tom webster

I’m not sure history bears this out. There has to be some research available on the likelihood of success when hiring experienced versus inexperienced coaches. I know in football very few coaches have success in more then one place. Shula, Reid probably a few others.

I actually sat two rows behind his mother and girlfriend.

I don’t really think they go with those two. I was mostly making a point that this team had the pieces in place. I actually expect that they will add a veteran goalie and some jam to the forward ranks and maybe one veteran defenseman depending how fast the kids develop.

Notice also, this line up is missing 2 or 3 pieces that should be used to acquire other assets.

I’m pretty sure he played right side almost exclusively before being drafted but not positive

I have a question for you. Given what you think of our prospects, do you think this line up is a Cup contender in two years. Skinner - Jack - Sam JJ - Cozens - Quinn Artu - Casey - TT Zemgus - Asplund - Hyman Ryan Johnson- Dahlin(switching to right) Samuelsson - Joker McCabe - Borgen UPL Portillo

Hopefully Cozens relegates him to third best, then they got something

As long as I can get a Mother’s Day hat trick, I’m in.

It’s like Pierre Turgeon, like I’ve said before. I like Sam, I like him a lot. He’s a guy I want him on my team as long as he is my 3rd or 4th best forward.

I agree with this. If they could have gotten the Ehlers deal, they should definitely have done that.

No, I may have mis-spoken but I define them the same way and still contend that they are not as prevalent as implied. Like everyone acknowledged, Sam is the only miss for the Sabres. Most guys don’t warrant long term deals after their ELC and most of the ones that do, don’t accept a “bargain” rate. What if Sam and his reps would only sign a long term deal if it was equal to Skinner? Is it the teams fault for not accepting those terms?

I already acknowledged he should have locked him up but that the team may luck into getting a bargain because of economics of the time. And I will stick to my point that 90% of the teams have signed one or less “bargain” bridge deals. The argument to the contrary is similar to those that say Buffalo never finds gems in the later rounds of the draft when they have hit as much if not more then the league average.

These are not all the result of bridge deals. Obviously there are a lot of bargain deals. Everyone signed last off season was a bargain, except Hall.

I’ll save you a little time. Barkov and Pasta are the two best bargains. Also, please count how many mistakes were made as well.

Without looking I’ll bet half the teams don’t have any, maybe more. Bridge deals are a gamble and one that has been used more sparingly once players realized it wasn’t smart.

How many players not on Tampa are true bargains? You are not going to find a lot of teams with multiple bargains.

Eichel was a bargain. TT will be a huge bargain if play the last three weeks is any indication. Since Briere and Drury, who should they have locked up instead of going bridge? Sam will be a bargain if he signs for term. Same with Dahlin. Anybody signed for term will be a huge bargain when cap goes to $90M in two or three years.

Point taken, considered, without further comment, although technically, I guess I just commented.

Adams pushed for term, Sam and his agent bet on himself and the economy. He may want to do it again, the team may have to make a decision whether to sign him for another year or move on.

While the narrative is that this is another JBOT screw up, the flat cap will result in Sam getting a lot less then he would have gotten pre-COVID. Look at the comparables and then at teams with Cap space. He might be lucky to get $6M with term.

Do you think this could lead to more late round surprises?

No way they choose Bjork over Asplund but I don’t think they lose either.

I’m starting to think that Sam is Pierre Turgeon and we need to find Pat Lafontaine. Turgeon had a nice career but like Sam, he was more of a great complimentary guy and not the driver you need against the Bruins.

Sam wants nothing to do with playing the Bruins.

I am 100% with you on this but you also can not have guys like 23 disappear every time they play the Bruins.