7+6=13

There's never evidence with him. He simply cannot wrap his mind around the fact that anything the Bills did prior to their ownership has nothing to do with them. That it's actually a fact and saying "same old Bills" is just lazy thinking. It's just easier for him to understand - I assume for coping reasons. They haven't tried to find a QB - blah blah blah. They spend almost nearly to the cap because they're just trying trick me into buying tickets - blah blah blah. I pretend to know Russ Brandon's impact - blah blah blah.

IMO the case your trying to make is much more difficult than making the playoffs. That's a lot that would have to go wrong. I find it unlikely that Housley's system will create "big time growing pains". It will definitely be a work in progress that hopefully gets better and better - but it's no secret that most players hated Bylsma's system so there should be a certain level of excitement. In addition there's potentially 8 new players on the roster that didn't play in the old system and there's many vets that have played in multiple systems that could pick it up faster than you think. A healthy Eichel and Okposo with an improved defense alone is reason to debate it's a playoff team - add in another factor or two and the debate is legit.

I think so too. He's what you get at that price point too.

He'll be close. I think he'll be around that low 70's point mark.

I don't have near the hockey knowledge you do but the moment he was traded for my thought was he was brought in for Eichel. The perfect player until a young gun is ready. The reason I say that is he's got a high hockey IQ. IMO we do not have a player other than Kane that can handle the quick thinking passes Eichel delivers - but Kane doesn't give that in return. Pominville can be in the right spot and also recognize when another player is in the right spot. I understand he's not the same Pominville and asking him to play 5-6 more minutes compared to last year and 3 more minutes than the 2 prior years could be an issue. Heck I don't know enough to understand if a star players line mates play similar numbers as the star - but I'm pretty sure I don't want Zemgus or Baptiste getting those kind of minutes. At least I don't think I do.

Well it was something to get the discussion going. Looks like I accomplished that.

Really? I've admitted this before that I picked up trying to totally understand hockey later in life. I'm blown away that you guys see that as ideal for Eichel. Hey, I learn a lot from you guys and a lot of reading/watching. I've been shocked before - maybe this is another one of those times.

If Reinhart isn't at center who do you see there beside Eichel and O'Reilly? Larrson from your wish lineup - who's the 4th? You think he's a healthy scratch? No Rochester? Do you see Moulson getting the same treatment?

You don't need to worry about either of these things happening. Do you not see what they're building?

Oh ok. The only reason I did that was I like that he'll dig in the corners and can get the puck out or over to Reinhart - which is where he thrives IMO. Reinhart that is. When a puck gets to him out of the corner or when he's getting it himself he creates. I get what you're saying but you have to know they're not putting Zemgus and Baptiste with Eichel.

Are you saying that about Zemgus? That's definitely an out of the box lineup. I like the thought and you're a smart guy but I've got to give Eichel more than that. I don't see 75-85 points coming from Eichel with that line. We've got to give him at least one of Pominville or Kane but I think Pominville would be ideal - he knows what spot to be and Jack would thrive in the passing game with that kind of player.

I was suggesting putting Larsson to wing with Reinhart - then Zemgus to center on the 4th line. I wouldn't necessarily want to do that because if Nylander were to make the team, I wouldn't want him with Zemgus.

Do you think he's Rochester material only? I don't like him but there's not a lot to choose from and he'd bring some toughness to that line or bring Girgensons down to center the 4th and Larsson to wing. Maybe Nylander can work his way up to that line?

I agree but I think he's a better center option than Girgensons. Need him on the line with Nylander whom would perish with Zemgus.

Pouliot - O'Reilly - Okposo Kane - Eichel - Pominville Deslauriers - Reinhart - Girgensons Moulson - Larsson - Nylander I have no idea what to do with players like Malone, Bailey, Josefson, Baptiste, Fasching and Rodrigues

JBot had a lot of work to do and I think goaltender will be a position he addresses next off season. Lehner obviously has an opportunity but JBot wasn't giving him a long term deal. I think the one year deal is more of a band aid than a prove it deal.

I love love love that trade pulled off with the Wild.

I'm with you that you sign him now, he'll get money now and we'll save 16-32 mil. As Drunkard said above, the worst part is if he gets an offer sheet we have to meet that's 4 years. Then you've cost yourself north of 40 mil.

no, he usually gets it right

He was the guy I wanted and he sure seems like an electric offensive player.

Winter is coming

Exactly right and how much money they make shouldn't dictate what line they play on. That's just how things workout sometimes if you have a young player that's a better fit paired higher.

He does make players around him better even though he's not a passer - he's given plenty of players an assist to post in their stat line.

Your paying $5 mil for a 4th line LW now.

We had 60 combined games missed by our top 4 offensive players. Injuries always happen but that's pretty hard to overcome. I think if that number is cut in half, the additions and the new coaching - we should be a playoff team. We look poised to be one of those teams that the rest of the league thinks comes from nowhere but we'll know it should have been closer to that all along.