apuszczalowski

Well, the Leafs had a chance to show him their recruiting video first so the rest of the teams probably should just forget trying, How can he resist?

i only know of him because I believe his daughter (or maybe granddaughter?) went to the same elementary school I graduated from a year ahead of me.

i don't think so, I'm thinking the opposite and we see a couple big moves to shake things up They have said they need to shake things up and I think we will see more then bandaids and just depth signings while they waste another year waiting for youth to develop.

I wouldn't say it looks good for Duclair. He is young and show flashes of Talent, but at 23 he has already played for multiple teams that don't seem to believe he is worth keeping around. I really don't think this franchise has the locker room needed for guys to be brought in who need to turn things around. I would love to see the Sabres make a deal with the Islanders and bring in Ho-Sang, but I think they would just get more of the same issues the islanders have had with him because they don't have a lockerroom that will set him straight if needed

Hutton had a great year for St Loyis last year and part of the reason they want to keep him. Problem is he is over 30 and a career backup so who knows what you will get as many of those types of goalies end up in bad contracts cause their good year was a fluke or isnt replicated again. I would hope they could do better if the plan is Ullmark and a FA/trade. I would prefer Anderson or maybe Bernier. At least Anderson has had multiple good years and more experience as a #1. Apparently Hutton is looking for a spot where he can be the #1, and has about 5 teams (CHI, BUF, NYI,and 2 others) that he is focusing on since he would have the best chance of having a starting job there. Wouldn't hate the signing, might be a good stop gap at the #1 spot for a couple seasons with Ullmark slowly taking over, or earning the spot by playing better. I wouldn't be excited about it though.

while I agree with the top 5, philly is definitely higher then those bottom 3 with their trash team and fans... I dont have hatred for Edmonton, and my dislike of Ottawa and Monteal also isnt as strong. As for football, theres only one opponent in the AFC east that I cant say I hate is the Jets. I dislike them, but just cant get up hatred for them, they just seem sad to me. Dolphins and Pat's are just every kind of horrible

but it's not like you draft these players and they only get 2 year contracts, you still get the same amount of time with them, except that 2 of those years they are playing in the CHL instead of the AHL or another minor league. They can still evaluate the player there just like a European player staying there to play

Imagine him going to Tampa and joining the last possible big fish FA that didn't go to Toronto?

My only issue with it is that they really shouldn't be limiting themselves and having any biases when it comes to obtaining players. A new GM with a bad team should be looking everywhere to get talent and not limiting themselves to only obtaining players from certain spots. It would be like not picking Russians because they are more likely to go back home to the KHL if they dont get their way. Now from his comments, it sounds more like he is just saying if the choice comes down to a choice between 2 equal players, a deciding factor would be if they came from somewhere other then the CHL cause they get more time to evaluate in their own development leagues instead of the CHL. They arent saying they wouldn't chose someone from their if they were a much better player them their next choice.

If you really want to guarantee last, trade Eichel, by the time they are good he will be old and approaching late 20s before they sniff the playoffs. Then re-sign Lehner and Johnson for some more evaluation to see if one of them can ever become a #1!

And yet I read an article this morning saying he is looking for a multi year deal and the team top on his list is Columbus. (Might even be the first time Columbus has been at the top of someone's list that wasnt part of a 'no trade list')

Other teams might have more interest in getting him after the Sabres pay his bonus, but the Sabres might be less likely to deal him because they have now played his bonus anyway and take the cap hit. If they could trade him and not pay his bonus they are willing to make a deal, but once they give him the bonus they might as well keep him. Just because the Pegulas have money, it doesn't mean they want to just give it away to players to make some of the fans happy.

Maybe Botterill just wanted to use this 6th round to evaluate? Did they draft anyone from North America this draft?

after obtaining him in exchange for a few old jock straps and some Joe Thoroton beard clippings?

Ward would be better then Lehner?I wasnt saying he would or wouldn't be.

they are going to need a goalie, and it's not like theres many better in UFA.

could the Canes do that and include Ward with a condition he signs with them?

Orpik was a salary dump, Avs said they will work with him to move him to a preferred spot by trade or buyout apparently. By taking Orpik, the Avs only had to give up the one pick so would I, when they announced Lehner was not coming back I thought they might pick him up in a trade. Now I wonder if they would go after Anderson from Ottawa?

Apparently Florida wanted him but didnt want to give up roster players which is what Ottawa asked for. They spoke to SJ last night who were talking deal with the Sens and worked out the second deal to get him through SJ for picks. Going to be interesting to see what happens. If Hoffman ditches the fiance, could be a huge steal for the Panthers, if not, they better hope she is too distracted by the beaches to spend time around the rink, something that wasn't going to happen in Ottawa. As for the prospect SJ sent to the Sens, I dont think it's a huge loss, he was ranked their 7th best, and as a franchise they rank 2nd last so I dont think he is a highly ranked guy.....

to reunite the band! They could trade for Miller to back up Ulmark and see what Stafford is doing to get a Vanek/Pommer/Stafford line!

for the right price, why not? He isnt going to make the team worseAnd just remember the GM ypu would be making the deal with, could probably get him for Bogosian straight up, might even get a high pick if we throw in Moulson too! I am waiting for them to swoop in and announce they are hiring Snow to be an assistant GM

you're right, it's not like Pittsburgh has won anything meaningful....

yeah, the Sabres should be holding their heads high over the Coyotes. What did the standings look like at the end of last season? I cant remember where, but I was reading something about Risto and trading him where they said Risto and Eichel also weren't fond of each other....

I disagree on this. Everyone always pushes developing from within and bringing up player to the roster. The Sabres have enough youth, what they need are some good veterans to fill out the roster. You cant build a team off of just youth and prospects.

I would look to Calgary and try to get Hamilton for Sam (plus from both sides), if they want ROR I still negotiate. You can never have too much good defence, you keep Risto Use FA and some other assetts/pieces for some goaltending and solidifying the offence