That's the thing. With Hextall, it was frustrating, but he had a plan. Fletcher just has no plan, and may as well just be throwing darts. He's set the team back at least 5 years if not more.
- jmatchett383

Yeah and that's where I'm at with Hextall. He has a clear vision of getting bigger and adding sandpaper without considering quality, but it's a vision.

Fletcher probably could have pulled off a solid re-tool. G could still be there with Gaudreau flanking him. I look at it as two moves he could have avoided and then found a way to re-tool. If he didn't get fleeced moving Ghost and then trade for and extend Dumb Dumb, he probably could have kept Giroux be bringing in Gaudreau and maybe even signing someone like Kadri.

1) Guentzel leads the team in scoring
2) RW replaces Jack Johnson with Jan Ruutta
3) Jarry finishes in the bottom half of whatever metrics goalies are based on now
- jmatchett383

hahaha Jesus

1)Ristolainen is a -15
2) DeAngelo does stupi poop again
3) Philly misses the playoffs
4) Torts go to the press to say AGAIN "..starts with their 2 whinny fn stars" talking about Sid and Geno.

1)Sid gets 101 points
2) Puustinen gets a call up and sticks
3)Zucker gets traded at the deadline
- 668710

If Sid plays more than 70 games I can totally see that and the others are all possible.

Yea thats not bad. Rakell 30G this year?
- 668710

Again, having to qualify everything with a healthy lineup, then this is possible. The only reason I would bet closer to low 20's is I don't think he's likely to see any 1st unit PP time, BUT, if Geno plays 70+ games then yes, I could see him inching towards 30.

1) Guentzel leads the team in scoring
2) RW replaces Jack Johnson with Jan Ruutta
3) Jarry finishes in the bottom half of whatever metrics goalies are based on now
- jmatchett383

I actually think Jarry will have a crazy good year, but I can easily see the others.

Poehling obviously has talent. He may be the new ERod/Heinen.
- jmatchett383

I think as long as he isn't a defensive void, he COULD be a decent 4C. Maybe get 20-30 points. I'd be ecstatic if that was the case. I'd like to see Blueger man the 3C.

Yeah and that's where I'm at with Hextall. He has a clear vision of getting bigger and adding sandpaper without considering quality, but it's a vision.

Fletcher probably could have pulled off a solid re-tool. G could still be there with Gaudreau flanking him. I look at it as two moves he could have avoided and then found a way to re-tool. If he didn't get fleeced moving Ghost and then trade for and extend Dumb Dumb, he probably could have kept Giroux be bringing in Gaudreau and maybe even signing someone like Kadri.
- Rinosaur

Giroux had to be moved, there was no other option. But yes, he basically traded Ghost with a pick, then gave up picks to sign Ghost 2.0 to a higher AAV, then gave up assets and handed our a horrible deal to Risto...again, there's just no plan.

I know that most people on here have no love for Philly, but it's not a rivalry if one team stinks. That's why we didn't have a rivalry with you guys pre-2005 (on the Philly side at least), we never lined up with being contenders. Way more fun to beat the other team when they have a fighting chance.

hahaha Jesus

1)Ristolainen is a -15
2) DeAngelo does stupi poop again
3) Philly misses the playoffs
4) Torts go to the press to say AGAIN "..starts with their 2 whinny fn stars" talking about Sid and Geno.
- Barnaby36

How is 3 even a prediction? It's a guarantee.
And there's no way Risto finishes that high.

Are you trying to get a rise out of me by slamming the Flyers? Because I assure you, I can slam them much harder.

Giroux had to be moved, there was no other option. But yes, he basically traded Ghost with a pick, then gave up picks to sign Ghost 2.0 to a higher AAV, then gave up assets and handed our a horrible deal to Risto...again, there's just no plan.

I know that most people on here have no love for Philly, but it's not a rivalry if one team stinks. That's why we didn't have a rivalry with you guys pre-2005 (on the Philly side at least), we never lined up with being contenders.
- jmatchett383

Giroux had to be moved, but I'm just saying if the subsequent nonsensical moves where never made and more calculated re-tool moves were, Giroux may have been willing to re-sign knowing Fletcher was going to bring players like Gaudreau.

As to your rivalry comment, Torts is your coach now. It's officially a rivalry whether you guys stink or not.

My Metro Standings Prediction without considering major injuries:

1) Carolina
2) NYR
3) Pens/WSH
4) Pens/WSH
5) NJD
6) Philly
7) Columbus
8) NYI

I know that top four is basically the same as last year, but that's just how I think it shakes out.

My big NON-Pens prediction is Toronto misses the playoffs. Those goalie moves sink them.

My Metro Standings Prediction without considering major injuries:

1) Carolina
2) NYR
3) Pens/WSH
4) Pens/WSH
5) NJD
6) Philly
7) Columbus
8) NYI

I know that top four is basically the same as last year, but that's just how I think it shakes out.

My big NON-Pens prediction is Toronto misses the playoffs. Those goalie moves sink them.
- Rinosaur

How is Philly 6th?

How is Philly 6th?
- jmatchett383

Islanders are an even worse poop show and CBJ's goaltending is abysmal.

Islanders are an even worse poop show and CBJ's goaltending is abysmal.
- Rinosaur

Maybe.
Oh, and just to point it out...I don't even think signing Gaudreau would have been the smart move for the Flyers, even though I wanted it. It's the fact that a legitimate superstar WANTED to sign with you and you couldn't accomodate it that is the worst part. Hell, I wanted Fletcher to move the 1st rounder (top-3 protected) with JvR because I know he'll (frank) up that pick.

Maybe.
Oh, and just to point it out...I don't even think signing Gaudreau would have been the smart move for the Flyers, even though I wanted it. It's the fact that a legitimate superstar WANTED to sign with you and you couldn't accomodate it that is the worst part. Hell, I wanted Fletcher to move the 1st rounder (top-3 protected) with JvR because I know he'll (frank) up that pick.
- jmatchett383

Even if it wasn't Gaudreau, with all the high-end players that have been available, he could have swung a few solid moves. It's not like Philly is an undesirable destination for athletes.

Even if it wasn't Gaudreau, with all the high-end players that have been available, he could have swung a few solid moves. It's not like Philly is an undesirable destination for athletes.
- Rinosaur

It wasn't. Past tense.

Poehling obviously has talent. He may be the new ERod/Heinen.
- jmatchett383

Yea I think a lot of us are hoping he can be good for the fourth line haha.

If Sid plays more than 70 games I can totally see that and the others are all possible.



Again, having to qualify everything with a healthy lineup, then this is possible. The only reason I would bet closer to low 20's is I don't think he's likely to see any 1st unit PP time, BUT, if Geno plays 70+ games then yes, I could see him inching towards 30.
- Rinosaur

Yea that's true with Rakell, he probably won't get much PP time. 20-25 is more reasonable haha. And of course if Sid is getting 101 points that's him having a healthy season.

I think Geno will play about 65 games

1- petry has a hell of a year (in a good way)
2- Kap continues to suck and his contract is a major piss off
3-pens win a round

Predictions:

1. The Penguins have 3 players with 90 points, 2 with 100 points - Sid, Jake & Geno. Zucker has the breakout season we have all been waiting for and nets 60 points.

2. Jordan Staal will win another Stanley Cup... as a 3C in Pittsburgh! The Canes are going to regress this year and also deal with some injuries. They will be deadline sellers. Even if not for Staal, Blueger is not in the long term plans and will be traded this year.

3. Sam Poulin will make the opening day roster. This is probably the least likely one to happen but I think that he is going to have a great offseason and it will give the Pens flexibility in being able to start an extra 1 way player in the minors and give Poulin a chance to earn his spot

New blog

My Metro Standings Prediction without considering major injuries:

1) Carolina
2) NYR
3) Pens/WSH
4) Pens/WSH
5) NJD
6) Philly
7) Columbus
8) NYI

I know that top four is basically the same as last year, but that's just how I think it shakes out.

My big NON-Pens prediction is Toronto misses the playoffs. Those goalie moves sink them.
- Rinosaur

6) Kap 6