X. Benedict

It would be a tough sell to try to tell other owners and the NHLPA that the tickets aren't undervalued, given the gate numbers and the television ratings.

I could see Carolina trading down if they want a D-man.

Prodigious!!!

Myers might be a vet, but he's certainly not a seasoned vet. He hasn't even learned how to manage his body. Sekera is getting there, but I'm not sure he has what I would call veteran savvy. Weber a vet? I like Weber, I like that he's stepping up a little. My worry has never been his heart, but whether he's skilled enough.

I've been laughing at that one too.

Road trip to Newark!!!! (I'm just joking).

I'm hoping it is a win/win myself as Vancouver has always been my Western team (with a soft spot for St. Louis). Kassian was a lot to give up, but he's more of a last piece guy IMO than a first piece in terms of building a roster.

Reading the lines, Kassian had 11:30 of ice time. As per the comparison with Foligno, I think Kassian has the higher ceiling, but also a greater chance of completely busting. I think Foligno is going to be in this league a long time. Kassian has been extremely disciplined about taking penalties this year. Last night sounds like an aberration out of aggression. A forgivable sin IMO.

Did Kassian cost the Canucks that game last night? (real question, I only saw highlights)

I think it is more the case that they won't want to. What free agent would they possibly want that fits your parameters? Probably Roy and Boyes are in the top 10, BTW....the rest are ancient....except for maybe Bozak. (leafs or bruins?)

In your mind Mike Ribero has already turned us down? :lol: (it might be a long off-season - but it takes persistence to think up this kind of drudgery, so I give you credit) Oh, well. Chris Butler is playing for the US in the Worlds. Leafs or Bruins? C'mon......Leafs or Bruins? I'm dying to know.

NSFW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8

As in the proverb about ######. You know.

Dominate is the understated word. They had their proverbial ###### handed to 'em.

You are after the anthem singer too? :lol:

Save face for who? What free agents? We might miss out on Mike Ribero? The UFA market is dry.

So, Teddy just boinked the fatty so the team had a dorm room floor to sleep on. :lol:

Seems to me to be an interesting argument for you to be making. So it is semantics....."rebuild" doesn't include reforming your core with younger vets. (Parise and Suter were both 27 last July, BTW)

A rebuild can happen a number of ways. Last year, Suter and Parise were on the market. Next year there is bupkis. It just seems obvious to me that if there are no desirable free agents, that means of rebuilding is closed. Which leave the GM with hockey trades and the draft. While I'm not defending the competence of that approach, some here are saying that saying that is tantamount to a lie.

Why should rebuilding exclude free agents? How is this a contradiction?

Darcy: I'm not quite sure how to phrase this, Ron. The press needs a little more color after the games. Ron: <flatly> What do you mean, Darcy? Darcy: I'm not sure, it can mean an anecdote, a few hockey cliches, or just some emotion. Ron: <flatly> Emotion? Darcy: Yes. Being expressive. Ron: <flatly with eyes slightly bigger> Like now? Darcy: Not quite. Ron: <scowling with eyes slightly bigger> Like now? Darcy: Yes, that's what we need. Not everyday. Just now and then. Harrington needs something to work with.

IMO there are only 4 players worth moving up from #8 for: Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin, and Barkov. I don't think there is any way Colorado budges. I could see moving up from #16 to #9-12 .....but I think at this point the second drop off doesn't really start until late in the first. I could see the Sabres trading the 2nds and some assets to get a third pick in the first round.

Reading between the lines: Our team was poorly conditioned. The irony: The guy interviewing was the one conducting the informal workouts. (Big Petey)

It is hard to hold the club responsible for off-season development when they lock out the players out they are developing.

Can you rebuild through free agency? Yes or no?