All Hockey talk all the time

504Heater wrote:Funny you should say that, I find the Fisher contract gets less vile by the day. We're going in different directions there.

How so? What's he up to now? 5 goals? Be still my heart. My dislike of his contract is also heightened by the fact that we are carrying other large contracts. If we had all the cap room we needed to make all the necessary moves, I wouldn't mind so much. I just don't think he's worth 100k less of a cap hit than Alfie is.

hemlock wrote:

504Heater wrote:Funny you should say that, I find the Fisher contract gets less vile by the day. We're going in different directions there.

How so? What's he up to now? 5 goals? Be still my heart. My dislike of his contract is also heightened by the fact that we are carrying other large contracts. If we had all the cap room we needed to make all the necessary moves, I wouldn't mind so much. I just don't think he's worth 100k less of a cap hit than Alfie is.

Fisher + Vermette are making a combined 7 million. I know they're contributing on the PK, but when you make that money and have 10 goals, 29 points and are -23...

We needed these guys to be consistent secondary scorers. They haven't been. Fisher's game-tying goal doesn't change that.

asq2 wrote:

hemlock wrote:

504Heater wrote:Funny you should say that, I find the Fisher contract gets less vile by the day. We're going in different directions there.

How so? What's he up to now? 5 goals? Be still my heart. My dislike of his contract is also heightened by the fact that we are carrying other large contracts. If we had all the cap room we needed to make all the necessary moves, I wouldn't mind so much. I just don't think he's worth 100k less of a cap hit than Alfie is.

Fisher + Vermette are making a combined 7 million. I know they're contributing on the PK, but when you make that money and have 10 goals, 29 points and are -23...

We needed these guys to be consistent secondary scorers. They haven't been. Fisher's game-tying goal doesn't change that.

Can I get an amen everyone?

hemlock wrote:
How so? What's he up to now? 5 goals? Be still my heart. My dislike of his contract is also heightened by the fact that we are carrying other large contracts. If we had all the cap room we needed to make all the necessary moves, I wouldn't mind so much. I just don't think he's worth 100k less of a cap hit than Alfie is.

Big picture, problem contract, game by game they last 5 or so, he's been back to his crashing, tough, drive-to-the-net, assist and score player that we leaned on so heavily when we went to the Cup.

Suddenly he's playing like a 4.2 million dollar player - problem is, he needs to learn to do it consistently - offensively as well - and he'll be worth every penny IMO. My problem is the same as yours, he's eating up a ton of cap space up front.

asq2 wrote:

hemlock wrote:

asq2 wrote:Yes, I too could "stomach" getting Victor Hedman.

Especially since I believe Taylor Hall is far closer to (or perhaps better than) Tavares is, whilst Fowler is not close to VH(4)1.

But I really want this 2nd line centre conundrum settled. We've never had a real 1-2 centre punch.

Maybe Regin can fill the void, maybe he can't. I think I'd prefer O'Brien in the third line slot with Foligno and Z. Smith on his wings.

That high on Taylor Hall eh? Honestly, I don't know much about his game, but if he's in Tavares' neighbourhood, I'm sold. I often talk about Tavares' shortcomings but in fairness to him, he thinks the game on a supreme level.

I would love to get a real 2nd line centreman too. That way we could move Fisher. That contract grows uglier by the day it seems.

That would make a great 3rd line in a few year. A real tough line to play against that can crash the net and contribute some offense.

A lot of people are (in regards to Hall).

He's definitely a competitor for the #1 pick in 2010 with Kabanov, Pulkkinen and Granlund (amongst others). McFarland wouldn't be a terrible pick-up either.

Still, 1 1/2 years to wait for a centre who will only be 18 by then is a long time.

Maybe we can fall Donkey-backwards into another first this year. Somewhere around the 10 spot let's say. Who tickles your fancy around there? Anyone you think could step in right away?

asq2 wrote:
Fisher + Vermette are making a combined 7 million. I know they're contributing on the PK, but when you make that money and have 10 goals, 29 points and are -23...

We needed these guys to be consistent secondary scorers. They haven't been. Fisher's game-tying goal doesn't change that.

I'm not gonna go to bat for Fisher, I'm neither here nor there on him to be honest. Just found him to be one of the best players - which he should be for that $$ - the last few games. Maybe longer, I can't remember.

Just some credit where credit is due. I often bad-mouth him.

hemlock wrote:
Maybe we can fall Donkey-backwards into another first this year. Somewhere around the 10 spot let's say. Who tickles your fancy around there? Anyone you think could step in right away?

When the dust settles, I think this is where our pick is. So we might as well do some research.

504Heater wrote:

hemlock wrote:
Maybe we can fall Donkey-backwards into another first this year. Somewhere around the 10 spot let's say. Who tickles your fancy around there? Anyone you think could step in right away?

When the dust settles, I think this is where our pick is. So we might as well do some research.

Well, not to crap in anyone's cereal but I am hoping for a bottom 5 pick. Tampa has improved, and STL will be getting some bodies back at some point, so anything is possible.

hemlock wrote:
Well, not to crap in anyone's cereal but I am hoping for a bottom 5 pick. Tampa has improved, and STL will be getting some bodies back at some point, so anything is possible.

Man, that would be ideal. I want MSP so badly, I don't care about some of the cons people bring up about him (now I can't remember what they are anyway).

EDIT: Still think we're heading for the 9th overall. Maybe even the 10th.

hemlock wrote:Maybe we can fall Donkey-backwards into another first this year. Somewhere around the 10 spot let's say. Who tickles your fancy around there? Anyone you think could step in right away?

Assuming the top-7 is comprised of some order of JT, Hedman, MSP, Duchene, Schroeder, Kane and Cowen?

It's anyone's guess IMO in regards to who goes after that. I like Brayden Schenn a lot, I like Kadri as well although I have some concerns in regards to softness (not so with B Schenn), I can't really speak in regards to Holland or Morin, I like Kassian but I'm not sure he's what we need, and I like Josefson.

Bottom line though: if we don't walk out of that draft with one of Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, Cowen, MSP, Schroeder, Kane, MSP, Schenn or to a lesser extent Kadri, colour me disappointed (barring, of course, a trade for a guy like Malkin).

504Heater wrote:

hemlock wrote:
Well, not to crap in anyone's cereal but I am hoping for a bottom 5 pick. Tampa has improved, and STL will be getting some bodies back at some point, so anything is possible.

Man, that would be ideal. I want MSP so badly, I don't care about some of the cons people bring up about him (now I can't remember what they are anyway).

EDIT: Still think we're heading for the 9th overall. Maybe even the 10th.

The main concern is that the only finish about him is his name (har har).

I don't think it's realistic and I think even if it was his playmaking abilities would make up for it, but if he had Tavares' finish in that tournament, with the way he could get to the net, he literally would have had 20 goals.

asq2 wrote:
Assuming the top-7 is comprised of some order of JT, Hedman, MSP, Duchene, Schroeder, Kane and Cowen?

It's anyone's guess IMO in regards to who goes after that. I like Brayden Schenn a lot, I like Kadri as well although I have some concerns in regards to softness (not so with B Schenn), I can't really speak in regards to Holland or Morin, I like Kassian but I'm not sure he's what we need, and I like Josefson.

Bottom line though: if we don't walk out of that draft with one of Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, Cowen, MSP, Schroeder, Kane, MSP, Schenn or to a lesser extent Kadri, colour me disappointed (barring, of course, a trade for a guy like Malkin).

Oh man, I forgot about Schenn. If we can get the hell out of the draft with Schenn at this point, I'm a happy, happy man. He'd fit like a glove here.

That's doable I think. Even if Murray needs to move up. Kadri...well maybe actually. Good hands. But from there I feel it drops noticeably - unless someone does something to distinguish themselves.

asq2 wrote:
The main concern is that the only finish about him is his name (har har).

I don't think it's realistic and I think even if it was his playmaking abilities would make up for it, but if he had Tavares' finish in that tournament, with the way he could get to the net, he literally would have had 20 goals.

:D Good assessment. He'll learn to put his head and his hands together in time. If he has the skills, the finish will come. Or he'll just end up being a disgustingly fun set-up man.

I fear the concussion with him. I don't know why, his style of play I guess.

504Heater wrote:

hemlock wrote:
How so? What's he up to now? 5 goals? Be still my heart. My dislike of his contract is also heightened by the fact that we are carrying other large contracts. If we had all the cap room we needed to make all the necessary moves, I wouldn't mind so much. I just don't think he's worth 100k less of a cap hit than Alfie is.

Big picture, problem contract, game by game they last 5 or so, he's been back to his crashing, tough, drive-to-the-net, assist and score player that we leaned on so heavily when we went to the Cup.

Suddenly he's playing like a 4.2 million dollar player - problem is, he needs to learn to do it consistently - offensively as well - and he'll be worth every penny IMO. My problem is the same as yours, he's eating up a ton of cap space up front.

Thing is, the Fisher I watch infrequently drives to the net. It's usually to the boards.

asq2 wrote:Thing is, the Fisher I watch infrequently drives to the net. It's usually to the boards.

Except when he's on...the power play. Which is a 5 man unit where he is the winger. Then he's right up in the goalie's grill.

Damn you Hartsburg! Put him on the franking wing and watch him develop into Morrow right before your eyes.

In all seriousness, I've found his net drive to be excellent the last 5 games or so. But I actually might just be thinking PP.

504Heater wrote:

asq2 wrote:
The main concern is that the only finish about him is his name (har har).

I don't think it's realistic and I think even if it was his playmaking abilities would make up for it, but if he had Tavares' finish in that tournament, with the way he could get to the net, he literally would have had 20 goals.

:D Good assessment. He'll learn to put his head and his hands together in time. If he has the skills, the finish will come. Or he'll just end up being a disgustingly fun set-up man.

I fear the concussion with him. I don't know why, his style of play I guess.

No kidding. Let's not forget he was a 17 year old at this tournament. Tavares as a 17 year old was pretty nonexistent, MSP was despite lack of production probably the most dominant forward on the Swedish roster.

He's proven he can finish, but if he can with consistency at the NHL level he will be something else. If he can't, he's a bigger Hemsky. Not very bad at all.

504Heater wrote:

asq2 wrote:Thing is, the Fisher I watch infrequently drives to the net. It's usually to the boards.

Except when he's on...the power play. Which is a 5 man unit where he is the winger. Then he's right up in the goalie's grill.

Damn you Hartsburg! Put him on the franking wing and watch him develop into Morrow right before your eyes.

In all seriousness, I've found his net drive to be excellent the last 5 games or so. But I actually might just be thinking PP.

The not comfortable on the wing excuse does not fly. He has 11 ES points, and that's with Alfredsson on his wing at times.

Get on the ****ing wing and if you're not comfortable then dry your tears with your enormous paycheque.

asq2 wrote:
The not comfortable on the wing excuse does not fly. He has 11 ES points, and that's with Alfredsson on his wing at times.

Get on the ****ing wing and if you're not comfortable then dry your tears with your enormous paycheque.

You're definitely preaching to the converted.