Thorny
-
Posts
39,243 -
Joined
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by Thorny
-
-
Eh, he's getting a bridge contract anyway.
The expansion draft is Murray's big chance to show us how smart he is. He could pull a Browns and trade something to Las Vegas to convince them to take a bad contract off our hands (cough -- Bogo -- cough cough). He could also swing a trade with a team like Anaheim or Nashville that can't protect every defenseman they want to (which makes sense for us since we only have 2 guys worth protecting now).
Fingers crossed that he's actually an intelligent hockey mind and not the fat, smartass blowhard who has no idea what he's doing that he comes off as.
Reminded me of:
-
Antipin hasn't seen an NHL ice surface yet and we are penciling him in the 2nd pair?
Ugh. We do this every year with these late season FA's.
Hope springs eternal, I guess.
Placing him on the second pair is less a comment on how viable an NHL defenceman he is than it is a comment on how barren our defence corps is. It looks no better substituting Gorges onto the 2nd pair.
-
I like the way those lines are constructed, I just don't think they are likely, given who's putting them together.
-
Carrier needs to be in there and the D needs to be better
He did indeed slip my mind. Seems like we have a fair few forwards to work with, and are completely lacking on the defensive end.
-
Couldn't find a 2017-'18 line-up thread (but there is a '18-'19 thread), so I'll post this here. As things currently stand, this is something like how our opening day, injury-free, Bylsma-configured line-up could look like to start next season. Maybe we get lucky, and Nylander is able to step into a top 6 role right out of the gate, helped out defensively by the others on his line (obviously wishful thinking).
Nylander - O'Reilly - Okposo
Kane - Eichel - Reinhart
Foligno - Girgensons - Gionta
Bailey - Rodrigues - Fasching
McCabe - Ristolainen
Antipin - Bogosian
Guhle - Falk
Lehner
Ullmark
Others - Ennis, Moulson, Larsson, Gorges
What do you think? Able to compete for a playoff spot barring significant injuries? Bubble team? More mediocrity if Bylsma remains in charge? Personally I think we'd be in pretty good shape upfront, but clearly sorely lacking on defence to the point where making the playoffs would be a tough task.
It'll be interesting to see what Murray thinks.
-
It was a series of unfortunate events with several players not making the ideal play. Jack's mistake was probably the most egregious, but he doesn't shoulder the blame himself.
It happens. It will fade into obscurity soon enough.
-
I just want to see Eichel (and Reinhart) get points.
-
If this comes to pass, I'll have my torch lit and pitchfork sharpened.
Oh, me too. But this is what I am preparing myself for, or something very similar.
-
I sincerely hope we are able to add a guy like Vatanen or even Brodin, but I think there is a reasonable chance Murray is unwilling or unable to pay the price required to get a guy like that, and Antipin is insurance for such a scenario. Could very well head into next season with:
McCabe - Ristolainen
Antipin - Bogosian
Guhle - Falk
Gorges
-
Good lord is Bogosian terrible. Way to hit Eichel in stride there to enter the zone...
-
And if that involves trading Kane?
I'd prefer to keep Kane if at any way possible, but if he's the piece that needs to go to get that d-man, I don't think twice.
-
Sigh
Guhle's skating has me thinking that eventually he will play in the NHL, even if just in a limited role. I'm not letting myself dream too much about what his ceiling may be, and I definitely don't want to RELY on him for next year, but if he does come into camp and make the team, playing next to Franson, that pairing could wind up being VERY effective with protected minutes.
Definitely. Honestly, I'd give Murray a pass on pretty much anything else this offseason if he can find a way to bring in that top pair LHD. It's probably a must add for us to be competitive next season, and for me his to-do list starts and ends with that.
-
Yeah, I mean to focus on the left-hand side. Going with LHD depth of those players is unacceptable for where this team needs to be next year IMO, unless the right side has 3 Ristos.
I'm hoping Falk-Fedun can be the third pairing in a situation with 2 injuries, meaning I'd be cool with them on the top pair in Rochester. For next season,
xxx - Ristolainen
McCabe - somebody better than Bogo pleeeeeeeease
xxx - Franson or someone like him
This is ideal if Franson doesn't get a lot of money and gets a nice 3rd pairing guy with some wheels. If that top spot with Risto can somehow become Brodin/Tanev, and a good 2nd pair guy take the spot by McCabe while we find someplace to dump bogo, I'm thrilled. It's likely going to be Bogosian in that spot though, no?
I like the potential addition of these two guys because it gives us two more rolls of the dice for someone to sit in that 3rd pair effectively.
We're a mess on the back end right now and it will be almost impossible to ideally address the hole we have in each pairing.
That's pretty much where I see the D as well. I don't think we'll get rid of Bogosian, and I think one of Guhle or Antipin will be the 3rd pair LHD, so we are probably right now looking at:
xxx - Ristolainen
McCabe - Bogosian
Guhle - xxx
The key is adding that top 4 LHD, and I think it'll be ok. Have to bring someome in for the 3rd pair RHD, I'd be open to it being Franson. Adding that top 4 LHD would keep Gorges as the 7th D, and guys like Antipin (or Guhle) and Falk in the AHL.
Failing to get that LHD addition pretty much torpedoes the entire D, with Gorges slotting back in on the left.
-
If we somehow landed a Zaitsev that would be amazing. Not getting my hopes up that this guy is him, though.
Well, it looks like so far he's #2 in playoff ice time on the best team in the KHL's Eastern conference (3rd-best in the KHL). I can't figure out how to get the KHL's website to deliver regular season stats.
So presumably a top-pair defenseman from a good KHL team -- and also presumably a guy with some speed and skill.
That sounds like it has potential.
My first thought was Zaitsev as well. Murray must think this guy has at least a chance to step in and be a mainstay on our defence. Hopefully it works out, very much like the signing if the signing does indeed come to pass.
-
The players can't have a say on Bylsma until they've won something...but once they've won something, wouldn't that mean Bylsma doesn't deserve to get fired? I guess Murray should just cancel all player exit interviews for the next 7 years :rolleyes:
And it's not like Brian Gionta has accomplished anything in this league...
-
Who cares if I did or not? It's a douche thing to toss a movie spoiler onto a meme about artery-clogging junk food.
I hope your PTO in fall gets denied and you have to work a 9 hour shift.
I absolutely DETEST spoilers, especially in places where you wouldn't expect to see them. It's completely crappy that you were spoiled, you can only take solace in the fact that all great movies get better with multiple viewings, so while it sucks to lose that initial surprise factor, it won't be the defining aspect of quality movies.
Doesn't remove the sting of the spoiler, but at least it's something.
-
Mike Harrington doesn't think it was impressive. After all, it was only an assist.
He probably thinks his empty net goal was a greater display of skill and more important than that set-up, and that Jack didn't do much to contribute until the goal.
On another note, Reinhart has surpassed his point total from last year, in 12 less games. Good to see!
-
Unbelievable!
I love Jack Eichel.
-
Embarrassing.
-
Burns basically equaling McDavid's production, and scoring more goals than him, from the defence position swings the vote in his favour, for me.
-
Brent Burns is the best player in the NHL right now, right?
Tied for second overall in points. GP 66 G 27 A 43 P 70
My vote for Hart
-
I think many fans have an overinflated view of what a 3/4 D-man should be. I agree with you, he's a legit 3/4 D-man. It's what most 3/4 D-men are around the league.
Frequently injured for long periods of time?
We can't just look at his play, which has been underwhelming. He also always misses a ton of games like clockwork.
-
If this team comes out of the gate next season and shites the bed we may never catch up. Missing the playoffs again with this coach will cause even the most faithful of fans to revolt. This off season is going to be career defining for Murray and sticking with a coach that stinks up the first month of the season could break him in Buffalo.
I'm hoping Dan gets canned BEFORE he gets a chance to stink up next season's first month.
-
So maybe Alex has been exposed to a poor role model? I've seen him phoning it in all season. It's been pathetic.
Who's been mailing it in? Alex or Cal?
GDT: Sabres @ Kings 3-16-17 @10:30 MSG
in The Aud Club
Posted
Good stuff!
Yup. I remember that season started with so much hope and optimism, and they got off to a good start. It went south so fast!
Yes please.