There was a time in late December when these guys were playing really close to great hockey. They played pretty well against the East Coast teams, surprised a bunch of people with a few wins, and went out west and just missed against some of the League's really elite teams.

And I said to myself, and to many of you, "They're good now. Root now!"

They kind of bungled for a while in January, and took a bit of time to regroup. That stretch of 5 or 6 weeks had a few of you thinking we're still a long way off.

I disagree. We're getting sneak peeks here and there. The guys are beginning to realize they're not just lucky.

We've got an engine who knows when to push, and when to pull, who has earned the respect of the entire team, and has gotten them comfortable listening to him and responding.

We've got these two prodigies that our opponents can't stop, even after they've recognized the need to gameplan for them. And neither of them needs to carry the franchise, and both of them can just play the game.

I'm pretty sure we've got a bond fide #1 in the back, whose maturing development can only be hastened by the acquisition of a partner who really belongs on the top pair with him.

We've got an angry poopstirring warrior with a chip on his shoulder, a bunch of talent, and burning desire to just be respected, who is beginning to realize that this team will respect him if he gives them the same chance they've already given him. This eye-opening realization has him thinking of himself as part of a team, and reigning himself in to cooperating as part of a system.

We've got young guys who have learned that there comes a point in your growth into the NHL when you'll no longer be the best player you know, and so you have to be the best player in the role the team wants you to fulfill.

We have a sociopath wierdo who covers a hell of a lot of the net just by standing there, and who can stop a lot of rubber when he thinks thats the best way to get even with whoever he's angry at.

Smile, friends. We're very close. There's a few short steps that still remain to be taken. But let's not lose sight of the truth. They're good now. Root now.


- Der Kaiser

Here Here. Your are a wordsmith sir!

.500 is about how I would judge this season, taking wins and losses out of the picture

We knew they weren't going to win a ton. What I mean is specific players, coaching etc.

Positives :

Eichel
Reinhart
O'Reilly
Ristolainen
McCabe

Negatives:
Girgensons
Bad contracts of Moulson, Gorges, Bogosian (depending on what Bogosian shows up)
Lack of #2 defense
Lehner (Health)
Lack of secondary scoring (up until recently)
Shallow prospect depth

I think there are a ton of positives to take from the recent play. Question is does is translate to next year, or is this a mirage due to a very weak schedule
- sbroads24

I agree with most of that
Ennis should've been on the list with his slow start & concussion

Our prospect depth is shallow mostly be we have so many young guys in the team right now
When u factor in the age of a lot of our roster,
We really don't have too many spots left to fill
Just a couple key ones

Goaltending has nice depth
Forwards lack top end guys, but we have roughly 15 or so with top9 potential
Only a couple project to be top6 though

Defense is where we are thin
But if u consider Ristolainen, McCabe, Pysyk & Guhle here long term...
And possibly Bogosian & Nelson

Add a partner for Risto, and the defense looks pretty good
At least for a bit
Maybe we need a replacement for Bogosian at some point if Pysyk can't grow into that guy

I agree with most of that
Ennis should've been on the list with his slow start & concussion

Our prospect depth is shallow mostly be we have so many young guys in the team right now
When u factor in the age of a lot of our roster,
We really don't have too many spots left to fill
Just a couple key ones

Goaltending has nice depth
Forwards lack top end guys, but we have roughly 15 or so with top9 potential
Only a couple project to be top6 though

Defense is where we are thin
But if u consider Ristolainen, McCabe, Pysyk & Guhle here long term...
And possibly Bogosian & Nelson

Add a partner for Risto, and the defense looks pretty good
At least for a bit
Maybe we need a replacement for Bogosian at some point if Pysyk can't grow into that guy
- jdfitz77

Risto also needs to turn that corner as well into being a big time #1. (Which I think he will)

I agree with most of that
Ennis should've been on the list with his slow start & concussion

Our prospect depth is shallow mostly be we have so many young guys in the team right now
When u factor in the age of a lot of our roster,
We really don't have too many spots left to fill
Just a couple key ones

Goaltending has nice depth
Forwards lack top end guys, but we have roughly 15 or so with top9 potential
Only a couple project to be top6 though

Defense is where we are thin
But if u consider Ristolainen, McCabe, Pysyk & Guhle here long term...
And possibly Bogosian & Nelson

Add a partner for Risto, and the defense looks pretty good
At least for a bit
Maybe we need a replacement for Bogosian at some point if Pysyk can't grow into that guy
- jdfitz77

We have a few decent young prospects (Bailey , Baptiste....) We really don't know where they will be in 5 yrs. Could be first line material. Plus we have a bunch coming in this draft too. I think we are in good shape.

I agree with most of that
Ennis should've been on the list with his slow start & concussion

Our prospect depth is shallow mostly be we have so many young guys in the team right now
When u factor in the age of a lot of our roster,
We really don't have too many spots left to fill
Just a couple key ones

Goaltending has nice depth
Forwards lack top end guys, but we have roughly 15 or so with top9 potential
Only a couple project to be top6 though

Defense is where we are thin
But if u consider Ristolainen, McCabe, Pysyk & Guhle here long term...
And possibly Bogosian & Nelson

Add a partner for Risto, and the defense looks pretty good
At least for a bit
Maybe we need a replacement for Bogosian at some point if Pysyk can't grow into that guy
- jdfitz77

I agree, but on one had 2 years ago we had the biggest depth in the league which allowed us to get our top pieces. Without that depth we dont have a lot of what we have today

Risto also needs to turn that corner as well into being a big time #1. (Which I think he will)
- sbroads24

Agree
I'm counting on continued progression from him, McCabe & Pysyk on defense
A healthy Bogosian could lead to a lot more consistent play from him next year as well

And Nelson looks like he can be a solid player for us too
Especially if he's kept on the 3rd pair w some PP time

I agree, but on one had 2 years ago we had the biggest depth in the league which allowed us to get our top pieces. Without that depth we dont have a lot of what we have today
- hubie

For sure
We can't discount that Regier did a great job at selling off pieces to leave the cupboard stocked for Murray

We have a few decent young prospects (Bailey , Baptiste....) We really don't know where they will be in 5 yrs. Could be first line material. Plus we have a bunch coming in this draft too. I think we are in good shape.
- cabin

Always want to keep the cupboards stocked. It's how great teams are able to sustain success.

Just a random example is Richard Rackell. Late 1st rounder (30th I think) by Anaheim in 2011. Groomed for 4 seasons, played on the 3rd and 4th line last year, and now is a key part on maybe the leagues best team, in the top 6.

It's why I'm never a fan (Usually) of trading the late 1st, or 2nd rounders

For sure
We can't discount that Regier did a great job at selling off pieces to leave the cupboard stocked for Murray
- jdfitz77

Figure a top 10 pick is going to hit the majority of the time, hope on the 2nd and 1 of the 3's should hit as well, so we are shaping up a restock of the cupboard somewhat fast. Dose it seem like we have more prospects in college then in the past?

Always want to keep the cupboards stocked. It's how great teams are able to sustain success.

Just a random example is Richard Rackell. Late 1st rounder (30th I think) by Anaheim in 2011. Groomed for 4 seasons, played on the 3rd and 4th line last year, and now is a key part on maybe the leagues best team, in the top 6.

It's why I'm never a fan (Usually) of trading the late 1st, or 2nd rounders
- sbroads24

3-4 third rounders this year for us, I'm expecting our scouting staff to find at least one stud with all those picks, I'll be disappointed if we don't.

Figure a top 10 pick is going to hit the majority of the time, hope on the 2nd and 1 of the 3's should hit as well, so we are shaping up a restock of the cupboard somewhat fast. Dose it seem like we have more prospects in college then in the past?
- hubie

I think it's because Darcy started taking more High schoolers than we did in the past so we could hold on to their rights straight through college. It will be a good problem to have when we have one heck of an AHL team and not enough spots to call up guys who deserve the promotion.

3-4 third rounders this year for us, I'm expecting our scouting staff to find at least one stud with all those picks, I'll be disappointed if we don't.
- sskkoo1

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2016/

the 2 d they have us getting in the 3rd I like and would be interested in

As much as Sean Day is worth the gamble have a feeling someone will reach in mid to late 2nd for him

Brad May is still horrible

Anyone have a good feed for the game?

lol, so the game is on on one of my tabs, but I can't find it.

Anyone have a good feed for the game?
- washedup20

I've only got a Devils feed so far, well the audio anyway.

Brad May is still horrible
- SABRES 89

His wife is pretty hot.

(Waits for anthem singer comment)

Don't like the singers horns.

Don't like the singers horns.
- Der Kaiser

Too horny for you??

I've only got a Devils feed so far, well the audio anyway.
- Wetbandit1

same

http://cdn.livetvcdn.net/...0196&lid=405436&ci=2&si=2

Too horny for you??
- Deuce81

It's 2016 I don't judge.

His wife is pretty hot.
- Der Kaiser

He still stinks

same

http://cdn.livetvcdn.net/...0196&lid=405436&ci=2&si=2
- cabin

I almost Hulk Smashed my computer on that goddamn site. I don't have an adblocker and I literally couldn't click out of the ads fast enough before a new one popped up, thankfully one of the streams looked kindly on me and I got through.

I almost Hulk Smashed my computer on that goddamn site. I don't have an adblocker and I literally couldn't click out of the ads fast enough before a new one popped up, thankfully one of the streams looked kindly on me and I got through.
- Wetbandit1

Sometimes us old guys live a simpler happier life with our obsolete televisions.