Rather than taking over the NHL thread, why not get a head start on this thing.

To continue the Ian White debate from the other thread, whether or not you like him, do you not consider him a bargain at a cap hit of $850,000?

And a couple questions:

What roles, if any, do you think young guys like Tlusty, Earl and Kulemin will play this year? Will Tlusty take a step forward or stay where he is? Will Kulemin contend for rookie of the year or play in the AHL?

Will Stajan, Steen, Antropov or Ponikarovsky step it up offensively if Sundin isn't around? If not, who will? Hagman? Blake? Um... Mayers?

Discuss.

question:

who the fuck is jeff finger and why is he making so much money?

Haha, good question.

Actually, from what I've heard, he was easily one of the most improved players in the NHL last year and dominates in the defensive end. He throws some huge hits and rarely ever loses a battle.

That being said, $3.5 million is a lot to spend on a 28-year-old with essentially 1 year of NHL experience, but I really think it's worth it for a team in desperate need of someone to hold down the defensive end.

So the all important question for you Phil...

playoffs or no playoffs?

I always believe in my team... but... .

I do think they're underrated though...

sounds like dude lucked out w/ free agency. the market was crazy this year, commadore and redden are both getting alot of $ too

I watched a lot of Avs games and Finger is a strong defensive defenseman. He's physical, but not overly physical, but he's not the greatest skater in the world. He's got surprisingly decent offensive skill. He's a good #5 guy, just not worth the contract he got.

Ian White can be moved at any time as far as I am concerned. I can remember a few times last year where he just flat out lost an edge and would be sitting on the ice while the offense dominated the zone. With a full house on D, White is the odd man out when compared to Kronwall, Coalaiacovo or Strahlman.

With or without Mats Sundin, they are a better team than last year but for anyone to expect a playoff push is foolish. However this is not the Leafs squads of the 80's here. This will be a fun season win or lose as we will get to see what the leafs prospects can do. And theres always the possibility that they stink so bad that Pogge and Schenn are playing the last 25 games of the year.

no expectations for this season (what's new), but looking forward to some changes and a better future

I know who Jeff Finger is and I liked what I saw from him when I would see him on TV playing for the Avalanche last year. So it's going to see how he fits in for the "Blue and White".

I feel like will be 9-11 of the East this year, we just won't have the consistency that it takes to stay in the top of the league and in playoff contention.

Side Note (unrelated):
I like that I"ll be able to see more Darcy Tucker (because of my Colorado Avs station)

The 9-11 of the east? So you're going to crash 4 planes in America?

not a date number 9 (thru) 11, probably closer to 12.

bumping for awesomeness

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/2 ... 010003.HTM

Monday, September 22, 2008
Attendance 18,819 at Air Canada Centre
Start 7:37 EDT ; End 10:05 EDT
Game 0003
Final

Buffalo 4
Toronto 7

yawn, preseason

Yeah yeah I know

I liked how our non-superstars played though.

and J. Pogge between the pipes =

Schenn has looked really impressive so far... it would be great if they gave him a shot.

Schenn for Prime Minister.

Schenn for President.

Spoiler: show

Schenn for Governor of Utahrd

1-0, with a win over Detroit. That's pretty fun... I'm tellin you, this team is capable of making the playoffs. It'll take some magic, but I really think they're underrated.

Beautiful goal by Kulemin, Toskala looked great, the Tlusty-Grabovski-Hagman line looked awesome, Frogren was impressive... the full team effort from everyone on the ice was really nice to see.