The only reason the offsides challenge came to be is because the officials blew a call on a Tampa goal against the Mighty Montreal Canadians. I have said all along that one of the main problems with the challenge is that if it is so important to get the call right, why are the teams ability to challenge limited to whether a team has a time out or not. The coaches should have unlimited challenges if it is so damn important.
Take your heads out of the sand if you don't think the league doesn't control what they want to have happen throughout the course of the season, through replays and officiating. They decide the schedule, reviews, what officials work which games, make up rules as they go along to satisfy their end results.
- macman9

Naw that wasn't the play that did it. Matt Duchene scored a goal where he was literally 10 feet offside. That's what made them go to replay.

Michael Pachla: Was it indisputable? Refs and "war room" in Toronto creating controversy
- Michael Pachla

The location of the war room has no barring on the outcome of the call.

It's not that the Leafs haven't won in 50 years so much, but the fact that they haven't won it with more than 6 teams in the league. I don't think they even made it to the finals since then.
- adambuffalo

yet still 2nd still in cups. doesnt say much for chic, n.y. boston or detroit. but the point really really is. in the last 50yrs tornonto or buffalo both haven't won it . so both of us got nothing to say to each other about that.

Yes it's determined in the nhl waroom in TORONTO!
- MR.Hunter

Offside and goalie interference challenges are reviewed by the officials in the arena on a IPad. All other reviews are done in the TO war room.

I think it's pretty safe to assume that the NHL has one or more camera angles that we don't see. They saw something definitive enough to make the call. If it was inconclusive they would have called it inconclusive like they've done dozens of times so far this year
- Coburns_Nose

I don't know if it was pointed out on NBC, but the CBC broadcast pointed out that the Penguins didn't even look at the replay, and made the challenge immediately. That is a pretty good indicator that they were sure the call was going to be overturned. Why they thought that, I have no idea, but they were ultimately correct.

Kris Baker‏ @SabresProspects · 55m55 minutes ago

On Cal Petersen, I would expect his decision to be made this week.

Kris Baker‏ @SabresProspects · 55m55 minutes ago

On Cal Petersen, I would expect his decision to be made this week.
- Cup Crazy '07

Hopefully along the lines of him signing his ELC with the Sabres.

The location of the war has to barring on the outcome of the call.
- Fakepartofme

is this English?

Kris Baker‏ @SabresProspects · 55m55 minutes ago

On Cal Petersen, I would expect his decision to be made this week.
- Cup Crazy '07

At this point, I'd be surprised if he signed here. At the same point though, I am open to be pleasantly surprised.

He signs and goalie pipeline is set for the next good while.

is this English?
- HonkFortheGoose

its canadian

If Petersen signs with Buffalo and is assigned to Rochester, can Buffalo grant him permission to go to the Olympics to represent the USA? does anyone have the answer to this question?

At this point, I'd be surprised if he signed here. At the same point though, I am open to be pleasantly surprised.

He signs and goalie pipeline is set for the next good while.
- RhinoFan

because of Kasdorf?

I don't know if it was pointed out on NBC, but the CBC broadcast pointed out that the Penguins didn't even look at the replay, and made the challenge immediately. That is a pretty good indicator that they were sure the call was going to be overturned. Why they thought that, I have no idea, but they were ultimately correct.
- buffalofan19

I don't think so.

Came across this today. Pretty good read. Good to see things continuing to grow down there.

http://buffalonews.com/20...ry-opens-riverworks-silo/

Has anyone brought up "only Buffalo thinks there's a rivalry with us" yet?

At this point, I'd be surprised if he signed here. At the same point though, I am open to be pleasantly surprised.

He signs and goalie pipeline is set for the next good while.
- RhinoFan

Why would you be surprised? Overall, he's wouldn't exactly be stuck behind a pipeline of other guys.

Yes, there are quite a few in the organization at the moment, but there's a ton of question marks in general (and no, this is not me complaining about Lehner, as I think he had a good year). But the door has been left open a bit for someone else to come in.

Botterill will also have to leave either Lehner or Ullmark unprotected going into the expansion draft, so there's a possibility that we're short 1 more come training camp. There's a ton of opportunity for him within the organization right now. The only thing that I guess could be looked at negatively is the fact that the team has been mired in the cellar for awhile.

Kris Baker‏ @SabresProspects · 55m55 minutes ago

On Cal Petersen, I would expect his decision to be made this week.
- Cup Crazy '07

baker needs go talk about the great sam more


cal is gone we lost a very good goaltender

because of Kasdorf?
- IndianaSabresFan

Lol, of course!

No I just think that a place like Chicago, Montreal or Nashville will get him. We have a younger starting goalie, other teams have aging ones ready to be replaced. We have a couple good goalie prospects in the system, including Ullmark who is probably NHL ready. We don't have a track record of success that would encourage someone to sign despite these deterrents.

If it was me I'd be in Chicago backing up Crawford next year or at least on a team with a few more question marks when it comes to goaltenders. We have our long term starter (potentially) playing right now, with a good prospect coming in to back him up next year. While it COULD work out, I just don't see it happening.

Why would you be surprised? Overall, he's wouldn't exactly be stuck behind a pipeline of other guys.

Yes, there are quite a few in the organization at the moment, but there's a ton of question marks in general (and no, this is not me complaining about Lehner, as I think he had a good year). But the door has been left open a bit for someone else to come in.

Botterill will also have to leave either Lehner or Ullmark unprotected going into the expansion draft, so there's a possibility that we're short 1 more come training camp. There's a ton of opportunity for him within the organization right now. The only thing that I guess could be looked at negatively is the fact that the team has been mired in the cellar for awhile.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'm not saying that we are at a 0% chance, but just that there are better options out there. At this point, he doesn't lose much waiting...it will come down to what he desires. If he wants to be in the NHL next year I'd imagine, Colorado or someone would entertain that for signing him, if it's all about the Olympics then other factors apply...but at the end of the day if there are better teams, with worse goaltending prospects than us (which there are) then he's only a call and signature away from getting that better option.

Why would you be surprised? Overall, he's wouldn't exactly be stuck behind a pipeline of other guys.

Yes, there are quite a few in the organization at the moment, but there's a ton of question marks in general (and no, this is not me complaining about Lehner, as I think he had a good year). But the door has been left open a bit for someone else to come in.

Botterill will also have to leave either Lehner or Ullmark unprotected going into the expansion draft, so there's a possibility that we're short 1 more come training camp. There's a ton of opportunity for him within the organization right now. The only thing that I guess could be looked at negatively is the fact that the team has been mired in the cellar for awhile.
- HonkFortheGoose

and currently our defense is a tire fire.. given the choice i would prefer to sign for a team that has a decent defense

I'm not saying that we are at a 0% chance, but just that there are better options out there. At this point, he doesn't lose much waiting...it will come down to what he desires. If he wants to be in the NHL next year I'd imagine, Colorado or someone would entertain that for signing him, if it's all about the Olympics then other factors apply...but at the end of the day if there are better teams, with worse goaltending prospects than us (which there are) then he's only a call and signature away from getting that better option.
- RhinoFan

In general, we have Lehner, Ullmark, and Johansson. Kasdorf is a non-factor. Johansson for sure needs to get time under his belt in NA. While I think he could be good, he needs time to continue to develop.

That basically means that if Lehner or Ullmark are left unprotected, there's a good possibility that one of them are gone to start the season. That means that Petersen would be the next guy up. Pretty good odds if you ask me.

I don't know a ton about some of the other goaltending prospect pools as goaltending is a total crap shoot for the most part. But it seems to me we'd be in a good position in terms of him having a chance in the more near future than not.

Lol, of course!

No I just think that a place like Chicago, Montreal or Nashville will get him. We have a younger starting goalie, other teams have aging ones ready to be replaced. We have a couple good goalie prospects in the system, including Ullmark who is probably NHL ready. We don't have a track record of success that would encourage someone to sign despite these deterrents.

If it was me I'd be in Chicago backing up Crawford next year or at least on a team with a few more question marks when it comes to goaltenders. We have our long term starter (potentially) playing right now, with a good prospect coming in to back him up next year. While it COULD work out, I just don't see it happening.
- RhinoFan

i would prefer to go some place like Nashville, anahiem, minnesota type place where they have a good defense or defensive system

and currently our defense is a tire fire.. given the choice i would prefer to sign for a team that has a decent defense
- IndianaSabresFan

Botterill has his work cut out for him there. But they did just sign Antipin so that's a step in the right direction (or so it would seem). More than likely he wouldn't be at the NHL level this year anyway, so that gives them a bit more time to fix that problem as well.

and currently our defense is a tire fire.. given the choice i would prefer to sign for a team that has a decent defense
- IndianaSabresFan

Sure. Just an example, but let's say Nashville was thinking of adding a goalie prospect to the system. Rinne is playing lights out, but he's 34. I'd imagine that would set Cal up nicely to start, not only sooner, but for a better defensive core. That helps his numbers and secures a higher dollar amount on his next contract.

I still really, really hope he signs. I really like his style (I am a goalie myself). Just don't think it's in the cards.

In general, we have Lehner, Ullmark, and Johansson. Kasdorf is a non-factor. Johansson for sure needs to get time under his belt in NA. While I think he could be good, he needs time to continue to develop.

That basically means that if Lehner or Ullmark are left unprotected, there's a good possibility that one of them are gone to start the season. That means that Petersen would be the next guy up. Pretty good odds if you ask me.

I don't know a ton about some of the other goaltending prospect pools as goaltending is a total crap shoot for the most part. But it seems to me we'd be in a good position in terms of him having a chance in the more near future than not.
- HonkFortheGoose

might be a good place to go to have a chance to get to the nhl quicker... however you also have a better shot at looking like crap with this defense. he might put that into his equation