Swedesessed

Born and raised a Yankees fan since 1982: The Mid 80's were up and down (85 Yankees won 97 games, pre-Wildcard days the Yankees would have been a WC team now and had a strong team) but after that the dark era lasted till about 1993 or so: Went to 10+ Yankees games a year with 20000 tops in the crowd watching the likes of Steve Sax, Dale Berra, Ken Phelps and many others parade around the Bronx. That's why all the success the Yankees had from 1996-2009 gave me proper perspective going through that era and being a die-hard fan of the Bills and Sabres: I just don't stress about the Yankees anymore: I saw a ton of winning, as a fan I can't ask for much more then that.

80 games: 38G 40A 78 points

1. GM: Joe Sakic, Colorado: Only his name allows him to keep his job 2. HC: John Cooper Tampa: Inherited stacked roster, don't think he is as good as advertised. 3. Forward:Alexander Ovechkin, Washington: Amazing goal scorer no question. Just cannot ignore the playoff results and some disappearing acts. 4. Defense: Kevin Shattenkirk, NY Rangers: Paid like an elite #1 defenseman, 1 true breakout year, otherwise a 40-45 pt defenseman. Be happy the Sabres didn't get Shatt. 5. Goalie: Cam Ward, Carolina: 1 incredibly fortunate SC title aided by breaks and injuries. Yeah some blah teams but never felt he is THAT good.

I would agree about Shattenkirk...I see zero shot of that happening. I am in the camp of keeping Evander Kane and extending him now. Players with his skill set are not easy to find. I agree Sabres defensive depth looking much better now. Say No To Shatt

If Sabres fans think Eichel is going to take 8M or so long term to stay in Buffalo, I also have beach property to sell you in North Dakota.

Good link and I found this part most interesting: Scandella suffered a hernia last season and had surgery to repair the issue during the offseason. This disrupted his normal training regimin and it is clear that this damaged his performance this season. Yet, Scandella managed to eventually get back on track towards the end of the season and during the playoffs was at times the most noticeable of the Wild’s blueliners (in a good way). This isn’t to claim that Scandella’s poor regular season should be ignored, but that it is highly likely that this latest season represents the low end of what the Wild can expect from Scandella on his current contract. Considering is good offensive numbers and the size and toughness he brings to the back end, this past season should not be the only marker used to judge Scandella’s value to the team.

Excellent post and this is how I hope the Sabres are thinking come July 1

Arizona should be moved that franchise serves no purpose

I'm sorry: Las Vegas gets to go through an Expansion draft, gets a high 1st round pick THEN gets to negotiate deals NOT to take players and could end up with say 3 1sts and more? If I am a franchise stuck in the middle of the muck, I am wondering to myself is it better to fold and resurrect as an expansion team and set myself up for better success? Why not just give Las Vegas more 1st rounders while we are at it

What the NHL needs to understand is fan do not want geographical division names: The NHL has an imbalance of teams geographically anyway. Make the division names from the old days: Adams, Smythe, etc. Want to add a new one or two? Gretzky, Orr division, something like that.

Very solid move! Wonder if this means Montreal will be trading for Brodin?

This.

Trust me, the likes of Dan Patrick crave us to finish 7-9 every year. The sports media for the most part likes things to be 'as they perceive they should be'

This is one of the greatest threads ever created on SS

Keep dreaming if you think Eichel will take such a deep discount. I would say 9M per and you have a chance to get it done.

Never too soon. Perhaps if it works out logistically Ill take a flight from California and pay a visit!

Everyone should be fired, from the concession workers, janitors all the way to the Pegulas, force them to sell and nuke both stadiums and turn them to rubble: BUT the only one left standing and still employed is: Russ Brandon.

Derek Plante Game 7 OT winner against Ottawa in 1997, also because Dad and I were at the game 20 rows behind the opposite goal. What a great scene is was after the game. Felt like we won the Cup. Also, Dave Hannan in 4OT against the Devils at 2AM EST was a classic that I will never forget

Not sure if my memory is accurate, Didn't Murray say something about Forwards First, Defense 2nd and Goalies last for building a franchise?

In honor of the 2000 Kentucky Derby Winner: Fusaichi Pegulasus

Agree. Kane and OReilly are not the reasons the Sabres disappointed so badly, far from it,

I agree. So am I supposed to feel weak and succumb to the 'Power Takes' from the Buffalo News? Absolutely horrendous

Slowly 'warming' up to the Botterill hire. Just surprised the Sabres decided to go back to the Pittsburgh well after Bylsma was a big miss, but that is apples to oranges I suppose.

Thank you I am honored to know that the truth hurts

Trade him ASAP