and could you really argue that?
- Vukota

Absolutely not nor am I.

I'd be inquiring with EDM about the price for Jeff Petry if I were Garth. He's not a necessity but if Snow could get him out of there for the right price I think that would upgrade this defense even further. It's unlikely to happen, but inquiries certainly don't hurt.

Other than that, I wouldn't make a single change. Maybe look to try and add a depth bottom pairing defenseman that would serve as a better fill-in than Strait or Donovan if someone goes down in or right before the playoffs.
- eichiefs9

Barring a big injury up front that's all I see them looking at if even that

I'll throw in my two cents and say that I bet we see him play against the Bruins on Thursday after the break.

Rangers are the Rangers and Detroit is only 3pts back of us for the conference lead, they'll undoubtedly want Halak for those games. Boston is sitting at 8th in the conference, they're in a different division and it's his former team. Seems like he'll probably get the start for that one. All games are important, but Boston is the least important of the 3 games next week.

After the Detroit game we're going to see a stretch of very winnable games with us facing off against: FLA, PHI, BOS, BUF, EDM, TOR, CBJ
- eichiefs9

Agreed i think the game against Boston you have to have him penciled in. After that he gets a couple of more games and we'll see where's he's at.
Hopefully he finds his game and we don't have to deal for a new BUG.

Barring a big injury up front that's all I see them looking at if even that
- Vukota

Petry is a pipe-dream, I fully recognize that. (but hey, so was Boychuk )

Adding a 7th defenseman for minimal cost would be ideal as an insurance plan. I don't want to see 37/46 playing in the playoffs. Maybe an older vet with some PO experience.

i disagree...i also thought he played decently against the blue jackets.

i think they wanted to go into the break with a win and halak gave them the best chance. also halak being off for a week probably had soemthing to do with it.

id predict that johnson will see the ice during the middle of february when the west conference comes to town...
- LetsGoIsles

He was ok against columbus I agree but if capuano had any faith in him he would have played imo. What do you do wait until it gets tighter bcs thats where it is going? Cant ride halak all the way hes historically never been that guy. Well you could but youd be taking a risk. Ive stated pretty much what dan did in his blog the last week or so. If Snow isnt comfortable with his back up hes going to have to make a decision what hes going to do about it in the not to distant future. I think theyll give him a couple more starts and if he shats the bed Snow is going to go hard for a back up.

I'll throw in my two cents and say that I bet we see him play against the Bruins on Thursday after the break.

Rangers are the Rangers and Detroit is only 3pts back of us for the conference lead, they'll undoubtedly want Halak for those games. Boston is sitting at 8th in the conference, they're in a different division and it's his former team. Seems like he'll probably get the start for that one. All games are important, but Boston is the least important of the 3 games next week.

After the Detroit game we're going to see a stretch of very winnable games with us facing off against: FLA, PHI, BOS, BUF, EDM, TOR, CBJ
- eichiefs9

I think you may be right

I had NP with Jaro playing against the Flyers. It was the game in Montreal that had me scratching my head. That being said they better give CJ some games after the break and see if he can get it together or else it it needs to be addressed asap and a new back up should be dealt for to give him some time to mesh with his new team notably the D corps before the playoffs.

Other than that this team is in first in the division and I don't think has played its best hockey yet. Special teams and DZC can all be improved on and it looks like the first line is starting to get it going with bail's on the wing. Second half is gonna be fun !
- nyisles7

halak played for the habs...players ALWAYS wanna play against teams that gave up on them.

He was ok against columbus I agree but if capuano had any faith in him he would have played imo. What do you do wait until it gets tighter bcs thats where it is going? Cant ride halak all the way hes historically never been that guy. Well you could but youd be taking a risk. Ive stated pretty much what dan did in his blog the last week or so. If Snow isnt comfortable with his back up hes going to have to make a decision what hes going to do about it in the not to distant future. I think theyll give him a couple more starts and if he shats the bed Snow is going to go hard for a back up.
- Cptmjl

no not at all, thats what im saying...beginning in february the schedule is easier and less important games (west coast), id fully expect halak to get his rest then...

no not at all, thats what im saying...beginning in february the schedule is easier and less important games (west coast), id fully expect halak to get his rest then...
- LetsGoIsles

Yeah you could be right. Still may be inportant if these other teams keep on the pace theyre at now. I still say johnson gets a few starts btn now and the deadline. Enough time to see what hes got and whether hes capable.

halak played for the habs...players ALWAYS wanna play against teams that gave up on them.
- LetsGoIsles

Yes, and crappy should have said Jaro let CJ play and you can have the Habs at home later in the schedule. Who's running the team?

$50M may be a bit on the high side of an estimate. He's a fantastic defenseman but he's not a top 10 defenseman in the league. I'm not sure exactly what they are projecting the cap to rise to next season, I think that will have a lot to do with it.

I broke it down a little in the previous thread, but assuming we don't re-sign Lubo, Boulton, Carkner, and a couple other guys we are looking at about $15M in current cap space for next season. That may rise depending on where the cap ceiling is next season.

I don't think it's fair to assume that Boychuk will be a one-and-done player here. The possibility certainly exists and you'd be foolish to dismiss it as impossible, but I also think he see's the potential of the team and he sure seems to be enjoying himself. Nothing is guaranteed but I think there's a damn good chance that we lock him up long term.
- eichiefs9

Based on what Niskanen got from the Caps, $50 mil for Boychuk seems likely.

Based on what Niskanen got from the Caps, $50 mil for Boychuk seems likely.
- Snowblind

I still think we could get boychuk for 7 years at 6 or 6.5. Close to 50, but I’d still happily hand him that contract without a second thought.

pretty sure this was a pens fan:

I still think we could get boychuk for 7 years at 6 or 6.5. Close to 50, but I’d still happily hand him that contract without a second thought.
- Isles_since_6

The Rags just gave Marc Staal $5.7 mm per year for 6 years. Boychuk will get at least a million per year more.

Based on what Niskanen got from the Caps, $50 mil for Boychuk seems likely.
- Snowblind

Right and he was coming off of a career offensive year and that contract was widely viewed as terrible. $40 over 6 or so years is more than fair. $6.75M/6rys puts him at $40.5M total earnings

The Rags just gave Marc Staal $5.7 mm per year for 6 years. Boychuk will get at least a million per year more.
- JohnScammo

I'd be fine with 6.5 for 7. Think of the message that sends the rest of the league. Finally we'd keep a ufa no one thought we would

Edit - one that everyone wants.

The Rags just gave Marc Staal $5.7 mm per year for 6 years. Boychuk will get at least a million per year more.
- JohnScammo

He'll likely get something similar to $5.7M a year. Boychuks a stud with a booming shot but he's not at least $1M better than Marc Staal.

edit: on second thought, maybe he is. He is probably every bit as good and consistent as Staal is but provides more offensive upside.

I'd be fine with 6.5 for 7. Think of the message that sends the rest of the league. Finally we'd keep a ufa no one thought we would

Edit - one that everyone wants.
- Isles_since_6

I'll take it!

He'll likely get something similar to $5.7M a year. Boychuks a stud with a booming shot but he's not at least $1M better than Marc Staal.

edit: on second thought, maybe he is. He is probably every bit as good and consistent as Staal is but provides more offensive upside.
- RAGSareDANGERus

Agree with your comments as edited. You should be watching your team. They can use some help as they are now trailing Ottawa.

This Pens/Flyers game is entertaining, penalty wise....


edit: its got that all-out-brawl feeling

This Pens/Flyers game is entertaining, penalty wise....


edit: its got that all-out-brawl feeling
- Ur Not Me

Watching it as well, Voracek just attacked Scuderi, this can be a throw back with a bench clearing brawl.

Watching it as well, Voracek just attacked Scuderi, this can be a throw back with a bench clearing brawl.
- nyisles7

Going to get better w/another period left and some more fighters left....

Going to get better w/another period left and some more fighters left....
- Ur Not Me

Go Flyers Go!

Go Flyers Go!
- eichiefs9

I turned it on after I saw some of the comments. It looks like the Flyers really want this one. Let's hope they can do it.

Go Flyers Go!
- eichiefs9

Great game. Rinaldo and Downie are both POS