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On a WGR segment, Paul Hamilton stated that the talk was agent driven. (As you noted.)

I’m convinced more than ever that this is all agent-generated bullcrap when it comes to these Peterka rumors.

Is fighting allowed in football? Is fighting allow in basketball? Is fighting allowed in baseball? Is fighting allowed in collegiate wrestling? Is fighting allowed in college hockey? Anyone who talks about player safety, especially concerns over head injuries, and supports fighting is being hypocritical. As you point, the deterrence to dirty play is good officiating. Dinosaurs have died a long time ago. It's time to be a little more enlightened on this issue. Anyone who wants to continue to allow fighting should instead go to an MMA or boxing match.

I acknowledge a degree of hypocrisy on this. As a long-time attendee of Major Junior Hockey in Canada, I admit that a fight still pulls me to the edge of my seat. But, I have become increasingly uncomfortable with teenagers fighting for the entertainment of others. When I watch a junior hockey fight, I now typically think that there are at least 10 responsible adults present (the refs, coaches and athletic trainers), and it is mystifying to me that they are collectively not committed to stopping the fight, and more often are to some degree encouraging it. It's time. Get rid of it.

Sabres do not have the luxury of losing one of their few talented players.

What are you referring to? His half-season as an interim head coach in pre-McDavid Edm? Or his career minor league winning % of .600, with 5 championships?

https://www.tsn.ca/chl/rick-westhead-osic-urges-hockey-canada-to-push-ban-on-fighting-in-ohl-whl-1.2324440 “In a sweeping set of recommendations aimed at overhauling the culture of hockey, a team of researchers commissioned by the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) is urging Hockey Canada to push for a ban on fighting across all junior leagues and implement a national sanctions registry to inform the public about people who have been banned or suspended for serious maltreatment.” The Q is not mentioned because they’ve already banned fighting. Guys who get in fights are automatically ejected & subject to suspensions. Hockey has to decide to either keep fighting as a deterrent for crappy on ice behavior or ban fighting and call infractions like they do in every other sport. There’s no in between. I don’t expect this to be popular with hockey fans. Especially fans reading this given that we are mostly older hockey fans on Sabrespace. But one thing is for certain: not having fighting in Juniors is what's better for kids' long term health. If this happens at the lower levels, it’ll eventually make its way to the pros. Guys in the pros are already trying to punch under a a hard visor and I bet we can agree that’s stupid. Is it time to ban dropping the gloves?

Based on his previous coaching exposure, I'm not convinced he's that much of an upgrade.

Malenstyn has been underwhelming. It's still early on that one. I personally find the Norris acquisition a complete misuse of asset management. They overpaid Greenway, though he's not completely useless. I love everything about the McLeod acquisition. Sound hockey sense, and a buy low upside on return. Personally mind boggling hitting on McLeod and being so off about Norris.

Because of the team and the coaching around them. Yes, they are very talented players, but it's a team sport and you need structure and a defensive system and guys sticking up for other guys. It's the whole package and not just the attention getting stars. Reinhart is a good hockey player but Barkov is without a doubt the most underrated star in the league. He is an absolute beast that plays a full game and opens up a lot of space for his linemates. Ask yourself how does E-Rod look so good there? It's the team concept and the support around him. This has always been what the Sabres get wrong. Build the culture, the structure, the identity and when it's all in place insert stars and you will succeed. Drafting the stars and just saying okay go win is stupid and that's what they do.

Of all the players on the team, I thought that the referees seemed to single him out for calls that most other players wouldn't get. As you point out, knowing when to do things, where to do things and when to do things is something that he will have to learn. He's a smart enough player to make the necessary adjustment as he gains experience.

Greer was picked up on waivers. So was Boquist who wasn't part of the final 3 but did play bottom line much of the year.

...that he was willing to give. It's a press conference, not a deposition under oath. Your assumption they don't have a plan is an opinion, as is mine that they do. But I think mine makes more sense logically. You're is based on emotion.

I would take Nelson as our HC. Also, he would have been a great add to our coaching staff as an assitant. He would have been a natural to replace Ruff as head coach at Thanksgiving (if things don't do well).

Allan Walsh has been playing The Game and this is the Sabres playing The Game. It's All About The Game:

Ultimately we move JJP based on the contract he think he's worth, if it's in the $5-$6 million two - three year bridge deal think he stays if he's looking for a $8-9 million nine yea deal think we move him.

I would also think the Stars adding salary is counter to what they are looking for. Ideally they would want to save a million or 2 on JE for JJ and get a useful ELC player or two as a sweetener

Powers contracts too high to move, and they couldn't sign byram either. They're pretty much needing ELC contributors and a big piece to replace Robertson. I'm not sure they move him this year though - Moving dumba and lyubushkin can save them 7M, they can probably move lundkvist's RFA tender for an ELC forward. Next year i think there's more urgency to trade him as both him and Harley are coming up and with rantanen's deal in place i don't know how you can pay two wingers 24M and roster a team.

Over what? Personally I would not consider trading that package for Robertson. The upgrade in one of our deepest positions is not worth the gaping long-term hole on D.

Seems like an overpay to me as think most feel we'd be adding Robertson to give the Stars more cap room. So the thought is trade them JJP whom they can sign for less than $7.75 they'd be willing to make the trade since JJP may not be as good as Robertson but fair compensation for less cap room. Power's due to get $8.35 million next season so I highly doubt Dallas would add him unless they give us Robertson and some other player with a bad contract which is dumb of the Sabres as again we're trying to improve not worsen this team.

I'd rather trade JJP and Power (and a prospect) in a Robertson deal. Is that not feasible?

You can if they're over 35yrs old

Especially if you are getting Robertson, that is like the Reinhart deal or the Eichel deal in reverse, I dont think either team would be upset over what they gave up to get the best player

Weathermen get the bad rap, but NHL Insiders have them beat a million times over.

I am at a point where an overpayment of prospects and picks is OK. You don’t need to worry about winning the trade in the long term, just get the better player now.