Curt

Nah

Been meaning to reply to this. Got busy. Well, first off, it’s certainly a subjective thing, so I won’t be upset if someone sees things differently. It’s definitely not his skating style. To be honest, I feel like the fact that we need to say that it seems his maturity has improved, is part of my issue. For a captain with strong leadership skills, you would not be noting that his maturity has improved from below average to averagish. I guess I just see him as a bit of a temperamental guy who gets bent out of shape and a little down when things don’t go his way. As opposed to a guy who “rallies the troops”. I certainly don’t question how hard he works, I’m not saying that he isn’t passionate, and I’m not saying that he is a bad influence. Just that I don’t think he brings anything particularly special as a leader that I would worry about losing if he was to be moved. In summary: Great player, ordinary leadership. Again, this is just my view of him from the outside. It’s very subjective and it’s ok if someone sees it differently.

The goals seemed ordinary. He wasn’t over the top (is he ever?) but he was fist pumping, fist bumping, and smiling with the guys after both. In the interview he gave short answers but there was no attitude there. Could be any number of reasons why he wanted the post game to be finished ASAP.

If you send them down, who is going to be the 7th D? Some cheap vet guy? Lol I just think it’s better for them to play every day in the AHL than sit half the time. EDIT- I’ll add that I generally like to keep consistent pairs when possible, instead of moving guys around every couple games, and Bryson/Samuelsson are quite different players so I think switching them with the same partner may be awkward and hinder chemistry.

You want one of Bryson/Samuelsson sitting as the 7th D and not playing? Wouldn’t it be better for them to play everyday in Rochester? Then if there is an injury you can call them up, and leave that cheap 7th guy sitting.

Yeah, that’s what I said. A vet LD (McCabe or someone else), then one of Bryson/Samuelsson in the NHL, the other in the AHL. Then have a cheap experienced 7th D who hardly plays. When you need another LD, don’t play the 7th D, call up Bryson/Samuelsson.

Hamilton is really good, but I don’t think it’s worth it for Buffalo to chase him. A big part of what you are paying for with him is excellence on the PP, and Buffalo has that covered with Dahlin.

True. I think it depends how they want to use the D pairs too. Do they want 3 balanced pairs? Do they want to create an offensive pair and a defensive shutdown pair? Whether it’s McCabe or someone new, I think they need to have a veteran LD for next season. I would not want to be depending on Bryson and Samuelsson behind Dahlin. Dahlin-Jokiharju (Vet D X)-Risto Bryson/Samuelsson-Borgen Then have a cheap vet 7th D, with Bryson or Samuelsson playing in the AHL when not in the top 6. That’s if Risto and Borgen both survive the expansion draft.

Similar games, but different positions.

Yes, if a team is already having a fair amount of success, they will be very hesitant to rip the heart out of their team in exchange for Eichel. Maybe it works out for them, or maybe Eichel becomes (remains?) very injury prone, or maybe he shows he isn’t a “winner” or whatever. Point is they are going to default to sticking with the big guys who have gotten them this far and see if they push the team farther with them, as opposed to blowing it up. If it was a video game then yeah, the AI would accept the trade, but these are people who have built real relationships together.

Obviously it’s going to vary team to team, and maybe one of them would, but honestly I think the general answer here is no. Maybe Backstrom or Scheifele, not positive. This may just be a difference of opinion in what you and I think the trade market would be.

I don’t think that a team, already experiencing success, would trade their best play for Jack Eichel, especially if they are expected to add other pieces in the deal. And if your expectation is to get some other teams best player in an Eichel trade, I feel pretty confident you will be disappointed with the return of an actual trade.

Eichel (when healthy and playing) is a better player than Barzal. However the Islanders would not trade their 1C and best offensive player, along with their #1 goalie and a 1st for him. I don’t think teams get excited about the idea of trading away central figures (like Barzal, Makar, Landeskog, Aho) from a team that is already finding success with the group that they have.

I did, lol. Just adding my opinion.

I don’t know that we are better off without him, but I think there are scenarios out there where the team is better off with a combination of 3-4 good young players/prospects/high picks. Totally agree on your philosophy though. Jack Eichel is not the Buffalo Sabres. He is just a small part.

Personally, I don’t think any of those teams would give up a return like that. It’s too much. Almost every team has a player or two that they consider to be as important as Jack. They aren’t giving up one of them in a trade for Jack. (Fox, Makar, Aho, Barzal). I think you are dreaming there.

Laaksonen is a RD, unless I’m wrong and he plays his off hand side.

I don’t think Dahlin and Jokiharju need to be paired with a defensive defenseman. They have looked great together. I don’t think he should play in the NHL next season.

I personally really like Friedman and don’t think this is true. I find him quite measured and cautious about what he says, generally providing clear distinction between information he has heard and his personal opinions on things.

Can someone check on @dudacek?

Good point. Hope the B’s are savoring it. Hehe

I’m not of the opinion that Eichel either should be or must not be traded. He is a great talent, no doubt, but I get none of the feeling that he brings a great deal to the team beyond that. I don’t mean to sound terribly harsh, but I just don’t see him as a team centerpiece or leader who binds the group together. I don’t get the impression that everyone would be emotionally crushed without him. Likewise, I find that I don’t personally carry any special feelings of affection towards him. I’m happy when he does great things on the ice, but beyond that, I don’t fine any particular reasons to like him. I’m not emotionally attached to him. Consequently, I’ll judge any Eichel trade on its merits. I feel like I’m more willing than most to consider the idea.

I don’t think that Eichel would refuse to play and sit out instead. However, if he really wants to be traded, and asks for one, I think it’s in the teams best interest to trade him. They don’t need to jump at the first crappy offer they get, but they would need to pursue a trade. It just isn’t good for anyone to have the captain and face of the franchise coming to work every day wishing that he was somewhere else. His heart wouldn’t be in it, and it wouldn’t help the team achieve greater heights. I just think this attitude that the Sabres can just muscle Eichel into doing what they want is very misguided. The team is not going to get anywhere like that.

I don’t think what you want is impossible.

@Thorny I get it. It’s a tough topic.