Flashsabre

I didn’t even notice that. I was too confused by the article already at that point.😁 Yeah someone messed up a basic assignment here.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/los-angeles-kings-sign-goaltender-erik-portillo-to-three-year-entry-level-contract-1.2165796 can someone explain this to me. He had to be signed already by LA. Did they mean a 3 year extension?

Draft spot goes out the window once the draft is over. Development is not linear for all players. It is such an imperfect science trying to project what a player will develop into. If you look at the OHL draft 16 year old kids are picked early and 2 years later many don’t get chosen to the NHL. There was just a story locally about a kid drafted 6th overall in the OHL who was passed over in the NHL draft and is going to Columbus’ camp. I think OA the Sabres have done a pretty good job of drafting and developing lately. They have a lot of players that look like they have pro potential. The one argument I see that I don’t agree with is “this player was drafted at this spot and a few players behind him have already made the NHL” Every player’s development is different and it is about a career not a debut date. I think Konsta is a good player but his timeline doesn’t negatively affect any of the other young players developing. Kulich, Rosen, Östlund will develop at their own paces and contribute when they are ready.

We’ve all seen that these young cores don’t mean much unless those crucial steps are taken to surround them with successful veteran talent to lead the way. Let’s see what Grier and co. Can do to build up the Sharks.

Johnson should be the runaway favorite at this point. He is ready to rotate into that D corps.

Yager is a good kid and player. I think Winnipeg will have come out ahead in this deal when all is said and done.

Are Winnipeg fans happy with the deal? Yager is a Western Canadian kid so he’ll fit well in Winnipeg.

I think both are wingers. Mckenna is as a WHL player. And I don’t think the Pens can have that much draft luck😁 To think the Pens have drafted Mario, Jagr, Sid and Malkin and the Oilers got Gretzky, Messier, Coffey, McDavid, Leon Two franchises blessed with some of the best players ever (and I’m not putting Leon and Malkin on the level with the others but superstars that partnered with the best players in the game)

Yep Yager for McGroaty.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/were-players-who-spoke-out-against-patrik-laine-and-elvis-merzļikins-traded-to-protect-them Interesting read. Sounds like Laine has a lot of baggage with him.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/flyers-terminating-ryan-johansens-contract-due-to-material-breach/

He is payed like a star. I wasn’t comparing the returns. I was comparing two players that were getting paid a lot of money, were damaged goods at the time of the trade and the team moving them didn’t want to retain any salary.

They paid a 2nd to get rid of him with no retention. Sort of like the Eichel trade in they were trying to move a star player who is damaged goods in his current state and don’t want to retain on a big salary. Eichel trade worked out for Vegas. Have to see how Laine does in Montreal.

Is he?

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/lightning-working-on-sale-for-value-close-to-2-billion/

All 3 Canadians are impressive. Ivankovic is a really good goalie at a young age. Bedard’s cousin, McKenna is a special talent.

Whatever happened to Mersch? Did he sign on with anybody?

Lance confirms it’s Sabres or Amerks for Konsta this season

He had 50 points last season so he replaces Skinner’s production last year and is 24 so he still has some upward mobility. It would probably be Krebs and a pick/prospect going back. I see Greenway as a guy Ruff would like for his size and defensive chops. See him rotating in the bottom 6.

I think Farabee would give offensive depth in the top 6 and round out the top 9: Farabee Tage Tuch JJ Cozens Quinn Benson McLeod Zucker Beck Lafferty NAK You can switch JJ and Farabee. I just love the chemistry between JJ and Quinn. Farabee is a 24 year old from the NY area with good speed. He does score from in front of the net too.

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2024/08/nhl-trade-rumors-sabres-flyers-linked.html

He is definitely in the Benson mode of he will be an NHLer sooner rather than later. Both players have elite brains and motors. Konsta obviously has better size and strength at 18. I expect him in Rochester this season with a call up if things are going well for him during the season.

If he is healthy I expect a “I can’t believe the step Quinn took this year” season from him.

McLeod is a good centre. He is what the doctor ordered at 3C. If Helenuis turns into a Lundell in a couple years then they are in good shape down the middle. I don’t know what the plan with Krebs is. Is he 13th forward, is he moved as part of a trade for a top 6 winger? That Sabres video sure indicated that they love the new 4th line.

There is no need for Helenius to start the year in Buffalo. Start him in Rochester and if he blows the doors off then figure something out. A solid AHL season and he can be called up if a major injury happens.