Comments on: Could the leafs swing a deal for Staal?

By: Boston_Bruins

Boston_Bruins — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:48:19 +0000

Yeah, the Pietrangelo/Shattenkirk combo vs. Chara is the biggest difference. Funny thing is though that Hamilton has been compared to Pietrangelo in terms of style of play.

And Berglund, that's right, thanks. I don't know much about him but I always hear everyone describe him as that. I heard he has an absolute howitzer of a shot though.

I'm actually headed down to Detroit to see them play the Wings in aabout a week. Should be a good one.

By: Boston_Bruins

Boston_Bruins — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:45:06 +0000

Yeah I wouldn't be against moving the Pens up really. They have proved they can do more than just get by without Crosby. Malkin's re-emergence doesn't hurt either.

Scary thing about the Leafs offense is that alot of it is relying on that top line. Players like Grabovski and Kulemin are bound to break out more eventually and when that happens that's a top flight offense. Definitely like their outlook for the future with that young of a squad.

By: Boston_Bruins

Boston_Bruins — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:41:33 +0000

Lol give me a break. Where would you put the Bruins? Going 19-2-1 in their last 22 is a pretty objective way to look at the fact that they've been a top team. They've only lost one game all year by more than one goal (or two with an empty netter) for god's sake.

The Leafs are in the mix and are my 8th ranked team, which is where they are in the standings anyways. I love their offense but I think they have questions defensively.

And maybe, I dunno, break up the East and West teams yourself? It's not that hard to break up.

By: Leafs420

Leafs420 — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:12:18 +0000

well you can tell this is coming from a bias bruins fan. just cause Toronto is on a little slump doesn't mean they deserve to be a bubble team and to the guy who said Montreal deserves to be above Toronto is a joke lol Montreal has been shitting the bed all season and is on an even worse slump then Toronto as we speak.

Next time you decide to do a shitty comparison makes sure you split it up for east and west

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:30:09 +0000

I'd push Pittsburgh into the elite teams honestly. Even without Crosby. They have such a great makeup that they keep winning and keep on top. Other three were bang on though. Boston is definitely on top. Scary how good they are and still how the core is young.

Buffalo is overrated in my opinion. They have some nice pieces but its an overall meh design of the team. Vanek is good but he's way to mercurial to be a piece to be built around. Roy and Pominville are just on and off. Stafford is a once in a few years thirty goal scorer. They have some nice pieces but nothing that will ever get them that far in the playoffs. Adam, Kassian and Myers could be a nice new youth push though but those new contracts are going to hurt them soon. Plus Miller just isn't the top 5 goalie everyone thinks he is. Depending on him as one is going to continue to hurt this team.

Montreal - I think they are high to be honest. The roster is aging and to much is tied up in useless pieces. They desperately need a retool with players pushed out. Cammy, Gionta, Gomez just aren't dependable players. Kaberle has been good and he's pushing Subban but their are just to many pieces that are bringing the rest down. Demote Gomez, trade Gionta/Cammy and move forward with Price, Subban, Pleks, Eller, Pacioretty, AK. They have some nice young pieces.

Devils - Agreed. They are decent just not great. Brodeur is getting old and that defense is bad.

Leafs - Their offense has been the brightest point for us. Goaltending hasn't been horrendous compared to other years but it hasn't been what we hoped for. To much hope was placed on potential of young players. Still as the second youngest team in the league, things could be worse. Core pieces are working theirselves into place and the shape of a competitive team is taking place. It's been slow but things are improving at least.

Ottawa - If they could get Lehner playing well and some defensive improvements, they might be the Oilers 2.0 next year.

Great points on all the teams.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:17:49 +0000

Good points. A couple comments.

Does anyone have a Chara comparable? :P Maybe the Sabres. Now if a team would sign me...lol.

Your thinking Berglund, not backlund but yes enigmatic is a good way to describe him.

THe blues are a young team but they do compare well. Interesting points, I had never compared them before. They need a big physical left handed dman still, they have a highly talented puck mover (something the Bruins still lack, at least until Hamilton comes), but the rest is pretty much a close match.

By: TheOnlyIslesFan

TheOnlyIslesFan — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:36:12 +0000

In away I agree with Josh - the concussion issue has been around in the NHL forever just that in the past guys played through it - but the concussion topic is a sexy one because the League appointed face of Hockey sat out a year with a concussion, came back through his elbow into Nick Foligno's head - then was shelfed again, this is a big problem especially when you're trying to expand your game to a worldwide audience and the guy you say is the best player on skates has played less than 15 games in a Calendar year.

I remember when Slew footing was the huge problem in the league - I'd trade all the headshots for the slewfooting and neutral zone trap crap of the 90's any day.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:40:51 +0000

U2 sucks.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:39:24 +0000

People get concussions so easily these days because of the radio waves that travel through our brains due to cell phone use and wifi waves kicking around. #Conspiracy

And on a side note, Leafy, if you keep becoming more and more of a negative old crack pot were gonna have to put you in a home soon. j/k

By: JoelLeafs

JoelLeafs — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:52:40 +0000

Seriously?

Ugh.