thewookie1

He hadn’t even played for Quebec, akin to Brayden Lemieux and refused to sign. Eichel is under contract and the captain of the team. He can make many demands but a trade isn’t one of them. You also must include the pride of a player, this is his team and giving up isn’t exactly common among athletes; especially NHLers. If he wants out and sits out; we just suspend his pay and horde him until his contract ends or he returns. Since he would be unable to play elsewhere as he’d still be under contract; he’d have to sit out of the game he loves and make nothing for 6 years no player desires that.

Well, even if Eichel wants out he is trapped; the Sabres aren't going to trade him. He's far to important to the marketing of the team and we would never be able to get equal value for him.

Sam is a great player, but seems to lack a higher gear when it comes to big games.

I still think we have a legitimate shot tonight; they have played on-par or even better than the other two teams on this trip thus far and yet have nothing to show for it. Eventually we have to get a win....

Until we are eliminated; he's going to play because he's the captain and a competitor. Barring an incredible run, which technically isn't impossible still, he'll likely sit the last 5 or so games at minimum. If we've learned one thing this season about Jack is that he has all the makings of a captain.

I enjoyed Eichel's warrior-mode after we went down two. But I would guess he won't be finishing this season based on whatever injury he's fighting through barring us winning the next 4 or 5. I'd imagine all three. I don't there's a single high end player who plays 20+ min a night who doesn't coast some to conserve energy.

The fact they called that hook on Montour but not the trip on Johansson was absurd. Additionally Colorado got away with a hold on Eichel on the Compher goal. We did great, yet somehow still ended up on the bad side of the results.

They have a chance, it’s slim, but it isn’t yet to the 16 step tiebreaker likelihood level yet. A solid last 20 and a little help from TOR and FLA and we make it to the dance. Regardless, get us to 90pts and I’ll have positive feelings about this year. At 90 you turn into a nigh-playoff team who just had a few things go against us versus a hopeless lost season yet again.

The WGR guys angered me today at 3 PM. The one guy ranted about being realistic and acquiring assets for anything that was a UFA; not trading Risto for anything(he has some kind of vendetta against him) and feels we should of just packed it in. Not to mention his usual over reliance on analytics being the only form of information worth using and leadership or morale being myths. What we did today was actually get a tiny bit better without trading anything valuable. At minimum it gives players like Eichel at least something to look at and say at least Botts did something for a playoff run versus selling or sitting on his hands. Just the psychological effect of bringing Simmonds and Kahun in will give them some amount of purpose for these last 20 games. Playoffs or not, I want them to play hard and make playing them Hell. If we sneak in, all the better.

But I do like him, I'm just not interested in dumping alot of money or term onto a 31 year old who's a shell of his former self.

Only way I extend him is at 1x1mil to be a 4th line/extra

I like the trade but I still think we need to jettison a forward at least.

No 2Cs need to put up about 50 to 60pts 30 to 40 pts is more akin to a 3C Tierney is a great 3C but doesn't reach a 2C level of play. He'd be better than our present options but not fitted in the classification based on the league.

Always happy to see a win, and a gutsy one at that.

Jost has skating problems which is much different to Mitts problems. He’s at very least a good skater. Jost could become a solid defensively responsible center according to Avs fans but it sounds like he’d just be a slower ROR-lite

They tanked for Mario however

Supposedly Pierre LeBrun said that Buffalo and Toronto have talked about Risto but it would be a offseason deal. I hate it; if I'm trading Risto I want him out of our conference.

Half of me wants to chuck Botteril into the ocean off a plane. The half believes all the other GMs are only low balling him due to the ROR deal and have left him spinning his tires trying to do something. I'm utterly disappointed; Skinner looks like the non-effective Ennis out there. (As in a lot of flash and dash but nothing coming from it) Eichel, he's an incredible player but I wish he'd stop trying to force passes with an empty net. Granted, barely anyone moves meaning he pretty much either has to give it back to Dahlin for the 10th time or attempt to thread a needle.

I like this team when they play 60 minutes; they seriously look good when they all play hard. When Eichel isn't the lone contributor we play well. Who would of thought? I like Larsson, but I also want change so I'm torn.

But I love agrochemical solutions to hockey problems! ?

Supposedly Trocheck has dropped off a cliff in play according to Florida fans. Some of them want to give him away because he continuously turns the puck over. So I would exercise caution. That being said, his stats aren't terrible for a 2nd line center. Montour & Frolik (50%) for Trocheck and a 4th

Well unless we are sending some version of our 1st along with him that would be completely insane. Otherwise its just unlikely.

Let me say this, I honestly believe we are within 4 pts of the playoffs if Olofsson doesn't get injured. He has, over the yea,r turned into a solid all around player and gives us a chance on every powerplay to get a goal since no one else on the team can pull off his shot besides Eichel. Just think of all the times while he was out where we had powerplays where MoJo or another failed to get a solid shot or accurate shot off after receiving their cross-ice pass. Even just two or three of those likely flips a few games. Olofsson understands what he is good at, and plays to make the most of it. Most of our players, when they play within themselves are solid players; but too often are at least half of them attempting to play too cute or fancy. It was great to see a comeback win reminiscent of the 2000's Sabres which was rather fitting. Eichel is overjoyed to have Olofsson back.

I'd dump as many UFAs as possible, and just sign Pommers and Vanek for the final 20 or so games. At least they could do something that seemingly would make most fans "happy" It's not like we'd be worse with them over many of our UFA's.

Strome isn’t a target I’m too fond of. Never was a good skater, hurt his leg this year and is noticeably slower. He has yet to have a single good NHL season. (He was good in Chicago when paired with the equally hot Debrincat who has also fell off a cliff this season.) Gallagher, if he were a UFA I’d overpay to get him since he’s the type of player we lack. A no nonsense guy who plays hard every shift. While still having high skill and hockey IQ. I liked Hertl until his knee decided to get out of this season regardless of its human’s desire. Now I fear he’ll be a shell of his former self. Always will love Kapanen but I will never be willing to help Toronto in any circumstance. Even if it were too raise both of our boats, I’d rather be a sub with them taking on water. Laine is a great player but not worth gutting our team for. I doubt Eichel + Laine and Dahlin accomplish anymore than our present group. Kase or Arvidsson would be nice depending on the ask. Cirelli is pie in the sky