Yeah, except the only draft pick that belongs to Hextall is Travis Sanheim. Holmgren again caught his mistake took action by lying the ground work drafting much needed defensemen.

Let me ask, was trading for Chris Pronger a mistake? He put all his eggs into that basket but did Holmgren take a gamble and truly lose? You could make the argument that the last time a number one defenseman was on the market, the Flyers made an offer and got him. What is the market value of a number one stud defenseman these days? I have no idea because they're nolonger for sale. Heck, Holmgren may have brought up two true number one defensemen when you count Kimmo Timonen. Things change in a hurry.
- SuperSchennBros

Yeah all those anchor contracts and dead weight. Dis-connect with the prime years of your stars and drafted kid on the back end. Cap hell even post two buy-outs. Stupid trades.

Just look at them play. Wow. So fun to watch. Holmgren done good.

Looks like it went right over your head....... If Pronger does not get hurt, This team is a top contender for the Cup. He got hurt and is irreplaceable. Homer did his best to put a Band-Aid on the situation but you can't fix the hole Pronger left. Homer had the guys who were going to make the D better, they are still the guys in the minors
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I hate when things go right over my head.

A bit blunt, but if anyone cant for one (frank)ing time sit through a proper rebuild and some tough years, they deserve to have the ineptitude and chronic inconsistency we are so used to continually shoved up their ass.

That is all.
- flyer_nutter

THIS

Yeah all those anchor contracts and dead weight. Dis-connect with the prime years of your stars and drafted kid on the back end. Cap hell even post two buy-outs. Stupid trades.

Just look at them play. Wow. So fun to watch. Holmgren done good.
- flyer_nutter

Actually I believe our roster was much better last season under Holmgren then this season under Hextall. The Hartnell for Umberger deal was a bad move but most of you wanted less penalties and smooth skating over the grit and offense. Most agreed on moving on from the charismatic Hartnell for the boring Umberger for a change in boring culture. Most wanted boring, they got it.

Apparently, Hextall is at the World Juniors

Apparently, Hextall is at the World Juniors
- aflyerpower8

More interesting brand of Hockey.

Actually I believe the Downie/Talbot deal helped spark this team. Some credit could go to the Emery beating of Holby but they both pretty much happened at the same as one another. Downie had instant chemistry with Read and Couturier, still the best I've seen so far. If it was even remotely possible that TJ Oshie was on the market and Matt Read alone could swing that deal, I'd hop on that pretty quick. I think Hextall should be looking. Careful but looking. Problem is, what are we willing to part with of value? I think I'm only reasonably willing to dangling Michael Raffl to see what his market value truly is.
- SuperSchennBros

i love matt read, but jesus man

i love matt read, but jesus man
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah, that's ridiculous.

Coburn for Oshie would be a lot more realistic.

Face it kids, this is a bad team

There D is full of 4-6 guys, they have no legit top line LW, they are counting on a rookie to center their 2nd line and RJ (frank)ing Umberger, and some guy who used to be Matt Read to skate in their top 9. They are also soft as marshmallows and can't kill an penalty to save their lives.

They are NOT a bubble team, they are a bad team. Hopefully they can acquire some more picks, have a good draft, and make some good moves in the offseason. Then, they can perhaps be a bubble team next year. It's going to take more than one offseason for them to be a good team though. That is just the sad reality of the situation.

Apparently, Hextall is at the World Juniors
- aflyerpower8

Domi will be ours by sunset.

Actually I believe our roster was much better last season under Holmgren then this season under Hextall. The Hartnell for Umberger deal was a bad move but most of you wanted less penalties and smooth skating over the grit and offense. Most agreed on moving on from the charismatic Hartnell for the boring Umberger for a change in boring culture. Most wanted boring, they got it.
- SuperSchennBros

Fire Hextall!

Domi will be ours by sunset.
- hereticpride

But is he good with a water bottle?

Face it kids, this is a bad team

There D is full of 4-6 guys, they have no legit top line LW, they are counting on a rookie to center their 2nd line and RJ (frank)ing Umberger, and some guy who used to be Matt Read to skate in their top 9. They are also soft as marshmallows and can't kill an penalty to save their lives.

They are NOT a bubble team, they are a bad team. Hopefully they can acquire some more picks, have a good draft, and make some good moves in the offseason. Then, they can perhaps be a bubble team next year. It's going to take more than one offseason for them to be a good team though. That is just the sad reality of the situation.
- BiggE

Crappy enough to miss the playoffs. Not crapy ebough to ever draft top 5. Yup, we're in Leafs territory.

i love matt read, but jesus man
- stayinthefnnet

Actually Matt Read and TJ Oshie are virtually the same player. Matt Read isn't helping himself out much right now but since Read has entered the league, they've stayed on the same pace in numbers. Read is only a year older, Oshie is a mill more expensive.

But is he good with a water bottle?
- wolfhounds

He will beat the poop out of a Leafs fan and all will be right with the world.

Actually Matt Read and TJ Oshie are virtually the same player. Matt Read isn't helping himself out much right now but since Read has entered the league, they've stayed on the same pace in numbers.
- SuperSchennBros

Just... no.

Actually Matt Read and TJ Oshie are virtually the same player. Matt Read isn't helping himself out much right now but since Read has entered the league, they've stayed on the same pace in numbers. Read is only a year older, Oshie is a mill more expensive.
- SuperSchennBros

both are down right now, i agree.

but justified or not, i think they have different perceived values around the league. i dont think you will find many people who would pick read over oshie

Crappy enough to miss the playoffs. Not crapy ebough to ever draft top 5. Yup, we're in Leafs territory.
- hereticpride

I still have faith we're top 3 to 5 bad. Call me an optimist.

both are down right now, i agree.

but justified or not, i think they have different perceived values around the league. i dont think you will find many people who would pick read over oshie
- stayinthefnnet

Look no further then the Hartnell/Umberger trade. I suppose we only made that trade for "new culture". Umberger has the speed and discipline Hartnell does not. We also like the idea that although they have close to the same Cap Hit, Umberger comes with less years.

The difference between Matt Read and TJ Oshie really is, Oshie is the sexier name. I personally would be willing to pay the extra mill just for the shootout wins. Some GMs might consider a trade like this for cap relief. I'm not saying a deal like this could happen but it's definitely not outlandish.

Anyone else here having a hard to getting excited about this team and watching games this season?

Look no further then the Hartnell/Umberger trade. I suppose we only made that trade for "new culture". Umberger has the speed and discipline Hartnell does not. We also like the idea that although they have close to the same Cap Hit, Umberger comes with less years.

The difference between Matt Read and TJ Oshie really is, Oshie is the sexier name. I personally would be willing to pay the extra mill just for the shootout wins. Some GMs might consider a trade like this for cap relief. I'm not saying a deal like this could happen but it's definitely not outlandish.
- SuperSchennBros

i dont think the two deals are very similar. i really think the hartnell deal was a straight dump. yeah, maybe he expected to get more out of umby then he has, but hartnells was as short as umbergers i dont think that deal gets made. it was a short term step back to prevent a large burden down the line.

yes, oshie definitely does benefit in value from the whole flash and razzle dazzle. but i do think he is the better player. im not going to go fishing out pie charts or bar graphs like some people use, and this is definitely just my opinion, but id take oshie.

I still have faith we're top 3 to 5 bad. Call me an optimist.
- wolfhounds

i dont think the two deals are very similar. i really think the hartnell deal was a straight dump. yeah, maybe he expected to get more out of umby then he has, but hartnells was as short as umbergers i dont think that deal gets made. it was a short term step back to prevent a large burden down the line.

yes, oshie definitely does benefit in value from the whole flash and razzle dazzle. but i do think he is the better player. im not going to go fishing out pie charts or bar graphs like some people use, and this is definitely just my opinion, but id take oshie.
- stayinthefnnet

I threw the names out there because Oshie was rumoured to be on the market early this season. He had a very slow start. I have no doubt that we'd have to sweeten the pot.

I through the the names out there because Oshie was rumoured to be on the market early this season. He had a very slow start. I have no doubt that we'd have to sweeten the pot.
- SuperSchennBros

nothing wrong with throwing names out there.

hell, id love to have either player.

nothing wrong with throwing names out there.

hell, id love to have either player.
- stayinthefnnet

Plus, I'm within the belief that Simmonds and Read have two of the most reasonable deals in the league. Even with Read not playing up to standards, his money still looks pretty good.