Hoss

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/stamkos-sign-trade-real-possibility/ Chris Johnston talks about the real possibility of a sign-and-trade that would have to be completed by the end of the day Thursday. He mentions Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Buffalo, Detroit and Boston as "among those" interested.

That's okay. Our trade tree from Rick Martin is still alive (currently Ryan O'Reilly, Jimmy Vesey, Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Jason Kasdorf are part of it). Just saw the tree on Twitter and laughed at the timing considering the Lindros tree is dead.

I ranked them on a mixture of things but their immediate destination isn't really one of them. The main two components are level of skill and likelihood to reach their ceiling. For instance, Nylander is as likely to spend the season in Rochester as Nelson is but that doesn't mean Nylander isn't the clear number one.

I'll be disappointed if his jump in production isn't significant barring injury and, somehow, not getting an expanded role. Last offseason he worked heavily on his skating and gaining speed which turned into results. He was blowing by defenders and getting to the net with the puck consistently. With expanded ice time he should be expected to do the same and see the jump in production we expect. As much of a good skater as he is it's his hockey IQ that excites me. He's got a good pair of hands and always seems to be aware where his teammates are on the ice. Plenty of tight drop passes and passes through the gap in defenders. Smart kid.

Precisely. That's why I quoted it in the title.

Jason Demers and Milan Lucic visiting Edmonton today.

What's the last thing you want to mix with the Clitsome Pu. Punctuate as you wish.

Since I'm way behind I'll put my predictions as they were before the draft and Vesey acquisition: - Sabres stay at 8 - Sabres draft Juolevi or Chychrun who stay in the CHL - the Sabres sign Stamkos to a 7 year, $80M deal. - One of Foligno, Ennis and Girgensons are moved - Pysyk is off the team (I believed this before he was traded but it's probably fair to not count it) - Risto signs a 6 year, $34M extension. - Chad Johnson signs a 2 year, $4M deal. - A veteran RW is brought in and will be Bailey's main competition for a roster spot (Versteeg, Vrbata, Hudler options for cheap)

Oh there's a TW contest this year!?

Because every team is required to have one goalie that is either under contract through 2017-18 or a non-exempt RFA exposed in the expansion draft the Sabres will need to add one.

Aaron Ward is reporting Pavel Datsyuk is signing with SKA St. Peterburg for two years at about $7.6M US per year. $3.9M per

Ducks not getting QOs are Brandon Pirri, Matt Bailey, Martin Gernat, Kevin Gagne and Charlie Sarault.

NEWS: #NHLDucks sign @CTropp25 (two years) and @dustintokarski (one-year) to extensions. Yes, that's Corey Tropp.

Devils non-tender Beau Bennett (acquired two days ago with a third) and Smith-Pelley. GM said they expect deals with them to be done before July 1st, though. Joe Colborne, Josh Jooris, Joni Ortio and Kevin Poulin among the #flames not given a qualifying offer. Michael Bournival non-tendered by the Habs.

Luckily Jacobs, Nevins and Guptill were the last three players on the prospect list I just made yesterday and Lieuwen had graduated due to age.

I'm well aware. No need to bury this in the Risto thread.

http://post-cm.gwallet.com/d49zTi Risto, Nelson, Foligno, Catenacci, McCabe, Kasdorf and Girgensons tendered. Lieuwen, Colin Jacobs, Alex Guptill and Jack Nevins not tendered, become UFAs. Makarov was also non-tendered but we all know this already considering he already signed in the KHL.

The Bruins decide not to qualify Brett Connolly, former 4th overall pick. They traded two seconds for him a year and a half ago. Also non-tender Landon Ferraro.

I think Selanne is a definite first-ballot HOFer. I think Alfie is. That leave two spots available. If I'm picking those two spots go to two of Kariya, Andreychuk and Recchi.

Dave Andreychuk, Mark Recchi, Paul Kariya, Alex Mogilny and Theo Fleury the notable names left off. There were no Hall of Famers among this year's first-time eligibles so the crowd hasn't gotten any bigger, but there are some next year who look to be possibilities. Teemu Selanne, Todd Bertuzzi, Daniel Alfredsson, Jovo Cop and JS Giguere are up next year.

The Sens traded Alex Chiasson to Calgary, Calgary inks him to a one-year deal.

Three players inducted: Eric Lindros Sergei Makarov Rogie Vachon One builder: Pat Quinn (Philadelphia Flyers coach/front office)

This is weak sauce. The whole argument. Fasching, Nelson and Ruhwedel must all be chumps then since they got guarantees of NHL playing time when signing here. It's something he knows he can get. If he didn't ask for it somebody would've offered it anyways. There's no guarantee he wasn't offered it in Nashville before he asked for it.

Kyle Brodziak signs a two-year deal in St. Louis.