ForumGhost

Dan Cleary indicated the possibility that the lockout might go beyond this season. Can anyone imagine a multi-season lockout??

Absent from what? His extended golf season?

As unpopular as Bourque is right now, we can't give him up without another top-9 forwards coming back.

So it's starting to seem that we are heading inevitably towards a lockout... Reports are that the two sides are still far apart. TSN is even reporting that Thornton and Nash have already decided which European team they want to play for. My question is, if no agreement is reached by the 15th, does that mean the entire season is lost, or if a deal is struck shortly after, can we still have a partial season? Will players wait around or bolt to Europe like last time? Why on Earth did they wait so long to begin negotiations? Maybe if they had started working on this earlier, like last off season, we might not be in this spot.

Gorges?

I love it. With such a high roster turnover in the last decade or so, it's nice to see a young star locked up. Let's make Pacioretty, Price and Subban career Habs!

A bit steep? Try insane. If that's really what he is asking, it's 100% not worth it.

TSN says that Doan wants 4 years at 30 million. Wow. Pass.

7 million for what, 23 goals?

It will never happen.

Short term deal, then yes. 2 years would be nice, somewhere around 5 million per. Anything longer, I would pass (unless Bourque can be moved).

Of all the players listed, I think Doan is the best. Jagr may have a higher production, but Doan has those intangibles and leadership qualities. He's also more of a power forward, which would be a compliment to Pacioretty and Cole.

I think we have a good a shot as any. The fact that he wants to stay in Pheonix more than anything tells me signing with a cup favorite is not his biggest priority. Maybe he will wanna play with his cousin! I say try and get him for 2-3 years.

While New York obviously has a sick first line, and an all star goalie, they have some major depth issues. They have a potential all-star defense corps in the making, but those guys are pretty young. If you are gunna go for 1-line superstar line, I feel like you need a strong, reliable D to support it.

2nd-line winger?

Ugh. For the billionth time,no. Simply no.

Even if they are late round picks, 4 1st rounders plus their 4 own equals 8 1sts in 4 years. If they wanna rebuild their franchise, they couldn't ask for a better oppertunity. I would gladly take the picks. I think the Flyers are doing them a favor since they were likely going to lose Weber for less or nothing anyways.

Wasn't this guy going to be a competent 4th-liner for us? What happened there?

Gio on the 3rd line? No thanks. Pacioretty / Desharnais / Cole Bourque / Plekenec / Gionta Moen / Eller / Armstrong Prust / Nokelainen / White That seems ideal given our current lineup, although I think it would be good to start Leblanc on the second line with Gionta and Pleks, bumping Bourque to 3rd line, Moen to 4th and White to 13th. If not, Leblanc should play in Hamilton. Ditto with Gallagher. It would also be great if White could learn to play center at the NHL level, as Nokelainen is easily the weakest link in that lineup.

If we can get him for 1/2 years, then absoluetly. If longer, I wouldn't mind, but for no more than 4mil per year.

I hate when people talk like this. Yes, I am a proud Canadian, but I don't believe there is anything wrong with players wanting to play wherever they like. Often people forget that yes, hockey players are people too, with lives and families outside of hockey. I always enjoy envisioning what it would be like when people who spout stuff like this if they were offered similar choices. I love living in Canada, but if someone offered me a pay raise with more security to work somewhere I've never been to, why would I not consider it? Canada is not the center of the universe. Deal with it.

Why are people saying we don't have any soft defensemen? Emelin is a straight-up tank and Subban loves to play rough as well, as does Boullion. He may not be able to take many guys off their feet, but he is not the kind of player you wanna go into the corner with if you can avoid it. Gorges and Markov may not be physical, but they are smart enough technically and positionaly that they really don't have to be. There's a reason why no one complained about Lidstrom not being 'physical' enough'. Anyways, smart money says Tinordi will jump to Montreal before the season is over anyways.

If we are looking at shooting %, should we look at more relevant stats, such as point production?

lolwut Are you talking about Malcolm?

Weber is spare parts. He will probably be traded for a 3rd/4th rounder.