And who fits on the 1st line? Nobody. I think we should go after BMO for short and cheap.
Honestly I think Stajan will end up playing the majority on that line. If he can win FO's like he has in the past that allows Tangs and Iggy to posses the puck and he is very competent two way and still have skill. Even Lanks might work. Remember he scored 70 points. 50 points playing with Iggy and Tangs is not unrealistic, however it will more likely be under 40.
Just curious what your definition of competent is...
And who fits on the 1st line? Nobody. I think we should go after BMO for short and cheap.
Honestly I think Stajan will end up playing the majority on that line. If he can win FO's like he has in the past that allows Tangs and Iggy to posses the puck and he is very competent two way and still have skill. Even Lanks might work. Remember he scored 70 points. 50 points playing with Iggy and Tangs is not unrealistic, however it will more likely be under 40.
BMo was great last year but I doubt he can do it again. Its time to let Backlund take over. I know most people are reluctant to put him on the first line but its his job to lose. Stajan & Jokinen don't work well with Iggy and Tanguay and I doubt Langkow will be able to perform to 1st line standards. Backlund last year showed that he can be our number 1 center and unless he under performs or someone steals the job from him then I expect the job to be his.
And who fits on the 1st line? Nobody. I think we should go after BMO for short and cheap.
Honestly I think Stajan will end up playing the majority on that line. If he can win FO's like he has in the past that allows Tangs and Iggy to posses the puck and he is very competent two way and still have skill. Even Lanks might work. Remember he scored 70 points. 50 points playing with Iggy and Tangs is not unrealistic, however it will more likely be under 40.
My reasoning is that Backlund is young and has a high ceiling imo. Putting him with our 2 best players is going to pay dividends in his development. Not only that, he showed at the end of last season (when players are starting to peak) that he can play on our top line.
If stajan goes anywhere near the first line I will puke. If he earns it out of camp, great. But I don't see it happening.
I could honestly see Langkow working out on the top line if he returns to form. But he also posses the ability to create plays on his own and lead a line. He can play a good bottom six role because of his tenacity and grit. Backlund on the other hand looks weak in the bottom six. He needs to be playing with skill to be a true impact player on our roster. Backlund is a skilled, smart, savey playmaker when he has confidence. The 1st line role should be his to lose at the start of the season. The reason we didn't make the PO's last year is that Stajan/Jokinen played the 1st 20 games (appx) of the year on the first line. It was a horrible experiment, that cost us the season (obviously not the only reason).
PS. I would love for BMo to come back healthy. But I don't see Feaster signing him
Can't argue with the top two. I think the bottom 2 centers (Stajan/Langkow) really just depends on what kind of performance they show out of camp. Stajan could certainly be an "adequate" center for Bourque with Hagman busting his ass all over the ice, but Langkow might be the guy I want instead for Bourque.
Can't argue with the top two. I think the bottom 2 centers (Stajan/Langkow) really just depends on what kind of performance they show out of camp. Stajan could certainly be an "adequate" center for Bourque with Hagman busting his ass all over the ice, but Langkow might be the guy I want instead for Bourque.
What I really want to see...Or hoping for I guess.
I'm hoping Hagman is dumped for a 2nd (I know value isn't right, but it would sure be nice to get the 2012 back).
Stajan loses his roster spot because Byron comes out of the gate like a man possesed. Neimisz shows he's ready to be in the NHL, his skating has improved.
Bourque is traded for Semin. Funny, the rumor mill says WSH/CGY were talking at the draft. Then you hear rumbles about CGY going for Backstrom, which is a pipe dream. They should take the risk with Semin's attitude (Sutter should help). Great offense is obvious, but last year he truely showed great defensive awarness and PK abilities. He showed up in the POs too.
Bourque is traded for Semin. Funny, the rumor mill says WSH/CGY were talking at the draft. Then you hear rumbles about CGY going for Backstrom, which is a pipe dream. They should take the risk with Semin's attitude (Sutter should help). Great offense is obvious, but last year he truely showed great defensive awarness and PK abilities. He showed up in the POs too.
Although this is all just wishful thinking.
Hey, can't complain about hoping for the best.
Is there really so much of an attitude problem for Semin though? Just seems that the root came from him not getting enough pressure by the coaching staff to improve/produce even more than he can and thus losing interest at times.
Hey, can't complain about hoping for the best.
Is there really so much of an attitude problem for Semin though? Just seems that the root came from him not getting enough pressure by the coaching staff to improve/produce even more than he can and thus losing interest at times.
Still though...big leap for Neimisz.
I really just don't want to breakup the bottom six. I'm just hoping for anyone other then Stajan to fill the RW spot. I don't think Stajan is a good fit for this team at all, here's to hoping for him to rebound (which is more likely then Neimisz playing in the top six)
I really just don't want to breakup the bottom six. I'm just hoping for anyone other then Stajan to fill the RW spot. I don't think Stajan is a good fit for this team at all, here's to hoping for him to rebound (which is more likely then Neimisz playing in the top six)
True but I am hoping for Nemisz in the bottom six and Stajan out.... as I am sure many others are
I really wasn't a fan of Hagman's style of play in Calgary so far, too many hero attempts to beat the defense without using his teammates. Resulted in constant turnovers. That being said I am surprised he is so unwanted in the league, you think a team in the east would have taken a chance on him given the numbers he put up in TO. Hopefully the Flames can move him, the expiring contract should help.
Not a fit here at all, although I do like his work ethic and hustle. He is also good for a beauty goal every 10 or so games, like the one against San Jose.
)
