Kassian is a legit power forward in the Lucic mold. Will be dynamite once he's ready to play with the Martian Twins full-time.

Good trade for both teams, IMO.
- bradleyc4

Kassian is still extremely raw, but he's a hard player to play against because of his size and aggressiveness. May take awhile to sort it all out but he does have a chance to be a monster in years to come. Glad he's in the other conference now, although Hodgson brings Buffalo a step closer to being a playoff team again in the East (probably next year; not this one).

So I agree that both sides could benefit from this one.

Must say though, I like that Poile is trying to make a push. I think that this is him trying to show Weber and Suter that the Preds are players for sure. I applaud him for making the moves
- bigmookalookie

I like that they're buying for once....but I think they overpaid for both guys. At the end of the day both guys will be UFAs and you know at least one of them isn't getting resigned with Suter up for a deal. They gave up a lot of good assets for them too so if they don't make it to the Conference finals I don't think this really shows Weber & Suter much of anything.

Well obviously with Sedin and Kesler he wasn't going to be a # 2 in Vancouver. He's still putting up solid numbers. Long term if Kassian develops even into a poor mans Lucic it's an ok trade for Vancouver, short term I don't think it helps them.

Vancouver saw how they were bullied by the Bruins in the SCF, and I believe this trade is an overreaction to that.
- PLindbergh31

Gragnani as a throw-in ain't too bad, either.

apparently the ashton for aulie trade was terrible, too. atta boy, stevie!

Gragnani as a throw-in ain't too bad, either.
- OrangeBlack27

NHL classified them as separate trades, but point well taken. Gragnani has an upside, while Sultzer is basically a depth guy. Gragnani may flourish in Vancouver, the guy can put up points no doubting that. I think the question marks with him are in his own end.

NHL classified them as separate trades, but point well taken. Gragnani has an upside, while Sultzer is basically a depth guy. Gragnani may flourish in Vancouver, the guy can put up points no doubting that. I think the question marks with him are in his own end.
- PLindbergh31

Winner at the TDL is Homer. He upgraded his defense with two players who will make an immediate impact. The guy is incredible. He gets my vote for GM of the year.

apparently the ashton for aulie trade was terrible, too. atta boy, stevie!
- OrangeBlack27

I personally think Ashton is overrated, but Aulie is pretty bad.

Can't really fault for Stevie for trying to bolster his ugly defense.

Winner at the TDL is Homer. He upgraded his defense with two players who will make an immediate impact. The guy is incredible. He gets my vote for GM of the year.
- stveshdy

I think they were sound moves, GM of the year? Not seeing that. Regardless of what Snider's role was in bringing Bryzgalov to Philly, if he doesn't turn it around, that is going to be one hell of a blemish on Holmgren's resume.

Watching the Rangers nurse their 1-0 lead against the Devils through the rest of the game (until the ENG by Callahan with 1:04 left in the game) was pretty much a textbook case of stifling defense and making the horrible ice at MSG work to their benefit.

There were only a combined 27 shots in last night's game, which was dreadfully dull apart from the fights in the 2nd period -- but the Rangers could not have cared less (basically giving NJ a taste of their own medicine).

Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have taken a lead into the third period in 56 games. After last night, they are now 54-0-2 in such games.

That's why the soft go-ahead goals the Flyers have given up the last two games against NY were so devastating. The Flyers actually have erased FOUR one-goal deficits against the hardest team to come back on in the NHL, and then gifted back the lead to them and went on collapse completely.

If the Flyers end up playing the Rangers in the playoffs at some point, it will be absolutely CRITICAL not to chase the game and not to allow anything soft. The Winter Classic was the closest the Flyers came to that -- until that bad short-side goal on Bobrovsky tied the game.

At any rate, last night's NYR-Devils game reminded me an awful lot of what it used to be like for the high-scoring Flyers teams of the mid-to-late 90s to play New Jersey. They'd contain the Philly offense, the Flyers would give up an iffy goal to fall behind and then everything would fall apart.

Dislike Tortorella all you want, but with that defense and goaltending, his club is going to be real tough to beat in the postseason.

NHL classified them as separate trades, but point well taken. Gragnani has an upside, while Sultzer is basically a depth guy. Gragnani may flourish in Vancouver, the guy can put up points no doubting that. I think the question marks with him are in his own end.
- PLindbergh31

Gragnani is a pure offensive defenseman, and will need to be sheltered against weaker competition and used primarily on the PP. Can't think of a better place for him than Vancouver.

NHL classified them as separate trades, but point well taken. Gragnani has an upside, while Sultzer is basically a depth guy. Gragnani may flourish in Vancouver, the guy can put up points no doubting that. I think the question marks with him are in his own end.
- PLindbergh31

certainly. but vancouver has the personnel to spot him accordingly. vigneault really uses guys according to the roles/need. sedins and burrows start 75+% of their shifts in the offensive zone. malhotra/wiese/lapierre start 85% or more (!!!) in the defensive zone.

Watching the Rangers nurse their 1-0 lead against the Devils through the rest of the game (until the ENG by Callahan with 1:04 left in the game) was pretty much a textbook case of stifling defense and making the horrible ice at MSG work to their benefit.

There were only a combined 27 shots in last night's game, which was dreadfully dull apart from the fights in the 2nd period -- but the Rangers could not have cared less (basically giving NJ a taste of their own medicine).

Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have taken a lead into the third period in 56 games. After last night, they are now 54-0-2 in such games.

That's why the soft go-ahead goals the Flyers have given up the last two games against NY were so devastating. The Flyers actually have erased FOUR one-goal deficits against the hardest team to come back on in the NHL, and then gifted back the lead to them and went on collapse completely.

If the Flyers end up playing the Rangers in the playoffs at some point, it will be absolutely CRITICAL not to chase the game and not to allow anything soft. The Winter Classic was the closest the Flyers came to that -- until that bad short-side goal on Bobrovsky tied the game.

At any rate, last night's NYR-Devils game reminded me an awful lot of what it used to be like for the high-scoring Flyers teams of the mid-to-late 90s to play New Jersey. They'd contain the Philly offense, the Flyers would give up an iffy goal to fall behind and then everything would fall apart.

Dislike Tortorella all you want, but with that defense and goaltending, his club is going to be real tough to beat in the postseason.
- bmeltzer

Early favorite for Jack Adams? He's gotten so much out of that roster and without Staal for a good chunk of the year.

I think they were sound moves, GM of the year? Not seeing that. Regardless of what Snider's role was in bringing Bryzgalov to Philly, if he doesn't turn it around, that is going to be one hell of a blemish on Holmgren's resume.
- PLindbergh31

Look at all the moves hes made from the summer time to the TDL. The only one that is questionable at this point is Bryzgalov (which would of got big money in UFA anyways). He sees weaknesses and does a great job of fixing them. Homer dismantled alot of this team during the summer and yet here they are fighting for a first round home playoff series. Imagine if Bryzgalov did half of what was expected of him. Homer is underrated as a GM in my opinion. All GM's make mistakes but he does far more good IMO.

Watching the Rangers nurse their 1-0 lead against the Devils through the rest of the game (until the ENG by Callahan with 1:04 left in the game) was pretty much a textbook case of stifling defense and making the horrible ice at MSG work to their benefit.

There were only a combined 27 shots in last night's game, which was dreadfully dull apart from the fights in the 2nd period -- but the Rangers could not have cared less (basically giving NJ a taste of their own medicine).

Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have taken a lead into the third period in 56 games. After last night, they are now 54-0-2 in such games.

That's why the soft go-ahead goals the Flyers have given up the last two games against NY were so devastating. The Flyers actually have erased FOUR one-goal deficits against the hardest team to come back on in the NHL, and then gifted back the lead to them and went on collapse completely.

If the Flyers end up playing the Rangers in the playoffs at some point, it will be absolutely CRITICAL not to chase the game and not to allow anything soft. The Winter Classic was the closest the Flyers came to that -- until that bad short-side goal on Bobrovsky tied the game.

At any rate, last night's NYR-Devils game reminded me an awful lot of what it used to be like for the high-scoring Flyers teams of the mid-to-late 90s to play New Jersey. They'd contain the Philly offense, the Flyers would give up an iffy goal to fall behind and then everything would fall apart.

Dislike Tortorella all you want, but with that defense and goaltending, his club is going to be real tough to beat in the postseason.
- bmeltzer

No question about it Bill. In the 5 game season series thus far, Flyers goaltenders have allowed 5-6 soft goals, while Lundqvist has allowed ZERO. Everyone can bring up the defensive breakdowns until they are blue in the face, but the difference between the Rangers and Flyers is strictly between the pipes.

I posed this question the other day, and I know shots allowed aren't the be all end all, but how would one explain the Flyers being 7th in the NHL in shots allowed at 27.5 per game, while allowing 3.06 goals per game. A total higher than any team in the NHL not named Columbus, or TB. Facing that few shots, while allowing that many goals are statistics that don't jive.

The problem with doing that is is that it would be blatant cap circumvention that the NHL would strike down, and the player could never pass a physical after the trade.

Cash inclusion is no longer allowed in NHL trades.
- bmeltzer

There you go. That is what I thought, but it is good to know from someone who really knows. Thanks, Bill. I appreciate the response. I had included the concept of the trade being voided due to the inability of the player to pass a physical in my other post(s). I wasn't sure if that was a requirement by the league or whether the acquiring team had the option to exercise the void based upon their own interests (sort of like in fantasy baseball getting Ryan Howard cheap because you are really playing for next year).

No question about it Bill. In the 5 game season series thus far, Flyers goaltenders have allowed 5-6 soft goals, while Lundqvist has allowed ZERO. Everyone can bring up the defensive breakdowns until they are blue in the face, but the difference between the Rangers and Flyers is strictly between the pipes.

I posed this question the other day, and I know shots allowed aren't the be all end all, but how would one explain the Flyers being 7th in the NHL in shots allowed at 27.5 per game, while allowing 3.06 goals per game. A total higher than any team in the NHL not named Columbus, or TB. Facing that few shots, while allowing that many goals are statistics that don't jive.
- PLindbergh31

Quality over Quantity. Sometimes seeing less pucks a game can actually be worse for a goaltender bc they dont find a groove. I understand what your saying and WE ALL KNOW the goaltending has been bad this season. Too many soft goals that should be stopped. If Bryz can eliminate that part the Flyers are going to be just fine.

Gragnani is a pure offensive defenseman, and will need to be sheltered against weaker competition and used primarily on the PP. Can't think of a better place for him than Vancouver.
- bradleyc4

Yup. Vancouver seems like the ideal place for Gragnani.

certainly. but vancouver has the personnel to spot him accordingly. vigneault really uses guys according to the roles/need. sedins and burrows start 75+% of their shifts in the offensive zone. malhotra/wiese/lapierre start 85% or more (!!!) in the defensive zone.
- OrangeBlack27

Good points. Agreed.

Look at all the moves hes made from the summer time to the TDL. The only one that is questionable at this point is Bryzgalov (which would of got big money in UFA anyways). He sees weaknesses and does a great job of fixing them. Homer dismantled alot of this team during the summer and yet here they are fighting for a first round home playoff series. Imagine if Bryzgalov did half of what was expected of him. Homer is underrated as a GM in my opinion. All GM's make mistakes but he does far more good IMO.
- stveshdy

Holmgren has done a nice job. He's had his mistakes, we all know what they are. No need to rehash. But he also has made some very solid trades and some good signings. Overall I would give Holmgren a solid B.

Quality over Quantity. Sometimes seeing less pucks a game can actually be worse for a goaltender bc they dont find a groove. I understand what your saying and WE ALL KNOW the goaltending has been bad this season. Too many soft goals that should be stopped. If Bryz can eliminate that part the Flyers are going to be just fine.
- stveshdy

HUGE IF. Two of Bryzgalov's best games thus far were games 1 and 2 in Boston and NJ respectively. Since then, he has had some solid games, but a ton of games where he has allowed multiple soft goals. I want to think he can start limiting them, but right now I see no signs of it. Maybe the shootout in Calgary gives him some confidence, but I'm not banking on it.

HUGE IF. Two of Bryzgalov's best games thus far were games 1 and 2 in Boston and NJ respectively. Since then, he has had some solid games, but a ton of games where he has allowed multiple soft goals. I want to think he can start limiting them, but right now I see no signs of it. Maybe the shootout in Calgary gives him some confidence, but I'm not banking on it.
- PLindbergh31

For the Flyers to have any chance in the playoffs Bryz has to be better than he is now. His numbers wont matter much once the playoffs start.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Early favorite for Jack Adams? He's gotten so much out of that roster and without Staal for a good chunk of the year.
- bradleyc4

He's got to be way up there. Yeo would have won it easily at midseason, but the Wild have crashed back down to earth after winning with smoke and mirrors for half a season.

There you go. That is what I thought, but it is good to know from someone who really knows. Thanks, Bill. I appreciate the response. I had included the concept of the trade being voided due to the inability of the player to pass a physical in my other post(s). I wasn't sure if that was a requirement by the league or whether the acquiring team had the option to exercise the void based upon their own interests (sort of like in fantasy baseball getting Ryan Howard cheap because you are really playing for next year).
- GeorgeBailey

Of course, that's the same answer you got from others here. So maybe he's not the only one who "really knows."

He's got to be way up there. Yeo would have won it easily at midseason, but the Wild have crashed back down to earth after winning with smoke and mirrors for half a season.
- bmeltzer

He's the perfect coach for that bunch of guys. And whether it's Hank or Marty behind them, that team, far more often than not, plays hard for 60 minutes. They've taken a handful of games off all year, but they seem to get right back on track. They're an easy team to like.