X. Benedict

Miller wasn't sharp in the playoffs. But Miller's great strength as a goaltender is his positioning and reads - and was usually at his best at the top of his crease. Hitchcock, by asking Miller to stay back in the crease was really taking away his greatest strength as a keeper and asking him to rely on his reflexes instead. Sad biological fact.....those reflexes don't get better with age. (I say as I spill my coffee on my cardigan) Miller's best at the top of his crease. I really thought, with getting Miller, Hitchcock would let some of those defensive ponies in his stable run a little. But Hitch stuck to his system and the league caught up to the Blues. I think the numbers you state are the top of his market value. I wouldn't pay much more.

Jobu stronger. Drinks rum.

:lol:

I should sell Sabres Jobu. Jobu provides.

To the initiated no explanation is necessary, and to the uninitiated no explanation is possible.

Hossa really is a great 2 way player. For Vanek, his value really is all about how well he is doing in the offensive zone.

Calgary, NY Island, Toronto, Philly, are all possibilities. I wonder if Vancouver sticks with Lack. I think Miller would be an upgrade.

Not too bad. Not mind-blowing either.

Trotz. I guess Trevor Linden wants to go back to rolling lines.

Vanek was an added piece. Putting him with Galchunyk (sp) who he's never played with for 9 of his 11 minutes wasn't doing either guy any favors. I'd like to hear what Therien was thinking.

Vanek is a weapon. He's probably the best player in the league standing in front of the net on the PP. Do you want to build around your wing? We've pretty much seen the results of that approach.

I don't think he wanted a lifetime of the checking line role either.

All fine players - not a center among them.

I think Shero is a good hockey guy. One thing I enjoyed about his style is how he set the market before most deadlines. Shero was usually out front on deals. The thing is it is really hard to win the Stanley Cup. .....luck, health, and chemistry all have to come together. You can make good moves and still not win. He's young enough, he won't be looking long.

I think there will be strong interest in Miller if he is flexible with money, term and tenure. I don't think he will command a payoff mutherload contract. Probably a 1 year bridge contract.

I can't imagine him waiving the NTC to come.

:lol: I remember thinking the league made it their job to put Hartford in town every Friday they could.

It seemed to me that a disproportionate number of weekend home games were against Hartford. Never hated the Whale - Quenneville, Francis, Verbeek, Dineen - all smart players on teams with little depth.

They did win the Adams once. I hate that they lost their franchise.

It'll be interesting to see what Vancouver does this off-season. I wonder if they hire Shero. I wonder if they purge the roster. I think Tortorella turns up again sooner than later though. I wonder if Trevor Linden would consider bringing back Marc Crawford. He's overdue to be in the NHL again.

He'll probably need to sneak in the back door, with an injury as something serendipitous , if he ever gets there.

Blue Ridge Parkway? Fantastic.

I tried to pillage Newark, NJ once, but there really didn't seem to be a point.

he's on the back 9 of his career now. He's not likely to get many (if any at all) more shots. He'll be 34 this summer . I would think that he'll be able to find a 1 year contract though.

Hurricannenfreude