apuszczalowski

They couldn't get them on a direct flight???I flew from Phoenix to Filthadelphia and then to Buffalo in less time then that, the first flight was less then 3 hours IIRC with the second one about an hour. Originally I thought it was a good deal, expecially if they re-sign Halak, but now thats its becoming apparent that they intend to flip him to the Wild for more Lotto tickets and potential, and Stewart was brought over to be flipped in whats probably a favour to Uncle Brian for other Lotto Tickets and Potential I think its even worse. It sounds like they have no intention of making this team any better in the immediate future, and that we haven't even hit rock bottom yet with how bad this team can be on the ice. Theres no way decent FAs are even going to look at Buffalo unless they are only in it for a pay day, and they might as well deal away Myers and Ehrhoff because this team won't be competitive before their deals are up and will probably demand trades out of here soon enough along with any other vet they have on the roster.

Its funny how Lafontaine up until mid day Saturday was a well respected Hockey guy who was a perfect fit to help turn this franchise around, and in the matter of a few hours became a useless figurehead who has no experience rebuilding a team and can be tossed aside without any effect on the team I don't believe theres any big conspiracy here, but I also don't buy that he just decided his job was done, or had some health issues, or family issues that made him return to his NHL job. The most likely scenario, he interviewed and hired a guy to be the GM, believing that they would be working as a team/group with decisions going through him and other members of the front office. The guy he hired may not be the same guy they interviewed (or maybe he wasn't PLs first choice but the other guys in the Front Office liked him). They had some disagreements on how things should be handled and the direction the team should be going (PL though going hard after re-signing Miller was the way to go and turning things around quickly, TM decided that they weren't going to try and re-sign Miller because he felt he was already gone and wants to do a slower rebuild completely through the draft) Maybe TM has the Miller/Ott deal ready to go and instead of running it through PL he takes it over his head to TP and gets the ok from him. PL decides that he doesn't want to work like this (maybe he also has pride issues with the idea of losing/tanking on purpose to draft a saviour) and gets his old job back. I also really believe that Nolan is having issues with signing the extension because he doesn't like the direction they are moving in and doesn't want to be the guy who is here to do the hard work of trying to win with zero talent on the roster, only to be let go once the talent starts coming in for one of TMs guys. If I was Nolan, I wouldn't stay knowing that the roster is being gutted of all its talent and replaced with draft picks and "prospects" and has no plans on trying to improve the on-ice product for a few years when the prospects are ready.

yeah, How did that work out for Colangelo and the Raptors? As for the penguins, they didn't manipulate anything to "Tank", they had ownership issues that were forcing them into Bankruptcy, then they lucked into getting Crosby by winning the actually draft lottery after the lockout.

They will be much more interesting to follow then the Sabres GDTs in a couple of days when John Scott and Cody McCormick are the best option for the top line once everyones gone for Picks and prospects

As they are built right now, of course notIf TM is a good GM, and he uses his available resources they could be fighting for a playoff spot. If he puts his feet up after the draft and decides they want to take the approach of waiting for their prospects to mature its going to be many dark days years ahead

I don't even put the full blame on the Stars player, he was directed by the Canes defencemen into his goalie. He went hard to the net, the defencemen got in the way to try and keep him from coming accross and it forced him into the goalie. I don't have a problem with the Canes response to it though

If the idea is to just sit on the prospects they have, trade away any of the remaining established players for more picks and prospects and wait til those guys become full time NHLers, this team could be waiting more then 2-3 years to even be considered for the 8th seed. And if thats the case, TM, PLF, and TP should be run out of town This team has the resources to make this a quicker rebuild, and considering it started already before this season, next season we should see a much improved team that should be fighting for a playoff spot. with a couple of trades using the many accumulated picks and prospects, a solid FA signing or 2, plus a few guys stepping up from the minors onto the big club, this team should not be fighting for the basement and be much closer to the playoffs

If Biron/Noronen (Career Backup/Couldn't hold an NHL job) isn't goalie purgatory then I don't know what is. Toronto has had some decent goalies since Potvin, Belfour, and Cujo. They just haven't been able to put together good teams to go with the goalies and have given away good ones they have in the system. Now the Flyers or Oilers on the other hand, thats a different story

I'm not surprised that he would say it, I would be more surprised if he has received offers from other teams that don't include one though.The Blues would have to work a multi team deal (or swing a trade before) to unload one of their guys before taking on Miller, but a team like the Wild, or Flyers could work out a deal were they wouldn't have to move any goalie to bring in Miller. I could see if they don't get one back in the deal they either are negotiating getting someone back in a different deal, or they will wait til the offseason and FA

Right now, If I was TM, seeing the possible available goalies coming available in the market right now, I'm on the phone with the Blues making an offer of their 1st (maybe second) and Halak for Miller, with both teams being given the chance to speak to each of the goalies to get an extension worked on (if they want to extend them). Miller becomes their #1 for more then just the rest of this season, and it allows them to bring along their next #1 slower, and Halak gives the Sabres a decent #1 goalie to be a placeholder until they have someone step up and take over the spot. Unless of course they can work out a different deal with someone that includes someone like Moulson/Ott/Erhoff that would see someones "almost ready for the NHL" highly ranked goaltender currently being blocked come over in a deal (Goalie from the Kings, Ducks, etc.).

yeah, this team should be expected next season to be fighting for a playoff spot, not the #1 overall pick. There is no reason why they shouldn't be very active this summer in the FA and trade markets trying to improve them for next year. They won't be a cup contender, but the playoffs should be the goal, getting the foundation in place and having some place holders in spots for the time being until they find improvements

The goalie market is getting crowded, With Miller, potentially Hiller or another one of the Ducks Goalies, Cam Ward (or one of the other 'Canes goalies), Brodeur, Thomas, and others available, getting much more then possibly a decent pick for Miller might be tough.

yeah, you here it all the time in almost every sport. The GMs might make a deal where it sounds like they just whipped it up but then find out that they have actually been discussing it since the last GMs meeting months before and finally pulled the trigger on it. I would bet that TM has multiple different proposals that he has made to other GMs and that they have made to him for all three of the Sabres guys and they are just holding on to them waiting for the other to agree, or waiting to hear about any other offers that might come in.

Did they say for what team he will be starting? Maybe TM is finalizing a Miller for Niemi deal as we speak and the Sharks are starting Miller?

I was just saying, he never specified what caliber of player, and those 6 (or many others) are just 6 players that would make this team a playoff caliber oneOf course I'm not stupid and i know that they won't be obtaining them (or 6 players of that caliber), it was a joke

There are other ways to build then just waiting for Draft picks to develop and signing FAs to turn things around.

There is absolutely no reason for this team to not be in contention for a playoff spot next year. They have the resources available to turn this thing around rather quickly, but the key is if they are willing to use these resources and take chances. If picks and prospects can be used to obtain some NHL ready talent, and they can convince some FAs to come here, then add that to some of the current roster (if they don't deal them away) and guys in the system, they could have a team that could fight for a playoff spot. Problem is there are many here who think it should be Cup or Bust, and that just making the playoffs is failure compared to tanking for a #1 overall pick, hopefully the Front Office doesn't agree

No, its pretty close, no one said anything about the caliber of those 6-9 players........... Crosby, Toews, Stamkos, Shea Weber, Getzlaf & Peiterangelo are 6 players that would REALLY improve this team and make them a playoff caliber one :flirt:

Been getting this weird feeling that they didn't have to ask and he had it ready for them...........it wasn't like he made it a point to come here, he was one of the ones that TP had to personally convince to come sign his deal after they traded for his rights (after he turned down the islanders offer when they traded for his rights)

I know, would have been an upgrade even at their ages

Crap, You have uncovered the Secret to Team Canada, we have insiders high up on other teams working to help us out :flirt:

Meh, Just internet message board quality trade proposals made up by someone who is in a position where some would think they have inside knowledge or atleast an understanding of the league/sport Biggest thing I took away from it was finding out that Moulson is Jonathan Quicks brother In-Law

I would think Buffalo that the deal would involve Buffalo including additional parts to make that deal happen and have to allow the Blues time to work on an extension).I wouldn't call Halak a zero in this trade, he would be a big piece (if re-signed) and is not a bad goalie. It would give the Sabres an experienced younger #1 goalie for now while they rebuild that can be upgraded later if/when one of the prospects in the system reaches their expected potential This morning Bucky was saying the Sabres interest is in getting Allen from the Blues, but I believe that they could only get him if a 3rd team (the Wild?) was involved and took Halak (or Elliot)

I would think that the IOC , IIHF, NHL, NHLPA and anyone else involved all have some type of insurance that one of them would cover the salary of any injured athlete due to an injury at the games.Unless of course the Olympics require all athletes to sign waivers first saying they can't sue due to injuries received at the games. If their salaries were in jeopardy if they get hurt and miss any time from the games, I would think you would find more players opting to not go and play in the olympics instead of players whining cause they were left off the team. Does anyone know of a player who turned down playing in the Olympics because they didn't feel like playing? (Not due to having a pre-existing injury of course)

Kerry Fraser answers a question from a bruins fan whos crying that Myers wasn't given a penalty for his slash and punch to the head and Fraser agreed that the ref made the wrong call and that it was probably because the ref missed it from his view and only saw Marchand hit Tyler in the stomach with his stick. Don't think I would ever feel bad watching Lucic or Marchand being hauled off the ice on a stretcher never to play again, they are 2 of the worst human beings on the ice and seem to have no care for their fellow players out there