Michael Pachla: A view from Waterloo. Seeing the situation through Cal Petersen's eyes.

"the gap" from talent in Chicago and Buffalo is going opposite directions, Chicago will only be on top for another couple of years at best (IMO). Buffalo though could be years and years if they get it right (big IF).

The Chicago D are aging fast (with all the tough / playoff hockey they have played) and having Toews and Kane making almost $20mil a year will be very tough on the team to find replacements.

So I understand the appeal of Chicago, but I would say that is the wrong move for a young goalie that is a couple years away.

"the gap" from talent in Chicago and Buffalo is going opposite directions, Chicago will only be on top for another couple of years at best (IMO). Buffalo though could be years and years if they get it right (big IF).

The Chicago D are aging fast (with all the tough / playoff hockey they have played) and having Toews and Kane making almost $20mil a year will be very tough on the team to find replacements.

So I understand the appeal of Chicago, but I would say that is the wrong move for a young goalie that is a couple years away.
- Lilroot9

thought of delving into that, but in the here and now, which is how I think most youngins view things, it's a pretty big gap

"the gap" from talent in Chicago and Buffalo is going opposite directions, Chicago will only be on top for another couple of years at best (IMO). Buffalo though could be years and years if they get it right (big IF).

The Chicago D are aging fast (with all the tough / playoff hockey they have played) and having Toews and Kane making almost $20mil a year will be very tough on the team to find replacements.

So I understand the appeal of Chicago, but I would say that is the wrong move for a young goalie that is a couple years away.
- Lilroot9

Chicago's window was already narrow going into this year. They won't win another cup without getting a few really good pieces to come in

I'll be disappointed when he doesn't sign, not so much with him, but this rule that college kids basically can do whatever they want before even playing a single NHL game seems backwards.
Id like to see the team that drafted the player given unlimited contract rights, meaning they can offer any term or dollar amount they wish, while all other teams can only offer the rookie max.
It gives the drafting team a bit more control and still allows the college player to go to FA if he wants to.

thought of delving into that, but in the here and now, which is how I think most youngins view things, it's a pretty big gap
- Michael Pachla

I understand, but Chicago should trade Crawford soon, so maybe that is his thought of getting a starting role.

I would consider trading Lehner if it meant Peterson would sign here (not sure Peterson is ready to start in NHL though)

Baker, who was appearing on The Instigators, also brought up the goalie situation in Buffalo which has a direct impact on Petersen's decision as well. As mentioned, Chicago has Crawford, who is 32 yrs. old and is signed for three more years, with no other goalie of merit in the pipeline. Buffalo's starting goalie situation couldn't be more different with Robin Lehner and from a player's perspective, Baker believes, a prospect like Petersen "wouldn't want to be behind a 25 yr. old, No. 1 goalie who the NHL team spent a first round pick to get." Baker qualifies it by saying we're not sure what will happen with Lehner, who is an unrestricted free agent, but that's what Petersen was up against even before Botterill became GM.

Lehner is a restricted free agent currently.

I understand, but Chicago should trade Crawford soon, so maybe that is his thought of getting a starting role.

I would consider trading Lehner if it meant Peterson would sign here (not sure Peterson is ready to start in NHL though)
- Lilroot9

In general, Petersen should be looking for an opportunity to be the starter at the AHL level for at least next year. He's going to need to see how he stacks up against pro-players. Not sure jumping right from college to the NHL would be the best idea.

And to jump right into a backup NHL role wouldn't really suit his development very well either.

Chicago's window was already narrow going into this year. They won't win another cup without getting a few really good pieces to come in
- sbroads24

I dont think they can win either unless they find like 2 more Panarins for low cap hits. Cause if Panarin is getting paid $6m now.

$32 mil for Toews, Kane, Panarin and Hossa. And Hossa is 38 and under $5.275 for another 4 years. Ouch!

Pack- your whole blog is oriented to the reality that college free agents and - more likely - their advisors are looking beyond the "here and now" to their second contract and the rest of their career.

There are a variety of factors that should go into Petersen decision, many of which project at least two years into the future. By then, Buffalo should be a far more appealing NHL destination, and Chicago will be fully mired in aging cap hell.

Is Buffalos future enough to attract Cal - sounds like "no." But Chicago isn't the alternative IMO. (Look instead at Dallas?)

It sucks that you are right Pach. I don't think Petersen is signing in Buffalo either. It makes you wonder about the strategy of bottom feeding teams like the Sabres of drafting US college players - if they aren't going to be able to sign them. Of course the solution to this is for the Sabres to stop being a bottom feeding team. While I think Botterill will probably take this team to the next level, I don't think it will happen over-night. Probably another 2 - 4 years.

Lehner is a restricted free agent currently.
- HonkFortheGoose

oops...thx

In general, Petersen should be looking for an opportunity to be the starter at the AHL level for at least next year. He's going to need to see how he stacks up against pro-players. Not sure jumping right from college to the NHL would be the best idea.

And to jump right into a backup NHL role wouldn't really suit his development very well either.
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree, but he might not and that is the downside.

Pack- your whole blog is oriented to the reality that college free agents and - more likely - their advisors are looking beyond the "here and now" to their second contract and the rest of their career.

There are a variety of factors that should go into Petersen decision, many of which project at least two years into the future. By then, Buffalo should be a far more appealing NHL destination, and Chicago will be fully mired in aging cap hell.

Is Buffalos future enough to attract Cal - sounds like "no." But Chicago isn't the alternative IMO. (Look instead at Dallas?)
- Der Kaiser

Didn't Dallas just sign Ben Bishop and currently have 3 "NHL" goalies on their team?

Pack- your whole blog is oriented to the reality that college free agents and - more likely - their advisors are looking beyond the "here and now" to their second contract and the rest of their career.

There are a variety of factors that should go into Petersen decision, many of which project at least two years into the future. By then, Buffalo should be a far more appealing NHL destination, and Chicago will be fully mired in aging cap hell.

Is Buffalos future enough to attract Cal - sounds like "no." But Chicago isn't the alternative IMO. (Look instead at Dallas?)
- Der Kaiser

that makes for a very interesting counter point...at the end of the day we'll see how this all unfolds

edit: baker said he hopes he's wrong in all of this...I hope he's wrong too

There's nothing wrong with Lehner if we can get him to stop a couple in the shootout.

Didn't Dallas just sign Ben Bishop and currently have 3 "NHL" goalies on their team?
- Lilroot9

Have been pretty distracted for the last week or so. Philly needs a Number 1 also. But they seem rather rudderless. Watch out for Edmonton.

I dont think they can win either unless they find like 2 more Panarins for low cap hits. Cause if Panarin is getting paid $6m now.

$32 mil for Toews, Kane, Panarin and Hossa. And Hossa is 38 and under $5.275 for another 4 years. Ouch!
- Lilroot9

The funny part about Hossa is that he's still playing at a pretty high level. His point totals have dipped a little, but he's so good defensively as well, it's not really that big of a deal because he's still very much contributing.

The scary part is the fact that there is 4 years left. Who knows if he can actually continue playing at this level for that many more years.

Have been pretty distracted for the last week or so. Philly needs a Number 1 also. But they seem rather rudderless. Watch out for Edmonton.
- Der Kaiser

In your defense, Dallas only has one of those 3 "NHL" goaltenders under contract beyond this year. So basically, Petersen would have time to go to the AHL and hone his game this upcoming season and then possibly at least make the jump to NHL back up the following season.

In your defense, Dallas only has one of those 3 "NHL" goaltenders under contract beyond this year. So basically, Petersen would have time to go to the AHL and hone his game this upcoming season and then possibly at least make the jump to NHL back up the following season.
- HonkFortheGoose

Coincidence is not a defense.

I maybhsve been right but it was accidental. So no credit for me.

I dont think they can win either unless they find like 2 more Panarins for low cap hits. Cause if Panarin is getting paid $6m now.

$32 mil for Toews, Kane, Panarin and Hossa. And Hossa is 38 and under $5.275 for another 4 years. Ouch!
- Lilroot9

That's how they have been winning. I pointed this out a couple of months ago: throughout their three cup runs, there have only been 6 players that were on the team for all three of them. The rest they have rotated in and out. Now, granted, they have Panarin locked up long term, but Chicago has been one of the best teams at managing the cap over the past seven or eight years. I don't all of a sudden see them forgetting how it works.

That's how they have been winning. I pointed this out a couple of months ago: throughout their three cup runs, there have only been 6 players that were on the team for all three of them. The rest they have rotated in and out. Now, granted, they have Panarin locked up long term, but Chicago has been one of the best teams at managing the cap over the past seven or eight years. I don't all of a sudden see them forgetting how it works.
- buffalofan19

Understand. But I guess their core seems to be coming down (in terms of production) but I can see what you are saying. Also, if you asked me if I wanted to play for the team I rooted for my whole life, I would say yes. So Tough on that level.

Happy Wonder Women day !!!!


Go see it

That's how they have been winning. I pointed this out a couple of months ago: throughout their three cup runs, there have only been 6 players that were on the team for all three of them. The rest they have rotated in and out. Now, granted, they have Panarin locked up long term, but Chicago has been one of the best teams at managing the cap over the past seven or eight years. I don't all of a sudden see them forgetting how it works.
- buffalofan19

Problem is, even this year, with that core, they weren't a great team and not built for the playoffs.

They won a ton of 1 goal games, and a bunch in shootout/OT that do not exist in the postseason.

When they faced a team that was built for the playoffs, they were dominated

Another interesting situation playing out is with Buffalo goaltending prospect Cal Petersen. The 22-year-old completed his junior season at Notre Dame and announced earlier this week that he was turning pro.

The Sabres have 30 days to get Petersen signed before he becomes an unrestricted free agent that can be signed by another team on August 15, which is the same road that Jimmy Vesey went last season and Petersen and Colorado draft pick (and 2017 Hobey Baker winner) Will Butcher seem to be headed down.

Petersen and Butcher’s negotiating rights could be trade chips used by Buffalo and Colorado prior to the Expansion Draft with the Golden Knights or to get a draft pick at the NHL Draft in Chicago.

From Ek's "blog"