Doohickie

Breakfast in America is more than The Logical Song. I wish they'd play other songs from the album.

That top line could work but I haven't seen the chemistry between Tage and Benson... at least not yet. I think Benson's speed may best be used on another line. I have faith that Lindy will figure it out though.

I truly believe he will be 1C, and sooner than most think.

But if Tuch walks.... Granted, Kane is 37 but his salary was only $3 million last year. Financially it works. Play him low third line minutes and put out for the power play. He's greasy around the net. Him and Zucker alternating between bumper and slot would give PKs fits. The other players don't have to worry about scoring, just creating rebounds. Obtuseman is being obtuse.

But how do you fill that gap and not break the budget? The whole reason Tuch is imminently leaving is budget. Any team who has a player with that kind of production at a budget price doesn't want to move him. I think the Sabres are deep enough at forward that between the kids and the younger vets you can cover Tuch's point production as well as his other duties like PK by committee.

Then again, Tuch "could" be losing his step as we speak. There are no magic formulas or sure things. The best you can get is "could".

and this why Tuch is likely playing somewhere else next season. I think you can take the 3 young Cs, Benson and Doan and project that probably 4 of them will be major contributors at less money than Tuch combined.... for now.

I trust that Lindy will find the right mix and wouldn't be surprised to find them sprinkled throughout the lineup.

As a person who closely followed the Wings in the 90s when I lived in Detroit, and who has kept tabs on them, I kind of feel that the fact that he's the best forward on the team is the problem. He's a damned good player, but the Red Wings need more than one of those.

Most of it will come from a full season of Helenius.

I guess we'll see in the fall who's right.

I do.

Meh. A full season of Kulich, Östlund and Helenius could make us much better. We rarely had all them them playing at the same time. I think they're all top six talent.

Interesting that that's the first comment in the post that mentions Power by name (although there was a "top 4 D" mention).

Simple: You want a trade? We can do that. But first, waive your NMC.

He explained all those except Carrick. And while Carrick put up some great numbers with the Sabres prior to bowing out with injury, his past history suggests he's really just a Vladimir Sabotka type.

I don't think "Being a desired destination for players unhappy on their current teams" is the flex you think it is.

A Raging Doaner has joined the chat.

MTL out-river-hockeyed us. And their goalie got hot. In the end? Small sample size... 7 games is nothing statistically.

But again, I understand he's trying to maximize earnings on a limited length career. You're right; a player would never say that. My problem is people saying that it will somehow enhance the lives of his already privileged family if he just has another two or three million a year.

I disagree. I could see them offering it and I could see him taking it. But to get to that point a certain process has to play out. I've already come to grips with him leaving, especially if it's to take care of other players that are the Sabres' future. Tuch could be part of that future but if he isn't... oh well. Explain to me what the difference is. This.

No, I said when other people say he's being noble. Big difference. I'm not rolling my eyes at his choices. Athletes gonna athlete. I just barf when people try to defend it as some noble cause he's embracing for his family. They already have far more money than they'll ever spend, so stop making "doing right by his family" some noble excuse. Again, I don't have a problem with Tuch, I have a problem with people who try do justify it as just some guy trying to take care of his family. He could die tomorrow and his family would never want for anything for the rest of their lives.

I'm sure Lindy would start him there. Not sure he would keep it. I could see one or all of Kulich, Östlund or Hell Moose taking it from him.

It's not that I blame him for trying to max out. It's when people try to make it noble by saying "he's doing it for his family" that makes me roll my eyes. His family is already probably in the top 5% of wealth, if not higher. The extra money will make no difference to his family.