PerreaultForever

Well it's not Gallant. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/new-york-rangers-hire-gerard-gallant-head-coach/ takes me one small step closer to the door.

I don't think trying to sign ANY big name big money free agent is a good idea. Guys in their late 20s like him are either looking for a contender because they care about winning and want a cup OR they no longer care and they just want cash and that's what Buffalo would get because clearly, at this point, we are not a contender. I suspect Philly will go heavy on trying to land Hamilton. They're going to go after D one way or another that's for sure. Toronto says they are going to bring in a "big name surprise" so who knows what that is perhaps Hamilton. In any event, I don't think this is the right approach. Better to draft Power and let this team grow with youth. But yes, trade Risto. many possible destinations. Now is the time.

idk. they're all bad last few years. This, the tank, last year because of the expectation of being better, the complete collapse after the hot start that year, all of them suck. The dull apathetic hockey at the start of this season certainly in the running though. Sad we have this thread at all.

Ya but they did cheat. Yes, the rules are there and they exploited them, but the real issue relates to Kucherov's actual health. If he comes back when he's actually healthy, they don't have cap room to add Savard and they are over the cap. So they hold him out until the first game of the playoffs. The way he played game 1, stamina, level of compete etc. it was clear to anyone with even half a brain that he was not just coming off an injury. Clearly he was in peak conditioning and had been ready for a while. That's the cheating. The failure by the league, which also lets it happen , is they do not have a provision for independent medical examination of players in this sort of situation. So you can argue it's not "cheating" but it is a clear abuse of the rules and as far as I'm concerned that is cheating. If it was the Sabres that had done it I'd say sure they cheated but I'd be okay with it. As I'm not a Tampa fan I'm not okay with it. They are the cheaters and I loved the Islanders beating them and hope they win the series. Hell let them win the cup. The takeaway for Sabres fans with the Islanders success should be - see, it's okay to lose your star player/captain, life and success can go on. You can in fact be better. Coach, goaltender, team D, that's the model. Follow it.

nolan patrick plus ? for Seth Jones is the latest rumour I read.

Friedman seems to have us moving Reinhart all over. First he said Merzlikins, now he's saying LA actually wants Sam and maybe not Jack or maybe it's both. Sometimes I think Friedman is just an old lady gossip.

I'd do it without the throw in. So Lindholm Comtois and the pick for Eichel. If there was a way to get Zegras I'd prefer that.

Good news though. the Bruins moved up a little in the draft to 20th so that second rounder is a little better.

I don't know about that. I don't think attitude (for lack of a better catch all word) was part of Murray's considerations. Lehner had huge issues, Bogo was an addict, ROR was a bit of a drunk, Eichel wasn't multi problemed but there were a few questions about him, and Kane, well no point to even comment there. I'd also add the second effort level of people like Reinhart but that leads to the usual arguments and tangents so leave that as a matter of opinion. We haven't had many players in a long time that were devoted and committed like Briere was or Peca, others. I know it's a new era and these rich guys are maybe harder to keep in line or keep them motivated but there are still those types out there. Cousins definitely is. Peterka I think is as well. When your leaders are like that it rubs off or even guilts others into the same level. Every year I read comments from ex players about how "it was a great bunch of guys" but "it just didn't work for some reason" but rarely (never?) do I see players here commenting on a pursuit of excellence and a need to win and be better. Taking it on themselves.

I don't. I love his attitude and hope he's as good as we think he might be. Then I want him and Cousins and Power (?) and whoever else to collectively lead this team.

Eichel for Crosby. Wow. That's a good one. Sure give Pittsburgh another decade.

No need to act like a dick Terry.

Nope. Disagree 100 percent. On all of it. Every single word.

I don't think so. He didn't do much for Phoenix in their attempt before and he busted here too and they will consider that. There will be some "but it's Buffalo" talk in the negotiations but I think his reputation is shot. Doubt anybody rolls the dice on him with a huge deal. Remember there were not a ton of suitors at that high level when he signed here. Bruins might offer him a deal but it'll be at a 2nd line level so 4 million, maybe 5 at the most but with less term. Anybody who pays him more than that is nuts.

Anybody but the Cheaters, but they will probably win. One would assume it'll be Vegas and Tampa fairly easily but those two mucking hard work teams have gotten this far so who knows. With Cheaterov the Tamp PP is lethal but then again those NYSaints don't take many penalties so with great goaltending they have a chance. A longshot, but a chance.

You have this assbackwards Terry (or are you Kim?) . These guys you list off with their broken spirits are supposed to be the leaders. the very guys who define the team attitude. They're simply the wrong guys. If we'd just named ROR captain and not worshipped Jack and Sam until they earned it (in the playoffs) this might have all gone differently............

Jack this Jack that. Jack isn't Jack is.................I'm not a fan of the Buffalo Jacks but the Sabres. I personally just don't want to hear about Jack any more and want to move on...........just like that divorce metaphor.

One day when Vegas has a crap team their fans won't know how to handle losing:) Damn team has been winning since they came into existence. Built from the bottom up with a strong culture and strong goaltending.............just sayin'. Add the talent AFTER you build the base properly.

Well it does look like he wants out of Philly. https://www.phillyvoice.com/nhl-trade-rumors-flyers-nolan-patrick-changed-agent-chuck-fletcher-restricted-free-agent/

Personally I wouldn't be surprised if the Bruins went with Vlader and Swayman next year. Rask might sign with somebody like Toronto, but I think he might also retire. I actually think Ullmark might sign here as he will get a bunch of 2nd string type offers (and the accompanying money) but we will be one of the only ones offering him starting money and term. Not sure it'll be a great idea, I'm 50/50 on it, but I think he will be signed by Buffalo. But who knows.

Oh come on, you can see it on the bench. Eichel smashes his sticks sulks, hangs his head. Reinhart just sits there like he's elsewhere. You don't see them encouraging, interacting, talking to the new guys, etc. You watched them. You see how the good teams behave. It's damn obvious they are not leaders. Risto will hit some people or play hard and he's fine actually, it's just psychologically I think he's a little broken. Exaggerated expectations, years of losing, it's just time. I think he tried his best, he's just not that #1 guy he was told he was. Skinner? He's just a useless piece of *****. No comments on him.

lol, we can, but history says otherwise. I think they might even walk away from Rask leaving themselves with a boatload of cash and cap room to try a different second line.

It's the way the pieces fit together (or don't fit in this case) and how the TEAM plays as a while and interacts with each other. the lack of identity, pride, etc. That has to be fixed. Current core can't lead and this is already proven.

Here's the thing though, it's not a rebuild. We haven't built anything in the last decade so there's no "re". It's just been a bunch of people standing around a round hole trying to fit square pegs into it from different angles. Time to dig a new hole and pour a foundation into it.

I'm with you. People keep saying we tried this and comparing it to tanking, but it's not the same thing at all. With the tank the cupboard was bare and the starting point was Eichel with a side order of Reinhart. We have a different youthful group that can be brought along together as a team of equals. We just need to find a goalie, draft Power and build out with what we have and what we get for the big 3. I once again tell the doubters to consider the Islanders as an example of what you can do removing your centerpiece star and building with a good goalie and a solid NHL coach. Remember too they got absolutely nothing for Tavares. We will get stuff for Eichel/Reinhart/Risto. Follow the model though. Do that.