The Unknown Poster

I think you're slightly missing the point... adding a guy like Vermette is not suddenly gonna make our bottom 6 so good that we can roll 4 lines.... The LA example was perfect.... they're 4 centers last year were Kopitar, Carter, Stoll, Richards... while we currently have Sheifele, Little, Lowry, Slater... not exactly an even comparison....do you really want Peluso or Thorburn on the ice (ever) in the playoffs?? Im certainly not saying that. But there is a trickle down effect. We're not going to suddenly have the Kings' fourth line. But if we can make deals that end up giving us a fourth line of Halischuck-Slater-Peluso or something to that effect, it's better then needing Thorburn on the 3rd line. Realistically, Lowry is likely pencilled in as our 4th line centre. If we could make a couple of moves and Perrault moves back to 3rd line centre, shoving everyone back down, it would help. There was one game where they were basically shuffling Lowry's line mates in and out to bolster the 4th line without complete committing to it.

I think Hutch made one ridiculous save but several "good" saves. His position is very sound. He had generally great rebound control in this game also. You sort of got the sense early that he was going to have a good game. Loved seeing his smile after the game...he's having fun for sure. The more I think about this, the more it makes sense for Hutch to replace Bob at the All Star Game. I suppose the NHL could blow him off as a back up who's only played however many games. But he's played enough. His stats are top two in the league. he *should* be there to be honest. Its also a feel good story.

I don't know who all falls into the category of a "Vermette type", but Postma and a pick does not get us Vermette. Unless it's a high pick, in which case it's probably not a great idea. I've been fascinated with Peluso's play over the last few weeks. He's trying so hard to be defensively sound out there. He doesn't always succeed, but boy is he trying, and he's much faster than I would expect from a 4th line slugger. It's got to be awesome having a guy like that in your locker room. Im not sure I agree with that. Vermette was originally traded for Curtis McElhinney, a 2nd round pick and a conditional 5th round pick. Hardly a blockbuster. He is also 32 years old and a UFA. To be honest I'd hate to see Postma traded for Vermette though Postma is expendable. I think in the off-season we can get more for him. Vermette is the type of guy the Jets could trade for and in fact is an ideal player for the Jets since he is a UFA. I know they'd love to have Mike Richards and could afford it plus the Kings would be happy to be rid of him. But his term is far too much at his price. But if the Kings took back half his salary I bet we'd do it.

His point is that no trade we're in a position to make currently does that. You dont think the Jets are in any position to make any trade that increases mid-six depth? I think that's an odd statement to make. Any team can make a trade to improve at any position. The Jets have prospects and picks and cap space and more defence then they can dress. They are currently at max players with one on IR (and when he's back they will have to IR someone else or waive someone to make room). They are very much in a position to make a trade to help the team. And I am *not* saying they can or should trade a top prospect, high pick or top player. Im saying they *can* make trades. And Im suggesting that it is likely they'd bring in some help in the middle six.

I hate Cole's voice, not because of tone or inflection but because of the useless words that it makes. He's been awful for a very very long time.

Exactly. hence the point that they would want to bolster their forward depth to...oh I dont know, be able to roll four lines in the playoffs.

I dont think we will miss out on getting the out door game. I think Chipman and Bettman are too close for that. But I also would not discount anything Lawless alludes to as regardless of how fat or bald he is, he is very connected.

I agree that throwing anything onto the playing surface during game play should warrant an ejection but this is very bad optics. The fans are trying to make a point and instead of taking that point seriously, the Leafs allow a very bad PR situation to happen. The take away to me is that fans are so angry they are using a form of civil disobedience to make a point. Or they were just drunken losers.

Even rod black is better than Bob cole.

Chicago won tonight. Up on jets by two points with a game in hand

Great game. Go Hutch!

The jets don't need to roll four lines in the playoffs. Only top teams that compete for championships roll four lines. What. Huh Lol

Yeah there are a few options for middle six pick ups. I'd expect the Jets to go that route. They really dont want to be in a playoff series and not be able to roll four lines. And they cant do that right now. Buff isnt going to move up front unless its as an injury fill in or special circumstance. He's been a playing Norris-calibre since going back to D. Hes going into a contract year and wants to stay on D. He will. That makes someone on D expendable but I'd assume it happens in the off-season. Who knows, they might be comfortable with the high expense of the current top four D and save money by using some first year players to flesh out the forward lines and buy themselves another year or so before having to make some really difficult decisions. They have plenty of cap space. The issue is the "internal budget" but I believe if the team proves to be a consistent playoff contender that Chipman will spend more since the playoff money is all massive gravy in the pockets of True North.

I have no issue with the idea that there is a cost involved to keeping IGF available for the outdoor game. I assume that wasnt a situation discussed at the end of negotiations as an aside. So lets presume everyone involved is pretty smart. And lets accept as fact given past comments from Miller, Chipman and reported by Lawless that all parties were in agreement on holding the game. The issue is not money per se or the separation of monies unless someone is trying to change the deal at the end. They all agreed to do this. They likely agreed to who would get what and who would pay what. However, it sounds like the NHL wanted to save on the costs of keeping IGF open (or open it for the game) by doing the game earlier in the season, which makes sense. From a marketing stand point it also makes sense to me. You end up with basically a "season" of big events from the Banjo Bowl right through to the outdoor game. I have no doubt both games would sell out. I think Miller thinks he's doing whats best for the Bombers but I cant shake the feeling he's also big leaguing a bit. Im sure in the past when it came to True North relations with the Bombers that Chipman etc had the run of the place and Miller is flexing his muscle. It hurts the fans though not to a great extent since we will still get the game. Though Im sure it annoys both the Jets and the NHL. Frankly, I am surprised they are considering anything other than November or March (and I thought late Feb/Early March was the most likely time). If the NHL uses the excuse that they dont it too close to the All Star game, then they cant be upset if Miller says he doesnt want it too close to the Grey Cup. But both excuses are sort of missing the bigger picture I think.

Well we really have no idea if that's the case. We don't know the details on renting the seats. If the cost was prohibitive they would take them down for those three months and re install them in February. I'm not sure how in demand temporary stadium seating is in the middle of winter.

Anselmi is interesting. You'd think he'd have some influence is solving the Argos mess.

You're missing the point. Seats used for three games. NHL pays half? Is that new math? How about NHL pays 1/3?

Wal Mart is fine for many things and especially for a Certain segment of the population.

The NHL should pay for seating the cfl team is putting in for the banjo bowl and grey cup? Huh? The NHL isn't a charity.

Why should the Bombers pay the entire amount if they were going to be used by the NHL too. Why should the NHL pay half the cost for something the bombers are using twice and using regardless of the NHL game?

Miller also wanted the NHL to pay half the cost of the extra seating. Which doesn't make much sense to me.

9 suspensions to me means he should be gone for a year at least. If there is an example of a repeat offender who hasn't been forced to change by discipline it's this clown.

Yes the outdoor games sucking will certainly be the case here. *rolls eyes*.

It will sell out. Hotels already packed. The issue will be the day after the semi finals and which teams fans are flipping their tickets. One local business owner told me he loves the bombers but the best thing is not to have them in the grey cup. They dknt want locals. They want 40,000 out of towners.

Then it's really stupid. You have to charge anyone who thrpws their hat on the ice. And octopus ofcourse. How arrogant and blind are leafs management. If I'm there I'd arrange a full "jersey in" where everyone tosses a jersey. Let them charge and ban everyone.