nfreeman

This is fair, but you must remember that not all assists are created equal.

Outstanding. That's what those 4 guys are supposed to deliver. Sure was. Antipin's not tall, but it was high up on his body -- between his shoulderblades at the base of the neck, resulting in major whiplash. I would guess that when his head whiplashed into the glass, he was knocked out cold and is probably concussed. Well, it's possible to appreciate assists and still understand the unavoidable truth that they aren't as precious as goals. # of times a Sabre has recorded 5 assists: 8. # of times a Sabre has scored 5 goals: 1 (Bonus points if you guess who had the 5 goals.) 2013! Yes indeed. Am I crazy, or does Casey immediately give us a 3rd line that can score? This was a FMJ reference, right? If not -- did Lav order a code red on Hartsy?

Good man.

Brutal. Good data though.

Heading out to dinner with the family and then to "ready player 1". Should be nice. And congrats on the strong career moves everyone is making in here!

I think KO was much better this season from about November until his concussion. I agree that he looks much worse since returning. His return to form pre-concussion this year, plus me not thinking that he looks as bad as you think he does, makes me think there's a reasonable possibility that he'll be a pretty decent player next year and thereafter. So I'm not quite in despair about him yet. But (i) he could suffer another concussion anytime and (ii) he certainly doesn't look like a good top-6 forward right now, which is what they need from him.

Very nice and endorsed. Good stuff here boys. I probably agree with Taro that the key point was evaluating Ullmark/CJ in the absence of Lehner, but Amerks8796 has some good points too.

Yes indeed.

I don't think KO has reached Moulson levels of ineffectiveness, and I think he adds some value, but he is nowhere near the top-6 weapon we were hoping for. Certainly if another team were willing to take him, I would trade him in a heartbeat. I think we're stuck with him though. Another great GMTM move.

This is reasonable and you are probably right. However, I keep coming back to JBott's frequent statements that "what we have isn't working" and similar expressions. It just sounds like he thinks something major is needed -- and I think the only 2 realistic candidates to be moved are Reino and Risto (JBott has said a number of times that he values ROR, no one is going to take KO, JBott isn't going to trade Eichel or Scandella) -- and Risto seems less likely than Reino.

I kinda think Casey will be ready next year, but you could certainly be right about him. There is zero possibility of KO walking away from the $30MM the Sabres owe him. Based on JBott's comments, the likelihood that ROR is traded is also very low. I'm not expecting it, but I would not be surprised if they move on from Reino. He's reverted to his terrible first-half form. If he finishes up the year in this manner, it will be 5/8 of the season in which he's looked like JAG. I agree that we can expect major turnover in the bottom 6.

No trap intended. Jimmy was also taking millions of shortcuts and breaking the rules long before this particular moment. It was in his nature.

BTW: Svechnikov's brother plays for Detroit -- he played last night vs the Sabres.

I agree with both of these.

At first I thought this too, but on the replay it's pretty clear that he won the draw and then made a sweet little touch pass back to ERod. It was a nice assist IMHO. I agree that the overall presentation -- especially the woman with the Casey jersey on the ice for the anthem -- felt like "here's something we can market to distract our fans from yet another terrible season." However, I liked what I saw from Casey -- enough so that I am fairly confident that he'll play most or all of next season in Buffalo, probably in the 14-16 min per game range, and be pretty effective. This has the cold ring of truth.

I liked what I saw from him tonight.

Sorry.

Even with as much as I hate the tank, I would freaking love to win the lottery this year and for Dahlin and Casey to become stars for the Sabres.

Yes. Casey will take KO's spot on the top PP unit. Very nice. Taking Pommer was part of the price of getting Scandella. JBott didn't target Pommer as a good player to bring in. Pommer is just playing because of the low quality level in the forward ranks. Now that would be pretty sweet. I sure hope we get to see it next year.

Was about to say the same thing. His purposefulness and effectiveness from a few weeks ago are gone. He hasn't made a single play tonight. And, it should be noted, he has 1 point -- a garbage-time goal in the 3rd period of a 5-1 loss -- in his last 6 games. I do not think JBott is going to give him a fat contract.

Pittsburgh didn't tank to get Crosby. They won a lottery following a year in which the NHL did not play. And I love the optimism, but comparing Reino to Toews is insane.

Well, by that logic, McD isn't elite either since Edmonton is in the crapper again this year. The players I listed in the 1st category may not be as good as Crosby, but all are great players who all popped loose onto the trade market within the past few years. The point is that you don't need to tank to land a player who was drafted high. You can often trade for them (or, less often, find them in FA -- e.g. Tavares). Do you not think it was hugely lucky of Pittsburgh to win the Crosby lottery -- following a lockout year -- when they had just won Malkin and Fleury? Do you think it is logical to plan on replicating that success? If so, do you think Reino and Eichel are comparable to Malkin and Crosby?

Recently: PK Subban (and Shea Weber, for that matter, although YMMV on including him). Taylor Hall Ryan Johanssen Phil Kessel Tyler Seguin Down a level but still quite good: Matt Duchene Dougie Hamilton Evander Kane Filip Forsberg Ryan Callahan Milan Lucic Kyle Turris Eric Johnson Kevin Shattenkirk Keith Yandle Again -- they didn't tank to get him. Nashville fell apart for one year when Rinne got hurt. Yes -- luck is needed too. But hoping for a miraculous Crosby-Malkin or Toews-Kane-Keith lucky stretch isn't a plan.

Right but Nashville didn't have to tank to get them. That is my point as stated above.

Marleau was drafted in 1997. Thornton was a trade acquisition, as you pointed out. The point is that good to elite players pop loose regularly on the trade market, and well-run teams will pick them up if it makes sense to do so.