J-P

I interpreted that OP meant that while Stecher DOES have heart and skill, him being undersized and not really above average in any category makes him expandable going forward. That's my opinion as well, love his character but he's not a top 6 D on a contending team.

Disagree about marky. I believe that JB told it like it is and that Marky wants to focus on finishing the season. If so, that means he’s confident and fresh and feeling he can deal with the future later.

I do too. He's been given a fair chance on the 2nd line and he's also played decently for the most part as an interim solution, but it's obvious he no longer has that last step and hopefully he's feeling that as well. If he retires, this last season has been a somewhat worthy ending to a disappointing time in Vancouver.

This. But in my eyes it’s a good deal if we make the playoffs, no matter what. Of course it’s a better deal if we win a round and Taff is resigned, but the playoff experience for this team at this point will be invaluable, so as long as we get there and Taff plays like a leader all the way I’m fine with this deal. An isolated strategy hopefully to give up on this year’s draft? Not a good strategy if repeated next year...

No need to put on an ovation for Kesler. A lukewarm round of applause will do and then just be done with it. As others have pointed out it would be really disappointing if he’s booed. Pretty sure the Sedins and the current roster would feel the same.

Hard to question GMJB when it comes to judging talent, but I don’t really see the rationale for letting Gaudette develop as a 3rd line center on the roster instead of playing wing or cooking in the AHL. He has 13 even strength points in 43 games which is not terrible but not very good either in a sheltered role. He also struggles with face offs and on defense. Like I said I trust that the staff know what they are doing, and maybe it makes more sense if you look at him as an offensive 4C, which you could argue he is at least on some nights. However, if we for instance play Edmonton in the first playoff round, who do you think they will match McDavid and Draisatl against on every opportunity and especially at home ice? Don’t see that happening though, maybe Sutter will take the 3C spot by then.

Canes broadcasters complaining really hard about the lack of call on fantenberg tripping a canes player a while before the last goal. Yeah - we feel your pain (not).

Canes seeking the matchup against our shutdown line (Horvat’s) for Aho and Svechnikov and having success with it, interesting.

Aho and Svechnikov are good tho.

Demko should have had that one?

There are still players in the league I would pick over EP for a playoff series, but Marner is not one of them.

Funny was just thinking about that as well. There was actually another shift later in the same game where EP took aim and just ran over Martinez again in open ice.

He’s heavy in the sense that it’s almost impossible to get the puck by him along the boards and he has a great hustle with stick work and positioning. Combine that with two equally tough players (and in Pearson’s case literally physically tough) and you have a heavy line to deal with. I’d say for the rest of the season I don’t mind LE as the long term solution. After that I agree he’s not, and the best thing for everyone would be if he retired after his bonus money is payed out during the summer.

I don't want McCann on our team. Sure everybody has the right to be immature, but the reported character issues with that young man is not something that just goes away completely with maturity IMO. I like the character and attitude of our young stars, and I'd rather have character guys like Pearson, LE, Beagle and Edler complementing them.

After LE ran through the defender along the boards to win the puck. I guess getting ripped from all the gym/press box time did some good...

The line of LE, Bo and Pearson is very heavy and hard to contain. Would be nice to see them get a few more points 5v5 but it could be coming, they had some great shifts and looks against coyotes.

Think we have to accept that Sutter’s normal status is IR now. So for him the regular status update should not be how close is he is to returning, but rather how close he is to his next injury ;-)

I think what people see is that he gives away the puck at times in a frustrating manner and also that he doesn’t bury his point blank chances anymore. It’s a combination of needing a little bit confidence and experience IMO so nothing to worry about long term. And while EP does have a bit more natural swagger, you could say the same thing about him at times. I agree that after a bit of a slow start Brock has been playing great overall. Considering both him and EP have no hot streaks during the season and definitely more bad luck than lucky bounces, for them to deliver the overall play and numbers they have bodes well for the future.

Kovy with the most ice time of any Montreal forward against Flames - thx for the win Habs / - - guess he’s doing something right...

Yeah enough of the LE bashing please. Don’t think he lost a board battle all game, got punched in the mouth and bled and didn’t even go for a line change, consistently going to the net and being in the right place all over the ice - but yeah, just floating and collecting his paycheck I guess. (Not saying he’s a 6 mil player so don’t get started on that.)

Embellishment on the last 2 penalties is just embarrassing. Sorry to see it lead to success. exciting game though

Hogs is in for the bronze medal game against Finland.

Hogs has been given the green light by the IIHF to play in the bronze medal game.

2nd unit plays a simpler game and gets results from it, agreed. Still don't understand why the 1st unit don't rotate more. Let QH, Miller and EP circle around the zone and behind the net as they please and just improvise. IMO that's how the best PP:s operate (Tampa, Boston etc.) and I think we have the players for it.

Just let the kid play.