LabattBlue

I would love to be one of those opposing fans making a road trip to Vegas to see my team every year. :ph34r:

One more thing about this shot blocking restrictions in terms of creating more offense. I would guess that 90-95% of all shots blocked are NOT by guys laying on the ice. The majority are just getting blocked by sticks, and then a smaller percentage rest blocked by guys getting in shooting lanes. What's next...you can't block a shot with your stick?

NO!

Nice article. I'm sure it's not easy to have an event this large run smoothly the 1st time around. Kudos to all Sabres employees involved in the planning of the event.

Exactly! :thumbsup:

I would not like any shot blocking restrictions. Scenario...Game 7 of the Finals in a tie game, 1 minute to go, a player is staring at an open net(goalie out of position), and the only thing preventing the puck from going in is an oppositions last gasp lunge in order to keep the puck out of the net.

Agreed 100% This "mentoring" kind of statement is used way too enough here(not just you Hoss). For all we know, a large number of the guys being touted as good for the Sabres because they could be mentors to the youthful core, could be real a$$holes both on and off the ice.

..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.