I actually agree with this.

The advanced stats are nice, and certainly paint a good picture of the kind of players that all three D-men named are (Stralman, Mac D and Staal) but I feel as though they are a bit misleading.

From watching the play on the ice it wasn't Stralman, but the other two, that really stirred the drink. That said, Anton seems to be a fantastic complimentary player to a top-end guy... hence why I'd love to see him with Hedman.

The Rangers aren't going to disappear next season- while I think they overachieved a bit in the playoffs, they are still a pretty good team. Their prospect pool is a bit thin, but they have some stellar young guys already with the big club- and Sather has never been shy about making changes through trade or FA (next season).

In the end, the Bolts and NYR are two VERY different clubs in terms of team building. Stralman is not better than Staal (nor does he have to be) and this whole Callahan V. Clarkson thing hurts my head... I don't even know where to begin with that one.

Also, Stammer is staying in Tampa. The Leafs are in a transition period, which may see a playoff or two in the near future, but aren't really as attractive cup-wise as T-Bay is at this point... though things can change in a hurry. Hockey's fun that way!
- OzBolts

"Better" is a completely subjective term in that context. Anton Stralman IS a better possession player than Marc Staal though. That much is clear. Marc Staal benefited from playing with Anton Stralman when it came to puck possession. That much is clear. The New York Rangers faced more shot-attempts against when Staal was out there than they did when Stralman was out there. That much is clear.

Does that mean Stralman is a 'better' player than Staal? That all comes down to opinion.

New blog tonight.

"Better" is a completely subjective term in that context. Anton Stralman IS a better possession player than Marc Staal though. That much is clear. Marc Staal benefited from playing with Anton Stralman when it came to puck possession. That much is clear. The New York Rangers faced more shot-attempts against when Staal was out there than they did when Stralman was out there. That much is clear.

Does that mean Stralman is a 'better' player than Staal? That all comes down to opinion.

New blog tonight.
- Michael_Stuart

Is it about how awesome your readership is and Lightning fans are?

Is it about how awesome your readership is and Lightning fans are?
- Artyukhin76

It's about how much better Lightning fans are than Rangers fans.

Before anyone freaks out... That was a joke.

It's about how much better Lightning fans are than Rangers fans.

Before anyone freaks out... That was a joke.
- Michael_Stuart

You already said it, therefore they will come.

Not hockey news but Jeff vinik takes control of channelside !

"Better" is a completely subjective term in that context. Anton Stralman IS a better possession player than Marc Staal though. That much is clear. Marc Staal benefited from playing with Anton Stralman when it came to puck possession. That much is clear. The New York Rangers faced more shot-attempts against when Staal was out there than they did when Stralman was out there. That much is clear.

Does that mean Stralman is a 'better' player than Staal? That all comes down to opinion.

New blog tonight.
- Michael_Stuart

Sorry man, can't agree there. While you know by now I'm a big fan of the advanced stats and metrics with regards to judging a player's overall worth, I almost feel as though it's more effective (at this point) with regards to forwards than D-men.

I do not question the FACT that the Rangers top 2 benefited from Stralman's quiet, calm and heady play. But I simply can't, under any circumstances, say that he is better than Mac D or Staal. That's not subjective... that's watching the games and seeing how the plays progress.

As I stated, Stralman is a PHENOMENAL "other" guy. He makes the stars he plays with better, though is not a star himself, by any means. That said, it's why I loved the signing so much- he has a chance to make Hedman even better than he was (which was incredible, considering his D-partners for the past couple of seasons).

I just don't think it's a good idea to lionize Straly for anything more than he is: a big minute guy who is the perfect compliment to an elite talent.

Sorry man, can't agree there. While you know by now I'm a big fan of the advanced stats and metrics with regards to judging a player's overall worth, I almost feel as though it's more effective (at this point) with regards to forwards than D-men.

I do not question the FACT that the Rangers top 2 benefited from Stralman's quiet, calm and heady play. But I simply can't, under any circumstances, say that he is better than Mac D or Staal. That's not subjective... that's watching the games and seeing how the plays progress.

As I stated, Stralman is a PHENOMENAL "other" guy. He makes the stars he plays with better, though is not a star himself, by any means. That said, it's why I loved the signing so much- he has a chance to make Hedman even better than he was (which was incredible, considering his D-partners for the past couple of seasons).

I just don't think it's a good idea to lionize Straly for anything more than he is: a big minute guy who is the perfect compliment to an elite talent.
- OzBolts

I'm confused. Isn't that what good players do? Make everyone around them a better player??? Marc Staal made Stralman worse ... that's not very good at all

Not hockey news but Jeff vinik takes control of channelside !
- todd1a

If the Rays can find a way to escape St. Pete, maybe we can look forward to our own little sports and entertainment district.

I'm confused. Isn't that what good players do? Make everyone around them a better player??? Marc Staal made Stralman worse ... that's not very good at all
- RileyB77

Well said, Riley. Stralman apart from Staal was the same player as Stralman with Staal. Staal away from Stralman was a tire fire when it came to puck possession, while Staal with Stralman was a damn fine player.

Well said, Riley. Stralman apart from Staal was the same player as Stralman with Staal. Staal away from Stralman was a tire fire when it came to puck possession, while Staal with Stralman was a damn fine player.
- Michael_Stuart

If you ask me, whoever does the dragging around is the better player. Luckily he won't have to worry about that with Hedman, unless he plays with Carle, even so, I'd like to think Carle has a bounce back season with a solid anchor next to him

Stamkos up front with stralman and hedman on the back-end, that would be a nightmare to play against

If you ask me, whoever does the dragging around is the better player. Luckily he won't have to worry about that with Hedman, unless he plays with Carle, even so, I'd like to think Carle has a bounce back season with a solid anchor next to him

Stamkos up front with stralman and hedman on the back-end, that would be a nightmare to play against
- RileyB77

Yeah, I'd tend to agree with this statement.

If the Rays can find a way to escape St. Pete, maybe we can look forward to our own little sports and entertainment district.

- Lightning813

That is where its heading, I think that Vinik is planning on turning Channelside into a LA Live type destination with hotels, entertainment, restaurants, the forum and a new rays stadium where the milk dairy is at. Going to be interesting to see how and where it goes over the next couple of years.

Hey Michael or anyone for that matter am I right about how the bonus overages work with the cap in regards to Drouin. Its on page 10 if you haven't read it. Let me know, kinda want to make sure I understand it right. I think I got it right.

Hey Michael or anyone for that matter am I right about how the bonus overages work with the cap in regards to Drouin. Its on page 10 if you haven't read it. Let me know, kinda want to make sure I understand it right. I think I got it right.
- stammerman

My understanding is that you're correct. I could be wrong.

Arty if I am not mistaken Drouin's cap hit is only $894,167 with the rest being performance bonuses up to 2.3MM which would roll over to next season as carry over bonuses. So even with him on the roster and LTIR Ohlund that leaves us about $1.7MM under the cap.
- stammerman

ya it does roll over but league covers some of the bonus for elc guys

ya it does roll over but league covers some of the bonus for elc guys
- todd1a

we had 231 k roll over last year