but no elite players in the system other than Kessel, and no hands down elite prospects in the system (aside from arguably Gardiner)

ask St. Louis how a lack of a first line works in the playoffs
- Nastradamus

Both players acquired by Burke....yet he's still a dumbass?

And the argument of having few elite level prospects in the system is grasping at straws IMO. There aren't many NHL teams with that level of depth in their prospect pool. In most cases, elite talent has to be acquired or signed via UFA...unless you're Edmonton who gets to annually draft #1 overall.

You're so dumb.
- optimus-reim

AND GAY!!!! Lets ostracize him!!!

but no elite players in the system other than Kessel, and no hands down elite prospects in the system (aside from arguably Gardiner)

ask St. Louis how a lack of a first line works in the playoffs
- Nastradamus

But no ones suggesting the team is there right now.

Who's to say kessel.. With #5.. And a prospect.. Or another player brought in going forward isn't that first line?

I think Semin needs to and will go somewhere out of the spotlight and where he is not 'the guy' and will compliment a good playmaking centre. Long Island? Colorado?
- Phenom

let's see what happens in the offseason. I have a feeling that Burke might go after him. I can see him working here. He's got elite talent but just needs to work harder.

Army will have takers and Komarov should have stayed in Russia. Time will be the truth telling medium whether or not he belongs and can be good and if he sucks then bury him in the minors and hand Crabbs his job which he did so well last season. My expectations for this team in the upcoming season is bottom 3 finish and land mackinnon.
- TML4Life85

I really hope they can re-sign Crabb, he earned a new deal.....and not pull another Tim Brent and let him go because of a measley 500k.

Both players acquired by Burke....yet he's still a dumbass?

And the argument of having few elite level prospects in the system is grasping at straws IMO. There aren't many NHL teams with that level of depth in their prospect pool. In most cases, elite talent has to be acquired...unless you're Edmonton who gets to annually draft #1 overall every year.
- Pen15

that is not true at all, elite talent is easily drafted. You don't need to draft first overall to get elite. Kessel's also incredibly one-dimensional elite talent (and the single dimensionality deters me from even labelling him elite)

Depth is not the problem, we've got depth, just not enough elite talent

Army will be gone for a 3rd. 2nd if we're lucky, and we do have Burke at the helm so I'll go with the latter.
- optimus-reim

I'll take a 4th for Army if I was Burke. We have enough players in the system to play his position and do more than he can. If a set of teams come asking for Komi,Army, Connolly and Lombardi for 3rd and 4th rounders, I say do it without a question.

Both players acquired by Burke....yet he's still a dumbass?

And the argument of having few elite level prospects in the system is grasping at straws IMO. There aren't many NHL teams with that level of depth in their prospect pool. In most cases, elite talent has to be acquired...unless you're Edmonton who gets to annually draft #1 overall every year.
- Pen15

In my comments aimed towards retards like yourself I stated that outside of Burkes ability to fleece people in trades he is useless.

Here's a tip, when you read something keep it in your head for when you are going to argue with the person who wrote it, makes you seem like you actually have brains and the ability to use more than 1% of it.

Oh I know, but I think that will play into Semins decision and interest in playing for Detroit.
- jbold

I'm sure he would consider it....question is, will Detroit? I think their focus remains on Suter now.

But no ones suggesting the team is there right now.

Who's to say kessel.. With #5.. And a prospect.. Or another player brought in going forward isn't that first line?
- joel878

Maybe that happens, but Burke's been here quite a while, and his 'quick rebuild' is turning out to be a poorly planned traditionally-length rebuild

I really hope they can re-sign Crabb, he earned a new deal.....and not pull another Tim Brent and let him go because of a measley 500k.
- Phenom

Exactly. If we had kept Brent then It would have been a sick PK unit with him, Crabb and Brown and that also makes a sick 4th line. I don't get why they didn't re-up him. Oh Burke the blunnder he makes are crazy sometimes.

In my comments aimed towards retards like yourself I stated that outside of Burkes ability to fleece people in trades he is useless.

Here's a tip, when you read something keep it in your head for when you are going to argue with the person who wrote it, makes you seem like you actually have brains and the ability to use more than 1% of it.
- optimus-reim

he is a hell of a trader, agreed

Why Kesler so good?
Why leaf hate, but want?

I'm sure he would consider it....question is, will Detroit? I think their focus remains on Suter now.
- Phenom

They could add both players imo.

And make a couple of trades.

that is not true at all, elite talent is easily drafted. You don't need to draft first overall to get elite. Kessel's also incredibly one-dimensional elite talent (and the single dimensionality deters me from even labelling him elite)

Depth is not the problem, we've got depth, just not enough elite talent
- Nastradamus

And right you are sir, but we are not trying to win a cup right now.. So the need for that elite talent is non existent as we stand.

The potential is there, and the pieces are in place to develop, and have a strong supporting cast for that elite talent once it is brought in.. And the need to have it actually exists

that is not true at all, elite talent is easily drafted. You don't need to draft first overall to get elite. Kessel's also incredibly one-dimensional elite talent (and the single dimensionality deters me from even labelling him elite)

Depth is not the problem, we've got depth, just not enough elite talent
- Nastradamus

And I suppose that's Burke's fault?

I'll take a 4th for Army if I was Burke. We have enough players in the system to play his position and do more than he can. If a set of teams come asking for Komi,Army, Connolly and Lombardi for 3rd and 4th rounders, I say do it without a question.
- TML4Life85

Burke pulls off good trades that is why I stated that he could end up grabbing us a 2nd for him. I doubt Komisarek will be traded though. Lombo will be in the AHL guaranteed.

And I suppose that's Burke's fault?
- Pen15

Well, yeah. He didnt keep Tlusty

And right you are sir, but we are not trying to win a cup right now.. So the need for that elite talent is non existent as we stand.

The potential is there, and the pieces are in place to develop, and have a strong supporting cast for that elite talent once it is brought in.. And the need to have it actually exists
- joel878

you're right, but I was under the impression that this team was poised to make a strong playoff run this year, and if your not in the playoffs to win the cup, then why are you there. From what I understood at the beginning of the year management was pretty satisfied with how this roster looked, and I agree we have a very good supporting cast, but they need to realize the need to draft/bring in elite talent. I would rather go through draft.

And I suppose that's Burke's fault?
- Pen15

if you don't blame the general manager and president, then who do you blame?

Maybe that happens, but Burke's been here quite a while, and his 'quick rebuild' is turning out to be a poorly planned traditionally-length rebuild
- Nastradamus

Another big error in burkes judgement that has cost the team time.. But not necessarily assets.. Aside from the kessel thing. Hard to keep dwelling on the past

There's plenty of room for him to sort it out going forward. He's made (frank) ups like everyone else.. But that doesn't mean that very thing that happens from this point forward is gonna be a (frank) up.

Well, yeah. He didnt keep Tlusty
- jbold

that's not my point at all, actually that's incredibly irrelevant

And I suppose that's Burke's fault?
- Pen15

Maybe if he let us tank like normal teams who are rebuilding.

Another big error in burkes judgement that has cost the team time.. But not necessarily assets.. Aside from the kessel thing. Hard to keep dwelling on the past

There's plenty of room for him to sort it out going forward. He's made (frank) ups like everyone else.. But that doesn't mean that very thing that happens from this point forward is gonna be a (frank) up.
- joel878

that's true, I agree with this

In my comments aimed towards retards like yourself I stated that outside of Burkes ability to fleece people in trades he is useless.

Here's a tip, when you read something keep it in your head for when you are going to argue with the person who wrote it, makes you seem like you actually have brains and the ability to use more than 1% of it.
- optimus-reim

The moronic part of your logic is that with everything Burke has done....irrespective of draft of trade....we have more 1st rounders in the system than we've EVER had....and we're also deeper than we've been in 50yrs...

Given these two FACTS....I'm struggling to figure out how your little mind has the gaul to call Burke useless...

But like I said...it's my fault for bringing facts to a retard fight.