ParkMeadow

Like picking nits much? If the Rangers were high on Duclair, he'd likely have been "untouchable", and therefore not included in the Yandle deal, wouldn't you think? Point stands that he's only 22 and three different teams have traded, or in the case of the Hawks, dumped him. Make of it what you will.

I see that Anthony Duclair was not given an offer by the Blackhawks and is also an UFA. What's that, three different teams that have given up on him? And he's only 22. He had 20 goals his first year with the Coyotes, but really fell off the last 2 years, and was in the press box more than on the ice for the Hawks.

My wife's favorite series - she keeps telling me I have to watch it! Maybe now that hockey season's nearly over, I will.

Nice article. Did you catch the quote at the end where Hedberg says he wouldn't play him in the NHL next year? No way he's not in the Sabres top 4 next year. They just better not give him Ristolainen minutes until he's ready!

I have to say that it is way too confusing as to what is and is not goaltender interference, and it has to be clarified as a top priority this offseason. I listened to Babcock's whining and then Mike Johnson's spirited defense of Babcock's position on Sirius/XM this morning on my commute. I then watched the replay of Larsson's goal for the first time, and I can't believe what they are talking about! There's no way, in my opinion, that goal should have been overturned, for all of the reasons you all stated so well in this thread. However, given that it's the Leafs, I'm also very surprised it wasn't reversed...

It's all a crapshoot. We took Nylander because we needed a winger for Eichel more than we needed D, or so management thought... If I recall, there wasn't a lot of uproar or disappointment expressed on this board over the pick at the time. But yeah, in general the Sabres have sucked at drafting!

Nailed it! Gilbert had it all - except the DRIVE. And there's no way to tap into it except from within. He was never in top shape and reportedly smoked like a chimney, but man, oh man what he was able to do on sheer talent alone!

Guess you were correct! Maybe I should try some more snark - might be good luck for Sabres... :flirt:

Not watching the game, but, is that you, Coach Housley? They're being shut out - how can that be "not particularly bad"? :rolleyes: Never mind! Not being shut out...

But what about Rat Marchand? And Jack Edwards?

Quick vignette. I was at a Lowe's store in Naples, FL on the Sunday in November that the Bills played the Saints. Game had just ended and an older gentleman and his wife were in line behind me, and he is wearing a Bills jersey. I couldn't see the name on the back and the number didn't mean anything to me, but I struck up a conversation with the couple. We lamented the terrible showing by the Bills that day, and he said he couldn't understand some of the personnel decisions on defense. I asked him to explain, and he said, "For example, my grandson has played pretty well when he's gotten a chance, but for some reason he's not getting much playing time." You guessed it - Matt Milano's grandpa! Very nice folks, and knowledgeable about football. His grandson has indeed played pretty well!

My son (he's such a good boy) brought a nice variety from Buffalo for a visit, and we also just cracked open a Founder's CBS. OMG, it is incredible!! Hope you enjoy it as much as we have

Ristolainen is WAY overrated by many Sabres fanatics but I think those in the know see him as no better than Maata of the Pens. We wouldn't get anywhere near as much in return as you might think. Ristolainen is a mess and I'm not sure his faults can be fixed.

But he didn't follow his man! He just stood in front of his goalie while his guy skated off to the right wing side. Ristolainen sucks!

Ristolainen - spell check!

And it looked on replay like Ristorante even deflected it it!

While you may be correct about Lehner being gone by next year, the OT goal was totally on Ristolainen. WTF was he doing standing by himself in front screening his goalie??? The kid is a mess and I don't know if he's fixable...

Actually, Byron with the Hattie! He has turned into a nice player for the Habs. Prior to that he was "undersized" and "injury-prone". Just the Sabres curse that the NHL has evolved back to a speed game while we developed a slow, heavy team, thanks to GMTM's vision.

Isn't Ian Cole essentially a little younger version of Josh Gorges? No thanks.

I agree the talk about trading Eichel is all about frustration and panic by fans who have been patient for much longer than they deserve. I think Eichel will be fine. I was just listening to the NHL station on Sirius/XM (the Power Play, I believe), and the discussion was all about the Oilers and their sucktitude. O'Sullivan, a recently retired player with some good and blunt comments, did not spare McDavid from his criticism. He said that although his scoring pace looks good, he has been awful in his own end, often cruising and leaving his man undefended. He said McDavid's defensive lapses have been a bad influence for the entire team, and that he needs to step up his game and be a real leader. He cited examples of good leaders such as Crosby, Toews, Bergeron, and Matthews(!?) that McDavid should emulate. So there you go. If even the next Generational Player has holes in his game at age 21, I think Jack can be cut a little slack. Not to say that Eichel doesn't need a big wake up call (he certainly does), but talk of trading him away is premature, especially because I think it would be very hard to get fair value in return.

Of course we get the call - reverse psychology!

No way we get this call

Long time between posts for me. Watching on NESN and enduring the insufferable Jack Edwards makes this whole experience all the more painful. I had to see for myself just what all the wailing and knashing of teeth was all about, and you knowledgeable SS denizens as usual are spot on. Based on the first period tonight, I see nothing to be hopeful about. Team is weak on the puck, no discernible system or positioning in either end, and no energy or physicality. This s the NHL for crying out loud, and stick checking doesn't work as your main form of defense! I will not watch the rest of this one, as there is good college football to entertain me.

I know someone else has probably said this, but watching these highlights reinforces the impression I formed the first time I watched Mittelstadt: His style of skating and playmaking is very Patrick Kane-like. Here's hoping he avoids cabs and takes Uber, or better yet, his own private driver!

Because of the CONCEPT of what he MIGHT become?