LabattBlue

..and how would that happen without giving away the farm?

I'd be disappointed if they are. Taking Eichel is a no brainer. Quality over quantity. Taking calls on #2 is a waste of TM's time, unless he is seeking humor in the middle of the day.

I didn't say Irbe has to be kicked to the curb...just that he is not the second coming of Harry Houdini.

Doesn't Schaller have more of an offensive skill set than Ellis who had nothing in that regard?

Why does anyone think the Kings would trade Toffoli? Offer sheet him? They will match and then dump cap space. See next sentence. He is the youth they need to inject into their core replacing Richards, Brown and possibly even Williams. They need to reload and make another run at the Cup in 15-16, not stockpile draft picks or prospects who are a year or more away from becoming serious contributors to the team.

Leafs, Kings & Blackhawks

Lindback shouldn't be an option as either a starter or backup. He was one of the worst goalies in the NHL last season, and the only thing that made him go from awful in Dallas to below average in Buffalo is the fact that Nolan was having them play some sort of a system that allowed a lot of shots, but not great chances. Also, all the talk of Irbe being a miracle worker is just that. Nolan and his collapse around the goalie system is what made every goalie here last year look better than they really were. Irbe>>>very overrated

Throw Barry Trotz into the mix.

On ROR...here is a kid who in his young career has already had some contract issues with the Avs. Don't you think if he is traded to Buffalo, that his agent(and all other agents for that matter) isn't aware of Daddy Warbucks Pegula willingness to spend, and will look to squeeze every last nickel out of them knowing they have the Sabres over a barrel in that they just traded for him?

Should I be embarrassed that I have no idea who this is?

IMO there is no chance Edmonton passes on McDavid. NONE.

Very surprised...just looked up Lack's stats and discovered he was born in Sweden. Eddie Lack? Not Gustav Lack or Swen Lackstrom? LOL

LOL. That is great!!! This is my favorite...

So he will be REVERTING back to 12-13, right? ;)

Should this be followed with a "Be honest...smartest hockey thing you ever posted" thread? :D

The joys of home owning? BS! They truly are a money pit. :lol:

I am willing to give Hodgson another year. Unless he is a really bad influence to younger players both on and off the ice, let's see if he can at least revert back to being a 45-50 point player.

I like to consider my posting style for lack of a better term "hit and run". I've never been one to get into long prolonged debates/arguments about anything hockey related. Instead make my point, maybe one follow-up, and then move on. Not saying that point can't be repeated several times a year. Just not posting over and over again on the same subject for days on end. That being said, I'm sure over the past years that I occasionally get sucked into the vortex.

Bless me father for I have sinned....

Depends on his definition of wanting a top 6 forward? Top 6 from one of the best offensive teams in the NHL, or Arizona? Top 6 meaning better than any 6 forwards Ottawa currently has? That being said, I wouldn't give up anything close to one of the Sabres best 6 forwards for either of them, but if I was looking to acquire one of them at a lower cost, I'd go with Anderson and let him be a very good stop gap for the next two years of so.

IMO, alamo mode is just a small part of the defense first strategy that plagues the NHL. I hate the the NHL has become a defense first league. Teams that don't have the offensive firepower, just check, block shots, interfere with, neutral zone trap, etc... in order to win games....and save coaches jobs. Even the best offensive teams take a defense first posture in the playoffs when it is "win or go home", which leads to a game like last night where you have great offensive talent on both sides, yet they combine for 44 shots on goal.

:worthy:

Sometime early in the 06-07 season, Tallinder was really playing well(prior to breaking his wrist or some other injury), and I thought he was on his way to being a perennial all-star or even a Norris trophy candidate. Like many other things that occurred in 2007 for the Sabres(downward spiral), Tallinder never seemed to be able be reach that level of play again.

:lol: :lol:

I don't think there is any way that an AHL franchise can be viable in an 1800 seat rink.