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TBPhD, have you considered that the Sabres have developed their own proprietary stat bundle that might not equate with the stats we all have access to? They did install an analytics department, did they not? It'd be interesting if one of you with nothing to do could scan the current D stat lines and look for patterns that may reveal alternate interpretations.

That's just it. I don't think Stamkos should be brought in as a leader. Period. Ugh...

Honestly, the only way I can get behind acquiring Stamkos is if I think of him as a complimentary player like Doughnut Boy is for Pittsburgh. As a complimentary player, okay, but I still cringe at the idea of paying big bucks for him.

I had to turn it off. He was just awful. There has to be something to the possession numbers Pysyk has, and the lack of (apparently) for Kulikov. There have to be wide gaps in there that tell a different story when accurately and reasonably filled in. My eyeball test told me Pysyk was never "hard to play against". My eyes told me that a Pysyk-type player probably would show his weaknesses during the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup rounds. Those were fricking tough-played games with lots of battling. Risto doesn't go out of his way to hit, the hits line themselves up for him. If Kulikov plays a similar game to Risto and can QB a PP, and is left-handed...what's not to like? Pysyk doesn't have those qualities, which is not to say Pysyk is a bad D-man, but he wasn't/isn't a fit for this team the way DD and GMTM are putting it together. Plus, this allowed Murray the chance to move up and get a man he wants. I'm still a believin' Murray knows what he wants in a player and knows how he wants his team to fit together. You can talk about Bogo and Kane all you want, frankly I think Kane is panning out, but sometimes you're going to miss the mark a little. The Kane part of that trade got us Eichel - a huge component in that transaction IMHO. Anyway, look at ROR, Reinhart, Eichel, Kane, and now Nylander, and possibly Vesey and possibly Stamkos. He kept D-Lo which I think is great. I'm looking at those names and I'm thinking "now that's a line-up I would pay to go see..." and that tells me GMTM is doing his job.

He may have wanted to focus on D, but all paths pointed toward the O. If we get Vesey and Stamkos to add to what we already have, plus the kids in the pipeline...woah. We should be good for the next 7 years or so offensively. There's still trades and free-agency, still time to work on the D. But, if nothing else, one side will be set up long term.

I think Girgensons and one of Gorges or Franson gets packaged for a trade, ideally for some picks. I would prefer Ennis be involved in that trade, too. This year, if we get Stamkos and Vesey, GMTM gets his forward ranks completed (essentially) and has to wait until next season to finish up the D.

Watching the highlights. God, I love a player who doesn't need to stop the puck to shoot it - on net. The break-away skill, wow. He has those top far-corner shots down. He's like the Eichel of wingers. Very patient and confident. Looks like he belongs in a metal band. This guy on a line with Eichel and Reinhart, wut? That'll be a treat.

I seem to recall TBPhD and few others touting Nylander in the draft thread. Not a guy I thought would be available for us, so, he's been off my radar. I will have to catch up on him. How did he do at the combine? From what I know, this seems to be one of those crazy end-cap deals you score once a decade.

I'm all excited that I'm going to buy a Lamborghini! Yeah, I won't be able to buy a daily driver having spent all of my money, and the Lamborghini has been in accidents that have assuredly compromised its structural integrity, but, screw it...it's a Lamborghini!

All of this Stamkos talk is a little depressing. I think there are far better ways to spend the money.

Rival Sons at the Town Ballroom.

Yes, the Vancouver pick I think.

This. There's really no reason to say anymore. If he can get Vesey to sign, that sets the tone for the rest of off-season; the Draft, the UFA Turkey shoot, pending UFAs and RFAs, trades. Can't imagine it being more important and completely worth one of four (1 of 4) third round picks to have a solid map goin' fo-wawd.

I like D-Lo, glad to see he's here for another two years. Looks like I was close in the prediction thread: "D-lo returns for 2 years, $1m per."

I think this (old) view of Buffalo and the Sabres is up for a challenge this summer. Let's get through July and see if it stands. Between the city and its doings, and the Pegulas and their doings, and Murray and his doings, a lot has changed.

I suppose it doesn't have to be downtown, either, right?

You forgot to add the annual tangent on donuts.

Which is okay.

What's left to post after that.

I wouldn't protect Ennis. :ph34r:

How the hell do we determine possession with the stat machines at either NHL.com or War On Ice? That's the nature of my question. Would he be worth the long contract (relatively)? Looks like he may have been injured one year, but otherwise has been durable. You have to figure that Gionta is 37, and Legawand is 80, and they both contributed. If we get 4 good years out of a guy like Eriksson that'd be okay. Obviously, we're all leery because of Matty Mo.

His superficial stats look really good. Can he be our Marian Hossa?

Is this being held in TBPhD's bunker?

Which players in this UFA class have the best possession stats and area really fast? Target them.