NHL 2009/2010

**tmlfan123** · 09-15-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

If the Leafs can get balanced scoring throughout their lineup, then they'll be in good shape. Still, Antropov provided 21 goals and 46 points last season. That's not easy to replace. Kubina provided 40 points from the back end. That's not easy to replace.

However, the Leafs' young players could step up and be competitive offensively; I just wouldn't bank on it.

That's why Kessel would be such a big addition. I agree that it's far from a sure thing that the young guys will step up, but my feeling is they won't take a step back under Wilson.

earlessdog · 09-15-2009, 10:49 AM

I'm really excited to see my Bruins. The team is nearly the same as last year, which is good but htey did pick up Steve Begin from Montreal, so I'm not sure about that yet but we'll see how it goes. Tuukka Rask will be playing a lot more this season, I'm pretty sure he will be 2nd string backup.
The only thing i'm sitting on needles about is the whole Kessel thing, I was shocked to see the Bruins even offering him up for trade. I'm glad it didn't go through, but as far as I know, it could still be a possibility to trade him.
But, i'm ready for the Bruins to dominate for a second straight season!

**Skeeter** · 09-15-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RipVanWinkle

Let me start by saying "Go Stars"...that is all

Honestly, the Stars will be a much better team this year. They don't have the distraction of the Avery situation and it's safe to assume that Turco can stay healthy and bring his play back up to his previous high standard, so I think they have a shot at the playoffs this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlessdog

I'm really excited to see my Bruins. The team is nearly the same as last year, which is good but htey did pick up Steve Begin from Montreal, so I'm not sure about that yet but we'll see how it goes. Tuukka Rask will be playing a lot more this season, I'm pretty sure he will be 2nd string backup.
The only thing i'm sitting on needles about is the whole Kessel thing, I was shocked to see the Bruins even offering him up for trade. I'm glad it didn't go through, but as far as I know, it could still be a possibility to trade him.
But, i'm ready for the Bruins to dominate for a second straight season!

The Bruins simply don't have the cap space to sign Kessel. Since he's an RFA, he's vulnerable to an offer sheet. If he does get signed to an offer sheet and the Bruins let him go, they'll get picks in return, most likely a first, second, and third (which is why the Leafs trading to reacquire their second round pick for next year is so interesting). The Bruins will look to trade him only if they can get a better return than a first, second, and third round pick, most likely a couple picks and a good prospect or roster player.

If the Bruins do want to keep Kessel (and it doesn't look like that's going to happen), then they'll have to make a trade to get the cap space. This will mean that some team is going to fleece them in that trade. They'd be better off simply trading Kessel and getting as much back for him as possible.

**tmlfan123** · 09-15-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlessdog

But, i'm ready for the Bruins to dominate for a second straight season!

Dominate being used loosely? After all, the freaking Carolina Hurricanes beat you.

earlessdog · 09-15-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmlfan123

Dominate being used loosely? After all, the freaking Carolina Hurricanes beat you.

Note I said season

. . . man I still don't even know what to say about that bloody Hurricanes/Bruins series, I honestly don't.

***Art*** · 09-16-2009, 12:52 AM

I hate Marty Turco. Not as a person, only as a goalie.

**Skeeter** · 09-16-2009, 12:04 PM

Turco is a very athletic goalie and has had several solid seasons, but I wouldn't want him to be the goalie for my team. His positioning is generally pretty terrible and he has to make up for it with his athleticism.

**tmlfan123** · 09-16-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlessdog

Note I said season

. . . man I still don't even know what to say about that bloody Hurricanes/Bruins series, I honestly don't.

It would have been nicer if the Hurricanes had taken a couple of games from the Penguins, to make it look like they just had a great run. Unfortunately, the Penguins showed the world that the Hurricanes were, in fact, terrible.

Personally, I have no idea how the Hurricanes beat the Bruins either.

**Skeeter** · 09-16-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmlfan123

It would have been nicer if the Hurricanes had taken a couple of games from the Penguins, to make it look like they just had a great run. Unfortunately, the Penguins showed the world that the Hurricanes were, in fact, terrible.

Personally, I have no idea how the Hurricanes beat the Bruins either.

Bull. The Hurricanes are a better team than people give them credit for. Cam Ward is a great goalie and Eric Staal is one of the best young forwards in the league. They don't get anywhere near the credit they deserve.

**tmlfan123** · 09-17-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Bull. The Hurricanes are a better team than people give them credit for. Cam Ward is a great goalie and Eric Staal is one of the best young forwards in the league. They don't get anywhere near the credit they deserve.

Streaky as all get out, and they looked completely lost against the Penguins. They have nobody on D.

**Skeeter** · 09-17-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmlfan123

Streaky as all get out, and they looked completely lost against the Penguins. They have nobody on D.

Joni Pitkanen, Joe Corvo, and Tim Gleason disagree with you. They also picked up Aaron Ward in the off-season from the Bruins.

**tmlfan123** · 09-18-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Joni Pitkanen, Joe Corvo, and Tim Gleason disagree with you. They also picked up Aaron Ward in the off-season from the Bruins.

Pitkanen had by far the best season of his career. Is it a breakout year, and he'll continue to play at this level for the next 5-7 years? Maybe. Neither Corvo or Gleason are top-pair defensemen. Ward is old and slow and at best a #5, although he knows what to do in his own zone. My point is that they have no #1 defenseman, although they have a solid class of second-tier players. Cam Ward is still streaky - his mind-boggling Conn Smythe win the year the 'Canes won the Cup still probably causes his stock to be overrated. I just think the team is great when they're going good, but they can look awful in the very next game. They're a legitimate playoff team, but no one could argue they were the second-best team in the Eastern Conference last year. They got hot while the Bruins ran cold. That being said, hats off to them for beating a tough, tough opponent.

earlessdog · 09-21-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Bull. The Hurricanes are a better team than people give them credit for. Cam Ward is a great goalie and Eric Staal is one of the best young forwards in the league. They don't get anywhere near the credit they deserve.

Cam Ward is very overrated, he's a great guy, but I would never want him as my starter, as tmlfan123 said, he's very streaky. I couldn't be happier with Timbit starting the Bruins goaltending.
Eric Staal is very good, i'd love him on my team.

**tmlfan123** · 09-21-2009, 12:49 PM

PHIL KESSEL IS A MAPLE LEAF!!

We gave up too much for him though.

**Skeeter** · 09-21-2009, 02:37 PM

Not to mention Kessel is injured and will likely miss 20 games to start the year...

Still, he scored 36 goals last season...while playing with Marc Savard.

Sorry, folks, but this probably won't turn out well for the Leafs. I'm willing to be proven wrong, though. Hagman scored a beauty goal the other night and there's some decent young talent in the roster. Consistency might become a problem, however. We'll see.