. I just dont see much difference then doing what the Bruins did with Krug.
- juiced

What about Alt? He's older and more experience. Ghost would be a good choice too. Although neither will fill our need for a #1 (next year).

I'm not so hung up about the capspace - not enough room argument. GM's always seem to find a way to get seemingly impossible deals done. Like when Homer was going after Parise and Suter at 8M each. Although, he didn't get it - he did have a plan to fit it in...

Wait...who are you talking about?
- jmatchett383

Blah, didn't realize you were already talking about Laughton. My apologies.

I think saying he "blew away" Richards' junior numbers is a bit of a stretch...if fact, a lot of a stretch.
- jmatchett383

Its not a stretch at all.. Its false.