Ryan Wilson: Sid is good to go Sid is good to go

Pittsburgh should have revoked his right to play in response to all of the booing of the American anthem in Canadian cities.

Pittsburgh should have revoked his right to play in response to all of the booing of the American anthem in Canadian cities.
- OilyJay

Not everyone is as petty as a spoiled school child. Good luck Sid.

Pittsburgh should have revoked his right to play in response to all of the booing of the American anthem in Canadian cities.
- OilyJay

It’s not that serious.

Nobody cares what Canadians do up there.

Pittsburgh should have revoked his right to play in response to all of the booing of the American anthem in Canadian cities.
- OilyJay

We just thought there were a lot of ghosts in Canadian NHL arenas.

Stone-Crosby-Mackinnon is quite possibly the best line ever assembled. Two all time great two way players and the best offensive player in the league right now. I was kind of hoping that it would be Marchand-Crosby-Mackinnon for the NS connection but this will be great to see.

I don't really care about this 4 nations thing at all. It would have been so much more interesting with a Russian team in it. But I will still end up watching.

Stone-Crosby-Mackinnon is quite possibly the best line ever assembled. Two all time great two way players and the best offensive player in the league right now. I was kind of hoping that it would be Marchand-Crosby-Mackinnon for the NS connection but this will be great to see.

I don't really care about this 4 nations thing at all. It would have been so much more interesting with a Russian team in it. But I will still end up watching.
- MacPatty

I'll watch most of it. It's not like there's anything else to watch in mid-February. Stone is one of my all time "non-Pen" favorite players. Awesome two way player.

Hey we claimed a defenseman off waivers yesterday. I pulled these straight from elite prospects, keep in mind they are a little old.

A speedy and very mobile two-way defenseman. Kolyachonok plays a consistent game and can be trusted in most situations. Plays the body and reads the game fairly well in his own end. (EP 2019)
He might have an average-build, but he plays with a mean-streak and is a volatile defender at times in one-on-one battles

—Hockeyprospect.com 2019
He utilizes smart passes to the outlet and can quarterback the play

—Future Considerations 2019
He is a very intense defender as well and is tough along the boards. The best part of his game though is his wheels.

—McKeen's Hockey 2019

JFresh also commented and said his underlying numbers were way better than his results. Had him on an island by himself for most unlucky defenseman. Said he was worth the shot.

https://www.pensburgh.com...v-kolyachonok-off-waivers

My own thoughts. Didn't know anything about him an hour ago. But skates well, makes a solid first pass, ably plays either side, and has a bit of a mean streak sounds worth a try even if he's a 6-7 guy ultimately and replaces Shea.

Only downside is we are back to 8 defenseman which limits the ability to call up a deserving forward. I'd waive Shea, not catastrophic if we lose him, but doubt they will. Does give them some flexibility to trade say Gryz without getting a LD back though who they think is top 4 worthy is another story

I read quite a few reports about kovopolo… whoever lol. Mostly good stuff just needs to get that ice time. Can’t go wrong trying a waiver wire. Hopefully he gets some ice. I don’t think he speaks English though so that might not help.

Hey we claimed a defenseman off waivers yesterday. I pulled these straight from elite prospects, keep in mind they are a little old.

A speedy and very mobile two-way defenseman. Kolyachonok plays a consistent game and can be trusted in most situations. Plays the body and reads the game fairly well in his own end. (EP 2019)
He might have an average-build, but he plays with a mean-streak and is a volatile defender at times in one-on-one battles

—Hockeyprospect.com 2019
He utilizes smart passes to the outlet and can quarterback the play

—Future Considerations 2019
He is a very intense defender as well and is tough along the boards. The best part of his game though is his wheels.

—McKeen's Hockey 2019

JFresh also commented and said his underlying numbers were way better than his results. Had him on an island by himself for most unlucky defenseman. Said he was worth the shot.

https://www.pensburgh.com...v-kolyachonok-off-waivers

My own thoughts. Didn't know anything about him an hour ago. But skates well, makes a solid first pass, ably plays either side, and has a bit of a mean streak sounds worth a try even if he's a 6-7 guy ultimately and replaces Shea.

Only downside is we are back to 8 defenseman which limits the ability to call up a deserving forward. I'd waive Shea, not catastrophic if we lose him, but doubt they will. Does give them some flexibility to trade say Gryz without getting a LD back though who they think is top 4 worthy is another story
- Tojo.

Certainly worth a try. We basically have Graves and Pickering lined up for LD next season... there will be opportunities here for this guy.

Still sad that we missed (or passed) on Fabbro. We really could have put him to good use, but then again he will be a FA this year also.

Nothing about these tournaments is actually “best on best”. The Stanley cup finals is best on best.

Pittsburgh should have revoked his right to play in response to all of the booing of the American anthem in Canadian cities.
- OilyJay

They’re just sour that theyre going to become the 51st state. That’s all.

They’re just sour that theyre going to become the 51st state. That’s all.
- j.boyd919

Nah.

It had to do with the 25% tariffs Trump said he was going to impose...but didn't end up doing. It was a small margin of people in the arena that booed, nowhere close to the majority, and it went on for like 10 seconds hahaha

For the record I think booing any country's anthem is very disrespectful and shouldn't happen.

Nothing about these tournaments is actually “best on best”. The Stanley cup finals is best on best.
- Grinder47

I dont think that's an accurate statement. The bottom 6 of any cup winner won't be as good as the bottom 6 of any of these country's rosters.

Now, if you want to talk about how its not the best of the best because Russia isn't there, I can totally get behind that... Czech as well. Swiss, Austria and Germany should probably be there too...but definitely Russia and Czech.

They’re just sour that theyre going to become the 51st state. That’s all.
- j.boyd919

Our politicians have all been pissing in the wind for the 5+ years and we were going to be headed down a tough road prior to Trump... they are using tariff threats for cover and trying to use the US as a boogeyman. Don't take it personal!

Im in this weird place, where Im not even a huge fan of Poillievre and I hate Doug Ford but I will 100% vote for both. I'd much rather become the 51st state than have one of Trudeau, Carney, Freeland, Singh take over.

Our politicians have all been pissing in the wind for the 5+ years and we were going to be headed down a tough road prior to Trump... they are using tariff threats for cover and trying to use the US as a boogeyman. Don't take it personal!

Im in this weird place, where Im not even a huge fan of Poillievre and I hate Doug Ford but I will 100% vote for both. I'd much rather become the 51st state than have one of Trudeau, Carney, Freeland, Singh take over.
- MacPatty

You're assuming Americans know who any of those people are besides Truedumb. They don't really learn about anyone, or anywhere else, but themselves, brother.

I would like a different government next turn...but the newest polls are starting to look a little troubling for this.

I dont think that's an accurate statement. The bottom 6 of any cup winner won't be as good as the bottom 6 of any of these country's rosters.

Now, if you want to talk about how its not the best of the best because Russia isn't there, I can totally get behind that... Czech as well. Swiss, Austria and Germany should probably be there too...but definitely Russia and Czech.
- MattStrat

It’s best on best in theory. It doesn’t translate to the ice though. Just simply not enough time for the players to play together.

You're assuming Americans know who any of those people are besides Truedumb. They don't really learn about anyone, or anywhere else, but themselves, brother.

I would like a different government next turn...but the newest polls are starting to look a little troubling for this.
- MattStrat

Haha, true but they have been doing their best to get their faces in front of the US media the last few months. I just hate the US vs Canada thing... except on Saturday when we kick the poop out of the US

It’s best on best in theory. It doesn’t translate to the ice though. Just simply not enough time for the players to play together.
- Grinder47

The top national teams at full strength would 100% beat the Stanley cup champion at full strength in a seven game series.

Haha, true but they have been doing their best to get their faces in front of the US media the last few months. I just hate the US vs Canada thing... except on Saturday when we kick the poop out of the US
- MacPatty

I'm not quite as confident of that happening as you seem to be haha. I like USAs roster a lot. Very strong.

The top national teams at full strength would 100% beat the Stanley cup champion at full strength in a seven game series.
- Victoro311

This was a much better way to put it than how I went about it haha

The top national teams at full strength would 100% beat the Stanley cup champion at full strength in a seven game series.
- Victoro311

Haha, please explain.

I'm not quite as confident of that happening as you seem to be haha. I like USAs roster a lot. Very strong.
- MattStrat

If Canada had a solid goalie I’d feel much better. Helley can easily be the difference.

Haha, please explain.
- Grinder47

Nothing I can say will change your mind because you think a line of plugs is legitimately necessary to win hockey games. I’ll take the team with 18 star skaters and the best goalie a nation has to offer. The talent overwhelms regardless of familiarity, and a lot of those players are plenty familiar with each other regardless.