Vanflyer

Thanks rad. I kind of thought the bracket was self explanatory, but I guess not. A bracket is a bracket and thus why they call it a bracket (meaning its a set structure). Just poking some fun (not at you, just others).

I lament the whole Bobs / Byrz thing. But understand that the management was trying to save face for a colossal blunder in getting breezy. Its a travesty. Given that, Mason has been resurrected and truthfully, I am not sure who is better. I think its a shoe fits type of thing. The only thing with Bobs is he reminds me allot (personality, work ethic, style) of Pelle and that is what stings a bit. But, I do like Masons leadership off the ice, accountability and hockey sensibility. That does not mean that Bobs does not have that, just that its transparent with Mason. Its a win for both teams. As of today, should columbus and philly pass the first round, it will be Philly - Columbus in the quarters. I will enjoy that and what a hype there would be with Bobs and Mason.

Have to disagree on this too. Danius is doing exactly what he always does. He is 35 years old. The nomination for the devils for this category for the next TWELVE years will be: 1) NJD Ownership 1a) Iyla Kovulchuk

Lots in the tank, just no heart. Effing lazy player.

Number one rule: Never draft a russian in the first round (Malkin is the exception). Effing prima donnas (that includes rocket richard winnder Ovechkin). You ever wonder if Yakupov and Dyatsuk go out to dinner? Dyatsuk probably spits out his food on the waste of talent that Yakupov is thus far.

I disagree on King Henry. He is doing what he normally does. His gaa is a bit higher, but I generally ignore that stat as sv. pctg is more meaningful to me. I hate to do this and it will seem a bit unfair, but St Louis would be my nomination for biggest disappointment on NYR. He has played nearly a quarter season there and the ppg player has turned into a .5 ppg player. ONE goal in 18 games. Callahan on the other hand has fit right in and doing is normal yeoman job (not a superstar, but same as he always does).

Yeah, who would have thought in retrospect that on the boston side Reilly Smith would be the stud of the trade? That said, all three players Boston got for Tyler are in the lineup. But I am equally unimpressed (better word than disappointment) with Loui this year. Tyler had to go, one way or another. When your GM calls you out publicly (ala Clarke / Lindros), the writing is on the wall.

Shite- Timmo would have been a better selection. Might as well have nominated Lappy.

I like your reverse logic! Go Tampa Go!!!

I think he does too. I think his biggest thing is his confidence. I really like his gumption and heart. He is not a big guy, but will throw his weight around and drop the mitts if need be. The season is a grind, but any hockey player worth their salt steps it up for the playoffs (except Fleury of course).

Here is the official (NHL) playoff bracket. I did not want to do as an image as it may change, plus just clicking the link throughout the playoffs it will update automatically. I did not know where to post this. Maybe sometime the powers that can be can ponder a "general NHL" forum. http://www.nhl.com/ice/stanleycup.htm Cheers

Bummer for Tampa, but good for the Flyers. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=448812

Thanks. And that was the year we got smoked by detroit in the SCF. Thanks for reminding me.

Up and coming team. Amazing to see what a turnaround that a good GM / Coach can do. A fun team to watch. Go kick some Bruins ass!!

Not to derail the thread (but will anyway), I think this is very far off base. The problem in Nashville is ownership and local corporate sponsorship. I do believe that with the addition of Brett Wilson as minority owner (5%) who has deep pockets it will get better. But the prior owner screwed the pooch on mismanaging funds that the Preds need to dig out from. So, while wilson is there with money, there is a responsibility to become fiscally sound first and foremost. I think Poile has been a tremendous GM given the monetary condition he has had to manage with. Regarding Trotz- same. I have utmost respect for both of them. I could cite MANY other GM / Coach tandems that are far worse than those two. If both were fired tomorrow, they would both have a job before the summer is over. Cheers.

Did I call that or did I call that? 'Nucks hire Linden as President: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=713673 "Aquilini added that he would not stop short of pointing the finger at his recently-dismissed GM and his current coach. ""Mike (Gillis) hired Tortorella and I'm responsible for that and that's why we have a change in direction today," he explained." Buh Bye Torts!! No way in hell I see Linden support Fonzi!

Isn't schenn playing wing now with Raffl at center? I just don't like VLC's defensive play. He is playing better now, but I could use that QoC thing that Brelic or Rad quoted with VLC as well (because he is playing against 4th liners).

See Aziz post about the CBA and bonus's. I don't think its for every contract, but I like it for younger players- particularly for high first rounders that have allot of hype / potential when drafted. I am ignorant (and too lazy to go look), but I believe there is a base / fixed entry level contract amount for all players coming into the league. So, to do the performance / incentive based bonus' is a way to reward a 1-5th first round pick v. a 3rd round pick (not to say that the 3rd round pick couldn't be better than the first), but you are playing odds. And there is nothing lost. I also like it for a player who is in the twilight of his career- say and iginla type. Where you are saying, "we know what you have done in the past, and reward you IF you can hit X totals". I would say no more than 3 of those types of contracts (if I am looking at Aziz numbers correctly and it a % of your total cap allowance), so even if player(s) hit the bonus level, you are still cap compliant.

At //www.capgeek.com/player/1624 they show the 870k as his cap hit and then 2.35M as p bonus, which aligns to what Aziz is stating from the cba.

But I don't mind that. In fact, I really like performance / incentive based contracts. So, if his cap hit goes up, that means he is meeting those incentives, which is a good thing.

Is that true? I don't think Gretzky was there, but Messier was for sure. That was the ceremonious "passing of the tourch" as Messier was a boy hood idol of Lindros. I can't believe it was that long ago. Shite, I remember those series in the early - mid 80's. Did Gretzky and Messier ever play on the Rangerks together??

I am seriously pleading ignorance here. What does that mean? Particularly QoC and sheltered? Does that mean that Berube turns a blind eye?? Knowing what I know about Berube's style, I think he holds every man accountable. I don't see much coddling in his demeanor. Coaxing, sure, but coddling (if I am reading between the lines of what you are saying), definitely not. He (Berube) grew up threw the school of hard knocks and to suggest that he will let any player get a "pass" is absurd to me. Just go ask VLC.

case in point. But, you have to remember where that tutelage of defense first mentality came from (themakers honey maker). Don't get me wrong. I really like Richards and really, really liked him in Juniors. All I am saying is that Schenn has skill. He is young. Is not a big cap hit (nor will his next contract be) and why give up on him? Trade bate, fine. But not for a L. Schenn / Jvr type of deal.

While Richards puts up a -4 this year playing on a defensive LA King team and scoring less goals than Schenn. (where is the snickers icon?). oh....forgot, making 5.75m per year, while Schenn is on his entry level contract of 875k per year (snickers more).

Not for nothing, but B. Schenn is still on his entry level contract, making 870K per year. http://www.capgeek.com/flyers Carry on.