DesLauriers not on the ice this morning.

Finns win gold I think no matter who they are playing in the gold medal game.

They are feeling it, and they have the crowd behind them
- Stripes77

I think the US has the only shot at beating them. That's two pretty draining games Finland has had to play. The home crowd could make up for that though. Sweden did shut down their top line, which is a first for the tournament. The US has had the lighter load so far. Also, factor in the "difficult to beat the same team twice" in this tournament, and I give Russia almost zero chance if they win today.

Money isn't the issue, it's the cap hit
- Stripes77

If he's in Rochester it doesn't count against the NHL cap, correct?

I'm honestly surprised at all the hate for GMTM already. He has had 2 drafts to start putting a team together. We are what..the second youngest team in the NHL? Anyone who was expecting a quick turn around is just insane.

The Panthers are a perfect example of how it takes time. Dale Tallon built the Hawks team that won the last few cups or at least the core of that team. He moved onto the train wreck of the Panthers and even though they made the playoffs one..they haven't been that much better if better at all than the Sabres. If the Panthers had a fan base like the Sabres or Oilers I'm sure people would of wanted him hanged after 2 years. Now they are at the fore front 5 years later.

TM isn't done, I like what he has done at the draft in 2 years and the trades he made. I believe the core is here take or give 1 player. Now lets let the team grow and fill in the gaps from here. We can only go up.
- AuthorityHero

Is that 1 player going to take us from 29th to top 5 over the next couple years? That's the question I have.

The fact that Eichel and Reinhart already playing at a high level leads me to believe that their improvements alone won't be enough

I'm honestly surprised at all the hate for GMTM already. He has had 2 drafts to start putting a team together. We are what..the second youngest team in the NHL? Anyone who was expecting a quick turn around is just insane.

The Panthers are a perfect example of how it takes time. Dale Tallon built the Hawks team that won the last few cups or at least the core of that team. He moved onto the train wreck of the Panthers and even though they made the playoffs one..they haven't been that much better if better at all than the Sabres. If the Panthers had a fan base like the Sabres or Oilers I'm sure people would of wanted him hanged after 2 years. Now they are at the fore front 5 years later.

TM isn't done, I like what he has done at the draft in 2 years and the trades he made. I believe the core is here take or give 1 player. Now lets let the team grow and fill in the gaps from here. We can only go up.
- AuthorityHero

Well said.
I understand why people are upset with the standing but dont forget we didnt win a game in january last year. Unlike last year the standings are all very close from last to the wild card teams. Even the pens with sid and geno finished last and excelled on that 3rd draft pick (J. Staal).

If he's in Rochester it doesn't count against the NHL cap, correct?
- Zschalberg

Teams do not receive full cap relief when a player on a one-way NHL contract is reassigned to the American Hockey League, or is loaned to a team in another professional league.

The players salary cap hit, minus the sum of the minimum NHL salary for the respective season and $375,000, still counts towards the team’s salary cap total.

The cap hit relief is therefore equal to the minimum salary of the respective season + $375,000:
2014-15: $550,000 + $375,000 = $925,000
2015-16: $575,000 + $375,000 = $950,000
2016-17: $575,000 + $375,000 = $950,000
2017-18: $650,000 + $375,000 = $1,025,000
2018-19: $650,000 + $375,000 = $1,025,000
2019-20: $700,000 + $375,000 = $1,075,000
2020-21: $700,000 + $375,000 = $1,075,000
2021-22: $750,000 + $375,000 = $1,125,000

So putting him in the minors would save us 1 Million. We would save 2 million year 4 if we bought him out then, 1 million year 5, then still owe him 1 million for the next 2 years after that. AHL might be better than a buyout but I was under the impression that once they were buried they were out of sight out of mind. That is not the case.

If he's in Rochester it doesn't count against the NHL cap, correct?
- Zschalberg

I'm not sure that's accurate

Edit: see above

Double edit: you posted it lol

Is that 1 player going to take us from 29th to top 5 over the next couple years? That's the question I have.

The fact that Eichel and Reinhart already playing at a high level leads me to believe that their improvements alone won't be enough
- sbroads24

This is the key imo. the foundations set this pick (hopefully) will be the roof that caps it off

Drouin 6 goals in 89 games, tons of secondary assists & demanding a trade already

Its not like he was struggling on a poopy sabres team. Kid was struggling to score on a high scoring team.

Per Paul Ham
Lines. 88 90 12.
9 15 23.
26 22 82.
28 59 17

I'm honestly surprised at all the hate for GMTM already. He has had 2 drafts to start putting a team together. We are what..the second youngest team in the NHL? Anyone who was expecting a quick turn around is just insane.

The Panthers are a perfect example of how it takes time. Dale Tallon built the Hawks team that won the last few cups or at least the core of that team. He moved onto the train wreck of the Panthers and even though they made the playoffs one..they haven't been that much better if better at all than the Sabres. If the Panthers had a fan base like the Sabres or Oilers I'm sure people would of wanted him hanged after 2 years. Now they are at the fore front 5 years later.

TM isn't done, I like what he has done at the draft in 2 years and the trades he made. I believe the core is here take or give 1 player. Now lets let the team grow and fill in the gaps from here. We can only go up.
- AuthorityHero

I think the "hate" is really just people 1) being upset with the record and 2) being upset that we lost a lot of mid-level prospects. I don't get either argument (the horse we've been beating for the last several days). Other than the Lehner trade I think the other moves were fantastic and I am fine with the trades.

Per Paul Ham
Lines. 88 90 12.
9 15 23.
26 22 82.
28 59 17
- yen6d1

seriously? Ugh

Is that 1 player going to take us from 29th to top 5 over the next couple years? That's the question I have.

The fact that Eichel and Reinhart already playing at a high level leads me to believe that their improvements alone won't be enough
- sbroads24

I think we are a good winger and a good d man away. It's clear Bylsma hasn't found that one line combo that really does great. Eichel and Girgs look good together, but they need someone else on that line. Especially with Ennis being injured so much and Moulson doing nothing.

I think its just as much about this team really getting to know each other and find chemistry in a new system than it is about finding the right pieces. We need serious help on the LW and I'd trade Franson any day for a better D.

He's a lefty, and I would take him, but only if we are getting salary retained and able to offload Bogo or Gorges.

Personally, I would go all in on Yandle, and move Bogo or Gorges in the offseason.
- sbroads24

Moving Bogosian is the way to go as it gives you better cap flexibility long term.

My only question would be what if Guhle improves so much that he makes the team out of camp next year?

That would mean you need to get rid of both Bogosian and Gorges, or at least one of them while not signing Yandle.

This is the key imo. the foundations set this pick (hopefully) will be the roof that caps it off
- yen6d1

if girgenson doesnt mesh on a scoring line we might be in trouble. Ennis mcginn gionta larsson and moulson are not the answer. Even if we get a top end foward this draft were still looking for 1 more guy.

I think the "hate" is really just people 1) being upset with the record and 2) being upset that we lost a lot of mid-level prospects. I don't get either argument (the horse we've been beating for the last several days). Other than the Lehner trade I think the other moves were fantastic and I am fine with the trades.
- Slump Buster

U like that mcnabb trade too?

http://www.tsn.ca/wjc-ice...rise-with-russia-1.417621



Ron Wilson is such an bumhole.

U like that mcnabb trade too?
- joshs

We traded for what appears to be a top-notch power forward prospect. It is still waaaaaay too early to write the book on that trade. If Fasching turns out to be a top-6 guy then we did very well.

Thinking just off the top of my head

Kane ROR Reinhart
Drouin Eichel Girgensons
McGinn Larsson Gionta
Deslauriers Legwand Foligno

Then you still have Moulson in the mix somewhere.

I like the top 8...Gionta ehh
- Stripes77

Then go for Stamkos and top 2/3 pick this year (hoping), this team could fly next year! lol

To do that, I think you are losing McGinn, Foligno, Weber and Legwand in FA this year.

Drouin 6 goals in 89 games, tons of secondary assists & demanding a trade already

Its not like he was struggling on a poopy sabres team. Kid was struggling to score on a high scoring team.
- joshs

Kid wasnt struggling. His goals per 60 mins is really good. Problem is he was only playing 11 minutes on a deep team.

He wasn't playing much. That's why he wants a trade.

U like that mcnabb trade too?
- joshs

Ehhh Fasching has been a force this year. And D Lo is a perect 4L winger
But at time McNabb was passed in the depth cart by Risto Zads Pysyk and maybe McCabe. The idea was right to get something for him before we possibly lost him in the depth chart. If Hudson makes it to the NHL it's a fair deal for both sides.

I think the "hate" is really just people 1) being upset with the record and 2) being upset that we lost a lot of mid-level prospects. I don't get either argument (the horse we've been beating for the last several days). Other than the Lehner trade I think the other moves were fantastic and I am fine with the trades.
- Slump Buster

Not to be picky, but Armia, Zadorov, and Grigorenko were all ranked as top 50 prospects as late as last season.

Lemieux was getting a lot of press for scoring as much as he did as well, and Compher was ranked closely to Fasching in the 50-75 range.

They were as close to high end as you could get without being high end.

I think at one point Zadorov was the 11th best prospect last year

Per Paul Ham
Lines. 88 90 12.
9 15 23.
26 22 82.
28 59 17
- yen6d1

If anyone is going to complain about anything, its our coach pulling crap like this.

Then go for Stamkos and top 2/3 pick this year (hoping), this team could fly next year! lol

To do that, I think you are losing McGinn, Foligno, Weber and Legwand in FA this year.
- Lilroot9

I'm staying away of Stamkos.

I'd like to keep McGinn and maybe Foligno.

Not to be picky, but Armia, Zadorov, and Grigorenko were all ranked as top 50 prospects as late as last season.

Lemieux was getting a lot of press for scoring as much as he did as well, and Compher was ranked closely to Fasching in the 50-75 range.

They were as close to high end as you could get without being high end.

I think at one point Zadorov was the 11th best prospect last year
- sbroads24

And then (with the exception of Zadorov) they weren't in that range anymore. Wouldn't you take Fasching every day of the week over Armia, Lemieux, Compher and Grigo?

And the other point that you consistently miss with this is that we actually had too many contracts. We couldn't keep all of these guys.