erickompositör72

If you're counting Reinhart as one of those we need to sign, think twice... he's as good as gone... ...which is too bad, I think he will be really good one day.

Here's some thoughts: If they trade Kane for other players who have top-end speed, Botterill likes Housley's philosophy If they trade for players who lack top-end speed but possess other qualities, maybe Botterill and Housley are already not on the same page (?) If they trade Kane for a nice haul and then re-sign him July 1, Botterill is a genius and I buy a Kane jersey

It's funny- everybody thought the team was going to be so improved that moving on from Gionta would be natural. Looks like we all called that one wrong, including GMBot. Early results notwithstanding- no matter what GMBot does with Kane, I trust he'll make the best decision. I want him to stay, but if he's traded, I'll assume a contract was untenable, and give Botterill the benefit of the doubt.

Sure. I was just being an ass because I was annoyed I had to go look up their stats and calculate their goals-per-game. And the only argument I was making is that he plays well in non-contract years. I agree with others that "contract year" is a weak, lazy argument. He just likes to be good at hockey, regardless what year it is.

I never knew goals were a misleading stat .4 (Kane) goals per game vs .39 (Eichel). Kane lead in goals in a non-contract year, any way you cut it. Didn't know you moonlighted as team doctor I think, in general, when it comes to arguments, you should realize that just because certain facts don't support your argument, it doesn't mean they're not relevant. Or I guess you can just say you were really talking about something else. I think we've been through this before...

weak.

The reality is- nothing precludes them from not telling the media about their current negotiations (regarding either a trade or contract discussion), and nothing precludes them from lying to the media, when asked. They both benefit from keeping everything on the DL He was our leading goal scorer the year he wasn't playing for a contract. There'd be a lot more 30 goal scorers if they could all just turn it on for contract year. Some people just like scoring goals. I know, sounds crazy.

It was a push. And it wouldn't have knocked my sister down. He looks extremely confident tonight

veteran dive

Eichel and Botterill will convince Kane to stay, if he hasn't already decided he wants to

He always plays hard, makes good decisions, doesn't make mistakes, processes the game at an NHL level, is defensively responsible, has good line-mate awareness

I was so excited when we signed Moulson, because for the half-season we had him, he seemed to maintain a goal pace similar to Vanek's that season. I didn't realize the future implications... However, I do think he's looked better the past couple of games. It seemed like Nolan and Larsson have the ability dig the puck out of corner and find Moulson open (I think Larsson has pretty good vision), which is the only way he'll score goals. I don't think this will happen with great regularity, but hopefully enough to provide some secondary or tertiary scoring.

I think these are the right lines combos Many people said "let's assess at Thanksgiving (US)" I think these lines will click by then, and I'm still hopeful. These lines were exciting and will create more chances.

These are the lines we've been waiting for

You react as if I actually have GMBot's ear or something :P I hope I'm wrong about Reinhart, and that he can become as good as Duchene, but I'm getting impatient. Probably not fair to Reino- some players take longer to develop, and he could still turn into an important piece for us.

I can buy this. Also, it gives Phil a chance to figure out his coaching style before the stakes get higher Phil is extremely ambitious as a rookie head coach. He's trying to implement an entirely new system as a rookie HC, with players who are not familiar with the system, per-se, and don't even have familiarity with one another, by and large. I don't think we'll know for another year or two whether Phil is a bust.

Something I've noticed: Other teams consistently win battles in front of our net and cash in on "dirty goals" Our forwards rarely seem to win those battles in front of the opposing net. I think that highlights how bad Lehner is with rebounds, puck awareness, eating up rebounds/loose pucks- and, how we seem to not know what to do in front of the net, neither on offense or on defense. Interesting that people point out the type of player Housley was. I never watched him play much (he left the Sabres when I was 5), but the way people describe him, seems like he would have a lack of emphasis in these areas.

rebound control sooo bad, Lehner

That's a very personal question

I think Kane has a higher ceiling than people think. I think he is coach-able by someone like Housley (with a system that fits his game), and his awareness of his line-mates is improving. And him and Eichel are friends, off-the-ice. I think he's grown up and out of all of his past "issues," and he's going to mature as a player because of it.

Risto, Bailey + a 1st

Kane, Eichel and Bailey on a line is Housley's system to a "T." The potential upside to having that much speed on one line is worth whatever waiting period there may be for more chemistry to develop. Let Jack be a leader. If Kane needs to get better at making plays and seeing his linemates, let Jack tell him. Kane seems to like him.

The only way it could backfire is if we send him to a cup-contending team, he turns out to be Mr Playoffs, and leads his new team to a cup, and they decide to pay him. But on the other hand, I hear it creates good will with a player if you "lend" him to a team that makes a run in the playoffs.

Am I mistaken, or having I been hearing more and more that the market for "rental" players is really on the downswing? I know it's not likely (unless we knowingly trade him somewhere we know he won't sign), it'd be amazing if GMBot could pull off a trade and then re-sign him July 1. Although, we'd probably lose a conditional pick if something like that were to happen.

I really like Kane-Eichel-Bailey Most teams cannot contain that speed, and it will wear them down and open things up. :thumbsup: Edit: they just need to get a little better in their own zone