I think he has proven all he can in the AHL, time for the big show.
- LeafMan

I guess. He was pretty great in the playoffs for the Marlies. At 24 he needs to get his balls deep in the NHL, that one trick shot doesn't work often enough in against the pro goalies.

Frattin is in but will start the season late because of rehab (from all reports).
- LeafMan

again.. media nonsense.. that decision wont be made til camp

he'll be given a shot i am sure.. but nothing is guaranteed this year

You guys think the NHL is too big? or needs to move some of the sunbelt teams to Canada? Only problem is how many other cities in Canada can host a hockey team? If there aren't enough locations do you cut down on the teams and have overall more talented teams?

Edit: Basically what I'm asking is are there enough WNPs out there to relocate NHL teams, or do you cut the league down
- celata29

There is MAYBE at MOST room for 1 or 2 more teams in Canada.

Quebec City and maybe you could get 1 more somewhere but that would be about it.

I was agreeing with you.
- celata29

I know, just whenever i say anything a little bit negative at all, about anything, all the nancy's gets their panties in a bunch and say i am trolling.

What do you mean it's stupid to talk about? Because it would never happen or for some other reason?
- celata29

Sorry, but yes, because it will never, ever, happen.

What do you mean it's stupid to talk about? Because it would never happen or for some other reason?
- celata29

Bettman is a business man.

Dropping teams means less players, less cities to watch hockey in and less contracts. This all means less money for him.

Granted it may save a few of the bankrupt, or soon to be bankrupt teams...but Bettman is doing everything he can to save them and do his best (though struggling) to expand, not shrink, the NHL.

I think his AHL playoff performance showed enough to give him serious consideration. He can't do any worse than Lombardi did.
- Domaju

Frattin should be a keeper. Heart and soul guy...

great.. he's in good shape.. means very little beyond that
- Dozzer

dont underestimate the GLORY of Roberts!

Sorry, but yes, because it will never, ever, happen.
- Leafland

Ok. You don't have to be sorry

But why do you think that? Because the NHL has diverted so many resources toward building a fanbase in the sunbelt?

There is no realignment now right?
- celata29

I don't know. Winnipeg being in the east was supposed to be a 1 year thing. I haven't heard or seen anything about it since though.

There is MAYBE at MOST room for 1 or 2 more teams in Canada.

Quebec City and maybe you could get 1 more somewhere but that would be about it.
- Domaju

Quebec, Toronto could easily support another in the area.

i also think Hamilton could have one too.

I guess. He was pretty great in the playoffs for the Marlies. At 24 he needs to get his balls deep in the NHL, that one trick shot doesn't work often enough in against the pro goalies.
- AdamFrench

Whose 24?

I guess. He was pretty great in the playoffs for the Marlies. At 24 he needs to get his balls deep in the NHL, that one trick shot doesn't work often enough in against the pro goalies.
- AdamFrench

Have to see if he has what it takes, he is a bull on skates, goes into corners, cuts to the net, hits, so let's see if he can produce some points now to put it all together.

Bettman is a business man.

Dropping teams means less players, less cities to watch hockey in and less contracts. This all means less money for him.

Granted it may save a few of the bankrupt, or soon to be bankrupt teams...but Bettman is doing everything he can to save them and do his best (though struggling) to expand, not shrink, the NHL.
- Colin Dambrauskas

No joke the KHL would be salivating for the NHL to drop teams. That would bring a new market for players and help them expand further in Europe, they already have begun taking over Latvian/Belerussian/Czech/Slovak and such leagues with plans to merge with the German and Finnish league if they can.

Whose 24?
- maverickJ

Frattin.

dont underestimate the GLORY of Roberts!
- big_dion

He was the most fit player in the NHL, probably even when he left the league.

Bettman is a business man.

Dropping teams means less players, less cities to watch hockey in and less contracts. This all means less money for him.

Granted it may save a few of the bankrupt, or soon to be bankrupt teams...but Bettman is doing everything he can to save them and do his best (though struggling) to expand, not shrink, the NHL.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Meh, I just feel like if it were going to take in those markets it would've already. He is a businessman, but maybe he should reaquiant himself with the idea of sunk costs if you ask me

Frattin.
- AdamFrench

ohhhhh

No joke the KHL would be salivating for the NHL to drop teams. That would bring a new market for players and help them expand further in Europe, they already have begun taking over Latvian/Belerussian/Czech/Slovak and such leagues with plans to merge with the German and Finnish league if they can.
- AdamFrench

IT'S THE USSR ALL OVER AGAIN!

again.. media nonsense.. that decision wont be made til camp

he'll be given a shot i am sure.. but nothing is guaranteed this year
- Dozzer

No, this is LeafMan nonsense, I said he would make the team last year out of camp and I will say it again this year when comes back from rehabbing the injury.

Frattin should be a keeper. Heart and soul guy...
- bixll

I agree. Here's hoping that's the case.

No joke the KHL would be salivating for the NHL to drop teams. That would bring a new market for players and help them expand further in Europe, they already have begun taking over Latvian/Belerussian/Czech/Slovak and such leagues with plans to merge with the German and Finnish league if they can.
- AdamFrench

Yeah those markets are scary...would hate to see them start attracting major talent.

IT'S THE USSR ALL OVER AGAIN!
- Scabeh

That's why I voted for Puttin

I have a feeling that it's going to be a while, before we'll see some NHL Hockey. Makes me wonder if this is the reason that Brian Burke is doing absolutely nothing. He's going to let his current deadwood's contracts expire and say goodbye, because there may not be a season and if there is, it will be a short one. It's been a very quiet offseason for a number of large market clubs.

He was the most fit player in the NHL, probably even when he left the league.
- maverickJ

playoff gary roberts

thats what playoffs are all about.

id bet big gary has video's they must watch while they train, and its gary in playoff mode, eating people in the corner, burying himself infront of the net, and taking care of business.

all heart.