FWIW
Pratt on 1040 was just citing Dreger saying Benning is in talks with Boston on moving Higgins or Burrows with Krug coming back this way
- claygolf83

That sounds nice, what do they need at present, scoring?

Can't see Burrows in Boston, no way either side would agree to that

Higgins, Kassian, Richardson, Matthias, Hansen they might like.

who knows, can Krug even play defense or is he merely a better, smaller offensive version of Weber

It was a weak goal Lack let in... but I don't the think the loss can be pinned on him when we don't score.

Nobody driving to the net. Not sure the # of hits, weren't a lot.

Just heard on tsn talk radio, second hand, Dreger is saying Canucks are talking with the Bruins re Torey Krug and Higgins or Burrows... don't see it.
- hillbillydeluxe

I could definitely see the Canucks taking a run at Krug. He's an asset Boston can afford to trade and he's likely due a raise next year. I just don't see Higgins or Burrows being the primary piece going the other way. Not enough value for Boston. They'd also have to add another player to make the cap hits work.

$6M for a Marc Staal???

Get used to the basement.
- KB3Point0

With a $73 million cap, what the heck do you expect to pay for a UFA defenseman?

That's only 8% of your cap. The actual dollar figure is irrelevant.

I don't see how that happens. Cap hit for Krug is 1.4 and Boston has only 800k in space. No way they can take on the cap of either Burr or Higgins unless there is a cap dump involved or another team is involved. Dreager is a poop hole and needs to stop his Ekesk kind of rumors.
- Linden_4_Capt

It has been mentioned that they could shed Eriksson or Marchand, not that either would fit with this team though.

With a $73 million cap, what the heck do you expect to pay for a UFA defenseman?

That's only 8% of your cap. The actual dollar figure is irrelevant.
- BINGO!

To give you an idea, Edler's cap hit right now is just under 8% of your cap. That percentage drops steadily.

I could definitely see the Canucks taking a run at Krug. He's an asset Boston can afford to trade and he's likely due a raise next year. I just don't see Higgins or Burrows being the primary piece going the other way. Not enough value for Boston. They'd also have to add another player to make the cap hits work.
- KB3Point0

Yep, granted i wonder how GM's would evaluate Krug. Sure he's a good PP specialist and got 40pts last year but he's undersized and from what i have seen, plays in a bottom six role the vast majority of the time.

It was a weak goal Lack let in... but I don't the think the loss can be pinned on him when we don't score.

Nobody driving to the net. Not sure the # of hits, weren't a lot.

Just heard on tsn talk radio, second hand, Dreger is saying Canucks are talking with the Bruins re Torey Krug and Higgins or Burrows... don't see it.
- hillbillydeluxe

I watched the first 2 periods and fell asleep halfway through third. The game was missing the excitement and fast pace that we got used to in the beginning of the season. I am not sure if this is something new but I feel the players are afraid to ice the puck this season. There are so many chances to clear the zone but instead of shooting it out of the zone the players are making soft passes to make sure that it does not have enough juice to ice and that leads to blocked clearing attempts and spending more time in the zone on a firing drill or chasing the puck. I also don't understand why Vbrata as skilled as he is always insists of dump an chase instead of gaining entry with possession. The biggest issue with this is Vbata is t he fastest skater on that line and if he dumps the puck by the time Hank or Danny goes in the zone the puck is already on the way out. I am not sure if this is a coaching thing or confidence. Also don't understand why our D insists on shooting through players that are diving to block the shot. If someone goes down to block a shot before the shot is even taken that player is already out of position and the shooter just simply needs to skate around the fallen player to get a shooting lane. At this level I think these kind of decisions should be very automatic. Players in bantem skate around the blockers and get better shooting lanes. I am not panicking yet. We are still doing way better then anyone of us expected us to do at this time of the year.
I also agree with Vantel's assessment of the scoring defeciencies with our top paid players when compared to other teams. I think Daniel needs to play with Bonino. I would Jensen with Hank and Vrabata. Bonino with Daniel and Higgins. Mathias, Richardson and Kassian/Hansen and round out the 4th with Burr, Bo and Dorsett.

Yep, granted i wonder how GM's would evaluate Krug. Sure he's a good PP specialist and got 40pts last year but he's undersized and from what i have seen, plays in a bottom six role the vast majority of the time.
- Whiskey-Tango

Subban will fill that role in 2 years.

FWIW
Pratt on 1040 was just citing Dreger saying Benning is in talks with Boston on moving Higgins or Burrows with Krug coming back this way
- claygolf83

Something. Anything. Please.





It might be time to beckon sweet, baby Jesus.

FWIW
Pratt on 1040 was just citing Dreger saying Benning is in talks with Boston on moving Higgins or Burrows with Krug coming back this way
- claygolf83

That would be great. Given how their defense has given them some issues though (especially with Chara almost out for good) I think they'd be crazy to trade Krug, especially for Burrows. That said, if you Benning can do that, good job to him

I watched the first 2 periods and fell asleep halfway through third. The game was missing the excitement and fast pace that we got used to in the beginning of the season. I am not sure if this is something new but I feel the players are afraid to ice the puck this season. There are so many chances to clear the zone but instead of shooting it out of the zone the players are making soft passes to make sure that it does not have enough juice to ice and that leads to blocked clearing attempts and spending more time in the zone on a firing drill or chasing the puck. I also don't understand why Vbrata as skilled as he is always insists of dump an chase instead of gaining entry with possession. The biggest issue with this is Vbata is t he fastest skater on that line and if he dumps the puck by the time Hank or Danny goes in the zone the puck is already on the way out. I am not sure if this is a coaching thing or confidence. Also don't understand why our D insists on shooting through players that are diving to block the shot. If someone goes down to block a shot before the shot is even taken that player is already out of position and the shooter just simply needs to skate around the fallen player to get a shooting lane. At this level I think these kind of decisions should be very automatic. Players in bantem skate around the blockers and get better shooting lanes. I am not panicking yet. We are still doing way better then anyone of us expected us to do at this time of the year.
I also agree with Vantel's assessment of the scoring defeciencies with our top paid players when compared to other teams. I think Daniel needs to play with Bonino. I would Jensen with Hank and Vrabata. Bonino with Daniel and Higgins. Mathias, Richardson and Kassian/Hansen and round out the 4th with Burr, Bo and Dorsett.
- Linden_4_Capt

A shakeup is definitely needed.

Lack of scoring depth is continually exposed. Higgins and Burrows getting chances but not finishing. Not sure what I am hoping for or expecting.

As the old man used to say to me, you can wish in one hand and sh!t in the other and see which hand is full first.

and re: Vrbata, noticed Vrbata getting the puck and looking to shoot or pass to someone in front of net and I guess it was Daniel that was in front moves behind the net as soon as Vrbata gets the puck... They must have a bunch of set plays but it would be nice to see a little more urgency to shoot or get the puck to the net.

Higgins for Krug would be

Higgins for Krug would be
- LeftCoaster

I think it is all smoke.

Anyone have a link for Dreger talking about this?

Was just listening to 1040 again and thought I heard Pratt say it was Simmonds saying Higgins or Burrows... so I am sure it is all made up.

I think it is all smoke.

Anyone have a link for Dreger talking about this?

Was just listening to 1040 again and thought I heard Pratt say it was Simmonds saying Higgins or Burrows... so I am sure it is all made up.
- hillbillydeluxe

Dreger thing seems legit(not him, but the actual interview being real). Simmons is the TO guy right? He doesn't know poop so if it's him saying those names suddenly I'm not as excited

Highly doubt Higgins lands Kruger himself. Benning does seen like a guy who gets deals done fairly quickly, at least so far.

There were reports earlier this year that Boston wanted another big forward. Wonder if Kassian or Matthias could get moved.

I think it is all smoke.

Anyone have a link for Dreger talking about this?

Was just listening to 1040 again and thought I heard Pratt say it was Simmonds saying Higgins or Burrows... so I am sure it is all made up.
- hillbillydeluxe

At least it gives us something to talk about.

There were reports earlier this year that Boston wanted another big forward. Wonder if Kassian or Matthias could get moved.
- Nucker101

I think Simmonds is an Ottawa writer - dark wavy hair, big glasses, I dunno.

Benning also said Boston wanted Matthias at one time when he was there. Krug sounds like an interesting dman for the pp. Not sure if he is an upgrade 5v5.

I keep reminding myself that this is a team in transition. It just seems like they are spinning their wheels and getting nowhere.

Dreger thing seems legit(not him, but the actual interview being real). Simmons is the TO guy right? He doesn't know poop so if it's him saying those names suddenly I'm not as excited

Highly doubt Higgins lands Kruger himself. Benning does seen like a guy who gets deals done fairly quickly, at least so far.
- Nucker101

The source that named Burrows and Higgins specifically was Damien Cox

At least it gives us something to talk about.
- LeftCoaster

Vantel won't be needing any Viagra today.

At least it gives us something to talk about.
- LeftCoaster

Vantel should be a little cheerier with some rumours floating around.

Still think it would have been interesting to see Corrado, Sanguinetti or Biega get a shot on d to just shake it up over the last few games.

Predicting Sestito will be in the lineup Saturday night as the Flames play a more physical game.

The source that named Burrows and Higgins specifically was Damien Cox
- claygolf83

Oh that's good....

The source that named Burrows and Higgins specifically was Damien Cox
- claygolf83

Such a twit.

Oh that's good....
- Nucker101

PM Cough cough....

PM Cough cough....
- lumlums

An Advil for Ovechkin?

An Advil for Ovechkin?
- Nucker101

I'll need one when the negotiations are all done...