Broken Ankles

The only thing a line with ‘17’ as Center would be the “best” at is negative goal differential. Regardless of his pairings he is just no good. He needs to be bought out and erased from our memory banks. And if not Rochester Line #1, then 37 should be line #4. Adding two scorers would not improve his skill sets. Skinner scores because of Jack. 37 was a fail at 2C. He would get crushed as 1C.

Agree with assessment on Murray, but not better than Darcy. Darcy made some horrible trades, bad signings, and was rightfully fired In 2013....however he lasted 16 years as a GM, had three great seasons, and had incredible success in the later rounds of the draft. For most of the 2000’s, players he drafted (and possibly traded too- which loses credit) had far more games played and more points than players drafted by his peers. He also worked for two regimes that were cash strapped and forced to make questionable decisions with team salary. He also was hired almost immediately after his firing in Buffalo. Doubtful Murray gets anything other than scout (if he can stay off the sauce) in years to come. 2016 maybe too early to call, but his other drafts were a bust. He is by far the worst GM in Sabres history...so far.

I guess we have to define underwhelming. Smith only played 11 games, scored two goals and did not have a negative +/-. He showed better than Sobotka, Zemgus, Elie, Tage and better than Sherie for stretches. But the entire Sabres team was “underwheming” so maybe he qualifies. For me, he was sent back only b/c you have so many other commitments. And to develop on a winning team in Roch. Next year, I would much rather qualify Smith and cut bait with some other RFA’s. For me this call up is different than all of the others we have seen this year. Based on the players age, draft selection and where they fit organizationally. I hope Phil Housley gives this kid a fair shake in terms of line combination, although past history suggests this probably will not happen. We all know Nylander is not JB’s guy, so maybe there is a bit of a microscope to see if he has any future here. Might also be a good move for ratings. I know I’ll watch, and not so sure I could have said that yesterday post game.

McDavid got two. Jack gets two.

Ferland shoots L and plays LW, same as Skinner. Therefore not playing on the first line. I would still love to see him him on the Left with Sam and real 2C. As in JT Miller, Hayes, etc. And if $5m AAV is overpaying, i’m in.

I’m surprised to see so few comments regarding the Dahlin hit to Rantanen. Quite aggressive game by Dahlin. Nice to see him show some heart. He could see a game or fine for the elbow to the head.

I’ll take any of them, as they are all clearly superior to Gilbert, Rick, Danny et al. ?

In Rochester

I respect many of his other takes. Just saying I cannot see any GM/pro scout looking at this guy and saying “Yeah, I need some that”. and willing to take on a $3.5m cap hit on top of it. Do you?

There is no way anyone takes Vlad without a “sweetener”. He should be bought out in June. My only concern is that he isn’t b/c he is tied to a certain trade, and the optics would confirm a sense of failure for JB. A good market trader recognizes a bad investment and is not afraid to sell. A great trader recognizes a bad investment and “short sells”. In this analogy going one step beyond a Vlad buyout is starting Tage in Roch next year.

Robin, is that you?

Wilson scores? Patrick Kane gives puck up in his D zone to lose the game? Yes please.

Good stuff. I’ll add he double downed on the “right now” by suggesting Dahlin will be in his prime soon and Jack is in his prime now. I’ve shared this before but the timeline is not on Jack. JB has a plan to develop the blue line and it is tied to Rasmus playing first line minutes. I’ll reiterate your point. He is only 18. Drew Doughty dominated by year 3/4. Rasmus will do the same, but not next year either. He made a lot of other salient points, especially the goaltending (and I think you added and I agree - timely goaltending). Or was that Perrault Forever, I forget....... Some questionable decision on line ups by PH, sure. But our time is not right now. There is no acceleration needed.

Is there any data out there on defensive pairings/combinations relative to league average? Because it seems that PH changes far too frequently instead of keeping consistency. Injuries and call ups notwithstanding. I even see mid-game changes that are puzzling.

I assume you’re referencing Free Falling. But there are so many others that fit this motif. How about ‘break down’ or Even the Losers’? Or ‘Yer so bad’? Or ‘You got Lucky’ (on that 10 game streak)?

Don’t forget the two seconds to the two firsts in 2015 to make 4 picks in the top 43 in what was widely touted as a deep draft. I like LGR’s point that says the draft drops off at 20. Trading 4 picks in a deep draft vs 1 (and maintaining three) in a perceived shallow one is not irresponsible. But he needs to deliver. We could (and have) argued about the outside factors affecting the O’Reilly deal. There is no safety net of excuses in this trade. It simply must work.

Agreed. I think the fact he wasn’t traded means he has an intent to stay. Just think his agent now has “more hand” so to speak. In terms of AAV. As noted in multiple posts, JBs signings have been both hit and miss. He can not afford to lose this, giving advantage to Skinner.

He’s lost all his leverage. Skinner holds all the cards. His agent knows JB can not afford to lose him. He has seen what Stone was extended for in Vegas. I think it’s $9.1m/8 years or he tests.

Problem is 5 of them have contracts that extend into 2020 and beyond. I can see trading Scandella in the offseason and Sobotka could be a buyout candidate but it will take creativity to rid yourself of some of these.

What’s your source? Hopefully not the Harvard sports analysis that’s almost 10 years old and reviews only NFL, as does Football outsiders or Aaron Schotz.

Toronto has established a comfortable lead over MTL in third place, and will be a heavy favorite at home. A loss to Buffalo would not have the same effect as Buffalo losing to Toronto. Buffalo is expected to lose. Just saying that this dynamic could (not will) affect the Leafs mindset coming into the game. If anything, based on recent history and the Sabres inability to string back to back regulation wins I would expect them to follow that trend. But if the team has any mettle, this game (divisional opponent, road game, superior talent) could serve as a decisive rallying point. Before you can win 10, or 5 in a row, you need to win two. If they want to change the narrative, this situation sets up nicely....imho.

Leafs had an emotional and physical game tonight against MTL, down 3-0 in the first coming back to win 6-3. But much closer than the score indicates. They are due to have a let down. Continue the momentum in Toronto.

Rob Ray is the Matt Ellis of Color commentators.

Can anyone explain why Sobotka was on the ice with 2+ minutes to go in the game? He didn’t make any horrific mistakes....but wasn’t it more probable than not he would? I can see a path to his buyout in June.

Confucius