Would love to find out what was being offered around the league for Drouin. Eventually we'll here some names but my guess is everyone was low balling Yzerman.

Time will tell but this could be the old adage that the best trades are the ones you don't make......... If I'm Yzerman I let Stamkos walk instead of giving him 12-13-14 per with term.

He did skate with the Lightning this morning by the way.
- Mr Ricochet

With the stagnant cap - a possible, if not likely, continuing situation for the next couple of years at least - no new TV contracts for several years - I would guess that Stamkos gets less than Kane/Toews - more like $8-$9MM than $12-$14MM.

This is a different world, I think.

With the stagnant cap - a possible, if not likely, continuing situation for the next couple of years at least - no new TV contracts for several years - I would guess that Stamkos gets less than Kane/Toews - more like $8-$9MM than $12-$14MM.

This is a different world, I think.
- StLBravesFan

Much more realistic, IMO. But I think Stamkos thinks of himself as a top 2-3 player in the world and wants to be paid that way. Otherwise he would have already signed with the Bolts IMO.

Quenneville: "We felt we had enough ammunition here to find a way to win another one."

Except when you scratch some of the ammunition for much worse players and only start firing on all cylinders in Game 5
- maria_wyeth

Enjoyed your insight this year, Maria. Especially the easy to understand statement mid way through the Blues series that Crow has allowed more goals on less shots than has Elliott. Simple and true.

I really looked forward to this year. New blood infused into some tired core players that I thought would add spark even with the losses of Saad and Oduya. I was looking forward to young Dano, TT, a hungry puck moving Daley and a speed/forechecking/gritty 4th liner in Garbutt being accepted and guided by the core.

Thought it was Q's biggest test. The final exam results are in and I give Q a failing grader on his biggest test. TT all over the lineup between two positions and regressing. Dano being yo yoed. Daley not indoctrinated. Garbutt flushed down the toilet. Gus showing great promise and regressing. A constant revolving door at 1LW. The GM gives up a good deal in Denault and a 2nd for Weise and Fleishman and they are discarded.

These guys may not fit Q 's fantasy lineup but this is a hard cap world and he has a few HOFers in his core. Doesn't take a genius to coach a HOF lineup but it does to take the best core in the league and work in the Dano's, Daley's, Garbutt's, Weise's. To work a kid like Gus in.

I ask is there one player who improved this year (edit: besides Kane)?

With the stagnant cap - a possible, if not likely, continuing situation for the next couple of years at least - no new TV contracts for several years - I would guess that Stamkos gets less than Kane/Toews - more like $8-$9MM than $12-$14MM.

This is a different world, I think.
- StLBravesFan

If he stays with Tampa, maybe. If he decides to pick where he wants to play, someone will overpay and offer him Kopitar money. Guys like that, even though his numbers seem to have diminished since he broke his leg, don't walk in off the street very often. The lure will be too great for some GM to resist. I wouldn't, but some GM desperate enough will.

A lot of great points in here Snap.

And I think watching a little of John Tavares wouldn't hurt him either.
- RickJ

Now that I've had a day to reflect, I agree and think this fair criticism.

Can we replace Chelsea Dagger now? Loved it at first, but the Hawks need something new.

I'll take Fabbri for Schmaltz................
- Mr Ricochet

Pass

No, rocket blast from the point that went in clean. Steen provided the screen and was the 2nd goal....... The first goal was a beauty tip from a Boumeister blast from the point. Deflected down and bounced of the ice at about the circle.
- Mr Ricochet

I think there were at least 6 goals scored off tips mostly all off Hawks up high.

A lot of great points in here Snap.

And I think watching a little of John Tavares wouldn't hurt him either.
- RickJ

Or how Crosby can stay at a high speed with the puck near his skates...He keeps it so close and can still fly while shielding.

Can we replace Chelsea Dagger now? Loved it at first, but the Hawks need something new.
- etchtech

I'm with you. It's gotten a bit obnoxious. They used to play some funny tunes too for penalties and such. "misunderstanding" by phil collins for example.

Much more realistic, IMO. But I think Stamkos thinks of himself as a top 2-3 player in the world and wants to be paid that way. Otherwise he would have already signed with the Bolts IMO.
- Mr Ricochet

He's a brilliant PP goal scorer. He's up there but no way is he worth Toews money. He doesn't bring more than scoring to the table.

Stephen Johns is Seabrook 2.0? Man, that is an insult to Seabrook. The guy might stick in the NHL but he isn't anywhere close to Seabrook or where Seabrook was at his age.

Seabrook - 114 Pts +35 - playing top pair minutes against opponents top units. Playing in all situations.
Johns 3 Pts -6 - playing 4-5D minutes, but not trusted to play PP or PK.

Johns has a long long way to go to be in a conversation with Seabrook.
- breadbag

Seabrook started when the hawks weren't good. Stars were 1st in the west.

A lot of great points in here Snap.

And I think watching a little of John Tavares wouldn't hurt him either.
- RickJ

>Many thanks, Rick
>Spot on about Tavares -- especially for below the goal line play
>Has some great moves that allow him to sneak between the defender and the post using the net as a pick -- to create scoring chances

I think there were at least 6 goals scored off tips mostly all off Hawks up high.
- Al

Hawks were outscored 8-5 in third periods (and three of the Hawks' 5 were in game 6) - Crawford made a lot of great saves and had several excellent stretches, but he didn't steal any games, and didn't help them win many 3rd periods.

Defense or Crawford? Both.

He and Shaw were probably the best Hawks out there - but that's faint praise indeed.

Can we replace Chelsea Dagger now? Loved it at first, but the Hawks need something new.
- etchtech

Let Cornelison hum it once before the first home game next year - and then retire both.

Or how Crosby can stay at a high speed with the puck near his skates...He keeps it so close and can still fly while shielding.
- Al

>That's a great observation, and a typical "scout's-eye" from you, Al
>Would add that Crosby needs very little time and space to release a very heavy, quick shot

I think I am rooting for the ECF to be the Islanders vs. the Capitals. Gotta like Tavares.

And rooting for the WCF to be Dallas vs. San Jose. Frank the Blues.

San Jose - Washington for the Cup.

Enjoyed your insight this year, Maria. Especially the easy to understand statement mid way through the Blues series that Crow has allowed more goals on less shots than has Elliott. Simple and true.

I really looked forward to this year. New blood infused into some tired core players that I thought would add spark even with the losses of Saad and Oduya. I was looking forward to young Dano, TT, a hungry puck moving Daley and a speed/forechecking/gritty 4th liner in Garbutt being accepted and guided by the core.

Thought it was Q's biggest test. The final exam results are in and I give Q a failing grader on his biggest test. TT all over the lineup between two positions and regressing. Dano being yo yoed. Daley not indoctrinated. Garbutt flushed down the toilet. Gus showing great promise and regressing. A constant revolving door at 1LW. The GM gives up a good deal in Denault and a 2nd for Weise and Fleishman and they are discarded.

These guys may not fit Q 's fantasy lineup but this is a hard cap world and he has a few HOFers in his core. Doesn't take a genius to coach a HOF lineup but it does to take the best core in the league and work in the Dano's, Daley's, Garbutt's, Weise's. To work a kid like Gus in.

I ask is there one player who improved this year (edit: besides Kane)?
- Mr Ricochet

Excellent question. I'd say TVR just bc he looked his best all year during most of that series. Also Rundbad was less bad, after being coached in Europe Nobody else comes to mind.

Excellent question. I'd say TVR just bc he looked his best all year during most of that series. Also Rundbad was less bad, after being coached in Europe Nobody else comes to mind.
- EnzoD

Panik. Shaw.

Excellent question. I'd say TVR just bc he looked his best all year during most of that series. Also Rundbad was less bad, after being coached in Europe Nobody else comes to mind.
- EnzoD

I didn't follow coach Q in St. Louis or Colorado. Has he ever had any success with players with some rough edges? Or was it alway "Here's your chance. Either you adapt immediately or you go to the dog house!"

I didn't follow coach Q in St. Louis or Colorado. Has he ever had any success with players with some rough edges? Or was it alway "Here's your chance. Either you adapt immediately or you go the dog house!"
- DMChi2010

Saad. Shaw. TVR.

...

I'm stumped. Pretty arbitrary the way he benches guys.

Saad. Shaw. TVR.

...

I'm stumped. Pretty arbitrary the way he benches guys.
- kinigitt

I'm not sure he did any coaching for those guys...

A lot of great points in here Snap.

And I think watching a little of John Tavares wouldn't hurt him either.
- RickJ

Anybody know if these guys use the Smart ball for off-ice stick handling? I always see guys with golf balls or tennis balls off ice. I used one of the weighted and balanced smart balls 1st year bantam and ever since and my hands improved dramatically. That's why I have no tolerance for NHL stone hands when there are easy ways to improve a vital aspect of your game.

Saad. Shaw. TVR.

...

I'm stumped. Pretty arbitrary the way he benches guys.
- kinigitt

Maybe he judges talent and sets expectations.

Panik: Fast guy--he should be a beast. (And no less than beast mode keeps him in the lineup.)

MAshinter: Slow, bad. Well, he wasn't TERRIBLE today. (And being any little more than god-awful = lineup spot!)

I'm not sure he did any coaching for those guys...
- DMChi2010

Shaw made a great deal of progress while still being green and making mistakes, taking dumb penalites, etc. He's now trusted in any situation, any line.

Saad got a ton of minutes on the top two lines out of the gate, while working on his game.

TVR didn't get spritzed with the squirt bottle this season despite some egregious dum dum plays.