Could be a big nothing. We'll see. I'm cool with keeping it at 30 teams. Relocation, not expansion.
- Zschalberg

Owners disagree. It's nearly 17 million dollars each for doing nothing but letting another team into the league. That money is pure cash for the owners, has no effect on the cap, so no paying out any portion of it.

Here's a fun article about why the Leafs are better at rebuilding than the Sabres. Spoiler: It's not very convincing.

http://www.thescore.com/n...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
- Zschalberg

It's hard to prove this early but the theory that their patience could triumph over our (over)aggressiveness isnt wrong

It's hard to prove this early but the theory that their patience could triumph over our (over)aggressiveness isnt wrong
- Sabresfan-365

But they have been rebuilding for how long? 15-20 years?

But they have been rebuilding for how long? 15-20 years?
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Those were runs to 8th not rebuilds and we had our fair share of those as well.

Those were runs to 8th not rebuilds and we had our fair share of those as well.
- Sabresfan-365

Just looking over stats, crazy to see that the "hockey capital" of the world has only won the division once and has never had a 50 win season.

I don't see why they're comparing the two. We're the smaller city, right? We're the ones that are supposed to be living in the shadow and have the inferiority complex, right?

The only point that made Toronto look better than Buffalo in the article was "The Marlies are in 1st place and the Amerks aren't". Sure. Because if we had Eichel and Reinhart in Rochester they'd be doing a bit better too.

I don't care that Toronto is rebuilding. Good for them. I'll care in a few years when we're both trying to make the playoffs.

"Toronto should be better at rebuilding seeing as they've been doing it for the last 15 years" -Some guy on twitter
- Zschalberg

We've also been an organization that has for at least the past five years been drafting NCAA and European players with the express purpose of stashing them away to extend their development without offering them professional contracts. Now, I won't speak for Toronto, but given that they're a Canadian team, I would bet that they've been drafting more players out of the CHL than we have over the past few years and those players are now on the Marlies.

It's hard to prove this early but the theory that their patience could triumph over our (over)aggressiveness isnt wrong
- Sabresfan-365

It isn't right either. To say that they are going to be better is a complete guess with nothing to base it on. If he had said "The Leafs prospect pool has more blue chip prospects than the Sabres and will add more this year at the draft" and given examples it would have been a better article. Instead, it said "We have Babcock so let's chalk that up as a win, and oh yeah AHL we're better so that's practically a cup, and we have this doctor so, yeah. Oh, and remember when you guys paid Leino lol".

It's up in the air and there are so many variables. The teams are at different stages and will be for a bit. In 3 years if they're "Perennial Contenders" like the comments say they will be and we're in 30th then sure.

Just looking over stats, crazy to see that the "hockey capital" of the world has only won the division once and has never had a 50 win season.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I have nothing wrong with the city, the people there were very nice to me when I went to a game. Just their media. Ridiculous how skewed it is.

It isn't right either. To say that they are going to be better is a complete guess with nothing to base it on. If he had said "The Leafs prospect pool has more blue chip prospects than the Sabres and will add more this year at the draft" and given examples it would have been a better article. Instead, it said "We have Babcock so let's chalk that up as a win, and oh yeah AHL we're better so that's practically a cup, and we have this doctor so, yeah. Oh, and remember when you guys paid Leino lol".

It's up in the air and there are so many variables. The teams are at different stages and will be for a bit. In 3 years if they're "Perennial Contenders" like the comments say they will be and we're in 30th then sure.
- Zschalberg

I think he's basing it on the different approaches both teams have taken so far. you're right it is still a complete guess but I think his argument is that when you compare the two teams during their "scorched earth" phases the leafs seem to be far ahead mostly because of babcock. But you're right it doesn't guarantee anything, there's merit to both approaches.

We've also been an organization that has for at least the past five years been drafting NCAA and European players with the express purpose of stashing them away to extend their development without offering them professional contracts. Now, I won't speak for Toronto, but given that they're a Canadian team, I would bet that they've been drafting more players out of the CHL than we have over the past few years and those players are now on the Marlies.
- sskkoo1

Since 2011 we have taken more players from the CHL than they have

I think he's basing it on the different approaches both teams have taken so far. you're right it is still a complete guess but I think his argument is that when you compare the two teams during their "scorched earth" phases the leafs seem to be far ahead mostly because of babcock. But you're right it doesn't guarantee anything, there's merit to both approaches.
- Sabresfan-365

Only time will tell. We have moved the rebuild along by getting more ready players than just purely drafting and developing. The true test to having our team be good long term is can we develop those players in the background while the team is playing well? Once we make the playoffs we can't be a team with no prospects that is sustainable for 3 years and then back to nothing. If we can draft and develop while winning it's how you sustain it.

Since 2011 we have taken more players from the CHL than they have
- Sabresfan-365

Really? That seems surprising given the amount of Euros and NCAA players we've taken recently. Oh, well, eff Toronto anyway!

Since 2011 we have taken more players from the CHL than they have
- Sabresfan-365

Since 2011

____Sabres______Leafs
CHL___20________18
NCAA__2_________1
H.S.___7_________3
USHL__4_________4
Euro___6_________8
Other__1_________1
Total__40________35

So we've taken more High School kids going to college than they have. The biggest distinction, however, is our top talent has been playing in the NHL or the CHL rather than the AHL.

Edit: This site does not format easily

Since 2011

____Sabres______Leafs
CHL___20________18
NCAA__2_________1
H.S.___7_________3
USHL__4_________4
Euro___6_________8
Other__1_________1
Total__40________35

So we've taken more High School kids going to college than they have. The biggest distinction, however, is our top talent has been playing in the NHL or the CHL rather than the AHL.

Edit: This site does not format easily
- Zschalberg

yea formatting is awful on here. Sems to me the big distinction is our "long term projects" are coming from high school whereas the leafs are turning to europe. Keep in mind they've signed some young players from europe as well

Kris Baker just retweeted Darren Wolfson that Fasching is set to sign with Buffalo barring a breakdown in contract talks. He apparently graduates in May. So, there's that. Says he was in an accelerated program.

Looks like going back to school won't be a thing.

Only time will tell. We have moved the rebuild along by getting more ready players than just purely drafting and developing. The true test to having our team be good long term is can we develop those players in the background while the team is playing well? Once we make the playoffs we can't be a team with no prospects that is sustainable for 3 years and then back to nothing. If we can draft and develop while winning it's how you sustain it.
- Zschalberg

i expect that he is going to have one more summer of mayhem and then he will settle down. he still has house money to spend in pysyk, ennis, girgensons, and a few prospects from before he was gm. assuming he is able to acquire a scoring winger and a top line lhd, he should be able to let the team play for awhile. if they play well, he might not be doing much unless we are buyers at the deadline. it would be nice if things lined up so we could acquire one of the players with our pick and the other in free agency, but i have my doubts.

Kris Baker just retweeted Darren Wolfson that Fasching is set to sign with Buffalo barring a breakdown in contract talks. He apparently graduates in May. So, there's that. Says he was in an accelerated program.

Looks like going back to school won't be a thing.
- Zschalberg

murray must be delighted that fasching and bailey look this good.

i expect that he is going to have one more summer of mayhem and then he will settle down. he still has house money to spend in pysyk, ennis, girgensons, and a few prospects from before he was gm. assuming he is able to acquire a scoring winger and a top line lhd, he should be able to let the team play for awhile. if they play well, he might not be doing much unless we are buyers at the deadline. it would be nice if things lined up so we could acquire one of the players with our pick and the other in free agency, but i have my doubts.
- rover16

Ennis is trade bait for sure. Trade him at the draft and get a defenseman. Fill in the blanks around him for what it will cost. I'm cool with keeping Pysyk but cool with losing him too. Same with Girgs. I wouldn't be that big on free agency just because there aren't that many great options. I expect either Bailey or Fasching up here next season on the 2nd/3rd line. Play that team, get a pick, let's see what they can do after a full year of Dan and the rookies have a full year of learning the NHL game under their belts. Not to mention a full year of Lehner.

murray must be delighted that fasching and bailey look this good.
- rover16

I know I am. Bailey needs to put his chances away and apparently Fasching needs to skate better but I like what I've seen/heard to this point

Kris Baker just retweeted Darren Wolfson that Fasching is set to sign with Buffalo barring a breakdown in contract talks. He apparently graduates in May. So, there's that. Says he was in an accelerated program.

Looks like going back to school won't be a thing.
- Zschalberg

If he really wanted to, he could go back for his "senior season" even if he's graduated
He'd just have to take a couple classes

I just hope Murray has the info that signing him for these last couple games won't mean we have to "protect him" in the expansion draft

Kris Baker just retweeted Darren Wolfson that Fasching is set to sign with Buffalo barring a breakdown in contract talks. He apparently graduates in May. So, there's that. Says he was in an accelerated program.

Looks like going back to school won't be a thing.
- Zschalberg

I just saw that tweet as well. I'm really excited to watch this kid play. He has the hands and scoring touch you love out of a power forward and he'll bang in the corners and create havoc in front of the net. He has made nice progress at UM and if I'm Bylsma, I would play him with at RW with Eichel. He'll create time and space for Jack and would be a perfect compliment on the right side. Fasching is without a doubt a future top 6 guy for us and you all are gonna love this kid wear the blue and gold.

Now if Nashville can't sign Jimmy Vesey I would sign that kid as well.

I know I am. Bailey needs to put his chances away and apparently Fasching needs to skate better but I like what I've seen/heard to this point
- Zschalberg

Skating can be taught, so we shouldn't worry too much about that. It's the knowing hockey that's a concern. They both seen to know the fundamentals. Experience should do them good.

There should be no debate about the Calder winner this year. The award is designed to recognize the best rookie in his class, and McDavid is light years ahead of anyone else. The fact that he missed 30 games is completely irrelevant. He's the best rookie in the league by far

Second place Panarin. Third place Gost

If McDavid doesn't win, years from now people will look back and laugh

If he really wanted to, he could go back for his "senior season" even if he's graduated
He'd just have to take a couple classes

I just hope Murray has the info that signing him for these last couple games won't mean we have to "protect him" in the expansion draft
- jdfitz77

Nothing has really been finalized on that front so who knows but Im thinking we'll probably have to.

If he really wanted to, he could go back for his "senior season" even if he's graduated
He'd just have to take a couple classes

I just hope Murray has the info that signing him for these last couple games won't mean we have to "protect him" in the expansion draft
- jdfitz77

A simple phone call to the NHL HQ should clear that up. If that mistake happens there's no excuse for it.