The Lock

Honestly, I'm not surprised by this given the state Russia is in at the moment. I would almost be surprised if we DON'T get an influx of Russians into the league next year, or at least Russians who have previously seen the difference between this part of the world and Russia.

First of all, I have to ask... contrary to myself? I mean... I've never played in the NHL so I guess I haven't proven myself at that level. I literally have no idea what you are trying to say or even imply with this. Sorry dude, but I just had to bring up how weird that sounded. Perhaps there was a grammar mistake there or... something. lol I'm going to have to disagree though that he proved himself at the NHL level. I think he showed promise, but the problem with promise is player like Virtanen also showed promise. Hopefully he's a different player than Virtanen but also, hopefully, you are least see where I'm coming from. Serious question: are you against anyone who is hesitant on Tryamkin? Are you willing to see at least that there is a legitimate reason to be hesitant on this? Can we handshake on that?

It's an option for sure, but we don't know how good he will be for us. You're literally just assuming here that he will correct what was "wrong in the past"; yet, there is no way you can guarantee that that's what will happen. To be skeptical of this isn't an obsession at all. It's seeing a player that hasn't proven himself at the NHL level yet. There's nothing wrong with questioning the viability of an option. I get that you're passionate about the guy, but let's talk about who's obsessive here. I didn't even call you obsessive; yet, you felt the need to literally "call" this whole notion of obsessive out. Why? Do you feel somehow threatened?

Well he might still prove to become a good dman at the NHL level. However, the obvious problem with that way of thinking is just like with any other Russian who comes over: it's going to be hit or miss. Just because he was over here for a bit does not guarantee him being a hit. So I can understand optimism but I agree on the obsession being a little much.

I think, for me, I prefer the path Seattle's gone compared with a team like Vegas. I actually liked Vegas when they first came in, but with the handling of their players, they really seemed to take heart the city's gambling roots a little too much. The team just seems to have built up a lot of dirt in the short timespan it's been around.

Unless if you have a crystal ball that can see into the future, it's impossible to know whether or not he's won or lost that bet since it's only been less than 2 months since the deal happened. I commend your passion at least and hope you end up right in that we win the trade, but this is one that we won't know that for a while. In terms of Yzerman, he literally had stepped down himself and became advisor in Tampa. He wasn't even kicked out. It's also been reported that he originally wanted to become Holland's successor before being headhunted by Tampa. Therefore, it's likely he wanted to be in Detroit instead anyway. It should also be noted that a lot of the players Yzerman drafted became successful NHL'ers after Yzerman left and Brisebois didn't exactly have to do much.

I guess it all really depends on how it went down. I can see scenarios where it would be appropriate and I could see scenarios where it would seem like he'd seem a little too emotionally sensitive for it to really be a "cultural shock", especially if it was the only factor of him leaving. In my opinion, the whole thing would really depend on if it was the sole reason for leaving of not. Now, realistically, I would think most likely it would be an amalgamation of factors, but still, depending how those factors played out can really affect whether or not he's someone we'd want back. I'/m not saying yes or no here. I'm just saying we probably don't have enough information on this to really say one way or another.

I mean... this is the same world where we have celebrity athletes with their own alchohol brands. Marijuana's just at it's infant stage in terms of having just become legal. So what you are asking there might seem absurd and rhetorical now, but might not be so absurd at all eventually.

Make sure to refuse putting cream and sugar in the coffee. Double doubles are more like milkshakes after all while having their coffee black really exposes how bad the coffee actually is underneath those double doubles.

I think it's more about the team he left behind in Tampa than it is what he's done in Detroit so far. That's where a lot of his reputation has come from. Even before Tampa he was rather well respected as being smart at whatever he did. That being said, I think the conversation we're both replying to here is a tale of extremes. We may or may not have won that trade to get Hronek, but we won't actually know for a while. I see why the trade was made and I think an individual's opinion of that trade really seems to depend on where they feel this team is now, which isn't exactly an easy question to answer.

Aside from the obvious Canucks, I picked Jets and Flames (yes I know).... Jets because they didn't have a team for so long. I've cheered for them since they got their team back. Flames because I'm most likely moving to Calgary this year and maybe actually be able to go to a couple of games. Canucks will always be number 1 though.

Yeah, I think this is one of those situations where we can't let "homegrown" cloud our judgement. If we aren't getting results, that has to be the biggest factor in my opinion.

You're giving them way too much credit and I'm actually guessing a lot less than you realise.lol I've been following the Ukraine war since day 1 cheering for Ukraine and I've looked closely at what's been going on inside Russia ever since. There's a ton of footage of interviews of Russians on the street who literally think the Ukraines are... well words I can't say here. Now, generally, the older the person, the more prone they are to propaganda, but there are still a lot of young people who have stated they are for the war there. Then there's the numbers. Now, keep in mind these numbers are theoretical but they do some from professional sources. The youtube video in particular I saw this from was a US military commander I think but I doubt I could find it now. Also should be of note that this would be from the beginning of the war. Anyway, you're going to likely have about 20% or less for the war, about 20% or less hard against the war... and then 60% or more who just want to live their lives. That 60% doesn't mean they are not susceptible to the propaganda and, if that's still all they hear, they'll likely believe some, or even a lot of it. If you need more proof of this, all you have to do is look here in Canada. What is the mindset of a lot of people in rural Alberta? There's a lot of far right people there right? There's also a lot of hockey players from those parts. There are even hockey players who have shown some questionable opinions. This is in a society that has less propaganda. Russia has a ton more propaganda. If we still have radical people in Canada without a government creating propaganda (or at least a lot less propaganda), what do you think it'll be like in a country where the government does run propaganda? I don't doubt you have the greatest of intentions in wanting to think Russians know what to think. You just have to look at the logic behind things to know that not every Russian's going to catch on. We have Canadians who don't even catch onto logic and they aren't prone to the same propaganda. Some will figure things out of course, but some won't. It's the harsh reality behind it all.

This all depends though on if you're a Russian buying into the propaganda over there or not. It's easy to assume they'd know their leader was a psychopath over there. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like all Russians, not even all young Russians, realise their government's been perpetually lying to them.

I guess it depends on price in the end. If a better backup that Delia is out there for effectively the same price, I'd obviously be all for that. We do have to remember though that we're still in a bit of a cap crunch with our situation. Most good teams either have a base level contract for a backup or something at like 2mil tops in cap and it seems like the better the main goalie, the less likely that extra cap hit exists on that team.

Maybe, but also maybe not believe it or not. Keep in mind Russia is very much an oligarch society, meaning there might not be as much tax for the rich as we think. That also being said, who knows if Russia would give everyone the same "set of rules" as well. So what you're saying could be correct, but that word "might" is a big "might". lol

The real question is what number will he be on our team? I think it would be funny to see something like 4 or 44. Maybe even EP 20.

My guess is it might still depend on how much money someone has to bribe the government not to draft them. I can imagine there's still likely a lot of men with incomes way less than the average KHL player that would be drafted 1st, but I could be wrong in that too.

I guess the way I see it is It's fine if you wanted a different player. I think though we have to keep in mind this is the prospect we have. Anyone can complain all they want about how x player is doing better, but we don't have that player. We have Lek; therefore, he's the one we're rooting for in the end. I agree on being patient. The kid's still 18 years old after all. Just to put things into perspective a little, there are players older than him that will JUST be getting drafted this year. Sure, those players will be technically overagers, but that does not dismiss this fact whatsoever. Had the kid literally been born a week later (or might be a month later, I don't know if it's July or August being the cutoff), he would be in the draft this year instead.

Hronek only played 4 games for us. I'm sure he'll help add to the team next year, but I don't see him as being a main reason for this year since he wasn't exactly playing.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree then. I'd rather just see progress at this point. He's had an injury season and, as an organization, we've had a terrible history with prospects who get injuries. So, honestly, I couldn't care less about what league he's in as long as there's progress since the injuriy. Worrying about other things just seems like unnecessary ulcers at this point. You do you in the end, but if I were to base my life goals around all of the negatives rather than the positives, I'd never achieve anything. I look at it the same way when I look at prospects. I'm not saying constructive criticism isn't needed. It is, but there's a time and place for it. Usually that time and place would be when progress isn't happening or it's something that could make things even better with the current progress. However, I see he had an injury and I see progress and perhaps changing league could hamper that progress at the moment.

I would have actually been more surprised if they did decide to fly back to be honest.

I don't see how it matter where he gets his production from so long as he's getting production at this point. Everything else is mere pedantics.

I said potential 2nd pairing, meaning the future. I'm not saying like RIGHT NOW! ZOMG! lol Burroughs is a defender who knows his job and does it well, but I can't see him ever breaking out of 3rd pairing. Bear on the other hand I do see potentially breaking out of that which is why he'd be paid more, because he has that extra that Burroughs does not have. Even now, I don't see Bear as strictly a 3rd pairing. You're welcome to disagree... but please... read what I'm saying rather than leaving out words that I said. I say words for a reason. I guess this goes to show you can say whatever you want to cover your butt and people will still think you mean exactly 2nd pairing like right now since you said 2nd pairing, ignore everything in front of that. lol Anyway, I just wish people actually like... read posts rather than going "oh no this person's against my opinion I don't want to readz!!!!!" (as I get progressively drunk rambling at the same time)