pi2000

Don't worry, the "leaders" on this team will make sure Dahlin tones down the compete level in practice.

Wait, what? You just did. I was comparing Rosen and Allen.... you brought Dahlin into the equation. Anyway.... I think Dahlin will fit in nicely in Buffalo.. probably better than he would fit in a big city like LA or NY.... considering where he's coming from. Tkachuck would fit nicely as well.... most hockey players would. How many trust-fund entitled intellectual hockey players from warm weather large population beach cities are there anyway?

From all accounts, Dahlin is a hard-working kid from a middle class family in a cold weather environment, not unsimilar to Buffalo. Dahlin's background is nothing like Rosen.

Which player would be more comfortable in Buffalo? The self-made hard working farmboy Josh Allen or the silver spoon entitled trust-fund intellect Josh Rosen? Being comfortable in your environment goes a long way towards how well you perform.

They need a veteran... look how well that worked out for Vegas. Without Fluery they're on back-nine by now. I'm not that high on Ullmark. He looks like a young Lehner to me... poor rebound control... struggles positionally. Nice guy tho. I'd rather they move him while he still has value, and acquire a veteran who can take a leadership role for a couple seasons while they restock the goalie cupboard. Maybe even go after a guy like Shestyorkin if they can somehow pry him away for NYR.

I'll allow it.

1) Scandella and Bogosian? Oh boy. I like Scandella, but he hasn't exactly been around the block a few times. Bogo? I'm talking about "on-ice" direction, not in the trainers room. 2) If he's truly generational..... 3-5) Good points. If that happens I'll burn my avatar.

Dahlin's forehead

Nylander before he becomes completely worthless.... and Fasching, who doesn't fit the system. Ullmark plus, for an established goaltender... Fluery? Bishop? Smith? Crawford?

I wouldn't trade the pick for a young Karlsson, but I would do it in a heartbeat for a young Doughty.

Couple of concerns... 1 - Who will mentor the young Swede? Housley? IMO you need a veteran on-ice presence to guide him through the rigors of his first season in the NHL. That guy currently isn't on the roster. 2 - He was a healthy scratch in Pyeongchang. Why? 3 - Friction between him and Eichel. Hear me out.... Both guys like the puck on their stick. They both like to rush it up ice and hold on to it. Will there be enough rubber to keep both satisfied? 4 - Defense. Can he play defense or is he simply an offensive threat? Karlsson, IMO, is terrible defensively. Doughty is a stud. Will he be more like his fellow countryman? Hmmm. 5 - I'd like to sit down and talk to him for about 3hrs... then talk to his former teammates and coaches, meet his family and friends. Find our what makes him tick, how much does he simply love the game, what is his ultimate goal in life? Does he value money as much as Austin Matthews? Is he smart? Until I get those answers, I'll have some reservations. It takes a special type of individual to reach the pinnacle of their sport.

For example, he really hyped up Estephan... and he amounted to absolutely nada. He's not even signed to a pro-contract. http://www.sabresprospects.com/2016/04/buffalo-sabres-april-2016-prospect.html "Some guys just know how to play the center position. Estephan, a smooth, crafty player with excellent vision and an impressive two-way mindset, fits the bill with his fine edge work and superior puck-handling ability. While he creates and finishes in the offensive zone, Estephan has proven to understand what it takes to be an effective defensive player as well. When he becomes a faster, more powerful glider with added strength up top, Estephan looks like a player with a decent professional future ahead of him as a multi-dimensional organizational depth forward with a fair amount of NHL upside." I like him, think he's a special player, but.... not at the generational level some are forecasting. I project him to be on par with guys like Klingberg and Theodore. Both great offensive skill, skating, puck handling... but it will take time before he learns to defend at the NHL level. Would I be shocked if he gets to the level of Doughty or Karlsson? No, but he just turned 18 and there's no telling how he'll react to the North American game, with all the distractions that come with being an NHL player. Has his skating peaked? His vision, ability to read plays? There's no way to know how much runway he still has, but I do think he's the best prospect in the draft.

Baker over-hypes everybody IMO, he's like Craig Button.

Gates Orlando

Seems like a Vegas/Tampa final is inevitable.

I have no problem with Harrington.

Bogosian is easily one of my most hated. Gets paid over $5mil/yr, plays half the games (if that), and is a negative TRpm. His name will echo through the hallways when thinking back to these lean years.

Hasek LaFontaine

IMO that Wilson hit was clean. Hockey is a violent sport (well, it used to be anyway)... just because a guy gets hurt, doesn't mean there was an illegal hit. The PIT player needs to protect himself in that situation. Wilson didn't leave his feet or target the head or lead with his hands or elbow.... it was all shoulder, trying to deliver a textbook hit. USA hockey no longer teaches to finishes your checks (I'm a level 5 coach). They teach the sole purpose of checking is to separate the player from the puck. What I'm seeing now is that kids are not ready for contact after moving the puck, putting themselves in vulnerable positions. If the PIT player properly absorbs the hit (instead of trying to initiate contact himself), then he likely escapes without injury. Learning checking is just as much about understanding how to take a hit as it is to deliver a hit. The PIT player sees Wilson coming and reacts by accelerating/lunging towards Wilson... Wilson just beats him to the spot and Reese takes the brunt of the hit... that's how hits usually go.... whoever can get to that "spot" first, wins. In Reese's case he sticks his head out to create momentum, which backfires completely... that's not proper technique to absorb a hit. He should've realized he was lined up and just take the hit.

Harrington?

New downtown open air stadium and arena complex.

some possibilities... sexual harassment racially insensitive remarks taking bribes running a gambling ring excessive flatulence body odor dress code violations chronic tardiness taking too many sick days leaking sensitive information to the press embezzling funds terrorist activity stealing k-cups collusion nepotism cronyism necrophilia dishabiliophilia defecaloesiophilia watching porn hub in Kim's office w/ Auston Matthews plotting to hijack Air Pegula bribing Bettman to fix the lottery turdburger

It's a personal preference, some guys are more comfortable on the other side. Wherever they're most comfortable is going to benefit the team.

You were "told"?