Your Friendly Tuesday Links Roundup: The All Quiet on the Western Front Edition

by light_the_lamp on Jan 17, 2012 8:47 PM PST in Link Roundup

It's Tuesday night, and George Parros isn't a Vancouver Canuck. Inhale. Exhale. There you go.

But could Bobby Ryan be a Toronto Maple Leaf soon? Flyers beat writer Anthony SanFilippo seems to think so. [SNYRangersBlog]
The Leafs may also be interested in Ryan Getzlaf, but he will likely be impossible to land. Instead, they may be aiming to acquire Tampa Bay Lightning winger Ryan Malone. [Toronto Star]
Previewing tomorrow's Ducks-Coyotes tilt. [CBSSports]
Despite our struggles this season, he Silver Line (Nicklas Hagman-Saku Koivu-Teemu Selanne) has become one of the top 25 scoring lines in the NHL. [Puck Daddy]
Speaking of Teemu: He was sharply criticized for declining an invitation to the upcoming All-Star Game. Fair or unfair? [Puck Daddy]
Jonas Hiller's hot streak (he's stopped 72 of the last 75 shots that he's faced) has caused his fantasy stock to rise. [ESPN]
Nick Bonino seems to have found his place in the NHL, Francois Beauchemin is playing big minutes, and Devante Smith-Pelly is recovering from injury. All is well in Anaheim. [CBSSports]
Bruce Boudreau and East Coast Bias. [OC Register]
Photos from the Ducks' recent father-son trip. [OC Register]
Ducks notes, courtesy of the official website. [Anaheim Ducks]
Regarding our recent success: "You can feel something changed." [Anaheim Ducks]
Are Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault and star forward Ryan Kesler at each others' throats? [Nucks Misconduct]
Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov chose to ignore a reporter's question. And controversy ensued! [Mile High Hockey]
Did Nick Foligno deserve a clipping penalty? See for yourself. [Backhand Shelf]

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Comments

Just read the Teemu/Lidstrom article

We all know the ASG is meaningless but someone in the comments section proposed an interesting idea to make the game much more meaningful. Winning conference gets home ice in the finals. Of course for that to work, the old east vs. west game would have to return (I wouldn’t mind, I think the new format is kinda stupid)

What say you?

by Dixie Normus on Jan 17, 2012 9:15 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I don't know

I wouldn’t mind if that change was implemented, but I don’t have particularly strong feelings about the matter. I did enjoy watching the draft last year (Ovechkin taking Kessel’s picture was hilarious, too).

by light_the_lamp on Jan 17, 2012 9:41 PM PST up reply actions

God no times a million. A team works it’s tail off all season to get the best record it can and then you award home ice (which is a big deal) based on an exhibition? It’s horrible in baseball and would be even worse in hockey. It’s the gimmick to end all gimmicks and still nobody cares.

You aren’t going to get players to go all out in an all-star game, and even if you could and you made the game meaningful, are you going to be OK with Perry getting a season ending injury on a hit or a blocked shot this year on the off chance that it might get Detroit or Vancouver home ice in the Stanley Cup finals?

And let’s say in fantasy land this year we win all our remaining games and somehow we make the finals, are you OK with not having home ice advantage based on an exhibition game that one of our players was able to influence?

I do agree that we should go back to East vs West but as for deciding anything based on this pointless game, please no. Of course this means it’s a lock to happen next year now. Bettman loves him some gimmicks.

by bhlloy on Jan 17, 2012 10:15 PM PST up reply actions

Good post

I agree with you, I just brought it up cause it looks like something I wouldn’t put past the league at this point. Honestly I don’t even think there should be a game at all. The game itself is pathetic, the events on Saturday are sorta fun but way overhyped and all this unnecessary buildup is completely meaningless in the end. The only true benefit is the break for some players, which now that I think of it has a ton of negative effects too. Star players miss that break and hot teams lose momentum.

tl;dr: Abolish the all-star game

by Dixie Normus on Jan 18, 2012 5:45 PM PST up reply actions

And if we trade Bobby to the Leafs

Luke Schenn and Mikhail Grabovski should be coming to Anaheim.

by light_the_lamp on Jan 17, 2012 9:52 PM PST reply actions

I’m on board with getting Schenn. But the downside of letting Murray even talk to Burke is too depressing to even think about. I’m scared to even post some joke trades on the off chance that they happen…

by bhlloy on Jan 17, 2012 10:17 PM PST up reply actions

Schenn and Grabovski?

Those two should only be the beginning. If that happens I want those two plus 2 top tier prospect and at least 1 first round pick. Those two players are decent with okay upside. Why in the world we would trade with Toronto when there are so many teams with WAY better talent to offer. Unlike Giguere and Lupul, we are dealing from a position of power. Ryan has a great contract, for a great player, with great upside. If Im Murray I DEMAND a number one Defenseman, a really solid two way center, at least a 2nd round pick, and a BOMB prospect in return. And those two NHL guys better have good contracts as well, if all goes wrong we dont want to be saddled with crippling contracts. Sorry, rant over.

by Kevin Riach on Jan 17, 2012 11:35 PM PST up reply actions

I question how good Schenn really is. He has had significantly less ice time and reduced role this year. He is losing that time to Gardiner and Franson. Not that either of these two are bad players but really? That’s the centerpiece for a Ryan trade?

by DavidBL on Jan 18, 2012 12:27 AM PST up reply actions

PPP had a really good piece about Schenn's development a few days ago

A lot of people have been frustrated by his play this season, which is understandable. But remember – he’s only 22, and it takes a while to develop a defensive defenseman in the NHL. And Schenn already has the tools – he throws the body, blocks shots, and is usually in the right place. If he gets himself out of this slump (which he will), and continues to develop, he’ll be a star in the league. I think the biggest issue with Schenn is that he appears to be a project a la Fowler/Sbisa. I would love to get Schenn now, but if the Ducks are having serious problems in 5 years, I imagine that Schenn will be given serious consideration. Grabo would provide some immediate depth at center, and is known for his two way play. Both guys are more than decent, and I included their names as a starting point for a potential trade.

by light_the_lamp on Jan 18, 2012 12:59 AM PST up reply actions

Sorry I would have replied to this but it wasn’t up yet. I really don’t think we should sell Ryan for a “project”. If we want a project, we should sell Lydman or Lubo. We need multiple guaranteed guys coming back in that potential big 3 deal. Also I’m not sure where you heard he was known for two way play, as I have only heard that he is very inconsistent in that department.

by Kevin Riach on Jan 18, 2012 1:03 AM PST up reply actions

Found it here. I’ll admit that Grabo has had his issues in the past, but he seems to be developing nicely in Toronto. And his FO% is still better than Ryan Getzlaf’s:)

And I wouldn’t mind Lydman for Schenn, either.

by light_the_lamp on Jan 18, 2012 1:08 AM PST up reply actions

Are we rebuilding?

Grabo seems to be a less physical Koivu.. Is murray worried about the second line hole at center next season? Because those pieces really do not make sense.. If bobby has to go then give him to NJD for praise.. Someone the team can promote too in return.. If schenn minutes are dropping then he has confidence issues.. We need someone that is a leader.. Beauch is doing a solid job and hes a rock but I think we all feel there’s better

by ShamuSalami on Jan 18, 2012 10:28 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

If we’re going to get a forward we don’t want from Toronto, I’d rather have Kulemin. You can say his name to the rhythm of “Cool it now” by New Edition. Every once in a while when he scores we can all sing “Ku-le-min, ooohhh Watch Out!”

by Daniel AC on Jan 18, 2012 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

Haha

But seriously – Kulemin and Grabovski have developed some pretty good chemistry in Toronto.

by light_the_lamp on Jan 18, 2012 3:40 PM PST up reply actions

The problem with Parise is that he wants to be the Star, the go to guy for his team from what I’ve read. He would be competing with Getzlaf and Perry here so I don’t see us as a primary candidate. Furhermore If we sign Parise it will create a precedent of what Getzlaf and Perry should be making while also reducing the money we can spend on Defense. Don’t get me wrong, I love Parise but I am not sure we can afford to pay 1 line that much in a few years. especially if the Cap comes down or our budget does. I do agree with Kevin regarding the return, we need at least one established NHL player who knows their role in any deal.

by DavidBL on Jan 18, 2012 12:37 PM PST up reply actions

Nope he wants to play for a contender. So we’re out of the running unless we offer a lot more than other teams do (not happening).

by Ryanb903 on Jan 18, 2012 1:35 PM PST up reply actions

Exactly

First off he’s making 3.6 for 5 years and he’s not playing minutes on a team that apparently is “looking for a physical, crease clearing Dman”………okay. And then the other piece is an offensively streaky center who isn’t particularly good at faceoffs or defense (pretty terrible at back checking). Oh and he’s gonna be a free agent next year too. So yes this is an absolutely terrible idea.

by Kevin Riach on Jan 18, 2012 1:00 AM PST up reply actions

And just to clarify

I wouldn’t want to give up Bobby for peanuts. Schenn and Grabo just appear to be players that fill our organizational needs (and the rumor that I linked to is Toronto-related, which is why I mentioned those two men). If we could get them by moving less valuable players (would anyone care to offer the services of Bacon McMuffin, Kyle Palmieri, and Jean Francois-Jacques?), I’d be all for that.

by light_the_lamp on Jan 18, 2012 1:19 AM PST up reply actions