shrader

Yeah, the defense would definitely be what I call as the biggest moves. I'd say they were moves that many GMs could/would have made though. Adding a top pairing guy would be what I would consider as a major move at this stage of his tenure and that was something that wasn't going to happen. So at this point, he's done what he had to do, the real world equivalent of making it through your 90 day trial period. We're happy with you so far, so let's see more.

I feel like we're complementing him for tying his shoes. There really hasn't been any major challenge so far. We'll find out about that soon enough though, as they start to approach their plans for next offseason. I'd imagine that once Zemgus is taken care of, we'll see quick action on the Eichel front. That's still the easy part though, it's what he does to work around that mega-deal.

It's just a procedural thing. It's not an actual offer and they have no intention of actually getting him for that money.

That's actually less than both his cap hit and his actual salary last year. I didn't even realize that was allowed. His qualifying offer would have been for more than that.

I have to hedge my bets and take back my earlier comment. That's definitely a hefty amount at the AHL level

No one wants to be in this state.

Someone please pull the plug already

I suspect that there's a big generational gap when it comes to the olympics. I don't know where the line would be exactly, but many on the older side are always going to lean towards wanting amateurs back in the olympics. That admitedly has its flaws given what the USSR was throwing out there and other countries in sure. The league is always going to push for the World Cup system that is under their control. You can get your international all star tourney that way. If they are paying these guys big money, they don't want them leaving mid season for games where they get no financial return.

Maybe his friends have tricked him into attracting the older ones so that the other girls in school will pay attention to them instead.

Don't feel too bad about yourself. The AHL end of that contract isn't that high.

I can live with the Giants thanks to them saving the world from the 19-0 season. And then, on top of that, they went out and beat them again just for extra bragging rights. I'm not going to go out of my way to watch a single one of their games, but we all owe them one for that.

You had a villain in those days though, which makes anything better. I guess Canada would be that by default right now, but that's a pretty weak villain status.

I don't think it's crazy to think that most won't be staying awake to watch these games. Personally, I can't watch something on tape delay in this day and age when the results have already circulated. Sure, you can try to avoid spoilers, but good luck with that. I'd much rather watch the regular season proceed uninterrupted. We invest a ton of time into following the entire season and I'd much rather see that continue. I personally get very little in the way of national pride out of this game seeing as how I've been watching a team full of canadians wear by beloved logo for my entire life.

Someone mentioned that around here a couple weeks ago. That doesn't work either. Venues are booked, tickets are sold. The thought of moving that stuff around, even if the backup schedule exists, is a complete nightmare.

I don't see it. They're keeping games going instead of shipping their players off to play in games that will be played in the middle of the night over here. I may be in the minority, but I'd much rather see things go on as normal as opposed to getting a tape delayed all star series.

They already have the schedule out. It would be a logistical nightmare for them to participate at this point. It's not happening.

I don't know the non-NHL defense situation for Russia, but would they really want to add a 37 or 38 year old to their Olympic roster?

He's gone too, right? I feel like I remember seeing him on the list of guys who weren't tendered a qualifying offer.

Ha, I knew someone would say it.

Money trumps all. Slap a mullet on the word's ugliest man and throw a couple million dollars in his wallet. He'll have a line out his door.

I'd love to see McCabe wind up in a more traditional 1 digit defenseman number.

That may be my own wording of the conversation. I don't really remember. I tend to stop listening once they start the *patriot bragging. He also asked me what I thought about new england stealing our RB and "safety". I also didn't have the heart to address that one.

He's going to wind up with a PTO somewhere. It's amazing that it has gotten to this point for him.

:huh: They both agreed to it, so of course it's fair to both. I'd be curious to see what Lehner would have asked for in arbitration as this contract isn't all that much more than his qualifying offer would have been for.

And if that is somehow the case, it's a very good thing that LaFontaine left.