Mustache of God

Is this the main draft thread for tonight? Boooo Betman. Booo.

Rangers traded Stephan and Rantta to ARI for DeAngelo and the 7th overall pick. Wow. Coyotes making splashes.

It should go to Toronto. Why have the refs look at a 8" tablet to overturn their original call? A team in Toronto should be looking at every goal and should know whether or not it's offsides by the time the coaches decide to challenge it.

Maybe No Maybe On the instigators this morning Dreger mentioned the Sabres were in on the Shattenkirk sweepstakes which surprised me. I think Jbots is gonna make a move to dump a contract to free up some space so he can be signed?

There's zero-chance the NHL is going to remove the challenge. I like the proposal that I heard, it'd also stop coaches from throwing a challenge for a "free-timeout" with the potential of calling back a goal.

I mean...I imagine I'll be hungry and I like sandwiches.

re: the offsides challenge, they're floating the idea of that if you lose a challenge you get assessed a minor penalty. I'm a big fan of this rule as it'll eliminate coaches throwing the flag to review a skate a hairline off the ice. It'll still work to catch plays that are 5 feet offside but will deter the "dice-roll" challenges.

I lose my #$## and eat a sandwich if Sam gets traded. I can't imagine any realistic return for him where I'd be okay with losing him. That's what I was thinking. Nothing to handcuff a player to the team long-term but they should be required to be a part of the organization for at least a year.

I think if a player has a choice to look around as a UFA you've gotta take it. To be in control of where you get to play? I really can't blame him for exercising his options and think this loophole needs to be updated to somehow avoid this happening.

Botts just more or less confirmed that Peterson is not signing here once he hits FA. edit: he just confirmed it.

If McDavid makes anything close to that number, what would you expect Eichel to be asking, or rather, do you think Eichel will make more than 10 million per year?

Eberle playing with Tavares is going to be something to watch.

Sounds like Eberle is going to the isles, per Dreger, "Hearing Eberle trade ot the Islanders is close or has happened. Details to follow. Players being notified." jinx.

I do not understand the Florida expansion pick at all.

God . I'll be in Montreal for a Hockey Tournament when the Isles host the Sabres for the home opener. Boooooo!

Hopefully.

I knew it wasn't coming but I'm still sad about no royal blue. I also never realized the atlantic division should be called the "Red/Blue with the one black sheep" division.

I voted Moulson which was two parts optimism and one part of me believing that. I see the expansion draft as a big "first-test" for JBOT, this is a chance for him to get rid of one of Murray's horrible contracts he handed out like candy during the tank years. Given Moulson's connection to McPhee, and his performance last season (when he was used on the PP) he's shown he can still produce. I'm wondering if Buffalo can sweeten the deal be retaining some of his salary? Is that an option? My second guess is naturally Carrier. I don't mind the idea of losing him as much as I mind the idea of being married to the money wrapped up in Bogo, Moulson, and Ennis. As I said above, this is a true test for Botteril, if he manages to part ways with one of those he's going to be off to quite the start in Buffalo.

Sounds like a George Michael song.

Anyone have an eye on any specific games? I'm curious to see when the Sabres play in Vegas and when they're coming to Barclays & MSG. They only played 1 away game vs. both NY teams last year so I believe they're due 4 times in the city and then once again for the Winter Heritage Classic Stadium Outdoor game.

The latter. He's making 7.25 through '22 although if I were Vegas I might pick him? Or Methot.

Confirmed: Jbotz loves Enzo sauce, wants the good times and good taste to continue rolling.

Surprised to see Carrier left open over Ennis, however, I'm inclined to think Jbotz has a deal in place with Vegas to take Molson so I'm not too worried. Perhaps that move comes down to locker room politics

I'm not buying it. The reason Montreal sold him at such a low value was because they didn't want to lose him for nothing. Love the trade, our D is already looking better. Once these guys get some one v one with Dr. Phil we might just have some exciting hockey for the first time in a decade.

I have much less faith in these two regaining their old form. Moulson is at a point in his career where players who last transition their game to a different role (see Brian Gionta or David Legwand) and the injuries to Ennis have taken that step out of his game. If someone put a gun to my head and ask me to choose between the two I'd say, "man, you gotta get your priorities straight. also, Ennis."