Torpedo Forecheck

No one is pining for a team full of goons. The pendulum has swung too far the other way, with the Sabres at least. You should have a couple physical tough guys on the third and fourth lines, and a guy or 2 on defense who can answer the bell when needed. You don't sound like someone who's played much hockey. I will just say this, there is a breed of player who will take cheapshots in moments where they can get away with it. And, when a team gets a reputation for being soft, these guys come out of the woodwork. The great Montreal Canadiens teams used to routinely have the fewest penalty minutes in the league, but routinely taking shots at their skill stars wasn't tolerated. They were as tough as anybody in the league when needed.

"Braveheart" Cernak is not. He's the kind of fake tough guy who sees who the other team has and acts accordingly. Wouldn't be in the league if he had to account for his actions.

I think the pendulum may have swung too far away from tough, physical hockey. At one point in time it had swung too far in favor of goonism and defense. I applaud trying to bring more skill into the game. Having said that, a balance needs to be struck. There a players out on the ice, we all know who they are, and they are playing like they are courageous-but they're really cowards. If they had to pay the piper for their actions they wouldn't be playing. Cernak is one of these phony brave guys.This is an emotional sport, and if you have a team full of guys who can't get fired about a teammate being cheapshot, I don't know what to tell you other than you have the wrong players.

Agreed! I actually think he's closer to Top 10 in the world forwards. I firmly believe on a better team, having more support, he would be much more productive.

Who's available? I'm not giving him away, but I'd have to think there is a package out there somewhere. I mean its not like he a superstar, I'd explore it though. Yeah I wasn't around then, but that was reported. Personally, I found it surprising, I coached against Ryan and he was always a high character guy.

That was a bad trade

Cute. Personally I'd trade Reinhart for a lot of other things.

Of course this is the answer. I mean, how does anyone arrive at the conclusion we aren't getting anything in return? Everyone has a price.

Yes!!!!!

You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts. Why insult people who disagree with you, some of them may know something. PS the Power Play hasn't been working with Reinhart doing what you say he does.

I don't think he's saying that at all. Rebounds, traffic and chaos are created in the slot and around the net. Most goals come from that area, and it causes the PK to collapse opening up spaces for guys like Reinhart.

Good post! I also remember Larry Robinson in front. I used to do the same with some of my teams when I was coaching.

Terrific Period. Unexpected

Cozens scored is last game and now up to 16 goals in 22 games. Good to see.

I wasn't disappointed, but I thought the same thing- that ice is pretty darn thin!?

Give me a list and I'll tell you, I don't know who's available, but there are rumors of certain guys that would help.

AHHHH!!!!!!

LOL. I hope he gets hit by a truck.

Tonight feels like a 5-2 or 6-2 type loss, hope I'm wrong. Bu,t the way things have been trending, I just don't see it changing against the defending conference champs. Make a ***** move JBOT!!!!!

Agreed! And, a defenseman has the game in front of him alot, as opposed to a forward where it's swirling around him. Make a ***** trade JB!!!

He's scored 16, 16 and 17 so far in his career. He hasn't played like it this year for sure. But the 15 level seems to be a reasonable expectation for him going into the season.

For me, it feels much worse than the Bills playing the Pats back a few years ago.

I'm not saying I agree with Vesey being moved to the top line, but I wonder if this is the reasoning. 1. Olofsson has been awful 5v5 and if Jack and Sam are out against B,M&P, perhaps having a PK guy like Vesey out helps defensively. 2. Vesey returning to Boston and an attempt to get him going on the scoreboard, I mean he is more of a 15 goal scorer, not a zero scorer like this year. It's a bit like shuffling the chairs on the Titanic as you guys implied. Move Skinner up and the other lines suck. I worry about Mitts and Oloffson on ice against BMP, and they'll have last change.

Sheldon Keefe will do a great job, he will have them humming on all cylinders.

Perhaps more