nfreeman

I saw it today with a bunch of family members. About 1/3 of us liked it and 2/3 did not. I was in the group that liked it, but like the superhero movies I don't expect much out of these other than popcorn entertainment. There were some amazing scenes, to be sure. I read the thread but didn't see any suggestions as to when the spoiler ban should end. Does anyone have a preference? Jan. 31?

Great stats GA.

i too would rather keep Kane than KO, but no one is going to take that contract.

Optimistic, but interesting and certainly possible. This too. The problem is that he looks bad enough that this is certainly possible too. Also somewhat optimistic but also quite possible.

yes indeedly.

LTS -- i don't disagree that the emotional reaction doesn't necessarily signify incompetence. But the key point remains that IF his plan relied on getting McD, it was a bad and foolish plan.

For me a lot will depend on how many wins he puts up. I know it's a team game, but I gotta see him close out games, including in the SO, to feel like he gives his team confidence in front of him.

Good work Flagg and congrats on getting past that 1st semester.

But I think arbitration only yields a 1- or 2-year deal, innit?

Depending on what the alternatives are this summer, I can see bringing Lehner back for another "prove it" 1- or 2-year deal, but I don't think it's possible for him to play well enough this year for me to want to give him more term than that.

This. I would like to keep Kane, and would rather pay him a big number for the next 5 years than ROR, but Kane is no dummy and definitely understands the value of really pouring it on this year. this is certainly true as well, however. interesting.

Kids done with school this afternoon, we're heading to Massachusetts to visit my wife's family for xmas, then chilling out upstate for about 10 days while they are off school...and my son got into college last week so that process (which has gotten really complicated and labor-intensive) is over and we can relax over the break. Fantastic.

Tom Petty-Bruce Springsteen-Jerry Seinfeld-Chris Rock

Well, the excuse would've been that Nylander was a substantially better player than Sergachev -- but only if it actually works out that way. If Nylander were in the NHL this year, flying around the ice making nifty Swedish moves and on track to score 30 goals, no one would be complaining. I think this is what XGMTM thought would happen. It still might, but if it doesn't, XGMTM is accountable. Murray took over a few months before they drafted Reino, and was 100% responsible for maintaining the tank to get Eichel. And you said "Every GM's plan would have relied upon getting McDavid." As for the squandering of picks -- the more you have, the better your chances of hitting on one. I am fine with trading picks, but the trades need to work out. Again, the GM is accountable for the results.

Well, we might be mincing words here, but while I agree that every GM would've hoped to get McD, I don't think any competent GM's plan would've relied on getting McD. If your plan relies on a 5-to-1 longshot paying off -- it's a stupid plan. What does the hope/rely distinction mean in practice? It means that since you know you probably won't get McD, you plan accordingly. Maybe you don't squander your picks/prospects like a drunken sailor. Maybe you bring in better leaders. Maybe you don't tank to begin with. Maybe a bunch of other things, but what is certain is that you know you most likely aren't getting him, so don't put yourself into a situation where you are screwed if you don't get him. As for the Nylander draft: yes, they needed scoring. They also needed D -- and many observers at the time felt that they needed D more than they needed scoring. Moreover, a good all-around defenseman -- like MacAvoy -- can help team scoring as much as a good winger -- like Nylander may or may not become. Again: XGMTM was paid millions of dollars to make the right calls in these situations. He failed to do so.

No ERod?

Is he playing speed metal air guitar? Getting ready to chop someone?

I've often wondered about this. You might be exaggerating a bit in your description, but XGMTM was unquestionably more overtly disappointed and PO'd that night than was logically justified, given that the Sabres had only a 1-in-5 shot at McD. Did he really think the Sabres were going to get him? And of course the more alarming question: did his plan rely on getting McD? If he did, and his plan did, then it should've been clear immediately that he was the wrong guy for the job.

Huh? You think GMTM was not on board with the tank? I don't think I've seen anyone here post that theory. As for no one here having the credentials to get an interview -- no kidding! My point was that GMTM was paid millions of dollars to do a better job than a Sabrespace poster would've done -- and he failed to do so.

This is fair, but the guaranteed $$ that Cousins will get won't be much lower than what Stafford got. There is no way to get him without a huge guaranteed payment and a huge cap hit for at least 3 seasons. Now, it's worth noting that Brees is a UFA after this year. That's a guy worth paying through the nose for.

The bolded is certainly fair. If some of the non-Eichel picks turn into gems then GMTM's legacy will improve. As for damned if you do/don't and BPA: again, he was paid millions of dollars not to try, but to succeed. Anyone here could've tried and failed. He failed. It wasn't (presumably) out of greed or laziness or malice, but he undeniably failed, and it's fair to evaluate him accordingly.

I will respectfully but emphatically disagree with respect to Draisaitl and direct you to the following, especially :23, 1:05, 1:15 and 1:43 points (and others not listed): I will also disagree with respect to Barkov, although it's admittedly closer:

Stafford was guaranteed $60MM upon signing and $86MM on day 1 of season 2 of his deal. Does anyone want to give Cousins that much?

Draisaitl and Barkov are both much faster than Reino.

Yes indeedly. Speed, quickness, want-to and smarts. And: potential chemistry with Jackie boy. BTW: Reino has zero goals and 1 assist in his last 12 games.