That's fair, but I'd argue that when you have a bunch of 7/8/9/10 D-men playing big minutes even a 5 looks good in comparison. His play was horrid until he got injured, my lasting memory of him is of him bobbling the puck near the goal line and having to do the chicken dance to try and get into position and then getting hit in the face with the puck. And note that while that giveaway was memorable because of the injury, it was representative of his play up until that point.
- DariusKnight

Statistics suggest otherwise, but as I said you are entitled to your opinion. His play may have dropped off substantially, but hockey Canada had him in their top 8.

http://www.rotoworld.com/...ams/depth-charts/nhl.aspx

Here's a depth chart of all the teams for you. I still think he would crack the top 4 on the majority of them.

My plan wouldn't have any d men playing heavy mins I'd want the group to all be close to 20 mins a night. From the team right now....I'd dump Edler and weber and hamhuis (unless he signs for less then 2.5 a year. Probably trade Edler to a team like Detroit. They always seemed interested , target a guy like smith, get em to throw in a first. I'd try and make a Tanev for hamonic swap . End up with something like smith, hamonic, hamhuis , biega , pedan ,Bart and then grab an old vet like Willie to play 40 games or so. That's just off the top of my head. But yes nothing flashy , just stable defense first guys
- Bullfrog77

No Hutton?

Gents I won't be around for a couple of weeks my Daughter and Granddaughter arrive tomorrow for 16 days of joy (fingers crossed)
- A_SteamingLombardi

Enjoy the time my friend. It is becoming a poop show in here anyways so you won't be missing much

Gents I won't be around for a couple of weeks my Daughter and Granddaughter arrive tomorrow for 16 days of joy (fingers crossed)
- A_SteamingLombardi

Enjoy the time my friend. It is becoming a poop show in here anyways so you won't be missing much

people think we over value our players, an oilers guy just suggested.
Yak+Sekeras+first+B level prospect for Hedman and Drouin + secondary assets

people think we over value our players, an oilers guy just suggested.
Yak+Sekeras+first+B level prospect for Hedman and Drouin + secondary assets

- phyllee

That first could be a very good pick

Drouin for Yak seems fair. It is a lot closer than Vrbata for two firsts or Burrows for a second.

Everything is very quiet on the Canuck front trade rumors. Nothing on Twitter , even Ek has nothing.

I am pretty sure we are going to be sellers. Don't hold your breath waiting for a block buster

Apparently Cap Space hasn't been beaten to the outside and given up less turnovers than Hamhuis has.

Everything is very quiet on the Canuck front trade rumors. Nothing on Twitter , even Ek has nothing.

I am pretty sure we are going to be sellers. Don't hold your breath waiting for a block buster

Apparently Cap Space hasn't been beaten to the outside and given up less turnovers than Hamhuis has.
- VANTEL

That's because trading doesn't need any ground work, it's all based on impulse. Simple. You just tell a team you need a top six power forward winger with size & grit and they will trade with you. Easy. Tell them you don't want your stale, old veteran and they will offer a few blue chip prospects. No problem.

That's because trading doesn't need any ground work, it's all based on impulse. Simple. You just tell a team you need a top six power forward winger with size & grit and they will trade with you. Easy. Tell them you don't want your stale, old veteran and they will offer a few blue chip prospects. No problem.
- Marwood

That is the way it has been for decades right

Meh, it's drinkable, I'm trying to kill my tastebuds for when I go to Kelowna in the summer for a wine tour and to watch the Rockets training camp.
- DariusKnight

I think you might be confused about wine tasting. Generally, tastebuds enhance the experience.

no the bottom 9 has changed....lots of D too. Thats A LOT of players.

youre still not getting it....its the same consistently over years due to a system of play that has never changed since AV left. We get a coaching staff that has a plan for play we'll actually see change finally. the Core too.

Im sure theres been some numbskull players over time sure....kassian for 1...but its a lack of a system of play that continues to derail them all.

you mentioned core....look at sedins at worlds or olympics....played a different way set in by the coach. They were awesome....they charged the net

I think youve been reading botchford too much....its poisoned the well
- SMBDragon

A coach tried that(the wrong coach, but still tried) named Torts. We missed the playoffs and he immediately got fired. WD may be too scared to try something and risk his tenure as an NHL coach(his dream job).

Everything is very quiet on the Canuck front trade rumors. Nothing on Twitter , even Ek has nothing.

I am pretty sure we are going to be sellers. Don't hold your breath waiting for a block buster

Apparently Cap Space hasn't been beaten to the outside and given up less turnovers than Hamhuis has.
- VANTEL

Thatll be blockbuster enough for me

This is my thoughts on the D.

I think Benning trusts Edler and Tanev. He didn't make a play for Hamonic , which some thought was an upgrade.

So returning next year are Edler Tanev Sbisa and Hutton. I don't see him bringing back Hamhuis . His agent has admitted there has not been any talks this year at all.

I think Biega has earned a new contract somewhere between 800k to 1.2 for two years.

That leaves us with three spots. I think Weber will be gone and Pedan will come in at the number 8 playing between Comets and Canucks.

With the remaining two spots , I am not going to suggest Tryamkin because , we don't know how good he is or if he is even going to come over. If it happens it happens.

2 spots left with cap space of 6-9 mil ( Hamhuis , Weber and Cap Increase.) .

I think they will again offer Bartowski a contract of two years between 1.5 to 2.0 . I hope it is 1.5.

With the remaining cap space they could go for a home run with Byf but I don't think they will. I see more of a three year deal to a guy like Coburn Schenn or Benn.

I don't see Benning trying for a quick fix and getting cap committed.

He may offer sheet someone or trade , but I will stick to the traditional ways of building.

Everything is very quiet on the Canuck front trade rumors. Nothing on Twitter , even Ek has nothing.

I am pretty sure we are going to be sellers. Don't hold your breath waiting for a block buster

Apparently Cap Space hasn't been beaten to the outside and given up less turnovers than Hamhuis has.
- VANTEL

Might be waiting for TDL when players have lowest possible cap implications to other teams, or for the right deal before then.

Might be waiting for TDL when players have lowest possible cap implications to other teams, or for the right deal before then.
- Retinalz

I doubt that we are buyers. Why would we?

This is my thoughts on the D.

I think Benning trusts Edler and Tanev. He didn't make a play for Hamonic , which some thought was an upgrade.

So returning next year are Edler Tanev Sbisa and Hutton. I don't see him bringing back Hamhuis . His agent has admitted there has not been any talks this year at all.

I think Biega has earned a new contract somewhere between 800k to 1.2 for two years.

That leaves us with three spots. I think Weber will be gone and Pedan will come in at the number 8 playing between Comets and Canucks.

With the remaining two spots , I am not going to suggest Tryamkin because , we don't know how good he is or if he is even going to come over. If it happens it happens.

2 spots left with cap space of 6-9 mil ( Hamhuis , Weber and Cap Increase.) .

I think they will again offer Bartowski a contract of two years between 1.5 to 2.0 . I hope it is 1.5.

With the remaining cap space they could go for a home run with Byf but I don't think they will. I see more of a three year deal to a guy like Coburn Schenn or Benn.

I don't see Benning trying for a quick fix and getting cap committed.

He may offer sheet someone or trade , but I will stick to the traditional ways of building.
- VANTEL

Getting one of those guys would be great, Dallas i could see offering Benn another contract but doubt LA or Tampa will be resigning Coburn or Schenn

Getting one of those guys would be great, Dallas i could see offering Benn another contract but doubt LA or Tampa will be resigning Coburn or Schenn
- phyllee

I think LA will try to sign Lucic and Byf . They can't sign everyone , so he might be available and add some toughness .

This is my thoughts on the D.

I think Benning trusts Edler and Tanev. He didn't make a play for Hamonic , which some thought was an upgrade.

So returning next year are Edler Tanev Sbisa and Hutton. I don't see him bringing back Hamhuis . His agent has admitted there has not been any talks this year at all.

I think Biega has earned a new contract somewhere between 800k to 1.2 for two years.

That leaves us with three spots. I think Weber will be gone and Pedan will come in at the number 8 playing between Comets and Canucks.

With the remaining two spots , I am not going to suggest Tryamkin because , we don't know how good he is or if he is even going to come over. If it happens it happens.

2 spots left with cap space of 6-9 mil ( Hamhuis , Weber and Cap Increase.) .

I think they will again offer Bartowski a contract of two years between 1.5 to 2.0 . I hope it is 1.5.

With the remaining cap space they could go for a home run with Byf but I don't think they will. I see more of a three year deal to a guy like Coburn Schenn or Benn.

I don't see Benning trying for a quick fix and getting cap committed.

He may offer sheet someone or trade , but I will stick to the traditional ways of building.
- VANTEL

He is waiver eligible next season i believe and certainly wouldn't clear. Don't forget that Toronto likes our throw aways.

I doubt that we are buyers. Why would we?
- VANTEL

I meant for selling, which is why we are quiet right now.

I think LA will try to sign Lucic and Byf . They can't sign everyone , so he might be available and add some toughness .
- VANTEL

Theres no way the can afford Byf after Kopitar resigns, Lucic is a strong possibility tho

I think LA will try to sign Lucic and Byf . They can't sign everyone , so he might be available and add some toughness .
- VANTEL

Sorry accidental flag trying to hit comment button.
I doubt they go for Byf. Kopitar will get money and nobody will eat half of the salary Lucic wants. They don't have the cap space for Byf.

He is waiver eligible next season i believe and certainly wouldn't clear. Don't forget that Toronto likes our throw aways.
- Retinalz

Do you see him as part of the future here?

Theres no way the can afford Byf after Kopitar resigns, Lucic is a strong possibility tho
- phyllee

You would think right?

Lombardi has a way of making salaries magically disappearing.

You would think right?

Lombardi has a way of making salaries magically disappearing.
- VANTEL

I read somewhere Greene is on LTIR, Which would make the Lecavlier and Schenn trade possible.
All i know forsure is if La doesnt sign Lucic, and we dont, ill be pissed

This is my thoughts on the D.

I think Benning trusts Edler and Tanev. He didn't make a play for Hamonic , which some thought was an upgrade.

So returning next year are Edler Tanev Sbisa and Hutton. I don't see him bringing back Hamhuis . His agent has admitted there has not been any talks this year at all.

I think Biega has earned a new contract somewhere between 800k to 1.2 for two years.

That leaves us with three spots. I think Weber will be gone and Pedan will come in at the number 8 playing between Comets and Canucks.

With the remaining two spots , I am not going to suggest Tryamkin because , we don't know how good he is or if he is even going to come over. If it happens it happens.

2 spots left with cap space of 6-9 mil ( Hamhuis , Weber and Cap Increase.) .

I think they will again offer Bartowski a contract of two years between 1.5 to 2.0 . I hope it is 1.5.

With the remaining cap space they could go for a home run with Byf but I don't think they will. I see more of a three year deal to a guy like Coburn Schenn or Benn.

I don't see Benning trying for a quick fix and getting cap committed.

He may offer sheet someone or trade , but I will stick to the traditional ways of building.
- VANTEL

http://theahl.com/stats/s...4&division_id=-1&confId=0

Note the games played and rookie status.
If he keeps this up, he deserves at-least his 9 game-tryout. Probably best to send him back next year though.