Curt

That’s fine. He has played some C but not lately, and as I understand it, that’s a point of contention for him. He wants to play C and Calgary isn’t playing him there. I haven’t seen him enough at C to know whether he can or can’t. That’s part of the reason I write Lazar/Bennett there. You feel confident that he is incapable of playing C well?

Whose Jim Kelly? just kidding

I was watching the NJ stream. Daneyko is their Rob Ray.

Okposo is can’t even score on an empty net breakaway.

I think he can get down when things get tough. Honestly not what I want to see from the captain. This year is something else though. It’s not little moments of moping. He seems consistently off. Thats what I see.

You know, I don’t think he has really been that bad. Ralph is burying him. You could end up correct though.

Man it’s going to be depressing when NJ comes back to win this one! *ducks*

I think it’s a barri-kid-a

What’s the reference between Reinhart and a bong smoking dolphin? What’s the reference between Mitts and psychedelic ladies? What’s the reference between Eichel and unicorn riding kitty cats?

Thanks. Now I feel the need to go pee.

Hall-Cozens. Do that more often!

Asplund has been taking lessons from Reinhart. One bounces on off his stick.

Yeah, incredibly difficult to trade someone like Eichel no matter what. I can understand the desire for a higher end prospect/guy on ELC. I think I might like Lindholm and Tkachuk more than you though. If Lindholm isn’t a 1C, he is really close and Tkachuk is a 1st line W. I think a C spine of Lindholm, Danault, Cozens, Lazar/Bennet could do quite well. Especially with Hall, Tkachuk, Reinhart, Olofsson, Skinner on the wings.

I don’t necessarily think that Eichel is a culture problem, just that IF he is going to be traded, I want some guys coming back who can help reinforce a tougher, more resilient type of team mentality. Agreed on the coach. Sam Bennett is a fast, gritty bottom 6 guy. He is a minor part of such a trade, but the type of player I think could help the team be more resilient.

Yes, not elite prospects, but decent/good ones. Yup, Lindholm, Cozens, Bennett, Lazar. It’s not ideal, but this would be part of a purposeful roster reconfiguration. Maybe sign a decent FA C or acquire one in a trade using acquired picks/prospects? I can’t imagine Tkachuk/Bennett not improving Buffalo’s culture. Something in Calgary isn’t quite working, but I don’t think those guys are hurting their culture. Maybe it’s a trade that would help both teams move forward? Just throwing ideas around, because Buffalo’s core isn’t getting it done either.

From a culture standpoint, I feel like Tkachuk and Bennett could be a boon. I don’t think this team has enough determination. Tkachuk, Lindholm, Bennett, a prospect (Zary/Pelletier) and a 2021 1st (or maybe both 2021 and 2023 1st) for Eichel and whatever balances the money I think this might work for me. I don’t know if I’m actually ready to do something like this, but I’m getting there.

Absolutely. They care. They like to be heavily involved, and demand it in fact. Unfortunately, they don’t know what they are doing, so it’s actually a bad thing. I feel like the only way this will get better is if they find some experienced, capable hockey person who they like and trust enough to make PHO. This person needs to be not only competent at overseeing a hockey team, but also willing to humor the Pegulas and spend a non trivial amount of time communicating with them and making them feel heard. In addition to this, this person must be liked and trusted by the Pegulas. It’s tough. This feels inevitable.

Oh, it’s possible. I just don’t have an explanation so I lean injury.

Hmm, you don’t think Calgary has enough assets? How much more would you need from them?

Agree. And I actually don’t think that Chad would advocate for Buffalo to stand pat either. Did Adams actually say this? Pegula is Pegula and he thought that adding a “name” to the roster changes everything. He doesn’t understand how to build a hockey team. So him saying that was no surprise. Did Adams echo that though?

This is a strange take. He has been in the NHL for several years already. Something is different this year.

Honestly, he is saying this about the season in general, because of the absolutely bizarre set of situations (Covid, no fans, compressed schedule, crazy unbalanced schedule) and not specifically because of Buffalo’s injuries. He has been saying since before the season started that he doesn’t think any team in the league should make haste decisions based on this season because every is just so weird. It’s not about Buffalo or their injuries.

Would love it. Don’t know if they would though..... Tkachuk and Bennett for........???

TF?

Because of all the quality prospects he has drafted and trades that he has made the past few years? The team is not in great shape under his watch. I think I’d still take him though. Calgary is also supposedly looking to shake up their roster significantly.