I'm not in love with Anisimov, but feel he fills the 2C spot well. He makes $4.5m cap hit. Go up and down the rest of the league and look at the 2C of each team (easy to do in the Cap Central tab at top of page). I'd call him a mid-level 2C. There are certainly better, certainly worse. But most teams have a 2C making more than $5m. There are exceptions, but when I look across the list of 2Cs and look at their salaries, AA feels like he compares to the basic $5.0-5.5m 2C. The second we trade him, we'll be looking for a replacement 2C, and the going rate is AT LEAST $4.5m.
- Cmonalready

If Stan is looking to trade a forward (for whatever reason) I don't believe there are any easy answers or one solution that everyone will love. I agree that Anisimov is worth his cap hit and he's worth keeping around. If any forward gets traded I'd say it's Panarin. I'd hate to see the guy go, but you have to give up quality to get quality.

If Stan is looking to trade a forward (for whatever reason) I don't believe there are any easy answers or one solution that everyone will love. I agree that Anisimov is worth his cap hit and he's worth keeping around. If any forward gets traded I'd say it's Panarin. I'd hate to see the guy go, but you have to give up quality to get quality.
- DarthKane

ONe thing about AA is he does a lot of the grinding and hard work for 88 and 72. Panarin would fetch the most... young, 70+ points, signed "reasonably" ... Maybe the Hawks should listen to offers on everyone. Prospects too.

When do we get Malkin? (Red font)

Cheap shot by Niskanen and that's a Concussion. Olcyk is a shmuck that was an intentional roughing up of Crosby. Pulls the "unless you've played at this level" card. Get bent Eddie O, that was intentional. Crosby probably done for the night...

MY PERSONAL TAKE IS THIS:

This team probably only had a 2 year window. (Jj's qoute )


Really? I don't get it. Toews, Kane, Crow, Keith, Seabrook, Hammer, Hossa, (plus anyone I forgot.), this personnel makes up a losing roster???

Please, are you serious?

My question is why. What was the problem? Injuries? Bad locker room? (I can't imagine it being too loud after losing guys like Shaw. The core seems quiet.) Did they think too much of themselves and think they could turn it on anytime? A mixture of all these, probably. That and bad dot %.

They need a bunch of Shaw/Bickell types as complementary players. Physical, unafraid rah rah types. Guys that are hungry. There are 29 other teams that want it. It's not a cakewalk but the talent we have is legendary. If the window is only open for 2 more years I'm at a loss but, if the organization is pointing fingers around the room like this blog is, the window is already shut. Also, a coach hires his own assistants, no? If you don't like the assistants you fire the coach. Bad blood won't fix things.

GO HOCKS (Find your collective muse.)
[url]

Cheap shot by Niskanen and that's a Concussion. Olcyk is a shmuck that was an intentional roughing up of Crosby. Pulls the "unless you've played at this level" card. Get bent Eddie O, that was intentional. Crosby probably done for the night...
- EnzoD

Shame because Crosby has a recent history of head injuries. Hope he's ok and gets back in the series.

Cheap shot by Niskanen and that's a Concussion. Olcyk is a shmuck that was an intentional roughing up of Crosby. Pulls the "unless you've played at this level" card. Get bent Eddie O, that was intentional. Crosby probably done for the night...
- EnzoD

Just saw this. Absolutely brutal... if Crosby is out, who wins the cup? Caps?

Shame because Crosby has a recent history of head injuries. Hope he's ok and gets back in the series.
- 93Joe

I truly don't know what Olcyk is looking at. Crosby is sliding on his knees through the crease and Niskanen extends his arms for a solid cross check right to the head. If Crosby is out it might be the only way the Caps make this a series. Don't like to see that as Crosby is on a Conn Smythe pace and the best player in the NHL. Olcyk and Pierre bother me.

Cheap shot by Niskanen and that's a Concussion. Olcyk is a shmuck that was an intentional roughing up of Crosby. Pulls the "unless you've played at this level" card. Get bent Eddie O, that was intentional. Crosby probably done for the night...
- EnzoD

Eddies whole schtick is old - that was crap, the hits Toews endured are crap, Lindros, etc...

MY PERSONAL TAKE IS THIS:

This team probably only had a 2 year window. (Jj's qoute )


Really? I don't get it. Toews, Kane, Crow, Keith, Seabrook, Hammer, Hossa, (plus anyone I forgot.), this personnel makes up a losing roster???

Please, are you serious?

My question is why. What was the problem? Injuries? Bad locker room? (I can't imagine it being too loud after losing guys like Shaw. The core seems quiet.) Did they think too much of themselves and think they could turn it on anytime? A mixture of all these, probably. That and bad dot %.

They need a bunch of Shaw/Bickell types as complementary players. Physical, unafraid rah rah types. Guys that are hungry. There are 29 other teams that want it. It's not a cakewalk but the talent we have is legendary. If the window is only open for 2 more years I'm at a loss but, if the organization is pointing fingers around the room like this blog is, the window is already shut. Also, a coach hires his own assistants, no? If you don't like the assistants you fire the coach. Bad blood won't fix things.

GO HOCKS (Find your collective muse.)

- hocktock[url]

JJ is right. You would need a new hoard of shape/Bicks (the type that showed up in SCPO) every two years, hence no repeat winners for 20+ years.

Note: My Bicks comments in no way reference his play from the point everyone realized he was sick. - So please hold the cheap shots.

I truly don't know what Olcyk is looking at. Crosby is sliding on his knees through the crease and Niskanen extends his arms for a solid cross check right to the head. If Crosby is out it might be the only way the Caps make this a series. Don't like to see that as Crosby is on a Conn Smythe pace and the best player in the NHL. Olcyk and Pierre bother me.
- EnzoD

Lets see what the talking heads say between periods...

I truly don't know what Olcyk is looking at. Crosby is sliding on his knees through the crease and Niskanen extends his arms for a solid cross check right to the head. If Crosby is out it might be the only way the Caps make this a series. Don't like to see that as Crosby is on a Conn Smythe pace and the best player in the NHL. Olcyk and Pierre bother me.
- EnzoD

Agreed Enzo, Bettman and his cronies in the league think they're going to get out of 4th place in the North American pro sport game by allowing its stars to be physically abused and using the old cliché of "hockey is a tough sport and these things happen".

Start calling penalties and handing out game misconducts and then suspend guys to the max until you can re-write the CBA and kick guys out for 40 games. Think the NBA would allow Lebron and the other stars of the league to get mauled and there not be any consequences?

I hope it doesn't happen but how do you think the SCF ratings would be Ottawa and Nashville? Love to hear Gary's excuses for those ratings.

I truly don't know what Olcyk is looking at. Crosby is sliding on his knees through the crease and Niskanen extends his arms for a solid cross check right to the head. If Crosby is out it might be the only way the Caps make this a series. Don't like to see that as Crosby is on a Conn Smythe pace and the best player in the NHL. Olcyk and Pierre bother me.
- EnzoD

Crosby was not on his knees before the hit! He tries to draw the penalty as the stick hits his head, then puts himself in position to get hit. Hey, remember Orpik on Toews, F Crosby and his sugardaddy Bettman.

Crosby was not on his knees before the hit! He tries to draw the penalty as the stick hits his head, then puts himself in position to get hit. Hey, remember Orpik on Toews, F Crosby and his sugardaddy Bettman.
- powerenforcer

I disagree on this play but I definitely remember Orpik blowing up Toews and destroying his shoulder. Toews seemed to have lost his hands after that hit so I wonder how bad his shoulder got destroyed....

JJ is right. You would need a new hoard of shape/Bicks (the type that showed up in SCPO) every two years, hence no repeat winners for 20+ years.

Note: My Bicks comments in no way reference his play from the point everyone realized he was sick. - So please hold the cheap shots.
- riozzo

Jj has been right all season. (That's why we come back. Jj is the best.) I just don't see the window closing so soon. They need to find the issue (s ) and fix it. This talent is too good. They need a reason.

...

The NHL Review process is laughable. How do they review it once and it's a good goal, then watch the EXACT SAME REPLAY 90 seconds later and it's No Goal???!!!!

Forget the GI, the net was lifted before the puck entered. Absolute joke that Toronto (or the refs) didn't see that.

That sequence is just stupid - to a causal fan
replay - good goal
another replay - no goal

Now I have to spend 20 minutes trying to explain to my wife or risk having the channel go to THE VOICE

That sequence is just stupid - to a causal fan
replay - good goal
another replay - no goal

Now I have to spend 20 minutes trying to explain to my wife or risk having the channel go to THE VOICE
- riozzo

NHL is run by franking morons is the simplest explanation. See my post 2 comments above this. It's truly absurd

Did the NHL bring on the refs from Rollerball - Jonathan E suiting up!

NHL is run by franking morons is the simplest explanation. See my post 2 comments above this. It's truly absurd
- EnzoD

TRUE

Oshie blown up by Kunitz without the puck, no call.

Oshie blown up by Kunitz without the puck, no call.
- EnzoD

Its clear Kunitz is playing totally out of control.

Its clear Kunitz is playing totally out of control.
- riozzo

Most of the time he does.......

Its clear Kunitz is playing totally out of control.
- riozzo

Most of the time he does.......

Forget the GI, the net was lifted before the puck entered. Absolute joke that Toronto (or the refs) didn't see that.
- powerenforcer

I think the goal was still on the peg though. As long as any portion of the peg is still in the post hole and the other end in the hole in the ice, the goal frame is still considered in place, even if the goal is lifted off the ice.

Moot point since it was GI though.