PerreaultForever

I don't think he will want to. Unlike Granato, I think Ruff is going to instill a certain level day one and what Lindy wants is a place where he sets that bar and he doesn't have to worry about problem children. Everyone works for that bar and beyond 24/7. And if you don't, you sit or you're gone. They already know from the Kreuger time that Skinner will just shut down and float if pressed or asked to do what he doesn't want to do. They want to avoid that.

I know and I said it would be a gamble of sorts but I've seen a few Flyers games where Laughton looked pretty good. He's a different kind of player than lots of what we have so I think he could fill a role. Now as for the analytics, what's to "understand"? Stats with correlations of what happened when somebody was on or off the ice. Computers have made them possible. Some people want to rely on them more than other people. We differ on their value. It's not important. There are better players to fill that role. Absolutely. Can we get them though? That's the question. If he goes anywhere it's likely Ottawa anyway so no worries.

Quite possibly. Stats don't measure character, motive, and effort level though. They just give you the result not the cause. Will Laughton play differently here or on another team idk. Some thing so though. Don't know if KA is one of them or not. An AI GM would base all it's decision making on the stats fed into it. It would be 100% analytics. You'd love it. Press conferences probably wouldn't change at all 🙂

Oh we all know the stats never get things wrong. Really, we should just use AI for our next GM. There's no question Laughton has been crap in Philly but it's a little like PLD. He isn't happy there. doesn't like Torts, wants to be traded, etc etc. Sure, it's a gamble in some ways but he is a classic "needs a new start" kind of guy. Is he my preference? Absolutely not. Still say he'd make us better though. Highly possible, and if it did happen it would be because Giroux told them good things about him.

I disagree with your assessment of their abilities but likely we will never have to worry about any of this anyway. It's all just talk and speculation at the moment.

I don't agree. While I don't think Laughton and DesLauriers are worth that pick, adding them to the roster and not losing anything from the roster makes the team better and if that's what KA has to do to turn the corner then do it. Maybe Kane is out there saying do something to make the team better and I will consider joining? Other free agents might feel the same. Here's a team that is really serious about taking the leap forward. I truly don't care what or how many prospects or picks we give up this year if it means we get in the playoffs and have turned things around. We've been cautious, frugal and prudent for long enough.

He's too slow. That's really all there is to it.

Well yes, I said this several posts back. You can make arguments for keeping him using logic and evaluating his stats and salary cap numbers and so forth, and a few have, but that misses the intangibles that come into play. That is the crux of the matter. There is no dollar amount you can place on team culture. That's the real point, and if Ruff does want him gone, that is what it is all about.

No. The fact you included yourself is why I said "sideways".

I could see Adams trading the pick for Laughton AND DesLauriers. Not in any way suggesting that is good value necessarily. Just that I could see him doing it. It would make the Sabres a better team right now. Buy out Skinner and replace him with Konecny? Yes. Sure. Couturier idk. That very bad back. He couldn't handle a whole season. When healthy very good, but, that would be a huge gamble.

Oh my such a fierce sideways scratch from kitty. The "knowledgeable" vs. the "grumpy old obsessives" Me-Ow. There are fans, and then there are people who understand hockey. They are not always the same. But just look over this topic. The vast majority do not want Skinner. There is just argument over this year or next year or lower line etc. There isn't any skepticism or rebuttal over the idea that Ruff might want him gone. Consider that for your knowledge base.

Not controversial. Popular. Afterwords, somewhere in the world Kreuger will go "now they do it".

Good question. It's a head scratcher. With the fighter talk I did wonder about DesLauriers but I can't see them moving Tippett. He was one of the guys Torts actually liked and used and they signed him to term. Laughton and Frost are Flyers that are definitely being offered around.

No need to be sorry. I hope it gives you much pleasure.

okay this was strange to read.

Yes, I would agree with that. Krebs as 3C will be disastrous but I'd rather keep Krebs as 4C then re-signing Zemgus. Ideally I'd want the 4th line to be like Philly's. Hathaway type - Krebs - DesLauriers type. Krebs will need to go to face off school though and keep working on his D. Aren't you in a heat dome? Maybe the AC wasn't working well 🙂

Except, it's not about goals. It's about changing the team dynamics and the culture this team currently doesn't have. Unless you look at this as the moment they finally right the ship and start doing things properly. For the moment, until proven wrong, I have to look at the return of Ruff as the moment we start to get back on track. If Ruff wants Skinner gone, get him gone, simple as that. There must be no compromise. Ruff must get what he wants. If Ruff cannot fix this we are well and truly f'd.

It depends where you draw that line in how much they play or how much they are able to play. This is why I say Jeannot is the best option even if it's an overpay in trade because he isn't a horrible player. imo the 4th line guys don't have to get you much offense but they do have to not cost you goals against. If the guy is an energy guy/hitter/fighter etc. but he's defensively responsible then you have a valuable asset that will help guys like Cozens play a lot larger and you will get your added offense there. It's a team thing, not an individual thing. How it ALL fits together. We haven't had that for a long time. We need it badly.

I've never thought of that. Could a team trade someone away while still playing in the playoffs? It's never happened and that would be the ultimate kick in the teeth and I suspect that would destroy your locker room. You couldn't add a player so no one would ever do this but technically I guess, if you've played a game you get on the cup.

Boston fans going batshit crazy right now over Ullmark rumors.

@Thorny is running to be president of the Jeff Skinner fan club. His dream is to sit between two stalls.

Not really. As long as the two teams playing aren't involved you can do whatever you want. The window before free agency is short so some teams want to get things done (or not) so they can go into free agency (and the draft) with clear plan A's or plan B's. Maybe Ovi will get his buddy Putin to threaten poisoning him if he doesn't play hard. It's a gamble for sure.

Their on ice style and persona changed entirely. You have forgotten this but if you compare the way they played before that move to after it is night and day. Yes, it's Brind'Amour, but he needed a locker room he could work with.

There's been talk now and again that Adams plan is to copy Carolina. I am hoping this is also part of that plan.

idk if he is the one they HAVE to move but I'd certainly explore this if I was KA and I'd make a strong attempt to land him. He is one of the toughest heavyweights, isn't too old yet, and isn't a complete liability on the ice either.