Gabrielor

I'm not sure I give him one, unless he's coming back at basically the same number. He's out until December. You can't have a critical top 4 piece missing while you're trying to get a good jump on an important season.

Yeah, I grew to hate the Rangers this year. It's probably 95% Eichel-trade-entitlement-NY-*****, but still, their team is pretty unlikeable.

That's the right approach to take when doing these exercises. Be pleasantly surprised if Adams can come under. This organization hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt. The rookies playing well still doesn't excuse the pretty poor showing on the Hall deal. Adams is still a baby-faced rookie.

What? Waive as in waive to the minors. Waiving someone != buying them out. I agree buying out Okposo is stupid to do, which is why I never suggested it. This is that nonsense misrepresenting of a post for a zinger they always do on hfboards that I despise...

For sure. Unless something ridiculous is available (I'd hypothetically be interested in Matthew Tkachuk, for instance), leave forward alone. It needs to be supplemented (checking center, and a pugilist), but those are orbit adds. Leave this new core to blossom into whatever it's going to turn in to. On that topic, no deals more than 2 years for any young player not named Dahlin. We don't truly know what's what yet, so cheap bridges everywhere! Lastly, some cuts. Eakin/Okposo need to go. Eakin especially, but Okposo....it's over man. It's been sad to watch for a while. I'd prefer to waive both.

8 years, 8 million per. Not afraid, because he's consistent, and tv movie is coming.

This is subject to change in 3-4 weeks, since I don't know who'll get upset in the 1st round and make talent available yet. Right now, I wouldn't really touch forward at all. Find a 4th line checking center, and a 4th line depth pugilist, but that's about it. Also, retain Sheahan. Skinner Eichel Bjork Olofsson Reinhart Cozens Asplund Mittelstadt Ruotsalainen Girgensons Boyd/Cizikas/Copp/VETERAN Thompson/Face-puncher Sheahan Defense, that'll need work. First, TRADE RISTO. IT IS TIME. Try to shake off Miller to Seattle, and let's add a few vets. I'll listen on retaining McCabe, but injuries are a big concern. I don't have names to chase, yet, still working on it. Dahlin Jokiharju VETERAN VETERAN Samuelsson Borgen Bryson Goalie is equal parts luck and also where your most work should be part of. Ullmark should be retained, but a legit backup also needs to be found, and if there's a starter better than Ullmark available, definitely listen. Ullmark VETERAN It's a polarizing off-season. Adams has to score at least 90% on this test. There is hope though. Get Reinhart signed long term, and let this young group grow.

It's a tad disingenuous to go back to Little League with Drury, but cleverly skip to college for Eichel. He won the U18 Gold as 1C.

Athletic talent? Eichel, by country mile. Complete hockey ability? Eichel still wins probably Accomplishments? Drury's currently ahead by a fair bit

Tage is the guy I have the most questions about (he's always slow to read the transition play, he think he has way more time with the puck than he does, and he can't finish despite a killer shot), but there's enough that I'd still rather keep him, especially on that contract.

When's the last time we've signed a Bjork or Borgen in Free Agency? We routinely get Benoit Pouliot's and Seth Griffith's, and then we draft Connor Hurley's and Vaclav Karabacek's with late 2nds. I prefer the known, and while may not last this high in the lineup, I have infinitely more faith in him than the dice roll of the 50th pick in this draft, 4 years from now.

I've read and done a great deal of debate of forwards exposed and whether it should be Asplund, Thompson, Bjork, Girgensons, etc. The answer I've landed on, is pay a 2nd-3rd pick and keep them all. I'd much rather have Tage Thompson than Boston's 2nd pick in this super volatile draft. Adams should be on that wavelength too. Pay in extra futures accrued to protect your current growing core, because we don't know who's a flash and who's a keeper yet.

I'm ready to do a 7-8 year Reinhart deal, if he'll take it. Sam's a core piece, and the answer to the 2C question at last.

Samuelsson needs to stop being partnered with Ristolainen. I'd love to see some of that. Dahlin Jokiharju Bryson Borgen Samuelsson Miller or Samuelsson Laaksonen Samuelsson's been solid. He's made some mistakes, and some jittery plays, but also some really noticeable positives (especially vs NYR) The problem is Ristolainen makes dumbass plays routinely, and is also currently playing the worst 3-4 games stretch I've ever seen him play. Bench him so we can get a better look.

This is definitely the correct answer. Pretty cut and dry. It is however, no longer death valley behind them, since Mittelstadt, Jokiharju, etc. have returned to the positive.

-Upgrade your goaltending -Make sure this is Ristolainen's last season as a Sabre -Don't ***** around and get cute with your forward depth suddenly; just let it grow. That's what I've got out of the Granato era thus far

Really love him and Borgen, and the element they bring. They need the right partners though (speed).

Peterka is ***** exciting. Potential top line winger. Johnson is a surefire NHL D. Very mobile. Portillo sounds like a fantastic pick, from people who know goalies better than me. I'd love all 3 to be in Rochester next year if possible.

Broadly: Elite talent at key positions Team-wide chemistry Timely goaltending More acutely, often (but not always): (I'm going to use 09-10 Blackhawks, the last cup winner I loved) -An elite scorer (Kane, Hossa) -A top-tier defensive center (Toews) -An all-situations Top d pair that can be shutdown and also score (Keith, Seabrook) -Different impact elements in the bottom 9 / bottom 4: Bolland(shutdown c) Campbell(top 4 mobile d) Hjalmarsson(top 4 shutdown d) Byfuglien(size + PP specialist) Versteeg,Sharp,Ladd (opportunistic depth scorer) Niemi(goalie getting hot at right time) Madden(still useful veteran center) Eager(size + pugilist) -Team chemistry (they had it in abundance The team they beat (Philly) also had everything on this list...except timely goaltending.

I imagine in a normal year, both would be here playing imminently/already. Given COVID quarantine issues, it looks like neither will play this year, despite the abundance of room on the Amerks roster.

C Eichel A Reinhart A Mittelstadt Atm. Risto is traded, so no letter.

Power is my guy. #1

Ideal 3rd line in the Vanek Roy afinogenov mold next year. Thompson has been the weakest of the three, and sadly, is probably also the one we expose. skinner Eichel reinhart bjork Cozens r2 Asplund mitts Olof/Thompson girgensons dcenter puncher

My exact thoughts. Eakin clearly is in the doghouse (AND COMPLETELY EARNED 100% OF IT). Drake in, Eakin to Rochester. He won't be a Sabre next year either way. Start the process way.

Tbf, I wouldn't want to talk to Harrington/Hamilton regularly either. I'm in Sam's camp there.