Rich

Chat board limit has been upped to 250 (from 50) so we shouldn't hit the limits we saw during free agency day. Though the draft is at night. I wonder if the chat room is busier during the day when people are at work!

Chiarot has already proved he can play in the NHL. Morrissey hasn't. Chiarot also has the size where Morrissey doesn't. I get that Morrissey has much more offensive upside, but I can't see him doing anything in TC that would make them send Chiarot back down. TC and exhibition are completely different beasts then regular season play.

single people already have the greatest tax break in the world, no money pit kids. Single people still have kids. Sometimes things do happen outside of wedlock.

I'll give most players a pass on their commitment to what the Oilers have been for the last few years. I know they are professionals and get paid a lot of money, but if you've ever worked in a toxic environment where management is clueless, it is hard to go in every day and give 110% when you know it is futile because those above you aren't pulling their weight and are making foolish decisions. With the management Edmonton now has in place, time will tell on what their crop of stars can become. Be interesting to see if and how long it takes to change the culture in that room. Have to wonder who and what kind of trades are going to be made and who will be shipped out. I'd be surprised if Hall is one of them.

I've never heard anyone question his heart or character. To his character, it is one of the reasons he can't stay healthy. At times, he plays too hard to his own detriment.

I think that the anti-Harper crew have to play any card they have in the deck. In 2011 all I heard was that Harper was a Nazi who was going to make abortion and gay marriage illegal and stack the Supreme Court with right wing judges. Well none of that happened. They can't really say their guy is going to do a better job of managing the economy (well they can try, but no one is going to believe it) so all they have left is the fear card. According to the polls not too many are buying this. This new security bill is a bit of a head-scratcher. I don't now why Harper is doing this right now, but I guess I have nothing to hide so I don't really care. I for sure fall to the right line of centre politically but the having nothing to hide rational is IMO a poor and dangerous one. This is a quote from Benjamin Franklin, but I think an appropriate one. Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

When the Moose were here last time there wasn't NHL to compete with entertainment dollar. They know there will be a core base that won't buy season tickets to both. Making it cheaper makes sense. Also, I'm sure they are happy if the Moose break even and aren't losing money. Last time they needed to turn a profit.

Pretty sure that is a reply you are watching. Won't spoil the ending for you though.

They were leaving with expectations (and in ever case they did) of being a starter.. So, still a starter moving in FA.. Yes butt the teams they were moving from had a starter ahead of them on the depth chart. Someone said starting QBs never get to FA. My point was most teams don't let the QBs they want to keep get to FA. They are usually signed before their final year. I get people wanting Willy to prove himself. I just don't like the risk of him having a breakout year and being so close to FA that he decides to explore it. QB is the most important position and I'd rather see that risk mitigated.

Most of those weren't starters when they left their team. They were the backup. As for Pierce and Burris, the team decided to move. I said where the team wanted to keep them

... are we really going to act like the potential downside of him signing elsewhere doesn't exist?When's the last time a starting QB in the CFL left via free agency? I wouldn't be too worried. When is the last time a team, who wanted to keep their starting QB play out the final year of their contract? There is a reason it doesn't happen

Not so much about distance as it is about getting on and off the campus which only has two direct entry/exit points. Will be interesting to see how they have it organized for the Grey Cup, with thousands of people from out of town. I also think they have a lot of work to do in terms of safety/crowd control after the games on University Crescent and Chancellor Matheson. Just a matter of time until someone is killed or seriously injured there. yeah but there's not that much parking on the campus itself right? I think it's quaint that Winnipeggers complain about traffic though. Winnipeg is a breeze for traffic compared to Calgary and Calgary isn't even all that bad compared to some other places. There are 5,000 parking spots available on campus, estimating at least 2 people per car, then that is 10,000 people or a 1/3 of the people driving. But then the buses also use those same roads to get in and. In fact they get priority over the cars. So take into account enough buses to get another 10k - 15k people in and out. So 5,000 vehicles + countless buses all converging into 2 roads in the same hour period before and after the game. It has definitely gotten better since the first couple of games, but it can still be a pain getting out when it is more concentrated. It is quaint how you take every opportunity to mock someone from Winnipeg for complaining about traffic wait time. City size has nothing to do with having 30,000 people congregating to IGF field at the same time with only 2 entry points in and out. We get it. You got out. You got to Alberta. Land of greatness. Congrats.

I know that 4 - 500k sounds like a lot for all but the elite QBs, but it will be really interesting to see what the elite QBs start to command as current contracts end and the cream of the crop get re-signed under the new cap. 4 - 500 might still be too much for a league "average" QB. But I don't think the market has really been set yet. Will need a couple more years to see what the top 2 - 3 guys make compared to the next 2 - 3 "average" starting QBs.

i would also assume that discussions have been on going during the off season, so the Bombers would have budgeted to pay Willy more. It all comes down to if they can sign him within that budget.

And if we don't have the cap space? Who do you cut? If we're talking about a 100k signing bonus, we're also talking about cutting that much salary. So who do you want to get rid of? Nick Moore, Clarence Denmark? Bryant Turner, Chris Randle? It's gotta be someone making good money, or a handful of veteran guys making more than league average. Either way, you're talking about replacing a star with a rookie, or several veterans with rookies. All to accommodate a guy who is under contract and going to be here either way. Pretty tough to say when I can't see the books or what the players are making or what our cap situation is like, which is why I said if .... But if you want an answer off the top of my head, I'd say Vega and Morley.

FA is over. New recruits are relatively cheap. If we have the cap space now, use it to re-sign him to lock him up. There is no one else to save it for.

Wasn't that long ago when we couldn't find a legit starter, couldn't find a replacement for Buck Pierce. Stefan LeFors, Michael Bishop, Joey Elliott, and on and on. Yes Willy wasn't as good in the 2nd half of last year as he was in the first He also took more punishment then any other QB out there and got happy feet from a porous Oline. We've taken steps to fix the OLine problems this off season. I've seen enough. In a league without guaranteed contracts, you lock him up long term if you can.

Watch the first episode or two. You will likely get hooked. The characters pull you in. Won't say much more then that, but their evolution over the coarse of the series was very well done.

I think Clitsome's career is over due to his back. Be surprised if he ever played another NHL game. Postma is a 6 / 7 D-Man at best. He hasn't been able to show that he is more then that. Plus he is RH, so with the depth he is behind, he just isn't going to get a chance. Pardy is a UFA, and while I believe they will try to re-sign him, he is also a 3rd pairing DMan. Enstrom / Chiarot / Stuart / Pardy / Harrisson are your 4 - 5 LH D-men until Morrissey can make the team. The problem is other then Enstrom, none of those guys really pop out as being able to play on a 1st pairing. Chiarot had a good rookie season and is a nice physical D-Man but he is at best a stay at home D-Man on the 2nd pairing if he is with someone like Trouba / Byfuglien / Myers. He can't hold down that 2nd pairing on his own. As far as other D-Men prospects. Jan Kostalek & Jack Glover are both RH Kichton would probably be next on the depth chart on the left side after Morrissey

Morissey for Eberle wouldn't be close to getting it done. Eberle is a proven player already, Morissey isn't.

I think the Frolik scenario is a possibility. Chevy isn't the type to paint himself into absolutes like that. If they can't agree to terms on an extension, they may still decide there is value in having him play-out his final year here. I know everyone is always about never losing an asset for nothing, but there is an intrinsic value in him playing one more year here. One more year to bridge the time for some of the younger defence prospects to develop, even if it means him moving to the left side. Our prospect cupboard isn't as bare as it was when the team first got here, they may decide that one more year of being a legit contender for a playoff spot is worth more to the growth of the "new' core then what they could get for Byfuglien. It really comes down to what other teams are willing to pay. I don't think they would move him for pure picks and prospects. There would have to be at least one legit roster player coming back (top 6 or top 6 potential for a forward would be nice). I also don't think Chevy will trade him if he doesn't get back what he perceives as fair value. If the market isn't what he wants, he will keep him the extra year. That could change depending on what happens with Frolik and Stafford. If we can't re-sign either of them, then a top 6 forward really becomes a priority. I wouldn't mind seeing him moved, but I don't even know what a fair return would be. RH defensemen is an area of strength for the team right now. Out of the 3, Buff is the obvious one to go due to age and contract. Too many unknowns at this point to really say he has to re-sign or he will be traded.

I agree. You either move him in the off season or you risk getting nothing for him. Hopefully the Jets are contending for a playoff spot at the trade deadline next season (anything can happen in our division). If they are out, then you will of course trade him. If they are in, there is no way you can trade him at that point.

Here is how the NHL defines a rookie: A huge difference playing in the AHL compared to the NHL. He is a rookie, and future looks bright for him to become a steady stay at home defensemen. He is 23, pretty young for a defensemen, and has shown well for his first season in the big league. They brought Pardy in over Chiarot mostly because of the PK I think.

Comparing rec league sports to pro sports hey??....Alright.... I was replying to Bigblueteammates question, that was since deleted. The question was related to "playing sports". If the initial question/post wasn't deleted, you'd see I'm not comparing rec/high school sports to pro sports.Interesting how you deleted my previous post explaining my response yet you left yours here... I deleted the posts. And the ones that were deleted were deleted because you couldn't provide an explanation without insulting another poster.

He was arrested on Friday. How could it be reported earlier? I'm simply joking because of the Zach Bogosian thing where it could *only* be true of the media reports it rather then fans with possible insider knowledge. Stoll is one of many with the only difference is him being dumb enough to be caught. This was explained to you in PMs, but you seem to want to keep complaining / bringing it up in public, so let me say it here again for everyone. I have no doubt that many things are true that are never reported in the media, but without a credible source backing it up we have no way of knowing what is true and what isn't. Most people are anonymous on these boards (don't use their real / full names and / or are never verified) so anyone can say anything about anyone and claim it is the truth. I believe I gave you the option to post your full name and occupation and how you come by the information you know, and you never responded to that part, so I'm guessing you have no interest in putting *YOUR* name and job on the line. We have no interest in this place becoming a rumour gossiping site, because there is no way to separate the trash from the truth. Which people have *insider information* and which people are just out to troll and tarnish someones name for the fun of it.