pi2000

Lindy didn't have much experience when he was hired either. That shouldn't matter. They loved Kruger and by all accounts they loved Housley too. Often times the best man for the job is the guy they don't want.

facts

Not exactly thrilled with the Rolst.. errr.. I mean, Granato hire but as a fan I wish him success.

If it's gonna be Granato, wouldn't they have announced it already?

fixed

Did I say there was something wrong with that?

Sam is all about Sam, he'll do what's best for him and his wallet.

If there are infinite parallel universes (there are, actually), then every possible outcome is a reality.

Consider for a minute that there are infinite parallel universes.... (there are, actually). In at least one of those universes Botterill is still at the helm and Buffalo is advancing to their first Stanley Cup final in 20 years. We don't live in that universe.

Suspend him indefinitely. He can sit out the remaining 5 years if he wants and his career is basically over. But I'm not trading him at a diminished value. If he wants out then prove to the league you're healthy so I can get fair value.

Just because something hurts doesn't mean you can go on LTIR. The Sabres would likely suspend him instead of put him on LTIR.

He can't fake the injury, a scan will show if it's healed.

IMO there's a better than 80% chance he improves and has a much better season than last. I like those odds and if that means I wait one more year to move him so I can sell high, then I'd wait it out. And I'd be upfront with him about too.... "hey Jack... you want out? OK, get after it this season and we'll be happy to move you... because we can't get fair value currently due to your dislocated neck and bitch attitude"

They went through a similar scenario with Ryan O'Reilly.... they sold low because he wanted out (?) and they felt pressured to move him. I disagree with the bolded. How is it getting uglier? KA and Eichel have been dead silent in the media. That's a good sign IMO. If it was getting worse Eichel's camp would come right out and tell the media that he has no plans to return to Buffalo. That hasn't happened yet.... maybe it does if he's not moved by draft day? Time will tell. If Reinhart and Risto are traded, who cares what Eichel thinks? He can't trade himself and he's under contract for 5 more years. Nobody forced him to sign a 10 year deal, and he's getting paid handsomely. You think he'd be the first star player to disagree with a teammate getting traded? They get over it, they're professionals, it's part of the business.

Jack is only 24, sure he's acting like a little bitch but maybe he comes to the realization he needs to suck it up and move forward. He's unhappy at the moment but I don't see him grenading his career just out of spite. I don't believe his value could tank any more than it is currently.... chances are his neck heals (+90% of those types of injuries heal on their own) and he rebounds after a normal offseason of training and a full training camp.

great interview guy.... apparently

Right. My point is don't sell low this summer (injury concerns, coming off a lackluster season) just because the NMC is looming next offseason.

The NMC doesn't scare me because the team's currently in the mix (NYR, ANA, LAK) would 100% be on his allow list.... so if it means he takes next season to prove himself healthy and put up numbers, then it's worth waiting. I just don't believe you should sell low this summer just because you're scared of the NMC kicking in.... if the teams interested were Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa, then yeah move him now.

Ain't happening... Ducks are not trading Zegras nor is LA trading Byfield. The return for Eichel will include picks, 2 tops prospects (sans Zegras/Byfield) and roster player(s). So long as Buffalo is holding out hope for either of those players, Eichel will remain a Sabre.

Correct, the school is not mandating vaccinations, but part of his decision was the fact he doesn't want to miss any hockey.

nah

Sam has never been a big assist guy, his offensive awareness and ability to find teammates on the attack is lacking. This season he had a grand total of 3a over his last 17 games played.

I don't believe Ullmark wants to be here.

Some great info there, agreed, it's much different raising teenagers these days vs 10 even 5 years ago. My 17yo wanted the vaccine and got it as soon as he could. My 15yo bought into all the anti-vax propaganda online and initially refused. I've had a few talks with him to help him understand how the vaccine works and why it's safe. He's going away to a hockey prep school on the east coast in August, so we gave him some time to think about it and he's agreed to get vaccinated. It honestly didn't take much convincing, just addressing his concerns about stuff he's heard or seen online. That said I would've been OK if he ultimately decided not to get vaccinated.

We've done this same exercise the past 3 seasons and nothing has changed.