EHM The Blue Line

Honestly I would've never imagined them there this season. It's a big surprise for me, I'm still used to that too much stars filled team that stay in the middle all year long, times have changed....

Rangers.

1. Good solid goaltending CHECK
2. Solid defense core CHECK
3. Up front top 2 lines that score CHECK
4. Physical wingers CHECK
5. Penalty killing Centreman CHECK
6. Forwards who block shots CHECK
7. Faceoff winners CHECK
8. Toughness CHECK

What is not there? God I cannot believe it...they may just pull this out. Where did I pick them to be at start of year? Got to go look

Maybe it's time to change back to your old avatar...

Hmmm...maybe. I see no predictions from start of year. I know I had in my head the Rags as playoff team...but not this good.

Manimal wrote:The Rangers style is suited for play-off games I think. If Henrik plays like last night they sure can compete for the cup

The reason I say I cannot imagine them in the Playoff finals is because in past seasons they've had many underachieving and grossly over-paid players. It's just such a turn-around this season.

If they play like they have against the likes of the Bruins (twice they've beaten them now IIRC) then there's no reason they can't get there. Unlike the early season high fliers such as the Oilers and Wild, they've just carried on playing consistently well.

Apperently Kubina is being kept off the ice due 'to protect the team interests' as per thier twitter account, however Yzerman so nothing is in place yet. He'll probably be moved by the end of the day is my guess.

archibalduk wrote:

Manimal wrote:The Rangers style is suited for play-off games I think. If Henrik plays like last night they sure can compete for the cup

The reason I say I cannot imagine them in the Playoff finals is because in past seasons they've had many underachieving and grossly over-paid players. It's just such a turn-around this season.

If they play like they have against the likes of the Bruins (twice they've beaten them now IIRC) then there's no reason they can't get there. Unlike the early season high fliers such as the Oilers and Wild, they've just carried on playing consistently well.

I think they also flew under the radar for a bit in the early season because they were so behind other teams in terms of GPs they were always much lower in the standings that what thier record reflected.

Loosie wrote:Apperently Kubina is being kept off the ice due 'to protect the team interests' as per thier twitter account, however Yzerman so nothing is in place yet. He'll probably be moved by the end of the day is my guess.

I'd by happy with a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him. He has played better recently but he's waaaaaaaay too slow and seems to take the stupidest penalty at the stupidest possible time.

Hal Gill to Nashville for a 2nd round pick and 4th-generation Montreal Canadien Blake Geoffrion. Montreal are apperently already jazzed about him coming to Montreal. To which I point out...his Grandfather (and Great-grandfather) he is not (at least not yet.) But wow, I'm fairly certain that Geoffrion is the first ever 4th generation NHLer, now he'll be the first 4th generation player for ONE TEAM.

(Not only is he going to have pressure to perform in Montreal...I think there is now added pressure to ...umm.. 'produce' a 5th-generation Geoffrion?)

He is not his grandfather, nor is he even his dad. Or his uncle, or his sister.
Montreal is not going to be all that thrilled, but it is kind of cool for tradition. and 5th generation better speak French.

And Hal Gill gets a 2nd rounder? oh boy...next thing I know Nicholas Grossman will fetch a 2nd and 3rd.

What next Brian Allen for a 1st and a 2nd line center? Sheesh.

Yeah MTL got some nice thing for Gill I'm surprised. At least he will be making the playoffs this year. I liked him, nice guy.

Seeing what Grossman and Gill got, I now expect a lot more for Kubina. A 2nd + a propect/roster player wouldn't surprise me if there's a bit of a bidding war and some team is desperate enough. He's got the playoff experience, a Cup ring and size to boot so that return isn't unrealistic at all. I can't wait to see SFY work his magic.

In other news, Dominic Moore got traded for a 2nd round pick for a millionth time. I hope Yzerman is able to sign him back in the offseason if he hits free agency. He really was a perfect fit for our third line and was a well liked person in the locker room.

Things are starting to heat up on the trade front. I love this time of the season, probably the best after the playoffs.

Syvis wrote: Things are starting to heat up on the trade front. I love this time of the season, probably the best after the playoffs.

Draft day is even better, I think. That day everyone gets something for the future plus there are usually some deals going on.
Trade deadline coverage is getting so overblown by media right now. Sure, rumours are fun, but the extent TSN and others are at now is extreme.

I bet there are lots of players out there that isn't feeling very well this week. Imagine if your bosses would come to you at work and tell you to clear your things, you are headed to the most boring place on earth and there is nothing you can do about it!

Flyers need a goalie, again

Go Pens

batdad wrote:He is not his grandfather, nor is he even his dad.

Boom-boom is really the grand-father of Blake, why are you saying that? If you are talking about his talent then yes he will not be close to none of his ancestors.

I'm fairly certain he's talking about talent level.

Kubina just been traded to Philly. For a second and a fourth it seems. They have probably reacted quick because they lost Sestito a couple of days ago.

philou21 wrote:Kubina just been traded to Philly. For a second and a fourth it seems. They have probably reacted quick because they lost Sestito a couple of days ago.

What has Sestito to do with a Kubina trade?
Sestito is a goon-ish forward and Kubina a D-man. Sure, they have a roster spot open when he went on IR but they could hasve sent somebody down for that

Oups my bad! Always thought he was a defenseman.

Yes Philou talent level...

Steve Downie as been traded to the Avs but I've got no news what they gave for him.

Whenever I see Lucic in an interview, I'm always reminded of Lurch from the Addams Family! Such a talented player, but he doesn't come across as the brightest spark!

Downie for Quincey

batdad wrote:Downie for Quincey

And Quincey for Wings 1st round pick and Sebastien Piche

Just saw it on RDS. Tampa Bay just made a good deal to Detroit. Detroit probably doesn't care about their first because they will draft high and so far there's nothing interesting in it.