French Collection

I think patience is the key. When Ehrhoff, Franson and other D-men sign there will be teams closer to the cap and some prospects pushed down the depth charts. Some serviceable 5-6 defenseman will become available. I know we are hoping for a 3-4 D-man but we won't get a 3-4 guy without giving up a good forward and more. We can hope for a Boychuk/Leddy scenario. We need do draft a few D-men next year.

I think he deserves to be on the team. He got the one way deal Grigo wanted because He worked hard and produced. Larsson does have more versatility than Grigo too. I think GMTM made a good call and traded the right guy away.

Oduya and Gorges would mean two of our top LHD would be over the hill. This doesn't mean they can't be effective. They just need to be used properlly. Look at what Larry Murphy accomplished with the Wings after leaving the Leafs as a washed up vet. Toronto played him like a #1 and he couldn't handle it. Scotty Bowman played him a lot less and in easier assignments and he helped win 2 Cups. He lasted 4+ years in Detroit. Back to Oduya, the intangibles of being on multiple winning teams and gutting out a Cup run would help the young guys learn what it takes. He would help take the pressure off of McCabe to be ready immediately.

I wonder if Reinhart can QB the PP from the point? The forwards have a variety of looks but our D doesn't have that smart playmaker. I don't think he's done that before but with his hockey sense he could learn.

Sharp's skills are declining but a rebound will probably happen this year because he'll be relied upon in the top 6 and play PP with Seguin, Benn and Spezza. I wouldn't say the Stars are rebuilding by taking on aging players like Sharp and Niemi. They seem to be wanting to match up now, but their D is not top notch.

Good mix with this staff. Bylsma has a solid background and has won at this level. Murray has played and coached in this league for a long time. May have some good discussions with his nephew. Barr is a long time journeyman. Been involved with a lot of pro hockey. Lambert brings some junior enthusiasm and some fresh insight to the ranks. DDB must have seen something he liked in his stint in Kelowna.

GMTM is Fury.

We will be much more entertaining to watch. Sabrès fans will rally around this team and help it grow into something special. The Leafs are behind us in the rebuild but the rivalry will pick up if their Smurfs (Nylander, Marner, Kapanen, Bracco) ever amount to anything. Maybe Nolan can join Babcovk's staff to mentor the Pee-Wees.

And the Leafs are tanking. Babcock's desire to win now is taking a hit.

Never saw him as having much grit, unless it was his favourite breakfast food.

Signed, sealed and ready to deliver.

Was Richards celebrating the fact that he was gonna get money for the next 10 years in a buyout? This hints of an illegal activity and could open up a messy legal battle. If he is guilty he bites his tongue and takes the minimum. Did Lombardi have someone watching?

This puts the dollars into perspective, although many players are overpaid long term after 1 or 2 good statistical seasons. O'Reilly's 55 pts puts him in an offensive range with Bergeron, E.Stall, Kopitar, Plekanec, Backes and Datsyuk. The top scoring C in the entire league is Tavares with 86 pts. ROR will not score at this clip but he is better defensively and is more physical. Toews is one if not the best C in the league and he scored 66 pts. ROR can add 10 more points with the added PP time and being the go to guy. I like our matchup at C with rivals Toronto (Bozak), Ottawa (Turris), Montreal (Plekanec). Our 1-2 punch with Eichel will be tough to match in due time. The bonus is that if we end up having Eichel, Reinhart and Girgensons as our 3 C's then ROR can play wing.

I like this kid too. Potential 4-6 D-man in about 3 years. Sounds like he has all the tools, just needs to fill out and gain some experience. I wonder if he moved up our draft board due to the excellent combine scores.

I don't want to lose him until we know what his ceiling will be but like many scenarios in life we want people who want to be here. He has been mishandled and he has sucked it up for the most part. Now is the time for him to step up and show he belongs. Does he want to play for Bylsma? Be a a part of the new core? Does he feel like he can't compete with Eichel, Girgensons and Reihart for top 9 minutes.

It would be nice to see some trades. We need some GM interested in Tim's offers. There were supposedly no takers last year for a late 1st for all 3 of our 2nd rounders.

Kevin Lowe offered Vanek a huge contract that Darcy matched.

Captain Serious meets Captain Crush. They look like future opponents more than a Star and one of his fans.

Hoping their careers have similar trajectories. Hard for them to win Cups when they're not drafted yet. Just noting the similarities, where McDavid has highlight reel goals and seems more like an individual. Jack has more of a power game, not as flashy. More Toews than Crosby. Connor has won a WJHC gold. Hope Jack has that chip on his shoulder and competitive spirit in Buffalo.

Jack said during the interview his favourite player is Toews. McDavid's is Crosby. Pretty good comparison, Crosby gets all the hype and glory, Toews wins games.

Doesn't TM have a rep as not a fan of Russians? Can't see him gambling at 21 on a guy who may not leave the KHL.

I see a better fit with Sam, but Kane will be a force. He will go through, around or over opposing players. His rep with his fists also gives him space. Sam is less of a carrier but more of a soft touch passer and finding the ideal spot type of player. He seems to slow the game down and find a seam to make the smart play. He is also sound defensively so Kane can attack the net and forechecking like the Mongol horde.

It was a great interview, love his to the point answers. He sometimes pauses to get his thoughts in order but doesn't beat around the bush much. I like the fact he rarely dances around topics like a politician. Some people like a verbose speaker but I prefer this style. What's funny is he starts out by saying he's tired and talked out then goes on for nearly a half hour.

Kane was playing through some pain before that bullsh..... caused him to shut it down. Looks like he was putting the team first until Byflugien turned some people against him. I don't know how many games were played with the shoulder issues, but it was awhile.

Both goalies have 86 NHL games played.