Yeah, they made Mason Raymond crawl back to the bench after he broke his back during the playoffs. He was never the same after that. It's ridiculous that the medical staff is right fucking there and they didn't think he warranted a stretcher just as a precautionary measure. I just hope whoever helped Bo Horvat rehab earlier this season is on the job. 4-6 weeks is a helluva long time to watch boring-ass WD hockey.
As for JV18, last night was easily his best game (save the failure to close the door behind him). More of this new and improved JV18, please, and I'll gladly get off the "Virtanen is a bust"
Leipsic better be Kesler2.0. Lots of potential so far. And I liked how that first line looked with Leipsic, Horvat and JV18. They'll need to be very good these next 4-6 weeks.
Matt Barzal is the real deal. Holy fuck is that guy fun to watch.
As for Freidman, I really didn't have a problem with his reporting of the West Coast media. Let's face it, this team has been 29th overall for the last three or four seasons now. There's not been much to be positive about. I think Benning has been a fine GM as far as identifying amateur talent but his asset management has just been awful. I don't think too many teams were offering anything for Guddy; he's been awful in FLA and an unmitigated tire fire here. Likewise, I don't know that too many GMs were trying to pry Vanek away knowing how unhelpful a rental he's been after the TDL.
I love me my Sedins but I think the time is right to turn the page and move on. This team will miss their production, but I won't miss Hank's 39 year old wheels and Daniel's perimeter play. I'm all in for giving Dahlen, Petterson, Gaudette and Lind a good shot to turn this team over. Likewise, I think BenLinden should consider trading up to get Dahlin; I'd even toss in Tanev and their 1st to move up. A one-two punch of Dahlin and Juolevi to build around with Edler, Stecher, Puoliot, and Hutton. Guddy as the $4M #7 guy.