I think now's the time to throw McCabe into his big boy pants. Put him on the 1st pair with Risto and see what happens. Let's see if they have any type of chemistry. If it really doesn't seem to work, put him back on the 2nd pair with Bogo and try Kulikov there like it seems they planned on anyway.
- HonkFortheGoose

Id maybe try the other way around 1st. Gives McCabe just a little more time but i agree with your idea at some point i want to see if he can handle it. If neither of them can ship Kulikov out and break the bank for a real top pair guy.

Yes and no. In theory you should be out there with some of the best players on your team. However if the best on your team is say a 19 year old rookie centre still adjusting and learning how to play defense at the nhl level, a 36 year old has been your idiotic coach has a hard on for and a D partner who may literally need new legs...well that doesnt do much for you.
- Sabresfan-365

Some stats always need context.

I'd throw out all of them from the 2 years we finished last.

Some stats always need context.

I'd throw out all of them from the 2 years we finished last.
- sbroads24

Which is precisely my point regarding possession stats. If you read them and don't look past page 1 (Tanner) your top pair would be Colaiacavo and Franson.

Id maybe try the other way around 1st. Gives McCabe just a little more time but i agree with your idea at some point i want to see if he can handle it. If neither of them can ship Kulikov out and break the bank for a real top pair guy.
- Sabresfan-365

The reasoning I have for doing it now is because to find that out sooner rather than later is probably better for us in the long run. But either isn't necessarily wrong I guess.

I believe you need a balance between the two. The irony here is we'd make great trade partners. Bogo, Kulikov, Risto, McCabe...we could use an analytics darling or two. I would've gone after Demers in FA.
- Sabresfan-365

didn't we already go through that "puck-mover" phase during "the core" years?

On a football note, Henderson is officially suspended 4 games. The NFL really is a joke when it comes to this stuff.

didn't we already go through that "puck-mover" phase during "the core" years?
- Michael Pachla

You need a mix of both, though I feel like we haven't had a true puck mover since Soupy left.

On a football note, Henderson is officially suspended 4 games. The NFL really is a joke when it comes to this stuff.
- HonkFortheGoose

although I agree, simple fact--marijuana is banned substance...no exceptions...Henderson and his agent both knew it regardless of the medicinal purposes (which brings us to the joke that is federal marijuana law)

although I agree, simple fact--marijuana is banned substance...no exceptions...Henderson and his agent both knew it regardless of the medicinal purposes (which brings us to the joke that is federal marijuana law)
- Michael Pachla

"Dear NFL - I have a doctor's note indicating that I have a medical need to smoke dope, and no alternative exists for the effective treatment of my condition. Please provide me this narrow exception to the banned substance rule."

If you write that letter, and the NFL still says no, then I can say that the NFL policy is a joke. Otherwise, I say the player is just being dumb.

although I agree, simple fact--marijuana is banned substance...no exceptions...Henderson and his agent both knew it regardless of the medicinal purposes (which brings us to the joke that is federal marijuana law)
- Michael Pachla

I get it, to a point. But the fact of the matter is the guy has a legit serious medical condition. It's a very, very painful one. The fact that they'd rather him take something highly addictive like oxycodone instead is really stupid. Because really, the long term effects that could have on him are far worse.

I don't typically condone any type of drug use. But there are execptions to every rule. And this is coming from someone who doesn't even like to take ibuprofen. I guess maybe I just feel for him being that I have some people in my life that suffer from a similar condition and I've seen what it can do to them.

You need a mix of both, though I feel like we haven't had a true puck mover since Soupy left.
- HonkFortheGoose

I often get puck-mover and offensive defenseman mixed up just remember darcy being in love with "puck-movers" like jaro, chainsaw, Kalinin, numminen, hank, and sekera among the others who have been paraded through...

fact is, it only worked once--2009-10...the rest of the time it lead to mediocrity

although I agree, simple fact--marijuana is banned substance...no exceptions...Henderson and his agent both knew it regardless of the medicinal purposes (which brings us to the joke that is federal marijuana law)
- Michael Pachla

Yeah, the personal responsibility has to kick in at some point. The rule/law is dumb but it is what it is. Also, he had to have failed two tests to get to this point.

"Dear NFL - I have a doctor's note indicating that I have a medical need to smoke dope, and no alternative exists for the effective treatment of my condition. Please provide me this narrow exception to the banned substance rule."

If you write that letter, and the NFL still says no, then I can say that the NFL policy is a joke. Otherwise, I say the player is just being dumb.
- SomeoneGerman

i'm sure there are alternatives that are accepted by the league...not saying they would be better for him, but marijuana is banned by the nfl, no exceptions

"Dear NFL - I have a doctor's note indicating that I have a medical need to smoke dope, and no alternative exists for the effective treatment of my condition. Please provide me this narrow exception to the banned substance rule."

If you write that letter, and the NFL still says no, then I can say that the NFL policy is a joke. Otherwise, I say the player is just being dumb.
- SomeoneGerman

From what I can find, he chose not to appeal it. Didn't think it would get him anywhere from what I can tell, and probably wouldn't have been ready to play for those games anyway.

The part I'm concerned about is if he still needs said treatment and is this suspension going to create more trouble for him with it down the road.

I get it, to a point. But the fact of the matter is the guy has a legit serious medical condition. It's a very, very painful one. The fact that they'd rather him take something highly addictive like oxycodone instead is really stupid. Because really, the long term effects that could have on him are far worse.

I don't typically condone any type of drug use. But there are execptions to every rule. And this is coming from someone who doesn't even like to take ibuprofen. I guess maybe I just feel for him being that I have some people in my life that suffer from a similar condition and I've seen what it can do to them.
- HonkFortheGoose

perhaps they should use this as a test case to nationally legitimize marijuana use for medicinal purposes

On a football note, Henderson is officially suspended 4 games. The NFL really is a joke when it comes to this stuff.
- HonkFortheGoose

Meh, not to defend the NFL - they do enough stupid stuff - but it's not like pot being a suspend-able offense was an unknown.

Edit: L8

Yeah, the personal responsibility has to kick in at some point. The rule/law is dumb but it is what it is. Also, he had to have failed two tests to get to this point.
- Slump Buster

good point...he also had trouble in college and if i'm not mistaken it was because of mary jane

On a football note, Henderson is officially suspended 4 games. The NFL really is a joke when it comes to this stuff.
- HonkFortheGoose

pot is illegal

rules are rules


gm needs to draft players that can follow rules


it's not like it was the first test he failed

good point...he also had trouble in college and if i'm not mistaken it was because of mary jane
- Michael Pachla

And I'm sure that had something to do with why he chose not to appeal this. Probably figured the league would point to that and say "well, this isn't the first time you've used this substance."

Like I said, normally I'd be in the "the rules are the rules" camp, but this guy has been through hell and back over the last year and now gets this punch to the gut. It just hits close to home for me I guess.

perhaps they should use this as a test case to nationally legitimize marijuana use for medicinal purposes
- Michael Pachla

Never used the stuff, but wholeheartedly think it should be legal anyways, recreationally too - though obviously there need to be studies and laws to prevent things like car wrecks from "intoxicated" users and such.

Sickening it's illegal when it's such a basic thing compared to crap like cigarettes.

Never used the stuff, but wholeheartedly think it should be legal anyways, recreationally too - though obviously there need to be studies and laws to prevent things like car wrecks from "intoxicated" users and such.

Sickening it's illegal when it's such a basic thing compared to crap like cigarettes.
- stashu

You pretty much took the words out of my mouth. The only "drug" I've ever done is drink alcohol. Never had any want or need to try anything else. And most of the other things freak me out, but pot doesn't bother me. If someone tells me they smoke pot, I couldn't care less. Now if they tell me they have a coke addiction or anything like that, I steer as far clear as possible. That type of stuff makes me super uncomfortable.

good point...he also had trouble in college and if i'm not mistaken it was because of mary jane
- Michael Pachla

yes he did


again, gm needs to address it during pre draft interviews, and when they fall the first test

Never used the stuff, but wholeheartedly think it should be legal anyways, recreationally too - though obviously there need to be studies and laws to prevent things like car wrecks from "intoxicated" users and such.

Sickening it's illegal when it's such a basic thing compared to crap like cigarettes.
- stashu

the one thing they need to get a handle on, esp if they legalize pot

driving under influence of non alcohol drugs

every week I hear of someone loopy from their pain meds getting in a bad wreck down here

perhaps they should use this as a test case to nationally legitimize marijuana use for medicinal purposes
- Michael Pachla

I can eat taco bell each day to get the squirts if it gets me the sweet weed

yes he did


again, gm needs to address it during pre draft interviews, and when they fall the first test
- homiedclown

99% of the time I agree with you. I wasn't mad about the Dareus thing. That was 100% on him. But this Henderson one isn't sitting well with me. I get that this isn't his first run in with being on the wrong side of this discussion. But there's a much different side to it this time.

Basically he either had to deal with debilitating pain or fail his drug test. Neither is a very great option.