Yet another coaches challenge. I don't think the NHL knows what type of sport it wants to be anymore. I don't care about either of these teams but these challenges have been sucking the life out of playoff games and we're only 4 days into the 1st round.
- The_Inkwell

Im a fan of the league and always have been, but it's a Fvcking mess right now.
I have yet to see a playoff game legally. The NHL expects me to pay for 360 cable channels to get NBCSN.
And of course, my only cable option doesn't carry the NHL channel, so everything on that station will still be blacked out and there's nothing i can do about it.
Discipline is a joke, rules are a joke, draft lottery is a joke. Cant wait for the next lockout where the owners save themselves from their own spending issues by depriving the fans from games
….and yet, I still watch.

I was reading today that the Rams are definitely taking Wentz. Maybe, unless they don't. lol

Without anything roster:

Kane RoR Ennis
Girgs Eichel Rhino
Foligno Larsson Gio

McCabe Riso
Gorges Bogo
Pysyk (Nelson/Franson)

Lehner
CJ if he signs/Ullmark if not


The 4th line we choose the best campers. That to me ins't a horrible lineup...do we have to trade anything? McCabe may not be a true #1 but is looking a lot like a great compliment to a #1. If Risto is going to be the guy, let him have his day. Fringe playoff team without a damn thing other than seasoning IMO.
- RhinoFan

I agree with you...
And if they add Stamkos & a legit partner for Risto,
Then I think we can challenge for the division title

Im a fan of the league and always have been, but it's a Fvcking mess right now.
I have yet to see a playoff game legally. The NHL expects me to pay for 360 cable channels to get NBCSN.
And of course, my only cable option doesn't carry the NHL channel, so everything on that station will still be blacked out and there's nothing i can do about it.
Discipline is a joke, rules are a joke, draft lottery is a joke. Cant wait for the next lockout where the owners save themselves from their own spending issues by depriving the fans from games
….and yet, I still watch.
- seedy

Are u aware that CNBC & USA are showing a bunch of games too?

Without anything roster:

Kane RoR Ennis
Girgs Eichel Rhino
Foligno Larsson Gio

McCabe Riso
Gorges Bogo
Pysyk (Nelson/Franson)

Lehner
CJ if he signs/Ullmark if not


The 4th line we choose the best campers. That to me ins't a horrible lineup...do we have to trade anything? McCabe may not be a true #1 but is looking a lot like a great compliment to a #1. If Risto is going to be the guy, let him have his day. Fringe playoff team without a damn thing other than seasoning IMO.
- RhinoFan

I absolutely agree. Over half the team played less than their potential for the first half of this year, and Girgs, Ennis and Pysyk I feel are waaaay better than they showed, and you have to expect they will all bounce back. Add the (imo) inevitable improvement in all our players 23 or younger, which is most of our team and we got a good thing going.

To arbitrarily say we stink and Girgs stinks and Ennis stinks is just lazy, and as some have pointed out because those players had down years it'll be impossible to get anything of value in the first place.

I think TM is smarter than any of us and he has already indicated he does not foresee a bunch of huge trades this summer, but the one (main) chip that could be used is this year's #1. Even then I think TM knows who he wants at any spot we pick at. IF we were to land a top-3 I believe he will trade it, otherwise I think he goes for bpa.

I absolutely agree. Over half the team played less than their potential for the first half of this year, and Girgs, Ennis and Pysyk I feel are waaaay better than they showed, and you have to expect they will all bounce back. Add the (imo) inevitable improvement in all our players 23 or younger, which is most of our team and we got a good thing going.

To arbitrarily say we stink and Girgs stinks and Ennis stinks is just lazy, and as some have pointed out because those players had down years it'll be impossible to get anything of value in the first place.

I think TM is smarter than any of us and he has already indicated he does not foresee a bunch of huge trades this summer, but the one (main) chip that could be used is this year's #1. Even then I think TM knows who he wants at any spot we pick at. IF we were to land a top-3 I believe he will trade it, otherwise I think he goes for bpa.
- LandlordTom

imo it would be the other way around all 3 of the top 3 are day 1 starters. Everything else for the most part needs some seasoning. Lots of good D men after 3 so it could be very valueable

imo it would be the other way around all 3 of the top 3 are day 1 starters. Everything else for the most part needs some seasoning. Lots of good D men after 3 so it could be very valueable
- hubie

I would trade our 1st if we won the lottery to select 1st...trade back a few, stay in top 3, or 4 if necessary and be ok with taking Matthews if their were no takers for an overpayment type trade.
I would love to get Puljujarvi out of the draft if we won a lottery pick.
Else, grab one of the Dmen available at 8 or wherever we end up...the Russian would look good in Blue and Gold.

I would trade our 1st if we won the lottery to select 1st...trade back a few, stay in top 3, or 4 if necessary and be ok with taking Matthews if their were no takers for an overpayment type trade.
I would love to get Puljujarvi out of the draft if we won a lottery pick.
Else, grab one of the Dmen available at 8 or wherever we end up...the Russian would look good in Blue and Gold.
- IonSabres

I think top3 im happy with any of them as we can plug them in right away. Outside of that still want to deal the pick. Get a nhl ready guy to pair with risto would be a substantial upgrade
If im not mistaken with the odds its basically 1st or 7-8?

Matthews with the kids would be a pretty sick line, I really want to see Samson dishing the puck to goal scorers like that

I think top3 im happy with any of them as we can plug them in right away. Outside of that still want to deal the pick. Get a nhl ready guy to pair with risto would be a substantial upgrade
If im not mistaken with the odds its basically 1st or 7-8?

Matthews with the kids would be a pretty sick line, I really want to see Samson dishing the puck to goal scorers like that
- hubie

Nope 6% chance for 1, slightly higher than 6% for 2 and slightly higher than 6% for 3. About a 19% chance for top 3

I think top3 im happy with any of them as we can plug them in right away. Outside of that still want to deal the pick. Get a nhl ready guy to pair with risto would be a substantial upgrade
If im not mistaken with the odds its basically 1st or 7-8?

Matthews with the kids would be a pretty sick line, I really want to see Samson dishing the puck to goal scorers like that
- hubie

My understanding is it could be 1-3 as those are all up for lottery
8- if the lottery winners were all slotted above us
9-11 if all three lottery winners were slotted after our 8th position

Nope 6% chance for 1, slightly higher than 6% for 2 and slightly higher than 6% for 3. About a 19% chance for top 3
- turbo044

ahh thanks, could have sworn it was 1st or 8th so that makes me pretty happy then

Nope 6% chance for 1, slightly higher than 6% for 2 and slightly higher than 6% for 3. About a 19% chance for top 3
- turbo044

Sounds like a 1/5 we get a very nice suprise...doesn't sound like horrible options. I just don't want to move back really. Our D man is there at 8...especially with Dubois rising so much. There are certainly good arguments to trade any pick 1-11 and good reason to keep them. To me #1 is the only pick I don't trade. You don't pass on guys like Matthews, but a #1 LHD is worth more to this team than a top 6 winger where we sit. Remember Bailey, Baptiste, Estephan, Cornel, E-Rod, Fasching and Carrier will all come into camp next year trying to take spots from folks.

I would trade our 1st if we won the lottery to select 1st...trade back a few, stay in top 3, or 4 if necessary and be ok with taking Matthews if their were no takers for an overpayment type trade.
I would love to get Puljujarvi out of the draft if we won a lottery pick.
Else, grab one of the Dmen available at 8 or wherever we end up...the Russian would look good in Blue and Gold.
- IonSabres

The good ole rational approach. If someone wants to give us a boat load for a top 3 then let them shell away, but otherwise be confident you got a great player...smart.

Sounds like a 1/5 we get a very nice suprise...doesn't sound like horrible options. I just don't want to move back really. Our D man is there at 8...especially with Dubois rising so much. There are certainly good arguments to trade any pick 1-11 and good reason to keep them. To me #1 is the only pick I don't trade. You don't pass on guys like Matthews, but a #1 LHD is worth more to this team than a top 6 winger where we sit. Remember Bailey, Baptiste, Estephan, Cornel, E-Rod, Fasching and Carrier will all come into camp next year trying to take spots from folks.
- RhinoFan

I don't think you can look at it the way it is described to yield a 18% chance of a top 3. Each lottery is independent of each other, so each chance is still only 6% roughly; you can't add them together.

I don't think you can look at it the way it is described to yield a 18% chance of a top 3. Each lottery is independent of each other, so each chance is still only 6% roughly; you can't add them together.
- IonSabres

correct, similar to no matter how many times you flip a coin your odds are always 50/50

Sounds like a 1/5 we get a very nice suprise...doesn't sound like horrible options. I just don't want to move back really. Our D man is there at 8...especially with Dubois rising so much. There are certainly good arguments to trade any pick 1-11 and good reason to keep them. To me #1 is the only pick I don't trade. You don't pass on guys like Matthews, but a #1 LHD is worth more to this team than a top 6 winger where we sit. Remember Bailey, Baptiste, Estephan, Cornel, E-Rod, Fasching and Carrier will all come into camp next year trying to take spots from folks.
- RhinoFan

Typically, in any sport Im a fan of moving back which I am here as well pending not begin a top 3 pick. Two teams i like to move back with are Boston or Carolina. We could get a D pairing and maybe a later 1st.
Charra would be a interesting short term answer which could help is moving forward. Carolina have a few id be interested in as well.

The good ole rational approach. If someone wants to give us a boat load for a top 3 then let them shell away, but otherwise be confident you got a great player...smart.
- RhinoFan

Well, if the dream came true and we got Matthews...that leaves quite a bit of trade bait, including next years 1st to get that #1 LHD partner for Risto. Couple that with Stamkos as UFA...wow, we just catapulted to a contender.
Buffalo deserves that...c'mon Gary do it, make it so.

Well, if the dream came true and we got Matthews...that leaves quite a bit of trade bait, including next years 1st to get that #1 LHD partner for Risto. Couple that with Stamkos as UFA...wow, we just catapulted to a contender.
Buffalo deserves that...c'mon Gary do it, make it so.
- IonSabres

Issue with trading number 1 is, what d would the team be willing to deal. IMO the guy it would take they would not move

also, have a feeling Stamkos knows where he wants to go so that team will deal for his rights prior to FA. I believe by doing so that team would be able to do the longer term unless im incorrect which happens on a daily basis.

Issue with trading number 1 is, what d would the team be willing to deal. IMO the guy it would take they would not move

also, have a feeling Stamkos knows where he wants to go so that team will deal for his rights prior to FA. I believe by doing so that team would be able to do the longer term unless im incorrect which happens on a daily basis.
- hubie

Lol.
Run with it Hubie!

Lol.
Run with it Hubie!
- IonSabres

Wont get too far, I cant skate with these young kids anymore, nowadays I need to clutch and grab alot more than I used to .

trade talks


bolts offered stamkos at the draft for pick number 2 (eichel)

murray likes stamkos a lot
murray has relations with stamkos's agent

pegula has said he really likes stamkos


sabres can afford him

sabres want to win

stamkos does not want to be in the spotlight of the city, said he loves being able to blend in tampa


I could go on, but your either going to get what I am saying or start a 3 hour pissing contest, which I do not have time for today



I still have colorado as my sleeper team, but rest assure stamkos will not sign any long term deal with tampa under 10 per
- homiedclown

Tampering

I don't think you can look at it the way it is described to yield a 18% chance of a top 3. Each lottery is independent of each other, so each chance is still only 6% roughly; you can't add them together.
- IonSabres

You are right, should have thought about that. However, isn't it also higher than 6% due to the fact that with each selection a team is eliminated from the drawing? If a team at the bottom like Edmonton or TO win #3, then they cannot win again and their 20% chances are removed??? This would mean their probability is spread among the remaining contestants. (3) 1/17 chances aren't like a 3/17 you are right...but it isn't either of them. It is (1) 1/17 then the fraction gets better depending on who wins no?

The good ole rational approach. If someone wants to give us a boat load for a top 3 then let them shell away, but otherwise be confident you got a great player...smart.
- RhinoFan

Exactly what I had in mind last page when I said if we luck out the pick it gets us closer to a piece we need and we still (might) end up moving down in round 1 and getting someone that is awesome but may take a few years to develop, which would please everyone who thinks our prospect pool isn't so hot.

btw, tampering? what the fudge is that all aboat?

Exactly what I had in mind last page when I said if we luck out the pick it gets us closer to a piece we need and we still (might) end up moving down in round 1 and getting someone that is awesome but may take a few years to develop, which would please everyone who thinks our prospect pool isn't so hot.

btw, tampering? what the fudge is that all aboat?
- LandlordTom

trolling, like bears just leave em alone