Mason has been unbelievable. Sure it's only a 15 game sample, but I love what I have seen.

The cynic in me has in the back of my mind that he plays well all season, gets rewarded with a good sized contract and reverts back to Columbus form. I'm trying to block that out of my head.
- PLindbergh31

I tried to have an open mind and he's made it very easy to root for him.

Still not 100% sold, but he's been great thus far.

i still miss Bob

but at least Mason is really making me forget Bryzgalov ever existed
- Crimsoninja

Mason is only 4 months older than Bobrovsky. If if he drops off a tick, he still will be providing very solid goaltending. I'm looking at it as if Mason were traded for Bobrovsky. Like both guys needed a change of scenery to jumpstart them. Bobrovsky has an early lead, but it's no guarantee he will be better for the long haul.

I tried to have an open mind and he's made it very easy to root for him.

Still not 100% sold, but he's been great thus far.
- Jsaquella

Not sold yet, but he's making a believer out of me. No reason why he can't be good. He's got all the physical tools. Size, good lateral movement, above average puck handling etc...

A lot of his issues were between the ears.

I'm no fan of rosehill being in the lineup and I am one of the people who female doges non stop about wanting a better 4th line but that said, I did think that fight wasn't Boulton challenging Rosehill but rather Rosehill coming in to defend Rinaldo. Necessary? no, but not a "staged" situation where Boutlon challenged Rosehill per se
- nastyflyergirl

Time and place, imo.

i still miss Bob

but at least Mason is really making me forget Bryzgalov ever existed
- Crimsoninja

+1

Mason is only 4 months older than Bobrovsky. If if he drops off a tick, he still will be providing very solid goaltending. I'm looking at it as if Mason were traded for Bobrovsky. Like both guys needed a change of scenery to jumpstart them. Bobrovsky has an early lead, but it's no guarantee he will be better for the long haul.
- PLindbergh31

no question. i just enjoyed the quirkiness of bob. sitting in the stands in the empty arena with his glove on before the games lol.

and it's inevitable that both guys will struggle at some point soon. its just such a fickle position these days

Time and place, imo.
- bradleyc4

Looked to me like Rosehill was pouncing on an opportunity to have some relevance... Rinaldo can handle himself... maybe I'm cynical, but it struck me more as a self-interested move to stay in the lineup.

no question. i just enjoyed the quirkiness of bob. sitting in the stands in the empty arena with his glove on before the games lol.

and it's inevitable that both guys will struggle at some point soon. its just such a fickle position these days
- Crimsoninja

My favorite was Bob calling the town he was staying in "the city of Voorhees." Loved that.

Oh -- and his Coatesy's Corner appearance.

no question. i just enjoyed the quirkiness of bob. sitting in the stands in the empty arena with his glove on before the games lol.

and it's inevitable that both guys will struggle at some point soon. its just such a fickle position these days
- Crimsoninja

Yep. I liked Bob a lot. A lot of goaltenders stats can't be put in context because of the varying levels of play in front of them.

Does anyone else feel that with Simmonds signed at a cap friendly hit for a couple of year, we could of had Vanek for Simmonds and a 2nd?

Looked to me like Rosehill was pouncing on an opportunity to have some relevance... Rinaldo can handle himself... maybe I'm cynical, but it struck me more as a self-interested move to stay in the lineup.
- Tomahawk

That's exactly what that was. It was absolutely that, and it's what anyone should know is going to happen when a player is in the lineup who realizes that there is one thing that he brings to the table.

You knew he was going to fight. You prayed he wasn't going to instigate it or take an extra penalty before doing so.

Note: Nothing I typed that we knew Jay Rosehill would do...helps you to score goals.

Does anyone else feel that with Simmonds signed at a cap friendly hit for a couple of year, we could of had Vanek for Simmonds and a 2nd?
- youarewrong

So you're saying that Moulson and the Isles 1st is worth the same or less than Simmonds?

Does anyone else feel that with Simmonds signed at a cap friendly hit for a couple of year, we could of had Vanek for Simmonds and a 2nd?
- youarewrong

Simmonds is signed through 2018-19. Vanek is a UFA-to-be. Not a good move if he leaves this coming spring.

My favorite was Bob calling the town he was staying in "the city of Voorhees." Loved that.

Oh -- and his Coatesy's Corner appearance.


- Flyskippy

city of voorhees

Does anyone else feel that with Simmonds signed at a cap friendly hit for a couple of year, we could of had Vanek for Simmonds and a 2nd?
- youarewrong

Not a chance. Islanders gave up Moulson who's a better player than Simmonds, and a 1st, and 2nd.

Buffalo got a pretty good haul for Vanek there. I think the Sabres probably flip Moulson at the TDL and enhance the package.

Does anyone else feel that with Simmonds signed at a cap friendly hit for a couple of year, we could of had Vanek for Simmonds and a 2nd?
- youarewrong

seems clear to me that it wouldve had to have been Voracek ++

So you're saying that Moulson and the Isles 1st is worth the same or less than Simmonds?
- bradleyc4

Moulson is UFA too, so Buffalo might end up with just NYI 1st and 2nd. That is the point. I think simmonds is worth more then NYI 1st, yes.

Does anyone else feel that with Simmonds signed at a cap friendly hit for a couple of year, we could of had Vanek for Simmonds and a 2nd?
- youarewrong

No, because the Sabres want to rebuild. They want picks. They'll probably trade Moulson for a pick or two by the Trade Deadline, because there's no reason to re-sign a 29 year old forward for a rebuild.

Does anyone else feel that with Simmonds signed at a cap friendly hit for a couple of year, we could of had Vanek for Simmonds and a 2nd?
- youarewrong

No, no one else feels that. That's just nutty.

You couldn't get Moulson and a first for Simmonds.

I don't think you've thought this through.

Moulson is UFA too, so Buffalo might end up with just NYI 1st and 2nd. That is the point. I think simmonds is worth more then NYI 1st, yes.
- youarewrong

But Moulson is still an asset. And a good one. He gets to play for the Sabres until they trade him again for even more picks.

So no. Isles wanted to upgrade. Moulson to Simmonds is a downgrade for them.

Moulson is UFA too, so Buffalo might end up with just NYI 1st and 2nd. That is the point. I think simmonds is worth more then NYI 1st, yes.
- youarewrong

Vanek could potentially walk as a UFA, too, so you could be minus a Wayne Simmonds and possibly a top-40 draft pick with nothing to show for it when all is said and done.

My favorite was Bob calling the town he was staying in "the city of Voorhees." Loved that.

Oh -- and his Coatesy's Corner appearance.


- Flyskippy

come on don't make me sad

Some observations:
Rinaldo has looked fine in the past when paired with players rather than goons. I have no prob with a 4th line of Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo. However I would like to see them acquire a better 4th line center than Hall, his complete lack of any offense whatsoever is unacceptable.

Really glad Homer didnt make the Vanek deal, keep showing some patience!

Im ok with Mez stepping back in tomorrow. If he struggles, you can send him back to the pressbox for the next game. If he plays well, he can help and he would increase his trade value.

I'll go out on a limb a bit with this one, but I think G has his breakout game tomorrow. I'm predicting Hartnell to be back on the 1st line early in the game and G with a goal and 2 assists, VL and Hartnell both score as well. Anaheim is a bit banged up, and don't play asxwell on the road as they do at home. Final score Flyers 5, Ducks 2.

No, because the Sabres want to rebuild. They want picks. They'll probably trade Moulson for a pick or two by the Trade Deadline, because there's no reason to re-sign a 29 year old forward for a rebuild.
- Jsaquella

what if that 29 year old was a healthy forsberg? just sayin'....

what if that 29 year old was a healthy forsberg? just sayin'....
- hammarby31

If it was...but Matt Moulson isn't.

I'd bet that the Sabres can flip him for at least another 2nd rounder and decent prospect, maybe even another 1st, by the trade deadline.

Moulson has scored 30 goals three times, and had 15 in the lockout shortened 2013 season, which has him near a 30 goal pace in 82 games. I could see a few teams interested in that, namely the Kings, Canucks, Rangers or even the Flyers.