First of all, Vanek is a big guy, bigger than prpich. There will always be slashing and high sticking in hockey. All I hear is whining when I read through these things. The Sioux lost, so what. And yes, Ballard and Vanek are really talented players, just because we have a defensemen better than all of yours doesn't give you the right to rip into him. Vanek is highly skilled, I don't know about you, but you don't get drafted number 5 overall in the NHL if you are a "no talent hack"