Practice lines (no Brown)

Rich, Can you ask him what % he feels confident in the stability in the knee? Also, what percentage of his pre-injury skating ability has he regained, speed and lateral acceleration? thx

when this season is all said and done, i think the biggest stories will be the emergence of a whole cohort of rookies. obviously quick and doughy, but look at the way simmonds and moller have made themselves integral to the team. that's really impressive, and i think their emergence is what ultimately made o'sullivan expendable.

I know it's just practice but Zeiler on second line duty still gives me shivers...

I'm sure Zeiler is on second line duty because Brown isn't skating today.

Was listening to nhl live and they were talking about Kotalik and Sully. They spoke pretty highly of Kotalik's potential, but said that the Kings had given up on him and he did seem a rather soft type of player and wondered why Edm would go for him. I don't know, I Still am not comfortable about going after a player w such extreme injury issues, but clearly mgt didn't want more players who play that style on the team.

Sorry not too clear there... that the Kings had given up on Sully (but suppose you all knew what I was referring to)

Hi Rich,

When is Justin Williams slated to return to action?
As for the line combination goes. Why not bring up either Molson or Boyle up to play with Handzus. I think giving Boyle another chance at playing winger on the Handzus line can do wonders for their confidence,
and furthermore can learn from him.
I just don't think having Zeiler in the line up upgrades the Handzus line or the team as a whole.

Roger

With how well the rookies are playing this year, I think its time to make a move.

DL make a pitch to the NYI (or who ever gets 1st pick this year) at the draft

J. Williams
B. Boyle
a defensive prospect or goalie prospect
2009 1st round & 3rd round

for the 1st pick overall

"With the 1st pick of the 2009 Entry Draft the Los Angeles Kings select John Tavares"

I know most will complain about this package, but Tavares is going to be a star in the NHL. It doesn't seem like to many are high on the Williams trade, Boyle doesn't look like he will crack the LA lineup, and LA already has 2 more 3rd round picks.
With the emergence of Doughty and how well Qunicey has worked out, one of Hickey, Teubert, Voinov, or Martinez can be expendable. I would like to keep the canadian boys though.

Or even throw in Zatkoff. Still have JB, Quick and Ersberg plus Martin Jones with the Calgary Hitman (43-4-4)

There is enough surplus in waiting that this trade wouldn't hurt the talent pool to much, besides watching him play in the OHL and for Team Canada this year, you know Tavares will be as good as Crosby (yes I said it)

I saw Billy Berg make the same comments (I think it was him).

The more I think about it, the more I come to this conclusion:

On the rise with the team...

Brown, Frolov, Kopitar, Doughty, Johnson, Calder, Simmonds, Moller, Stoll, etc...

What do they all have in common? They are all willing to go to the net and play a physical type of game, even if they are not physical in stature.

Those who have been traded or are in the dog-house...

Cammy, Sully, Boyle, Purcell (still not sure about him though)...what do they all have in common? They play a perimeter game, do not go to the net or traffic areas, do not play a physical type of game.

Now, not all of that is true. Cammy will go to the net, but only on the PP, and when there isn't traffic already there.

Sully can play physical, we saw that last year, but he has regressed, SO much...he is Jimmy Carson reincarnated.

Boyle is the smallest big man I have ever seen.

Purcell the jury is still out. His entire playing life, everything has come so easy to him, he has never had to work hard. He is just now starting to hit a wall, and we are finding out what kind of heart he has.

If the Islanders wanted Williams, they would've traded for him at the deadline.

any update on Ritas?

Kings of T.O.: what if I told you not every NHL GM is sold on Tavares, and that he has teammate issues.

would it shock you?

Not really hence the term buyers & sellers, Sellers try to obtain draft picks and prospects at the trade deadline, Buyers try to obtain players that can help them now.

Great win should of given the boys the day off to rest,a lot of tough games coming up.Hope Brown isn't hurt.

Annontmous -

Trades don't work that way. Two teams need to be involved. It's not like the Islanders GM can say, "I want Williams" and the other GM says "oh, ok...here you go. Even though you have no one on your team I want in return, you can just have him. Just give me back whatever you feel is fair".....think before you type....

hey ak47 you out there???

Read your posts on hockeybuzz. Dont you think Franzen is a better fit at 4.5/yr rather than Gabby at 7+. Signing Gabby gives us very little room to operate. Not to mention possible injury issues. We could get Franzen and a solid nr 4-6 D man for 7.5-8 mil. No way Det can sign Hossa and Frans. If we sign Gabby, where does Moller go? I see him as a top 6 forward. Eventueally replacing Williams on the top line. He gets dirty and has a nose for the rock. He could team with Zues and Simmonds on the 3rd-he is could on the back end. If we do sign Gabby then I am afraid that DL will dump Fro due to cap issues.

Fro (30)-Kopi(20+)-Williams(20+)
Moller(15)-Stoll(15)-Brown(25)
Franzen(20)-Zues(15)-Simmonds(7-10)
Calder(5)-Lewis(5-7)-Neil(5)

ps-I do not get the new line changes. They looked horrible last night. Zues was great but hs is not fast enough nor creative enough for nr. 2 line. I like Stoll and Brownie. The addition of Moller is way past due. Brings speed and a nose for the rock.

Another note.....JJ is not exactly impressing. Wonder what he will want in salary. Dont think I would give him more than 3.5/3 years until I see more.

Watcha think??

Tantrum-

Right, kind of like the trade we just made, right? Apparently you missed my reply to your post in the "Lombardi/Sully" thread.

As far as your last sentence goes, practice what you preach.

There's no way Gaborik gets 7mil and long term in this economic climate, particularly with his health issues. Unless he goes to play for Man U/City or the Yankees or something..;)

I seriously face palmed myself in that proposal for first overall.