they exploited weak link theory, which can really only happen when you're an expansion team.

They knew there were no sets of moves to add stars, so they used other teams idiocy (looking at you florida) to ensure that on most nights they wouldn't have the worst player on the ice.

It's a collection of 2nd/3rd line guys and 2nd/3rd pair players. Not really a model you can make work unless you are literally starting the team from scratch.
- Sabresfan-365

I also question whether it's sustainable.

That said, the NHL's strategy with the rules ended up working...and McPhee had at least a slightly higher IQ than we all thought.

I also question whether it's sustainable.

That said, the NHL's strategy with the rules ended up working...and McPhee had at least a slightly higher IQ than we all thought.
- buffalofan19

5th best team in regular season

I also question whether it's sustainable.

That said, the NHL's strategy with the rules ended up working...and McPhee had at least a slightly higher IQ than we all thought.
- buffalofan19

adding Cody Glass this fall wont hurt them

Suzuki and Hague the following year

I also question whether it's sustainable.

That said, the NHL's strategy with the rules ended up working...and McPhee had at least a slightly higher IQ than we all thought.
- buffalofan19

If you look at their actual 20 man roster, it's impressively good contract value all around.

The success they got from that will lead to raises that will most likely throw off that balance.

they exploited weak link theory, which can really only happen when you're an expansion team.

They knew there were no sets of moves to add stars, so they used other teams idiocy (looking at you florida) to ensure that on most nights they wouldn't have the worst player on the ice.

It's a collection of 2nd/3rd line guys and 2nd/3rd pair players. Not really a model you can make work unless you are literally starting the team from scratch.
- Sabresfan-365

That's probably the best phrasing I've heard to succinctly explain what they did

i still don't understand your need to capitalize key words, it doesn't actually strengthen your point nor do we miss it when it's in regular type.

This team is 2 years away anyways, if dealing them for picks/prospects (good ones) better positions you for that, why wouldn't you?
- Sabresfan-365

I’m all about emphasis bc ppl like to incorrectly interpret what I’m trying to say

Depends what u mean by “good prospects” and how soon they’ll be here contributing

No, a late 1st is not necessarily a “good” prospect
It’s quite the toss up

The good players we have do not mesh well together and do not play a style our coach and GM want (besides Eichel)

It’s that simple as well
- sbroads24

Disagree with your general premise
Are there guys on Pittsburgh or Nashville who play well even though they aren’t “fast” skaters?

U act like there’s only one style of player we want & that no one else can be successful in their system if they don’t fit into that mold

If you look at their actual 20 man roster, it's impressively good contract value all around.

The success they got from that will lead to raises that will most likely throw off that balance.
- Sabresfan-365

Which is actually a shame, because sustainable winning is how you build a strong fanbase in a new/"non-traditional" market. I was in Vegas about a month ago, and a lot of locals were wearing Golden Knights gear. I doubt it's like that if they were in 13th place.

Freaking Colorado came to play so far...

The really good teams only start adding players when their core is set. This team's isn't even close. It's why signing players like Okposo were a mistake from the word "go". Find your core, then start adding players. A "core" of Eichel, Kane, O'Reilly, Reinhart and Ristolainen was never going to get them anywhere near a championship.
- buffalofan19

You KNEW that for sure 3 years ago?
Doubtful

5th best team in regular season
- homiedclown

And 1st luckiest

It literally can't make them worse, however.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm sorry, that's just a piss poor argument. Trading Eichel for Bozak straight up couldn't make them worse either.

I’m all about emphasis bc ppl like to incorrectly interpret what I’m trying to say

Depends what u mean by “good prospects” and how soon they’ll be here contributing

No, a late 1st is not necessarily a “good” prospect
It’s quite the toss up
- jdfitz77

id say mid 1st, a top 5 prospect from that team but not their best guy and a decent top 9 forward made expendable because they've acquire ROR.

I think that's a realistic return I'd be happy with, mostly because I'm not a fan of his contract.

I'm sorry, that's just a piss poor argument. Trading Eichel for Bozak straight up couldn't make them worse either.
- Wetbandit1

I know, so is the opposite.

I can’t believe people want this core back. I really can’t
- sbroads24

I'm not saying I do, however, using "they can't get worse" as justification doesn't hold any water.

Disagree with your general premise
Are there guys on Pittsburgh or Nashville who play well even though they aren’t “fast” skaters?

U act like there’s only one style of player we want & that no one else can be successful in their system if they don’t fit into that mold
- jdfitz77

Yes, but not their top ones. That's the biggest difference between those teams and the bottom feeders like Buffalo. Both Pittsburgh and Nashville had top 6's that can skate very, very well. Half of Buffalo's top 6 is mired in cement.

You KNEW that for sure 3 years ago?
Doubtful
- jdfitz77

Exactly. Team was ahead of schedule and looking to be on the up and up

You KNEW that for sure 3 years ago?
Doubtful
- jdfitz77

*Raises hand*

I did

Disagree with your general premise
Are there guys on Pittsburgh or Nashville who play well even though they aren’t “fast” skaters?

U act like there’s only one style of player we want & that no one else can be successful in their system if they don’t fit into that mold
- jdfitz77

Sam Reinhart or Ryan O’Reilly aren’t one of the “top guys” on either of those teams.

That’s the problem

You KNEW that for sure 3 years ago?
Doubtful
- jdfitz77

I said that in the last week of June when the rumors that the Sabres were going hard after Okposo started. It was a classic case of people not learning from history being doomed to repeat it.

Which is actually a shame, because sustainable winning is how you build a strong fanbase in a new/"non-traditional" market. I was in Vegas about a month ago, and a lot of locals were wearing Golden Knights gear. I doubt it's like that if they were in 13th place.
- buffalofan19

i still think it could pay off if they've used it to build a strong grass roots type movement, similar to what st louis did. They took advantage of early success to target the really young generation, most likely to become attached to a sports team.

IIRC, the last US world juniors team that won had something close to half their roster from the state of missouri. That's insane.

That's probably the best phrasing I've heard to succinctly explain what they did
- jcragcrumple

Thanks!

if there is a lockout in 19-20, do you sell off this summer and tank to ensure 2 more good drafts behind this one?

serious question as if they tank in 18-19, and a lost season in 19-20

bogo, moulson, pommer, scandella are all off the books

and another year of tanking ensures 2 top 5 picks plus what we get this summer
- homiedclown

It’s an interesting theory

2 big issues with it though

First,
The potential lockout is in the 20-21 season
https://www.google.com/am...020-21-work-stoppage/amp/

Second,
that’s potentially 3 more wasted years of Jack


Worth thinking about
But do u really want your franchise player going through 6 years of non-stop sucking?
I’d say no

i still think it could pay off if they've used it to build a strong grass roots type movement, similar to what st louis did. They took advantage of early success to target the really young generation, most likely to become attached to a sports team.

IIRC, the last US world juniors team that won had something close to half their roster from the state of missouri. That's insane.
- Sabresfan-365

It wasn't half, but it was like 6 or 7 this past year, which is still a lot.

Speaking of that team, I actually thought this team was more talented than the team that won gold in 2017. The one year the US wasn't anywhere near the top of the tournament in goaltending...

EDIT: the 2017 team had 3 kids from Missouri.

https://teamusa.usahockey...tional-junior-team-roster

The 2018 team had 4

https://teamusa.usahockey...2018-wjc-u-s-final-roster

We were both off.

I'm not saying I do, however, using "they can't get worse" as justification doesn't hold any water.
- Wetbandit1

Come on, often injured Eichel and his 65 points at 10 mil is a bargain. ROR and his 61 points at 7.5 is a disaster.