dlbalr

Fielder is a Scott Boras client. That alone is enough reason to expect the Jays won't actively be pursuing him. Plus, he's still insisting on a 10 year deal - it was nuts for Pujols and it's nuts for him too. They missed out on Darvish (I'd be curious to see how close their bid was...anyone else monitor the chatter after the Hab game last night for the results?) but there are still options out there. I think there's at least one significant deal to come from Toronto (probably for a starter) and probably a bullpen signing on a 1 year deal. Anthopoulos has suggested he'd like Janssen in a 7th inning role which means a set up guy is probably being looked at.

Trading for a coach is no longer permitted under the CBA. The Habs would have to wait until he was to be fired, something I don't see coming during the season.

I guessed right this time (about time). Budaj gets the nod tomorrow. I suspect practice today had some focus on shoring up the breakouts, short and simple passes to start the transition game. It's a little more protect-oriented but with Budaj starting, simple is good.

It's interesting to see those two paired together. That suggests Gallagher will be used in more of an energy role than a scoring one. Also, for US readers on here, good news as the NHL Network has picked up some extra games for the tournament. http://www.usahockey.com/world_junior_championship_2012/default.aspx?NAV=AF_03&id=310096&DetailedNews=yes

Yeah, they got him for Lebda (bought out) and I believe Robert Slaney who was probably just for the 50-contract limit. The package I'm citing is the one they turned down...I want to say about 5, 6 weeks ago. The issue with Lombardi was the uninsurable contract coupled with his concussion history.

Actually, Franson was 7th on the Preds in ATOI per game which means even they had him as a 3rd pairing guy. He's a decent d-man, no doubt but he wouldn't be much, if at all, better than the current crew and most certainly not worth trading more than a 2nd round pick and a decent prospect/young player. http://www.nhl.com/i...wName=timeOnIce

You mean the guy who has been a healthy scratch many times this year? (Sadly, it has to be the year I picked him in the pool...) He's been better lately but not worth the king's ransom the Leafs demanded (having already rejected a young player and a 2nd round pick).

Certainly some positives in this one as the team put forth a strong effort in the 3rd. The 4th line was strong all night and Cunneyworth seemed to roll them as the momentum went. That was a subtle change I noticed. I think we may see Budaj get the Chicago game and let Price have the Winnipeg (in-conference) one though this one was definitely not on Price.

As I've noted before, it would be tough to switch a guy like Kaberle over as he's been a LD all his career, switching now would be really tough (the Spacek factor). Gorges could move over but then you have Emelin, Gill, and Kaberle as the LD's. One of them has to play ~24 minutes a game the way the defensive game is set up, I know I'm not comfortable with any of them playing that much. It's not as simple as saying the physical defenceman has to play under any circumstance.

In theory, yes. Means Gill or Kaberle is playing a ton more though (and no, Emelin-Subban isn't a terrific idea for a top pairing).

Cole was banged up for a bit, so that explains why his time is down a bit at least. Darche, even with the game going to OT, won't be anywhere near 20 minutes tonight, he's on pace for about 15. Is that too much? Sure, but he's also playing quite well. Emelin was a disaster and then some on Saturday night, he's not ready to play the right side. A good team with strong wingers would've made him look even worse tonight I think. Honestly, how much do you think will change in the next little bit? They've had now a whopping two game day skates to work on stuff. It takes longer than that to implement anything new. Stat of the game through 2 periods: Desharnais 0/9 on faceoffs.

That too, he deserves some credit for sure. Blunden/Gorges did help his cause though.

Yeah, we do that to keep things more organized. I believe one of our mods had sent you a PM explaining that around the time the threads were merged. If you have any questions, feel free to ask any of the mods or myself.

Watching the replays, I put it on Blunden. As Pouliot scores, he's 8 feet ahead of everything facing the wrong direction unless the second it crosses the line. He cheated on the draw assuming Nokelainen would win, Pouliot crept into the opening vacated by him. Gorges isn't exempt from criticism as he didn't make the read to cover quick enough but I say that was more Blunden than anything.

Looking like Emelin and Weber will sit while Subban and Diaz will play. The other change is the coaching as Pierre Groulx moves back up top while Larry Carriere debuts behind the bench.

Our Writers Weigh In segment is now up. There are many sub-plots and theories discussed amongst the thoughts on the coaching change itself. http://www.habsworld...cle.php?id=2675

CBA says midnight, that's what I'm going off of.

Big trade yesterday with the Reds getting Mat Latos for a package involving Edinson Volquez and some young (but decent upside) prospects. Admittedly, I'm not too familiar with Latos but looking at his numbers, they don't look ace-worthy which is what everyone's touting. He's young and has a lot of team control left which is what entices them, I'm sure. The posting period for Yu Darvish has come and gone but MLB has decided to drag out the official announcement of who won until Tuesday. The consensus is that the Blue Jays won while the speculation is that there are some questions about the seriousness of Toronto's bid, whether it's legit or if it was just to stop a rival from getting him. The winning bid was in Matsuzaka territory.

Engqvist scores in OT to win it for the Bulldogs!

Hamilton has dominated the 3rd, outshooting the Heat 13-2 so far. Bulldogs to the PP with barely a minute to go.

It'd be really tough for this to blow up in the Yotes' face. Turris demanded a trade and was clearly going through the motions in his limited time with Phoenix this year. Plus, I'm sure he wasn't exactly a good presence in the locker room. The only way this can really blow up is if Turris really starts lighting up while Rundblad and the player selected with the pick turn into huge busts. It's not impossible, but Rundblad at his worst looks like a legit 3rd pairing guy so they'll almost assuredly get something of quality for a malcontent.

Bulldogs take two quick penalties after the goal and the Heat take advantage, now 2-2.

Post #8,000 for me is to announce that Palushaj scores a PPG just 28 seconds into the 3rd to take a 2-1 lead.

Is it really a Hab rumour? Not really, but I've heard Habs D prospect Morgan Ellis will be on the move to another Quebec league squad during their final trade period which begins tomorrow and ends January 7th. Could mean he'll be having a long playoff run ahead of him. Speaking of trade periods, don't forget the trade freeze for the NHL begins at midnight tomorrow.

Still 1-1 after 2 but the Bulldogs are really getting outplayed. Lawson is keeping them in it so far. Hamilton will have a carryover PP to start the 3rd.