[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by MaxBuck

jo4h, a few thoughts.

1. To begin with, it is clear you know way more about hockey than I do; in discussing the Jackets with me you are truly engaged in a "battle of wits with an unarmed man."
disagree, can we agree to disagree?

2. The Huselius signing was a very pleasant surprise to me. beatlejuice! Commodore not so much. He was -9 on a playoff team (Senators) in 26 games; the team was 9-13-4 after he joined the team, and they had been 34-18-4 before the trade. WTF? Doesn't seem like he was a positive addition to the Sens. (OTOH, we are clearly not the Sens.)
wasnt commodore 2nd in ice time for the sens during the playoffs? he was a key player in two cup runs. one with the oilers and one with the canes. big physical, nasty. great "character guy" that trade included corvo and eaves i believe? hes a big guy that can play against the likes of #96 with the wheel on his sweater, beach (chicagos big boy first rounder) etc for years to come. you dont hang around commodores crease without paying a price, and if you go into the corner hes gonna be on you like a wet canvas tarp. hes not fast but hes mobile. toots is a better skater and has more upside but commodore youll like. columbus will like him. he has the ability to stick up for anyone, against anyone. no more play 11 guys and havesome take a run at a player and shelley has to climb over the wall. with the possibility (likelyhood) of brassard, jake and nikita in the lineup in the next 2 years you need someone who can keep the other team honest. commodore will do that. he also should be coming into his prime. the next 4 years should be his best 4 years. long story short, maybe those stats say something. maybe they dont. all i know is mike commodore is a guy you go to battle with. hitch likes battlers. the bugs are going to play a battling game. you want see alfie, spezza, etc here. you wont sorry. i can see your disapointment but i like the move. he can move the puck on the first pass and the facts are he wont generate any offense for you. cold hard truth.

3. I guess I am more of a Hainsey fan than most on here. I think in today's NHL he is well worth $4.5 mil per year, and I think more of an effort should've been made to keep him.
could be. but like i said, he limits your ability to generate transition game. he doesnt check, doesnt play great positional defence. he does carry the puck well and he shoots a lot. not exceptionally hard, not exceptionally accurate. like bk said i think he leaves a hole on the man power, but even strength we have an upgrade. toots ran the second pp unit in the garden. i think what you saw is hainsey hang around a long time, maybe his value isnt what it seems. atlanta needed something. nice guy, im willing to let him go. i dont think his terms are redic, you probably would have signed here earlier this year for 3.75 type deal. but time will tell.

4. Zherdev I am conflicted about, but the trade seemed one-sided (and not in the CBJ's favor) to me.
could be. but what was nik? a kid who didnt fit into the system. played and east west game. is he going to head home to russia if that big contract comes? if you keep nik you need 2 more e-w type guys. some of the stuff has been aired. trust me i doubt it would work. toots is a good player on a contract that right now looks awesome, next year will look better and by 2011-2012 will be a steal. i think fans will like him. z had skill and flare. i dont know how he fits in with what you want to do in columbus.

5. You brought up a number of excellent points that had not occurred to me. Thanks for the education!
hey its up to you. but you never told me. upgrade downgrade?

hey its up to you. but you never told me. upgrade downgrade?