Enstrom and Bogo make that unit far better than the one that will be iced in TB add to that the better goalie and them finishing ahead of TB isnt really that much of a stretch
- top shelf 15

Plus they have like 18,000 people giving them super powers while playing at home.

Carle, Hedman, Brewer, Salo, Ohlund, Brian Lee, MAB and Keith Aulie is far from a bad d core.

It's pretty friggan solid. Assuming it stays realtively injury free. Keep in mind they also have a very, very strong farm team. Lots of talent in that organization right now. They are set for awhile.
- Canadian kid

Yehh but after Stamkos St-Louis Lecavalier and Connolly the rest is Poop to me

Carle, Hedman, Brewer, Salo, Ohlund, Brian Lee, MAB and Keith Aulie is far from a bad d core.

It's pretty friggan solid. Assuming it stays realtively injury free. Keep in mind they also have a very, very strong farm team. Lots of talent in that organization right now. They are set for awhile.
- Canadian kid

They all either suck or are too old ,just my opinion but Winnipegs top 4 is way better

Plus they have like 18,000 people giving them super powers while playing at home.
- clarkysduster

A few road wins and they where in last year they have a good young team on the rise there

Problem is after St. louis and Stamkos, they really got nothing.
- Panthers88

Tampa had 235 goals last year.

Only Ottawa, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Philly, Pittsburgh and Vancouver scored more.

That's pretty darn good. Must mean those two combined for over 150 goals or something then right?

....they didn't? Oh, well then they must have some pretty decent secondary scorers picking up the pace.

I wonder if they JVR experiment will work out at Center...but to be realistic, a proper 1C would be awesome for Kessel, but he really only needs to be playing with a warm body up the middle to be successful. Besides, it wasn't Bozak who set up Lupul for all those points.

For the life of me, I can't see where Connolly and Lombo fit in...guys like Kadri and Frattin need to be up there.

Yehh but after Stamkos St-Louis Lecavalier and Connolly the rest is Poop to me
- Kuleminator

See my previous post for that answer.

progner was traded to ana for smid lupul and eberle, no way edm get webber for a couple of third liners and a pick.

I wonder if they JVR experiment will work out at Center...but to be realistic, a proper 1C would be awesome for Kessel, but he really only needs to be playing with a warm body up the middle to be successful. Besides, it wasn't Bozak who set up Lupul for all those points.

For the life of me, I can't see where Connolly and Lombo fit in...guys like Kadri and Frattin need to be up there.
- clarkysduster

I honestly believe it's long term posturing. Burke wants a player at a certain price and the other team is calling our bluff based on perceived need.

So Burke tells Randy we need to make people think JVR can also play C...thereby reducing our need to actually acquire someone.

The trading partner might not initially believe them but if the Leafs wait long enough maybe just maybe you reverse some of the pressure to make the deal and ultimately end up paying your price.

It'll be interesting to see when some of these changes go down.

See my previous post for that answer.
- Canadian kid

yehh sure but nothing garantee they will score that much next year and i still think Carolina is better Eric Staal will have a great year and Cam Ward is still the best goalie in the division

Yehh but after Stamkos St-Louis Lecavalier and Connolly the rest is Poop to me
- Kuleminator

Connolly isnt even good yet. He has been good with Kids and what not. But not with men yet. He was pretty terrible with the Bolts last year. I do believe everyone underestimates Vinny alot though. He has been a solid player the past few years. No way Tampa moves him or said he has to go in order for Lou to go to Tampa. Bolts made theyre moves they arent in on Lou.

I wonder if they JVR experiment will work out at Center...but to be realistic, a proper 1C would be awesome for Kessel, but he really only needs to be playing with a warm body up the middle to be successful. Besides, it wasn't Bozak who set up Lupul for all those points.

For the life of me, I can't see where Connolly and Lombo fit in...guys like Kadri and Frattin need to be up there.
- clarkysduster

Lupul JVR Kessel
Kuli Grabo Kadri
Mac Bozak Frattin
Brown Clems Steckel/Recently signed Fin/Ross

Not a very big third line, but lots of speed and can chip in offensively.

When could Connolly and Lombo go other than in the dumpster behind the ACC?

Kane for Bourque + Gionta + Ellis and a 1st

Do not know how the bolts will do but the addittion of of carle and salo and hedman another year with brewer with the addition of lindbach could make a difference, don't know but either do any of you.
I can see any number of teams rising and falling but that why the games are played so any thing is possible i can see the bolts going any where from 1st to 10th but hey i'm a homer.

I honestly believe it's long term posturing. Burke wants a player at a certain price and the other team is calling our bluff based on perceived need.

So Burke tells Randy we need to make people think JVR can also play C...thereby reducing our need to actually acquire someone.

The trading partner might not initially believe them but if the Leafs wait long enough maybe just maybe you reverse some of the pressure to make the deal and ultimately end up paying your price.

It'll be interesting to see when some of these changes go down.
- Canadian kid

Yeh maybe.
I watched Kadri a lot on the Marlies and although his game has a lot of holes, his skill is superior to the AHL competition. He needs to get bumped and play against men.

yehh sure but nothing garantee they will score that much next year and i still think Carolina is better Eric Staal will have a great year and Cam Ward is still the best goalie in the division
- Kuleminator

Yep and i think winnpeg might have the second best ,so the notion of Winnipeg finishng ahead of TB isnt really a stretch

Kane for Bourque + Gionta + Ellis and a 1st
- mikehopfhab81

You could probably get Kane for that package. He'd add some much needed size, but I don't know much about his skill level.

yehh sure but nothing garantee they will score that much next year and i still think Carolina is better Eric Staal will have a great year and Cam Ward is still the best goalie in the division
- Kuleminator

Yes but I'm going to use your own logic against you. What says Cam Ward doesn't come out and poop the perverbial bed to start the year or for the whole year? Your argument is that the level of play/scoring from the Tampa wingers probably can't be kept up. While Wards record of doing things is longer I'd argue that actually means he's due to have a down year. Last year was rough at time for him and he's only getting older.

He's seen a ton of rubber...maybe one of these years he stumbles a little or gets longer term injury. Shoulder even.

You never know applies to any situation with forward thinking in mind. We're both going off of past performance, you can't negate one then omit the other.

We'll just have to see.

Do not know how the bolts will do but the addittion of of carle and salo and hedman another year with brewer with the addition of lindbach could make a difference, don't know but either do any of you.
I can see any number of teams rising and falling but that why the games are played so any thing is possible i can see the bolts going any where from 1st to 10th but hey i'm a homer.
- vinnybolt4life

They still need some pieces but the are rebuilding club ,that will be competitive cant really ask for more than that really

You could probably get Kane for that package. He'd add some much needed size, but I don't know much about his skill level.


- clarkysduster

Oh...you mean't one of Evander or Patrick....haha, that package wouldnt even get a sniff of their jock-straps.

Do not know how the bolts will do but the addittion of of carle and salo and hedman another year with brewer with the addition of lindbach could make a difference, don't know but either do any of you.
I can see any number of teams rising and falling but that why the games are played so any thing is possible i can see the bolts going any where from 1st to 10th but hey i'm a homer.
- vinnybolt4life

I've been arguing for your team the last half an hour. LOL, I don't even particularly like them I'm just bored as hell and decided I needed to do more research on them as a whole.

Came out impressed.

You could probably get Kane for that package. He'd add some much needed size, but I don't know much about his skill level.


- clarkysduster

ADD in Beulieu and what do ya say?

Yeh maybe.
I watched Kadri a lot on the Marlies and although his game has a lot of holes, his skill is superior to the AHL competition. He needs to get bumped and play against men.
- clarkysduster

Sink or swim time for him for sure

ADD in Beulieu and what do ya say?
- mikehopfhab81

I'm going to be honest, I don't know much about the Hab's prospects. I just think most people would see Gionta and Bourque as boarderline cap dumps.

our roster MOST LIKELY will begin the season as:

purcell stamkos st. louis
malone lecavalier brown
pouliot pyatt connolly
tyrell thompson hall

hedman carle
salo brewer
lee mikkelson
aulie MAB

Lindback
Garon

easily a top team in the East... we replaced gervais, clark with salo and carle FAR upgrade... we traded for aulie/mikkelson/lee at the deadline last yr so we will have them all yr this yr. throw pouliot into the mix. another yr older connolly. JT brown there for the whole yr. a healthy dana tyrell. replaced roloson with lindback.this roster is better than the one that took us a game away from the finals.