I didn't read the article, so it could have mentioned this, but I would think that the logistics of having it in Buffalo would be easier. Does Tampa even have enough rinks in a reasonable distance to support it?
- HonkFortheGoose

Buffalo only used FNC and one rink at Niagara University I think it said, so it doesn't sound like it takes much. It's "only" 10 teams.

Seems like the thing to do is just leave it alone until his court date. No need to announce any NHL-type discipline yet I don't think.
- TheSabresTaco

I'm not talking about the NHL discipline. That will come in due time, if at all.

As far as court goes, the best thing to do is to have his legal team and handlers have the thing entirely resolved before they even get close to the court date.

I'm not talking about the NHL discipline. That will come in due time, if at all.

As far as court goes, the best thing to do is to have his legal team and handlers have the thing entirely resolved before they even get close to the court date.
- Der Kaiser

Saw an article in my alerts that he was just in some charity game in Canada recently, I think it was this past weekend. Maybe he wanted to get past that? No clue.

I didn't read the article, so it could have mentioned this, but I would think that the logistics of having it in Buffalo would be easier. Does Tampa even have enough rinks in a reasonable distance to support it?
- HonkFortheGoose

I doubt USA Hockey would name them as a finalist if they didn't. All that matters is that most likely Canada and the US would be playing at the St. Pete Times Forum anyway.

One of the main factors in choosing a host city is this: will Canadians go there? Because, as we all saw in 2005 and 2011, the Americans really don't. Buffalo works because of the proximity to the border, but they already hosted it, and by having them do it again, USA Hockey loses out on branching out to other areas. Canadians will travel to Tampa for this thing. It's a great vacation spot at an opportune time (Christmas) full of Canadian snowbirds as it is. Plus, it really isn't that expensive to fly down there even during peak travel times.

Granted, a large number of Canadians traveled to Malmo as well, so that doesn't rule any US city out, but, it comes down to which city has the most appeal, and on that list, it would be Tampa by far because of the travel appeal.

In all fairness to him, I have a Bachelor's Degree in English so.....
- HonkFortheGoose

Yeah, but I'm better than that. Self disappointment ensues.

I would hope that's something that Pegula (either of them) stresses heavily.

FWIW, I don't imagine Buffalo gets it again, so soon.
- stashu

Pros and cons to each. Having it in Tampa extends interest in the south. Having it in Buffalo is, well, self explanatory.

I doubt USA Hockey would name them as a finalist if they didn't. All that matters is that most likely Canada and the US would be playing at the St. Pete Times Forum anyway.

One of the main factors in choosing a host city is this: will Canadians go there? Because, as we all saw in 2005 and 2011, the Americans really don't. Buffalo works because of the proximity to the border, but they already hosted it, and by having them do it again, USA Hockey loses out on branching out to other areas. Canadians will travel to Tampa for this thing. It's a great vacation spot at an opportune time (Christmas) full of Canadian snowbirds as it is. Plus, it really isn't that expensive to fly down there even during peak travel times.

Granted, a large number of Canadians traveled to Malmo as well, so that doesn't rule any US city out, but, it comes down to which city has the most appeal, and on that list, it would be Tampa by far because of the travel appeal.
- buffalofan19

My guess would be part of why Buffalo is even a finalist right now is because of the HarborCenter. Does USA Hockey want to kind of showcase it while it's still pretty new or wait however many more years when it's not new anymore.

Best Wednesday yet, IMO, cab! That 2nd mail was fantastic

I doubt USA Hockey would name them as a finalist if they didn't. All that matters is that most likely Canada and the US would be playing at the St. Pete Times Forum anyway.

One of the main factors in choosing a host city is this: will Canadians go there? Because, as we all saw in 2005 and 2011, the Americans really don't. Buffalo works because of the proximity to the border, but they already hosted it, and by having them do it again, USA Hockey loses out on branching out to other areas. Canadians will travel to Tampa for this thing. It's a great vacation spot at an opportune time (Christmas) full of Canadian snowbirds as it is. Plus, it really isn't that expensive to fly down there even during peak travel times.

Granted, a large number of Canadians traveled to Malmo as well, so that doesn't rule any US city out, but, it comes down to which city has the most appeal, and on that list, it would be Tampa by far because of the travel appeal.
- buffalofan19

Pedant.

I've been away for a few days and something has been eating at me. Why do so many of the pundits just assume that Toronto is automatically going to a force in the near future? They seem like a bunch of managerial spare parts with a very muddled plan. They should tear it down but $10 says they won't.

1) Shanny's never run a team (I don't get the fascination with former players running teams)
2) Lou is ridiculously overrated (and loves veterans)
3) Despite an improving farm system they don't have the key pieces (high-end centers)

Best Wednesday yet, IMO, cab! That 2nd mail was fantastic
- stashu

She hasn't sent those in a while . Usually PP files.

I've been away for a few days and something has been eating at me. Why do so many of the pundits just assume that Toronto is automatically going to a force in the near future? They seem like a bunch of managerial spare parts with a very muddled plan. They should tear it down but $10 says they won't.

1) Shanny's never run a team (I don't get the fascination with former players running teams)
2) Lou is ridiculously overrated (and loves veterans)
3) Despite an improving farm system they don't have the key pieces (high-end centers)
- Slump Buster

I'm pretty sure that most of us around here feel the same way. The way I look at it, is there's too many chiefs and not enough indians there right now.

There's a lot of big egos in that front office and I'm having a hard time figuring out who is going to be willing to take a back seat to the others in order to actually accomplish anything there.

I'm pretty sure that most of us around here feel the same way. The way I look at it, is there's too many chiefs and not enough indians there right now.

There's a lot of big egos in that front office and I'm having a hard time figuring out who is going to be willing to take a back seat to the others in order to actually accomplish anything there.
- HonkFortheGoose

Definitely too many chefs. Also, the order in which they were brought in (GM last) has to lend itself to some strife at some point.

I've been away for a few days and something has been eating at me. Why do so many of the pundits just assume that Toronto is automatically going to a force in the near future? They seem like a bunch of managerial spare parts with a very muddled plan. They should tear it down but $10 says they won't.

1) Shanny's never run a team (I don't get the fascination with former players running teams)
2) Lou is ridiculously overrated (and loves veterans)
3) Despite an improving farm system they don't have the key pieces (high-end centers)
- Slump Buster

Honestly, outside of hiring Lou, I can't see much that they haven't done right. I haven't really read much about them being a force soon, but I think they're doing things the right way here. They're bringing in undervalued free agents to fill out their roster and trade for picks or keep them around if they deem fit. All the while, this rag tag band of free agents and a few of their own reasonably talented guys like JVR, Kadri, Phaneuf and Reilly will continue to chug along, drinking a tall glass of suck for a few years. All the while Toronto is collecting billions of picks to supercharge their farm system just like the Sabres did. Yes, they're missing that franchise center still, but if they suck for a few years, they have a decent chance of picking that guy up.


As far as Lou is concerned. That's most definitely a step back.

Honestly, outside of hiring Lou, I can't see much that they haven't done right. I haven't really read much about them being a force soon, but I think they're doing things the right way here. They're bringing in undervalued free agents to fill out their roster and trade for picks or keep them around if they deem fit. All the while, this rag tag band of free agents and a few of their own reasonably talented guys like JVR, Kadri, Phaneuf and Reilly will continue to chug along, drinking a tall glass of suck for a few years. All the while Toronto is collecting billions of picks to supercharge their farm system just like the Sabres did. Yes, they're missing that franchise center still, but if they suck for a few years, they have a decent chance of picking that guy up.
- TheSabresTaco

Sure, I completely agree. My poorly-made point is that there is the assumption that this is all going to work out. They goofed last year by not tanking from the beginning (thankfully - they would have beat us out) and I don't know that they are fully committed to the tank next year. I don't see how else they are going to get the centers that are required to be elite.

Honestly, outside of hiring Lou, I can't see much that they haven't done right. I haven't really read much about them being a force soon, but I think they're doing things the right way here. They're bringing in undervalued free agents to fill out their roster and trade for picks or keep them around if they deem fit. All the while, this rag tag band of free agents and a few of their own reasonably talented guys like JVR, Kadri, Phaneuf and Reilly will continue to chug along, drinking a tall glass of suck for a few years. All the while Toronto is collecting billions of picks to supercharge their farm system just like the Sabres did. Yes, they're missing that franchise center still, but if they suck for a few years, they have a decent chance of picking that guy up.


As far as Lou is concerned. That's most definitely a step back.
- TheSabresTaco

The problem is you have to hit on those picks as well. Not so sure Marner was the right pick for them this year and a few of the other guys they drafted left me scratching my head a bit.

But hey, whatever. I'm totally fine with Toronto being stuck in an eternal rut of suckiness.

The problem is you have to hit on those picks as well. Not so sure Marner was the right pick for them this year and a few of the other guys they drafted left me scratching my head a bit.

But hey, whatever. I'm totally fine with Toronto being stuck in an eternal rut of suckiness.
- HonkFortheGoose

The habs and rangers can suck as well

and the bruins


oh and the sens
twice

The problem is you have to hit on those picks as well. Not so sure Marner was the right pick for them this year and a few of the other guys they drafted left me scratching my head a bit.

But hey, whatever. I'm totally fine with Toronto being stuck in an eternal rut of suckiness.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agreed, completely. I just have this feeling that they are going to try the hybrid rebuild and they are going to be mediocre for years.

Sure, I completely agree. My poorly-made point is that there is the assumption that this is all going to work out. They goofed last year by not tanking from the beginning (thankfully - they would have beat us out) and I don't know that they are fully committed to the tank next year. I don't see how else they are going to get the centers that are required to be elite.
- Slump Buster

They're absolutely committed. Look at their acquisitions. It's all low grade free agents, picks and prospects. They got rid of their best player for a pair of B prospects and a conditional 1st.

Obvious tank is obvious. I'm not going to stand here and accuse them of wrong doing because that would be the ultimate hypocrisy. But they're definitely trying to lose on purpose to land 'that guy'. Thankfully for Sabres fans, we got our guy right before the lottery got (frank)ed up. Watching the Laffs 'win' 30th only to have a chance at picking 4th overall will be the ultimate delight.

They're absolutely committed. Look at their acquisitions. It's all low grade free agents, picks and prospects. They got rid of their best player for a pair of B prospects and a conditional 1st.

Obvious tank is obvious. I'm not going to stand here and accuse them of wrong doing because that would be the ultimate hypocrisy. But they're definitely trying to lose on purpose to land 'that guy'. Thankfully for Sabres fans, we got our guy right before the lottery got (frank)ed up. Watching the Laffs 'win' 30th only to have a chance at picking 4th overall will be the ultimate delight.
- TheSabresTaco

Gotta get more in return for those players though.

The problem is you have to hit on those picks as well. Not so sure Marner was the right pick for them this year and a few of the other guys they drafted left me scratching my head a bit.

But hey, whatever. I'm totally fine with Toronto being stuck in an eternal rut of suckiness.
- HonkFortheGoose

Who isn't. And that's the thing though. With a billion picks , your odds of hitting greatly improves. That's the idea put in place here. Only the Oilers, and probably Lou, can (frank) this up.

Gotta get more in return for those players though.
- HonkFortheGoose

Absolutely they do. They got hosed for sure. The 1st is likely to not even be a lottery choice. You almost have to think that it was one of their only offers for Kessel that even remotely made sense for them. Like they felt they had to trade him.

Agreed, completely. I just have this feeling that they are going to try the hybrid rebuild and they are going to be mediocre for years.
- Slump Buster

Nothing would make me happier.

Just saw this and I feel compelled to post it, cause it's so freaking good:

I'm pretty sure that most of us around here feel the same way. The way I look at it, is there's too many chiefs and not enough indians there right now.

There's a lot of big egos in that front office and I'm having a hard time figuring out who is going to be willing to take a back seat to the others in order to actually accomplish anything there.
- HonkFortheGoose

Fun fact, you get a ban threat for saying the above in the Leafs blog.... No joke....