You have to admit, it's odd that they would appoint Homer to replace Luukko, given the non-hockey nature of the position and the stark difference in their backgrounds and relevant experience.
- Tomahawk

I never liked Luukko. No reason why, I just didn't.

Per TSN:

The Bruins shuffled their lines at the morning skate, with head coach Claude Julien explaining, "It gives (the media) something to write about so you don't get bored."

Love it.

I never liked Luukko. No reason why, I just didn't.
- jmatchett383

Still bitter over Nick?

Also per TSN:

"The Edmonton Oilers have signed centre Bogdan Yakimov on a three-year entry-level contract."

I wonder if he'll center Yakupov.

It's not way too high, it's slightly high. He possibly could've gotten more in Free Agency. From MacDonald's point of view, it's probably low.
- MJL

I guess we'll never know. 4.5 or less seems about right to me. MacDonald looks forced to me on the Power Play, putting a square peg into a round hole. Berube is definitely trying to help management get it's money's worth on the second unit. If Gustafsson is in the line up, it should be almost automatic that a young defenseman with a higher upside for offense should see PP time regardless of payment.

Still bitter over Nick?
- Tomahawk

No. I think it was the mustache. I don't know, just never liked him. Which is a shame, because he seems like a nice guy.

I give him the Summer to mold this roster into a top team, or I'm calling for his head.
- MJL

you'll clearly have to take a number and get in line.

Well, I know it's still the same, but it's so under control. Just like Berube when he was holding Lavi back. In his playing days, Berube would be the one on the ice taking care of those types of issues.

The same fire and passion are still there, but I'd feel more comfortable if he carried a goalie stick with him everywhere and just gave a casual swipe with it from time to time to make sure he gets his space.
- jmatchett383

if he were coaching you might see a little of that, but not much. as he said, you have to be unemotional in those roles. i'm impressed he could make the transition and climb his way up. if he was a useless hack, he wouldn't have lasted in LA for 7 years.

I guess we'll never know. 4.5 or less seems about right to me. MacDonald looks forced to me on the Power Play, putting a square peg into a round hole. Berube is definitely trying to help management get it's money's worth on the second unit. If Gustafsson is in the line up, it should be almost automatic that a young defenseman with a higher upside for offense should see PP time regardless of payment.
- SuperSchennBros

But what do you do if Kimmo goes? As it stands, Streit's your #1 PP QB with Giroux/Jake high on the wings. On PP #2, you've got AMac/Schenn/Grossmann/Gustafsson to choose from. AMac is the best option, barring FA/trades or playing a forward high (Read).

No matter the reason, I'm going to have a very hard time separating the stick-swinging berserker of a goalie from the very soft-spoken well dressed GM that are Ron Hextall.
- jmatchett383

He was always very soft-spoken and well-dressed when he was a goalie though, too--off the ice.

Still bitter over Nick?
- Tomahawk

jury's still out on that kid!

if he were coaching you might see a little of that, but not much. as he said, you have to be unemotional in those roles. i'm impressed he could make the transition and climb his way up. if he was a useless hack, he wouldn't have lasted in LA for 7 years.
- hammarby31

Absolutely. And he seems to have done that. That's why it's weird to me.

Hexy has seen a lot of B Schenn over the last 3-4 years. My guess is his opinion of him and his potential has already been made. I wouldn't be surprised to see him included in an offseason deal, especially if Schenn isn't interested in a "bridge deal". Curious if Schenn Bro's would help Calgary get "bigger"? Brodie would look good on Flyers back end.

No. I think it was the mustache. I don't know, just never liked him. Which is a shame, because he seems like a nice guy.
- jmatchett383

Not like a Finn?

He was always very soft-spoken and well-dressed when he was a goalie though, too--off the ice.
- bodiva88

He retired when I was about 14-15. I don't remember paying much attention to off-ice interviews at the time. So my mental image is crazy-as-hell Ron Hextall who will make a kick save and slash your knees.

Not like a Finn?
- bodiva88

???

Not like a Finn?
- bodiva88

???

Hexy has seen a lot of B Schenn over the last 3-4 years. My guess is his opinion of him and his potential has already been made.
- flyguy12

Keep in mind that Hexy was also in the group that drafted the kid, and developed him, and watched him dominate the WHL and WJC.

You have to admit, it's odd that they would appoint Homer to replace Luukko, given the non-hockey nature of the position and the stark difference in their backgrounds and relevant experience.
- Tomahawk

They already assigned much of the business part of that role to Shawn Tilger in February making him COO. Another sign that was missed by many.

???
- jmatchett383

You've gotta like a Finn!

But what do you do if Kimmo goes? As it stands, Streit's your #1 PP QB with Giroux/Jake high on the wings. On PP #2, you've got AMac/Schenn/Grossmann/Gustafsson to choose from. AMac is the best option, barring FA/trades or playing a forward high (Read).
- jmatchett383

I'm really not worried about whether or Timonen stays or goes and I really don't feel like MacDonald is that much better offensively then Coburn. If Timonen goes, as it stands Gustafsson becomes a regular in the line up and should be automatic Gustafsson is on the second PP unit. All you have to do is ask yourself, what did Berube do with the PP before MacDonald came to Philly.

You've gotta like a Finn!
- bodiva88

I'm more of a Sweden/Norway guy.

They already assigned much of the business part of that role to Shawn Tilger in February making him COO. Another sign that was missed by many.
- bodiva88

So to answer your question from before, yes, it seems like they could have easily left the position vacant for another year.

I guess we'll never know. 4.5 or less seems about right to me. MacDonald looks forced to me on the Power Play, putting a square peg into a round hole. Berube is definitely trying to help management get it's money's worth on the second unit. If Gustafsson is in the line up, it should be almost automatic that a young defenseman with a higher upside for offense should see PP time regardless of payment.
- SuperSchennBros

I personally felt that 4.5M was a fair number, but I knew that he could get more on the open UFA market, so I guessed that around 5M would be the number. Turned out to be correct. I think it's a solid signing for a solid player.

I'm really not worried about whether or Timonen stays or goes and I really don't feel like MacDonald is that much better offensively then Coburn. If Timonen goes, as it stands Gustafsson becomes a regular in the line up and should be automatic Gustafsson is on the second PP unit. All you have to do is ask yourself, what did Berube do with the PP before MacDonald came to Philly.
- SuperSchennBros

I don't remember. I think Meszaros got some 2nd unit PP time when he was in the lineup.

So, you'd rather have Coburn as part of the 2PP over AMac? Fair enough.