Michael Stuart: Hedman Emerging as a Norris-Quality Defender

Yep> He sure has. As of right now, the NYI's made the right call, but Hedman is mos def muddying the waters.

Yep> He sure has. As of right now, the NYI's made the right call, but Hedman is mos def muddying the waters.
- Jeropotato

No doubt. I think the way that draft went down worked out best for both teams.

No doubt. I think the way that draft went down worked out best for both teams.
- Michael_Stuart

Considering their rosters/team needs, I agree. Biggest difference was that TBay was a good team (good players anyway) that had a horrible year more so than the Islanders, who were just bad.

Considering their rosters/team needs, I agree. Biggest difference was that TBay was a good team (good players anyway) that had a horrible year more so than the Islanders, who were just bad.
- Jeropotato

Having Stamkos, Hedman, Vasilevskii in place as the top center, top defender, and top goalie for years to come is going to give TB a ton to build around. It's exciting!

Having Stamkos, Hedman, Vasilevskii in place as the top center, top defender, and top goalie for years to come is going to give TB a ton to build around. It's exciting!
- Michael_Stuart

It is...I think you'll miss MSL in the next year or so though.

It is...I think you'll miss MSL in the next year or so though.
- Jeropotato

I imagine that Drouin will likely ease the pain. Hurt to see Marty leave, but given the circumstances it's incredibly hard to fault Yzerman for pulling the trigger. As Jon Cooper essentially said, either lose Marty for nothing at retirement or pull in a bounty now. Team made the right call.

Hedman has been amazing for us. He just needs a good partner. I like Sustr, but Im not sure if he's ready for top line minutes.

Hedman has been amazing for us. He just needs a good partner. I like Sustr, but Im not sure if he's ready for top line minutes.
- Artyukhin76

Great thing about Hedman, and something I didn't really touch on in the blog, is that he has the ability to carry just about anyone. He's that good.

Great thing about Hedman, and something I didn't really touch on in the blog, is that he has the ability to carry just about anyone. He's that good.
- Michael_Stuart

No doubt. Him and Sustr do look good together. Perhaps he can pull it off, then have Franson "type" player to line up with Carle and reduce Gudas to more manageable minutes like Brewer.

Hedman Sustr
Carle ______
Brewer Gudas
Barberio

I imagine that Drouin will likely ease the pain. Hurt to see Marty leave, but given the circumstances it's incredibly hard to fault Yzerman for pulling the trigger. As Jon Cooper essentially said, either lose Marty for nothing at retirement or pull in a bounty now. Team made the right call.
- Michael_Stuart

Absolutely made the right call. There is a chance that Callahan signs a reasonable deal with the Lightning and even if not 2 firsts ,even late in the rounds, is a solid return for player of his age. Quite impressive for a young GM to not get hosed by one of the true master's of the trade, especially when MSL held the cards the way he did.

Not trying to be douchey and toot the other teams horn, but that was excellent deal for the Rangers as well. Any time you make the finals (that's where my money is going anyway) the deals you made that year are all good.

Sather had a lot of difficult choices to make, but in the last year he moved Gaborik for a solid return, chose to resign Girardi and moved a heart and sould player for an inspirational and productive leader.Still one the best minds in the business.

No doubt. Him and Sustr do look good together. Perhaps he can pull it off, then have Franson "type" player to line up with Carle and reduce Gudas to more manageable minutes like Brewer.

Hedman Sustr
Carle ______
Brewer Gudas
Barberio
- Artyukhin76

I really like the Franson suggestion, as you know. My honest worry though is that Carle might need someone to carry him. He's not worth the contract SY sent his way; I think we've all come to realize that now. I feel like we might need someone of a significantly higher quality on that second pairing if we want this team to be competitive. Maybe Franson works, but maybe he's not enough.

I really like the Franson suggestion, as you know. My honest worry though is that Carle might need someone to carry him. He's not worth the contract SY sent his way; I think we've all come to realize that now. I feel like we might need someone of a significantly higher quality on that second pairing if we want this team to be competitive. Maybe Franson works, but maybe he's not enough.
- Michael_Stuart

I'm not down on Carle. He's a 4/5 guy that shoulda got 4-4.5, but everyone always overpay on July first!!! He's not spectacular, but I like him.

Michael Stuart: Hedman Emerging as a Norris-Quality Defender
- Michael_Stuart

Took a long time to develop but worth the wait. Dudes a beast.

Took a long time to develop but worth the wait. Dudes a beast.
- Iggysbff

There is a certain fan that has three of the same letter in there handle of a certain team that resides on an island that believes he's overvalued, overpayed and overrated, but I'll let that douche tell you himself.

There is a certain fan that have three of the same letter in there handle of a certain team that resides on an island that believes he's overvalued, overpayed and overrated, but I'll let that douche tell you himself.
- Artyukhin76

It wouldn't be that knob that signs xxNYIxx at the end of every post....y'know, just to make sure we know it's coming from him and not some other guy with the exact same name and avatar located on the far left of the page?

It wouldn't be that knob that signs xxNYIxx at the end of every post....y'know, just to make sure we know it's coming from him and not some other guy with the exact same name and avatar located on the far left of the page?
- Jeropotato

I can neither confirm or deny that it is that person you are speaking of.

It wouldn't be that knob that signs xxNYIxx at the end of every post....y'know, just to make sure we know it's coming from him and not some other guy with the exact same name and avatar located on the far left of the page?
- Jeropotato

I'm not going to tell you that it's not said individual....

I can neither confirm or deny that it is that person you are speaking of.
- Artyukhin76

- Michael_Stuart

I feel very political right now

Michael Stuart: Hedman Emerging as a Norris-Quality Defender
- Michael_Stuart

Overall I am happy with the make-up of our team. If Callahan resigns, great. Our true needs is a top four guy and a back-up (NOT Lindback!!!!!!!).

Overall I am happy with the make-up of our team. If Callahan resigns, great. Our true needs is a top four guy and a back-up (NOT Lindback!!!!!!!).
- Artyukhin76

Would love Callahan back, but it'd have to be at the right price. Think the team needs someone like that.

Overall I am happy with the make-up of our team. If Callahan resigns, great. Our true needs is a top four guy and a back-up (NOT Lindback!!!!!!!).
- Artyukhin76

I'd like to think a deal around Johnny Boychuk could work, but somehow I don't see Chiarelli trading within the division.

I'd like to think a deal around Johnny Boychuk could work, but somehow I don't see Chiarelli trading within the division.
- fudd1689

Yeah, the underlying numbers there certainly lead me to think there could be a fit. But, like you said, not sure that an in-division deal happens between these two teams.

I'd like to think a deal around Johnny Boychuk could work, but somehow I don't see Chiarelli trading within the division.
- fudd1689

Yzerman won't to do it either. Giving Boston more offensive talent is kinda counter productive.