Weave

I dunno. That was a real solid play by Wheeler.

A little over a year spans more than an offseason though. Can JBotts get something like that done? No idea, but its a pretty significant change to the roster for an offseason.

4 out of 6 middle forwards is pretty far away, especially when 2 are centers. That is a ton to replace in the offseason. Unfortunately, of the players mentioned, IMO only Cozens has a crack at being an improvement, or even status quo, next season over our current middle 6, and he isn't a given (I know you know that). Some folks here are criminally underrating Girgs and Larry. They are genuinely very good at their role and I am certain we will miss them if they are gone. Anyone who is still of the opinion that they are a drag on the team isn't judging based on this seasons' performance.

More truthful words have never been spoken.

Montreal is in a different situation. They haven’t been floundering for a decade. They have an expectation of winning that this team doesn’t have. Setting that expectation is a helluva lot more important than 2-3 picks with a 15% chance of becoming NHL players.

I agree. Add it to what I said. The team management and players will feed off each other when an actual commitment to winning is demonstrated consistently. End of the season give aways don’t demonstrate a consistent commitment to winning and has inconclusive effects down the road.

You know what else fuels a losing culture? Letting go serviceable NHL'ers at the deadline and telling your team winning isn't important anymore this season. It's time for management to show this team that we are not accepting losing anymore. A couple of 3rd, 4th round picks aren't enough of a difference to matter 4 years down the road.

We've been trading our UFA's every Spring since Paul Gaustad. It's not a recipe for success either.

We did for a couple brief periods of time, Tom Draper anyone? But yeah, overall GT has been a strength of this organization generally. Granted, we are in a period where we can't really call any position a strength right now. Thanks, tank.

Been there. Trying not to be there again.

I’m in the waiting game right now. Makes for sleepless nights....

I'm surprised it took this long. Long live the memories.

Chris Collins gets pardoned. Guaranteed.

Apparently white collar crime isn't a crime Trump wants punished here. Unless your name is Biden or Clinton.

Gimme some good, old fashioned hockey trades to get the blood flowing. Talking about what may come 3-4 ys down the pike got old 5-6 yrs ago.

This has been far from universally true. But the environment here is definitely not conducive to showing off a players best side.

Usually experienced people, Amiright? Of course experienced isn't the be all, end all. It does provide a track record you can use to evaluate though. For every Yzerman there is a GMTM. The less experience, the greater the risk of an incorrect evaluation. If I am an inexperienced NHL owner I want experienced people below me that know when I am going to make a misstep and have the clout that experience brings to shut me down before I do it.

Would Scandy playing for Buffalo even be in a situation where he could show 2nd rd pick worth? In Montreal he sure could. Just a thought.

I'm swimming against the current here. The picks aren't interesting to me at all. Let's let this group of kids learn how to win. I'm thinking its about time we treat this team like we treated the 03-04 Sabres. Give them some reinforcements, leave the season with a bang, come into next season flying. ***** the picks.

The track record for D2 centers in recent years has been poor. Grigorenko, fail, Girgensons, fail at C, Sam, fail at C, Mitts, fail at C. Sue me if I reflexively want to see this kid further developed before throwing that kind of responsibility at him.

Ah yes. The infamous vote of confidence .

I know all that and none of it changes the thought I was expressing. I was speaking of year D2 regardless of when they showed up here.

We all are.

I thought Cozens was a 2nd line wing for WJC? I don’t think there is any reliable way of projecting if he’ll be NHL ready next season until he’s actually playing against NHLers in camp. And I really don’t feel comfortable with yet another center prospect on the NHL roster in D2 year. The only one thats worked for is Jack.

I’ve seen media reports indicating that children are less susceptible to the worst effects of the virus, but I haven’t seen or looked for anything backing that up. And certainly nothing saying children are not being affected at all.