Darcy and Myers for Mact and Ference?
- WildMoose

Seems reasonable to me. If you take stafford can we have some pucks ?

Good argument. That has a whole lot to do with the current state of NHL teams.
- Njuice

Your team makes the playoffs once (in a shortened season) in the last decade and you want to talk about the current state of NHL teams. Despite getting outchanced and outshot Toronto has been "good" for about 70 games. So when the numbers finally fall back down to earth and the Leafs "get what they deserve. Loss. Loss. And more losses" come back and we can eat some crow together

Seems reasonable to me. If you take stafford can we have some pucks ?
- jaumiller

I'll keep my pucks and give you some Eager. Trading our crappiest players to each other could be kinda fun

Your team makes the playoffs once (in a shortened season) in the last decade and you want to talk about the current state of NHL teams. Despite getting outchanced and outshot Toronto has been "good" for about 70 games. So when the numbers finally fall back down to earth and the Leafs "get what they deserve. Loss. Loss. And more losses" come back and we can eat some crow together
- WildMoose

Yeah, being a Leafs fan is frustrating for sure. And as long as my crow is served with some bacon, I'm in

I'll keep my pucks and give you some Eager. Trading our crappiest players to each other could be kinda fun
- WildMoose

Sounds good to me

Yeah, being a Leafs fan is frustrating for sure. And as long as my crow is served with some bacon, I'm in
- Njuice

Well I take mine with a side of Poutine so it's a date

Alright it's 4am in NZ, i'm headin off, nice talking to some people who actually know a thing or two about hockey though

If the Sabres came and offered Ehrhoff+Ott as a starting point, what would they have to add?

It fills the need of gritty forward and D-man that can log minutes.

If the Sabres came and offered Ehrhoff+Ott as a starting point, what would they have to add?

It fills the need of gritty forward and D-man that can log minutes.
- ImThatGuy

I can't see Ott (pending UFA) being of interest in a deal for Yak.

Agreed. I think there's something a little askew when Eakins gets criticized with Yakupov for giving him sheltered minutes. I don't think Yakupov has much to learn in the AHL, but he does have a lot to learn in the NHL and should be sheltered accordingly. Maybe Eakins gives him 4th line time against 4th line competition because he wants to give him the opportunity to drive the bulk of puck possession on the line and, since he's in a slump, provide him with lesser competition to get his confidence up? How rude of him!

As for the team, if you build it around young kids, don't be surprised if it doesn't click right away. We could - and SHOULD - make moves to improve, but a climb towards playoffs and beyond will come primarily because our core guys are taking the next step.
- Morris

Good teams use their best players in situations for them to succeed- I cant figure out why Yaks PP time has been what 2+ mins and change in what 4 games??? and plays under 12mins in last 3 games??? yet he is crucified for turnovers etc- and yet his teammates make the same or worse errors and get his ice time?

Good teams use their best players in situations for them to succeed- I cant figure out why Yaks PP time has been what 2+ mins and change in what 4 games??? and plays under 12mins in last 3 games??? yet he is crucified for turnovers etc- and yet his teammates make the same or worse errors and get his ice time?
- saskoil21

This seriously sounds just like Buffalo and the Girgorenko situation.

Good teams use their best players in situations for them to succeed- I cant figure out why Yaks PP time has been what 2+ mins and change in what 4 games??? and plays under 12mins in last 3 games??? yet he is crucified for turnovers etc- and yet his teammates make the same or worse errors and get his ice time?
- saskoil21

He's definitely getting a hard go of it.

I don't mind limiting the PP time, as we have a TON of players that can play the PP well. However, getting glued to the bench for every little mistake is not necessarily helpful.

If the Sabres came and offered Ehrhoff+Ott as a starting point, what would they have to add?

It fills the need of gritty forward and D-man that can log minutes.
- ImThatGuy

I think the Oilers would be willing to give some major assets for Ehrhoff, but probably not that into Yakupov.

We're only interested in Ott if he's interested in re-signing.

Good teams use their best players in situations for them to succeed- I cant figure out why Yaks PP time has been what 2+ mins and change in what 4 games??? and plays under 12mins in last 3 games??? yet he is crucified for turnovers etc- and yet his teammates make the same or worse errors and get his ice time?
- saskoil21

When the Oilers played us recently i watched Hall scream at him on the bench for most of the game. There were a couple times he was show boating and it seemed to get Hall pissed especially noticed it after Yak turned the puck over in the neuitral zone one time. Couldn't hear anything of course so I had no idea what it was pertaining too but it wasn't my imagination.

I can't see Ott (pending UFA) being of interest in a deal for Yak.
- Reveen

There was someone who mentioned on the Sabres blog that Stan Fishler during the Devils game said the Oilers were shopping Yak hard to Buffalo. I am lost on what the return would be. I cant see the Oliers taking back any prospects. Ehrhoff and Ott are really the only vets that have any value.

Yakupov gets his mojo from scoring. His confidence seems to really depend on his ability to get the other team on their heels.

There's two schools of thought on how to fix this:

1) Do everything possible to get him scoring and confident again.

2) get him to a point where he can elevate his game without getting a spark from the red light.

For a 20 year old kid that they hope to be part of their team for a long while? Maybe the 2nd option isn't so bad. Eakins may be going about it wrong, but avoiding the quick fix may be prudent.

Not a Scabs fan, but he belongs in MTL with Galchenyuk. One of Josh Georges/Raphael Diaz and a 1st. Scabs take some $ back if possible.

Boom shakalaka Boom !

Not a Scabs fan, but he belongs in MTL with Galchenyuk. One of Josh Georges/Raphael Diaz and a 1st. Scabs take some $ back if possible.

Boom shakalaka Boom !
- LakesideBlues

I know both sides will cry foul and disagree and say it could never happen. But, if there is one team out there that really thinks they could instantly convert Yakupov into a star it is the Canadiens. We also know that the relationship between Subban and management is deteriorating fast. So the trade proposal.

From Montreal: Subban and a #1 pick

From Edmonton: Eberle and Yakupov
- spatso

Yeah, is that the scuttlebutt down in Jensen Beach?

There was someone who mentioned on the Sabres blog that Stan Fishler during the Devils game said the Oilers were shopping Yak hard to Buffalo. I am lost on what the return would be. I cant see the Oliers taking back any prospects. Ehrhoff and Ott are really the only vets that have any value.
- ImThatGuy

I could only see it if Ott was extended. The Oilers aren't making the playoffs this season so half a year of Ott does nothing for us, especially if he goes UFA.

Not a Scabs fan, but he belongs in MTL with Galchenyuk. One of Josh Georges/Raphael Diaz and a 1st. Scabs take some $ back if possible.

Boom shakalaka Boom !
- LakesideBlues

lolz

- deks1

You guys need young COMPETENT D In a baaaaaaad way.
I don't get the Smid move at all. If you think your getting a kings ransom for a russian player with attitude, first overall or not, you're sadly mistaken.

You guys need young COMPETENT D In a baaaaaaad way.
I don't get the Smid move at all. If you think your getting a kings ransom for a russian player with attitude, first overall or not, you're sadly mistaken.
- LakesideBlues

Yeah cause Georges and Diaz help us in a bad way.....

You guys need young COMPETENT D In a baaaaaaad way.
I don't get the Smid move at all. If you think your getting a kings ransom for a russian player with attitude, first overall or not, you're sadly mistaken.
- LakesideBlues

i don't expect a kings ransom. yak has the potential to get what ryan got for ducks. not at the moment though. ducks got young roster forward, prospect, and 1st. edm does not need another draft pick. young stud d-man and young forward with potential be ideal.

You guys need young COMPETENT D In a baaaaaaad way.
I don't get the Smid move at all. If you think your getting a kings ransom for a russian player with attitude, first overall or not, you're sadly mistaken.
- LakesideBlues

If you don't get a Kings Ransom you don't trade him that (frank)ing simple.