PerreaultForever

I totally agree. It's an odd situation. I think you'd have to know Jack much better than we fans do to answer this properly but as we are currently playing much better with him not around, do we risk a return to what was? Will Jack feed off this energy for lack of a better word and make us even better or is the strength of his status and his personality lead us back down if we face adversity? One obviously wants to think he'd simply make us better, but it is a risk. Maybe, again since the team seems much better, you want to assure that continues and the time is right to get a haul of assets for him. maybe we are a better team with less star power on it? iDK.

If I'm not mistaken, that's the first time this year we've chased an opposing goalie from the net. Nice! Ultimately the big question for this year comes down to the effort level. Why wasn't it there for Kreuger, and why is it there for Granato? Whatever the answer it's nice to see. Finally.

Well this is why we should have traded Risto at the deadline but no matter, leaving him exposed is nuts and won't happen. What they get from us is probably not a high priority for them and will depend on what positions they've already filled from other teams. Maybe Adams picked up Bjork as the man to dangle in front of them? Hard to say. I wouldn't give them incentives on anyone. Let them have whoever and move on. Nobody that valuable at issue.

Oh I agree they'd listen and they might make an offer, I just don't think they'd gut their current team to get him. If it was all picks and prospects and not players on their roster it'd be more likely but would we do that? It would be a hard sell here for sure. Hard to say. I don't think he will be moved anyway. Especially with the injury. I suspect we start next year with Eichel as 1C and if we are winning it's all good and if we are losing again then at that point this will all heat up again and maybe he will ask for an out either quietly or in the press.

To be fair though, if you ran the Rangers and you saw your team filled with young rising players from 2 lottery wins and other picks and things seemed to be rising and coming together, would you toss that aside and trade off a chunk of that for a guy sidelined with a major neck injury? You'd be gambling on a full return to form and if you didn't get it right away your job would be toast.

Caps seem to like what Sheary did for them this year. Go figure. https://www.nhl.com/news/conor-sheary-signs-two-year-deal-with-washington/c-323649706

Don't really care where we draft. If the players to turn this franchise around aren't already in the system we're not going to turn it around even if we win the next 4 lotteries.

maybe Adams main job going forward will just be acting as the buffer/translator for the Pegulas? A layer to keep them from meddling directly with the hockey guy making the moves. They trust him so he explains, justifies etc. like a diplomat. That's kind of my hope.

They don't get along well with Latvians 🙂

Rangers are on the right path, they wouldn't make that trade unless it was a bargain basement price. No way they'd offer us true value. They do not need him.

Canada. British Columbia.

Definitely. I have to assume they've told him his path to success is by using that body more. Or he's read all of us 🙂 but whatever, I think he knows what he needs to do now. I don't really want him fighting though (except when necessary) . What I do want from him is to start finishing his checks. Too many times still he's in on the forecheck and sticks out that long stick but backs away near the boards. He has to start pounding a few D men into them now and again to wear them down and perhaps get a turnover.

Bored. Registered, but still waiting to get vaxxed. Going stir crazy.

1. Not talking about selling off for pennies on the dollar. Talking selling off for good value. This always comes up in these discussions. On the one hand you have the fans saying these guys are worth a lot, but on the other hand they have to be replaced. If they are THAT good, why do we keep losing with them? Hokey trades do not have to be winner or loser, they can be changes that improve both sides. 2. Agree with the changing back and forth idea. Have been saying we need a clear vision, a clear plan, and we need to do everything to stick with that. I'm just hoping the vision is a little different than what I think it might be but we shall see if there even is one.

Hey, he regurgitated Stafford and Vanek not me.

I'd agree with you in part except for one thing. Toronto tanked, got Matthews and the rest is history. Point being, it's never that simple, there is no clear guaranteed path and it takes a lot of correct decisions to build a franchise. No one player, no one thing. You can't just have one good draft or one good trade or one good signing. You need to do it year after year, following a plan, laid out by solid management and good scouting. Now what does "associate" actually mean? Who's in charge of what?

lol Stafford. Letting Briere walk and keeping Vanek was perhaps the biggest mistake this franchise ever made.

He will never be the same.

Hey Go Puck Yourself.

Can't answer that until Eichel is active again. Then we see.

I agree with this. I have noticed that Granato is much more involved as the game unfolds (as a coach should be) rather than Ralph's stick to the game plan regardless of what happens on the ice method. If it was a "method". Line matching for example is much better and somewhat fluid.

Oh I'm not saying Mitts gets the C, but the leadership angle is an interesting question. With Eichel not around maybe the kids are feeling open to assume the kind of roles they might have had at lower levels. With Eichel in the room wearing the C there's maybe a little step back and let the man be the man (on the ice and off). I guess ultimately, despite his obvious huge talent, I'm really wondering if we're not better off building a new team without him.

This pretty much matches the eye test. It's a faster, more offensive, more fun to watch version but it's not really long term winning hockey without well above average goaltending. As much as we can all hate on Hall, him and Eichel on the same PP was what made it great. Olofsson was left unchecked many times with those guys out there. Now we're being pushed out to the perimeter as usual.

idk if Calgary would value him or want him but they gave Sutter a 3 year deal so I have to think if they fail this year (which seems inevitable at this point) he will have a hand in shaping and molding the team to fit his style and image of what he wants them to be. I would assume tough and hard to play against but you never know. I can definitely see the players you list being moved so who knows, but it is a potential destination. What the Sabres can't afford to do is just carry on and let Reinhart's contract come to the UFA year and give him all the leverage. We can't afford to over pay him with Skinner already in that role and he would squeeze us I am sure (who wouldn't?) . So I think you find out how much he will want, decide if you can pay it or want to pay it and if not move on now before it's too late. The more this team relies on players with 3 years or less of pro and adds veteran leadership not currently on the roster, the happier I will be. and I think the more we will win.

Does the west play the south after and the north play the east? I haven't looked up what happens after the divisions. If it's that, Toronto could make it to the final sadly as the East division will beat itself up big time and the winner (my guess Washington) could be in rough shape. otherwise they trounce Toronto, assuming T dot gets past Winnipeg. Likely Tampa, but my long shot is Carolina. They could pull the upset and win it all. I hope they bubble the playoffs again cause if they don't, it has the potential to be a disaster. This pandemic is far from over.