TropicalFruitGirl26

Not crazy about this move myself, guys, but that said, Bryz is in Minnesota strictly as a backup and insurance should new number one Darcy Kuemper falter at any point.

Granted, the Wild are in DEEP trouble if Kuemper does falter because winning any kind of playoff series relying on Bryz to backstop you is a crapshoot of the highest order...but still...

As was mentioned, Minnesota does sports a tighter defense than the one had had in Edmonton for sure and even better than the one he had in front of him in Philly.

Yes, his job is to stop pucks and ultimately that is his biggest downfall, but it sure helps if you have D-men who can play, you know, actual D....like he had with the Yotes.

On top of all that, news came out today that Niklas Backstrom is done for the season as he will have work done to repair an abdominal injury he had been dealing with for a while now.

Whether or not Bryz is the type of goalie one would want on their team or not, the Wild FO was more comfortable going into a stretch run with a veteran like him, who is CAPABLE of some very good games at the NHL level, as opposed to some AHL'er or someone else's backup who probably would have cost the Wild a ton more than a 4th rounder.

Word in the Twin Cities is that they like Darcy Kuemper, he has played in such a way that he inspires confidence in the front office that they probably have found their long term number one, and he has made huge improvements in his ability to anticipate and read plays in order to set himself up in the best possible position to stop pucks....plus, I've seen the guy come right out of his net to challenge incoming shooters with great success.

Even if Backstrom remained relatively healthy, as long as Kuemper continues to play like he is, there was no guarantee Backs was going to get his starting job back anyways.

Hey, as long as Bryz can keep the sideshow stuff to a minimum and just play decently whenever he is called into duty during the Wild's stretch run, he shouldn't be a problem.

Come the post season, barring a major meltdown by Kuemper, Darcy will be the number one as he has been the last month or so....and come the off season, the Wild can then re-examine their options in goal and what to do about Kuemper/Bryz/Backstrom/Harding.

Again, not what I would have liked to have seen out of the Wild this trade deadline, but hey, if Bryz is pressed into regular service, it means Kuemper has failed, the defense has failed, and the Wild were going to be in big trouble anyways....so better to be in trouble with a guy who cost next to nothing as opposed to trading off useful players for an expensive backup who would have fared no better with the team.

Go Wild!

I think this is real nice for the Oil....now....all they need to do is to grasp the concept of TEAM DEFENSE (and get players on the blue line who play accordingly), otherwise, it still won't matter WHO is in goal.

But, as was mentioned, goaltending was a glaring weak point of the Oilers and I'd take the combo of Fasth and Scrivens over Dubnyk/LaBarbara/Bryzgalov any day.... (oh woe is Minnesota...DO keep the starry eyed Russian as purely a back up.....Darcy Kuemper IS the guy in Minny!)

Back to Fasth, definitely an upgrade over the revolving door in goal Edmonton has had, BUUUUT, Fasth best be prepared to see lots, and I mean, LOTS of shots and good scoring chances for the other team headed his way!

As long as he doesn't suffer shock from seeing that on a nightly basis, he should be fine.

One thing he has going for him as far at that goes is, the Anaheim Ducks weren't always tight defensively themselves when Fasth played for them last season. 

Yes, the Ducks are much better in that area now, but last season, they could be seen giving up their fair share of scoring chances....chances that Fasth found himself having to help bail them out of.

Still though, the Ducks were able to mask much of that by being so good in other areas of their game....Viktor may find that is NOT the case in Edmonton (at least not for the rest of this season) and will be relied upon more than ever to constantly bail out his defensively aloof teammates.

At the end of the day though, for Oilers fans, they gotta be happy...they got a pretty good goalie in Fasth and now have nothing more to do with Bryz.

A little more change in philosophy (and possibly some more change in player personnel) to mold the team into one that resembles a bit more of an NHL defense, and whatever core of Edmonton forwards they deem to keep around should benefit greatly from that.

I am sure Teddy Nolan is in awe of Mike Milbury's GM and broadcasting prowess....

Nolan should just go hide his head in shame.....

When the great Mike Milbury isn't yelling at other people's kids, he is dropping ALL sorts of knowledge on the rest of  us via NBC Sports and writing the book on how to properly build, coach and maintain franchises..along with fostering player relationships....

Hard to tell with these Stars.

They are just good enough, where you think they have a good a shot as any team they are currently clumped with for the final spot...but still inconsistent enough (particularly in special teams), where you think that if any of the other clubs puts together a nice, coherent run, they could keep Dallas out.

On some nights, they shut out teams like the Pens, Ducks, then blast a team like Toronto....while on other nights, they lose games games to low scoring teams like NJ, Nash, and to a currently iffy Lightning team...and not look particularly good in those games either.

So really who knows.

With that said, they do have some real nice young forwards to work with, and Kari Lehtonen is more than solid enough to push the team into the post season...but if there was ever a definition of 'wild card' at this stage in the season, the Dallas Stars personify that.

Frankly, I think teams such as Vancouver and Phoenix SHOULD be well ahead of a team like Dallas at this point in time.

Obviously that isn't the case, but I am thinking somehow, one of those clubs are gonna put together something just long enough to sneak in.....and the Jets, while not a pick of mine to get in, ARE known for late season runs and could surprise everyone and sneak in past all the clubs already mentioned.

Will be interesting to see if the Sabres do indeed flip both Stewart and Halak....thought they would try to keep them for the rebuild.

All the talk now is neither of those guys will be Sabres past Wed.

More picks? Hmm...not bad having a bunch of picks, but picks by themselves won't win you anything, and those picks STILL need to pan out...I would think the Sabres would want NHL tested bodies out there with their young players.

Yea....the NHL hasn't heard the last of Sabres Adventures even though they sit dead last in the East. 

Well, from a fan's viewpoint, if a team is going to be terrible on a given year, better to be talked about throughout the year rather than buried and forgotten.

Honestly, it may very well be because this group in Buffalo (or, at least what the group WAS...some changes already with some more in the works) is NOT too far removed from  the kind of bunch that were expected to contend for their division.

I don't think the ideology and talent was ever in question.

Always has and continues to be there for this team, but the confidence and 'swagger' took a nosedive, and the locker room culture (i.e. the losing attitude) just set in for these guys to the point where changes in management and personnel are a must.

I know lots here like to give a certain Buffalo fan all kinds of crap, but the truth is, these Sabres could be a contender sooner than people think..

This Ryan Miller deal for instance....personally, I think the Sabres did very well for themselves on it.

Getting back 3 players (2 NHL and 1 prospect, PLUS two MORE picks), for a goalie whose heart seems to have left Buffalo long ago, and an agitator, who while valuable, really shouldn't be that hard to replace.

Issues in goal will still remain for this team.

Juroslav Halak will have to prove he can stay healthy and play well even without the suffocating Blues defense in front of him....if the Sabres can even retain him (he's a UFA I believe).

Meanwhile Enroth or whomever else the Sabres have in the system (or possibly trade for) have to step up their game and prove they can be the next Ryan Miller-esque type goalie in consistent play for this team.

I think the Sabres will be fine in the forwards department, they are ok for now in the d-men area (though that will need some improvement to be real contenders), but they looked like they finally fixed what I always percieved to be the REAL issue with this team: Overall attitude.

Now they will need to properly manage and develop the load of picks they have around the good players on the team already, get rid of dead weight players like John Scott, and make smart contract extensions and/or signings to solid vets, and this team will continue to provide things for people to talk about for quite a while yet.

Kinda makes sense. The flyers have a thing for going after the guys that are a pain in their ass.

What I can figure is why the thrash/jets always seem to be ready to move him.

Personally I can't see it going down. Just can imagine him in O&B (except sitting in the box an awful lot maybe).

 

On the bolded...

I think it all just comes back to team 'personalities and philosophies'.

I could be wrong, but he was traded from Chicago to the-then Thrashers, he was a victim of the salary cap. His skillset was good enough where teams would want him, but not so high where Chicago felt compelled to keep him on and pay him what would eventually be his current $6 M/per or so.

Back then, Atlanta was still having identity issues...they weren't sure whether they were going to be an all out offensive team (which they always seemed to be....though with little success to show for it), a defensive team, a skill team, a rough, physical team, or some hybrid.

Seems at the time, Byfuglien offered help in many of those areas.

Reason the-now Jets always seem to have him on the block is because the team STILL doesn't quite know what identity they want to have (or perhaps they do), and Byfuglien just doesn't fit into what they are trying to mold in Winnipeg.

Despite him not being one of the best D-men in the leauge (and as was mentioned, he seems to have made a transition of sorts to wing), but he still brings quite a bit to the ice with what he DOES do...provided the team that has him plays the kind of systems that seem more suited for a guy like him.

From where I sit, Winnipeg seems to be wanting now to be a more north-south, run n gun team, with the emphasis on having more solid D-men that can actually play the defensive position, and relying on goaltending to clean up any breakdowns the rushing forwards may  leave, and to shut down any skaters that do manage to get past the defense.

Byfuglien really doesn't seem suited for that type of play.

Seems he would be more at home on a team that emphasizes more brute strength, intimidation, and more of a half-court (pardon the NBA term...I know, blasphemy on a hockey site...   ) type game.

Teams such as the LA Kings, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, and yes, the traditional Philadelphia Flyers.

Thing is, if Winnipeg can get a decent enough return on big Buff, I think they do a deal...but I don't see them trading him just for the sake of trading him, or with the idea that "he isn't any good", because that would be insane.

He does have two years left on his contract, according to capgeek, at a hit of just over $5M per, so given that, and his physical skillset, I think the Jets are justified in expecting a somewhat decent trade for  him.

If that is what they are waiting around on, then honestly, I have to give them kudos for hanging on to Buff (even though like you said, they always seem to have him on the block) and looking for the right deal.

Of course, this is a double edged sword...the longer the Jets wait to make a deal, Byfuglien's value may drop as he nears FA status, as teams will point out his deficiencies as reasons they don't want to give up much for him.....meanwhile, looking ahead to possibly nab in in free agency.

Not hard to see why a defenseman like Byfuglien is rumored to have drawn interest by the Flyers....or anyone else for that matter.

He is a big, tough, very physical guy who also has some underrated offensive skill to go along with that.

The prototypical "Flyer" type player.

Sure, he may not be the most sound in his defensive coverage or the most technically proficient when it comes to reading plays, disrupting them, and then following up with quick passing out of the zone to set up streaking forwards, but given what he DOES bring (the aforementioned positive attributes), teams would be willing to live with his medicore technique and actual defense.

Does it solve the Flyers' problems on the blue line?

No...but again, given Philly's overall team philosophy, big Dustin would fit right in....plus, it would take more than just one defenseman to solve the blue line issues.

If the Flyers want better overall D-men, then they may have to make some compromise on possibly giving up the usual 'heavy hitter' type for someone with a bit more technique and finesse to their game on the blue line.

It's not something Philly has focused on the last few seasons, but perhaps it would be time to look in that direction.

That all said, despite Dustin Byfuglien deficiencies, he still brings a presence to that blue line...forwards are VERY well aware when he is on the ice, lest they should get plastered into the 5th row.

He can also be seen jumping in on plays when his team has the opposition hemmed into their own zone, and he can certainly park his sizable posterior in front of the net as there aren't a bunch of guys who could move him out if he doesn't want to be moved.

Face it...it is the type of guy whom any team would like to have on their side.

Pair him up with a solid technical d-man, and you could have a lethal pairing against most NHL lines.

Unless Philly's player and team philosophy drastically change overnight, you will ALWAYS see the orange n black linked to player monsters like this.

@TropicalFruitGirl26   Just out of curiosity, is your husband as hockey crazy as you are?  I'm very lucky in that respect, my girlfriend is a hockey fanatic (a Sens fan btw). There are no arguments when it comes to tv watching, hockey first and foremost (unless it's NFL Sunday) and everything else gets DVR'ed for future watching when there is no hockey on.

No, he isn't a big a fan of hockey as I am, but he does watch some games with  me.  He is more an NFL, MLB, and NBA fan (don't ask me why....T-Wolves...lol), in that order.

He is quite a bit older than I am, so he remembers stuff from way back before I even started following sports.

We do NFL parties on occasion (well, we did in FL alot because the weather was a lot more accomodating), and that is cool....mostly his rowdy football family and friends....I enjoyed the social aspect of it more than the games. I do follow the NFL a bit, but not nearly close enough to get really in-depth about topics and players there, and I really don't care at all for the NBA.

On big hockey games, he is cool with me putting on whatever I want on TV...even invite some of his more hockey fanatic family members over to hang out.

TV shows? Yep, we enjoy, but due to sports (whether hockey, baseball, etc, AND having two young kids, we tend to also DVR lots of stuff and watch them either on another day or later on that same night.

But yea, overall, the Minnesota Wild have become more my own team than his. Like I said, he followed the North Stars with more interest, and can't stomach cheering for the Stars now, and to date, the Wild really haven't resonated with him...although I am working on that.....probably  make him a bandwagon fan once the Wild become regular contenders...  

I think most here by now know my number 2 team are the Minnesota Wild.

Adopted from my born-in-Minneapolis husband, seems I follow the Wild alot closer than he does.

He was a former North Star supporter who had his heart broken when the team left, and the Wild really have not filled that void for him...oh well, MORE hockey team for me! 

This occurred to me as well....and not just for the Flyers, but a certain group of other teams as well who, like Philadelphia, may not be automatic contenders given what  has gone on this season thus far, but that nonetheless have been on some good rolls...then the Olympic break stops the team momentum.

Can a team like Philly, Columbus, Carolina, Ottawa or even the Rangers in the East, who all have been playing well to very well lately, re-start the season after the Olympics and continue where they left off?

That will be an interesting thing to see.

Same could be said out West for teams like Phoenix, Dallas, Winnipeg, and possibly Minnesota too.

Teams who would probably be LEAST affected (but by all means not immune), would probably be teams at the very top of their respective conferences or teams who are at the lowest rungs of the standings.

Others who had been playing about .500 hockey can go either way, although I would think that the break would help them in the sense that if the reason they had been .500 was because of key injuries....the break buys the team time for guys to get better, come back, and the team could re-start stronger than before the Olympics started.

Tampa Bay and Detroit come to mind here.

At first, I wasn't bothered by the Olympics causing a stoppage in the season for the 2 week or so period, but now that I have thought about it some more, I can see the point of the break causing issues for some teams.

Not only in the sense of playing games, winning-losing, momentum, etc...but also on the front office side of things with transaction freezes and teams needing to jumble around their decision making process because the NHL trade deadline really isn't the NHL trade deadline due to the break causing a 'no transaction buffer zone' in between.

Not sure how this can be solved for future Olympics, but yea, I can see how the break can be a pain for some teams perceived chances at finishing strong.

Not gonna say it's impossible to 'go back home'...or at least, back to a former team....but I think at this point in Vanek's career (smack in the middle of  his prime) and the fact that Buffalo is in rebuild mode with possibly a couple tough seasons ahead, I think he uses his FA status as a way to latch on somewhere where he not only is comfortable, but has a legitimate chance to win a Cup not only for next year, but a bit beyond that as well.

To me, this means he should probably be looking for a team with young enough players that they can be kept together for a reasonable amount of time, but also enough veterans sprinkled in so that the team's overall attitude is one of total professionalism, winning, and single-mindedness towards a Stanley Cup.

Right off the top of my head, Detroit, Colorado, St. Louis, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, and yes, Minnesota make the most sense there.

From Buffalo's POV, since they started the process of a 'do-over', they should just go all out and build their team from the ground up, fresh set of faces, new attitudes, new culture....hopefully for Sabres fans, a WINNING culture.

Talk about Ryan Miller staying or going, hanging on to other vets like Ott and Stafford, or getting back Vanek should just go away and Buffalo just use the plethora of picks, current young talent, along with a few low priced vets to build things up all the while deciding who can be in net for them to replace Miller long term.

Sabres can look around the league and see mistakes made by some rebuilding teams and see also how still others have rebuilt from the ground up the right way, then forge their own path.

But re-treads or signing 'name vets' for big money at this point in time would be a mistake for Buffalo, IMO.

If said vets can come over to Buffalo reasonably priced and with full understanding of what needs to go on there before the team sees the light of day of contention again, then great.

Otherwise, the bulk of the ice time should be going to prospects, young players, and maybe some guys who have toiled away in the minors looking for a break.

Hah...I like @jammer2 's take on the Oil.

I will also add that Edmonton, while having lots of good hockey talent on the team, STILL needs to build themselves a real good 3rd or 4th line whose jobs are to make life miserable for opposing teams.

And not just saying, "Get a bunch of fighters and stick them on a line".

Yes, the Oil could use an enforcer or two, but they type they would probably need is a guy who is also useful in other areas such as penalty killing and shutting down top forwards of the other team (even if they don't score themselves).

Think players along the lines of a BJ Crombeen, Nate Thompson (TB), Steve Ott (Buf), Matt Cooke (Min), Dominic Moore (NYR)...those types of players.

Guys who can agitate a bit, check the hell out of the opposition, smart on the PK, and/or are very good on draws giving Edm more puck possession time in critical moments.

Top six defensemen, a good goaltender...those things are a given that the team needs. But then again, those things don't exactly come around very easily.

But being able to build very solid 3rd and 4th lines to supplement the scoring lines SHOULDN'T be that hard....the Oil just need to embrace the idea that not every game can be played run n gun, tic tac toe, and stick checking all night.

They have to embrace the idea, that on many nights, they WILL need to get down and dirty, win games 1-0 or 2-1, be willing to play shut down defense, and be willing to wear down the opposition early in a game, so that their highly skilled forwards have an easier time of it late in games once the other team is tired out from their 3rd and 4th lines pounding on them all game.

Once Edmonton really figures that out, along with the stuff jammer2 suggested, I think the sky is the limit for this team.

Patience? What......a decade plus isn't enough time!?  LOL..

Not so sure what the Rangers are going for here entertaining the idea of trading their team captain...unless, as I suspected all along, the 'Tortorella constructed' Rangers are being slowly phased out in favor of a more Vigneault-esque team.

Oh yes, I know there is a financial issue given what Callahan may want vs. what the Rangers feel he can provide for them stat-wise, but honestly, if you look at not only the players that are no longer on the team (and the ones seemingly on the way out) since that Eastern Conference Finals and coaching change, one can see that the team is slowly being made over.

Whether that is a good thing or not will obviously depend on the results but since the team does seem to be moving to more of a wide open style, speed and offense first type style, along with some more...ummm....irritating type play on the ice  (think Vigneault's former Vancouver Canucks that dominated the old North West Division), then it only makes sense that Callahan isn't viewed as a good fit on the team anymore.

If the Rangers are going to shell out big money, it will most likely be for a guy who will show up more on the scoresheet, a much faster skater, and if he has Alex Burrows-like qualities such as the ability to piss off opposing players simply by showing up on gameday, then that is a plus.

Ryan Callahan may not be a stat producing machine, but the guy DOES have offense and does all the dirty work stuff (standing in front of nets taking beatings, digging for pucks in corners while getting cross checked, dropping down to block shots, stick up immediately for teammates, etc) that many prima donna goal scorers simply won't do.

That in itself will get him a good payday from someone in the NHL.

And the Rangers can say what they want about what they think Callahan is worth, or isn't worth, but I bet if they trade him, they'd probably like to trade him out West somewhere where they won't have to deal with the player "They Don't Think Is Worth What He Is Asking, But Don't Want To Be Proven Wrong If He Plays Withing The Division Or Conference".

We all know how that goes.

In the East, he would fit in nicely with teams such as New Jersey, Philadelphia, Columbus, Toronto, Ottawa, and Buffalo. Hell, he honestly would fit in well just about anywhere, but those teams I believe could benefit the most from him.

Not that the Rangers would trade him to any of those...at least, I wouldn't think they would.

Out West? Perhaps Nashville, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver (yup...I think Torts would take him), or Dallas would be best fits for various reasons. But again, he could probably find his niche on any team.

There is a market for this guy. Whether teams are going to give him what he would want based on his stats is another story...but if some team who has more than enough cap room, perhaps a room full of young, but inexperienced players, and just a couple pieces away from being real playoff contenders this year and beyond, then I can see that team either trading for him (then giving him an extension), or waiting around for the off season and try to get him then.

As for the Rangers, well, good luck with what they are trying to do over there. It's one thing for Vigneault and his old Canucks-style players to dominate a mostly dormant North West Division...it's quite another to try to do the same in a new division filled with much more competitive teams top to bottom...plus there are MORE of them due to the re-alignment.

So far, so good for them...but then again, outside of Pittsburgh, the rest of the Metro right now isn't exactly filled with dominant teams...though, I am willing to bet that will change in the near future.

Teams like Philly and NJ won't stay inconsistent teams for very long, and up n comers such as Columbus, Carolina, and perhaps the Islanders, will make sure Pittsburgh doesn't always have an easy run to a division title year after year.

So the transforming 'new look' Rangers best be able to deal with a mixture of fast play and skill (Washington, Carolina, Islanders) as well as tough checking and grinding (New Jersey, Columbus), along with a combination of all of the above (Philly, Pitt for instance) in short order.

And that is just in the division...not taking into account teams from  the Atlantic whom the Rangers may have to deal with if it comes down to Wild Card places.

Ryan Callahan will be fine.

Whether he actually stays on with the Rangers (doubtful now), or is on another team, the will be an integral part of a team's success...and someone WILL pay him to be there.

Agree with @Ladyneat ...orange has always been with the Ducks..well, since their uniform re-design AWAY from the Mighty Ducks anyways.

Gold n Black are the primary colors, but Anaheim keeps orange as a secondary color...which, as was pointed out, simply highlighted for this event.

Flyers are STILL the original Orange n Black in the NHL, don't worry.

And even if color schemes are similar, shades of colors and designs can make all the difference in the world.

Honestly, in looking at the Ducks Stadium jerseys, despite the orange and black, I did NOT confuse them in any way, shape or form...or even associate them with a Flyers jersey in any way...the design is just too different.

Wish I could say the same for the Tampa Bay Lightning, where some genius decided they needed to look like the Maple Leafs 2.0......ughhh....

Wish they would have stuck to their blue, black and silver as their subdued secondary...at least have the shade of blue navy, instead of bright Leaf blue.... 

I was watching that game...puck wasn't kicked IMO.

For sure it bounced off Vanek's skate, but he also was being moved by the St. Louis defenseman...there WAS NO distinct kicking motion.

I am not going to call 'conspriacy', but just say that it was a terrible overturn...that game was over in OT.  Officials botched that one, Isles were robbed.

Some more very interesting takes from the both of you regarding this franchise.

See, now THIS is the sort of thing I like when I join sports forums:

A way for me to look at a given team from the perspectives of others (outside the media) and particularly those who have been closer to the situation and look at things beyond just what you see on the ice as well.

Good stuff.

I honestly had not even considered that Washington management was fine with the status quo as long as tickets were being sold.

And with the media constantly hyping Ovechkin vs. Crosby, Washington now a division rival once again to not only the Pens, but other big market teams such as the Rangers/Isles, Flyers, AND the fact that Ovechkin really is an offense threat at any given time, well, it makes sense that tickets will continue to sell and that the fans will keep showing up and thinking they are still only a piece or two away from a Cup, simply because Ovechkin is such a dynamic player, and in their minds, it is only a matter of time before he leads them to a Cup.

But as you guys said, what happens as Ovie gets older, his skills become less of what they were and he just isn't anything special anymore?

Will the fans keep buying those tickets?

At that point, ownership and the GM will **gasp** HAVE to build an actual contender from the ground up!

It's a real interesting dynamic. Building a contender vs. building a team people will pay more to see.

One would THINK that if management builds a true Stanley Cup contender in DC, that the fans would STILL buy tickets.

But if the overall attitude of most sports fans in the area is one of "gotta have the star power, or I aint goin", then yea, sounds very much like a bandwagon situation...and they CERTAINLY would not like the inevitable 'down years' that would probably be necessary in order for this team to build itself back up strongly once again.

Not to make a direct comparison, because these players are all different on many levels, but I am starting to look at a player like Alex Ovechkin sort of like a Marion Gaborik or a Pavel Bure before them.

Meaning, they are players with loads of talent and ability...mostly on the offensive end...that can absolutely electrify fans, get them to the gate, but themselves, aren't necessarily 'leaders of men', or guys you really would build AROUND in order to build a SC contender.

But instead, they are guys that are awesome to have on the team, if you ALREADY have have a base core of leadership, and real talent (though maybe not as marketable) that will carry the workload en route to a championship, while that exciting goal scorer stars and gets all the press.

That said, perhaps a trade of Ovechkin elsewhere WOULD be a good thing for the Caps.

He is at the peak of his career now and his value will probably never be higher at any point past the present.

Sure, teams know his faults, but again, if they already have the basic building blocks, and many lesser lauded but equally good talents already on the team, they could live with Ovie just scoring goals without a care for anything else. And they would have to be ready to win NOW.

He could star with another team while others, for lack of a better term, do the "real work" (the checking, the grinding, the scoring that one goal in key situations when teams need it most...see: Patrice Bergeron) in getting a team to a Stanley Cup.

Meanwhile, the Caps could then overhaul its entire team using much of what they got back from the superstar winger combined with a few other saavy moves.

But of course, if the master plan in Washington now is "just sell tickets", then we probably won't ever see an Ovechkin trade until he is a shell of the player he used to be, and at that point, it would be much too late for the Capitals to count on any returns for him to build a better team.

Side note, as of the time I am posting this, Washington continues in freefall mode in the standings, Ovechkin has been out a couple games with the nebulous 'lower body injury'.....and the team simply looks like it has NO CLUE what to do.

Hmmm.....if what you guys think on the practices of the Caps' FO is right on, then does:

Ovechkin injured + team continuing to lose = less ticket sales?

Once again, great stuff guys and some very interesting reads!

Well, guys, both should be making their debuts with their new teams tonight.

Del Zotto gets to face his a fast moving Vancouver Canucks team as his first game with the Preds.

Would have been cool to see him opposite his former coach, but Torts needed to sit in the corner for a bit... 

Meanwhile, Kevin Klein gets to face an all-too-familiar opponent, the meat grinder known as the St. Louis Blues.

And after that embarrassment by the NJ Devils, the Blues will be looking to exact some serious payback...Klein and his D best be ready for some serious forechecking.

@jammer2

Another option, if Del Zotto really doesn't bring his defensive game up, is to turn him into a full blown winger.

That seems to be a small, but growing trend in the NHL....guys who can't quite cut it as a D-man being put to play wing.

I mean, Del Zotto is all about moving forward and not looking behind him anyways.

Worked pretty well thus far with Brent Burns in SJ, they talked about doing that with Dustin Byfuglien, and John Scott, though not a real hockey player   , has been put as a 4th line winger as well.

I am sure there are others.

Think Nashville would try that with MDZ if they find he can't quite cut it as a D-man?

From NHL.com

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=701827&navid=nhl:topheads

Wow.

I've heard the rumors often enough "Del Zotto is on the block", but I honestly thought that not only would he go to offensive oriented team, but he would go for MORE than just a steady (if somewhat standard) stay-at-home defenseman.

That said, I have a couple thoughts on this.

The Alain Vigneault effect is in full transformation mode.

It was no secret that since Vigneault's and Tortorella's coaching style are vastly different, that the team each coaches would have to suit them, their systems, and their personalities. That, of course, usually means big changes in personnel.

Del Zotto, like many offense oriented D-men, WILL give up scoring chances the other way. That is just a given when you have defensemen of his ilk...see Erik Karlsson, Dan Boyle, Mike Green, and Brent Burns when he was a D-man with both Minnesota and San Jose, before becoming a winger.

Problem in NY for Del Zotto was, Vigneault seems to be transforming the forward lines into more all out offense (which is a good thing actually), which means, he simply cannot have D-men like Del Zotto being a defensive liability.

Under the former coach, perhaps it didn't stick out so much (not that Del Zotto got a ton of time under Torts), because the overall team was more defensive minded. Also, if you are going to have a D-man like Del Zotto play lots of offense, he at least best put up some crazy numbers, right? Well, that wasn't happening, for whatever reason, in New York.

Thus why I believe he became and expendable, yet sought after by others, piece of the Rangers puzzle.

Not to mention that as a soon-to-be RFA, Del Zotto's financial asking price may be more than what the Rangers would be willing to give, taking into account what he provides vs. what he has given away with his time in New York.

Enter Kevin Klein from the Predators.

Klein will look to provide the Rangers a stable presense at their blue line while their forwards are tasked to do more offensive pressuring. I am sure goalie Henrik Lundquist will appreciate having a steady, sturdy D-man nearby him almost all of the time, as it should make his job a bit easier as well.

Also doesn't hurt any that Klein is under team control for the next 4 seasons after this one, at a VERY reasonable 2.5'ish mil per rate.

Nashville. A team that just seems to churn out defenseman after defenseman year after year.

Problem with their D-men usually is, they are all of the, well, DEFENSE, mentality.

A natural and logical thing to be sure, however, the Preds as a franchise, simply need offense...period.

I believe the team has enough defense, both in the form of their D-men and forwards, that they can afford to have a guy go nuts from the blue line, like Del Zotto no doubt will.

Del Zotto will certainly  have his opportunity to shine, even in a defense-first system like Nashville, simply because the Preds will most likely WANT him to do what he does.

At only 23 years old, the ceiling is still quite high for the former Ranger D-man, and the Predators will live with his defensive liabilities, as they are pretty sure they can cover that up most of the time with their overall team defense and goaltending...well, with Pekka Rinne in net they could on the goaltending, but that is a whole other topic for another thread.

Bottom line here is, initially, it looks as if Nashville made out better here talent-wise, but the Rangers made out better financially.

Like any other trade, it will take time to see who really did better here (or both accomplished what they wanted?), but still, somehow, I just got the feeling that if the Rangers were going to unload Del Zotto, that they probably could have gotten more for him then they did here....no offense to Kevin Klein.

Any other thoughts from the HF crowd?

Always a risk factor whenever you have large international events like the Olympics going on.

Was listening to some sports talk shows throughout the day, and most seem of the mindset that the frenzy that is being drummed up due to potential terrorist attacks may have the opposite effect where NOTHING will happen.

Granted, I don't believe anyone should take any potential threats lightly, but still, I wonder if any would-be attackers would want THIS much attention BEFORE they've gotten a chance to actually do anything.

Sure, they want the attention after the fact...but beforehand? Let's hope if there are any zealots out there, they rethink...of course, that DOES mean applying logic to an otherwise ILLOGICAL group of crazies.

On an odd side note, I heard on the radio also that the Russian government issued some sort of statement that said they were NOT guaranteeing the safety of anyone.

I don't know about anyone else, but that isn't a very good way to positively spin any PR your country may receive if you're the flippin host country!

Anyways, my prayers will be out to not only the hockey players going out that way, but ALL athletes.

Those are people just like you and me, they have families back wherever else their homes are, and I just hope these Olympics go without incident worthy of news.

Safe travels and returns to all!

Rinne could very well not play again this season.

I don't know all the intricate details, but it is my understanding that the slow recovery is due more to infection issues in his surgically repaired hip.

Those things can be tricky. No one can really have a timetable for that.

Some years ago, a guy I trained with in Tae Kwon Do had a surgically repaired ankle from a motorcycle accident. He was fine for a long while, and as you can imagine, pretty impressive in the martial arts having that impairment, then one day developed some sort of discomfort in there where he had some plates and screws, didn't pay much mind to it...next thing you know, his wife finds him almost passed out in the shower, he is rushed to the hospital, where it was discovered he did have some bacterial issue there...and was lucky he was found when he was, otherwise, things could have ended badly...

He was away from Tae Kwon Do for a long while during recovery...some days he felt great, other days, not so much, antibiotics up the ying yang.

Eventually he returned, though not at full strength, but he said it was the infection, more than anything outright physical, that was hampering him.

Sorry I rambled, but my point is, Rinne and his doctors need to make sure that infection is under control and/or gotten rid of.

Forgetting just a second about how high a level the goaltender must play to be in the NHL, how under control they get that could be the difference in life or death for him.

Understandably, the doctors do NOT want to take any chances on that.

Once that is taken care of, I am willing to bet the actual physical activities regarding goaltending will come pretty quickly.

Fans need to be patient on this (difficult I know), and IMO, the organization would have to continue on as if they will NOT be having Rinne available at all the rest of this year....then evaluate the situation in the off season.

In the meantime, whatever they need to do goaltending-wise for this team, they just need to do.

Whether it's picking up a goalie, giving more time to a promising prospect...whatever the case. Just can't sit around waiting on Rinne...he has a personal battle he is dealing with right now, and it supercedes hockey.

Very good take, @nossagog ...makes sense in a lot of areas.

You know, when Dale Hunter was brought in to coach this team, I was thinking, "Hey, SOMEBODY realizes this team needs to understand balance and bring more of defensive minded approach to this team".

Well, as you stated, it worked for a bit, but given the personnel, it was a hard thing to maintain.

Also, I know Coach Hunter had personal interest in seeing through his London Knights, but I have to wonder if he himself saw what direction the Capitals management was going and that any attempt by him to bring a different culture to the Washington locker room would be met with more resistance than was worth it to him.

Personally, I thought Hunter would have made an OUTSTANDING coach for the Caps. I mean, here is a guy who really understood the balance of offense, defense, checking, playmaking, checking and toughness...he personified that his entire career!

Anyways, maybe even if Washington had been willing to go in the direction that a guy like Dale Hunter would have liked, maybe his family investments in the Knights was simply too much for him to just walk away from to be behind an NHL bench.

Enter Adam Oates...another guy who really seems to understand the balance of offense and defense...yet the Capitals still struggle with executing that on the ice. I wonder how long before even a guy like Oates gets frustrated with how things are going in Washington (execution and personnel-wise), then you may see HIS name come up in possible firings...and who knows, he may welcome that and move on somewhere else.

He really does seem to enjoy coaching....but in some in-game interviews, he seems to be on the verge of big time frustration.

Back to personnel and management issues it looks like.

On the Washington netminders...they have had quite a few pretty good ones go through their ranks over the years that Ovechkin has been there. Some maybe really were never meant to be to stick around...some though, one has to wonder if they would be more successful with a halfway decent defense in front of them.

I agree you can't change a guy like Ovechkin...you have to let him be what he is, a goal scorer.

If he backchecks once in a while and is at least aware of his teammates in relation to defenders on occasion, while still doing his thing, I think that would be acceptable.

As long as he has a solid defense behind him and, as you mentioned, perhaps a good defensive defensive minded center to play on the same line with him.

As for his part though, Ovechkin, as the team captain, NEEDS to lead by example...but sometimes I wonder, if he really is cut out to be this team's captain.

Is he the face of the Capitals? Sure. Anyone who doesn't know much about the Caps know who Ovechkin is.

Is he their best player? Offensively, no question. All around? Well, maybe not so much, but not so far off the top seeing as how not many on the team play the kind of defense that can offset what Ovie does offensively...if that makes any sense.

But is he a TEAM LEADER? 

That I question.

To me a captain not only carries a team on his back with his play (which Ovechkin has done), but also needs to be stabilizing force in the locker room, on the ice, lead in such a way that he doesn't put his team in bad positions (he loses his head many times and takes dumb penalties at the worst times), AND can talk to officials in such a way, that perhaps, they may through a call or two his teams way here and there...not so sure Ovie does that particularly well, as any interactions between he and the officials seem to be a bit heated and excitable at best.

I just wonder if a guy like Troy Brouwer or a Jason Chimera wouldn't make a better captain than Ovechkin...though obviously, the Great 8 blows them away in pure on-ice talent.

Leadership at the ice level and in the management levels.

That's what it will take to get this team to a point where they are a viable contender.

And some change in personnel, also as you mentioned, should also be in the works in order for the team to solidify what kind of identity it wants to have.

Don't have a prediction, but will say this:

No question the Wings goaltending is going to have to be superb in order to beat the Kings today, however, I think just as big an issue is the scoring....particularly the PP.

This team has been held to 1 goal or nothing a bit too often this month, and that simply isn't going to cut it.

The LA Kings would LOVE a low scoring, tight checking game where their size and strength can dictate the action, while the Wings would like a more open ice, crisp passing, north-south game...with of course Jimmy Howard covering for any holes that kind of play many times leaves.

Ironically enough, the Wings did take a 3-1 win against the Kings AT Los Angeles...a game that saw Jimmy Howard stop 45 SOG!

Of course, the Wings would like for shot totals by the Kings to NOT reach that high, but that same Howard that played that game needs to show up here if the Wings are to have any chance.

With Boston, Tampa Bay, Montreal, and many of the Metro division teams playing pretty well lately, the Wings just need wins any way they can get them....and this next stretch against the Kings, Blues, Blackhawks, and Canadiens will surely test their abilities to put up W's when the pressure is on.

Watched some of the Capitals @ Blue Jackets.

Columbus really took it to the Caps offensively.

Any mistakes Washington made, Columbus was there to take advantage.

Game is still going on in fact, as I post this...about 9 min left.

Jackets already  have 35 SOG, 5 goals, including 2 for 4 on the PP, and have run starting goaltender Mikael Grubauer out of the game.

Not so sure Grubauer was the problem, but rather, his defense consistently hung him out to dry.

Also adding to the Caps issues was stupid penalties.

In particular, Alex Ovechkin early in the third, with the Jackets already up 4-1, Ovechkin takes a blatant cross checking penalty which put his team down a man, and while Columbus didn't score on that particular PP, they got the goal shortly after it expired...it may as well have been one.

Bad enough this team has a terrible defense and some suspect goaltending, but their strength, offensive players, ADDING to the woes certainly isn't needed.