PerreaultForever

Yes, this is true. The problem is that Benson should NOT stand out like this. We shouldn't be noticing how different he is because the other guys should already be like that. If Benson was on Vegas or Boston or Dallas or Florida.........(insert winning playoff team you prefer) they'd just be saying "we like this kid and his effort, he fits in and plays the right way". He might not even be in some of their playoff lineups but they'd be quite happy with his progress and future role. He shouldn't be standing out but everything's relative.

Okay so when you say the Sabres "can" you really mean you wish they would, because they don't do any of those 4 things (at least not regularly). Given the youth, size, and speed of this team I think they could be developed into a strong forecheck team like Florida, but only if these players respond and so far they've shown little willingness to do so (aside from Benson and a couple others at times). The current team has a long way to go to get to the 4 things you mention. At this point we don't really know for sure if Granato was asking them to do these things and they just weren't, or weren't able, or if he didn't ask them to do these things and was just a bad coach. We really don't know. This is why I am happy with the return of Ruff. We know he will ask them to do these things and I am 100% sure that if they do not, and do not respond to Lindy, then they are a pile of garbage and you might as well burn the whole thing down. I don't think that's the case. I think Ruff will fix them. Maybe not get them all the way, but right the ship and get it headed in the right direction.

Skinner needs to be gone. We can afford him. Somebody might have to go at some point but that's a new reality I'm happy to deal with rather than discussing draft lotteries every year.

Both young. Both have weaknesses. Neither is a proven commodity. I am hopeful they will continue to develop and become solid NHL goalies but they might have some ups and downs still getting there. Goalies are weird and fragile (mentally more than physically).

Huh? Sabres could? How? But yes, Hintz at the end there was a great example of what it takes in the playoffs to succeed. Warrior stuff.

? What's your point? Pick out the few guys who are different and claim you've proven something? How many tough physical defensive defensemen does this team have? How many solid 2 way forwards? How many actual grinders? Go ahead, take your time. You want to argue let's argue.

Very possible. Mitts is another. One thing about Florida that doesn't get enough talk imo is how quietly good Barkov is. You take Reinhart away from him and I'm pretty sure he doesn't put up the same numbers. It's a combo a little like Bergeron Marchand. Reinhart obviously not ratty like Marchand, but that steady 2 way ability of his partner frees up his creativity and allows him to do so much more.

No doubt, but it's not like when Chris Pronger's wife didn't want to live in Edmonton, it's Seattle. It's an imperfect city, but it's pretty darn nice. Brind'Amour almost certainly stays in Raleigh, BUT if there was one situation he might go to, this is it.

Nah, I'm still hoping Ruff can turn Cozens into a solid NHLer. Cozens needs to get taken back to the compete level he had when he arrived. The workhorse has to get working and add some muscle. I think he can be fixed and if we add a good 2 way 2C I can see him thrive much like Coyle did in Boston on the third line behind Bergeron and Krejci. When that 2C (like Lindholm) ages out Cozens will maybe actually be ready to ascend. If you have a better idea on a 2C (one who might be obtainable) by all means name him. I just think you have to seize the opportunity if it presents itself. The reality is I doubt Lindholm would want to sign with Buffalo anyway, so it's moot, but one has to dream at this point.

Panthers were better but the 2 disallowed goals were a bit dodgy imo. Florida scores a lot of goals in similar fashion that count (like pretty much every Tkachuk goal). If those goals are allowed outcome might have been different.

Who is exchanging? I'm talking about ADDING a free agent. Cozens at 3C could be a dominant player. I want to be a cap ceiling team next year not a cap floor team. I don't want to just improve a little bit, I want them to make the great leap forward. We need a good defensive 2 way center. He fits the role perfectly and you can see, in the playoffs, he's Vancouver's best center. Type of player we lack.

This is why I made the ? It is the one place he might go to and if he knows Francis will make him the highest paid coach in the league (unofficially of course as anything actual is tampering we know that) why wouldn't he go there on a long term deal? Raleigh might be a nice place, but Seattle is nicer.

I'm saying that Adams has drafted multiple versions of the same guy (at any position) and that's the team we have. Lots of the same guy all over but he has not filled the holes with the complimentary pieces the team needs. Most of the people we have weren't drafted by Adams, I know that. But he hasn't traded for what we need either. Byram was mentioned here by others and that's a perfect example. More of the same.

He is indeed out. How fast they fall from grace. Brind'Amour? Now that would be interesting.

Man that's cheap. Worst seat in the building for the Canucks season tickets was going for $2625 (not that is Canadian not American but still quite the difference) Cheapest Kraken tickets are around $40 U.S. I think, Although they do have some cheaper promotions for youth groups and whatnot.

Too many of the same/similar guy. This is pretty much Adam's draft history. Johnson doesn't impress me so I have no issue with him sent down to develop. He still has a lot to learn about playing D. (as do many of the D men on the roster). As to the title of the thread, wasting? screwed up? The expectation that he was ready to step into the NHL is the only screwed up thing. Heck, Power's not ready either.

Oh definitely all those 35 year olds should just slit their wrists and end it all. Life is over. I'm talking to you Crosby, Giroux, Burns, Pavelski, Marchand, etc. Seriously, no question the last year or two might be diminishing returns but he's still good for a number of years and just look what he's doing for Vancouver. You want to win or not?

He's worth more than Cozens. Caps really couldn't handle the pace. Ovi looked like the old guy he is.

Lindholm is exactly one of the things we need/could use.

Pettersson looking a lot like those star Leafs as well. Was good in open ice, not so much come playoff time.

lol, maybe the league would give it to Swayman (or somebody else) just for that reason. A lot of what you say is true. Three things on last year. One, Bergeron was playing hurt. Two, they weren't physical enough and although they had more talent, they had less real hard grit and Florida exploited that. Three, Ullmark wasn't as good as Bobrovski. Another guy who has impressed me this year is Geekie. The knock was always that he was too slow but he's developed into a hard nosed forward that has helped fill the Bergeron/Krejci void for them. Looking like a key FA signing. Good mileage out of retreads like Boquist as well. I don't think they can beat Florida or Carolina, but you never know.

Duclair's an oddity though isn't he? Nobody seems to want him long term. Not exactly sure what the issues are with him but I think there are issues.

Correct. This is what I am saying. This is what I want us to avoid. The are an open ice team that does not like to play in the trenches so to speak (talking about the core star players). We have quite a few guys who are like that as well unfortunately. I am hoping Ruff can get them out of this and most of them will become what they need to be now. Most of them are young enough there is still hope but at this point, those that do not start to do what it takes need to be moved on from. We will see how it shakes out soon enough.

Well that's true, but there are some similarities. My thoughts on this started way back when we were doing the Eichel-Reinhart-Skinner will save us approach and things are a bit better now but it depends on what KA does at this point. He's shown a tendency to invest heavily in players before they deserve it so if Power and Cozens don't get it together those will be bad overpays. With overpays on the roster other agents will ask for more as they will say "my guy outperformed that guy so pay him more" (simplistic, but you get the idea). Byram will be an issue. How much he pays Peterka and UPL will matter. That cap can runneth out pretty fast as the rookie and bridge deals end. This is part of the reason why I hope he is looking at moving some offensive up and coming talent for muckers and grinders who can balance this roster and they play for a LOT LESS. We are at a crossroads, and what we do this off season is crucial to what happens with this team in the next 5 years or so.

Well they haven't lost yet (but it doesn't look good). Bruins blew a 3-1 game lead last year with a better team roster so they could easily do it again. But ya, assuming Leafs do lose, the "core" they have is not going to ever get it done and collectively costs way too much to allow them to build a better team around them. This is why I say , we do not want to follow that model.