Hayes has done ok with the Jets, not great

he had one monster game, but his last 6 games, 1 goal (an overtime winner) 0 assists and a -5

not really piling up big minutes either
- jimbro83

Some guys just don't fit places. That's ok torpedo his value. I'm hesitant at 7, but in the low to mid 6s I could deal.

oh yeah definitely, so would I
- jimbro83

You could sign him for 5 years and Chytil will still be only 24 when the contract is over and ready step in.

the truth spoken
- 21peter

For you, isn't it Norwegian Wood?

For you, isn't it Norwegian Wood?
- WineryDog

this bird has flown

For you, isn't it Norwegian Wood?
- WineryDog

every morning

this bird has flown
- jimbro83

Nice.

Hayes has done ok with the Jets, not great

he had one monster game, but his last 6 games, 1 goal (an overtime winner) 0 assists and a -5

not really piling up big minutes either
- jimbro83

expect Zuke to play 21-23 mins tonight

this bird has flown
- jimbro83

the opening; "I once had a girl Or should I say She once had me" is just f'n awesome!

the opening; "I once had a girl Or should I say She once had me" is just f'n awesome!
- 21peter

John had a way with words, and a way with the birds

If you look at the Metro, the Rangers, Devils and Islanders should be teams that are ascending as the Penguins and Capitals begin to take a step back. I think the Rangers really start to compete in that division (at the Cup contender level, not at playoff fringe level) in a couple of years when Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkins, etc. better days are behind them, and their main competition won't be the Caps and Pens as was the case when they were Cup contenders a few years back.

Are we all convinced that Hughes is the pick to the Devil? That would be the pick I would make if I were them, but I am wondering if that is a slam dunk.

Rangers having one of the best players in the league for 3 years at the entry level contract before he makes real money is just gonna be gold
- jimbro83

By no means am I trying to rain on the parade of Rangers fans. I understand the excitement of getting a high pick and the hope it brings, but do you honestly believe Kakko is going to be one of the best players in the league in his first three years? You'd have to give me your definition of what that entails.

Is Eichel one of the best players in the league? He tied for 23rd in points with 82. Personally, I don't think he's one of the best players in the league yet. He hasn't proved it, at least to me. Having said that, I think Eichel will get better.

Hischier just finished his first two seasons with 47 and 52 points. Most forwards who are drafted in the top 3 end up around the 50 point mark. If Kakko does that then you've got a very good young player, but I don't think that makes him "one of the best players in the league".

Buffalo and Edmonton are sad examples of how you can take a highly touted prospect and waste his 3 years on an ELC. The Sabres have also just wasted year one of Dahlin and things don't look good for next year right now, especially if Skinner decides it's not worth resigning.

I should also note that I'm not overly familiar with the Rangers line-up and their top prospects, so they may well have a better foundation for Kakko to come in and find success than the Sabres did with Eichel.

Essentially, what I'm saying is enjoy having the pick and the speculation that comes with it over the next couple of months. It's definitely a lot of fun dreaming of better days. But, remember the player the Rangers draft likely isn't going to come in and start shattering NHL records. It will take time for him to develop and become a top player.

Who knows, maybe our favorite teams will be slugging it out in the Eastern Conference final one of these years. That would be fun. Well, I'd take any playoff hockey for the Sabres at this point.

Congrats and peace out.

John had a way with words, and a way with the birds
- jimbro83

according to mdw, he sucked...

Congrats TB - One way or another you folks are getting a hell of a player
- lumlums

Thanks Lums.

Hayes isn't coming back. Stop playing with my emotions.
- mdw7413

If they can move Vlad and Vesey, that gives them 27 million in cap space to work with. Give Panarin 11, Hayes 7.

If you look at the Metro, the Rangers, Devils and Islanders should be teams that are ascending as the Penguins and Capitals begin to take a step back. I think the Rangers really start to compete in that division (at the Cup contender level, not at playoff fringe level) in a couple of years when Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkins, etc. better days are behind them, and their main competition won't be the Caps and Pens as was the case when they were Cup contenders a few years back.

Are we all convinced that Hughes is the pick to the Devil? That would be the pick I would make if I were them, but I am wondering if that is a slam dunk.
- Pete V

Canes have a young team on the rise in the Metro too. Between Washington and Pitt winning cups recently, the Flyers, Devils and Rangers stockpiling young talent. The Canes rising it’s going to be real interesting for a while. Toss in the Isles making the playoffs and it’s going to be a tough division to pick for a while.

As for Hughes being a slam dunk. I think it’s The was Shero will go, but I’m not sure it should be a slam dunk. I’d prefer Kakko as things stand now TBH.

John had a way with words, and a way with the birds
- jimbro83

Great songwriter, can't stand his voice.

Worked real late last night and just caught up on the lottery. Couldn't be happier! Win with either player. Hockey Gods rewarding us for playing hard and not purposely tanking.

Great songwriter, can't stand his voice.

Worked real late last night and just caught up on the lottery. Couldn't be happier! Win with either player. Hockey Gods rewarding us for playing hard and not purposely tanking.
- Fenrir

Join the dark side

If they can move Vlad and Vesey, that gives them 27 million in cap space to work with. Give Panarin 11, Hayes 7.
- tomburton99

I think I'd rather have Skinner than Hayes, if it were possible to make Panarin/Skinner happen. It's a long shot, but riding this wave of excitement has my head in the clouds

Canes have a young team on the rise in the Metro too. Between Washington and Pitt winning cups recently, the Flyers, Devils and Rangers stockpiling young talent. The Canes rising it’s going to be real interesting for a while. Toss in the Isles making the playoffs and it’s going to be a tough division to pick for a while.

As for Hughes being a slam dunk. I think it’s The was Shero will go, but I’m not sure it should be a slam dunk. I’d prefer Kakko as things stand now TBH.
- smellmyfinger

James Tanner 2019-2020 predictions: The Metro is the worst division in hockey.

I think I'd rather have Skinner than Hayes, if it were possible to make Panarin/Skinner happen. It's a long shot, but riding this wave of excitement has my head in the clouds
- Bean_Dip

Do you really trust the combo of Chytil, Lias, Howden and Nieves behind Zib. I don't get the center depth. Have cheap contracts on the wings.

Join the dark side
- mdw7413

Founding member.

Canes have a young team on the rise in the Metro too. Between Washington and Pitt winning cups recently, the Flyers, Devils and Rangers stockpiling young talent. The Canes rising it’s going to be real interesting for a while. Toss in the Isles making the playoffs and it’s going to be a tough division to pick for a while.

As for Hughes being a slam dunk. I think it’s The was Shero will go, but I’m not sure it should be a slam dunk. I’d prefer Kakko as things stand now TBH.
- smellmyfinger

Maybe it's just familiarity for me with Hughes and the preference for a potentially elite center over a potentially elite wing, but I think the Devils would take a real risk in passing up Hughes. I realize that Nico is a similar type of player and the Devils would have too smallish type centers, but I could really care less about that. Hughes is an elite talent -- high end skater, great with the puck, high game IQ. I am thrilled to get Kakko, but I would be even more thrilled if the Hughes dropped to number 2.

James Tanner 2019-2020 predictions: The Metro is the worst division in hockey.
- tomburton99

And Arizona will go to the SCF.

Do you really trust the combo of Chytil, Lias, Howden and Nieves behind Zib. I don't get the center depth. Have cheap contracts on the wings.
- tomburton99

The Rangers have a ton of the center depth in the prospect pool. The real question is whether one of the guys you listed above is going to turn out to be a stud. That remains to be seen.

Do you really trust the combo of Chytil, Lias, Howden and Nieves behind Zib. I don't get the center depth. Have cheap contracts on the wings.
- tomburton99

Next year is going to be another year to give those guys a long leash. Keep putting Chytil, Lias and Howden in the spots to prove they're worthy of the 2/3 C position.

I think one of those guys can be a good 2C, especially with stud wingers ready to bury the puck in the pack of the net.