sseagle wrote:glen a richter wrote:In the midst of some pretty rotten news coming out of Blues land with Backes going down, everyone getting the flu, Reave's injury, losing non-stop to California teams and Oaklandblues being on suicide watch after each loss, this is finally something to be happy about. I entirely did not expect to see this bit of news today. Good stuff indeed.
With regards to Boat and Schwartz, remember the salary cap will be going up soon. I'm beginning to think it may actually be possible to keep all the most important pieces of this team together for the long term. Is Army a genius or what?
Just have to remember, we haven't really sold out a game all year, and if we don't get 3-4 games at home in the SECOND round of the playoffs, Stillman won't be able to spend the current amount, nor the 71.1m cap next year.
This is why I love Glen dearly. Always thinking of my wellbeing. Owe you a beer for that one
As for the rest, what bothers me is, the whole attendance issue is a pain in the neck from what I've heard. From those I know who've been to the 'Trade, and mind this is coming from someone who has never stepped foot in there, that the place itself needs alot of upkeep work that's not getting done, the concessions are of poor quality and are ridiculously expensive and just other things in general that would give a better, more welcoming atmosphere that isn't present. On top of that, they raised tickets..how can Stillman make a profit even if he could sell out the Trade every night?
As for selling it out, the team would have to be gauged to go all the way. We can't beat a California team (so far) this year and they're the ones that are the biggest obstacle to us. Also mind that, in the NHL, there is no other team that has gone without a Cup as long as us who doesn't already own a Cup.
Lot of obstacles. Doable, if everyone on the team pushes and we do something historic. And that pushing isn't happening.
The team is playing sloppy hockey, that's just the truth. I don't think Hitch wanted to call the AHL for help and if there's no money to be had, we have to dig from within and from our prospects and this is something that Hitch is historically against and that needs to change. Ty should be playing a few games, along with some others. The solution we're looking for may very well be in our system waiting for an opportunity. Instead, we dress players like Cola or Bergy or so forth when we should experiment and see how far we can go, with what we have.
With the playoff structure changed, we have to mindful that a current record isn't much before the All-Star and Olympic break. Many teams have fallen apart in the second half and failed to make the playoffs. We have to think ahead and, if necessary, be prepared to move players for those who will help us make the push. But that's just preaching to the choir, and I'm sure...very sure...that Army is looking.
As an optimist, I have a feeling that Stillman isn't going to have even 60m to spend, so this year has to make a statement for this to work. I'm hoping Brett Hull gets directly involved and bitches out the team a few times and helps support Hitch. Hitch's system works, if he's got the right people and it works against the teams we need to beat. We got half that, right now. We need the other.
Saying all of that, Steen's signing sends a clear message that makes me a believer that we're not done yet and that this may very well may be our year.