Quite a few Columbus fans are unhappy with Hitchcock more than anyone, because they say that the team is in need of more offense and he prefers playing "AHL goons" and going all defense in third period etc... I haven't watched them outside of our games with them. So I dunno. Interesting turn of events though.
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"It has not been a good day. I lost my glasses early this morning and I had to go buy a pair of 79 dollar reading glasses today. 79 bucks. You can literally get them at Costco, three-for-20." - Darryl Sutter's response to going up 2-0 in the series.
Quite a few Columbus fans are unhappy with Hitchcock more than anyone, because they say that the team is in need of more offense and he prefers playing "AHL goons" and going all defense in third period etc... I haven't watched them outside of our games with them. So I dunno. Interesting turn of events though.
To me it seems like it split bewteen them being mad at Hitch and not being mad. Hitch wanted more effort, consistency and play in his own zone. They were saying during one game he had 3 turnovers in his zone on the same shift making dumb plays. Hitch is trying to make him a better all around player but some seem would rather him be a one dimension floater.
Fans are clamoring for Whitney because of a few reasons, one being that additional scoring help is needed with Purcell looking unprepared for top six duties, the other being the loss of Ryan Smyth. Carolina is also looking out of playoff contention so Whitney might be a hot commodity.
The guy can still produce, as evidenced by his remarkable numbers. He hasn't had less than 50 points since 2003-04. He isn't afraid to go to the middle of the ice to score either (something not many Kings players are willing to do).
With the expected long term signings coming of Kane, Toews and Keith, you'd hope Lombardi (if he already hasn't) would contact Chicago as well. As everyone knows their need to shed contracts for next year, and the guys rumored to be potentially available are definitely intriguing: Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Dustin Byfuglien, and Dave Bolland but he's no longer in there due to his injury.
Frolov would be an interesting target for them considering they wouldn't lose much of anything in the trade but his contract would come off the books at the end of the season, which is what they need. Something like Frolov + a pick(s) for one of the Hawks?
Ponikarovsky would be a very good addition. He's big, he can skate and he's got a rocket of a shot and has been a consistent 20 goal scorer (21, 21, 18 and 23 goals over the past four seasons).
He had a career high of 61 points last season and is en route to score 20+ goals again this season (with 7 goals already in 19 games). Poni is set to become unrestricted at the end of the season. He may be a player in high demand though and Burke might wait for the highest bidder.
Might be slight.....but its probably going to be a late/mid 1st, Frolov is a UFA at the end of the season, and Moller is a good prospect but Im having problems finding where he fits into our lineup.
In Versteeg and Barker we get two roster players, a top 6 forward that can play center/wing and a top 4 defenseman with a big shot.
Ponikarovsky would be a very good addition. He's big, he can skate and he's got a rocket of a shot and has been a consistent 20 goal scorer (21, 21, 18 and 23 goals over the past four seasons).
He had a career high of 61 points last season and is en route to score 20+ goals again this season (with 7 goals already in 19 games). Poni is set to become unrestricted at the end of the season. He may be a player in high demand though and Burke might wait for the highest bidder.
