Elliott was on a pace to start 61 games this year. Blowing away his career high of 55 when he was in Ottawa at 25 years old. It’s even more likely he would start more games than that provided the playoff race they’re in.
- Just5

I'm aware of how many games Elliott was playing. I don't think it's an issue.

Wow....Garth....

This is what he think the Sabres may be able to get for Lehner.


Lehner.
- MBFlyerfan

He was never one to be in touch with reality

It's like relying on a forward to pot 25 goals in a season when at best he scored was 20 once, 7 years ago.

I won't say Hak is directly responsible for the injury. That's just nuts. But the more you start a guy with a history of not making it through seasons uninjured the more the likelihood you're going to end up with an injured player. Unfortunately for all parties involved they committed to a habitual injured list player as their backup which wouldn't leave any coach much choice but to ride Elliott into the ground.
- hereticpride

That's a really poor analogy. I don't agree with the opinion that Elliott is not capable of playing 60 games in a season. I think you could look back on the season and find games where maybe a reasonable comment can be made that the backup should've played. Overall though we have to consider that Neuvirth has also had his share of injuries and illnesses that made him unavailable along with poor play that is a contributing factor to how many games each goalie has played.

Wow....Garth....

This is what he think the Sabres may be able to get for Lehner.


Lehner.
- MBFlyerfan

I read that too. I was thinking there is no way your getting of the ones listed for Lehner.

The savings in actual salary is actually minimal. I truly don't understand why they made this trade at first I assumed it was because they were using it as a cap dump to sign karlson. Maybe gaborik agreed to retire after the year or they told him they'd trade him for a bag of pucks too
- Tfaehner

It is 4 million and that is if Gaborik doesn't end up on LTIR later on

It's easy to say but as a coach and team you play who gives you best chance to win. Neuvirth wasn't lighting the world on fire and the team was playing well in front of Elliott. Players aren't dumb and know who is playing well and who is struggling.

Also they needed points.

It's easy to second guess now that he is hurt.
- J35Bacher

Well, to be fair, people have been second guessing his goalie usage since last season.

Well, to be fair, people have been second guessing his goalie usage since last season.
- VladDrag

And last year they had same issues. Goalies being hurt or ill and ineffective play that led to sometimes riding a goalie for stretches.

Well, to be fair, people have been second guessing his goalie usage since last season.
- VladDrag

To be fair, people have been second guessing pretty much all of Hakstol's decisions despite having the team in a good spot in the standings and trending forward.

It is 4 million and that is if Gaborik doesn't end up on LTIR later on
- YuenglingJagr

I could see him retiring and finishing up in the KHL.

He's 36 and not sure he would fancy a rebuild in Ottawa, especially if Karlsson goes elsewhere.

You’ve had goalie injuries in the last couple years. Hakstol tends to play not the goalie that’s there 23 out of 25, 23 out of 26 games, that’s happened. Is he going to have to be more careful right now, do you think it’s far enough out in the season?

Did you say Hak or every coach that gets a hot guy and goes with him?

I said Hak.

Oh, okay I thought you said every coach.

lol!! Hextall rules!

I could see him retiring and finishing up in the KHL.

He's 36 and not sure he would fancy a rebuild in Ottawa, especially if Karlsson goes elsewhere.
- J35Bacher

He would be passing up some good money, but maybe

- Neuvirth has to make the save on the first Hall goal. He didn't cost them the game but that save needs to be made.
- J35Bacher

Agreed, and I think the word is out on him. Vegas took all kinds of sharp angle shots on Sunday.

Hall on the hit by Gudas "I thought it was a clean hit, I have to do a better job of protecting myself"

class comment.
- wcorvette

Agreed. It was completely clean. Those of us subjected to the Devils feed last night had to endure Patrick Star trying to make something out of nothing on that play.

I’m not sure they beat anyone with Neuvirth in goal. He’s so damned inconsistent.
- BiggE

I'm thinking/hoping that now with a bunch of games in his future he will settle in and be the good Neuvirth the team needs.

He would be passing up some good money, but maybe
- YuenglingJagr

He would.

But Ottawa could LITR him for the rest of the contact with that rare allergic reaction thing and then he just sits.

If he retires and goes to KHL at least he can play and I am sure his name will get him some money over there.

disappointing that Elliot is out....was he playing to much? probably, but Nuevy really hasn't played very good . So In this case I think Hak did what any coach would do....play the guy that gives you the best chance to win....it's also the first year he has had Elliot...so perhaps the goalie was telling him he was fine...when in essence he was getting a little worn down. Anyways, Nuevy is as injury prone as any goalie I have ever seen. To say this guy can last six weeks playing that often? I don't see that happening and I also don't see hextall not addressing this situation.

And last year they had same issues. Goalies being hurt or ill and ineffective play that led to sometimes riding a goalie for stretches.
- J35Bacher

I know why it happened, and I understand the thought process behind it. But overuse injuries are a real thing. There is real scientific data that states that pushing yourself too far, your body might not be able to recover as quickly. If you continue that, you risk injury. I'm sure Hak knew/knows that, and risked it anyways.

But, my main point is that people have been lamenting that since last season. The second guessing did not start at the time of this injury. It started last season.

You know, in my mind I can totally justify this team making a move for Hank. I just know no one here would be into it. Guy would be the perfect bridge to Hart. Get them to take Weise back in the deal and his cap hit isn't even really that concerning to me.
- hereticpride

Incorrect. I would love to give him a shot here. Won't ever happen as the cost would be ridiculous.

(Puts PLind hat on)

FlyErs aRe thE OnlY tEaM iN PhilLy to L0se afTEr thE EagLES Won The suPer BOwl

Pathetic
- YuenglingJagr

lol! Bonus points for the rollercoaster text

Wow....Garth....

This is what he think the Sabres may be able to get for Lehner.


Lehner.
- MBFlyerfan

holy crap! Even a 1-for-1 deal would be ridiculous

Wow....Garth....

This is what he think the Sabres may be able to get for Lehner.


Lehner.
- MBFlyerfan

Methinks Garth has been partying on a bit too much!

You’ve had goalie injuries in the last couple years. Hakstol tends to play not the goalie that’s there 23 out of 25, 23 out of 26 games, that’s happened. Is he going to have to be more careful right now, do you think it’s far enough out in the season?

Did you say Hak or every coach that gets a hot guy and goes with him?

I said Hak.

Oh, okay I thought you said every coach.

lol!! Hextall rules!
- Scoob

So good. I cracked up reading that interview last night

When you look at the wear and tear on a player, especially a goalie, goalies get a lot of wear and tear at practice, so games are a high level, but 25 shots, 30 shots. They get a lot more of that in practice, so it’s more for me, whether a goalie is a mental fatigue, then there’s the physical fatigue in games because practices are much more demanding than games over the course of the year. Sometimes with a goalie, or even a player, sometimes you cut a guy’s practice short, he doesn’t come out early, he doesn’t stay out late, its more managing those types of things when you’re managing the work load. To me, its more the number of games for a goalie is more the mental thing. You gotta manage games, you gotta manage practices well.
- Hextall

You might not agree with Hextall the GM, but I think Hextall the goalie knows a thing or two about workload.

If you want a look at some insanity leading up to the trade deadline, go to the Sabres SB Nation site. The one writer was proposing some trades between the two teams. The most insane was Sanheim, Lehterä, Stolarz, and a 2018 First for Kane, Lhener, and 2018 Second. I’m not sure Kane by himself gets you a first, perhaps the right trade partner would.

Do we make a trade before or after the Rangers game