And what about the other triple digit number of teenagers that stuck in the NHL?

I'm not saying I know better that Yzerman/Cooper, and never did. Ultimately, I don't care what they do. The Tampa Bay Lightning aren't my team. I'm not posing the question "should they have done what they did?" I'm posing the question "would Drouin have been hurt had the opposite happened?" I'm merely pointing out the flaw in your argument that just because he did spend the year in Junior doesn't automatically mean he couldn't and wouldn't have developed had he stayed in the NHL.
- buffalofan19

Again We will never know . And what qualifies you to know what is best for any player . . With kids at the tender age of 18 . I have to relay on the fact that these franchises know what is best . As smart as I am I cannot second guess them without a lot more training . Some teams worry about the long term not whether fans will be upset with the move . Players should not be kept up just because the fans are screaming for it . I think we learned that with Grigorenko . After screwing with kid for two years . He now lucks mature enough to stick in the NHL . Like I said , there are other factors involved that you or I really do not know about or qualified to pass judgement.

Again We will never know . And what qualifies you to know what is best for any player . . With kids at the tender age of 18 . I have to relay on the fact that these franchises know what is best . As smart as I am I cannot second guess them without a lot more training . Some teams worry about the long term not whether fans will be upset with the move . Players should not be kept up just because the fans are screaming for it . I think we learned that with Grigorenko . After screwing with kid for two years . He now lucks mature enough to stick in the NHL . Like I said , there are other factors involved that you or I really do not know about or qualified to pass judgement.
- Maximum Signal

And most of those teams also have the luxury of very good to great players ahead of them.

And again, you fail to grasp the concept that I never said what the Lightning did was right or wrong.

I was pointing out the flaw in your argument that implied that because he spent last year in Juniors, and looked good in one game this year, automatically meant he didn't belong in the NHL last year. You're right. We don't know, which is what I said at the very beginning.

And most of those teams also have the luxury of very good to great players ahead of them.

And again, you fail to grasp the concept that I never said what the Lightning did was right or wrong.

I was pointing out the flaw in your argument that implied that because he spent last year in Juniors, and looked good in one game this year, automatically meant he didn't belong in the NHL last year. You're right. We don't know, which is what I said at the very beginning.
- buffalofan19

And you fail to acknowledge some kids are just not physically or mentally ready. Lots of things are considered . No matter how great their skills are.

Again We will never know . And what qualifies you to know what is best for any player . . With kids at the tender age of 18 . I have to relay on the fact that these franchises know what is best . As smart as I am I cannot second guess them without a lot more training . Some teams worry about the long term not whether fans will be upset with the move . Players should not be kept up just because the fans are screaming for it . I think we learned that with Grigorenko . After screwing with kid for two years . He now lucks mature enough to stick in the NHL . Like I said , there are other factors involved that you or I really do not know about or qualified to pass judgement.
- Maximum Signal

OMG enough already.

Each team needs to decide what it thinks is best for their prospects. And it's going to be different based on the circumstances of the team itself as well as the development plan they have in place for said prospect.

Can we just leave it at that and move on already??

And you fail to acknowledge some kids are just not physically or mentally ready. Lots of things are considered . No matter how great their skills are.
- Maximum Signal

Actually I do acknowledge that. If I didn't, I'd be raising hell here because all of the Sabres' draft picks weren't here. What I am maintaining are that the ones with elite talent, can stay here without being hurt, Drouin and Reinhart included.

OMG enough already.

Each team needs to decide what it thinks is best for their prospects. And it's going to be different based on the circumstances of the team itself as well as the development plan they have in place for said prospect.

Can we just leave it at that and move on already??
- HonkFortheGoose

Sorry...

OMG enough already.

Each team needs to decide what it thinks is best for their prospects. And it's going to be different based on the circumstances of the team itself as well as the development plan they have in place for said prospect.

Can we just leave it at that and move on already??
- HonkFortheGoose

I think they are related or married . Or divorced.

Sorry...
- buffalofan19

Sorry, it's just that I skimmed through about 3 pages of the exact same things being said over and over again.

Anyway, did you decide whether or not to go to the Erie game tomorrow?

Sorry, it's just that I skimmed through about 3 pages of the exact same things being said over and over again.

Anyway, did you decide whether or not to go to the Erie game tomorrow?
- HonkFortheGoose

I have not. It will be at the last minute if I do.

I have not. It will be at the last minute if I do.
- buffalofan19

I figure it'll probably be the most entertaining game I get to see in the FNC this year, so why not? I'm in the 200 level for it. Figured I can't afford to sit there for an NHL game so I'm taking advantage of the cheap ticket prices for this one.

I wonder what stafford or Stewart could fetch us? Do they have any value at all? We would have to take back salary.

I wonder what stafford or Stewart could fetch us? Do they have any value at all? We would have to take back salary.
- joshs

Not a first rounder, that's for sure.

And you fail to acknowledge some kids are just not physically or mentally ready. Lots of things are considered . No matter how great their skills are.
- Maximum Signal

I agree with you. But to me sending a lot of them back to juniors is a waste of time.
For upper level talent. Kids who are not quite there need to be in ahl. Where you have your team training there bodies and developing maturity. In 2014 the current system seems outdated and does not factor in whats best for the player just how to line the pockets of junior hockey

I figure it'll probably be the most entertaining game I get to see in the FNC this year, so why not? I'm in the 200 level for it. Figured I can't afford to sit there for an NHL game so I'm taking advantage of the cheap ticket prices for this one.
- HonkFortheGoose

Very jealous. U gotta let me know how good McDavid looks live.

I wonder what stafford or Stewart could fetch us? Do they have any value at all? We would have to take back salary.
- joshs

at best the flu

Not a first rounder....
- buffalofan19

I think Stewart could get us a first especially if its in the mid to laste 20's.
Only if he plays way better

I agree with you. But to me sending a lot of them back to juniors is a waste of time.
For upper level talent. Kids who are not quite there need to be in ahl. Where you have your team training there bodies and developing maturity. In 2014 the current system seems outdated and does not factor in whats best for the player just how to line the pockets of junior hockey
- hafgod

Problem is, many of them can't go to the AHL, due to the NHL-CHL transfer agreement. The question becomes, where does this kid develop better: the NHL or the CHL? More and more teams are choosing the former for more and more players.

Not a first rounder, that's for sure.
- buffalofan19

Yeah. I heard Pittsburgh was looking to dump salary and is looking for a scoring winger. Unfortunately I don't think we have 1 of those

at best the flu
- IndianaSabresFan

Sad but true

I wonder what stafford or Stewart could fetch us? Do they have any value at all? We would have to take back salary.
- joshs

If they pick up their game . It is a long ways to the trade deadline . If a team thinks they are the missing piece . You never know.

Problem is, many of them can't go to the AHL, due to the NHL-CHL transfer agreement. The question becomes, where does this kid develop better: the NHL or the CHL? More and more teams are choosing the former for more and more players.
- buffalofan19

That's the problem. In the old days ahl is not what it is now. The chl kind of protected young players. But in todays game with nhl and there affiliates working way closer together the current system is outdated and surprised the nhl tolerates it.
Its bad for the kids, its bad for the nhl clubs its only good for chl profits. It only would be at most 20 kids a year that are leaving chl

If they pick up their game . It is a long ways to the trade deadline . If a team thinks they are the missing piece . You never know.
- Maximum Signal

Who do we have a realistic shot at replacing them with ?

http://screengrabber.dead...tell-the-truth-1648325670



Alan Pergament's blog is on fire about this.

http://talkintv.buffalone...hic-uglier-bills-victory/

That's the problem. In the old days ahl is not what it is now. The chl kind of protected young players. But in todays game with nhl and there affiliates working way closer together the current system is outdated and surprised the nhl tolerates it.
Its bad for the kids, its bad for the nhl clubs its only good for chl profits. It only would be at most 20 kids a year that are leaving chl
- hafgod

This really is no different than the rule that the NCAA has for the draft between the NFL and NBA, to prevent kids from jumping ship as soon as the college season ends and go to the pros. It's about money, and the realities of the business. The great teams figure out how to work with it.

Who do we have a realistic shot at replacing them with ?
- cabin

The next "Nolan guy" in line.

EDIT: And hatty!