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...I will not post in the politics thread...

I can't buy this post, respectfully, of course. The reason being that I can't see how much more of a leap Zemgus needs to make. His coach was already implied he's captain material. This post also seems to be predicated on the expectancies of the prior administration. Murray has already made some left-field moves; I really don't think we can predict what this guy is going to do. From the little I have seen so far, though, I will say flat out that Foligno, Hodgson and Kaleta are not the kind of players Murray wants to keep around, and I can see Nolan not having the patience for them, either. Kaleta is a different case than the former two, but I have my doubts he will be around. If memory serves, Black has already said they all but plan to tank again, and Murray has danced around the topic. But I wonder, they have so much cap room, and have to reach the floor, I don't see Murray over-paying crappy players willingly. Maybe, though, if the hockey people in the club can swallow another year of intentional garbage hockey for the sake of the future - a concept Murray never seems comfortable with when asked about it.

This will be the beginning of the end of Quenneville in Chicago. His team isn't responding to his style anymore.

I would have no horse in that race, but it will be an excellent series to watch. LA and the Rangers are built similarly. I'm more familiar with LA, but others here have been touting the Ranger; in either case they're the kind of teams the Sabres ought to model their development after. A lot of it has to do with a well balanced mix of everything. And before anyone accuses me of pointing out the obvious, I said it after LA won their cup a few seasons ago. I think a certain segment of the fanbase wants them to be "bad for years", but the reaility is that they're in a position to make themselves competitive as soon as next year. Just depends what happens this summer. They already have three picks in the first next year.

LA has Crawford's number. Going to be tough for the Hawks the way the Kings are playing. An LA NY finals is awfully appealing.

That's a Ryan Miller softee right there.

Wow, the tides have turned. And LA is remembering how to score.

Damn, LA made that PP look easy. I guess we have a game.

As I read this thread, the drool pool grew on the table, until I got to this post. I don't see how Miller could have done much better given the circumstances. I mean, sure he could have grown golden wings, but the reality is, even with his Olympic teams, his success depends on the style his D plays. That said, I think Miller winds up with 3yr x $4.5 mil contract somewhere, give or take.

Can't blame Montreal fans for being pissed, that's some awful officiating.

Did someone mention cake?

I didn't like the guy up until this season when I happened to watch a few Montreal games early in the season. I think I noted here at the time that I could understand the hype, but his maturation really didn't show. This PK, though, I dig. I just read that his bridge contract ends after this season. Do I have that right? Um, you think Murray is on this?

This interview is pure class. I think I'm a fan now... http://youtu.be/JtsHFJPcsFA

In on page 69. That's all I wanted to do...69.

I have to say it never occurred to me that Montreal and the Rangers would make the third round.

Hahaha! They did it! F&@k YOU, BOSTON!

Boston fans suck, even the children.

Briere! Now the fun begins.

Karma is a b@tch. Now score, Montreal.

O. M. G. Pierre is the most annoying Boston fan there is. F@$k, really? Boston is allowed to get away with that kind of crap?

Their coach has them worried about making a hit quota, they're not allowed to just play hockey.

That's just determination against a goon team. Love it..."no puck luck" my ass.

Saranac Cloud Splitter...yum. Tastes like the unfiltered wheat beer I had in the Adirondacks last year.

Minnesota game = nail biter...

By "violence" I mean the general rigors of the game: hard hits, scrums at the net, real fisticuffs that are a result of the game, things of that ilk. You have to expect that stuff, and, frankly, it makes for entertainment. Boston was clearly not in the game mentally last night and the garbage at the very end was half-hearted and force...they weren't feeling that in the game. That was, IMHO, the result of the coach telling them to "send a message".