DarthEbriate

Mike Wilson, too. (although it's a bad example because Rhett Warrener was the veteran D being loaned to a team making a playoff run. But the Wilson -> Warrener + 5th that became Ryan Miller). But, @Weave's general point is right. We would more assets in a summertime deal for Risto or Reino where the other team gets an entire season out of them. Even more assets if we could do a sign-and-trade. If it goes down to the deadline wire, you're hoping for that magical 5th to become Ryan Miller. Now for the fun part for @Taro T. In the end, how did Gaustad balance out? Gaustad + 4th to NSH, for 21st overall. 21st overall + 2nd to CGY to get up to 14th overall for Girgensons = Final trade: Gaustad + 4th + 2nd = Girgensons Gaustad's Sabres career: 479 GP, 71-110-181 Girgs' Sabres career (so far): 489 GP, 61-77-138

And not a full season. 7 in 56 games. I do want to see Lekkas start. Just for him to have a story, too.

Interesting, but I'd hate to be a playoff cusp team and sell off at the deadline to keep one more player on the roster for next year. Give every team the same setup. Oddly, with Seattle delaying a year, Vegas technically now has players they drafted that they would have to protect (I think only Cody Glass qualifies). But that one-year delay helped out Vegas even further. It would be nice if Vegas also had to go through the draft, but such are contracts when they're made.

Winning in the future and winning now form a symbiont circle. Focusing entirely on one affects the other. They must understand this.

On the remote swamp planet of HockeyPurgatory... where's he's been in exile since the Pegulas took over the galaxy: Master Jeanneret: Soon will I retire. Yes, forever singing "May Day". Earned it, I have. Rayzor: Master Jeanneret, you can't retire. MJ: Strong am I on the Call, but not that strong. Dunleavy is upon me and soon the mic must fall. That is the way of things... the way of the Call.

None of us are the first to mention it, but it came up with @Thorny and @Doohickie in the similar Ristolainen thread. If Reinhart is a center (yes, he can be) and he's only going to be here one more season in a contract year... Expose Reinhart in exchange for Seattle's top-5 overall + what? Does Seattle take the deal to be competitive right away and have a semi-local kid for their immediate bash with Vancouver? Would a trade+immediate extension get us even more of a haul? What does Seattle give up for an instant 2C in his prime? I like Reinhart, but if we doesn't want a long-term deal here, or believes he's worth Skinner money to stay (and who could blame him for wanting out of this mess) --- just something to think on heading into the playoff season. For the smarter hockey minds than mine: What does the deal look like?

The audio quality of Lapti Nek from the film isn't so good. Now, if you mean the pop club version...

Cute. Production. Victory!

Stillllllllll perfect! Your Houser!

Houser is still perfect in shootouts! (so far)

There are some who consider shootout hat tricks... unnatural.

Houser is perfect in shootouts! (so far)

Huh. I guess OT happened? Now we'll see how good Houser is in shootouts.

I do have a soft spot in my heart for NBC's postgame of the St. Louis Blues Cup championship. It was beautiful and poetic in the sheer number of f**** given.

This is why we've got to play a different goalie every game. No scouting report! Lekkas, you're next.

One more stride Risto...

Really nice save by Sorokin there on Reino. Reino almost had another possible GWG. (edit: speaking to the replay)

Fans in the building would've made these the 2 third periods vs. the Isles quite lovely.

Our breakout counters are so much better with Granato as coach. We have spacing, we have angles and shots. We don't go offsides each time.

(Bjork, Bjork, Bjork)....

So, even though I said this, and Bjork just scored... I stand by this. Bjork has a role, but Thompson could become really solid if he pans out. (I still hope Seattle is coerced into a Miller, the Champagne of third-pairing defensemen.) Bjork thought he could organize goals... how Scandinavian Wisconsinite of him.

Do-ge-dushka doo. Do-de-de-do dedede doo Bjork! Bjork! Bjork!

We've just got to hope that A) GM Sheevyn does the right thing and protects Thompson over Bjork because of the potential, and then B) Thompson pulls an Ent and wakes up one day and realizes that he is strong.

So... should we be happy or upset that Skinner is once again on the 4th line with Eakin? Granato has reached the same conclusion RaKru did?

We have them right where we want them.