I expected them to be a non-playoff team so I'm not really getting mad this year. Sure, it's frustrating, but I'm a realist and know it's going to take a few years to get out of the hole they're in. I watch and root as always, but being grounded in reality helps the blood pressure.
- Scoob

I try to get in that same boat. It's so hard watching corpses on the team though thet aren't part of the future. You can have fun with a non playoff team. Buffalo and Florida fans are having fun right now cause its all building. Hell even the 76ers is a pure build and improvement is exciting

I try to get in that same boat. It's so hard watching corpses on the team though thet aren't part of the future. You can have fun with a non playoff team. Buffalo and Florida fans are having fun right now cause its all building. Hell even the 76ers is a pure build and improvement is exciting
- Just5

i just wanna see the younger players develop their game and mason stay on track at this point.

Columbus is tied. Man when is that team going to get healthy?

I have been patient for 40 years so whats a few more?
- vejim

Yep

I think it's just bs to paint basically berube with that brush. I may not agree with personnel decisions, but 90% of the blame rests with upper management and how contracts have been handed out.

"we'll cross that bridge when we get to it" Paul Holmgren on the cap

Well guess what Paul you (frank)ing burnt the bridge and left everyone else behind
- Just5

I think it's on the whole team.

Berube got a mediocre roster. It's not a contender on paper, but it's got the talent to maybe be a bubble team. He's not totally to blame at all. I've never said he was.

But I don't feel he's done as good a job as he could have with this team. I'd like to see him do a better job of holding some of his favorites accountable. But the execution and poor decision making aren't on him.

The contract situation is bad. That's why I suggested making every defenseman available at the TDL. Could be a nice way to stockpile some picks and have cap room available if a situation like Chicago's or Boston's repeats itself this summer.

There's too much money tied up in mediocre and fading players. That isn't on Berube, either.

Oilers trade rumors flying

I expected them to be a non-playoff team so I'm not really getting mad this year. Sure, it's frustrating, but I'm a realist and know it's going to take a few years to get out of the hole they're in. I watch and root as always, but being grounded in reality helps the blood pressure.
- Scoob

Oh yeah, if I had higher expectations, I'd be besides myself and miserable. As it is, I'm enjoying watching Giroux and Voracek. I like Laughton a ton. I like Mason's continuing redemption act. I'm enjoying the good, putting up with the bad.

RJ Umberger for Christopher Walken as Captain Hook.

Oilers trade rumors flying
- Winning

code?!?!

code?!?!
- Crimsoninja

You cracked it

There's too much money tied up in mediocre and fading players. That isn't on Berube
- Jsaquella

This, and I think it's going to take a few years to get out from under it.

This, and I think it's going to take a few years to get out from under it.
- Scoob

Perhaps.

I'd probably buy out Umberger this summer, try like Hell to trade Vinny. Dealing Grossmann & Coburn clears some cash. If they can move MacDonald, it'd be even better. Granted it might weaken the defense in the short term, but they could get this level of mediocre play for less cash.

I wonder if there is a time table set for Ryan White to play. He plays with an edge and is physical. Can play center or wing on the fourth line. Certainly an upgrade over Chris VandeVelde.

Getting a number one all situations stud is still a desperate need but unlikely to happen any time soon. I think Hextall needs to kick tires on a top 6 LW.

Perhaps.

I'd probably buy out Umberger this summer, try like Hell to trade Vinny. Dealing Grossmann & Coburn clears some cash. If they can move MacDonald, it'd be even better. Granted it might weaken the defense in the short term, but they could get this level of mediocre play for less cash.
- Jsaquella

I was wonder if they could move MacDonald for Niskanen just for the sake of a shake up. Right handed shot, better offensively. Half a million more then MacDonald cap hit wise. This isn't to say Washington would go for this. Maybe talk to the Jackets about Jack Johnson. This team needs a shake up and cap space.

I wonder if there is a time table set for Ryan White to play. He plays with an edge and is physical. Can play center or wing on the fourth line. Certainly an upgrade over Chris VandeVelde.

Getting a number one all situations stud is still a desperate need but unlikely to happen any time soon. I think Hextall needs to kick tires on a top 6 LW.
- SuperSchennBros

Late December to early January was the last I heard

I was wonder if they could move MacDonald for Niskanen just for the sake of a shake up. Right handed shot, better offensively. Half a million more then MacDonald cap hit wise. This isn't to say Washington would go for this. Maybe talk to the Jackets about Jack Johnson. This team needs a shake up and cap space.
- SuperSchennBros

I'd like Niskanen for MacDonald. Both are iffy contracts, but Niskanen is better IMO.

No interest whatsoever in jack Johnson

I wonder if there is a time table set for Ryan White to play. He plays with an edge and is physical. Can play center or wing on the fourth line. Certainly an upgrade over Chris VandeVelde.

Getting a number one all situations stud is still a desperate need but unlikely to happen any time soon. I think Hextall needs to kick tires on a top 6 LW.
- SuperSchennBros

Yeah, White will be a welcome, if small addition to the squad.

They badly need a playmaking LW for the top 6. Idk if you can swing Coburn + for one or end up with a high draft pick to get one but its a major hole right now and moving forward.

I'd like Niskanen for MacDonald. Both are iffy contracts, but Niskanen is better IMO.

No interest whatsoever in jack Johnson
- Jsaquella

is there really a possibility of niskanen?

I'd like Niskanen for MacDonald. Both are iffy contracts, but Niskanen is better IMO.

No interest whatsoever in jack Johnson
- Jsaquella

Niskanen also adds the much welcomed right handed shot.

is there really a possibility of niskanen?
- JoeRussomanno

I doubt it

HOLLA!!!!

http://www.sbnation.com/l...st-non-di-team-to-beat-di

Yes, that's Tim's kid. He's a PT major here, and a good ball player!

A point for both Florida and Columbus tonight?

The Anaheim Ducks on Thursday acquired defenseman Colby Robak from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Jesse Blacker and a future conditional draft pick.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...742400&navid=nhl:topheads

That's an odd trade.

I doubt it
- Jsaquella

The Signing of Matt Niskanen is still an add signing to me unless they'd been playing to drop Green all along. Brooks Orpik contract is another odd but huge pick up for them. They have John Carlson ready to bloom who is their best offensive weapon from Washongton's blue line this season. Matt Green has two more points than Niskanen this season in six less games played. Green is only one year older then Niskanen.

I throw Niskanen's name out there because it seemed like a waste of money on July 1st and still does for the caps.

Anyone watching the Bolts Sabres game? Penalties and Misconducts all around. I wonder what's going on...