Commandant

2 goals +1 for Dietz 2 assists for Thrower. Saskatoon wins 14th straight game. Dietz was -20 when the streak began. He's +1 now.

Part 3 http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/02/22/nhl-draft-february-rankings-part-3-21-30/

A look at the Calgary Flames. Its time for them to stop the charade and rebuild. http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/02/21/rekindle-the-fire-time-for-the-flames-to-rebuild/

I always liked Tom Pyatt as a fourth line player. Its a good comparison, and as you say, Pyatt had more footspeed... but we have an obsession with size and Armstrong is bigger and stronger.

13 straight wins for Saskatoon. 3 assists and a +2 for Dietz, who is now just -1 on the season.

I see complaints about Armstrong. I really don't understand them. Can someone tell me what he's done wrong? - Good on the PK. - Defensively Responsible at ES (very few goals/scoring chances against when he is on the ice). - some physical play - no bad penalties. He's been everything you want in a fourth liner, he's playing a solid game. I don't know what people expect out of a 1 million dollar fourth line player, because he is playing a near perfect game for his role right now. Yes, I get it, the guy is very "vanilla" out there and provides zero flash and dash to his game, but we are playing 3 scoring lines, and one gritty/defensive fourth line. Being Vanilla is exactly what the coaches want out of him. Kill minutes and don't hurt the team.

I also don't buy the theory that Price can't play well with a good backup behind him. I don't think his ego is that fragile. The Price we saw during the Halak years was a young goalie going through typical growing pains during those years, nothing more.

If you draft a goalie today, we are talking about an 18 year old project. That means 2 years of junior hockey 2 more years in the AHL so four years before he even becomes a backup. Then its gonna probably take at least a season or more of being a backup before he can legit challenge for the #1 spot. So you are looking 5 years down the road here.

Part 2, 11-20 http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/02/20/nhl-draft-february-rankings-part-2-11-20/

-3 on the season for Dietz now. If you told me he'd get his +/- down to that I wouldn't have believed you.

LOL, what a goal it was too.

Lines I've heard Bourque - Pleks - Gio Patch - DD - cole Prust - Chucky - White Armstrong - Eller - Moen It looks like they want Eller at Centre because of the fact we play Carolina. He'll be needed to contain one of the Staals, as DD isn't gonna be able to, and Chucky is too green.

Subban and Patches in. Gallagher out. White in. Price on the bench (backup).

I don't mind if Mayer and Delmas both leave and we bring in all new minor league goalies (assume Tokarski backs up Price).

A look at the Rankings, February edition.... 1-10 http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/02/18/nhl-draft-february-rankings-part-1-1-10/

Matheson also said that Robinson had no interest in being the Defence coach for the Habs. He only wanted the head coaching job. This was a new revelation and completely different than what we had heard earlier. I still believe that Robinson had no intention of actually coming to Montreal, but likes to play the PR game of saying "I would have come if...." so he doesn't look bad. The guy cracked under the pressure of head coach in New Jersey, doesn't really sound like it would be good for him or his health to coach the Habs.

Rivet was coming off his best season in 05-06.... but his 06-07 season was bad. He was a healthy scratch a few times right before the deal.

Upper body on Gallagher and Pacioretty, we'll know more today. Armstrong got hit in the face (eye area) with the puck, so we should learn about that later too. Emelin looked like he fell awkwardly on the arm, need to hear about him too. What an unlucky game, can't say that any of those was particularly dirty.

Goalie is pretty deep in this draft with Fucale, Spencer Martin, Comrie, and Jarry in the CHL. Then you have the US NTDP guys and the Euros. You can probably get a decent goalie prospect to develop with your third round pick.

Defencemen like Markov can last a long time. I don't think Markov will be too old when this team is ready to contend. In the meantime, PK Subban has a lot to learn as an offensive D... who better to learn from than Andrei Markov. The same can be said when Beaulieu reaches the NHL.

I like the deal a lot, as we've all said, the Habs need a legit goalie prospect and Tokarski gives them that. I'd give him a shot at the backup role next season. In the meantime, I'd still also draft a goalie cause a newly drafted guy is still 3/4 years away from developping into a backup

I'd want a Rivet style return for Gionta. A 1st rounder, plus a decent (but not great) prospect. Remember Gorges wasn't seen as a top guy at the time of the deal.

I think you are better off with an Alfredsson to Montreal rumor. I think the smart thing for the Sens would be just to say it and trade away vets like Alfie and Gonchar

Does this injury mean Ottawa should consider trading Gonchar, and maybe even Alfie? http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/02/13/senators-in-tatters-karlssons-injury-leaves-ottawa-reeling/

Eklund's dumb though. Bob McKenzie was reporting last night that the job was going to Jarmo kekajfglqaoejalien (or however you spell it).... so why would Eklund put up Hextall?