A few tidbits of stuff to get to from this weeks mailbag. Thanks for all your submissions. I had a tough time narrowing down the best questions, so here goes nothing:
Despite Kyle Turris' lack of NHL success, which NHL teams do you think could benefit from his addition?
Mike
Newton, Massachusetts
Kyle Turris is still a bit of a project with the Coyotes and despite GM Don Maloney's public statements it's feasible to see him traded after a lengthy holdout that was just resolved last week. He does have some scoring touch and saw raw potential and you wonder if he could be an asset despite the off-ice issues. I would say a team like Columbus would take a flyer on him, given they have some pieces that could be moved. If Turris did get moved, I could see it being out east to the Islanders or to the Dallas Stars, even though they're in Phoenix's division. Dallas has built itself a great season with other reclamation projects like Turris.
How do you feel about Roberto Luongo's slow start and subsequent benching? Do you see Cory Schneider taking on a bigger role?
Kevin
Stratham, New Hampshire
I definitely see Schneider taking on more of a platoon role in the Vancouver pipes; at least for now. Luongo is coming back from injury and is being eased in, and with fantastic play from Schneider there's no need to over-saturate him. However, in almost equal playing time Schneider has amassed a save percentage 40 points higher (.930 to Luongos .890) and a GAA of 2.12 to Luongos 3.05. Be it injury or confidence, Luongo is struggling out of the gates and while he's doing to Cory Schneider is a fantastic back-up plan.
Do you think Tomas Kaberle will play out his full contract (3 y/$12.75 million) in Carolina?
Keith
Augusta, Maine
Keith, it's hard to see Kaberle playing out too much of that contract. He's been ineffective in Carolina, totaling no goals and 5 assists in his first 26 games, including being a healthy scratch for Paul Maurice's last game as coach. He's -13, has a total of 3 power play points, and has looked lost on both sides of the puck. All that said, he's built an incredible career and at 33 somebody will take a flyer on him. If GM Jim Rutherford can flip him for a top-6 forward I'd consider it done, but the Canes will have to unload picks or prospects to make it happen in a salary dump kind of move. So the short of it: no, I don't think he'll play out the entire thing, or much more of it.
What NHL coaches could you see being fired next?
Kyle
Washington, New Jersey
Well, after the carousel of this past week it leaves you wondering who could be next. My three guesses are Jacques Martin in Montreal, Brent Sutter in Calgary, and Scott Arneil in Columbus. Lindy Ruff may be out after the season if the Sabres fail to make some noise in the post-season after spending all the money in the off-season. But the reality is this: the Canadiens and Flames are both in big-time hockey markets and are struggling mightily. The Canadiens look flat and the Flames just need to go through and clean house, coaches and players included. Scott Arneil appears to have saved his job for now, but the reality is the Blue Jackets are 7-16-3 despite adding big pieces in the off-season. I could easily see Martin being replaced in the next two weeks, especially if the Canadiens struggle in their upcoming run of Western Conferences games against Los Angeles, Columbus, and Vancouver.
That's all for this week! Remember to submit your questions for next week's Mailbag!
GOH
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