a guarantee is pretty silly for any outside of la, chi and st.loo.

but Arizona has a pretty solid team. the only position the really stands out as ugly is right wing.
some quality at all other positions.

if smith goes down, they have zero shot. but outside of that they've got a chance to squeak in as one of the bottom seeds.
- hugefemale dog77

I like your style!

1. Pietrangelo
2. Bouwemeester
3. Shattenkirk
4. Gunnarrson
5. Jackman
6. Leopold
7. Cole
8. Butler
9. Prosser.

That's a hell of allot of depth for the blue line.
- BluesandBirds89

This is sweet. Let's see how they match up.


1. Pietrangelo = OEL
2. Bouwemeester > Michalek
3. Shattenkirk < Yandle
4. Gunnarrson << Gormely
5. Jackman < Stone
6. Leopold < Murphy
7. Cole < Summers

8. Butler
9. Prosser. Don't know these guys. But The Coyotes still have Schlemko who is a decent 6 if he plays and he might.

What we have here is a clear Arizona victory. You guys aren't gonna love Gunnarrsson, you can trust me on that one.

I gotta say though that those responding to his blog are just as bad, if not worse. Most people just say, "your an idiot, these 9 teams are better because they made the playoffs last year!" That's not really a nuanced argument.

Look, I'm a lifer Canucks fan, and I'm not a Coyotes fan. I'd like to see them moved. But I have zero problem with a team blogger writing a homer blog predicting his team will make the playoffs. I think its fun. I thought he did a decent job giving reasons, even if I disagree with some of them, particularly with the top six. However, most of those responding to him aren't making any more nuanced arguments than he is. Pointing to last years standings or simply stating that you think SJ is better is frankly less than what he did.

I enjoy reading most of the writers on this site, and I enjoy laughing at home at the posters. It would be tough to be a blogger and have to deal with a lot of internet tough, mock you when I disagree with you types. Whatever, I guess he gets paid to write about hockey, that's pretty cool.
- Ragingpikey

I agree with your sentiment if nothing else... My biggest issue with bloggers like James is that 9 times out of ten the opinions he puts forth lack real substance. They are the kind that really don't require any solid proof or facts backing them.

They're filled with intangible hearsay and can be easily defended by more of the same but in the end are really nothing more than simplistic bias based opinion.

Yeah, I'm sure it's cool and fun to get paid for writing about your favorite teams/sports, but you also need to find something substantive to write about, not the same old homer takes that can be applied to any team in the league. Takes that we became accustomed to seeing by the likes of Cloutier, Esplen, Garth etc...

I think most guys are simply saying freshen it up a bit. Don't take the easy path of troll baiting blogs if you have nothing substantive to write about, and then turn around and act all put out when they show up in masses.

Honestly, if guys who talked like this didn't hate me, I would think there was something wrong. I am just guessing here, but do you happen to be a Kid Rock fan?
- James_Tanner

No, not a fan of Kid Rock at all.This is the exact type of Blog Esplen used to write to get a response/hits. Cloutier was no different. Nobody hates you, in fact you are capable of writing a quality piece here and there, you just choose to write these homer pieces laced with outlandish predictions. You want to not get ripped apart in your threads, read some Tony Dean or Colin D....probably the 2 best writers on this site, take a page from their books, rather than argue with the fine folk that actually took the time to read your stuff.

I agree with your sentiment if nothing else... My biggest issue with bloggers like James is that 9 times out of ten the opinions he puts forth lack real substance. They are the kind that really don't require any solid proof or facts backing them.

They're filled with intangible hearsay and can be easily defended by more of the same but in the end are really nothing more than simplistic bias based opinion.

Yeah, I'm sure it's cool and fun to get paid for writing about your favorite teams/sports, but you also need to find something substantive to write about, not the same old homer takes that can be applied to any team in the league. Takes that we became accustomed to seeing by the likes of Cloutier, Esplen, Garth etc...

I think most guys are simply saying freshen it up a bit. Don't take the easy path of troll baiting blogs if you have nothing substantive to write about, and then turn around and act all put out when they show up in masses.
- MnGump

100% Bubba. You said it perfectly.

I gotta say though that those responding to his blog are just as bad, if not worse. Most people just say, "your an idiot, these 9 teams are better because they made the playoffs last year!" That's not really a nuanced argument.

Look, I'm a lifer Canucks fan, and I'm not a Coyotes fan. I'd like to see them moved. But I have zero problem with a team blogger writing a homer blog predicting his team will make the playoffs. I think its fun. I thought he did a decent job giving reasons, even if I disagree with some of them, particularly with the top six. However, most of those responding to him aren't making any more nuanced arguments than he is. Pointing to last years standings or simply stating that you think SJ is better is frankly less than what he did.

I enjoy reading most of the writers on this site, and I enjoy laughing at home at the posters. It would be tough to be a blogger and have to deal with a lot of internet tough, mock you when I disagree with you types. Whatever, I guess he gets paid to write about hockey, that's pretty cool.
- Ragingpikey

What an awesome post. I really appreciate it. Honestly, it's not that bad to take the heat, it's even kinda funny sometimes. I guess you gotta have a thick skin, but most of the time, the responders are great and I end up re-thinking or refining my thoughts, which should be the whole point. In the end, most of the ones that are offensive are pretty obvious not well thought out/ not written well enough to really sting.

There is only one thing I can't stand: It's when you take an opinion that is different from popular opinion and you get accused of only taking that position to be some kind of troll. There isn't a single time I have ever written an outside the box opinion that someone didn't accuse me of this and what makes it frustrating is that if you didn't have an unusual take on things, you would be the world's most boring writer.

I write it off to the internet making it so that you can basically only read what you want to hear if you are so inclined, but it's still kind of annoying. That being said, most people are respectful, interesting and interacting with hockey fans is probably the best part of the job.

This is sweet. Let's see how they match up.


1. Pietrangelo = OEL
2. Bouwemeester > Michalek
3. Shattenkirk < Yandle
4. Gunnarrson << Gormely
5. Jackman < Stone
6. Leopold < Murphy
7. Cole < Summers

8. Butler
9. Prosser. Don't know these guys. But The Coyotes still have Schlemko who is a decent 6 if he plays and he might.

What we have here is a clear Arizona victory. You guys aren't gonna love Gunnarrsson, you can trust me on that one.
- James_Tanner

And we are now back to just fan opinions on players and your leaf lineage coming out since no homer leaf fan supports any player traded out of Toronto. Gunnarsson over Polak any day of the week, he won't be playing Top 4 minutes in St Louis, will be a 3rd Pairing guy, just bc Gunn played that in Toronto doesn't mean he will in St Louis. Thats depth, just think through your claims for a moment before posting them

Now tell me I'm a troll to argue with me or cut down the avalanche is some low brow manner

I agree with your sentiment if nothing else... My biggest issue with bloggers like James is that 9 times out of ten the opinions he puts forth lack real substance. They are the kind that really don't require any solid proof or facts backing them.

They're filled with intangible hearsay and can be easily defended by more of the same but in the end are really nothing more than simplistic bias based opinion.

Yeah, I'm sure it's cool and fun to get paid for writing about your favorite teams/sports, but you also need to find something substantive to write about, not the same old homer takes that can be applied to any team in the league. Takes that we became accustomed to seeing by the likes of Cloutier, Esplen, Garth etc...

I think most guys are simply saying freshen it up a bit. Don't take the easy path of troll baiting blogs if you have nothing substantive to write about, and then turn around and act all put out when they show up in masses.
- MnGump

This is what I am talking about above.

Look, I am never going to be a stat and graph guy. I love that stuff, but I write logic based pieces which are substantial for their entertainment value and their critical thinking. You're not always going to agree, but it is what it is. I would wager my reasoning behind this blog was superior to 99% of your typical homer style blogs that you're talking about. (which, sure, I guess I am a "homer." I will call out the team when they do something stupid, but I won't write them off in August. Sports are supposed to be fun and I don't take them that seriously. )

And if it's not, hopefully it was entertaining. I don't see the point in being as critical as you are - I mean, you're blog reading options are virtually limitless and really, I don't think you're here to read Pulitzer quality journalism.

This is sweet. Let's see how they match up.


1. Pietrangelo = OEL
2. Bouwemeester > Michalek
3. Shattenkirk > Yandle
4. Gunnarrson >> Gormely
5. Jackman > Stone
6. Leopold > Murphy
7. Cole > Summers

8. Butler
9. Prosser. Don't know these guys. But The Coyotes still have Schlemko who is a decent 6 if he plays and he might.

What we have here is a clear Arizona victory. You guys aren't gonna love Gunnarrsson, you can trust me on that one.
- James_Tanner

Jeez

Shattenkirk may put up slightly less points but unlike Yandle he can actually play his position defensively

In what world is a guy who only played 5 NHL GAMES in his career better than a guy who played top line minutes on Toronto and finished with the highest +/- on the team.

The rest of the Blue Dmen are flat out better.

I think they make the playoffs.

And we are now back to just fan opinions on players and your leaf lineage coming out since no homer leaf fan supports any player traded out of Toronto. Gunnarsson over Polak any day of the week, he won't be playing Top 4 minutes in St Louis, will be a 3rd Pairing guy, just bc Gunn played that in Toronto doesn't mean he will in St Louis. Thats depth, just think through your claims for a moment before posting them

Now tell me I'm a troll to argue with me or cut down the avalanche is some low brow manner
- DDM-Coga

Come on, no one in the world is really gonna argue with those assessments. You could make the point that Shattenkirk is superior to Yandle, I suppose. And if you're a real quibbler you could take the = away and give the > to Pieterangelo. You could say that Gunnarsson as a vetern won't make the mistakes Gormely as a rookie will, but still no one would swap them one for one.

As for 5/6 that's pretty inarguable.

And we are now back to just fan opinions on players and your leaf lineage coming out since no homer leaf fan supports any player traded out of Toronto. Gunnarsson over Polak any day of the week, he won't be playing Top 4 minutes in St Louis, will be a 3rd Pairing guy, just bc Gunn played that in Toronto doesn't mean he will in St Louis. Thats depth, just think through your claims for a moment before posting them

Now tell me I'm a troll to argue with me or cut down the avalanche is some low brow manner
- DDM-Coga

Gunnersson actually played top line Mins with Phaneuf.

I'm a Leaf fan and yes, Gunnar was better than Polak. I say "Was", because he just had major hip surgery. I feel if the Leafs acquired him we'd hear more from everyone that Gunnar is 'Damaged Goods". I;m not sure he'll be the same again. I also feel he was at his best 3 years ago before his hip issues.

People love to point to his strong +/-, but his posssession numbers were very mediocre.

This is what I am talking about above.

Look, I am never going to be a stat and graph guy. I love that stuff, but I write logic based pieces which are substantial for their entertainment value and their critical thinking. You're not always going to agree, but it is what it is. I would wager my reasoning behind this blog was superior to 99% of your typical homer style blogs that you're talking about. (which, sure, I guess I am a "homer." I will call out the team when they do something stupid, but I won't write them off in August. Sports are supposed to be fun and I don't take them that seriously. )

And if it's not, hopefully it was entertaining. I don't see the point in being as critical as you are - I mean, you're blog reading options are virtually limitless and really, I don't think you're here to read Pulitzer quality journalism.
- James_Tanner

No you write opinion based pieces. And if its for entertainment value, why would you be arguing with your commenters to the 10th degree that you are right. By doing that you are showing that your line of thought is strictly opinion based. Which is fine if you want to be a Cloutier, Garth, Esplen style writer. Beware though you open yourself up for attacks in the comment section so roll with the punches or change your writing style and refrain from using cliches in your writing.

This is what I am talking about above.

Look, I am never going to be a stat and graph guy. I love that stuff, but I write logic based pieces which are substantial for their entertainment value and their critical thinking. You're not always going to agree, but it is what it is. I would wager my reasoning behind this blog was superior to 99% of your typical homer style blogs that you're talking about. (which, sure, I guess I am a "homer." I will call out the team when they do something stupid, but I won't write them off in August. Sports are supposed to be fun and I don't take them that seriously. )

And if it's not, hopefully it was entertaining. I don't see the point in being as critical as you are - I mean, you're blog reading options are virtually limitless and really, I don't think you're here to read Pulitzer quality journalism.
- James_Tanner

honestly James, I would think there would be something wrong with you if you weren't a homer to your favorite team(s). The trick is trying to stay objective. But you do raise a good point which I also brought up earlier in this blog, and that is; it's difficult to find anything of real substance to write about in the NHL dog days of summer.

Gunnersson actually played top line Mins with Phaneuf.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I know, but he won't slide into the Petro/JayBo pairing, and won't break up Shatty/ Jackman. TO have Gunnarsson and Leopold as your third pairing is pretty impressive

No, not a fan of Kid Rock at all.This is the exact type of Blog Esplen used to write to get a response/hits. Cloutier was no different. Nobody hates you, in fact you are capable of writing a quality piece here and there, you just choose to write these homer pieces laced with outlandish predictions. You want to not get ripped apart in your threads, read some Tony Dean or Colin D....probably the 2 best writers on this site, take a page from their books, rather than argue with the fine folk that actually took the time to read your stuff.
- Jeropotato

To your list of quality HB writers I would add the new Sabres blogger, Michael Pachla....every one of his pieces is full of great info,insight and substance....instead of just outlandish predictions.

I real breath of fresh air from the drivel Garth produces, jumping from one bandwagon to the next.

Come on, no one in the world is really gonna argue with those assessments. You could make the point that Shattenkirk is superior to Yandle, I suppose. And if you're a real quibbler you could take the = away and give the > to Pieterangelo. You could say that Gunnarsson as a vetern won't make the mistakes Gormely as a rookie will, but still no one would swap them one for one.

As for 5/6 that's pretty inarguable.
- James_Tanner

Point regarding that is for you to say "I don't really know who those guys are" then to follow up with I like Schlemko and Summers so essentially "giving them nod over" the St Louis guys, how can you be taken seriously with your "Logic Pieces"

Point regarding that is for you to say "I don't really know who those guys are" then to follow up with I like Schlemko and Summers so essentially "giving them nod over" the St Louis guys, how can you be taken seriously with your "Logic Pieces"
- DDM-Coga

Not to mention that he never explained how San Jose would go from one if the best regular season teams to being worse than the Coyotes this year....did Jumbo and Marleau suddenly get traded without my knowing?

Come on, no one in the world is really gonna argue with those assessments. You could make the point that Shattenkirk is superior to Yandle, I suppose. And if you're a real quibbler you could take the = away and give the > to Pieterangelo. You could say that Gunnarsson as a vetern won't make the mistakes Gormely as a rookie will, but still no one would swap them one for one.

As for 5/6 that's pretty inarguable.
- James_Tanner

It's not quibbling to say Petro is better than OEL. Look at Norris voting. Shattenkirk better than Yandle isn't just a supposition. Which one made the Olympic team? Add in Jbo, and right there Blues are without quetsion better for 75 of the 120 minutes played by defensemen per game.

Gormley is not currently better than Gunnarson. Gunnarson has played first pairing for a team that made the playoffs. Gormley has 5 games of experience. Gormley might have more value because of his potential and youth; but absolutely no GM would want Gormley over Gunnarson if all that mattered was play on the ice this year.

Pretty much the same statement applies to Leopold versus Murphy. Murphy has more value in a trade, based on age and potential. But if picking for a one year tournament, Leopold is currently better. There is a reason Murphy has only managed to stick in the NHL for 30 games.

Jackman is at worst a wash with Stone. He has spent the last 7 years as the player Blues send out to match up with Crosby. Guess how many goals Crosby has scored on St. Louis in his entire career?

Summers is a 26 year old who is still splitting time between the NHL and the AHL. Not sure how you can think he is better than Cole, other than you just not knowing anything about Cole.

Butler was the #5 defenseman for Flames last year. He was also their top penalty killer on D. Prosser is about equivalent of Schlemko. But he is further down the Blues chart than Schlemko is the Coyotes.


You seem to be confusing trade value with on ice value. Phoenix has a lot of defensemen who probably have higher trade value. Gormley, for instance, is worth more than Gunnarson. But that is based on potential, age, and contract concerns. If you want to talk about who has the best D for this season, you need to stop rating Coyotes players based on how good they could be a couple years down the road, and instead look at where they are now.

I'm a Leaf fan and yes, Gunnar was better than Polak. I say "Was", because he just had major hip surgery. I feel if the Leafs acquired him we'd hear more from everyone that Gunnar is 'Damaged Goods". I;m not sure he'll be the same again. I also feel he was at his best 3 years ago before his hip issues.

People love to point to his strong +/-, but his posssession numbers were very mediocre.
- RogerRoeper

Not to mention he was easily the worst top pairing defenseman in the NHL, possibly ever. I love seeing people vaunting his trade by saying he is a top pairing d. He is at his absolute best, a mediocre #4.

Not to mention that he never explained how San Jose would go from one if the best regular season teams to being worse than the Coyotes this year....did Jumbo and Marleau suddenly get traded without my knowing?
- Jeropotato

Sharks lose healthy scratch Havlat and Boyle, but get a healthy Hertl and a roster spot to have their prize D prospects Mueller and/or Tennyson to make the team.

Yup they are screwed, logically screwed

Not to mention he was easily the worst top pairing defenseman in the NHL, possibly ever. I love seeing people vaunting his trade by saying he is a top pairing d. He is at his absolute best, a mediocre #4.
- James_Tanner

Is this logic or opinion? I am confused now. This is what all of us have been saying. You make these bogus claims without any merit and are expected to be taken seriously.

Is this logic or opinion? I am confused now. This is what all of us have been saying. You make these bogus claims without any merit and are expected to be taken seriously.
- DDM-Coga

He isn't taken seriously?

He isn't taken seriously?
- Jeropotato

oh right us commenters take this too seriously, and he is just here for entertainment value, yet if we don't find it entertaining, clever, or well written, he will defend his logical points with every person who does not share his same view.