And away we go NHL thread!!!!

[Shawn Lutz]

the parity is in part a result of the salary cap and more importantly the 3 point system. Rewarding teams for failure (SO or OT loss) isnt right. Back before the Wings started tanking again they went a run something like 10-3-2 in their last 15 games. With that record they gained a whopping 3 points against most teams in the Western Conference, and it took about a month.

[Hellbat]

The loser point definitely changed things with the top teams having less distance between themselves and the middle of the road teams.

[clifffclaven]

"is no way to go through life"-animal house
actually it's the best way.
Hawks go up 3-0, and hold on 4-3.

we needed a win in regulation, tho..

[Rupe]

the parity is in part a result of the salary cap and more importantly the 3 point system. Rewarding teams for failure (SO or OT loss) isnt right. Back before the Wings started tanking again they went a run something like 10-3-2 in their last 15 games. With that record they gained a whopping 3 points against most teams in the Western Conference, and it took about a month.

I agree...the Wings didn't deserve a point for yesterday's loss

Howard played a sick game in goal but looked like a rookie in the SO...Sid and Geno both got him to make the first move.

[javert]

Wow, some deals by the Leafs...

[atomic charvel guy]

got a hat trick for my birthday from gaborik.

[Shawn Lutz]

I agree...the Wings didn't deserve a point for yesterday's loss

Howard played a sick game in goal but looked like a rookie in the SO...Sid and Geno both got him to make the first move.

They didnt deserve a point for that performance. That game right there proves to me how far the mighty Wings have fallen....mediocrity thanks to the cap.

The Wings will have to finish 29th and 30th and build up some #1 draft picks

[Shawn Lutz]

got a hat trick for my birthday from gaborik.

a big thanks goes out to the NY Rangers...I mean Marian for beating Colorado yesterday...Wings are 4 points behind now

[Hellbat]

Wow, some deals by the Leafs...

Yeah a bunch of the failing teams are going to the shake up's to salvage their seasons. Toronto won't be doing it in the draft for the next couple of years due to the Kessel deal so this let them get some prospects bak in the pipeline plus change the culture in the room a bit. I hate the leafs so hopefully Phanuef never finds his game...

[javert]

Yeah a bunch of the failing teams are going to the shake up's to salvage their seasons. Toronto won't be doing it in the draft for the next couple of years due to the Kessel deal so this let them get some prospects bak in the pipeline plus change the culture in the room a bit. I hate the leafs so hopefully Phanuef never finds his game...

Haha, yeah... I've been following the Leafs from across the pond since '95, I think, back when they had Gilmour & Co. Looks like the flames had to dump Phaneuf's salary as they essentially gave him away for Hagman and White. I seriously doubted anything was going to happen as nobody seems to be able to swing any significant deals (aside from the odd disgruntled player, like Heatly). The Leafs have some very good and young players now in Kessel, Phaneuf and Schenn. But, man, who are they going to play up front the rest of the season?

[CharvelRocker]

Toronto's deal for JS works good. they get a guy who could still be a #1 and don't really take on that much more salary in the process. The deal is also good for the ducks who get a guy to replace Lupul, who I doubt will play again until there are about 8 games left in the year. However, the deal for Dion is just no good imo for them. It's the type of move you make when you're in contention but even then, it's a bad trade. It's a good trade for Calgary though, when you consider how it increases their forward depth.

As for my team, the Flyers, they need to do something. They are just missing something. Their team doesn't fit, either due to the line combos or the people on them. Someone like Briere, Gagne, or Hartnell has to be moved. They also need some depth. As a whole they are alright, but they have serious issues when they loose aguy like Blair Betts, who is essential to their penalty kill and defensive game. At least we don't need a goalie this year LOL

[Hellbat]

Yeah I dunno, Flyers are a lot better on paper than their record would indicate. There has been talk of a locker room rift there since the start of the season. Wouldn't be the first time that shit has cropped up on a Chris Pronger team. Management has 3 options in that situation; replace the coach, change personel, or have strong ownership/management force the players to kiss and make up. I think Philly has already tried the one option so it's probably going to end up bieng player movement.

[Shawn Lutz]

Is it Pronger in Philly causing the problems in the room? I heard he wants more of a leadership role (wants to wear the C).

[CharvelRocker]

I don't think Pronger is causing issues per se, but I don't think he and Richards see eye-to-eye either. Their may not be a rift, but I don't think Richards is the leader the team needs, and I think Pronger may have issues with his "Style". That said, it is something the media has drummed up as being more of an issue than it probably is, possibly fueled by Richard's media embargo/falling out. I think the team has more drive though under Lavvy than it did under Stevens. His style just fits the team better, despite Stevens being a good coach.

The teams real issue is they have parts, but they don't go together. The balance of shooters to play makers to grinders is not right. You have Mike Richards, Danny Briere, and Claude Giroux who are play makers, and Hartnell, Jeff Carter, James Van Reimsdyk, and Gagne who are shooters. Their lines are just not diverse enough, and I don't think attempts to mix guys like Asham and Carcillo in really work, though I think things are fine how they are now.

The three guys likely to be moved are Gagne, Hartnell, and Briere. Gagne has proven he is injury prone and his contract runs out after next year, the same year as Carter and Giroux, making it unlikely he will be brought back. Hartnell is overpaid on the Flyers, as he is probably a third line player for them, so at $4,000,000 he will be a tough sell without getting another under performer. Finally, you have Briere who's contract is front loaded, and after this year starts to go down by around half a million to a million steadily. This will make him more valuable in the future, so I would be careful trading him. They really need though to add depth on defense, but can't trade a forward for a d man unless you trade someone like Coburn for a less valuable forward.

Moving a goalie isn't really an option either. Brian Boucher is signed through next year and they owe him one, so it's unlikely he'll be waived. Michael Leighton has been outstanding as a stop gap, but he only has a year left on his deal, so he is likely to be waived when it comes time to clear room. Ray Emery is the number so he isn't being moved. Basically, knowing that the team has to waive a goaltender to clear money room eventually (they have three on the roster atm) gives them zero power to work a deal there.

[Shawn Lutz]

Tommy, looks like Gaborik has some help on he way, the Jokinen trade is done. The Flames just wanted him to play last night.