Absolutely. I think he's a pretty good player. I think if you want to be considered a cornerstone piece you need to do much more than he's done this year
- sbroads24

this is a good post

Cellular amplifiers that give you reception in places you normally world not get reception.
- Maximum Signal

FINALLY!

Cellular amplifiers that give you reception in places you normally world not get reception.
- Maximum Signal

I use the tinfoil helmet .

I'm sure yours is way better.
congrats max

last thing on gus...do you think he still has upside and if so, how much...i'll hang up and listen
- Michael Pachla

This isn't directed at you, Mike.

How about Bylsma plays Gus like Nolan played Gus, and then we can call him (snickers) "peaked", at 22.

The guy is a good hockey player. He plays the game right. He's been passed on the depth chart by the next Chris Drury and a possible impact player that everyone on these boards were ready to commit suicide over, if we weren't able to draft him.

He's had a rough year, points wise. Every hockey player who's ever played the game has, too, at some point.

And for those who are ready to run him out of town because one poster on here says he can't play a system, what makes you think other teams are lining up to give us something good in return, since he can't play said system. That's why teams scout players for weeks or months on end. Don't you think these scouts also see that Gus is "clueless" out there?

This isn't directed at you, Mike.

How about Bylsma plays Gus like Nolan played Gus, and then we can call him (snickers) "peaked", at 22.

The guy is a good hockey player. He plays the game right. He's been passed on the depth chart by the next Chris Drury and a possible impact player that everyone on these boards were ready to commit suicide over, if we weren't able to draft him.

He's had a rough year, points wise. Every hockey player who's ever played the game has, too, at some point.

And for those who are ready to run him out of town because one poster on here says he can't play a system, what makes you think other teams are lining up to give us something good in return, since he can't play said system. That's why teams scout players for weeks or months on end. Don't you think these scouts also see that Gus is "clueless" out there?


- grand-magus

Bunch of others have played to a even lesser production.

*scratches head*

what kind of system does Chicago use?
- Michael Pachla

Hey, Pach, good to hear from you.

Honestly, a combo of both. Quenneville gets guys, especially in his bottom 6 that fit his vision of hockey and it works. They seem to always have low costing players who may not be the greatest talent wise, but in his system they just seem to work. He has a dual system in that lines 1 & 2 play one way and 3&4 play another (to a degree) His top 6 are the flash and the bottom create opportunities out of nothing.

Their system is the model of the cap era that everyone is trying to emulate, as it proves you can win with a good goalie, but he doesn't have to be Patrick Roy. He makes the saves he has to and from time to time stands on his head. Even if he is off his game, the top 6 can make up for letting in a few stinkers. They have a nice D corps that compliments the offensive side of the game, but doesn't lose focus of playing D first and of course, having the offensive firepower they do in the top 6 makes things a little easier. But its the bottom 6 that bridges the gap between success and greatness.

When lines 1&2 are on the ice he has their system in place, then when 3&4 are out there they play theirs. He knows it would be foolish to expect the 4th line to try and emulate the play of the top line, so he designs a system that works for the bottom lines that allows them to maximize their potential, when line 1 is back out there, it switches to another style. This is where the D corps is so important as, they seem to react to the styles of play and play well regardless of which line is out there

Last year against Nashville, I thought they were done, but that 3rd and 4th line pulled them out of the fire multiple times and they got through. If not for them, I don't think they'd won the cup

Chicago reminds me of the Patriots or steelers in NFL. Both teams seem to find guys that are drafted late or FA pick ups that were deemed not good enough, but their style of play is perfect for their systems and then, suddenly, they turn into good (not always stars) players.

Some teams have a speed first mentality like the rangers a few years back, while others seem to grind and play as much defense as possible (devils of the 90's with neutral zone traps), but if you have even just one guy that is not the right piece in the system the puzzle is incomplete and tends to show. Can't have a slow bruiser player on a team that demands speed and shiftiness, unless you can alter the lines' system according.

Hey, Pach, good to hear from you.

Honestly, a combo of both. Quenneville gets guys, especially in his bottom 6 that fit his vision of hockey and it works. They seem to always have low costing players who may not be the greatest talent wise, but in his system they just seem to work. He has a dual system in that lines 1 & 2 play one way and 3&4 play another (to a degree) His top 6 are the flash and the bottom create opportunities out of nothing.

Their system is the model of the cap era that everyone is trying to emulate, as it proves you can win with a good goalie, but he doesn't have to be Patrick Roy. He makes the saves he has to and from time to time stands on his head. Even if he is off his game, the top 6 can make up for letting in a few stinkers. They have a nice D corps that compliments the offensive side of the game, but doesn't lose focus of playing D first and of course, having the offensive firepower they do in the top 6 makes things a little easier. But its the bottom 6 that bridges the gap between success and greatness.

When lines 1&2 are on the ice he has their system in place, then when 3&4 are out there they play theirs. He knows it would be foolish to expect the 4th line to try and emulate the play of the top line, so he designs a system that works for the bottom lines that allows them to maximize their potential, when line 1 is back out there, it switches to another style. This is where the D corps is so important as, they seem to react to the styles of play and play well regardless of which line is out there

Last year against Nashville, I thought they were done, but that 3rd and 4th line pulled them out of the fire multiple times and they got through. If not for them, I don't think they'd won the cup

Chicago reminds me of the Patriots or steelers in NFL. Both teams seem to find guys that are drafted late or FA pick ups that were deemed not good enough, but their style of play is perfect for their systems and then, suddenly, they turn into good (not always stars) players.

Some teams have a speed first mentality like the rangers a few years back, while others seem to grind and play as much defense as possible (devils of the 90's with neutral zone traps), but if you have even just one guy that is not the right piece in the system the puzzle is incomplete and tends to show. Can't have a slow bruiser player on a team that demands speed and shiftiness, unless you can alter the lines' system according.
- bberkey1

thx, berkey...what you just described is some pretty good coaching...do you think bylsma's been doing that so far this season?

Hey, Pach, good to hear from you.

Honestly, a combo of both. Quenneville gets guys, especially in his bottom 6 that fit his vision of hockey and it works. They seem to always have low costing players who may not be the greatest talent wise, but in his system they just seem to work. He has a dual system in that lines 1 & 2 play one way and 3&4 play another (to a degree) His top 6 are the flash and the bottom create opportunities out of nothing.

Their system is the model of the cap era that everyone is trying to emulate, as it proves you can win with a good goalie, but he doesn't have to be Patrick Roy. He makes the saves he has to and from time to time stands on his head. Even if he is off his game, the top 6 can make up for letting in a few stinkers. They have a nice D corps that compliments the offensive side of the game, but doesn't lose focus of playing D first and of course, having the offensive firepower they do in the top 6 makes things a little easier. But its the bottom 6 that bridges the gap between success and greatness.

When lines 1&2 are on the ice he has their system in place, then when 3&4 are out there they play theirs. He knows it would be foolish to expect the 4th line to try and emulate the play of the top line, so he designs a system that works for the bottom lines that allows them to maximize their potential, when line 1 is back out there, it switches to another style. This is where the D corps is so important as, they seem to react to the styles of play and play well regardless of which line is out there

Last year against Nashville, I thought they were done, but that 3rd and 4th line pulled them out of the fire multiple times and they got through. If not for them, I don't think they'd won the cup

Chicago reminds me of the Patriots or steelers in NFL. Both teams seem to find guys that are drafted late or FA pick ups that were deemed not good enough, but their style of play is perfect for their systems and then, suddenly, they turn into good (not always stars) players.

Some teams have a speed first mentality like the rangers a few years back, while others seem to grind and play as much defense as possible (devils of the 90's with neutral zone traps), but if you have even just one guy that is not the right piece in the system the puzzle is incomplete and tends to show. Can't have a slow bruiser player on a team that demands speed and shiftiness, unless you can alter the lines' system according.
- bberkey1

More Corsi fenwick adjusted for dangerous plays against please.

thx, berk...what you just described is some pretty good coaching...do you think bylsma's been doing that so far this season?
- Michael Pachla

I've been on record as being not a fan of Bylsma (especially when I'm on the board and have been drinkin ) but I see a lot of his Pittsburgh mentality being installed, whcih had its moments of greatness, but in the end, got him run out of there. In that playoff round against the Bruins, they scored 3 times I believe in a 4 game sweep. They had a healthy Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Fluery was playing well, Kunitz and Dupuis were having great years, james neal was a nice addition to the top 6 and to top it off, they picked up Iginla.

That being said, the "move the puck until an opportunity presented itself" did not work against the Bruins, as they consistently out hit them, pushed them around and took away the chances for opportunities to arrive. Had Pitt pressed the issue more and tried to crash the net more often and get a little dirtier, they may have moved on.

Earlier this year, we were a few post shots and scooping up juicy rebounds away from putting up 3-4 goals consistently, because guy were there to screen, grab rebounds and tip pucks in. They we there, but they just missed out on the last second chances. But as of late, especially on the PP, it looks like we are expecting something to appear, even when its clear they are not. McGinn is an example of getting to that net and tipping pucks in or tapping home loose pucks. Samson has also gotten better at this, as does Gionta who plays that old gritty style. However, there are times you see them go to the net, or are standing there waiting to do what they do, but the play just never develops because the others are so poised to move the puck to find the best opportunity rather than taking the shot and letting guys like McGinn create an opportunity afterwards.

Sometimes you need to score on a junk shot. Kane's goals against philly that won the cup comes to mind. A goal's a goal, and I think sometimes, Bylsma forgets that bad bounces and fortuitous rebounds and redirects occur and can go in the net. On a side note, I think McGinn would have be awesome in Chicago on the third line b/c of his play

last thing on gus...do you think he still has upside and if so, how much...i'll hang up and listen
- Michael Pachla

Enough upside to hopefully be key in landing a top 2 defenseman.

Enough upside to hopefully be key in landing a top 2 defenseman.
- zdp1189

It would have to be a package but yea I agree

It would have to be a package but yea I agree
- Pegullaville

Yup, only players I see as being the "core" going forward are Eichel, ROR, Reinhart, Risto, Lehner, 2016 1st. All offers should be entertained for everyone else.

So I sent someone questionable pictures on this site to someone I have no clue who it is so I apologize for that ..

And don't judge me I'm sure you did that stuff back in the day too
- gerbe75pts

It was me and although I'm from California ...... there's no way in hell I ever did that sheit.

Are we on Drouin?!

I love the report that the Sabres are scouting the Duck-Kings game(which is great by the way). As if I'm supposed to believe that a teams rep goes and watches one random night and makes a decision based on that.

Are we on Drouin?!
- Sabresfan88

Its a kinda, sorta, maybe, it seems.

I have a feeling we're going to get Richie I'm not a fan but whatever

And if we're doing a trade with the Kings I'm hoping for tanner pearson

A coaches system is everything. I think guys like kane and Bailey along with 28 would thrive in a "create opportunities" type system, which was Nolan's. Hard hitting, fore-check and getting to the net relentlessly.

IMO Our current system is a "wait for opportunities to present themselves" Enter the zone, pass the puck and set up a clear shot, if its not there, change lines get fresh legs and try again.

How many times has kane single handily skated into the offensive zone with two guys on him battling with the puck, gets free, but has no one to pass to as the team is in the middle of a line change? Quite often and then he has no choice but to shoot a random shot b/c hes tired and there isn't enough time continue on, so his hard work is lost. I see the same in 28 when he crashes the boards and gets a puck free, there's no one to help him. They're all the way on the opposite side of the rink, or behind the net. If another player came over to help fish the puck away, something may result from said effort, but instead, they're waiting for an opportunity to unfold instead of pressing the issue and creating something, sometimes out of nothing.

Larsson's goal friday was the result of hard work and creating opportunities (or taking advantage of them), while BOGO's was the result of waiting for the opportunity to present itself. (Clear shot, traffic in front) Both styles have their pros and cons, but the style of the players must mesh with the system or else neither works. Our PP is an example of not trying to create opportunities but rather trying to allow them to present themselves and as of late, the numbers have been telling.

That being said, if 28 helps land a solid D man than I think you can safely make that trade, but I don't want to swap him for another forward (I guess eberle might be okay)
- bberkey1

Well said. There are too many times when we have someone entering the offensive zone with little support.

If Girgs is part of a trade that brings back a solid Dman, I'm ok with it. Don't need to trade him though.

I love the report that the Sabres are scouting the Duck-Kings game(which is great by the way). As if I'm supposed to believe that a teams rep goes and watches one random night and makes a decision based on that.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Is it only me, or is anyone else surprised by the lack of any movement by GMTM?!?!

Is it only me, or is anyone else surprised by the lack of any movement by GMTM?!?!
- Sabresfan88

The nights not over with it's just starting

Maybe he's saving the fireworks for tomorrow

Is it only me, or is anyone else surprised by the lack of any movement by GMTM?!?!
- Sabresfan88

Not really, deadline day is tomorrow.

Are we on Drouin?!
- Sabresfan88

I heard yes this evening, also heard mcginn, franson, picks plus for lindholm

girgens, bailey plus for drouin


don't shoot the messenger

ducks kings tied at 2

2 pp goals for ducks, 1 for the kings

Something that was said in the Ducks game via Rob Ray stuck in my head....(sometimes he can drop a pearl of wisdom yu know) .....right before they scored their first goal while on the PP he mentioned the Sabres needed to be careful as the Ducks were starting to bring their D-men off the Blue Line and move in for the kill ...........basically shrinking the ice in front of Lehner. Immediately it seemed they scored doing just that.

It began to dawn on me ............ the poopty teams seem to spend a lot of time hanging two d-men right inside the blue line on the PP.... pass the puck around and consider a shot from 2 feet inside the blue line a quality shot .... which it is not.

The good/confident teams say (frank)that and push the action by moving in for the kill and taking a shot much closer to the goal ............. with of course a ton of traffic in front.

Has anyone else noticed this ?

hawks beat the caps 3-2

3 pp goals in the game