nfreeman

Hang in there friend.

At this point, the freezer is my only hope. Well, we've known them for a number of years now -- so it's quite possible they've had enough of me. They're Italian -- it's pretty good Italian food (meatballs, chicken marsala, fettucine alfredo, etc.)

My family and I were invited earlier this week to come over for dinner tonight to the home of old friends of ours. We enjoy their company and are looking forward to the evening -- but yesterday, the wife told my wife that the menu was going to consist of leftovers from their Super Bowl party -- so pretty close to 6-day old food. This is a pretty unusual situation. The husband is pretty educated about wine, so that part of the meal will be very good, but there's a real possibility that I'll be spending the rest of the weekend in the bathroom. We'll see.

I will be very surprised if DDB is canned before the end of the season, but I think if they really fall off the table then it could happen this summer. What is the bolded based on? Their improvement over last season is nonexistent-to-marginal, based on wins and losses.

I'm not too happy with DDB either, but to be fair, I don't think Pittsburgh lost any good players due to them not liking his system.

I thought it was Kaner and Gionta, and I agree that it was the best he's looked -- and moreover, that stretch is what convinced me to join your "Reino needs to play center" movement.

I don't think Vegas will take Ennis. Too much money for too little production. Now, depending on Vegas' budget for the next couple of years, I could see them taking Moulson -- if they need to get to the cap floor, Moulson's cap hit is I believe around $2MM higher per year than his actual cash cost, so he would add value in that way, as well as perhaps 12-15 goals if he were to get a featured offensive role.

To be clear: I am very far from coming to any conclusions about Nylander in the long term. My point is simply that it would be crazy to assume that Nylander would fill the putative void, either next year or the following year, that would be created by trading Kane.

I don't agree at all and I will be surprised if Ennis is protected. I think GMTM will be very happy if Vegas takes Ennis or Moulson.

No -- to be the #4 forward, score 25+ goals per year, play in all situations and send bodies flying on the regular. Good post. I don't think it's prudent to assume World Juniors is a better predictor of NHL play than AHL play is. Plenty of junior stars have washed out in the NHL. Put another way: how many guys who were 10-goals-or-less guys in the AHL turned into 25+ goal guys in the NHL? This isn't fantasy hockey. No one with functioning eyesight can seriously compare Stafford -- who routinely disappeared for months at a time -- with Kane -- who is a dangerous presence on every shift.

Robvy and WC: what if Kaner is willing to sign an extension for $5.75MM x 6 years?

I'd just like to point out, for those who think that Nylander could fill a scoring void created by trading Kane, that Nylander has 5 freaking goals in 41 AHL games. So hold your GD horses.

Can't agree with this, unless you meant 10-15 feet off to one side or another. 10-15 feet into the slot is a terrible spot to deposit rebounds.

That sounds right.

Does anyone have an update on Kane's well-being following that collision into the boards on the GWG last night?

I didn't think it was intentional.

Y'know, as I was watching that interview on the post-game show, I was reminded of a comment Paul Hamilton made a couple of weeks ago. Hamilton said something to the effect that a number of the younger players are pretty rude to the media members -- i.e. they look at the ceiling when answering questions, they act like answering media questions is beneath them, etc. I think Eichel -- who does not project as having a low opinion of himself -- must've been one of the guys Hammy was referring to.

Seconded.

Scoring is also an issue -- the Sabres are 23rd in the NHL. Kane is their 2nd-leading goal-scorer (in 10 fewer games than KO, who is the leader). As for the "top 2 lines" point -- many others have made this point, but it continues to be neither here nor there. Kane is 4th in ice time on the team among forwards. He's a big part of their rotation. IMHO it is crazy to consider trading Kane unless (i) he has told them that he plans to leave once he hits UFA or (ii) a no-BS young #1 defenseman is coming back.

Good post.

Well, Reino and Eichel each contributed a true star-quality play. How could anyone want to trade Kane or not re-sign him? Pretty spotty outing by Nilsson.

I'm giving Homeland a C-minus so far this season. If my wife didn't like it so much, I would bail completely. Also -- 2 of my work colleagues recommended "Ray Donovan." I watched the first episode over the weekend and thought it was utter crapola. If episode 2 isn't any better, I'm out -- but then I have to figure out how to gently inform my work colleagues that I completely disagree with their recommendation.

Dude. It would be kinda TPish to get fed up and send DDB packing, innit? Well, to be fair, this has happened -- and in the SCF, no less. My 2 cents: I would sign up for dumping DDB and bringing in CJ in a heartbeat -- but I think it's highly unlikely that it will happen before the end of this season at the earliest. If, however, the Sabres limp to the finish line and end up DFL in the EC and bottom 4ish in the NHL, I think it's at least 50/50.

I generally think a bad PK is a direct result of bad coaching.

Great breakdown yse. I am just about sure they will be sellers. I think most of the UFAs will be sold for picks, which I think is the right decision. I don't think any of the RFAs or next year's UFAs will be traded.