he also got mercilessly thrown to the wolves this year.
Welcome to the NHL, kid. You're now a 2nd line center. LOL.
- seedy

I have a sneaking suspicion that the requirement for Mitts to leave school early and make the jump was getting NHL time. He wasn't going to Rochester for a year as he probably should have.

Either way, Housley benching him at this point is silly. Fire Housley.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the requirement for Mitts to leave school early and make the jump was getting NHL time. He wasn't going to Rochester for a year as he probably should have.

Either way, Housley benching him at this point is silly. Fire Housley.
- RhinoFan

Well Sherlock you are definitely right and it isn’t sneaking suspicion.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the requirement for Mitts to leave school early and make the jump was getting NHL time. He wasn't going to Rochester for a year as he probably should have.

Either way, Housley benching him at this point is silly. Fire Housley.
- RhinoFan

We are entering the "phil housely revenge tour" stage of this craptacular season...where phil (frank)s with the guys he blames for getting poop canned.

We are entering the "phil housely revenge tour" stage of this craptacular season...where phil (frank)s with the guys he blames for getting poop canned.
- feetontheair22

No, you don't completely give up on a player unless they're a 24 y/o dman who typically take longer to fully develop. I bet the Islanders are glad they traded a 24 y/o Chara and a 1st for Yashin.
- adambuffalo

Hindsight.

At the time, Yashin was coming off two 40+ goal seasons.

he also got mercilessly thrown to the wolves this year.
Welcome to the NHL, kid. You're now a 2nd line center. LOL.
- seedy

Was he though? He may have been listed as 2C, but he was never used as one.

We are entering the "phil housely revenge tour" stage of this craptacular season...where phil (frank)s with the guys he blames for getting poop canned.
- feetontheair22

We are entering the "phil housely revenge tour" stage of this craptacular season...where phil (frank)s with the guys he blames for getting poop canned.
- feetontheair22

We are entering the "phil housely revenge tour" stage of this craptacular season...where phil (frank)s with the guys he blames for getting poop canned.
- feetontheair22

Well Sherlock you are definitely right and it isn’t sneaking suspicion.
- Pegullaville

Didn't know it was public knowledge. My b.

Just saying him being rushed was unavoidable from our side. It's what he wanted to sign.

We are entering the "phil housely revenge tour" stage of this craptacular season...where phil (frank)s with the guys he blames for getting poop canned.
- feetontheair22

Honestly, that's what it feels like.

Hey Mitts, you should have had a Barzal type rookie season, you didn't and because of it I'm gone, here's the press box.

That most likely isn't the case. I just can't come up with any other logical reason to sit him over Sobotka.

No, you don't completely give up on a player unless they're a 24 y/o dman who typically take longer to fully develop. I bet the Islanders are glad they traded a 24 y/o Chara and a 1st for Yashin.
- adambuffalo

Rewind this post 4 years and we’re talking about Tyler Myers

I was right there with you.

Yes, it's only 6 games, but 90% on here were calling him a "bust". Good thing no one gave up on most of these posters when they were 21-22 years old. And after being thrust in to a men's league at 18-19, Nylander is coming around. For some, it takes time.

Hopefully he keeps it going.
- Powerslave

Not true. They were calling him "Bustlander."

Hindsight.

At the time, Yashin was coming off two 40+ goal seasons.
- Powerslave

But he wore a turtleneck under his sweater.

He SUCKS. He is a -42. Look at just the last 5 games, Dahlin, Montour and Risto have all played just about the same number of mins and shift give or take a bit, Montour -1, Dahlin -3, Risto -8.

I think as a fan base we have to stop making excuses for Risto. He is not good enough to play against the other teams top lines.
- hehateme

Not 85-100% of the time which he currently does, no. His usage is atrocious, he should be out there for O-Zone draws, even with the icings, that have decreased, he still spends too much time in the D-Zone because Housley plays him like Chara instead of Dan Boyle(he's just the first O-Zone heavy guy that popped into my mind). Boyle, interestingly, with a ton more O-Zone starts(60% vs Risto's 45.4% this year) was -29 in a season the Lightning were -45. He was also -29 in just 37 games. Dan Boyle sucked on defense, but was a very good offensive player. He had 25 points in those 37 games. A defenseman doesn't have to be everything to everyone.

Do we have to throw away any d-man who can’t defend the opponents top line or can they still have value?
- Der Kaiser

Just chuck'em in the bin.

I was right there with you.

Yes, it's only 6 games, but 90% on here were calling him a "bust". Good thing no one gave up on most of these posters when they were 21-22 years old. And after being thrust in to a men's league at 18-19, Nylander is coming around. For some, it takes time.

Hopefully he keeps it going.
- Powerslave

Before the season I was firmly in the "wait and see" camp. I got pretty close to giving up on him during the season, he's shown some good things in his 5 or 6 games, whatever it's been. I'm back firmly in the "wait and see" camp. Mittelstadt came in and put up 5 points in 6 games at the end of last year too.

Hot take of the day: We should keep Phil Housley. If the core of this team can't respond to him then who are they going to respond to at this point? Die on the sword and if they don't have consistency now, who knows if they ever will? Let them reap the seeds they've sewn. What would be the icing on top is if the St. Louis Blues somehow win the Stanley Cup on a hot goalie and a defensively sound team.

And for the love of god, change those awful uniforms the second the season ends.

Risto and Eichel
For
Barkov and Huberdeau.

Risto and Eichel
For
Barkov and Huberdeau.
- ImThatGuy

You trade Eichel this franchise will never win the cup

And barkov is a stud

You trade Eichel this franchise will never win the cup

And barkov is a stud
- gerbe75pts

Barkov = Eichel
Huberdeau >>>>>>> Risto

The Sabres will win 4-1 tonight while getting out shot 35-22 then they'll talk about the pride in the room and not quitting while winning their first road game since January

Barkov = Eichel
Huberdeau >>>>>>> Risto
- ImThatGuy

Tim Murray hates Russians and Barkov sounds Russian

Rewind this post 4 years and we’re talking about Tyler Myers
- sbroads24

😂😂😂

Tim Murray hates Russians and Barkov sounds Russian
- mattmoulson

I don’t think people realize just how good Barkov is.

It’s a crazy scenario but it would be a hell of a trade.

+ cap space.