Nasty Nate

Jets are gonna be a tough team to trade with. If Chevy & Chips have surrendered to the idea of being a 79 to 87 point team the next couple years why not play out the non-playoff string with some of the fan faves you already have on your roster? I think almost everyone in Wpg has fallen in love with the stiffs on the current roster and really don't mind not playing in May and June.

Sam Bennett would be a good first pick but I suspect Chevy won't be able to swing it and the Jets will settle for their 9th pick. I'd love to see Kane traded for value . . . and no I don't hate Evander - I just look at his total game and see nothing but F's in most categories other than speed and grit in the neutral zone. Evander's shot is deadly inaccurate, his passing is well below average, perhaps less than most AHL first or 2nd liners, his back-checking is inconsistent (good when he goes all-out) and his discipline is really poor most of the time. He's too easily baited and his responses usually mean 2 minutes in the box. When Maurice wealthy-scratched him you just knew the gig was up! However, if they can't get anything of value for him may as well play him next couple years as the Jets won't be playoff contenders anyways. Buff is probably an easier trade to consumnate - going to a market where peeps don't really care about hockey and will put up with his regular nightly package of mistakes - albeit some great offensive play mixed in. Perhaps Washington, Florida or Tampa would be better places for Big Buff. Mike Yeo in Minnesota would never tolerate some of Buff's gaffs so the chance of Buff going to his home state are minimal at best.

The Jets would have been better being granted a new franchise and getting some favoured draft picks. The Trashers were nothing but trash and vermin, highly-paid spoiled players that only got contracts cuz Atlanta had to pay to established NHL levels to be considered members of the league. Horrible management, feeble scouting, inferior coaching, half-arsed players made this team a poison. Mark Chipman was so desperate to grab an NHL team Bettman was able to foist this horrible pack of vermin on him with virtual impunity - and Bettman got full bore on the price, too. Wpg would have been better served with Phoenix's group of crap, at least they had goal-tending, and a semblance of coaching, scouting and management. Both Phoenix and Atlanta required long-term development. Phoenix might have been rehabbed in less than 4 years - the Trashers are about an 8 to 10 year turnaround and then its even dicey cuz too many things can happen in a decade.

This thing probably ends with Baron Von Raschke (Commissioner Adam Silver) suspending operations of the Clippers and put the onus on Sterling to sue for loss of income. Its clear at this point Sterling has no intention to concede to NBA wishes.

I agree Jokinen is our oldest guy but upon further reflection I'd prefer we keep the old man for another season. Might only score 10 to 15 goals, he'll take his share of idiotic penalties but he's steady, fairly defensive and knows the ropes. Be nice if we could rope him down to $2.5 million rather than the big money he's not really earning now! Otherwise, cut him loose and let him take his act elsewhere.

The smart money is always on the Jets to remain idle/status quo.

I'd hate to lose Wheeler. He was by far the Jets best player last year (Trouba was close second). I'd still bite cuz the Jets are still wrapped in mediocrity. How 'bout Kane, Wheeler & Ondrej to Pens for Neal, Maata & Fleury. Fleury might be a human 5 hole in playoffs but he'd give Jets a tad better goaling than Pavs during reg. season (perhaps enough to get the cling-on spot 8th seed) To tip the deal I'm sure Chevy would need a Pittsburgh draft pick or top prospect, too! Although I'm not a huge Neal fan this type of trade enables Jets to unload two pieces of trash (Kane, Pavelec) while giving up only one excellent asset. The Pens may bite cuz having Wheeler and Kane playing with Sid might be irresistible.

I think we're destined for a strike folks. The key will be how much staying power the players have. The league will gladly let the players strike for 1 or 2 reg. season games. After that, all bets are off. The players have to be betting the league bends into their ploy and caves to their demands. The players aren't getting revenue sharing this time. League doesn't want their books audited by Flory and his partners. Simple as that. Players have picked a good year to walk out. Winnipeg needs another strong season, Regina could make another 10 million, BC is starting to turn a profit, Hamilton has a new facility and want to get back in the black, Ottawa is new - they don't need a crash, Edmonton is mega-profitable as usual despite the clown circus running the show. Calgary, Toronto & Montreal couldn't care less whether they play 16 games or 18. Players have to show their resolve (and solidarity) by actually walking off. At that point the league will ramp up the offer and try to 'save the season'. At least players better pray they do that. Otherwise, season might be lost - a 9 or 10 game season is an invitation for disaster. I'd rather have no season.

I like Petan, too. However, Edmonton pretty much shut him down in the western league final. If a bunch of screaming juniors can shut him down - I don't like his chances vs. men. At least not for 2 or 3 years to be sure!

Johnny Bower, Jacques Plante & Hasek were goalers who played into their 40s and played very, very well Nobody comes close to Gordon Howe who played very good hockey at 50 or 51. and some great hockey in the WHA between the ages of 45 and 49. Teemu had a great season at 40 as UP points out but has faded after that so he might be the next guy after Howe & Chelios. Other guys off the top of my head who played some great hockey after 40 - Doug Harvey, JC Tremblay, Norm Ullman.

Rob Brown was an above average AHL/IHL guy who Mario made into a legit NHL minor star. Wayne was around 6 feet and 160 lbs. when he started - I'm sure he never went past 175.... but Wayne had the uncanny ability to use all parts of the ice, he knew how fast opponents could stop 'n start and his office (behind opposition goalies) was the sweetest place in the world to accumulate points. Mario beats Wayne in one major category. He could dance thru opponents like a hot knife thru butter - using his 6'4", 225 lb. frame and puck retention abilities. One of the best half-court skaters in hockey history for a man of his size. Neither man had much in the way of defensive abilities - and why would they have to?

As long as no one expects a 27/28 year old ex-NFL lamer to carry the mail for 18 games then why not? Guy could be past his expiry date and then we'll find out in camp. Or he could be a terrific guy to back-load the import RB position behind the current speedball. Simpson was pretty good for the most part but that darned recurring foot injury did him in. Appears Smith is a tad more versatile than Simpson. Another plus.

I admit Gretzky is the NHL's all-time greatest in terms of ice-vision, smarts and scoring accuracy (for a top 10 player anyways). My comment about Sid mostly referred to Sid being a stronger skater than Wayne, more powerful drive off his skates from start and probably a stronger slapper. We were lucky to be in awe of 99 til he was nearly 37. Bobby Orr was toast by 27/28. Mario had a brilliant but injury-riddled career. I suspect Sid may call it a day before he's 30. There's only two players in hockey history who have demonstrated excellence between 40 and 50. Those being Gordie Howe and Chris Chelios. Bobby Hull had a nice long career (age 18 to 40) but he suddenly broke down physically between 39 and 40.

I like Calgary taking a chance on Tardif at #19. If there was zero NFL interest he would have been the #1 pick this year. If he can't handle monsters or speed-monsters in the NFL then Calgary might get a solid guy back in a year or so and only risked a #19 pick to do so. btw - most brainiacs thought Tardif wouldn't be taken til the 4th or 5th round (ie #31 to #50 pick)

Sid probably has more natural talent than Gretzky but Wayne had monsters flanking him and had a credit card to avoid regular abuse - even in playoffs. Sidney doesn't have that luxury - more the fault of guys like Shero & Byylesma, probably explains why both guys will be gone from the Pens organization by mid-June.

I think its really important Neufeld either starts at RT or is the first reserve (6th OL) for most games. He has to be stronger, smarter and a bit quicker than Steve Morley who probably represented the biggest weakness in last year's o-line. The fact Morley remains on board (pencilled in as a starter, no less) speaks volume about the trials and tribulations yet to come!

Who drafted the other McGill giant - Chardonnay-Bartab?

Kind of glad the bombers got the guy with no NFL aspirations (or current interest)

Dennis Beyak just stated Trouba has returned to Winnipeg!

If its injury Trouba should be returned to America asap to begin rehab. Jets can't afford to lose him for more than a handful of games next year. Perhaps its not too late to call up Big Buff instead?

Anyone know why Jacob Trouba has not been dressed last couple Team USA games? Is it injury or does the U.S. coaching staff think he's too undisciplined and doesn't fit into Team USA's style?

Sid is my favourite NHL player (PK a close second) but even I have to admit he doesn't have the strength or speed he once did to fend off attackers and abusers. The concussions obviously took their toll and the cumulative impact of the jaw surgeries, etc. have slowed him enough that a few NHL checkers/abusers can have their way with him. He's still good for 80 to 100 pts. in the relatively safe environs of the NHL exhibition season (aka 82 game exhibition season) but he's relatively easy to control in rugged intense close-checking playoffs. Especially vs. muggers like Philly, Boston, etc. He'd have an easier time with Winnipeg, Anaheim, Tampa, etc. where they don't mark guys that closely.

In a weak draft year I'd definitely think about that one!!!

Gino would be miserable on a weak team like Winnipeg... especially if guys like Kane, Little, and the picks were gone! Really weak. Gino takes enough time off during games on an elite program (like the Pens). He'd be a basket case with all the expectations he'd face in Winnipeg.

I'm sure Plop is making as much, if not more money at TSN than almost any OC job in the CFL. He can do a ton of work from home (prep work) and only travel (to Toronto mostly) for the CFL weekend slate of matches. He's had over 10 years in the CFL in a variety of coaching positions and now he's analyzing all the coaching decisions so he's still close to the league. BC's coaching position is approaching instability as is Edmonton (again). John Hufnagel is nearing retirement age. You never know with Kent Austin and Ottawa's spot is still a ???