pi2000

Deslauriers doesn't make that play. The Sabres are noticeably a faster team with Bailey and Baptiste, especially on the forcheck... what goes unnoticed is the speed on the back check. Back pressure in the neutral zone allows the D to step up and challenge before the play enters too deep in the zone. True. However, Lehner needs to contain the rebound or at least don't put it directly in front of the net.

If anything the early returns validate Murray giving up a third for a sniff... if he was a complete bust we'd be all over Murray and has poor evaluation of Vesey's talent (even tho he acts like an entitled prick).

here me now, believe me later

This is a nice early season accomplishment sans Jack and Evander.... I think the team is actually better without Evander in the lineup. The test comes when they lose a couple games in a row. Playoff bound teams right the ship and avoid long losing streaks, non-playoff teams can't recover and go on long skids. Has the worm finally turned?

unfortunately no. not allowed. yes, he's still here. him and fasching were handing out high-fives in the hallway after the game. I'd go... Risto - Kulikov Gorges - McCabe Nelson - Kulikov/Risto Franson gets 1 shift a period, offensive zone faceoffs only.

Just finished watching the game (had an evening flight into SJC), a few thoughts.... I thought Ennis and Risto had their best games of the season. Was hoping Ennis would get rewarded with a goal, but didn't have any puck luck tonight. Risto was decisive with the puck on his stick and engaged physically. I liked the pairing with Kulikov... and he was a +1... stop the presses! Lehner still scares me with his rebound control. He flops around too much, has trouble locating the puck at times, hope he cleans that up eventually. Moulson continues to impress me in all areas of the ice. He's creating turnovers and physically engaged on the forecheck.

Things are good, thanks for asking. Who is this bum McDavid you're referring to? Never heard of him.

Much to my chagrin, selfish Jimmy Vesey scores again, 6g in 10 games now.

Obama

So much is going to chabge between now and the expansion draft that I don't feel any argument here will be fruitful. That said, if they only protect 3 D, then one of Kulikov or Bogosian will be available and that would likely be LVs pick... which saves Ullmark. If you protect 4 D, and O'Reilly, Okposo, and Larsson, then you can only protect one of... Ennis Kane Moulson Girgensons ...in that scenario Ullmark is safe as well. Worst case Nillson signs an extension, then you have a 3 way battle in Roch between Kasdorf, Ullmark and Petersen. I'd be OK with that, competition is a good thing.

Ullmark is eligible for the expansion draft. That said I don't think he's at risk of getting picked. I'd keep him around, he's show flashes of brilliance. If Lehner pans out and stays healthy then that might make him expendable, but not sure how much you'd get in return at this point. And I'm not so high on Petersen. He's been very good in college, but they dont usually make an impression in the NHL. I've watched some ND games this season and he had a very good defensive team in front of him, I think he's more a product of the system than a stud prospect.

Weber named one of NHLs 3-stars of the week. Here's his ppg against TOR.... https://www.nhl.com/video/webers-go-ahead-ppg/t-282916402/c-45816503

It's a catch-22... if you leave Kulikov or Bogo unprotected there's a 99.9% chance that player gets picked in the draft... meaning you don't lose any forward depth, or Ullmark. If you protect 4-D, you're going to lose a quality depth forward or Ullmark. If it had to be decided today, you have to protect 4-D, as there just isn't enough quality depth at the position to make up for losing one of the top-4.... but that situation may look completely different 8 months from now.

Right, on second thought, I could live with him as a third pairing guy who sees limited minutes.... for one more season.

He was beaten very very badly on a few plays where he was completely flat footed, and those plays lead directly to breakaways. That happens to all NHL defensemen occasionally, but not every other game. I'm sorry, I can't take another year of Josh Gorges. He hasn't been terrible, and he makes some heady defensive plays, but if this team wants to take another step next season he has to be replaced with someone who can skate at the pace of today's game.

Foligno always leaves me wanting more. He plays hard and has size, but he just doesn't have enough offensive skill and speed for this system IMO. You want your third line wingers to contribute more offensively... maybe he's a future 4th line guy, but I don't see him on this team when they're contenders. IIRC, last year Bylsma said something about taking shots at the open net down to the 45s mark... after that, gain the line, or softly clear the zone to avoid icings. Lehner's rebound control is atrocious. Once opposing teams figure that out, it's going to be an even bigger problem. I liked Armia's game, he showed speed and was engaged, creating turnovers and scoring chances. I came away thoroughly impressed with his game.

OK. A this point I'd still lean towards 4 and 4... but need to see how the season plays out, just too many unknowns.

The trade may have voided the NMC, but how do we know for sure? (sorry if this has already been confirmed)

When he's not a minus player. Just kidding, he's been very good. He seems to get beat badly once every few games or so... hopefully that's just a product of him adjusting to the system/partners. If you sign him, the problem becomes who do you protect in the expansion draft? Assuming you protect Risto, McCabe, and Kuli... plus Bogo automatically uses a spot, that means you can only protect 4 forwards... well, 2 actually be Okposo automatically uses a spot and O'Reilly will be protected. pick 2: Kane Moulson Ennis Gionta Foligno Girgensons Larsson Carrier Grant Deslauriers I'd go with Larsson and either Ennis or Moulson depending on how the season plays out... IMO it's a two horse race between those two to prove who's more valuable to this team. I know, I know Moulson's getting long in the tooth, but depending on his production he may prove irreplaceable on the PP for the next 2 seasons or so until somebody else can fill that role.

Goaltending... and Bieksa is Franson slow, and Getzlaf doesn't shoot enough.

Don't want Nylander anywhere near this sorry bunch. Let him develop in Roch properly. I'd give Baptiste another look tho, and Bailey. Sit Grant down, hell, sit Reinhart I think it would be good for him. Launch Nilsson bring another vet goalie. Double shift Moulson.

Looks like ANA is barely under the cap by putting Simon Despres and Nate Thompson on LTIR saving $5.3m. Thompson dealing with an achilles injury might miss the entire season. Sad what's happened to Despres, he's had almost a dozen concussions in his career and he's only 25 years old. He missed 42 games early last season due to a concussion, came back in March and suffered another concussion which he still hasn't recovered from. It sounds like it could be a career ending situation.

Moulson 30:2 LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.

There was talk of Luke Richardson before Bylsma was hired. Not sure what he's doing these days, but IIRC, he was coaching Ottawa's minor league affiliate.

yes. How long can Ducks stay over the cap? They have to make some kind of move right? What happens if they don't?