some horses break to the lead--some of them win, place or show, and still others fade...

then there are horses that just ride in the pack and make their move at the appropriate time...

it's two years into a 21 yr. old's career
- Michael Pachla

This got blown out of proportion... this argument about sam isn't as mach about this year as what it takes to be a good team. Fair or not as a #2 overall pick this team needs more from him going forward (in all zones). Jacks great and still improving but 90 & 21 seem to be at the level they are playing at right now. IMO we shouldnt want sam to be a 50 something point offensive guy, i want him to play a role like he did in the WJC and be relied on in all situations ( yes that may fall on coaching)

One little side note: the NHL really needs to get rid of that wild-card bullpoop and go back to the regular standings

What game this year is the "Sam Reinhart game"?

I can name a bunch for Jack, Kane, ROR even.

I can't think of really any game 23 was dominant or looked the part of a star.
- sbroads24

So not being THE MAN in particular games = disappearing? Got it, I see what matters to you as a fan, apparently.

Also, this is so frustrating. Who called him a scrub? Who said he should be McDavid.

There is so much middle ground that's missed it's nonsense
- sbroads24

Main point doesnt have to be better but players like Ehlers, fabbri, Pasta, nylander and Draistl have all found a new gear this year

This got blown out of proportion... this argument about sam isn't as mach about this year as what it takes to be a good team. Fair or not as a #2 overall pick this team needs more from him going forward (in all zones). Jacks great and still improving but 90 & 21 seem to be at the level they are playing at right now. IMO we shouldnt want sam to be a 50 something point offensive guy, i want him to play a role like he did in the WJC and be relied on in all situations ( yes that may fall on coaching)
- yen6d1

role 3 lines

nylander-eichel-baptiste
kane-reinhart-okposo
bailey-ror-gionta (or free agent)

no reason why those 3 centers can't get close to 20 minutes per night after adding special team minutes

4th line
foligno-girgens/e rod-girgens/ e rod/fasching


move ennis, bogo, gorges, moulson

and find the right 2 d men

This got blown out of proportion... this argument about sam isn't as mach about this year as what it takes to be a good team. Fair or not as a #2 overall pick this team needs more from him going forward (in all zones). Jacks great and still improving but 90 & 21 seem to be at the level they are playing at right now. IMO we shouldnt want sam to be a 50 something point offensive guy, i want him to play a role like he did in the WJC and be relied on in all situations ( yes that may fall on coaching)
- yen6d1

imo, the fact that he did so well within his peer group bodes well for the future...how long that future takes to get here is unknown, but it's always promising that a player can do that well against his peers

One little side note: the NHL really needs to get rid of that wild-card bullpoop and go back to the regular standings
- GERBE!!!75PTS

with the 14 teams in the west and 16 teams in the east, I am shocked the players union has not raised hell

way better chance for post season money for teams/players out west

Also, this is so frustrating. Who called him a scrub? Who said he should be McDavid.

There is so much middle ground that's missed it's nonsense
- sbroads24

Your constant "First forward taken should be his comparison!" argument. If it's such a valid argument, he should be on McDavid's level.

Middle ground IS being missed, like saying a guy with 43 points on one of the worst teams in the league disappears - especially when it can't be backed up when looking at stats.

role 3 lines

nylander-eichel-baptiste
kane-reinhart-okposo
bailey-ror-gionta (or free agent)

no reason why those 3 centers can't get close to 20 minutes per night after adding special team minutes

4th line
foligno-girgens/e rod-girgens/ e rod/fasching


move ennis, bogo, gorges, moulson

and find the right 2 d men
- homiedclown

I love that idea and think a FA winger would be a huge addition.
I was really hoping this year was the year one of Bailey, Carrier, Baptiste or fasching grabbed a middle 6 role ran with it. Carrier looked promising but this injury came at a terrible time for him. Ennis imo is the contract we need of the books first

on paper this is a fringe playoff team

when they got healthy they stunk

with a group of risto, mccabe, bogo, franson, kulikov and gorges

it's an average group of 6 d men


given the goaltending and pp results this year, there was enough to overcome the average D


I still put the blame more on disco sucks dan and murray than the core of this team
- homiedclown

When you only have 50% of the shot share in like 10 out of 60 games, i dont think you can call it an average d-group.

Your constant "First forward taken should be his comparison!" argument. If it's such a valid argument, he should be on McDavid's level.

Middle ground IS being missed, like saying a guy with 43 points on one of the worst teams in the league disappears - especially when it can't be backed up when looking at stats.
- stashu

Mcdavid is an extreme.. He's a once in a decade type player

Your constant "First forward taken should be his comparison!" argument. If it's such a valid argument, he should be on McDavid's level.

Middle ground IS being missed, like saying a guy with 43 points on one of the worst teams in the league disappears - especially when it can't be backed up when looking at stats.
- stashu

Jesus Christ. McDavid is a one in a generation player.

Your constant "First forward taken should be his comparison!" argument. If it's such a valid argument, he should be on McDavid's level.

Middle ground IS being missed, like saying a guy with 43 points on one of the worst teams in the league disappears - especially when it can't be backed up when looking at stats.
- stashu

Is a 2nd overall pick, not supposed to be one of the main reasons we aren't one of the worst teams?

Jesus Christ. McDavid is a one in a generation player.
- sbroads24

I'm not the one who generalized the "first forward drafted" position, save your JCs for yourself.

imo, the fact that he did so well within his peer group bodes well for the future...how long that future takes to get here is unknown, but it's always promising that a player can do that well against his peers
- Michael Pachla

For sure and i agree with that. There's a very good chance my argument is a little premature but when you see players like Ehlers, fabbri, Pasta, nylander and Draistl all finding a new gear this year it's not uncommon for the thought to be brought up

I love that idea and think a FA winger would be a huge addition.
I was really hoping this year was the year one of Bailey, Carrier, Baptiste or fasching grabbed a middle 6 role ran with it. Carrier looked promising but this injury came at a terrible time for him. Ennis imo is the contract we need of the books first
- yen6d1

if you let gionta walk

I like eaves or vrbata


if you can move ennis, oshie might be an option

hanzial, or bonino for a center if you want sam playing wing

not much for lw
vanek versteeg, marleau (I don't want any with this coach)

flier perhaps on brett connolly for 3rd line rw

When you only have 50% of the shot share in like 10 out of 60 games, i dont think you can call it an average d-group.
- Sabresfan-365

but bogo, franson, gorges and kulikov have been ok before they came to this town for bottom 4 d men

I'm not the one who generalized the "first forward drafted" position, save your JCs for yourself.
- stashu

It's fine to want more, but it's like the draft data I provided has ceased to exist.

Is a 2nd overall pick, not supposed to be one of the main reasons we aren't one of the worst teams?
- sbroads24

FFS, for how much you've twisted this whole thing after starting out with "Player X disappears" (a lie) and now wanting to heap a lot of the team's failures on a 2nd year player, it's painfully obvious that the discussion has no end as new turns will be used to knock the kid (I mean...I guess I need to start looking up the # of First Star awards he and others have this season apparently since he doesn't take over games).

if you let gionta walk

I like eaves or vrbata


if you can move ennis, oshie might be an option
- homiedclown

I'm afraid of what that price tag would be

For sure and i agree with that. There's a very good chance my argument is a little premature but when you see players like Ehlers, fabbri, Pasta, nylander and Draistl all finding a new gear this year it's not uncommon for the thought to be brought up
- yen6d1

won't argue that point...i'm just not as concerned right now...I remember being concerned when the prospects team laid a huge egg at Traverse City and skunk wasn't as good as everyone expected him to be

if you let gionta walk

I like eaves or vrbata


if you can move ennis, oshie might be an option

hanzial, or bonino for a center if you want sam playing wing

not much for lw
vanek versteeg, marleau (I don't want any with this coach)

flier perhaps on brett connolly for 3rd line rw
- homiedclown

Hanzial i would love but believe he'll be at a cap hit we cant manage.

Like eaves.. think vrbata stays in AZ but would be open.

Connolly could be a sneaky pick up. He finally has gotten some confidence and could be solid impact to the bottom 6.

Also depending on if kane is moved for a defenseman could open up or close cap room

won't argue that point...i'm just not as concerned right now...I remember being concerned when the prospects team laid a huge egg at Traverse City and skunk wasn't as good as everyone expected him to be
- Michael Pachla

Was that with bailey baptiste fasching and others?

Was that with bailey baptiste fasching and others?
- yen6d1

I believe that was when Zadorov was sat as well.

Was that with bailey baptiste fasching and others?
- yen6d1

I believe so...it was 2014