I've gone back and forth with sbroads on this all year, but I think it boils down to where you, as a viewer, place the blame, and how much you value the individual players. I like all three to varying degrees, and I don't place the blame on them for the failures of this season.

That's the heart of the disagreement.

I blame the supporting cast, and the players they played with. To me, trading your good players because the bad players sucked hard is the wrong solution. I understand the other side of the coin: you can't blame Nolan as much as ROR when there's a 5 million dollar discrepancy in pay.

My order of who to trade would go:

ROR
Reinhart
Risto - he's almost untouchable to me because of how thin the RHD is

So here's where it gets tricky for me: I think if you start thinking about trading ROR for a D, and Risto for a winger, you're chasing your tail a little bit. I would bring in a couple very nice wingers (side note: I know many consider next year's first, and the SJS pick untouchable, I do not) and give them a better chance to succeed.
- jcragcrumple

While the supporting cast hasn't been great, moving those players out is just going to bring in similar type players.

To improve the entire depth of the team you have to move a major piece to get multiple pieces back.

It's the problem with poor drafting over the years.

There isn't a quick fix to be made here.

But changes have to be made.

You might not, but him being gone may have a profound impact on the team we currently have. Adding Dahlin, healthy Okposo, and possible one or two kids... As a German once said. Or maybe it was a clown. We might be good.
- SDSabre

From what I have heard, Kane wasn't the locker room issue. The issue with Kane was Kim wanted him gone.

The real locker room beef between ROR and Eichel. Or so we've heard.

Any trade for Johnny hockey they will ask for Casey

I don't think anyone would ever confuse that group with Eichel, Reinhart, Mittelstadt, O'Reilly, Nylander, Ristolainen, Dahlin, McCabe, Guhle and Ullmark.
- gipper0073

I disagree completly.

The entire fan base was floored we got Grigorenko 8th OA.

Kassian and Foligno were buzzing during the WJ's here. I got caught up in the hype.

You have also inserted veterans into that. We are strictly talking prospects here.

Bailey and Baptiste were supposed to come in and be top 6 forwards.
Nylander was supposed to be better than his brother.
Mikka Noronen was supposed to be the goalie for years to come.

Every year it's someone new. until they start producing, it means very little.

From what I have heard, Kane wasn't the locker room issue. The issue with Kane was Kim wanted him gone.

The real locker room beef between ROR and Eichel. Or so we've heard.
- Stripes77

Um... what?

patches won't hit 8m unless it's on a four year deal...he'll be 30...kane will be 27 this summer...

those three year represent a huge difference at that age and i'm pretty sure gm's are in tune with that
- Michael Pachla

So you think he’s going to take the same as Kane ? No chance last contract he will cash in

I disagree completly.

The entire fan base was floored we got Grigorenko 8th OA.

Kassian and Foligno were buzzing during the WJ's here. I got caught up in the hype.

You have also inserted veterans into that. We are strictly talking prospects here.

Bailey and Baptiste were supposed to come in and be top 6 forwards.
Nylander was supposed to be better than his brother.
Mikka Noronen was supposed to be the goalie for years to come.

Every year it's someone new. until they start producing, it means very little.
- ImThatGuy

12th

I disagree completly.

The entire fan base was floored we got Grigorenko 8th OA.

Kassian and Foligno were buzzing during the WJ's here. I got caught up in the hype.

You have also inserted veterans into that. We are strictly talking prospects here.

Bailey and Baptiste were supposed to come in and be top 6 forwards.
Nylander was supposed to be better than his brother.
Mikka Noronen was supposed to be the goalie for years to come.

Every year it's someone new. until they start producing, it means very little.
- ImThatGuy

Cliff Pu is the next Gretzky you say?


I actually do have really high hopes for Asplund here. I think he could be a stud 3C that makes a guy like ROR more trade-able NEXT year or at the deadline maybe.

From what I have heard, Kane wasn't the locker room issue. The issue with Kane was Kim wanted him gone.

The real locker room beef between ROR and Eichel. Or so we've heard.
- Stripes77

He put himself in the grave after the Christmas party .


But it started at the draft he pissed her off

Um... what?
- JVince11

He wouldn't stick it in her stinky pinky so she wanted him gone.

So you think he’s going to take the same as Kane ? No chance last contract he will cash in
- gerbe75pts

would you offer him an 7yr./$56 million deal that ends when he's 37 yrs. old?

Um... what?
- JVince11

It’s pretty obvious watch their goal celebrations together

Cliff Pu is the next Gretzky you say?


I actually do have really high hopes for Asplund here. I think he could be a stud 3C that makes a guy like ROR more trade-able NEXT year or at the deadline maybe.
- JVince11

You get what I am saying though right?

Its great to have prospects, but every fan base overrates prospects.

You get what I am saying though right?

Its great to have prospects, but every fan base overrates prospects.
- ImThatGuy

Until they are gone then we act like we drastically miss them.

cough cough McNabb cough.

It's not about blaming them individually. It's about realizing that they have failed in the spots given to them, and capitilizing on their value's being high, because of the spots they were put in.

Of all the 3, Ristolainen's value will decrease the most IMO, over the next year or so, as you will see Dahlin eat up his minutes, and eventually his PP points.

In 2 years he will be a 30-35 point 2nd pairing D man, who while still good, won't have the alure of a "consistent 40 point 25 min a night" D man.

ROR will be a 45-55 point 2nd/3rd line center in 2 years, and won't have the alure of a Selke candidate-team Canada top 6 center.

Reinhart's value IMO, will be the same.
- sbroads24

I think keeping Risto would be wise even when he is moved to the second pairing.

He can play his game against lower compeition and I would be while not playing 25 minutes a night he would still be a close to 40 point D. Secondary scoring on this team is non existent.

Even if he drops to 35 points that's a huge win IMO having your second pairing D getting that many points and it's not like his contract is awful.

I also want to keep Sam.

I want to see what type of player he really is. I think he is a 55 point winger. I don't think he can keep the pace up from the second half of the season but if you get him on a 3 year bridge deal at a $4.5 million cap hit you have flexibility cap wise if he really does light it up.

I would move ROR while his value is the highest.

I would make a play for Carlson

I would make a play for Grubauer

I would make a play for Sparks

I would try to do a lot of different deals. This team is a mess. Adding Dahlin and a few kids isn't going to turn this franchise around if that's all you do.

It’s pretty obvious watch their goal celebrations together
- gerbe75pts

Is this middle school??? My gawd.

Ya'll trying to decode the dramatic locker room by goal celebrations?

Um... what?
- JVince11

Rumors have it

ROR wants to be captain thinks its his team

Everyone knows it's Jack's team

It divided the locker room

While the supporting cast hasn't been great, moving those players out is just going to bring in similar type players.

To improve the entire depth of the team you have to move a major piece to get multiple pieces back.

It's the problem with poor drafting over the years.

There isn't a quick fix to be made here.

But changes have to be made.
- Stripes77

If our bottom 6 includes Mitts, Erod, Wilson, O'Regan, Baptiste, Bailey, maybe Okposo

Instead of

Nolan, Larsson, Griffith, Moulson, Josefson, Criscuolo

It will be a massive improvement imo.

Stable goaltending is a must. Ullmark will probably play 35-45 games this year. I'd go with Bernier

That would require us to acquire 2 top-6 LWs. If you can pry Athanasiou out of Detroit, there's 1.

What I'm trying to say is, "change" can mean a lot of things, and I don't think you necessarily have to move those guys to be better.

I'm not against it either, but I just don't like the argument that good players should be moved because we finished last. If there's a move that makes us better now, I am all for it. The 11th pick and Josh Ho Sang is not a move I'm interested in.

would you offer him an 7yr./$56 million deal that ends when he's 37 yrs. old?
- Michael Pachla

No but that’s what he will ask for and some team will be dumb enough

Until they are gone then we act like we drastically miss them.

cough cough McNabb cough.
- JVince11

McNabb was so good LA left him unprotected

He played well for Vegas but lets not act like we lost out on the second coming here

Is this middle school??? My gawd.

Ya'll trying to decode the dramatic locker room by goal celebrations?
- JVince11

Tell that to ROR he’s doing the same poop he did with Avs getting mad about being passed over for the young guy

I swear to god....

If I see one more person put JVR in Buffalo's projected top 6 in their little fan minds... I am going to punch a kitten.

THE DUDE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATES BUFFALO!!! HATES THE CITY!!!

I disagree completly.

The entire fan base was floored we got Grigorenko 8th OA.

Kassian and Foligno were buzzing during the WJ's here. I got caught up in the hype.

You have also inserted veterans into that. We are strictly talking prospects here.

Bailey and Baptiste were supposed to come in and be top 6 forwards.
Nylander was supposed to be better than his brother.
Mikka Noronen was supposed to be the goalie for years to come.

Every year it's someone new. until they start producing, it means very little.
- ImThatGuy

I wonder if the FLyers would be a trade fit. Maybe something involving Simmonds. not sure specifics. O' Reilly would be a solid add to the middle with Patrick and Couturier. Problem is I don't see them taking him at 7.5 with Provorov soon to get a big deal and Konecny needing money too.

Tell that to ROR he’s doing the same poop he did with Avs getting mad about being passed over for the young guy
- gerbe75pts

Says who? you? Did you read that from his journal?

No but that’s what he will ask for and some team will be dumb enough
- gerbe75pts

you may be right, but I don't think the attraction is there for any gm to pay him $8m/yr. for seven years at his age