26CornerBlitz

The 1st and 2nd line guys should be drafted and developed. With all of the ammunition in the hands of Darcy and the FO in the next few years, hopefully the right players will be acquired to fill those roles. I know that the 3rd line can't always matchup, that's why some offensive ability needs to be present. Speaking of chemistry, that's why I said Bickell and Stalberg I'd like to go after.

We (The Sabres) have so many 3rd liners, so which line is the matchup against Staal, Semin, and Tlusty? :rolleyes: Just one example of a line that had their way against the Sabres.

If the Sabres roster has so many 3rd liners as you say. Why were they so bad at matching up against top lines with some of these so called 3rd liners? It's more like the Sabres have lots of question marks and marginal NHL talents. Porter is exhibit A of a marginal NHL player IMO regardless of any chemistry with Flynn. There's a reason why we saw such putrid hockey last year. Yet many continue to extoll the virtues of some of the passionless and marginally talented players on the current roster.

Patience paying off for Bickell, Hawks: http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9336895/brian-bickell-emergence-key-chicago-blackhawks Bickell's ability to play on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa or to slide down to the third line makes him a valuable and versatile commodity. "He's always had the ability, but to me what's made the difference over the last year or two is his maturation both physically but also in terms of thinking the game," an NHL scout from an Eastern Conference team, who has worked Chicago games during these playoffs, told ESPN.com. "He's a more mature player, understands what he needs to do to be successful. For power forwards, that takes a while sometimes in this league to figure that out." Bickell scored a career-high 17 goals in 78 games in 2010-11, his first full NHL season, dropped to nine goals last season, and then had nine goals in just 48 games in this lockout-shortened season. He appears to have figured things out in terms of what it takes to succeed at this level as a power forward.

You just continue your infatuation with a 5'5" player who you call a 3rd liner. Gerbe is simply incapable of fulfilling a 1st or 2nd line and especially not a 3rd line role. Tells me all I need to know about your hockey acumen. My wanting Bickell and Stalberg for that matter goes back to before any playoff hot streak. You've obviously not watched either of these players at any length based on your commentary, so who's offering knee-jerk responses? That would be you. Guess you're in love with Porter too because he tries hard.

I know you don't :lol:

Nathan Gerbe...3rd liner. :lol: Doesn't belong in the NHL.

I agree. Carter patterning himself after Richards with dirty play.

Not exactly a mitigating factor IMO. Keith was careless/borderline reckless with his stick. He should be suspended, but I'm betting that he won't.

@Real_ESPNLeBrun As @tsnbobmckenzie reported, a 1030 am Pacific phone hearing for Duncan Keith Video of the incident: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=673000

You might be right, so of course you know when to walk away. A link to info on the Blackhawks' 3rd line this season: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/05/02/hoge-on-the-hawks-third-line-playing-with-something-to-prove/

We'll see how big of a raise he gets with the salary cap reduction coming. Teams will have to be much more prudent with their spending.

News to me

Yeah okay....blah blah blah.

Either way, they'll play with lots of Fizz.

Funny you should say that since Carter could have easily been left with one. Dangerous action by Keith. He deserves to sit. This comment alone tells me you know nothing about either player. But carry on.

Rumblings of a hearing for Duncan Keith. Shanaban coming? I'm guessing he gets off easy. @RealKyper Can confirm #NHL discipline hearing for#Blackhawk Keith regarding his high stick on #Kings Carter. Time TBD but will take place later 2day

Not unlike the LA Lakers....no lakes in LA last time I checked.

What's actually funny is throwing out random names from past failed transactions w/o judging individual players on their own merit.

I love Vanek, but he may very well be goner. Leino, I'd buy him out Stafford is a classic underachiever who needs a change. Kaleta is a fouth liner and PK guy. Flynn is a marginal NHL talent. Tropp is an energy guy, 4th line type. Doesn't sound like a great wing situation to me. Both Bickell and Stalberg are excellent skaters BTW.

Girgs would also be a possibility if/when he's ready. FYI: Stalberg 6'3" and 210 lbs. Bickell 6'4" and 235 lbs.

I'm wondering who actually watched the Hawks play this year with young C Andrew Shaw centering Bickell and Stalberg to form a potent 3rd line combination. I envision them helping to bring along Johan Larsson similarly to give the Sabres a real 3rd line.

Vanek may very well be on his way out and Stalberg plays RW.

Foligno belongs on the wing. If I were the GM, I'd go after Stalberg too. My 3rd line would be Bickell-Larsson-Stalberg.

Yep. :thumbsup: