Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 15250897)

It's why people like myself and Matty were so frustrated with they passed him over. The selection process for Team USA seemed so biased and Burke seemed to have personal vendettas with some of the players (i.e. Ryan and Yandle).

Reading the ESPN article seemed like he couldn't and wouldn't be swayed either way no matter what.

Yandle IS a top defenseman in the league. Getting me on my soapbox about Yandle is a bad idea, because I could do it for hours. Yandle is one of my favorite players to watch. Does he leave his partner out to dry sometimes? Yes, but he also makes things happen that 99% of the league can't/won't. (perfect example: http://i.imgur.com/iJ4MhOU.gif)

I posted this earlier this year too in his defense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92wbX_Mrhrk

The dude makes things happen offensively. He's like Mike Green...but a fucking lot better. He would have been perfect with Suter, especially in that Canada game.

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 15250910)

:thumbsup:thumbsup Perfect. Yes, he will blow an assignment here and there, but sometimes you get that with a defenseman of his skill set. The thing I see from Yandle that I don't see from a lot of other offensive defensemen is a willingness to be defensively responsible and get the job done.

As often with defensemen, we only notice gaffes. But I bet 4/5 times, Yandle does his job just dandily in his own zone.

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 15250910)

EDIT: But Chris, Burke was the GM of the Ducks when they won the Stanley Cup, so don't you DARE question his decisions!

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 15250957)

Yandle and OEL are one of the best pairings in the league, IMO, because of how well they complement each other. Seriously, watching them is like porn for defensemen.

Originally Posted by TMoore4075 (Post 15250963)

Too bad the team is average at best.

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 15250976)

And those two are honestly two of the major reasons they even get to the "average" level.

Originally Posted by TMoore4075 (Post 15250986)

They should just trade OEL to the Avs and Yandle to the Wings. Just makes it better for everyone really.

Originally Posted by TMoore4075 (Post 15251049)

Avs have a crap ton of cap space this offseason. Some guys need to get signed but still a lot after that too.

Wings should have some some space too. Need to bolster that blueline.

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 15251074)

Yep, they will do what they can to re-sign Stastny, who has also stated that he will take a hometown discount to stay (we'll see how much of a discount though, when teams are throwing figures at him). I'm sure he won't be making $5 mil/year though. They also have O'Reilly and Tyson Barrie (who should get a pretty good raise after the year he's having) going into RFA.

Even so, they should have the space for someone like OEL. A guy can dream.

Originally Posted by TMoore4075 (Post 15251207)

You get Handzus and like it.

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 15251205)

If you get OEL, we get O'Reilly.

Originally Posted by TMoore4075 (Post 15251207)

You get Handzus and like it.

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 15251218)

BREAKING NEWS: Blackhawks trade every young center in the system and resign Handzus to an 8-year $40million deal, stating "he's clearly the future at the second line center position. We don't understand how it could get any better than him."

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay (Post 15251251)

what happens if someone with a hyphenated last name marries someone with a hyphenated last name?

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 15251462)

I just got sucked into the "watching playoff videos on YouTube" hole. Haven't stopped for about an hour.

I can't wait for playoff hockey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO_g0ZsF4C8 (lol sorry Tim)

Also...I miss Dave Bolland :(

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay (Post 15251812)

nope, im not even a hawks fan but i almost cried after that goal i was so happy