nfreeman

Yes, and the pass from Krug on that goal was terrific as well.

Yes -- it's hard to evaluate and respond to @PASabreFan's posts without at least photos.

The first bolded is qualitatively different from the 2nd. Of course KA is going to know that the Pegulas prefer Sean McD to Rex Ryan. KA himself is much more McD/Beane than Rex/Tim Murray, and KA probably prefers McD/Beane/KA types to Rex/TM types. I think it's highly unlikely that TP mentioned Ellis to KA or otherwise gave KA any kind of specific direction as to who should be hired for this role. If I had to guess, I'd say the Pegulas had zero involvement other than the quick approval I mentioned earlier. This seems to me to be exactly the kind of position that an ex-player who is working on an NHL front office career, who has already had a couple of positions lower down the ladder and who is well liked by his current organization/network often gets. @PASabreFan is making it sound like he was just another lowlife hanging around the Bing and Tony picked him for the next job because he was there and he needed a warm body.

Do the skeptics of this hire think the Pegulas were involved in choosing Ellis for this role? I would be pretty surprised if their involvement was anything more than a 1-minute conversation with KA in which KA told them what he wanted to do and they said yes.

I agree with most of this, but I think liger is right to shy away from giving Pietey a long-term deal. My point previously that the Habs were willing to take on Weber’s long-term deal in part because it allowed them to escape PK’s deal. That factor wouldn’t be present for someone giving Pietey a long-term UFA deal. Now, if a high-quality vet LHD is available at a cheapo price this offseason due to cap/economic conditions? By all means — although I’m still annoyed that this is a need this team has after watching JB stockpile defensemen for 3 years while neglecting the rest of the team.

Well, I think it’s important to remember that the Weber trade allowed the Habs to escape the crippling contract they gave PK. i would be surprised if someone gave Pietrangelo a fat 6-year deal.

Present and accounted for. To be clear: I didn't hate him, in the sense that I don't hate anyone in his 20s whom I never met and who hasn't done anything horrible. But he was a bad goalie here. I'm glad he's got it together now. To the OP -- yes, indeed: Armia Byron McNabb Lehner Grant Compher Scandella Sekera Gerbe Myers Zadorov Bogo Fedun (Intentionally omitted: Nylander, ROR)

But if Reino is the centerpiece of the proposed Calgary trade discussed in the other thread, the Sabres would be getting back two players that are better than he is.

Here's a question: the Sabres can sign Reino to an extension anytime now, innit? Does the fact that we've heard zero about any contract talks mean anything, especially in light of recent trade rumors? i.e. if there are no contract talks, does that mean it's more likely that the Sabres are dangling Reino in trade talks?

Someone already mentioned this in another thread, but I think it belongs here too: Mike Milbury is pretty annoying as a studio guy, but very good as a game color commentator.

Not me.

It would be Monahan for 3 years and, most likely, either Gaudreau long-term OR Gaudreau for 1.7 seasons plus what he brings back at the deadline in the 2nd year. And, if the Sabres improve, there is a pretty decent chance that at least one of them re-signs here. If Mitts is one of the Sabres' 3 best prospects, we're doomed in any case. And the #8 pick could just as easily wash out as turn into a good prospect. Most importantly, it is pretty close to now or never for the Eichel Sabres. They have to take real steps this offseason. And the likelihood of them getting a player as good as Monahan or Gaudreau elsewhere is pretty low -- let alone both of them.

@Gabrielor -- I like it, but I think it's wishful thinking not to include #8 if the Sabres are getting both Monahan and Gaudreau. If the Flames put those 2 on the block, they will get much better offers than Reino, Montour and Mitts. My general rule on proposed trades is that if one team's fan looks at a trade and is ready to pull the trigger immediately, then the price is too low.

OT in the playoffs should go to 4-on-4 after the first OT period. The quality of play keeps dropping as the game gets longer.

I think this is exactly right. Couple of other relevant (IMHO) points on this: - Gaudreau turns 27 this week and Monahan will turn 26 in October, so each of them would, if he doesn't sign an extension before hitting FA, be selling himself as a 29-year-old to UFA bidders. That will probably result in fewer bidders relative to other UFAs, while still giving their pre-FA teams prime years plus contract year motivation. - The cap probably won't rise much if at all by the time Gaudreau hits FA, and perhaps not a year later when Monahan does. This will also reduce the pool of bidders. - Certainly you don't want to trade away the store if you're only getting 2 years of one of the 2 primary pieces coming back. But that risk needs to be weighed against the need to show Eichel that the franchise isn't mailing it in, and the risk of him getting fed up and demanding a trade. A trade for these 2 guys would be a game-changer and would show him that the Sabres mean business.

I don't think teams can give extensions to players until there is 1 year or less remaining on the player's contract. So trading for anyone with 2 years left until UFA means you're trying really hard to sell the player during that first year so he's willing to sign an extension during the summer after that year. If he's not willing to do so, you're in the Skinner situation all over again during that 2nd year, and you have to seriously consider trading him by the deadline.

I would have a hard time giving up Cozens, but would include Mitts and #8 to get it done. This is an issue -- he has 2 more years until UFA. He's from NJ, so would be much closer to home here than in Calgary, but not as close, or desirable, as Philly, Washington or the NYC teams. But maybe if the team takes a couple of big steps and it becomes fun to play here again...

Hockey is less exciting on the bigger olympic ice sheet. The defenses are better than the offenses, so the bigger ice makes it harder for the offense to carry the play.

Barkov seems untouchable similar to Horvat, no?

For me it's the entertainment factor. I find the games more fun to watch when there are amazing players making great plays, when superstars are trying to outdo each other, when you're terrified when the other team's stars are in your d-zone and when your team beats a star-studded team.

Well, I agree that Toronto isn't going to trade Marner, but the proposed trade is far from giving up the farm.

Happy birthday @North Buffalo! There is a 50% chance that one of Pitt, Rangers, Toronto or Edmonton wins it and causes multiple heads to explode. Here's a hot take: I'm hoping for the Rangers. I'd like as many stars as possible in the Eastern Conference, and it's good for the NHL when the Rangers are good.

I paid extra attention to Kerfoot the last couple of games. He looks like a decent enough bottom-6 center, but not like a viable 2C. I wouldn't be interested in trading much for him or in giving him much of a contract.

I was thinking about why the Leafs lost this series and more specifically trying to identify the flaw in this Leafs team. It's not unreasonable to chalk it up to goaltending -- this was a short series, where the outcomes are more volatile, CBJ certainly got better goaltending last night, and Korpy put up 2 shutouts in CBJ's 3 wins. Toronto's problem clearly isn't a lack of skilled forwards. Their top guns are about a million times more dangerous in the o-zone than CBJ's are -- Matthews and Marner are terrifying on pretty much every shift. Meanwhile, CBJ doesn't have anyone scary to work the half-wall on the PP, but they played a smart, tough series, didn't panic when the Leafs were able to maintain o-zone possession and limited the Leafs' scoring chances. I think the Leafs need 2 guys: a top-6 forward or top-4 defenseman who plays with fire and intensity, and a veteran top-6 forward who consistently makes the smart, correct play -- like what they were hoping to get from Marleau. Otherwise they will need to wait until their homegrown guys develop maturity and mental toughness. Hopefully they'll panic as a result of getting bounced and make some dumb moves in the offseason.

The Habs won the PK-for-Weber trade, and it's not even close.