JP51

Bigger yes, tougher probably, talented no, economically yes...More points... I dont see us at this point (pre any free agent signings) as better or moving up the rankings... I think we began to change the type of player... a bit, I think we probably have lost or stayed the same in the over all skill department... if we are better next year its because a few catalysts have brought out the development and progress of the existing core... I.e Power is now much better because ... or Benson works well with Doan.. blah blah... Over all view... I hope we show better next year... might be nice to see people engage physically more... but W/L I just don't see us moving the needle one way or the other in a significant way... at this point... lets see what happens in FA... I do suspect not much... but who knows.

Not sure if we do this... but I like Kevyn is acknowledging we need help in goal... I do not see a guy who averages 20 games a year that is post 30 as the guy that comes in and really moves the needle.... I do like his gaa is sub 3.00 (barely) I dont like this would be his 5th team... makes me wonder whats up... get him on a cheap contract great lets see what he does... over pay like he is your starting goalie... I think that would be a pretty big gamble and speak poorly of the prospect of Levi's progression unless it is a short term 1 year maybe 2 year deal. Either way, this to me is the type of typical signing we will see in FA... bodies that might or might not help minimally...

Anyone that will not move the needle or make us better

He is a jack@ss

I hate when people say there is no way, or no chance or they are never coming here... but, no way, no chance they are never coming here... I mean there is a dumb and dumber so you are telling me there is a chance chance... but reality no... year after year we settle for the left overs in FA because the organization is so dysfunctional and has eradicated it brand... in reality, we have trouble even trading for players and getting them to come here because we are so bad... so maybe there is a shocker... but the best I believe we can hope for in FA is a player with upside, looking to prove something that we over pay, or a player looking to restart that was constantly injured or had one great year that they are looking to re kindle... good news is it looks like Lindy is starting to have an effect on the type of player we get... So in the short term I dont think they are looking for the big star... they are looking for the steadier player, with less numbers, better defense that is hard to play against... we may find some of that in FA... Just my opinion.

at 15 in the NHL he wouldnt have pulled a Sabres Sammy

I cannot see Mariner's agent even returning Adams phone calls TBH... how much money is enough... why would you effectively take the last real quality years of your career and sign for 5 or 7 years here... Dude has got to have a burning desire to win a cup... and if he doesnt is that the player you target? Bottom line, this is not a place you come too if you want to be successful.. we have a lot to do before we change that narrative... maybe someday... but not today... then there is the money.. so many holes to fix, I dont think Mariner gets you to the promise land there is a whole culture to rebuild...

I am not against resigning Byram... I am not sure we get a return that makes us better... if we do, then certainly trade him... I think free agency and who we may or may not sign gonna tell the tale here...

I would not say we are better or project to be at this point. I would not say we are worse... but let's see what next week brings.

So here is where I am at... not gonna lament a 2 that might not help us before 2030 ... not gonna get excited over the player... could care less about Clifton he was a serviceable body. Bottom line KA trying to save his job if these are genius moves or help us in the short term in a moderate to solid way good for him. If they are bush league he may be closer to out the door. Right now we are vasillating between a on the fly retool to get better to a full tear down if the gut the FO and they decide to rebuild. Adams has done damage to this team and we can do nothing about it... he has been given the keys to the assets and Adams gonna Adams... so speculation to me at this point that's nice... just show me the baby and let's see what happens. But to fret he is gonna devoid us of solid assets for nothing or too little doesn't help me anymore... cause I can't change it... the wildfire is burning and its uncontained and I can do nothing to put it out. So... take your shot Kev and let's see the results.

I am not against getting a better goalie nor am I saying that we dont need to improve the D around them. But what I really want is to find out once and for all if Levi is that guy... if he is not then fine go get your guy or try again with UPL or whatever but at this point how much more AHL seasoning is going to be productive or do we have a Jody Gage in net... (clearly to early for that) I dont know the answer. I just want to find out going on his 4th pro year where he will turn 24. I feel like it may be time and maybe the answer is right here... if not move on , upgrade do what you need too

This gives us hope for sure he may not be Chara or Pronger but more that Myers or Power is something let's see how he develops or how we develop him. He may find in order to be a great NHLer he needs to use his size maybe he will to be continued for sure

Always liked the kid not sure what the coaches saw to make him part time I am sure it was something

You can tell i am jaded after all of these years reality is kids 18 let's see he does have size you can't teach but all to often we get these size players like we have mentioned and they are just not the nasty aggressive hard to play against type we want. This kid isn't coming out with a narrative that says that. So I assume the worst but I need to back off on the assumption and wait for it to play out... bottom line is I am not colored inspired with this pick and am more concerned with the direction of the FO in making it... like do they see we need more ass$*les ? Time will tell

Yes I know this and have said it before for sure... I think my sentiment was if they are in active shoe string mode that's bad if they are in gather money to try and take a big swing then good the difference is in the attitude not the result. Bottom line is one big hit doesn't change it all... they need consistent transformative positive change in attitude toughness and skill as well as experience

I dont hate it i just want some nasty I liked Bear but he is 18 let's see Omg I forgot and Smehlik

Cannot believe we took the reincarnation of Tyler Myers, Uwe Krupp and Owen Power over him wait yes I can I dont hate it i just want some nasty

Wonder if that's not the rub here

Question does this two year contract keep him in the RFA group when done?

Lol or maybe Campbell on Umberger 🤣

Which one... the flat footed or head down LOL 🤣 ... still laughing over here.

He totally got me... like flat footed, head down, admiring my pass... BOOM! LOL @Thorny Oh you! you totally got me... totally ... well played... I stand by my thoughts, I literally have no idea what TP is thinking.... but clearly they were unnecessary... 🤣

Well you may be correct, I would say if he takes positive steps this year ( and that would mean a playoff appearance I would bet he is back... if we stagnate or get worse... who knows he still could be back... I dont get Pegula... but I would say that would be a tough one for him to swallow... but honestly, I dont know if he is on the hot seat... cause I dont know what is in Pegula's brain... I just dont..

Then our views totally coincide... because a blockbuster with a major player is probably a heavy lift... we need more than one player.. and more than one player is needed to turn this ship... consistent positive steps forward to improvement is the only way to establish credibility... you cannot fake time... nor consistency... getting Ekblad or Mariner doesnt magically rescue all that is wrong... So, I mean if a deal is there big time to help do it... but your problems are not solved with one pen stroke... it took a long time to get into this mess its gonna take effort to get out.

I agree... I know it is completely impractical to compare him to his father... its not fair or reasonable ... but here I am imagining if he can even approximate that type of player... I am getting caught up on the name... I know... but I just have a feeling about this kid.