Hoss

A lot of hockey trades going on right now. Something I think Botterill really needs to get involved with. I’ve seen some interesting suggestions on Twitter - one of the most interesting being Ristolainen for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. I’m not sure either team does that but it’s an interesting thought.

That’s a big one. Two guys I’ve previously lobbied for here.

The timing makes me think they had already made Johnson the offer before the news came out that the actual OL coach in Indy was let go.

Sort of sad irony: Ted died three years ago today

Good

The K-Gun was mostly the work of Marchibroda, who played football at St. Bonaventure, from what I’ve heard.

The Penguins acquired him in a three-team deal and it wouldn’t be hard to do the same to move him out. Whether it’s right for the Sabres or not is questionable, though.

That was all former Bonnie Marchibroda from what I hear.

I can't imagine anybody looking at this situation thinks the team should sit on its hands, right? We're all in agreement it's time to make a deal, yes?

Actually surprised a bit by that. I thought I remembered it being statistically insignificant or even a disadvantage for a bit. Maybe just a few snake-bitten teams had trouble with the bye. I actually had the Eagles as a Wild Card team in my brain last year but they were not. This is what I get for thinking I know more about the Wild Card than a guy named WildCard.

I don’t believe this is historically accurate.

The Patriots are absolutely dominating without Tom Brady needing to make a single throw of note.

This absolutely. I want to give GMJB one more offseason to load up a few extra players and for some of the younger guys to get some experience and another offseason of work. This season is still very much alive but if they falter and end up around .500 then start next season on a similar .500 pace you can talk about soneone’s job security.

I didn’t really make it out to be anything. I said it’s bigger than people think but that’s not a defined judgement.

Straw man. Nobody said this.

Phil Housley’s job security should be ROCK solid. Also, I think Patrik Berglund was a bigger factor than people want to let on. He played in 23 of 30 games prior to his disappearance. I’ve seen a few posters saying he was scratched multiple times but just to clarify: he wasn’t. He was a healthy scratch a total of one time prior to his disappearance. He was on IR for five games and had a minor injury for the other. Prior to Berglund’s departure the team consistently had two bookend lines. A top line that could score like any other top line and a shutdown line. It still has the top line but you can flip around other players as many times as you want. The fact is there just isn’t enough developed talent to get you the lines you want right now. The development of Tage Thompson has been notable. He looks like he has an NHL future. McCabe is a factor at all times. He’s turned into a rock steady second pairing dman. Risto’s progress over the season has been big. Pilut looks capable and isn’t a big disappointment which is how it’s been for a long time with Sabres prospects. This team won two of three without its star player. There are so many factors when considering a coach’s job security. Right now, I’m still very happy with Housley.

Didn't realize that went off McCabe but still not pretty.

Okay Carter Hutton is a backup. Ullmark time.

But also go Sabres

I thought Dunleavy was having a good game until that Pominville goal call wtf was THAT?

The price for every single player that’s got a name at least 70% of hockey fans have heard is a first and a prospect. Once in a while you’ll get the GM dumb enough to pay that price (Gaustad/Martin Erat for instance).

I think it might be different for players acquired in the offseason vs players acquired after camp starts.

Murray has another year. But regardless you have to pay to be in the NFL Draft.

His work in year one with that team was impressive. His work with that team this year was impressive up until the last few games. This should’ve been an appealing job, so I expected more than Gase but I’m not convinced it won’t work.

You’re right. My bad on that mixup.