Some close, some spot on, and some way off. Probably about average! No one had foreseen Hitchcock fixing the Blues the way he did! My predictions and afterthoughts after the jump! (Ugh, I hate that phrase.).

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Since neither Kostitsyn seems to get along with the coach there, and Andrei would be a 1st or 2nd liner here in Nashville - what would it take in trade for the Habs to give him up?

My proposal: David Legwand + 5th or 6th rounder OR middling prospect.

What would it take for the deal to get done?  Please do not reply with Shea Weber. :)  I think I have a fair trade here, and Legwand might play harder under the Montreal spotlight and a coach like Martin.

How I learned to stop worrying about his signing and love his beard.   Or something like that.

Here's a good article over at the In Lou We Trust, where they find many arbitration cases are signed the day of arbitration (but before the hearing) or signed the few days before:

http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2011/7/18/2268177/2011-off-season-will-there-actually-be-a-arbitration-hearing-between

Now we can all stop worrying until Aug 2nd! ;)

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Ryan Ellis today received the Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy.  This trophy is special to Ellis and the Spitfires, being named after their Captain who died from a rare heart condition back in 2008. Ellis had this to say (taken from the article linked below):

“It is always exciting to win personal awards but to receive one that recognizes your leadership is extra special for me,” said Ellis.  “Being able to learn from Mickey in my first year helped a lot, he always made everyone feel part of the team.  This year I tried to do the same by making everyone feel comfortable and we were like a family in Windsor and I think it contributed to our success.”

For the full story:

http://blogs.tennessean.com/predators/2011/06/06/ellis-wins-mickey-renaud-captain%E2%80%99s-trophy/

Really, this has got me thinking.  Not much else to do when I'm up and everyone's sleeping!

I'd like to revise the trade a bit to make Pittsburgh bite on it.  It's a good deal for them.  It also set us up better.  Hold onto your butts!

The Trade:  Weber AND Erat for Malkin.  Yes, both. Why?  Money and team space.  Also, this is the postulation with a fellow Russian great joining the team, Radulov would come back to play for the Preds.  Pens would like it, because when Erat plays with big talent, he starts to play up to that talent and they'd have a big upgrade in defense.

Here's how I would see the possible forward lineup, current injuries withstanding:

Hornqvist-Legwand-Malkin

Kostitsyn-Goc-Radulov

Wilson-Mueller-Svatos

Smithson-Spaling-Ward

Also, with scratches as Klasen, Belak.  If Sullivan returns: Klasen gets sent down, Svatos goes to scratch. O'Reilly or Lombardi's return would send down Mueller.

This would give us 2 fairly (very??) dangerous scoring lines, and a "two-way" line and the one solid defensive line we've had for a while.

Defense (at least to start with):

Suter-Cube

Klein-O'Brien

Franson-Josi

I expect that to change quickly, leave Sulzer in the #7 if someone isn't doing their job.

Goalies need no change, obviously.

Well, there's my crazy thought.  I know there's plenty of hate for Rads and doing the two for one trade I mentioned.  But, then again...it's just so crazy, it just might work.

Congrats to one of our own, again, as he takes the captaincy for Team Canada in this year's Junior World Championship!  He was also made captain of Windsor Spitfires this year and has won the silver and gold in previous years in this tournament. 

Also from the article: Ellis is the 31st captain all-time for the National Junior Team since 1982 -- there were two captains in 1998 -- and the 11th captain from Ontario and 10th from the OHL.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=541546