PerreaultForever

lol, what I find the funniest is I'm so past Murray I forgot which first name was which. Tim Terry call him Fred maybe, doesn't matter. it's the critique some people jump to here any time you talk about trading a prospect. So we agree on the nowish thing. That's good cause it's pretty much my main point. My other point you have trouble understanding is, as simply as I can explain it, I think this team is being built or structured poorly for future success. I'm probably projecting too far ahead, but that's what old guys who have seen teams rise and fall many times do. Let's just leave it there until something actually happens.

As much as any game is a must win it's a must win. You simply have to beat the WC competition each and every game and not give them loser points either. So it's a true test if we have anything building here or not.

I'm not disagreeing with this but once you add one more top paid player to that we get in their situation. So yes, we get one more top player than the Leafs in our top core, and that makes a difference, but it still ends up being a lot of money that so far has not brought dividends. The bottom end of the roster sucks. Everything with the Sabres is still in an optimists projection era where there is an expectation that they simply HAVE to be good, how can they not be with so many prospects, but so far they are not. I simply feel that this treasure chest of prospects philosophy makes us as fans keep waiting on that future and if and when that future gets here the window of opportunity will slam shut on us because of it. I'd prefer if we NOW used some of that prospect capital as assets, made a deal or two and (as much as you can) assured success now. So before anyone screams that's Terry Murray, it's not. This is a completely different time and situation.

I'm not saying we don't have more prospects than them, that's not the point. The point is how many do you need to be good. They filled the holes they had. That's all you ever need.

as a motor oil you could say it means we need more greasy goals. That would be accurate.

If you talk about Matthews you have to include Dahlin (best player on each team) for the comparison. The prospect pool is just a pool until that water freezes over and they can skate on it. Savoie didn't impress me tonight at all. Definitely not at Benson's level right now. Yes, it was the first time I saw him play in the NHL but it's just what it is until it changes. You know prospect pools are a funny thing. Bruins were supposed to have the worst one in the league (and it still might be ranked that way) but they have 3 prospects in the line up and they are all playing very good. Until Rosen or Kulich or whoever comes up and contributes they are just wish fulfillment. But back to the point, I have said many times what you call the Kevin Fiala type trade at some point is inevitable. Have to hope they keep the right guys and make the right trade(s) when that moment comes.

That's the problem though right. Half the cap on 5 guys is Toronto's problem. Their bottom end is garbage. We'd end up the same only in our case 2 D and 3 forwards rather than 4 forwards and 1 D. Same problem though. Unless you cap cheat like Tampa and Vegas did it's a formula that doesn't work. The window provided by the ELCs will be short and unsustainable when we need it the most. I can see us having cap trouble right around the same time we might become a legit cup contender and that could derail the whole thing. Again, I'm thinking ahead.

The Wild are well named as that's how they shoot the puck, all over the place and a lot of them not on net. On the other hand we capitalized on prime opportunities. Levi definitely saved their butts tonight though. They owned us for most of the second but were also a little gassed in the third on the back to back. Goaltending matters, that's for sure. I do like the way Mitts has become a player who uses his body and bulls his way into creating open ice rather than just looking for open ice. We need more of that from others as well but it's a start. We will have to be better than that against Pittsburgh though but you never know, Pens not exactly tearing it up this year. Good win. Necessary win. But Wild will not make the playoffs.

It simply depends on what you think players bring to the line up and to the make up of your team. Wood isn't going to put up huge numbers but he will help you win playoff games. That has value. You look at Florida last year and Sam Bennett had a lot more to do with eliminating the Bruins than Barkov did. imo 34 at the end of the contract is not a terrible age because even if he slows down he still brings that jam they wanted. As I say frequently, not everything is about points and scoring. We need some guys like this on the Sabres. \

Why do you have to be such an a-hole in every conversation. You're such a waste of time.

Now you're back to the original point. I simply think it is going to be difficult, if not impossible to have 3 top level centers and be cap compliant down the road. I'm thinking ahead. Mitts has elevated his play and may now want Cozens type money. If we give it to him, that's a lot of money for whichever player ends up being the 3C. Shutdown works, and in a cap era, it's necessary. Partly yes, because it's cheaper.

The Rangers and Devils did not make it to the final. Florida did. Vegas is big, and play heavy with a solid defensive structure. If that's the model you want to build towards I'm all for it. It'll win.

We can win this game and we sort of have to win this game. If you want to make the playoffs you can accept a loss here or there to a top tier team but you have got to vanquish the opponents that are at or below your level. And they are no better than us right now. maybe worse. Can't afford to not get these points.

This is almost as funny as the Draisaitl to Boston idea from earlier this week. I believe it was DeBrusk, Ullmark, Poitras, Lysell, picks or somebody else as well. It's fun to watch the vultures fly around a corpse. I think the bigger question would be would Calgary (goalie) trade with Edmonton or would the fanbase revolt.

Would he? I think he'd probably just wish he had Miles Wood back.

Sorry, I'm bored with the Mitts thing so I'm letting that go. I think they've asked more from Cozens from the start but it doesn't matter. Is what it is right now. Mitts development absolutely screams that AHL time is a necessary component for most players. Now this Carolina thing has been stated and I suppose it's cause he was there, but so far I don't see the resemblance. Fast yes, but everybody wants to be fast on this NHL. otherwise we don't really play like them at all.

I fully agree Wolf is the real deal. I thought they'd move a goalie before the season started to let him play but they seem to be taking a slower approach. Wolf as their started is inevitable at some point. Obsessed? I suppose, because I think it's a necessary part of the make up of a good team. This idea of all these tops lines is just a theoretical idea and we haven't started winning yet. Get back to me when we do.

and yet, there it is, still a big part of the game whether you like it or not.

Now moving Cozens to wing is an interesting idea that I am in favour of. He's one of our better forwards along the wall and he does have some grit and two way ability so I can definitely see him as a good winger matched with a play maker. Sabres seem set on Greenway on a top line though. Cozens at wing does leave a bottom end weak at center and we're still missing that 3C shutdown guy but the top 2 lines would be pretty dangerous.

I'd take Hagel as well. I'd have signed Hathaway and then Cozens would definitely not have had to fight him. We need toughness on all levels, not just fighting. Tampa's in second place despite having no goalie, so not bad.

I don't think so. You just need to have young goalies in the system who can be called up from the AHL. It's not a big deal but there's no question Wolfe is knocking on the door there and will force his way on to the team at some point.

I think they have worked hard at developing Mitts but have to some extent taken Cozens talent for granted and have expected him to elevate his linemates. Cozens has been asked to do too much at this stage and I think his development suffers as a result. Blackhawks when? Detroit when? Definitely not the Yzerplan. Leafs went all in on speed and scoring. Top down rather than bottom up from the goal out. We can potentially do better than the Leafs because we have 2 top pick D men but the make up of the team and the system has the same flaws overall.

Is it? "Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman believes the move is being made more for injury protection, rather than a possible upcoming trade. Dan Vladar and Jacob Markstrom also are on the Flames' roster. Markstrom missed Wednesday's practice for maintenance."

You're not wrong here, they are pretty clear on their defined identity, which is why I have an issue with it and keep wasting words as if they're going to read this post and change their minds lol. Hence my endless frustration. I feel like I'm watching a railway get constructed and I look ahead and see there's no bridge over the canyon and the owner is just saying will you guys look at this shiny engine we built we are just about ready to head off down the tracks. I see the trainwreck coming. The "identity" we are working with is the Leafs. Has been for ages. It doesn't work. It won't work. It's folly. Copy Tampa, copy Vegas, copy the Bruins, etc. DON'T copy the Laughs.

Never said the second sentence. You putting words in my mouth.