Don't know if it was you specifically, but you said "we" so I remember saying take less back or retain salary or keep him.

EVERY time the response was "Fine, we will be happy to keep him" that was always followed by how much return ROR would get once JT signed...remember BEST center available after JT?
- Glak18

Yes, like I said, RoR is fine for now. He would have been fine for another year, but his contract is for 5 more years and if you were to watch him, you'd see his how the game is passing him by and his production will be dwindling soon.

So we took some salary back for him, it's better than being stuck with his contract for five more years. Sabodka can be bought out in a year if need be, and Berglund isn't a bad player. They're both off our books before RoR's contract ends.

Wow, you're really grasping at straws now, giggles.

I give you a 4/10 on the troll. My jimmies remain unrustled
- jcragcrumple

Gotcha Jimmy Jam. Not trolling, just gloating and smiling ear to ear from being right. I received the same thing from Leaf fans when I said Toronto would have to retain salary for Kessel. They said no way in hell does that ever happen for months. Again I just enjoy being right.
- Glak18

You're not right about anything. St. Louis got what they wanted, we got what we wanted, a problem player gone and a decent return for him. It's win win for both clubs.

Well I wasn't the person who said they have to give up a pick if no salary was retained, but I did state many times ROR value (at least what the Torontallo fans wanted) wouldn't be close UNLESS major salary was retained OR Buffalo added compensation for taking that salary.

So in reality we can agree to agree I was 149.48% RIGHT. Thank you.
- Glak18

ImThatGuy can do the math for you here and tell you how technically correct you are.

I'm hoping Nick gets a chance with Jack as well. As MP says, he has the raw talent to be successful or the right tools to do so. He's a long ways off from a top line winger, but given depth it may have to happen.

Baptiste - Eichel - Skunkeroo
Sheary - Mitts - Okposo
Girgs - Berglund - Pommer
Wilson - E-Rod - Thompson
Sobotka

Forward lines would be so???
- RhinoFan

He's about to be a 23 year old with raw talent, who hasn't shown enough to stick in the NHL. He's really on the bubble coming into camp and a bottom 6 prospect/depth guy right now. Hoping he plays his off wing on the first line is a bit much to hope for.

Gotcha Jimmy Jam. Not trolling, just gloating and smiling ear to ear from being right. I received the same thing from Leaf fans when I said Toronto would have to retain salary for Kessel. They said no way in hell does that ever happen for months. Again I just enjoy being right.
- Glak18

Is this Gerbe's poopty brother

He's about to be a 23 year old with raw talent, who hasn't shown enough to stick in the NHL. He's really on the bubble coming into camp and a bottom 6 prospect/depth guy right now. Hoping he plays his off wing on the first line is a bit much to hope for.
- Lunaion

He's a 23 year old NHL ready prospect that can play a position of need...he SHOULD get his shot.

Because Baptiste > Girgs or Wilson

I don't think he's a top line or even top 6 player. I think he could be a solid 3rd line speed guy that can push pace and pot 15. Still, if they aren't putting Sheary with Eichel, he's my next man up.

Who the (frank) offers a 4 year, 4M contract for a full time 4th line vet forward? Like.. why?

He's a 23 year old NHL ready prospect that can play a position of need...he SHOULD get his shot.

Because Baptiste > Girgs or Wilson

I don't think he's a top line or even top 6 player. I think he could be a solid 3rd line speed guy that can push pace and pot 15. Still, if they aren't putting Sheary with Eichel, he's my next man up.
- RhinoFan

Is it even fair to bring the kid to camp to fight for an NHL job at a new position?

I think it's time to dial down expectations.

He's a 23 year old NHL ready prospect that can play a position of need...he SHOULD get his shot.

Because Baptiste > Girgs or Wilson

I don't think he's a top line or even top 6 player. I think he could be a solid 3rd line speed guy that can push pace and pot 15. Still, if they aren't putting Sheary with Eichel, he's my next man up.
- RhinoFan

I agree with this post.


I would rather see Baptiste on the ice than Larsson or Girgs and maybe even Wilson.

You're welcome. Otherwise the talk would be about jorts and which colors to wear this summer.
- Glak18

Might be better than your crappy troll attempts

Gotcha Jimmy Jam. Not trolling, just gloating and smiling ear to ear from being right. I received the same thing from Leaf fans when I said Toronto would have to retain salary for Kessel. They said no way in hell does that ever happen for months. Again I just enjoy being right.
- Glak18

That might be an alternate definition of trolling

Is it even fair to bring the kid to camp to fight for an NHL job at a new position?

I think it's time to dial down expectations.
- Lunaion

Absolutely. He played LW last year and while he was never given the minutes to produce much he still tapped in a few. This is the NHL, it isn't about being fair it's about taking your opportunities when they arise.

Again, not saying that's ideal, but Wilson and Girgs are lesser players for me. Sheary is literally our only quality LW, so he's going up a line no matter what. I think that's closer to what I'm thinking anyways.

Expecting a guy to score 15 goals as a 3rd line forward, I believe, is fair. Due to our lack of LWers he's forced into a larger role. I think he's the best opportunity we have for that position given the state of the team.

I agree with this post.


I would rather see Baptiste on the ice than Larsson or Girgs and maybe even Wilson.
- SabreWest

Wilson is the dark horse. Somehow I see him ending up with Mitts, but he really is a bottom 6 forward through and through, so going with the younger, potentially better player is logical.

I'm praying Larsson is gone. He's Cody Franson as a forward. Think we can get a 6th round pick for him?

Gotcha Jimmy Jam. Not trolling, just gloating and smiling ear to ear from being right. I received the same thing from Leaf fans when I said Toronto would have to retain salary for Kessel. They said no way in hell does that ever happen for months. Again I just enjoy being right.
- Glak18

My full name is Jay cragbert crumple

I agree with this post.


I would rather see Baptiste on the ice than Larsson or Girgs and maybe even Wilson.
- SabreWest

The only benefit 22 and 28 have over the young guys is the ability to play center. Considering we have Eichel, Mittelstadt, Berglund, Sobotka, Erod, Wislon and possibly Reinhart that also do that, I don't think that's really an edge.

For those that think we just needed to tweak the bottom 6.

@chartinghockey has a graph of every teams top 6’s goals above replacement.

Buffalo is dead last currently after the O’Reilly trade.

(It doesn’t include Mittelstadt or Berglund, but adds Sheary)

We’d still have been bottom 5 with O’Reilly.

Absolutely. He played LW last year and while he was never given the minutes to produce much he still tapped in a few. This is the NHL, it isn't about being fair it's about taking your opportunities when they arise.

Again, not saying that's ideal, but Wilson and Girgs are lesser players for me. Sheary is literally our only quality LW, so he's going up a line no matter what. I think that's closer to what I'm thinking anyways.

Expecting a guy to score 15 goals as a 3rd line forward, I believe, is fair. Due to our lack of LWers he's forced into a larger role. I think he's the best opportunity we have for that position given the state of the team.
- RhinoFan

I'm confused about why you think he's played so much LW. I've never seen him play there, outside of the PP. He played exclusively at RW in Buffalo last year.

I'm confused about why you think he's played so much LW. I've never seen him play there, outside of the PP. He played exclusively at RW in Buffalo last year.
- Lunaion

He played over 20 games at LW in Rochester last year. Should have clarified, sorry. He isn't new to the position completely. Bailey they did the same thing with before as well.

For those that think we just needed to tweak the bottom 6.

@chartinghockey has a graph of every teams top 6’s goals above replacement.

Buffalo is dead last currently after the O’Reilly trade.

(It doesn’t include Mittelstadt or Berglund, but adds Sheary)

We’d still have been bottom 5 with O’Reilly.
- sbroads24

Goals above replacement is a team stat though. If we had any secondary scoring what’s so ever ROR’s GAR would have been much lower. Mittelstadt is going to be a stud. I can’t wait till November when everyone comes around and smells the flowers.

For those that think we just needed to tweak the bottom 6.

@chartinghockey has a graph of every teams top 6’s goals above replacement.

Buffalo is dead last currently after the O’Reilly trade.

(It doesn’t include Mittelstadt or Berglund, but adds Sheary)

We’d still have been bottom 5 with O’Reilly.
- sbroads24

GAR is short for garbage, because that's the level of statistical analysis it gives you.

GAR is short for garbage, because that's the level of statistical analysis it gives you.
- RhinoFan

Stats are useless without combining them with the "eyeball test."

Justin Falk's stats are nothing to write home about...but he sure as poop shut down McDavid both times he played against him. Does that mean Falk is an Allstar? No. It just means stats are only half the story.

GAR is short for garbage, because that's the level of statistical analysis it gives you.
- RhinoFan

Harsh, but fair.

Stats are useless without combining them with the "eyeball test."

Justin Falk's stats are nothing to write home about...but he sure as poop shut down McDavid both times he played against him. Does that mean Falk is an Allstar? No. It just means stats are only half the story.
- feetontheair22

imagine a pairing of Falk/Nelson

He played over 20 games at LW in Rochester last year. Should have clarified, sorry. He isn't new to the position completely. Bailey they did the same thing with before as well.
- RhinoFan

OK, wasn't aware that he played there at all in Rochester. I'll stick to my point that he hasn't played well enough at his primary position to stick in the NHL and that a position switch is setting him up to fail.

The other issue a third liner here is facing is that they'll get 65% dzone starts. That's really not a good fit for Baptiste, and a role far better suited to Wilson or Girgs.