nfreeman

Marner is nuts to turn down that contract.

I agree that I would've greatly preferred TB's season to the Sabres', but I think the Sabres gave us about 25-30 games of legit enjoyment before the roof caved in. Separately, here are my predictions: - No major FA signings or trades to bring in a big name unless there is a Risto trade - Sabres do not trade Risto unless someone makes a really rich offer - Sabres keep #7 and draft (to the extent available, in order of their preference) Byram, Dach, Zegras or Caufield - Sabres trade #31 for a 2nd and either a prospect or a lower 2nd/high 3rd - Sabres make a Sheary-type trade in which they absorb Callahan or a similar cap dump and get a decent forward in exchange for a mid-round draft pick or lower-level prospect - Nylander is not traded as JB decides to see whether RK can coach him up

Porsche Panamera.

I had to sit through a 3.5-hour meeting yesterday that should've taken 45 minutes at the most. 90% of the talking was performed by a stinking rich, entitled, ill-mannered, self-important, temperamental, yelling DB. This is the kind of person who leaves a trail of destruction in his wake and whose relationships, personal and professional, all end in lawsuits. Now today I need to tell his potential new partner, with whom I've worked for a number of years, that we can't work with them on this project and possibly also tell him that he should get away from this guy.

Risto is a much better skater than Dion. A better defenseman? Jury’s still out.

Well, if they trade McCabe, they will probably keep Risto. And while I don't think Chicago would give up #3 for #7 and McCabe, I would make that trade if I were JB -- but I might take Byram, not Turcotte, and I think JB might too.

Isn’t Sammy supposed to stay in college for another season? And Laaxy in europe for another season?

Good question. I’m open for suggestions. In a dream world either TT or KO.

Fully endorsed.

Reino, good FA, Rodriguez

Dude.

To return to the original premise: saying I’d rather have Vesey than Sheary isn’t “zeroing in” on Sheary. My point wasn’t that there is an urgent need to get rid of Sheary — I was just using Sheary as an example of someone the Sabres have that Vesey would represent an upgrade over.

This is obnoxious. Bigger and stronger. And also different from the guy who was given an opportunity on a new team that needed something from him and did nothing with it.

Did you not think that Sheary was useless for much of last season? If you were offered Vesey in exchange for Sheary, how would you respond?

I sure hope so, but Vesey is bigger and faster and earned an NHL spot before Olofsson has.

Based on the fact that Sheary is fully cooked and was essentially useless for most of last season, while Vesey is younger, bigger and may have more upside. I would certainly rather have Kreider, but he would cost a lot more than Vesey and I’m skeptical that the Rangers will end up trading him. You’re right that Vesey would cause angst in some fans, but I think it would be a small minority.

If the price is reasonable I’d be happy to take Vesey. Good speed and scoring touch, and he’d be an upgrade over Sheary (and quite likely better than Olofsson and Nylander).

I think this is mostly accurate, but I don't think "small market" is quite the right description. I think the Raptors make a ton of money locally and can spend as much as they want on players, management, facilities, etc. For example, I don't think the Raptors will bat an eye at spending whatever it takes to keep Masai, whereas true "small market" NBA teams would take a couple of draft picks, let him go and find someone cheaper.

I find it pretty remarkable that almost half of poll respondents think Nylander is going to get significant ice time for the Sabres this year, after 3 years of mediocre production in the AHL and nothing more than a couple of uneventful cups of coffee at the NHL level. For anyone who voted this way -- I'd be interested to hear/read your reasoning.

That was a thrilling basketball game. If Klay hadn't been injured, any outcome to the game and the series was possible. Draymond, Klay and Lowry all had better games than Curry and Kawhi had. I hope Kawhi stays with Toronto, although if Masai leaves, it's likely Kawhi will too. I'm kinda skeptical that Masai will leave though, as the Raptors' organization and city are far superior to those of the Wizards, and I expect that the Raptors will match the Wizards' offer.

I think it's likely that TP believes that: - the 4 principles are critical to having a quality organization that is built for sustained success over the long term. - JB agrees with the 4 principles, is capable of implementing them and is in fact implementing them. - it takes time for newly-implemented core principles to bear fruit, so JB isn't on the hot seat yet. I hope TP also believes that: - the 4 principles may be necessary, but they aren't sufficient -- i.e. you also need guys who, in addition to believing in the 4 principles, are also talented at playing/coaching/scouting/evaluating/dealmaking. - JB may be one of those guys who believes in the 4 principles and is capable of implementing them, but is also not good enough at the talent part - at some point there will be enough info for TP to make the critical determination on whether JB has the right stuff. - when TP does make that determination, it will be in his best interests to seek input from experienced hockey people. We'll see.

I think improvement at both positions is mission-critical and probably a bit more so at goalie. I also think it's more likely that the plan will be to coach up the incumbent goalies than to bring in a new one, while it's likely that a new center will be brought in. This is another item that JB needs to get right.

This NBA Finals game is insane.

We'll be the judge of that, sir. (Early returns are not promising, btw.)

Dahlin and Eichel don't count as anyone here could've and would've made those picks. Sam counts against GMTM because Draisaitl is better, not to mention Pastrnak and others from that draft. It is very possible that Borgen, Olofsson and Asplund contribute more collectively at the NHL level than the JB picks you mentioned. Yes, they seem to be tracking well but there is no way of knowing until they deliver. For that matter, it's still possible (although I doubt it) that Nylander has a better NHL career than Mittsie does. EDIT: of course, @dudacekis correct that Guhle and Lemieux need to be considered in evaluating GMTM's drafts as well.