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kloubek

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Everything posted by kloubek

  1. I wouldn't say Tryamkin was top 4. He held his own well enough be defensively solid. But there were conditioning issues, and I have no idea how much he has improved in Russia since. That includes his dedication level and maturity as well, which were suspect in his first stint. I'm still a big fan. I believe a fit, dedicated Tryamkin could very well be a #4 guy. He will never be a huge scoring threat despite his booming shot, but for physical and net presence, I see him as the kind of player who could be a playoff hero in his own right.
  2. We are going to find out this season, methinks. This is his time to shine.
  3. You make a good point, and I don't think either will be enough to make Toronto the team those fans think they have. But it does help in areas they needed help, and those two guys play the way that team needs to play. I still think they have too much cap tied up in their top 4 players, and their top players overall need to bring a more complete, consistent, and grittier game... the latter of which I'm not sure they can. I don't feel FA is the top-calibre goalie they need... he can play lights out, but is terribly inconsistent. I also feel their D is still suspect, thought Brodie should be an improvement. Overall, I still don't see them as a cup contender - though their firepower IS impressive and I expect to see them as high as #1 in the North standings, and no lower than #3. Calgary is a good team, and they will almost certainly be better this season. I wouldn't be surprised to see them lead the division altogether, actually. Marky should give them great goaltending, and combined with their very solid D, they are going to be stingy. They also have better firepower than many believe. I think for Calgary where it all falls apart is that their scorers are just not well suited for hard, playoff hockey. Edmonton should also be improved with some secondary scoring, but their D took a downgrade and they still have inconsistent goaltending. They will score goals, have many against, and just generally do what Edmonton does. All this praise for Ottawa, but I am less optimistic they will fare much better this season. Yes, they will be harder to play against but I still expect them to be at the very bottom. Montreal is largely just another year older. Same old from them, imo. Winnipeg is one resilient bunch but with a still-broken D, it's hard to think their good goaltending and somewhat potent scoring is enough to get them far. Still, you never know... As for our team, I honestly don't know here either. We have lots of potential, and I think Schmidt is going to be a beauty for us, but a lot of stars are going to have to align for us be near the top of the standings. I feel we are still lacking 1 solid defenseman, as well as a top 6 forward. But we have guys with potential who may make both deficiencies moot. Then there is the goaltending, which remains to be seen, and will be required for a good season. I could see us top in the division, but I could also see us mid pack, or even lower. For us, it will all be about who steps up. Virtanen, Gaudette, Rafferty, Rathbone, OJ could all be revelations, or could all be duds this season. If we can't fill the holes, there could be problems.
  4. Loui could have done that for probably less real money overall, and at no cost at all. Hell, we give THEM the sweetener. Stepan is declining hard, and unless a move gives him a resurgence, I bet he scores 20 points. Still better than what LouI brings, but not as much more as you'd expect...
  5. Perhaps he is trying to drag out negotiations for top dollar? I dunno...
  6. It isn't like this changes anything for him. He may not get what he wanted, but that could be said of many UFAs this season. It also doesn't mean multiple teams aren't interested in his services. He just wants to get out on the ice, hopefully he lands with the Blues but he will get offers. I'm quite happy he isn't on a PTO with us.
  7. If we weren't able to move out more salary for a guy like Hamonic, this guy was the one of the remaining UFA defensemen I was figuring Benning was going to target.
  8. There is disappointment potential if a top 10 pick doesn't work out. There is even more potential for disappointment if that pick doesn't play like he can. Pods doesn't have that problem. Fans will like him just fine.
  9. I think our fans are mainly just stoked to have someone as talented as Petey to build the team around. I think most of us know he isn't a true superstar quite yet. ...but he will be. Bank on it. Petey has the drive, smarts and skill to get there. He has a tall frame to add more muscle and combine that with more experience, I really do believe he will become one of the best players in the NHL. If not top 5, top 10 for certain in my mind.l
  10. Honestly, a high end Burrows/Hansen is fine by me, given the draft position. Pods is the kind of player who can move up and down the lineup if need be, and has potential and drive to develop into a top 6 guy. I have no doubt he will be a contributor for us, but we just need to wait and see in what capacity. I said it before, but I actually see Hoglander as having more 1st line potential to play with Petey. I see Pods as being an eventual 2nd line guy playing with Bo.
  11. I have no problem with Myers being exposed if we have Tryamkin in the lineup. I feel they bring similar elements, and 6m is a lot for what we are getting in Myers, imo.
  12. As much as I love hockey and will find its return something I can finally focus on other than Covid, it honestly seems ridiculous to me that they are preparing for a season under these circumstances. These players are not only risking their livelihood if they get infected, but with most jurisdictions in Canada already under heavy restrictions and likely to get worse as we continue through winter, allowing NHL hockey seems like a rather frivolous luxury at this point, doesn't it? I would be surprised to see this season finish without at least one team being hit by the virus, if not multiple teams. We've already seen overseas how this happens despite teams trying to be careful, and especially in the USA they are already in real bad shape and its only going to get worse.
  13. The tough times continue for the Oil. Their D was already a question.
  14. Happiest New Year ever. Truthfully, it may not be. Gonna be some time before this is resolved by vaccination. Wishing you all the best.
  15. To me, its all about intent and context. In both the cases of our logo as well as Holtby's mask, they were intended to honour rich native culture and history. Should native people be consulted for authenticity in the design? Probably, but from an accuracy and idea standpoint as opposed to an ethical one. Worry about the message and not the conveyance. Too many people sweat the details instead of just living their own best life. As a white guy, am I allowed to enjoy Chinese food? May I wear a robe - provided it doesn't appear like a Kimono? What if it does? May I continue to use chopsticks, or is that a no-go? What if I'm not using them in an exact traditional manner? My wife is Filipino and I attend Filipino events. Is that OK? What if we were not married? What if I dress up in traditional German garb because my father is so. Is that ok, or am I doing it offensively because I was born here? What if I wore Dutch clogs due to my Mother's heritage. Is that disrespectful? Can others wear clogs if they wanted to? What if they were manufactured in China? What if they were authentic? Blah blah blah. Honestly, who the hell cares? Canada is great in part due to the wonderful cultures we have collected, and those which existed before we arrived. Denounce racism and support embracing of all cultural influences... so long as the intent comes from a good place. Live your life. Quit finding reasons to complain.
  16. Just not a fan of the gradient. Blue to green and everything in between just ain't doing it for me.
  17. It would, and unless his play drops off a cliff I'm all for it. IF we can afford it. We aren't going to be in a position to pay him another 6m, even if his play remains flat. If he wants to reach that 1000 mark, he's going to have to leave some money on the table.
  18. Well, therein lies the fact we need to accept that Green and Benning know what is best for our team, and if players like Rafferty (who I agree seems ready) or Juolevi truly are ready to be strong contributing members of our team. If they are, then great. But if the rumors are true, it would appear management isn't so sure...
  19. I support signing Hamonic for one year. I want to see our young guys play, but I'm just not comfortable with Benn being a permanent fixture in the top 6. We are already going to be relying on one young guy in that group, and if anyone gets injured (and they will), we are then relying on two or more. That's taking a big risk imo in a shortened season where games mean more and we don't have as much leeway to "try out" young talent. Add to this the fact that we finally have a 2nd guy in Schmidt who can put up points, I would rather he focus on that and somewhat leave defending against top lines up to a guy like Hamonic. He also brings the size and grit we could use more of. I have been a supporter of bringing Tryamkin in asap as well, and not sure how a Hamonic signing would affect that possibility. Easy to imagine: Hughes, Schmidt, Edler, Myers, Hamonic, Tryamkin. That's a big D that can both score, as well as make opposition think twice about crashing our net or talking liberties overall. Looks a lot harder to play against and more purpose-built than: Hughes, Edler, Myers, Tanev, Stecher, Benn/Fanta.
  20. I feel confident Hoglander will be a strong contributor on this team. Yes, he still has lots to learn but he has the skill level that makes defenders look silly on the ice, the IQ and creativity to be a constant scoring threat, as well as the right attitude and drive to become successful. He may not make the team immediately, and that's perfectly fine... not every player is a Hughes or Petey. He needs to gain strength and size, and that's typical from young players - he already does well playing against men. Despite being a possession darling his defense supposedly needs work, but I'm not concerned about his ability to improve in that area - he just needs continued coaching and continue to learn the finer points of the game. Mark my words: Hoglander will be on the opening night 2022 roster, and I would be pleasantly surprised but not astonished if he became a permanent fixture sooner.
  21. Difference being that Sutter was an Ironman before coming to our team. Ferland was already damaged goods, and Benning took a calculated risk.
  22. Anyone who hasn't lived under a rock knows what Ferland can bring. He can change a playoff series. We've seen it. But this on again off again has gotta stop. For his health and for the Canucks, he needs to get himself sorted or step away from the game. I respect him for trying, and will respect him more for protecting his future if need be. But man, I did have high expectations of the signing. It hasn't worked out, but I maintain 8t was a solid acquisition on paper at least.
  23. Hughes was better as soon as he stepped on NHL ice. Maker too.
  24. Google stated 188 lbs for Henrik, I believe. And varying heights- though I thought I recalled 6'1 as being generous. So Petey is an inch taller as well, and possibly still growing. I see 190 as a low end, and maybe even a tad over 200 at the high... though you really never know. I shot up from 155lbs in grade 12 to 185 pounds in a couple years after college, and that wasn't fat... just genetics. Either way, he's gonna get much stronger, and I think when that happens we are going to be lucky to have one of the top ten players in the league. Bank on it.
  25. This is my thought with Petey as well. Both are going to be beastly players for us as they grow into their bodies. At least Hughes is excellent at avoiding contact... though I still can't help cringe any time he does get nailed.
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