Speculation: So who's your 2-3 assistant captains next year?

[StargateSG1]

Right, it's all speculation, which is why I thought it strange for someone to state as fact that Yzerman sees him as a leader. Genuinely thought maybe there was a quote or an action I missed.

I agree the contract negotiations (and history of) probably plays the biggest part in Bertuzzi's prospects as a long-term Wing and possible [alt] captain.

Those negotiations you refer to were with Holland, no?
There is a lot of interest in trading for Bert all over the NHL, yet he is still a Wing.
It's only an issue for some of you, rest of the world already "moved on".

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

If you truly believe all those Draft Delegations to Montreal for the draft are vaxxed, I have a bridge to sell you.
Would have been a non-issue if NHL actually lifted a finger and negotiated exception like NBA and MLB did.

Boom! Za Troof Bomb.

 

[jaster]

Those negotiations you refer to were with Holland, no?
There is a lot of interest in trading for Bert all over the NHL, yet he is still a Wing.
It's only an issue for some of you, rest of the world already "moved on".

No, the negotiation of his that was the most contentious was the one that went to arbitration. That was in 2020, Yzerman's 2nd season as GM.

His contract negotiations are not an issue to me, but I project that they are for Yzerman. That's why some of us discuss it. As for his vax status, that also appears to irk Yzerman, which, again, it why it gets discussed.

 

[Bench]

Why would you reference the worst Star Trek?

 

[StargateSG1]

No, the negotiation of his that was the most contentious was the one that went to arbitration. That was in 2020, Yzerman's 2nd season as GM.

His contract negotiations are not an issue to me, but I project that they are for Yzerman. That's why some of us discuss it. As for his vax status, that also appears to irk Yzerman, which, again, it why it gets discussed.

If it was an issue for Yzerman, he'd trade him already, which he still didn't do, despite ALL the interest from many NHL teams. So you are speculating.

 

[jaster]

If it was an issue for Yzerman, he'd trade him already, which he still didn't do, despite ALL the interest from many NHL teams. So you are speculating.

Why would he necessarily have already traded him? He's still well within the window of trading him, and that interest from other teams will remain. I'm not making any guarantee of a trade, but if he is traded, would you be surprised?

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Bobby Hull would like a word.

Chelios would like a word with Bobby.

While some will argue, that's a valid point. Guy missed games due to it therefor did not put the team first.

The guys who put the team 1st...did any miss any games b/c of "it" ?

 

[jkutswings]

If it was an issue for Yzerman, he'd trade him already, which he still didn't do, despite ALL the interest from many NHL teams. So you are speculating.

I think YOU'RE speculating on both of the following:

1) If Yzerman dislikes something about a player, full-blown hatred is the only option. I'd imagine there are varying degrees of, "not fond of" that stop short of, "deal breaker".

2) If Yzerman has a player that he is less than fond of, immediately trading said player is the only option. He could not like a guy, but want to see if he will improve or change, whether that's to keep him or to increase his trade value for a deal in the future. Or he could bide his time, waiting for the right return to become available, due to contract situations of other players, market prices relative to the trade deadline, or a host of other reasons.

It's not just a "yes/no". It's also a "how much" and how worthwhile it is to do something about it.

 

[Bench]

The guys who put the team 1st...did any miss any games b/c of "it" ?

I'll stop you right there.

This isn't about getting sick or not, it's about how Bert can't play in Canada. Full stop.

And any further discussion you're trying to dance around, that's exactly what we're not doing.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

What people tend to forget around here is how good the blues were for the better part of a decade BEFORE their cup win. And they did it without any flashy top 10 scorers.

2011-12	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	49	22	0	1	10	109	0.665	210	165		18810	Payne, Hitchcock {+}	Lost in round 2
2012-13	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	48	29	17	0	1	1	60	0.625	129	115		17901	Ken Hitchcock	Lost in round 1
2013-14	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	52	23	0	4	3	111	0.677	248	191	1162	17498	Ken Hitchcock	Lost in round 1
2014-15	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	51	24	0	3	4	109	0.665	248	201		18545	Ken Hitchcock	Lost in round 1
2015-16	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	49	24	0	5	4	107	0.652	224	201		18451	Ken Hitchcock	Lost in round 3
2016-17	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	46	29	0	5	2	99	0.604	235	218		19540	Hitchcock, Yeo {+}	Lost in round 2
2017-18	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	44	32	0	6	0	94	0.573	226	222		18357	Mike Yeo	Out of Playoffs
2018-19	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	45	28	0	6	3	99	0.604	247	223		17362	Yeo, Berube {+}	Won Championship
2019-20	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	71	42	19	0	7	3	94	0.662	225	193		18096	Craig Berube	Lost in round 1
2020-21	St. Louis Blues	NHL	West	56	27	20	0	6	3	63	0.563	169	170			Craig Berube	Lost in round 1
2021-22	St. Louis Blues	NHL	Central	82	49	22	0	8	3	109	0.665	311	242		17717	Craig Berube	Lost in round 2

Considering our lack of top 3 picks that may be what Yzerman is gunning for.

On a side note, how does Yeo keep getting hired? It seems like everywhere he goes he makes his teams worse.

Yeo? the baldo factor. fans love it, safe for ages 18-99. Rub for good luck something something Chinese New Year of the Dragon.

 

[Bench]

I think YOU'RE speculating on both of the following:

1) If Yzerman dislikes something about a player, full-blown hatred is the only option. I'd imagine there are varying degrees of, "not fond of" that stop short of, "deal breaker".

2) If Yzerman has a player that he is less than fond of, immediately trading said player is the only option. He could not like a guy, but want to see if he will improve or change, whether that's to keep him or to increase his trade value for a deal in the future. Or he could bide his time, waiting for the right return to become available, due to contract situations of other players, market prices relative to the trade deadline, or a host of other reasons.

It's not just a "yes/no". It's also a "how much" and how worthwhile it is to do something about it.

Ah yes, nuance. True.

For example, I'm not fond of some attitudes here but you're all in my stupid club so I love you all dearly.

But that said, if I get a guaranteed 6-pack with a conditional 12-pack in exchange most of you are out the door.

 

[Bench]

Why would he necessarily have already traded him? He's still well within the window of trading him, and that interest from other teams will remain. I'm not making any guarantee of a trade, but if he is traded, would you be surprised?

The reality is until Bert inks a new deal, this entire season is going to be ripe with trade speculation.

His fans and supporters should know that's the reality of the situation, from a pragmatic level. Ignore all the noise around his stance, that's secondary. He's a high value asset that isn't under contract. Those guys get signed or moved unless you're all in on a Cup season.

 

[StargateSG1]

I'll stop you right there.

This isn't about getting sick or not, it's about how Bert can't play in Canada. Full stop.

And any further discussion you're trying to dance around, that's exactly what we're not doing.

Why not? Maybe we should discuss why Canada being unreasonably stubborn should make sacred medical decisions for other people?

 

[jaster]

Why not? Maybe we should discuss why Canada being unreasonably stubborn should make sacred medical decisions for other people?

 

[Bench]

Why not? Maybe we should discuss why Canada being unreasonably stubborn should make sacred medical decisions for other people?

You think this is the venue to have that discussion?

In what universe do you think pounding the keyboard about politics on this hockey forum is going to impact anything? If you're that concerned about it, you're gonna need to aim higher.

We don't talk about those things here because this forum is for hockey banter and good vibes. If you want otherwise, you can find politics and health care debates littering virtually every other social media platform you can imagine. Go forth. This ain't your blog for these issues.

 

[Bench]

Alright everyone, I know we can make it through this thread without any issues. I believe in you!