I really wanted the Devils to take Laberge in the second but nice pick up I think
- blizzzard

Thank you

Too small of a number for his processor to compute
- Streit2ThePoint

Thanks, I'll read all of his posts in the voice of HAL-9000 now.

You're just a bundle of joy, aren't you.
- Tomahawk

It's a valid point. It's such a small sample of people, that it's really not relevant.

Just look where they have Chicago ranked for cap management.

I just think we look at "earning it" in too much of a black and white way. Morin has outplayed Schultz in preseason, but was still sent down/back to juniors. I just feel like there is no exact moment when you definitively say "He's ready." At some point, you just need to take the plunge.

(frank), I've become MOAT
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd love to see both Laughton and Cousins have standout camps and we end up with:
Schenn-G-Simmonds
Laughton-Coots-Jake
Raffl-Cousins-Wiese
Lyub-Gordon-Read or PEB
Spares: Read or PEB/VDV

That's a solid group

Re: Konecny
Coming off a season ending injury coupled with his likely needing to get a bit stronger, I think another year in a Junior would be beneficial. However, should he blow them away in camp, a spot will be created for him.

It's a valid point.
- MJL

Sure, but do you have to come across as such an bumhole all the time?

Lighten up dude.

Sure, but do you have to come across as such an bumhole all the time?

Lighten up dude.
- Tomahawk

Something something faceoffs something

I am not a fan...I think any positives from his game are negated or outweighed by his negatives
- YuenglingJagr

I'm never really disappointed with the drafting by Hextall, even though I was hoping for a scoring winger but for the most part I'm disappointed with his approach to the roster since taking over. Every move feels cheap or minor. Now, I'm not expecting everyone to agree with my views, I most certainly downplay the impact of some players on the roster but HOW we missed the playoffs a year ago is disappointing to me. The way we made a huge push just for Ottawa to push us out of the way. HOW we made the playoffs this year just to look out of our depth in Games 1, 2, 3 and 6. I'm impressed with how certain players have stepped up so we as fans can be optimistic but this in my opinion seems to be without the help of the GM making no real deadline moves. I understand not making trades for the sake of making trades but one day Hextall is going to have to make deals to put us in the running for Stanley Cups. The Red Wings, Black Hawks and Kings all do it. I just hope Hex is ready to do what he has to when the time comes.

*computer noises*

*dial up noise*

[insert laughing emoticon]

*dial up noise*

- MJL

I'm never really disappointed with the drafting by Hextall, even though I was hoping for a scoring winger but for the most part I'm disappointed with his approach to the roster since taking over. Every move feels cheap or minor. Now, I'm not expecting everyone to agree with my views, I most certainly downplay the impact of some players on the roster but HOW we missed the playoffs a year ago is disappointing to me. The way we made a huge push just for Ottawa to push us out of the way. HOW we made the playoffs this year just to look out of our depth in Games 1, 2, 3 and 6. I'm impressed with how certain players have stepped up so we as fans can be optimistic but this in my opinion seems to be without the help of the GM making no real deadline moves. I understand mot making trades for the sake of making trades but one day Hextall is going to have to make deals to put us in the running for Stanley Cups. The Red Wings, Black Hawks and Kings all do it. I just hope Hex is ready to do what he has to when the time comes.
- roenick97

In the big picture, the moves Hextall made were minor, but I think they will have an effect. Teams such as the Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Kings, made big moves when the timing was right, or when the correct moves presented themselves.

I just think we look at "earning it" in too much of a black and white way. Morin has outplayed Schultz in preseason, but was still sent down/back to juniors. I just feel like there is no exact moment when you definitively say "He's ready." At some point, you just need to take the plunge.

(frank), I've become MOAT
- PhillySportsGuy

ghost would still have 3 years left as a Phantom if it were up to some (ob18)

ghost would still have 3 years left as a Phantom if it were up to some (ob18)
- Crimsoninja

He's like a mother scared to see his babies grow up

*computer noises*

*dial up noise*


- Streit2ThePoint[insert laughing emoticon]

*dial up noise*

*logs into hockeybuzz, waits for MJL to post*

*confirms MJL has posted*

[insert insult #1]

*confirms MJL has posted again*

[insert insult #2]

*pats them-self on back*

*logs into hockeybuzz, waits for MJL to post*

*confirms MJL has posted*


- steelydan[insert insult #1]

*confirms MJL has posted again*

[insert insult #2]

*pats them-self on back*

hey wait a minute

How much have you guys really watched Gordon's game? It's actually a really solid pick up

(frank) the Rangers!

Needs to be said at least once per week

hey wait a minute
- Streit2ThePoint

take that to HR

How much have you guys really watched Gordon's game? It's actually a really solid pick up
- black_francis

how much have YOU watch Gordon's game

How much have you guys really watched Gordon's game? It's actually a really solid pick up
- black_francis

Actually thought it was a great signing.
Great faceoff guy
Excellent defensively and on the PK
Will relieve some D zone burden from Giroux
Won't really give you any less offense than PEB or VDV

Cousins seems to be a guy that has everything go click for him & then he's successful after an adjustment period. In the OHL, he had a good season leading up to his draft year then exploded for a big season. Then in the AHL, he struggled for a year and then had a very good 2nd season. In his first call up to the Flyers he looked ok, but last season he looked like a good third liner who could irritate & chip in with some scoring.

Hopefully, he can built on that
- Jsaquella

Yeah and his defensive responsibility/play away from the puck was impressive and more superior to Laughton's IMO. I like the kid.

I'm never really disappointed with the drafting by Hextall, even though I was hoping for a scoring winger but for the most part I'm disappointed with his approach to the roster since taking over. Every move feels cheap or minor. Now, I'm not expecting everyone to agree with my views, I most certainly downplay the impact of some players on the roster but HOW we missed the playoffs a year ago is disappointing to me. The way we made a huge push just for Ottawa to push us out of the way. HOW we made the playoffs this year just to look out of our depth in Games 1, 2, 3 and 6. I'm impressed with how certain players have stepped up so we as fans can be optimistic but this in my opinion seems to be without the help of the GM making no real deadline moves. I understand not making trades for the sake of making trades but one day Hextall is going to have to make deals to put us in the running for Stanley Cups. The Red Wings, Black Hawks and Kings all do it. I just hope Hex is ready to do what he has to when the time comes.
- roenick97

You been hanging out with PLind a lot lately?

You been hanging out with PLind a lot lately?
- YuenglingJagr

I'm never really disappointed with the drafting by Hextall, even though I was hoping for a scoring winger but for the most part I'm disappointed with his approach to the roster since taking over. Every move feels cheap or minor. Now, I'm not expecting everyone to agree with my views, I most certainly downplay the impact of some players on the roster but HOW we missed the playoffs a year ago is disappointing to me. The way we made a huge push just for Ottawa to push us out of the way. HOW we made the playoffs this year just to look out of our depth in Games 1, 2, 3 and 6. I'm impressed with how certain players have stepped up so we as fans can be optimistic but this in my opinion seems to be without the help of the GM making no real deadline moves. I understand not making trades for the sake of making trades but one day Hextall is going to have to make deals to put us in the running for Stanley Cups. The Red Wings, Black Hawks and Kings all do it. I just hope Hex is ready to do what he has to when the time comes.
- roenick97

the thing is, can you honestly say a scoring winger would help this roster now? what if, whoever was drafted that you wanted, say bellows, or gauthier, etc., are ready to make the jump to the NHL, but is blocked because weve already developed wingers currently in our system. What if fazleev turns into a scoring winger, what if laughton turns into that guy, what NAK is that guy. then you have a logjam there and maybe could really use a solid two way center since by that point G will be getting up in age, and maybe a guy like cousins doesnt pan out. you dont draft for a need u have now, you draft the best player available because you have no idea what the construct of the team will look like years down the road when the scorer u drafted is ready.

in addition, adding a player at the deadline would not have gotten us a cup anyway, it would have just been a waste of picks, players, etc. there wasnt one player available that would have gotten us past washington, or pittsburgh for that matter. cant make a trade just because everyone else is doing. being patient, stock piling draft picks and prospects, and building a team is the way to do it. chicago and LA and the other teams you need started their process by doing just this. so that when they can afford to trade a pick or a prospect, they have plenty of other resources to pick up the slack.

also bringing up not making the playoffs two years does what? that was Hextalls first season as a GM, our team was louse with bad contracts, aging veterans, and a depleted prospect pool, and we still almost made it. you should see the silver lining that there is real talent on this team, and reinforcing certain areas like Hexy has over the years, coupled with his talent evaluation and roster move prowess, should give you more confidence than ever in the future of this team.

You been hanging out with PLind a lot lately?
- YuenglingJagr

seems that way

Bringing up the Kings or Blackhawks in decrying Hextall's work as GM being a slow process is asinine.

The Blackhawks, prior to making the playoffs in 2009, made the playoffs once in ten years. That's where they added the pieces that made them a modern dynasty. Los Angeles won just one playoff round from 1994 to 2012. They had a stretch of 15 years where they made the playoffs just 4 times.

Hextall came into a fringe playoff team, with a few aging pieces and a tough cap situation and said from day one he was going to be patient and build through the draft and rebuild the system. That is what he's done, and likely what he will continue to do.

Unlike both the Kings and Blackhawks, he's refusing to bottom out and load up on lottery picks. He's trying to stay competitive while retooling/rebuilding. Detroit built up through the 1980's and finally got over the hump in 1997. They struck gold with a few late round picks and managed to remain a contender for close to two decades. Their situation moving forward might be a good example of what Hextall inherited.

Hextall didn't inherit a serious Cup contender. He inherited a fringe team. He's clearing the brush now. Eventually he'll start building the new house.