disagree

they probably win the division


there is a reason those three clubs have 3 of the best records in the nhl despite playing each other 8 times
- homiedclown

fla 5-7-3 vs carolina and tampa?

i don't understand the thought process here

I don't agree with the bold at all.

They are in a weak division yet it has 2 of the best 3 or 4 teams in hockey?

Also, every division has bad teams in it. You've mentioned the Penguins and Bruins, who've had the advantage of beating up on the Sabres, Devils, and Flyers, who are all bad teams.

Take a look at the other divisions and you'll see multiple bad teams there too.

Only 4 teams in the NHL have as many or more points then the Panthers.

They deserve full credit for having a tremendous season so far, and a big part of their success is due to the decisions they made on multiple players they brought in.
- kingcong39

Spot on.
And they're fun to watch.

Playoffs are going to be can't miss TV this season...the hate for each other has already been built up by playing each other 8 times with back-to-back games.

That series Bolts vs Florida is going to be epic...especially since they are closing the season out against each other.

fla 5-7-3 vs carolina and tampa?

i don't understand the thought process here
- Michael Pachla

how many panther games have you watched this season

my guess is less then 4

75 percent chance of staying
Jack Eichel: The Sabres are a better team with him on it. When healthy, he’s a top-10 center in the NHL. And even if — if — there’s lingering unhappiness, he simply doesn’t have the leverage to force his way out. There’s still one season and two offseasons before his no-move clause kicks in. Eichel played hurt, but he’s coming off just two goals in 21 games. The balance of bargaining power would be in his favor had he been an MVP candidate while the Sabres still stunk, but that didn’t happen.

So, why isn’t the captain in the 99 percent group? Chris Drury. The Rangers didn’t dismantle their front office and name him president and general manager to oversee a long rebuild. They want to win now. Rumors of Eichel to New York were plentiful last offseason, and they’re bound to increase with Drury in charge. He and Eichel have a connection through USA Hockey. Landing Eichel would be a stellar first move for the Rangers’ new boss.

But the odds are still better of Eichel staying in Buffalo.
- Michael Pachla

F. THE. RANGERS.

Not the right pieces for a deal to get done. And jack is only moved if 1) he wants out and 2) the offer forces you to say yes.

I don’t think the rangers have those pieces.

how many panther games have you watched this season

my guess is less then 4
- homiedclown

correct

correct
- Michael Pachla

so your analysis is a half step behind the sabres scouting department in the darcy era



got it

F. THE. RANGERS.

Not the right pieces for a deal to get done. And jack is only moved if 1) he wants out and 2) the offer forces you to say yes.

I don’t think the rangers have those pieces.
- Gr8daygo

if he wants out, you have to move him now while you can take offers from 31 teams vs 1 or 2 teams

5-7-3 vs. carolina and tampa while feasting on columbus and detroit, 27th and 26th in the league, respectively, who have point differentials of -51 and -43...chicago is 20th overall with a -26...

outside of new jersey, the worst team in the east is the rangers who are 16th-overall with a +26 goal differential

put them in the east and they're not a playoff team
- Michael Pachla

FL 3-2-1 vs TB so far this season. Carolina came out on top, but a few OT games in the season series. The difference was special teams, FL PP sucked against Canes, while Carolina too often lit up the Panthers PK. 5 on 5 they are very evenly matched, with FL having a slight advantage at even strength.
FL would be a playoff team in any division.

if he wants out, you have to move him now while you can take offers from 31 teams vs 1 or 2 teams
- homiedclown

Shouldn't be a player on that team that they shouldn't be taking calls on, of course doesn't mean you move them. Eichel is tricky though, that neck is a ? that has to be answered.

F. THE. RANGERS.

Not the right pieces for a deal to get done. And jack is only moved if 1) he wants out and 2) the offer forces you to say yes.

I don’t think the rangers have those pieces.
- Gr8daygo

let's go big

alexis lafreniere/kappo kakko
igor sheshterkin /georgiev
k'andre miller/ryan lindgren
2021/2022 first
2021 3rd (buffalo)
2022 2nd

disagree

they probably win the division

there is a reason those three clubs have 3 of the best records in the nhl despite playing each other 8 times
- homiedclown

To be clear, that wasn't my comment 😃

if he wants out, you have to move him now while you can take offers from 31 teams vs 1 or 2 teams
- homiedclown

Agree, but I’m looking more toward LA than the rangers. F. The. Rangers.

if he wants out, you have to move him now while you can take offers from 31 teams vs 1 or 2 teams
- homiedclown

Not that I believe that Jack wants out for 1 second, but even if he did, too bad. I'm sick of players (happily) signing huge contracts than whining their way into a trade. Maybe it's happened in the past and I'm just forgetting it, but for once, I'd love for a GM or owner to say "you signed a long-term contract, nobody forced you to do that, you're staying here until the contract expires even if you sit out the last 4 years. You're welcome to come back out on the ice at any time when you're sick of pouting and being a baby". I would LOVE that. I don't care if he sits out 4 years, leaves, and we get nothing. I don't care if I sound like an idiot right now. F these guys. Let them rot.

so your analysis is a half step behind the sabres scouting department in the darcy era



got it
- homiedclown

oh my

if i end up deserving that, than so be it...if not,

Agree, but I’m looking more toward LA than the rangers. F. The. Rangers.
- Gr8daygo

gm needs to look at 31 teams though

not just the rangers and kings

that's fine...

florida is a good team with a three-time cup winning coach, bona fide stars up-front and a stud on defense plus excellent goaltending, plain and simple...but for me, i'd take any of those three over florida...

perhaps there's an ecf would determine who is better than whom?...no biggie...opinions
- Michael Pachla

Who is the stud on defense? The guy who went out with an injury over a month ago?

let's go big

alexis lafreniere/kappo kakko
igor sheshterkin /georgiev
k'andre miller/ryan lindgren
2021/2022 first
2021 3rd (buffalo)
2022 2nd
- Michael Pachla

I don’t think Drury has been that concussed in his career...

Who’s your coach?!? Have you decided yet?

oops...forgot the flyers...

well...

ok...then...


flyboys still ahead of chitown
- Michael Pachla

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O-sqYN13SU
Oh wait, that’s pronounced shy-town, isn’t it?

oh my

if i end up deserving that, than so be it...if not,



- Michael Pachla

when you blogged you watched most of the sabres games, right?


I mean if you are going to throw statements about the panthers, at least do more then cherry pick a record against 1 team


the bolts, panthers, and canes have 16 games against the other 2 teams

despite that, all 3 have top 4 records in the nhl, so they are , all three, probably really good teams


I am no panther expert, only seen about 12 of their games and it's not like they are losing games 8-4

gm needs to look at 31 teams though

not just the rangers and kings
- homiedclown

kings have a ton of excellent prospects plus a number of picks...columbus has a number of picks and some good prospects...rangers have excellent young players/prospects and enough picks to get 'er done including one of two young goalies

Not disputing any of that, but FL has been a talented “they’re gonna be really good this year” team since 2015. But, they always crumbled when it came to crunch time. The biggest change was adding Hornqvist and his leadership coming from a winning organization. How can you consider letting up when this guy is out there running through walls every game? The biggest change for them, even with such huge roster turnover, is their new found resilience and refusal to give up.
- Ratsreign

It's all of what's been posted, but I think you're underplaying a bit how much more overall well rounded talent they have this season.

It's a lot easier to have resilience and a constant motor when you know as a player that your team is full of talent on offense and defense and is also 3 deep at goaltender.

gm needs to look at 31 teams though

not just the rangers and kings
- homiedclown

Well yeah! You use the rangers to leverage others. Like Babcock leveraging uncle Terry!

Who is the stud on defense? The guy who went out with an injury over a month ago?
- kingcong39

ekblad

I don’t think Drury has been that concussed in his career...

Who’s your coach?!? Have you decided yet?
- Gr8daygo

The slashes mean one of each pairing, not all 6.

kings have a ton of excellent prospects plus a number of picks...columbus has a number of picks and some good prospects...rangers have excellent young players/prospects and enough picks to get 'er done including one of two young goalies
- Michael Pachla

yotes have young players


wings and sens have prospects and proven players

hell colorado or the canes could make a sweet offer for sub .500 jack