Dude, they both have a year left, making the same cap (actually Pavelec is 100K cheaper), so it's a complete wash cap-wise.

And Michalek was a cap dump. How does that make our team weaker? We have way too many forwards as it is.

Better than overpaying for a UFA or prying a backup out of another team for real assets.
- gravyface

They won't give up a real asset for a back up goalie.
Are there any real doctors in the house?

If we were looking for a starting goalie then yeah but why not spend only cash on a backup and keep Michalek to teach and insulate the youth who are not ready (like 2 or 3 will be ligitimately ready as we won't play Marner, etc on the 4th line). Michalek has more value to us.
- Steven_Dean

i swear to god if i hear the "teach the kids argument" one more time!!!


Yup, lets keep a bunch of slow, washed up bums around to teach our highly skilled rookies how to play a game they are already far better than the vets will ever be..

Its not Jerome Iginla or Jagr were talking about, its Polak and Michalek

i swear to god if i hear the "teach the kids argument" one more time!!!


Yup, lets keep a bunch of slow, washed up bums around to teach our highly skilled rookies how to play a game they are already far better than the vets will ever be..

Its not Jerome Iginla or Jagr were talking about, its Polak and Michalek
- Tanooki

Nothing wrong with some veteran guidance.

If we were looking for a starting goalie then yeah but why not spend only cash on a backup and keep Michalek to teach and insulate the youth who are not ready (like 2 or 3 will be ligitimately ready as we won't play Marner, etc on the 4th line). Michalek has more value to us.
- Steven_Dean

Pavelec lost the starting role in Winnipeg; they're in a very similar position as us with Bernier. In short stints, he put up very good numbers, just not consistent enough to be a starter, which is kind of exactly what you want in a backup.

Without Michalek, we still have Greening, Laich, and Martin to round out our bottom 6 with veterans, not to mention Bozak and Lupul, the latter may end up playing to be bait for Vegas.

That was a beautiful hit.
- Tanooki

a blindside headshot but

Nothing wrong with some veteran guidance.
- the_eye

Some vets that were actually good..

No one looks up to Polak, he should be out of the league in a couple years.

They won't give up a real asset for a back up goalie.
Are there any real doctors in the house?
- the_eye

Since when is Michalek an asset? He was a salary dump for Phaneuf's bloated contract.

i swear to god if i hear the "teach the kids argument" one more time!!!


Yup, lets keep a bunch of slow, washed up bums around to teach our highly skilled rookies how to play a game they are already far better than the vets will ever be..

Its not Jerome Iginla or Jagr were talking about, its Polak and Michalek
- Tanooki

I believe you're missing the point. It's more about teaching them how being and playing in the nhl is all about some on ice but mostly off ice things. I don't think the notion has anything to do with teaching them skill or how to hockey.

i swear to god if i hear the "teach the kids argument" one more time!!!


Yup, lets keep a bunch of slow, washed up bums around to teach our highly skilled rookies how to play a game they are already far better than the vets will ever be..

Its not Jerome Iginla or Jagr were talking about, its Polak and Michalek
- Tanooki

seriously... aren't we getting a tad "drama queen" about this?

Michalek was and is a pretty skilled player... he just can't skate anymore - mainly due to injuries.

If you want an example of what happens when you don't provide that kind of insulation for young players - see Edmonton Oilers in the "dictionary".

a blindside headshot but
- daeth

good


(frank) alfie..

I believe you're missing the point. It's more about teaching them how being and playing in the nhl is all about some on ice but mostly off ice things. I don't think the notion has anything to do with teaching them skill or how to hockey.
- systemtool

They dont need that... They are all professionals. Matthews is known for being accountable on and off the ice. They still have lots of vets, they dont need Michalek etc.. Im sure they'd just tune them out anyways.

good


(frank) alfie..
- Tanooki

Since when is Michalek an asset? He was a salary dump for Phaneuf's bloated contract.
- gravyface

I replied to the wrong post, sorry.

a blindside headshot but
- daeth

matter of opinion... if Alfie wasn't admiring his play it doesn't happen.

They dont need that... They are all professionals. Matthews is known for being accountable on and off the ice. They still have lots of vets, they dont need Michalek etc.. Im sure they'd just tune them out anyways.
- Tanooki

I PLAYED WITH JOE THORNTON DAMNIT! JOE (frank)ING THORNTON

They dont need that... They are all professionals. Matthews is known for being accountable on and off the ice. They still have lots of vets, they dont need Michalek etc.. Im sure they'd just tune them out anyways.
- Tanooki

I think a few people have said the same or similar about Kane.

How's that working out?

seriously... aren't we getting a tad "drama queen" about this?

Michalek was and is a pretty skilled player... he just can't skate anymore - mainly due to injuries.

If you want an example of what happens when you don't provide that kind of insulation for young players - see Edmonton Oilers in the "dictionary".
- BorjeFan4Ever

Edmonton always had a few Michaleks and Polaks around.. It did (frank) all.

If a rookies does something stupid it wont be Polak setting him straight, itll be Lou/Babs.

I think you guys put too much stock into having old guys around. Yeah you need a balance, but i think they already have that with Bozak, JVR, Hunwick etc..

I PLAYED WITH JOE THORNTON DAMNIT! JOE (frank)ING THORNTON
- AdamFrench

i swear to god if i hear the "teach the kids argument" one more time!!!


Yup, lets keep a bunch of slow, washed up bums around to teach our highly skilled rookies how to play a game they are already far better than the vets will ever be..

Its not Jerome Iginla or Jagr were talking about, its Polak and Michalek
- Tanooki

Oh my god...

They aren't teaching them how to play..they are teaching them how to act as professionals, how to take certain situations, how to handle the media(very important in Toronto, how to train, and when to make safe plays and when not to

Acting the part is just as important

They dont need that... They are all professionals. Matthews is known for being accountable on and off the ice. They still have lots of vets, they dont need Michalek etc.. Im sure they'd just tune them out anyways.
- Tanooki

I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying what the point was.

I PLAYED WITH JOE THORNTON DAMNIT! JOE (frank)ING THORNTON
- AdamFrench

Liar...

I think a few people have said the same or similar about Kane.

How's that working out?
- BorjeFan4Ever

I dont know what your talking about anymore..

you're examples are getting pretty broad. Kane is who he is and thats just the type of player WPG/ATL drafted. Nothing si going to change him other than himself. I wouldnt go into naming individual players and use them as examples as not being "mentored" enough.

matter of opinion... if Alfie wasn't admiring his play it doesn't happen.
- BorjeFan4Ever

concussion + a busted knee

justice

They dont need that... They are all professionals. Matthews is known for being accountable on and off the ice. They still have lots of vets, they dont need Michalek etc.. Im sure they'd just tune them out anyways.
- Tanooki

Oh really? Sorry I didnt know you knew how they all acted off the ice. I mean they never stepped foot into NHL ice before but I'll take your word it

Oh my god...

They aren't teaching them how to play..they are teaching them how to act as professionals, how to take certain situations, how to handle the media(very important in Toronto, how to train, and when to make safe plays and when not to

Acting the part is just as important
- Santo_44

My guess is that Nylander and Matthews would train the tits off Michalek..

Take a "talk to the media" course if thats such a concern. Dont go sign Polak. You guys are wayyyy underestimating the rookies of today. They grew up already in the spotlight. They got to where they are by working hard.