Agreed.

Mike Richards was/is great, but let's all stop pining over him like a group of high schoolers crying because our ex is going to the prom with someone else.
- johndewar

Scottie Upshall

On their very best days, Buff is the better player... heck, he's probably the best in the league. You're just not going to get that many of those kinds of days out of him, which is why he's such a frustrating player to watch/coach/play with.
- Tomahawk

I think that's overrating Byfuglien to an extreme.

Mildly intoxicated, generally pleasant..and you?
- BiggE

have a slice of key lime pie for me while you are there

Scottie Upshall
- Scoob

Scottie gone.

Scottie Upshall
- Scoob

Alexei Zhitnik

$7-7.5M for Phaneuf (which is likely what he will get as an UFA) is too much for me.

You guys want him for that contract?

On their very best days, Buff is the better player... heck, he's probably the best in the league. You're just not going to get that many of those kinds of days out of him, which is why he's such a frustrating player to watch/coach/play with.
- Tomahawk

There's at least a handful of players (Weber being the first in mind) that, on his best day, is better than Buff on his best day.

$7-7.5M for Phaneuf (which is likely what he will get as an UFA) is too much for me.

You guys want him for that contract?
- Marc D

No. Chances of it happening are at least 15% though.

Mood?
- Crimsoninja

I'm 35 miles from the nearest rest stop and that 44 magnum of Mountain Dew is feeling like a bad idea.

$7-7.5M for Phaneuf (which is likely what he will get as an UFA) is too much for me.

You guys want him for that contract?
- Marc D

If you want a top defenseman in Free Agency, that's what it's going to cost. Hell that might be cheap. It could be even higher. If he makes it to Free Agency, he'll be the best available UFA defenseman.

There's at least a handful of players (Weber being the first in mind) that, on his best day, is better than Buff on his best day.
- jmatchett383

More then a handful is you ask me.

I'm 35 miles from the nearest rest stop and that 44 magnum of Mountain Dew is feeling like a bad idea.
- mayorofangrytown

I'm sure there are plenty of trees

- johndewar

(I spent way too much time on this...)

(I spent way too much time on this...)
- Tomahawk

Worth it. Well done, sir!

(I spent way too much time on this...)
- Tomahawk

Very nice.

I think that's overrating Byfuglien to an extreme.
- MJL

buf is a better skater, shooter and passer...other than that...

Worth it. Well done, sir!
- johndewar

yeah good job

Raffl also makes better struedel than Nodl.
- PLindbergh31

What no love for the Nodl's struedel?

I predict Raffl to take a Patrick Sharp route. Show some signs of potential, he gets traded and then and only then his career takes off.

buf is a better skater, shooter and passer...other than that...
- isaiah520

I disagree. They are comparable offensively as defenseman. Phaneuf is the better all around player.

Scottie gone.
- johndewar

But I bet there are still some here pining away for him.

I'm 35 miles from the nearest rest stop and that 44 magnum of Mountain Dew is feeling like a bad idea.
- mayorofangrytown

Should've gone while you were safely pulled over to the side of the road typing that.

I disagree. They are comparable offensively as defenseman. Phaneuf is the better all around player.
- MJL

i don't know what other considerations come into play - what kind of teammate, conditioning,etc - but when it comes to judging the plyr on the ice, it's Buf hands down...higher skill level, gets shots thru, more dynamic elements.

i don't know what other considerations come into play - what kind of teammate, conditioning,etc - but when it comes to judging the plyr on the ice, it's Buf hands down...higher skill level, gets shots thru, more dynamic elements.
- isaiah520

In my opinion it's not. They are comparable offensively, and Phaneuf has a big edge in terms of actually playing as a defenseman in his own end. Skill levels are also comparable. if I had to choose between the two, Phaneuf wins easily. That's before you even consider the rumored fitness issues.

Should've gone while you were safely pulled over to the side of the road typing that.
- Scoob

i don't know what other considerations come into play - what kind of teammate, conditioning,etc - but when it comes to judging the plyr on the ice, it's Buf hands down...higher skill level, gets shots thru, more dynamic elements.
- isaiah520

I agree, but Total Package Byfuglien only shows up maybe half a dozen times per season... but when he does, watch out.

Phaneuf brings less to the table, but he's much more consistent, so you're probably going to get more out of him when all is said and done.

If Byfuglien brought it every night, he'd have the Norris on lock-down.