Curt

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.

One of the 3 guys mentioned as specifically not available. I think he is going to retire as a Pred and they want to do right by him.

So, it looks like Nashville is about ready for a major makeover. Who should Buffalo get from them?

What do you mean by “his huge contract is no longer in play”? Clearing waivers does not change his contract.

Ok......

For me, that’s actually bad news.

Why do you guys think he quit on the team? Do you think he has been like this from the very start of the season? Or do you think it started later? Personally, I think he’s been like this from the first game and I lean towards saying that he has an injury of some sort. I can’t imagine why he would be giving half hearted effort from the start of a season that started with a good amount of promise.

I though Dahlin was fine/good. I would love if he really started to impose his will on games, but hasn’t really ever gotten to that level yet. Eichel is just not himself. It’s been like this all season from the very start. I have not seen him like this before for more than a game or two.

Close

Who TF is Joe Reekie? That’s what I want to hear about for an entire shift late in a tied game, every detail about the first time Rob Ray met Joe Reekie.

No one hit him, so it doesn’t count.

Samson “Clean Hands” Reinhart!

Comm’on PP!