pi2000

first time: 1: BUF 2: VAN 3: TOR

http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23842-tank-30/?view=findpost&p=784219 Haha, yeah well, the bet was for where they would pick, not where they would finish... so we'll have to wait out the lottery, but I'm not liking my chances at this point (a 24th place finishes gives them a 20.5% chance at picking in the top 3). I predicted they would finish with 79 points and in 27th place (4th), which would've given them a 58% chance of picking in the top 5. Looks like I'll be very close on the point total, just underestimated the ineptitude of the Canadian teams. If they stay where they are in 24th place (7th): Odds of picking: 1st: 6.5% 2nd: 6.8% 3rd: 7.2% xxx 7th: 27.8% 8th: 39.1% 9th: 11.6% 10th: 0.74% To summarize, if they stay in 24th, they have a 20.5% chance to move up into the top 3, a 27.8% chance to stay at pick 7, and a 51.5% chance to move down.

Where did I say I don't like him? I said several times I think he's a good kid, I have nothing against him. You're hyperbolizing my arguements to make it sound like I have a vendetta against him. ..and I specifically quoted an article that said he choose not to complete the academic requirements to attend college last fall. That's not a false accusation, it's the truth. McDavid graduated High School in Erie where he played junior hockey, just like any normal kid. Obviously you need proof, so here... http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2015/03/22/juggling-hockey-and-school-connor-mcdavid-plays-it-cool.html "..said McDavid. “Education is something that’s important to myself and my family. The main goal right now is school work after hockey, and graduating with good marks. It’s going to be a stressful time, but at the same time it will be very exciting.”" ...that speaks volumes about McDavid's character. He doesn't think he should be given the easy path in life just because he's good at hockey. He value his education, as should all high school age kids.

And you can vouch for his character how? Canadian kids grow up dreaming of playing junior hockey, stanley cups, etc... What did Matthews grow up dreaming about in the desert? Does he have the same passion for the game as those kids? Why skip finishing HS and move to Europe for a paycheck instead of studying and going to college here at home? Maybe he has legitmate answers to those questions. However, those are not questions that needed to be asked of Eichel or McDavid, which is why I rate them much better prospects than Matthews. He reminds of a Joe Murphy or Jimmy Carson, big physical specimen at a young age who could score, had some good years but didn't reach the lofty expectations of a high draft pick.

His sister has nothing to do with this, and frankly I don't care what he's doing in Europe to further his education. He could be taking graduate classes at Oxford for all I care, but that still doesn't erase the fact he choose the easier path. If he values education as much as you say, then why didn't he accelerate his HS studies so he could go to college state-side? Going to Europe to earn a paycheck and taking online courses isn't the same as attending a university on campus, especially at an upstanding university where there's more to the college experience than just going to class and playing sports. His decision to jump straight to pro-hockey in Europe tells me what his values are.... money? opportunity? Maybe he doesn't value those things as highly as I think he does, but fair or not, his decisions to this point have raised those questions. I'm not saying he's a bad kid, just that IMO he's not the total package, not a guy you want to build your franchise around. I just don't see super stardom in his future. Add his character questions to the fact the he's already likely very near his peak physical maturity (he already has his "man" body), and I don't see much upside to what he's currently showing us.

In a playoff game 7 I take the guy with heart + skill over just better overall skill. Matthews disappeared in the medal rounds at the WJC this past year. Is that a sign of thing to come? Maybe. It's certainly not a good sign. Is he passionate about hockey? Maybe he thinks he is (for a kid from the desert southwest), but is he willing to do whatever it takes to elevate his game to the next level come playoff time? We don't those answers yet, but his background raises those questions.... there's no denying that. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25262727/auston-matthews-top-nhl-draft-prospect-signs-pro-deal-in-switzerland "First off, Matthews would have had to accelerate his schooling to attend a U.S. college hockey program. " Many young players are on an accelerated academic program so they can attend college. Matthews took the easy road.... which to me shows a lack of character. It shows me that he prefers the path of least resistance, which is not what I want out of a guy I'm drafting #1 overall. It also serves as a warning sign that he's likely to pack it in once he earns his big contract.

nuff' said Kinda like Ovechkin is a better player than Toews? I'd take Toews in a game 7 over just about anybody.

Let me put it this way... who would you rather have in a game 7? A kid from the north east who grew up in a hockey hotbed, played for his local school and went to a national championship game. Or a kid from the desert who didn't finish high school and bolted to Europe for a paycheck.

No way he ever becomes an UFA. He'll be traded before that ever happens. If we really wants out of EDM, think of the return they could get for him.... pretty much anybody they want.

Defensemen who can skate well look good in Bylsma's system. His north/south, quick up, join the rush system requires mobile defensemen who can make a difficult first pass, instead of just hinge, hinge, hinge short breakout pass. It's at most one hinge (if any) and then a 20-35ft breakout pass to neutral ice, and then join play. It's a good system if you have the players who can execute it. Guhle should thrive as well.

Eichel will own this barn for the next decade.

Nathan Paetsch

I already went over this in another thread but IMO Matthews doesn't have the intangibles to be a star in the NHL.

yeah, i could see a 3rd line of Fasching-Girgensons-Foligno at some point next season. not a bad 3rd line. tough to play against.

yes

Fasching will develop better by getting 20min/gm on the top line in Roch vs <10 min/gm on the 4th line in BUF. Seems like we've had this conversation before.

#dontblamerip

which channel in Calif?!

He can get pro experience in Roch. Donovan is a better option.

Yes, I realize how bad Carlo is. Frankly I don't expect Nelson to be any better in his first game... he has zero pro experience, none.

Inserting two guys with zero pro experience in the lineup is a tanky move by the Sabres. I'll allow it.

It's a tanky move... inserting 2 guys in the lineup with absolutely zero pro experience.... especially a defenseman.

wait. so you're "in the bunker" if you're a Bogo superfan? and there's 8-balls in there? specifically, where is this bunker? (for science)

i voted "perusing" because i have no idea what this is