LaFontaineToMogilny

They both should be in the Hall of Fame already, but Mogilny over Andreychuk for me. Especially considering the circumstances in how he came to North America and the consequences for hockey world wide.

Andreychuck is one of the top 30 point scorers and top 15 goal scorers of all time. Career Power Play goals leader, and played over 1600 games. That's good enough for me. Mogilny, what can I say, should have been the first from his line (Bure, Fedorov, Mogilny) to go into the Hall, but alas. The time will come. As far as I know there are only one player who has been inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Sabre. When Mogilny and Andreychuk finally gets their day it will be 4. Also, how come #39 is not retired in Buffalo yet?

Can't argue with Chelios and Niedermyer going in on the first ballot, but it's stupid that Andreychuk is not in the Hall of Fame yet. I would also like to note that Alaxander Mogilny also should have been in the HoF a long time ago.

It is never a good idea to have a blanket rule for anything. That said, it's not like adding Gabrovski gives the Sabres four stud centers that no one could ever hope to unseat. The way I see Gabrovski (for example) fitting in would be as a player who would step onto the second line, and push Hodgson for the first line job. Now Grigorenko, Girgensons and Larrson potentially have to fight for two more center spots. Excellent! If Girgensons is not able to secure a spot here, AHL it is until he can knock someone else out of the lineup. Same for Grigorenko, he should be looking up at a player like Gabrovski and know he has to become better than him to ever get to the second line, let alone the first. If he is a lazy, moody weirdo like some people here fear, he won't be able to grab that spot. In fact, there should be other prospects breathing down his neck for his spot on the roster and kicking him out of the lineup (or out of a center spot at least). And so on and so on. In reality, it's unlikely that all of the prospects we have at center will become NHL regulars, so make them show who will be able to fight for that opportunity.

Last player left in the league from the 1999 Dallas Stars Stanley Cup team?

I agree with the idea that you need to make players earn their spot. I mean, if the kids coming up have to compete for a spot against say Gabrovski, excellent! If they are not able to wrestle a spot from a player like Gabrovski then they are not the players the Sabres need. Some will have to show in the AHL and in call ups that they are capable of taking that spot, some can show it on the line below Gabrovski, while others might have to move to the wing to show that they will eventually be able to grab that spot. Or you can just hand these guys their spots and hope they grow into the responsibility. Perhaps they go all Tavares with it, but I am much more inclined to think they'd go the Foligno route.

I agree, the Kings social media profile is hilarious, best in the league?

Hopefully Vancouver :w00t:

Great, so now the NHL gets to use Phoenix as an example of how the league is losing money in the next CBA negotiations as well. #lockouthattrick

I'm with others that say if Briere means there's no room left for Gerbe, or Porter, then it is worth it. I would love for an even more efficient upgrade than Briere though. The best argument I can see for bringing in Brier would be if it somehow helps Thomas Vanek stomach whats going on and he is willing to talk extension.

Oh, please, please, please God, make it so.

The fear of the competition from the KHL lays in thick layers on Andrew Peters, again, I disagree with him. I think it's awesome for European hockey to get a well established pro league, and I think the competition will (eventually) force the NHL to get better. Anyway, the machimo mindset of 'teaching a rookie' when they don't 'do it the right way' or show up a veteran that's grinded his way through the process or similar is nothing new or confined just to hockey. It's part of competitive sports at all levels, and indeed very stupid.

I didn't say I agree with him, but it is an interesting point, and I am pretty sure there are other 'old skool' players who think the same way. I certainly have seen similar things on a much lower level of competition than the NHL, so that is an important thing to consider in the discussion. If Andrew Peters were able to articulate himself a little better, I would really enjoy his perspective. The same goes for Kevin Sylvester if he was Brian Duff.

I have issues with Peters, and that is that too often he just stays silent or breaks of a sentence in mid air. That said, I think he brings a very interesting perspective, and that is the perspective of a fringe NHL player who did what he had to to play in the NHL. On display today for example. Even though I completely disagree with his argument about the KHL and NHL and relationship between the two leagues, it's very interesting to hear his thoughts on the topic.

There are many things to look forward to, there always is. Last year felt like a punch in the gut, and I am weary of another full season of the same. Come October I'll be there all ready to get all pissed off if they lose, and dance like a fool in my living room when (if?) they win. I am worried though that it will be a rough ride next season. Still, I'm looking forward to see what Armia has to offer, would love it if Vanek sticks around, curious (not bi-curious) to see how close Ristolainen is, excited to see if Grigorenko can adapt to the speed of NHL hockey, hopeful that Stafford will at least improve somewhat from a statistical nightmare season, hoping for continued growth from Ennis and Hodgson. Have basically given up on Foligno, so hopefully he will prove me wrong as well. I don't think Leino is completely devoid of skill and think he could be a very important part of the Sabres next year etc. etc. Damn, I've already talked myself into super optimist mode, next year will be the anti-thesis of last year and everything will go right! Sabres finish 4th in the conference and win back to back playoff series! Can't wait!

Yeah, it's nothing against you or anything, In fact, I recognize the same thinking in myself, which is funny really, but also makes me a little sad. Right now I should be pumped about how awesome our team will be next year with Armia filling out our secondary scoring, and other exciting things to look forward too. I guess the ever optimist in me can still hope that Free Agency will save the day, but right now I am looking down the barrel of another season like last year, only twice as long. I wish I could enjoy the gallows humor, but man, I am struggling a little bit with it right now.

It says something about the expectations of the fan base when we start discussing next years draft the day after this years draft. Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much about Sabres hockey, then I could enjoy the comedy of what is going on right now a lot more.

Drafting D fits perfectly into Rolstons plan of playing the trap with three defenders and two wingers next year. :P

Are you watching this Tyler Myers? Time to get back on that bike...

That is awesome! Great move by the KHL, wonder how the Jokerit ultras feel

I am not so sure, the German teams showed a pretty convincing blue print in the Champions League for how to exploit the Spanish possession game. I am sure many teams have taken note. I predict the WC will be uncomfortable for Spain.

I am among the people who think Darcy Regier performs the technical aspects of being GM well enough. He seems to communicate well with other GMs and be able to set up trades, really have not problem with the way he maneuvers under the Cap and generally works well enough. The problem is that he hasn't been able to build a team with a consistent plan. He sees opportunities and brings in a piece here and there, but then the next year he sees another shiny thing and turns around. If Mark Messier (or anyone else of similar stature) gets to say: This is our plan, we need to play like this, here is a list of players in order of how important they would be to us, go get them Darcy, I think we would be much better off.

I'm fine with Darcy Regier managing cap space, negotiating contracts and even put together trades as long as Mark Messier gets to decide what players we are getting, and how the team is put together. After all, what has Darcy done wrong?

Director of hockey operations for the Sabres. Make it happen!

Anecdotal again, but as a parent pushing three kids through baseball, soccer and hockey respectively there's no doubt that the financial burden of hockey is what stands out. Hassle wise it's the same, less for hockey actually but would be the same if my daughter was involved in more competitive play. Hockey equipment is expensive, but manageable, the running costs of ice time etc. are what makes hockey much more expensive for us.