French Collection

Same thing I've been asking for, for weeks, just provide a solid effort and entertain me. Let the chips fall where they may.

Bringing in Montour is further indication that JBots and Phil want to continue down this path. Nashville has had a lot of success with this, without any Cups, but have been in the mix for quite a few years. They also have had Rinne as the last line of defense. TM wanted a heavy LAK style of game and tried to assemble that type of roster. This is a copycat league and I think picking a system like the Predators' and tweaking it to the Sabres personnel can lead to success. If say Tampa wins the Cup and JBots scraps the Preds' model for the Lightning's then it looks like another reboot and revolt.

Has this contract talk contributed to his slump? The pressure is getting to him or maybe he's upset at the team for being tough to deal with.

I've never seen anything like that. It's a perfect circle.

I'll be checking the score on line. Give me some effort and hopefully they win. I'm hoping Dahlin gets at least one point to get closer to the 40 point mark. Let's go Buffalo!

The skating would be the decisive factor and the modern guys have speed to burn.

Athletes are constantly getting better, it is why the Olympic and World Records fall. These are records vs a clock, not a scoring championship vs your peers. I don't know at what age/level the modern elite player would surpass the 70's NHLer but I'm guessing last season of junior or mid NCAA career. The modern guys would not be as strong, but would fly by the old timers. It would have to be a modern rules game so that there are no water skiers clutching and grabbing the young uns. I love my old time hockey and I think Perreault would excel in this era with the training, fitness and equipment. The great ones could play in any era, providing they had equal training and equipment. In another thread I compared Michael Phelps and Johnny Weismuller. The eras are farther apart than 40 years but it would not be a close race.

My two cents, Michael Phelps could crush Johnny Weismuller in the pool. Tarzan may win in the jungle, though. Today's athletes are bigger, stronger, faster and better coached. NCAA or CHL teams could out skate NHLers from the 70's.

I like ERod but he missed the net on many good scoring chances yesterday. I find they are trying so hard to go bar down that they go over the net on many shots. I know goalies are good but you need to hit the net.

He gets too cute along the boards instead of using his size to keep the puck or win some battles.

I am beyond the must win mentality, the playoff dream is almost dead. Just give me a consistent 60 minute effort.

Wilson has been giving a lot of effort tonight but that stick was a bit much. Too bad.

Beauty job on PK

Ullmark using his whole body.

Don't forget the puck Tage.

Good thing it had some backspin.

Exposes all flaws.

For the record Carlyle is gone as Bob Murray has assumed the coaching duties since Feb.10th. I agree that Montour and Carlyle probably did not mesh that well philosophically.

Maybe you are falling victim to the assumption from Leaf Nation that he has won many and will lead them to many more? I am surrounded by these types.

Wilson is not a game changer but I've liked him on that line. I think they pot one tonight while getting in Tavares' or Matthews' face. Jack may go up against Auston. Let's go Buffalo.

Leafs get Baptiste from Preds. Not much movement but 3 of our recent prospects traded.

I like the trade, Sabres know what they are getting, while Guhle may end up not being a top 4 Dman and the pick is the wild card. I think Montour has upside, given a good role and proper coaching. He will be playing in front of family and friends and also trying for a big contract next season.

My earliest recollection of success in this manner was the Islanders getting Butch Goring from the Kings. They got a 2C and went on to win 4 straight Cups. He wasn't a rental but it was that type of move. This was pre cap and rental era but it was a deadline move. I have seen many of these not work because of the chemistry in the room being upset. An outgoing guy may have been very popular, or an incoming guy is taking someone's job. Good players sometimes just don't click on a new team for that short of a period.

There were some pretty violent episodes in the pre expansion NHL, the Ace Bailey injury comes to mind as one example. Expansion has always diluted the talent, old timers still talk about the quality of the original six league. There were some good players buried in the minors or who stayed home to play Senior hockey and work for a living. Teams only had one goalie so there were only 6 jobs. The Flyers won with a brand of intimidating hockey. The rest of the league tried to catch up in the arms race (copycat league) or at least have some deterrent. There are more people playing the game than before so the talent is available. The game would be amazing if there were only six teams now, similar to a World Cup caliber. Teams would have more than 1 or 2 stars.

I hoped for more but my realistic expectations for him have been met. 40 points is elite for an 18 year old D. I believe he may exceed that number. He will grow stronger and experience will eliminate some of his issues. If you want spectacular plays you must be prepared for epic failures as well. This guy will not have many defensive problems in a few years because the puck will be on his stick or a teamate's stick for the majority of his TOI.