travel_dude

Yeah, those GM's are such high character guys. Firing a coach via a text message as he travels with the team. Trading a player one day, after talking about what a face of the franchise he is previously. Oops, forgot to tell the player. Or a GM making a trade with a guy that has a NTC, only to come to him last minute to ask him. VAN had to wait for the coach to be released from his obligations. That was before they could make it official. Not talking to the old coach shows a lack of class.

The only way it makes sense to trade for Meier is if we use it as a TDL deal, then turn him into assets after the playoffs. Sell the farm to get him, then get the farm back after. LOL. We can't trade for a $6M guy in February unless we are sending out $6M. And that guy needs to be more than just a good player. I would prefer we look at pieces that can help the PP or that have untapped potential. Kuzmenko would look good on the PP here, but I get the sense that VAN thinks they can get a 1st for him. Or they just want to re-sign him. No idea with VAN. Horvat would be a good piece, but he's going to get rich. Not here, unless we are trading about $7M in salary to them. Even then that would be a hard re-signing. Would need to trade off Backlund to allow it.

Obviously, Sutter felt he needed to explain his lack of comments on Pelletier. He suggested that you can't evaluate a player on 440 seconds of play. Only thing he could go on was stats sheet. Well, if he felt that way just say it. Would have been a nothing story. Fans would not take it any way but a lack of evaluation. I thought Friedman had a better take on the whole situation. Last year, the intense playing style was successful in getting the wins. Players don't tire of the hard arse if they are getting results. This year, the hard arse is there, but results not always following. Coach keeps pushing on the players and it's wearing thin. At some point you need to soften the message. Tough love works for some player, not all. Every player is different. As far as Boudreau, the stupid part is that VAN GM tells the media at the coaching change announcement that he talked to Boudreau this morning and decided to make a coaching change. This, the Monday after the Saturday night tear jerker.

10

Before we go out and look for another C or high end winger.... Are we in fact using the best players we have available and in the right situation? Kadri is a shooter, but is only ever getting the pass from Hubey. He has shown chemistry when he plays in other situations (Mange). But, I'm also not breaking up the Bread line. The players that seem to be either used in the wrong line or capable of playing with others: Dube - guy just knows when to turn on the jets Huberdeau - line doesn't suit his skills Ruzicka - doesn't really belong eating popcorn, one of the improved faceoff guys Maybe a bit early to try this, but I see it as use of players that can raise their games. Dube-Lindholm-Huberdeau Pelletier-Kadri-Toffoli Mange-Backlund-Coleman Lucic-Ruzicka-Duehr I don't think it would be right to sit Lucic, after he has stepped up to play after eating popcorn. Lewis isn't playing bad, but you need to inject youth to expect more than just a good showing. Ruzicka and Duehr gives you speed on that 4th line and Ruzie can win draws. Pelletier should be tried in a top 6 role, as his passes seem better than the guys he plays with. We don't need to use Hiberdeau on RW, so either Dube or him could do it.

He doesn't look big, but really is close to Mang/Dube/Coleman in height. He has wheels, if only we could find that 3rd speedy guy to play C, IDK maybe Ruzicka? I don't mind Lewie out there with them, but he doesn't have great hands. And we really need to embrace the Yutes. A 4th line all speed with Duehr providing the hits, could be a thang of beauty.

Any other team other than CBJ and we get called in OT. But the refs were pretty bad all through the game. Couple of blatant trips, hooking on the hands, Mange taken down on the breakaway. In real time it was equivalent to the PS awarded to JH. Not that it matters. The top PP unit is pretty much a waste of a minute. Once they set up, they can pass around pretty good, but nothing dangerous. They struggles with entries and really when the PK is aggressive, keeps them to one side. Usually a waste of 15 seconds then it it cleared. 2nd unit is the ones that actually can get set up.

None from the coach. Said he would be evaluated more tomorrow. It looked to be a leg injury, but he also seemed to favor his shoulder heading down the tunnel.. The immediate reaction though looked more like he lost mobility in his leg area.

Pelletier' chance on the PP was an incredible save by Korpi. Got his glove out far enough to prevent a shot into the net. One of the better sequences of an otherwise quiet special teams night.

Here's some crazy stats: Hanifin -1 Zadorov +4

I will say one thing, that was one of the few 2 on 1's that we made a perfect pass and connected on the shot. Gotten to the point to where th guy with the puck will not pass. Two GWG's for Dube in the last two games.

I think the GM is pissed they got a point out of that mess

I have a fever and the only prescription is more Lama

Brilliant lines by Sutter in OT.

Missed call perhaps and we benefit for a change

My prediction, someone named Johnny will score.

JFC shoot

Nice blocked shot by Lucic

Just 10 good ones

Other worldly save by Vladar

Ha ha, that's my line.

Can;t be letting this go to OT. It will be embarrasing.

Blockchaining Hanifin

Get the 2n unit out there. Too much wasted time with no shots.

Need to score early. Can't be letting Laine come out at the end of the PP.