Radim Mrtka, 6'6" RHD drafted 9th overall by Sabres

[Drag0nDan]

Just now, inkman said:

A coworker of mine just asked if I saw how miserable this kid was when he was drafted.  I hate the behavior that the internet fosters. People make faces. You can’t tell what the player is thinking or feeling.  Please STFU. 

He also mentioned that Peterka was traded because of substance abuse issues. What ***** up part of the internet propagates this nonsense. 

I think some people are generally kind of shy, especially at 18 so i try not to judge them.  
 

No idea the truth on that, but a friend of mine (bartender/musician) mentioned that crew of kane, eichel, and reinhart (and roy before them) also spending too much time in bars and bar bathrooms.  Wouldn't shock me if its still an ongoing issue among young players and honestly that kind of immaturity can be part of the issue with a really young team.  

[inkman]

38 minutes ago, Drag0nDan said:

I think some people are generally kind of shy, especially at 18 so i try not to judge them.  
 

No idea the truth on that, but a friend of mine (bartender/musician) mentioned that crew of kane, eichel, and reinhart (and roy before them) also spending too much time in bars and bar bathrooms.  Wouldn't shock me if its still an ongoing issue among young players and honestly that kind of immaturity can be part of the issue with a really young team.  

I’m aware of the booger sugar culture in hockey.  It’s prevalent. There are probably a bunch of guys on the team that partake. Young good looking millionaire athletes are going to find an outlet.  
 

Just weed out the guys with a problem (maybe even get them help), and build a team. 

[dudacek]

2 hours ago, inkman said:

A coworker of mine just asked if I saw how miserable this kid was when he was drafted.  I hate the behavior that the internet fosters. People make faces. You can’t tell what the player is thinking or feeling.  Please STFU. 

He also mentioned that Peterka was traded because of substance abuse issues. What ***** up part of the internet propagates this nonsense. 

Doubt there has been a championship team in my lifetime that didn’t have partiers.

Its about whether or not it gets in the way of performance.

2 hours ago, Drag0nDan said:

I think some people are generally kind of shy, especially at 18 so i try not to judge them.  
 

Anyone who watched the kid’s interview could see there wasn’t even a whiff of disappointment.

That was the the face of a kid overcome with emotion about being drafted.

 

[Warriorspikes51]

cool.  Cya in 2028 

[Mango]

3 hours ago, inkman said:

I’m aware of the booger sugar culture in hockey.  It’s prevalent. There are probably a bunch of guys on the team that partake. Young good looking millionaire athletes are going to find an outlet.  
 

Just weed out the guys with a problem (maybe even get them help), and build a team. 

I actually think the issue with hockey and uppers is partially the schedule. These guys basically live in hotels for 6 months.

I'm willing to get that if hockey halved their games (not saying in for it) there would be waaaaay less coke. 

I don't think the prevalence in the league is so much money related.

[Demoted]

I am hearing this was a Lindy draft and Kevin was just picking the guys Lindy wanted. It does go against what he had done in the past so maybe a little optimistic feel since maybe Lindy wants to be the guy that gets them out of the playoff drought.

[CTJoe]

3 minutes ago, Demoted said:

I am hearing this was a Lindy draft and Kevin was just picking the guys Lindy wanted. It does go against what he had done in the past so maybe a little optimistic feel since maybe Lindy wants to be the guy that gets them out of the playoff drought.

I disagree 100%.  Lindy doesn't nor know players in the draft.  He knows the "type" of people he want and probably dictates that to Adams and the scouts, but he's not throwing individual names at the scouts/Adams.  He ahs 1 year left on his contract, how much player personel power can he really have.  Best case scenario, he gets the team to the playoffs, he scares Toronto in the first round and he rides into retirement, maybe with a consultant role for Buffalo.  Likely otucome, the Sabres improve to mid 80 in points, miss the playoffs, he retires, Adams' contract expires and he retires, Jaro takes over and hires his own coach.

[Sabres73]

2 hours ago, Demoted said:

I am hearing this was a Lindy draft and Kevin was just picking the guys Lindy wanted. It does go against what he had done in the past so maybe a little optimistic feel since maybe Lindy wants to be the guy that gets them out of the playoff drought.

Hearing from who? What's your source? Or are you just spreading unsubstantiated rumours?

[DarthEbriate]

25 minutes ago, Sabres73 said:

Hearing from who? What's your source? Or are you just spreading unsubstantiated rumours?

A "Lindy draft" makes no sense, even for this team. But hypothetically, if any coach -- but particularly a lame duck coach one season away from retirement -- was given control of the draft -- then every pick and prospect would've been moved to get the best team available on the ice for that year. Lindy's going out with a veteran roster and a true #1 goalie.

[Demoted]

27 minutes ago, Sabres73 said:

Hearing from who? What's your source? Or are you just spreading unsubstantiated rumours?

Mike Harrington

[Sabres73]

4 minutes ago, Demoted said:

Mike Harrington

Can you link his comments please?

[Demoted]

https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nhl/sabres/article_d503bdbd-60fa-4ecf-922f-d294cc0f60c0.html

[Turbo44]

12 minutes ago, Demoted said:

Mike Harrington

Harrington’s a tool. He’s all over the board - sometimes he attacks the Sabres, sometimes he kisses their butts and is an apologists, often over the same thing.

The one thing I give him credit for is he asks good, non-fluff questions sometimes in press conferences.

[JoeSchmoe]

1 hour ago, DarthEbriate said:

A "Lindy draft" makes no sense, even for this team. But hypothetically, if any coach -- but particularly a lame duck coach one season away from retirement -- was given control of the draft -- then every pick and prospect would've been moved to get the best team available on the ice for that year. Lindy's going out with a veteran roster and a true #1 goalie.

I feel like Lindy isn't a year away from retirement. I think if the team keeps improving and/or gets competitive, he'll be here long term. Speaking of which, when's that goalie signing going to happen?!!!

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, DarthEbriate said:

A "Lindy draft" makes no sense, even for this team. But hypothetically, if any coach -- but particularly a lame duck coach one season away from retirement -- was given control of the draft -- then every pick and prospect would've been moved to get the best team available on the ice for that year. Lindy's going out with a veteran roster and a true #1 goalie.

We are talking Pegula Sabres here and you are applying the logic of the other 31 teams. 

Could mean Lindy's next move is upstairs to the VP level, not out.  

It also looks more like a Jarmo draft, so there is also that to consider.  

[PromoTheRobot]

Mrtka assigned 57, so let the Tyler Myers comparisons begin.

On 6/28/2025 at 3:29 PM, PerreaultForever said:

Not this year. 

That was my point.

[LGR4GM]