tom webster

There was talk that Richardson was getting the job right after Murray got hired. I always believed that he would eventually be Murray's guy and my belief is further strengthened every time Murray discussed Nolan. Don't know much about Richardson the coach, remember him as a player. Right now TM has my unconditional support and I make no secret of not being a Nolan fan.

There are always deals agreed to in principal but not officially signed till free agency day.

Problem for Buffalo is one thing Winnipeg doesn't need is defenseman and they aren't going to trade him in season for picks and prospects when they are battling for the playoffs.

Yes I did. I actually thought he was the first Sabre ever but according to some, Punch actually made some waiver pick ups (Joe Daley) prior to the expansion draft after finding a loophole in the system. I haven't watched the clip yet, is that covered?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think getting knocked out in the first round gets them moved all the way up to 15 and or 16. I believe the final spot is the Cup winner and either spots 27,28 and 29 or 26, 27, 28 and 29 are the division winners that didn't win the Cup but all the rest are left in order of points.

It's also worth noting that their possession numbers hinted at a better team then their record indicated.

Courtyard is open in Canslside. Hotel in Harborcenter not yet open.

Rumor is Hoffbrau Haus will be on ground floor of building they hope to put up between One Canalside and Harbor Center

For those interested, on line reservations now available for parties of 6 or less.

This is exactly it right now. We are into the easy phase of the final 30 games. What's the point of arguing which road they should have taken? I hated the last three or so years but at least there is hope for an exciting new beginning.

Why? People continue to over value goaltenders, especially young ones. Look at what Bernier and Bishop have been dealt for recently. Throwing in a first, even if its a high first just isn't good value and another reason why drafting a goalie in the first just isn't smart.

He has to sit out one full season before coming back and if he comes back before 18/19 it can only be with a Devils and only with unanimous consent of rest of NHL. After he 18/19 he is removed from reserved list and can sign with anyone. That is as of last year but for some reason I can't post link.

Nobody beats Jimmy Roberts, though.

I know Hank asked for it but no one responded. I think it is kind of a neat idea. http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/12221212/nhl-nhlpa-toying-ryder-cup-type-tournament

Exactly. As we have both said in the past, there has yet to be a good team that has had to sell off stars that it wanted to keep because of salary cap issues. With the way the Sabres are going to be built, any veteran player coming in will be given a front loaded contract within the parameters of the CBA. Then in three years, while the players cap hit will be high, his tradeability(F?) will be higher.

As Rakish pointed out, Kane was by no means the clear cut favorite. May considered him too small. Chicago was even't sure and apparently where ready to deal the pick for the right offer.

I think Turgeon/ Shanahan and Lafleur/Dionne were a lot like that as well.

No matter how many times you and Tank say it, he wasn't lasting till the 4th round. He has all the tools, is exceptionally smart, a nice guy and a hard worker. He would have been gone by the end of the second at the latest. While an overwhelming majority of execs and "experts" panned the pick, there were many that liked the pick for the potential upside. Given the Bills' situation, it wasn't the enormous reach some kid you would like everyone to believe.

If there was a way to know for sure, it would have been developed years ago. Bill Walsh thought Trent Edwards would be a star and was one of 32 guys who passed on Tom Brady 5 times and one of 9 guys who drafted another QB that year before Brady was drafted. Drew Brees was a 2nd round pick, Russel Wilson a third round pick. The list goes on and on. If there was a QB whisperer, he would be pulling down millions per year as a consultant.

It appears he has the ability to be Jody Gage or Mal Davis. Question is can he at least rise to Adam Creighton status and become a useful NHL center? I know you are still hoping for more and he is still young but I still can't envision it.

They are not even close to cap jail. Ennis' contract is designed to be an easy move as the actual salary declines to $3.65 in the last two years. Gionta's and Moulson's deals are similar in that their actual salary declines in the final two years. You will have several first and second year players on entry level deals for at least the next two years and even with the cap not going up as much as expected, there will be a significant jump in the next couple of years. The only bad contract on the books is Cody's and that may be bought out in the summer.

I agree with this. I wasn't really saying that the tank started then. I was just saying that I don't care what you call it, the last few years have been brutal and hopefully it is over in 36 games.

Am I the only one who feels like its been going on since DB and CD left? It seems like a blur and I can't even differentiate the seasons, let alone games. No matter how good they played, it never recaptured the magic of those two seasons. Like LGRM said, no matter when you start it, it has 36 games left and hopefully the excitement of going to a game returns.

That is part of the beauty of the rebuild. Your top two centers and your top 2 defenseman will be years away from top end salary so you can afford to pay guys like ROR. It doesn't mean you want to waste money but you can afford better depth players until your top guys are ready to command top salaries.

ROR is the perfect young vet to acquire. His limited offensive skills aren't going to help this year's team. He is young and together with Z will be the perfect 5,6 or 7 forwards.