nfreeman

Awesome.

I think this is right. GMTM will sell off a number of guys, accumulate picks and prospects, and use some of those as currency at the draft or over the summer to bring in a ready-to-go NHL player or 2.

I'd expect either a top-6 winger or a top-4 defenseman to come in via FA, if not both. I don't think Ennis will be traded at the deadline, unless it's in a package for Drouin or other significant guy coming back, because I think GMTM likes his game, and because Ennis' value is pretty low right now. I think GMTM will unload pretty much all of the upcoming UFAs at the deadline, plus Franson, because he wants to re-stock his pick/prospect cupboard -- and GMTM pretty much said this on the radio last week. I also wouldn't be surprised if an RFA or 2 (like, say, Larsson or Foligno) were dealt at the deadline. I'd like to see McGinn brought back in free agency, and I think there's a pretty decent shot it will happen. He seems to like it here and he seems like GMTM's kind of guy. He also isn't the kind of guy who will attract huge offers, so getting him back seems doable. The same goes for Weber. While Taro's points regarding a Moulson buyout are valid, I nevertheless expect him to be gone next year, most likely via buyout. I just don't think GMTM will abide performance this poor, regardless of contract. I also think Schaller will either be a regular or the 13th forward (and I think his play in this recent stint is vindicating my consistent stance on this, so there.) I'd love to see Fasching muscle his way into the lineup, but a season in Rochester seems more realistic. So I'd predict: Kane-ROR-Reino McGinn-Eichel-Ennis Foligno-Zemgus-Gionta Deslauriers-Schaller-other Risto-Bogo McCabe-new UFA defenseman Pysyk-Gorges

This is more or less where I am on Pysyk as well. I find it amazing that some here wouldn't trade him for Drouin. Interesting, and given GMTM's description of the Sabres as sellers, I think you're right. B

I'm about 7 episodes in. I'd say it's entertaining but not great. This was my impression as well.

Now this is a reasonable point.

Generally I think your hockey insights are very good, but this is a fairly hysterically stated straw man. No. That is not Lehner's upside. You cannot possibly determine Lehner's upside based on that small of a sample size. Lehner's upside is that he could be a no-BS very good #1 NHL goalie -- and an NHL GM, who's seen him play a ton of games, thinks he can get there. And since he's physically ready to return, we might as well start seeing as much of him as possible so we can figure out whether he can reach his potential. As for Ullmark, he's not being "cut" from the team. The Sabres are keeping his rights and putting him in the A, where he'll get a ton of work and develop into a better goalie.

Agree -- no one is giving up anything for Legwand.

Speaking of which, has anyone heard from Whisky Bottle of Emotion? He hasn't been on in a while, and I miss the young fella.

I agree, except that GMTM likes bigger guys. Still, I can see him being very interested in Drouin for the reasons you mention. I agree with TBGED, and I don't think GMTM would trade next year's #1 for Drouin -- at least not until we know what it is. If it turns out to be, say, the 9th pick in the draft? Then I think GMTM pulls the trigger. At this point, though, if TB is shopping him pre-deadline, that means we don't know what pick it will be, and that TB will probably want players who will help them in the playoffs this year. And that, in turn, means IMHO TB is going to want one of the Sabres' untouchables -- ROR, Eichel, Reino or Risto. I would give them Ennis, one of McCabe or Pysyk and the Sabres' 2nd-rounder in a heartbeat, but I don't think TB will go for that.

Guys who are tough and who can score 20 for a team as offensively constipated as the Sabres are not easily replaceable. Having said that, I agree with taking a #1 for him for the reasons you mentioned -- and I suspect GMTM does too. This is a good point. My interest in keeping him drops substantially if it's going to cost, say, $5MM per year x 4 years. Because this isn't fantasy hockey. Because Stafford has no heart and McGinn has a ton. Because Stafford engages enough in the game to play to his potential about 20% of the time and McGinn does so about 90% of the time. Beat me to it.

Interesting. Thanks for posting. NFW, IMHO. Well, GMTM gave Ennis an extension, so I don't think he view Ennis as a weak-kneed Darcy remnant. And given Ennis' poor season, his value is probably pretty low, so I tend to doubt that he'll be moved. But anything is possible. But I think the $2.5MM would count against the Sabres' cap, innit? So the cap hit would be pretty close to what they'd get from a buyout? I continue to think a Moulson buyout is highly likely this summer. I too would like to keep McGinn, but if the market is frothy, he could definitely fetch a nice return, and then return as a FA.

Porsche Panamera for me and Audi TT for my wife.

But he only played with them for about 20 games, innit?

Bogo hasn't played particularly well this season, but it's worth remembering that he's got a new coach, new system, new goalies and bunch of new teammates -- and he missed all of camp and a good chunk of the season. I'm pretty confident that he'll come around.

Not happening. Bogo had over 23 min vs the Jets -- 2nd-most on the team.

Would you drop McCabe to the 3rd pairing in favor of Pysyk? I wouldn't. Well, I agree that most of our esteemed colleagues here like Pysyk's game more than I do, but facts is facts. He has one stinking point this year and plays 3rd-pair minutes. Nor has he produced offense earlier in his career at lower levels. He adds some value and I'm not casting aspersions on his fancystats -- and as you point out a basement dweller can always use another NHL-level defenseman -- but I just think we're entering "concept of" territory here in this thread.

Here's some data: Minny is a pretty strong 22-12-8, good for 4th in the brutal Central Division and 5th in the WC. They are 11th in scoring, 5th in goals against, 20th on the PK and 21st on the PP. Despite having had a pretty good season so far, they've lost 4 out of 6 since New Year's. This is their 7th game in the last 11 days. Their leading scorer is Koivu with 33 pts in 42 games; 2nd-leading scorer is Suter (a defenseman), with 28 pts in 42 games. Vanek, still postered prominently on PAFan's walls, has a decent 13 goals and 27 pts in 42 games despite only getting 16 min per game; Pommer has a measly 5 goals in 42 games in 17 min per game. Expected goalies: CJ and Dubnyk. Dubnyk looks like he's having a good if unspectacular season at 18-11-4 with a 2.29 GAA and .922 SV%. Go Sabres.

Sheeeeeessshhh. You'd think Bobby Orr or Paul Coffey were lacing 'em up for the Sabres tonight instead of a 15-min-per-game 3rd pairing guy who may or may not average 20 pts per season in his NHL career.

Y'know the day destroys the night Night divides the day

Very nice. Don't judge me.

My game notes: - The Winnipeg fans really hate Kane. I don't think I've ever seen a crowd that relentless in booing a guy and cheering every time he got hit. - As dudacek noted, Kane didn't have a great game, but he kept coming and his pass to Reino on the ENG was a thing of beauty -- as a sweet pass, as a game-sealing play and as a message about the kind of teammate he is. - Of the 4 principals in the trade, I thought Stafford had the best game. Among many other fine plays, he tied up Kane to prevent him from scoring on the putback (although Kane should get some credit for skating hard and being in position to score). If Stafford were that engaged on a consistent basis, none of us would've wanted the Sabres to let him go. - I know Hellebucyk has been playing well, but goaltending was the difference in that game. - I thought Winnipeg played the more physical game. It would've been nice to have had Deslauriers. - I didn't think the head shot on Reino was a dirty play by Byfuglien. It looked to me like Reino didn't realize that puck was going to contested and he went after it head-first. - I also didn't think Weber's hit from behind was a dirty play -- I thought the Jet turned into the boards at the last second before the hit. - Speaking of Byfuglien, Winnipeg is crazy if they let him go to save money but give Ladd a big contract. Byfuglien is a major force and Ladd is pretty much JAG. - I thought Myers and Bogo were both pretty good but unspectacular. Armia was a nonentity. - Overall: good win mentally for the boys for a number of reasons. Among other things, if they score more than 2 goals, they can win plenty of games.

How long before Rex and Rob get PO'd at each other and get into a wrestling match in front of the team? Probably in training camp but definitely by week 4, right?

You're right -- it's FX.

I would expect Kane to come out like he was shot out of a cannon, and for Bogo to play a very aggressive, physical game as well.