PerreaultForever

Whether he's better here or not remains to be seen. See how he fits and see how he plays here before pronouncing that. All those players might be here, but I have a feeling this team will make several big moves this summer. I could be wrong.

But you'll give long analytical arguments looking at something like offensive zone puck possession.................which starts with winning the draw. But whatever.

I think the Bruins actually wanted Palmeiri but weren't willing to gamble on Hall but then they got pasted 8-1 by the Caps so they came back to the table. It will be interesting to see if Hall gets their PP going. It's died recently and Pasternak is struggling 5 on 5 so Hall might just be a perfect fit for them - IF he plays hard. Big IF.

Was pointing that out earlier about Sam but I was told vehemently that face offs are over rated and unimportant so he's our C2 solved.

I don't count Sheahan as he was a try out that filled a hole with Zemgus getting hurt but otherwise yes, none of the off season moves were any good AND more importantly the goaltending was deemed adequate and not improved when it could have been.

First you're assuming all those guys are back next year which I doubt. Obviously Skinner is a fixture because of contract but I think you might be surprised. I think he might be better than Asplund or R2. or just as good at least.

Well I'm not impressed by anything he's done. Can't think of a single good move. He fired Kreuger, but much too late. Nope, so far he's a total bust as GM.

I personally think everyone is over valuing Lazar. Bjork has some skills and is very fast. Will fit in with an uptempo style. Could be a good winger for Mitts as he is emerging. OR, they expect Seattle to take him............

Foligno was not acquired for his point totals. he brings what they lack. They are a much better playoff team now.

Bjork is fast and has some skill but maybe the E-Rod comparison isn't totally off. Bruins had him up and down the line up but he never really found a permanent spot anywhere. Can kill penalties fairly well but soft by Bruin standards. If our future style is going to be this offense first thing Granato is doing he will fit right in well with Mitts and Thompson, Asplund and the other skating forwards we have. I'd say he is an okay add as he's better than some of what we have now but I wouldn't expect too much.

If you did that you'd get nothing.

imo the bare minimum should have been a conditional pick upgraded to a first if they make the conference final or Hall scores x number of points etc. Rookie GMs strike again. Bruins getting Lazar makes me think they're not finished. They do not need extra utility forwards, they need scorers.

He said he's not shutting the door on the Sabres but will test the FA market so there's no choice. How is that complicated???

There's only Hall and maybe Ullmark and they were trying to sign Ullmark so that'll be last minute if at all. Don't kid yourself, there's no interest in much of the rest unless we were looking to make a hockey trade with a Risto or a Reinhart and that's more likely to be off season if at all. I do fear they've waited too long on Hall though and the price will drop.

Keeping him and having him walk for nothing is the mistake. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/sabres/report-linus-ullmark-expected-to-test-free-agency-in-the-offseason Nothing to stop us from making a good offer after and we are likely to give him his best offer so get something now and see later. He's decent, but he's not all that. It's just that Hutton's so bad you all think he's great by comparison.

Ya, I'm watching this one. Not sure how long the injured Bruins will be out for but with this D line up and goaltending they have right now we could beat them.

Hope you're right. All I know is I will be cheering for whoever they play against.

"Truculence" lol Bummed about the Leafs getting Foligno. They are legit contenders now and I hate them.

Merzlikins yes, Riitich no.

Well that was fun. Nice to be able to watch hockey again. The more of the old we get rid of the better we get..........................

Demko 5 years 5 mil per. I think that's the comparable. Personally I think Demko is a little better but we need him so over paying to the same level would be okay and would give UPL proper development time. That's what I would offer and if he takes it great, if not trade him and tell his agent we can talk again in free agency. Don't do what JBot did with Skinner.

That's definitely true. The expansion rules were very different and they certainly got nothing but scraps. Nothing like the Vegas situation. Still, nobody forced California to trade those picks and they did it numerous times. There's a lot less stability these days and expectation for quick results so you don't see many teams commit to long term vision. You do that and I think you could still have a lot of success. You get a GM worried about his job now he just might give you first rounders from 2, 3 or 4 years from now for that immediate help and you can win big down the line, but you need a patience and a long term plan that few teams if any would do these days. This all comes from us giving up a 1st for Montour. It drifted into a discussion of the folly of trading away 1st round picks.

Well it was easier for sure, but the philosophy still holds. maybe the modern genius is Sakic. That Ottawa Nashville trade was genius. among others.

I think this idea is jumping the gun a little. The season was already over and with Kreuger's firing a cloud and weight were lifted so Granato played the kids and opened it up so it looks better. It's faster, more entertaining, more goals, but there's still tons of mistakes. These guys are playing loose, but that's not a winning formula really. Maybe wait until we see how they handle the Bruins who will need their wins against us to hold onto the playoffs. Also remember it's the return f Ullmark as much as anything that has kept some of this closer or led to a win. If he'd been here all season it wouldn't have put us in the playoffs, but it might have won us a few. The Dahlin thing will be interesting to see. He came in too fast with a desperate team and didn't learn his defensive fundamentals early with a slow easing in as it should have been and then he struggled as they tried to make him more defensively responsible and now he's let loose and on the surface it seems better but the question will be if any of that defensive teaching stuck or can be built on. If not, he's going to end up like Gardiner was in Toronto. Big points producer but a total liability come playoff time. I'd rather not follow that path.

Definitely seems to be the case. Creative, but a little sketchy and it it sets a precedent the league might change the rules in the future. maybe. Tampa definitely a contender again if they weren't already. Columbus looks like they are going to go rebuild so Torts might be available season end after all.