trade talk by les lazaruk

[wango tango]

from les lazaruks blog on saskatoon homepage.

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For Blades' fans, here's the ultimate musing, what will Lorne Molleken do with his roster before the January 10th trade deadline? It is obvious that the Bridge City Bunch lacks a game-breaking goal scorer after watching yesterday's contest in Regina against the Eberle-less Pats. His presence might've made the difference for the Queen City Kids. Then, again, a Setoguchi-like player on the Blades would've ended that game in Saskatoon's favour by the time the second period was over! What will Lorne Molleken do...hmmmm!

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there hasn't been a lot of trade talk, and there's less than a month to go until the jan 10 deadline.

it'd be good to add a sniper up front, but at what price? don't bankrupt the system at the expense of the next couple of years. this franchise looks to have turned a corner. tough decisions, molleken will be earning his money over this next month.

what do we want fans?

[witness]

Interesting to note that Chad Lang was in Regina watching the game on Sunday afternoon.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Then, again, a Setoguchi-like player on the Blades would've ended that game in Saskatoon's favour by the time the second period was over! What will Lorne Molleken do...hmmmm!

Yeah right. Maybe in your blades fantasy world, Lazurak.

I could say the same if the pats had Eberle.

[PJ-34]

Hard to say what he will do. Best thing I can think of is trading a few system guys for a 19 year old goal scorer.

[sbtatter]

Hard to say what he will do. Best thing I can think of is trading a few system guys for a 19 year old goal scorer.Any of our (Wheatie)19 or 20 year olds interest you?

[ProStaff]

Yeah right. Maybe in your blades fantasy world, Lazurak.

I could say the same if the pats had Eberle.


Eberle isn't even worthy to carry Setoguchi jock strap! not even close to the same type of player!

[TwoBits]

I hope the Brodsky's don't blindside us with another Seto-type deal. Everyone seems to be smacking their lips over Tyrell.

[Tidball]

I could say the same if the pats had Eberle.

Ugh, thats what Les said. You goof.

[Tidball]

Any of our (Wheatie)19 or 20 year olds interest you?

Id give a 3rd rounder and a 4th in 2010 for Clark.

[ProStaff]

I hope the Brodsky's don't blindside us with another Seto-type deal. Everyone seems to be smacking their lips over Tyrell.

Seto was money for you guys! what are you complaining about? as a Blades fan I was pissed that we traded him! but it has been good for us so far and almost was excellent for you guys. I was cheering for you guys playoff run

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Eberle isn't even worthy to carry Setoguchi jock strap! not even close to the same type of player!

When did you learn to tell the future?

Eberle wont have the luxury of inflated numbers by playing with Joe Thornton, but he has jsut as much potential to be as good as Seto is... but of course the fact that Setoguchi was a blade makes him a better player right? typical.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Ugh, thats what Les said. You goof.

I misread that, sorry. I totally missed the line where he said "His presence might've made the difference for the Queen City Kids"

[wango tango]

goals are going to be harder to come by in the second half of the season and into the playoffs. adding a goal scorer would help.

who might be available (pure speculation)?

moose jaw - bast, broda, duval
prince albert - bernhardt, robertson, mcdonald
everett - beach
prince george - tyrell
seattle - o'brien, rai

all these guys would have different price tags, and have different affects on the lineup (acquiring a 20 would mean one would have to be dealt, etc.). who would you give up to get one of these players, and who is an untouchable?

[ProStaff]

When did you learn to tell the future?

Eberle wont have the luxury of inflated numbers by playing with Joe Thornton, but he has jsut as much potential to be as good as Seto is... but of course the fact that Setoguchi was a blade makes him a better player right? typical.


Give me abreak! SAJ inflated numbers??? if he wasn't good he wouldn't be on that line and you know it. Eberle isn't a top 10 first rounder! so why even try to compare them it isn't even close!

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Give me abreak! SAJ inflated numbers??? if he wasn't good he wouldn't be on that line and you know it. Eberle isn't a top 10 first rounder! so why even try to compare them it isn't even close!

Look, idiot boy, if you are judging who is better by how high they were drafted, then Brian Lawton is a better player than Steve Yzerman. Thats just pure crap. Its also different drafts, with different players at different times.

Eberle's future isnt decided yet either. Seto is more proven, but right now the sky is the limit for Jordan, and it has alot to do with how well he knows the game. Not just his raw skills but how far ahead of the play he is mentally compared to usually everyone else on the ice. I have never seen a player like that in my 11 years watching the pats.

And yes, Setoguchis number are inflated. Thats what happens when you play with Joe freakin Thornton. Playing with an allstar like him is going to bring the point totals to higher than they should be. Without Joe thornton, I would say he is a decent 2nd liner at this point in his career. Just look at Cheechoos stats playing with Thornton(rocket richard trophy), and his stats right now when he isnt playing with him (8 points in 19 games, and 37 points last year). Seto is pretty much Cheechoo v.2.

[ProStaff]

Look, idiot boy, if you are judging who is better by how high they were drafted, then Brian Lawton is a better player than Steve Yzerman. Thats just pure crap. Its also different drafts, with different players at different times.

Eberle's future isnt decided yet either. Seto is more proven, but right now the sky is the limit for Jordan, and it has alot to do with how well he knows the game. Not just his raw skills but how far ahead of the play he is mentally compared to usually everyone else on the ice. I have never seen a player like that in my 11 years watching the pats.

And yes, Setoguchis number are inflated. Thats what happens when you play with Joe freakin Thornton. Playing with an allstar like him is going to bring the point totals to higher than they should be. Without Joe thornton, I would say he is a decent 2nd liner at this point in his career. Just look at Cheechoos stats playing with Thornton(rocket richard trophy), and his stats right now when he isnt playing with him (8 points in 19 games, and 37 points last year). Seto is pretty much Cheechoo v.2.


Got to love the "Idiot boy" comment! Class act!

[ProStaff]

Nice try on the inflated numbers. incase you haven't looked Seto 3rd on his team in scoring! also incase you never looked he is 16th in the league in points also incase you never looked Thorton doesn't have many goals so with-out Seto being able to finish! Thortons numbers wouldn't be up either. That is could be arguably the best line in the NHL! but heck they are the best team in the NHL!

2008-2009 Regular Season
SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
P. Marleau 30 16 19 17 35
J. Thornton 30 8 27 11 35
D. Setoguchi 30 15 17 15 32

Why don't you take those nerdy foggy glasses off and give credit where credit is due!

[SaskHockeyFan]

With Setoguchi having 15 goals and 17 assists and Thornton having 8 goals and 27 assists, I would say Thornton is helping out Setoguchi much more than Setoguchi is helping out Thornton.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Nice try on the inflated numbers. incase you haven't looked Seto 3rd on his team in scoring! because he plays with thornton also incase you never looked he is 16th in the league in points because he plays with thornton also incase you never looked Thorton doesn't have many goals because hes the playmaker idiot boy. so with-out Seto being able to finish! Thortons numbers wouldn't be up either. You can find a player to fill that role, like cheechoo before him, and other fast finishers. That is could be arguably the best line in the NHL! but heck they are the best team in the NHL!

2008-2009 Regular Season
SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
P. Marleau 30 16 19 17 35
J. Thornton 30 8 27 11 35
D. Setoguchi 30 15 17 15 32

Why don't you take those nerdy foggy glasses off and give credit where credit is due!

I dont wear glasses. And definitely not a nerd, but id rather be the latter than an incoherent, biased moron.

And theres a difference between giving credit and overrating. I said I think he would be a decent second liner without thornton, which is still really good especially for his age. Im just not declaring him a star right now like you are. Its all about chemistry. He is a fast player with a good shot, and he has a good knack for getting open as thornton does finding players open.

Like I said, basically another cheechoo. Good finisher, but needs a good playmaker to be effective, just like cheechoo. Look at cheechoo now. Big difference in numbers when he doesnt play with thornton compared to his 50 goal season. Look at setos numbers last season. They are still decent but right now during this season, they are very much inflated.

[grainbear]

No to ruin anyones classic arguements, the fact is that both players are compementing each other. As to Seto, I am not surprised I watched both him and Versteeg train and practise this summer with a few of the other pro boys in Lethbridge and after that I put both into my draft pools.Hard work always pays off and that is why he is having the year he is and off course Thorton makes a difference but at lot of it is simply the natural goal scoring ability you saw in junior

[ProStaff]

With Setoguchi having 15 goals and 17 assists and Thornton having 8 goals and 27 assists, I would say Thornton is helping out Setoguchi much more than Setoguchi is helping out Thornton.


Thorton gets points for assists doesn't he? wouldn't the correct way of saying things is they help each other??? Seto still has to score for Thorton to get his points!

[TwoBits]

Seto was money for you guys! what are you complaining about? as a Blades fan I was pissed that we traded him! but it has been good for us so far and almost was excellent for you guys. I was cheering for you guys playoff run

I wasn't complaining. I'm just hoping a similar trade doesn't go the other way now. Knowing our management they would try to trade Tyrell for Elliot. ;)

[bladesmemskychamps]

well the blades for 1 are not going to be keeping reich around for that 20 spot that will be filled im sure by january 10th..maybe the blades will go crazy this year and trade for duval bernhardt tyrell and just throw them on a line toghther...could work then watch outttt

[SaskHockeyFan]

Yes Prostaff they are both benefiting from being together. I just would have to say Seto is benefiting more. That is exactly what everyone has been telling you. Put Seto on a line with other players and he may not have the pints he has now. Thorntons 27 assists have no doubt helped Seto get his 15 goals. That is what people have been telling you. Playing on a line with Thornton is helping Seto get so many points. Thanks for helping to make the point against you. Yes Seto is good to be playing on that line but put him on a different line and would he have that many points? If Seto wasn't on that line someone else would be and I am pretty sure Thornton's numbers would be very similar to what they are now and Setoguchi's would not.

[ProStaff]

Yes Prostaff they are both benefiting from being together. I just would have to say Seto is benefiting more. That is exactly what everyone has been telling you. Put Seto on a line with other players and he may not have the pints he has now. Thorntons 27 assists have no doubt helped Seto get his 15 goals. That is what people have been telling you. Playing on a line with Thornton is helping Seto get so many points. Thanks for helping to make the point against you. Yes Seto is good to be playing on that line but put him on a different line and would he have that many points? If Seto wasn't on that line someone else would be and I am pretty sure Thornton's numbers would be very similar to what they are now and Setoguchi's would not.
boy you guys are dumb! Thorton needs a goal scorer on his line or he doesn't get those assists, why can't you understand that? do you honestly believe San jose would keep pretty much a rookie player on the top line just to inflate his numbers?? come on guys! take your hate Seto glasses off!

[wango tango]

nice to see this thread staying on topic :spineyes:

bast, broda, and tyrell's price will be too high. bernhardt in pa, or duval in mj might be had for a reasonable price. of course getting one of either bernhardt or duval would mean one of the blades current 20's would have to be moved.

[Dwight Schrute]

Give me abreak! SAJ inflated numbers??? if he wasn't good he wouldn't be on that line and you know it. Eberle isn't a top 10 first rounder! so why even try to compare them it isn't even close!
seto wasnt worth the # 8 pick. atl got pick 12 (mark staal), ondrej pavloc, and another later pick, yes atl traded down again and drafted at #16.
seto is a complimentry player. put him without top line players and he wont contribute, eberle creates and makes his linemates better seto is more of a leech type.

[wango tango]

apples to oranges comparison right now between eberle and setoguchi. give eberle a couple of years in the show then we'll see how things stack up.

comparing their whl careers, eberle's numbers are better.

[Toswammi]

Funny, i see people saying that Eberle makes people around him better. In my eyes, and in the eyes of some scouts that i have either talked to, or read online they view Eberle as a guy that can score and has great vision and hockey knowledge; but needs a talented playmaker on his line to put up great numbers when he moves up in the competition.

That sounds a lot like Seto right now if you ask me.

[patsdude114]

Funny, i see people saying that Eberle makes people around him better. In my eyes, and in the eyes of some scouts that i have either talked to, or read online they view Eberle as a guy that can score and has great vision and hockey knowledge; but needs a talented playmaker on his line to put up great numbers when he moves up in the competition.

That sounds a lot like Seto right now if you ask me.



That is so right... without Weal on Eberle's line, without Kraus on Eberle's line Eberle's numbers wouldnt be where they are either...

Comparing Eberle & Seto is no easy task... both players play different games... Seto is more aggressive with a physical edge to him, has much more speed as well. Eberle see's the ice well sneaks into the soft spots but without a skilled play maker Eberle would be invisible out there as well.. Eberle doesnt beat anyone with his speed, Eberle beats you with his vision.

So comparing these two players is a waste of time. Just like so many players in any league each star player excels in different area's of their games which make them unique and what makes them a star player.

[Tidball]

You cannot compare Seto and Ebs. LOL. Look at last year. Ganger was awesome and Seto spent alot of time in the AHL. Last year everyone thought Ganger was great and Seto sucked. Now look at this year, Seto is rolling and Ganger is slowing it down!

You really cannot compare NHL careers IMO till they are 3+ years in. Ebs is a huge offensive talent, But Setoguchi was always very strong. WIll Ebs have the strength to make the NHL. Ebs creates alot of offence for his team, but IMO the NHL calibre D-men will not let Ebs skate around them like he can in the WHL.

We will just have to wait and see :)

[wango tango]

after watching last nights game i'm sure this team has to make a trade to kick it out of its funk. i know the team is missing kytnar, niemi, inglis, nicholls, and toomey. but the teams play has slipped since it got back from the bc roadtrip. you can say it's the scheduling or whatever, those are excuses. the games are only going to get tougher, the blades are now the team with the target on its back. they had a good start, congratulations, you don't get a banner for where you start, it's how you finish. the team has to pick up its level of play.

who would you deal? we were talking about this last night. the goals are only going to get tougher to find down the stretch. if the team adds a 20 year old offensive forward (a duval, mcdonald, bernhardt type) one of chorneyko, or joe would, unfortunately, have to go the other way. the teams younger players have stepped up, could a 19 dman and a pick be paired up to get some scoring help? we've got a surplus of 19's who will be back as 20's next season. the blades have solid prospect depth at forward (players like benson, crooks, and l. sutter) could a 16 year old on the roster now, like a nicholls, be put together with a pick to get an o'brien out of seattle?

[maple leaf]

This isn't suppose to be the Blades year, but if I were the G.M. (which I'm not) I might be willing to give up a Travis Toomey and a 4th rd 2009 draft pick to get what they need. Toomey could very well be in the dub for another 2 years and the Blades have done well without him in the line up. The Blades have a number of good young prospects coming up that they can't mess with. Play hard ball Lorne or stay status quo. We can't be a Regina and trade half our team every trade dead line. Those trades hardly ever work out. The Blades did a great job last year with the Mcrae trade. If the Blades do anything I hope they just tweak it. Maybe with a power play specialist. They rank near the bottom on the PP. If they could have done better in the first half on the PP, they would be right there with Calgary and Vancouver in the standings.

[GBG BLEED BLUE]

This isn't suppose to be the Blades year, but if I were the G.M. (which I'm not) I might be willing to give up a Travis Toomey and a 4th rd 2009 draft pick to get what they need. Toomey could very well be in the dub for another 2 years and the Blades have done well without him in the line up. The Blades have a number of good young prospects coming up that they can't mess with. Play hard ball Lorne or stay status quo. We can't be a Regina and trade half our team every trade dead line. Those trades hardly ever work out. The Blades did a great job last year with the Mcrae trade. If the Blades do anything I hope they just tweak it. Maybe with a power play specialist. They rank near the bottom on the PP. If they could have done better in the first half on the PP, they would be right there with Calgary and Vancouver in the standings.

Ok then when do you think is supposed to be "The Blade's year"? I think that many of the players think that this year may be the year,and I agree this may be the Blades year to make some noise,they could be in trouble if they were forced to play Vancouver,but have some faith. If this year is not the year then what is Saskatoon supposed to do wait another 3-5 years?

Yes the Blades had a good first half and they must continue to play well and must finish well. When the Blades have all of their players return then they will be in good shape,and as long as they all stay healthy. This year I think the trades that have been made have been good ones, especially the Joe and Kytnar trade with the Rockets in the off season. The Blades will not have to make any big trades,but maybe a small deal to two. Only 8 more days until the deadline. It should be interesting to see what happens.

[wango tango]

i've seen enough. the blades inconsistent effort is the big reason to make a trade, never mind goal scoring. i see how teams like brandon, prince albert, and swift current are destroying teams like regina and lethbridge and we are just barely squeeking by them. then against prince albert the blades play a period, take a period off, effort killed them.

two things need to be corrected to stay in first. one - a full three periods every game, mailing in a period especially down the stretch will have bad consequences. and second - goal scoring, again down the stretch goals will be harder and harder to come by, the offense needs a little added punch.

yes the team is struggling a little, but i'm glad to be struggling a little and in first place, then struggling a little and in last.

i don't want molleken to sell the farm for a one time solution only to suck again for the next five years, but adding some help up front at the expense of one of our prospects plus a pick isn't selling the team down the river. if our protected list is supposedly so good the team should be able to handle the loss of a single prospect plus a draft pick.

the team needs to be given a little shake up, not a major one.

[Tidball]

i've seen enough. the blades inconsistent effort is the big reason to make a trade, never mind goal scoring. i see how teams like brandon, prince albert, and swift current are destroying teams like regina and lethbridge and we are just barely squeeking by them. then against prince albert the blades play a period, take a period off, effort killed them.

two things need to be corrected to stay in first. one - a full three periods every game, mailing in a period especially down the stretch will have bad consequences. and second - goal scoring, again down the stretch goals will be harder and harder to come by, the offense needs a little added punch.

yes the team is struggling a little, but i'm glad to be struggling a little and in first place, then struggling a little and in last.

i don't want molleken to sell the farm for a one time solution only to suck again for the next five years, but adding some help up front at the expense of one of our prospects plus a pick isn't selling the team down the river. if our protected list is supposedly so good the team should be able to handle the loss of a single prospect plus a draft pick.

the team needs to be given a little shake up, not a major one.


CJ Stretch?

[wango tango]

i'm hoping management has kicked the tires on:

stretch kamloops
bailey kootenay
boychuk lethbridge
king lethbridge
duval moose jaw
bernhardt prince albert
mcdonald prince albert
strueby regina
o'brien seattle
scott seattle
cloud seattle

don't know if one, or any of these guys are available.

bob mckenzie has written swede backlund is going to play for the rockets after the wjhc's. could help to make the trade deadline more interesting.

[nthestands]

i'm hoping management has kicked the tires on:

stretch kamloops
bailey kootenay
boychuk lethbridge
king lethbridge
duval moose jaw
bernhardt prince albert
mcdonald prince albert
strueby regina
o'brien seattle
scott seattle
cloud seattle

don't know if one, or any of these guys are available.

bob mckenzie has written swede backlund is going to play for the rockets after the wjhc's. could help to make the trade deadline more interesting.
according to bob makenzie, the whole wj team is going to be impact players in the nhl every year.Better watch out for...........!

[ProStaff]

i've seen enough. the blades inconsistent effort is the big reason to make a trade, never mind goal scoring. i see how teams like brandon, prince albert, and swift current are destroying teams like regina and lethbridge and we are just barely squeeking by them. then against prince albert the blades play a period, take a period off, effort killed them.

two things need to be corrected to stay in first. one - a full three periods every game, mailing in a period especially down the stretch will have bad consequences. and second - goal scoring, again down the stretch goals will be harder and harder to come by, the offense needs a little added punch.

yes the team is struggling a little, but i'm glad to be struggling a little and in first place, then struggling a little and in last.

i don't want molleken to sell the farm for a one time solution only to suck again for the next five years, but adding some help up front at the expense of one of our prospects plus a pick isn't selling the team down the river. if our protected list is supposedly so good the team should be able to handle the loss of a single prospect plus a draft pick.

the team needs to be given a little shake up, not a major one.

Holly Wango calm down! I don't want to see a single move!

[GBG BLEED BLUE]

I know that the Blades most likely will not dig into their system of prospects to acquire a player(s) The Blades will probably trade for another 20 year old but who? Maybe the Blades are looking to find a first line scorer? Well almost everywhere I read fans are saying that the Blades need a game breaking type of player. I honestly do not know what else can be done to this team without giving it a big face lift? Obviously the Blades do not want to do that. Let the excitement continue!!

[Broncs in RD]

Dansereau to the Blades for Brent Benson.

[GBG BLEED BLUE]

Dansereau to the Blades for Brent Benson.
Keep on dreaming this deal will never happen. I wish Saturday would hurry up and arrive already, the suspense is killing me!!!

[Broncs in RD]

I thought the Blades need a top flight player. Doesn't get any better than Dans. No other team that is going into the playoffs is going to trade their big gun. Maybe Molle and Dans for Benson and a pick.

[wango tango]

Holly Wango calm down! I don't want to see a single move!

too much complacency around the team lately. hopefully events with lethbridge and calgary stacking their decks, and brandon breathing down the blades necks will knock the team out of their post christmas funk.

this team will win not because it has better talent, though the talent is good, it will win because it has a better work ethic. and lately this team has not been working as hard or consistently as it needs to, to win.

i want to see a deal done to shake the team out of its complacency. i want to see a forward added to help with the scoring burden. goals are going to be a lot harder to come by down the stretch and into the playoffs. i want to see a deal done because i want to see more than one round of playoffs for a change, seeing them at all will be nice.

i don't want molleken to do massive changes, that would be wrong. i don't know if there is anything left out there that would be worth making a blockbuster for. this team looks to be going in the right direction talent wise now, and for the next couple of years.

[wango tango]

I thought the Blades need a top flight player. Doesn't get any better than Dans. No other team that is going into the playoffs is going to trade their big gun. Maybe Molle and Dans for Benson and a pick.

benson siemens inglis and nicholls are not going anywhere. you will never see a 20 traded at this point in the season for anything more than a pick, or perhaps another 20 and a pick.

[wango tango]

kootenay, tri-city, and seattle are the teams left who might make a move yet with the blades.

kootenay - bailey
seattle - scott, o'brien
tri-city - not a natural fit, they might like of our vet d-men.

[howley]

I thought I heard somewhere that Molleken said he would not be making anymore moves.

[Trav]

that he's made offers to other teams so whether or not a team or two take those offers, we'll just have to wait and see.

That doesn't sound like a "No deals happening" coming from him but it does sound like he won't be making a big splash like the Hitmen did.

I would be a bit surprised if there isn't any deals made, think we'll see at least one, just my opinion.

[Tidball]

Dansereau to the Blades for Brent Benson.

Dansereau is not worth Benson. Benson is untouchable. And too young to be traded for renta player. Keegan would probably bring a 2nd or 3rd round pick in return.

[Trav]

Up 3-1 only to lose 4-3 in OT, thats just retarded. Must've been playing their stupid defensive hockey style after they got up to 3-1 and stopped attacking. To me thats just a dumb way of playing hockey.

Hope to see a move or two tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath, Blades need a gamebreaker seriously but Molleken seems to cheap to get it. After what the Warriors got for Broda, the price shouldn't be to bad lol.

[Tidball]

Up 3-1 only to lose 4-3 in OT, thats just retarded. Must've been playing their stupid defensive hockey style after they got up to 3-1 and stopped attacking. To me thats just a dumb way of playing hockey.

Hope to see a move or two tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath, Blades need a gamebreaker seriously but Molleken seems to cheap to get it. After what the Warriors got for Broda, the price shouldn't be to bad lol.

They hit the posts 4 times and Hayes made 5+ game breaking saves. Relax man.

[GBG BLEED BLUE]

So it looks as if all the Blades did this deadline was trade Brody Sutter for a 5th round draft pick(which I have no problem with) BUT with some teams making big moves and the Blades doing pretty much nothing. I guess the Blades feel that they can survive with the team that they already have. Injuries is my main concern now. With 12 forwards on the roster I though that at least another 20 year old would have brought in, I guess the Blades will play out the season and see where they end up. I am kind of disappointed but I think we may have to wait longer for a serious Memorial Cup run. I still hope that this season the Blades can at least have a crack at it but it does not look to promising anymore.