Tondas

Youngster ;) . I remember the expansion 1970 Sabres (was a 9 year old). I get your point, though. Hearing all the behind-the-scenes stuff is fascinating. And the salary cap era really adds another dimension of creativity. In JBOT I trust (until I see what coach he hires).

My avatar will become relevant again!

I would trade him now. He's shown some promise so he will get a good return. I see him as Derek Roy 2.0. He's not fast enough or tough enough for JBOT's style. Where would he fit into the Penguins or Predators lineup?

I saw more guys standing up for Lehner last year than they ever did for Miller (who was a purportedly a god in the room). Granted, it's a different team from the Lucic incident. If you've played team sports, there are guys that you don't like personally, but when the puck is dropped, he's your brother. I don't buy the "not playing for a certain guy" argument (especially at the professional level). I'm OK with Lehner but I thought JBOT was non-committal in his presser. He said he was comfortable with Robin starting the season, he did not call him anything like a building block. Now maybe that was for negotiating reasons, but with arbitration a possibility, and an award to Lehner in the 4.5 to 5 million range possible, I'm looking at all options, including a trade.

Looks at this point, it's Tocchet, Housley or Boughner that JBOT will be interviewing and having the Pegula's take a look at. He did say he would narrow it down to 2-3. I'm OK with all 3 and they seem to be ready for the head job (as an aside, if I walked into my bosses' office and said I'm ready for a head job, security would be called.)

Think Boughner would take the Amerks head coaching job? Set up a Housley/Boughner coaching tandem.

I started as a definite no to Tocchet. Seemed like an older retread, and the gambling thing didn't help. Seemed like JAG. I have been hearing quite a few positives lately that have me warming up to the idea if JBOT goes that way. Kessel said that Tocchet was the best assistant coach he ever played for. If Tocchet can relate to a D-Bag like Kessler, and relate to Crosby and Malkin at the same time, maybe there is something to him. Not saying I want him here, but I'm more open to the idea than I was 3 weeks ago.

Good list. I would add Intangibles: Grit, determination, courage, toughness, passion, selflessness, teamwork.

Agree with most of this Bun, but his dad was no moral compass. Maybe professional compass, but moral, certainly not.

Agree 100%. Skating, edge work, stride, and ability to recover. I heard someplace that Gretzky could skate a minute shift, sit for 30 seconds, and that his heart rate would be back to resting. We've all played with a few guys that would never seem to get tired no matter how much they played. So skating is #1. The hockey sense part is more difficult to articulate. Some guys are born with the patience to wait for you to turn away before making a play. Also, is a natural goal scorer part of "hockey sense". I played with guys that would score 9 out of 10 times from the same place as I would shoot from and only score once. They have something innate that makes them a goal scorer. Not sure that can be taught or learned. So I agree with most of these posts, your best bet is to be a great skater and work on the rest. It doesn't always lead to success (e.g. Paul Cyr) but at least he made the show.

Rick Dudley, Craig Ramsay. Brings back memories.

Randy Sexton, from Trailer Park Boys??? Better get more cheeseburgers for the KeyBank Center.

Trading Kane, yes; signing Vanek, no.

Agree with Peca but not Gare, more like Mike Foligno.

Hard to believe Steve Miller, ELO and Journey are in the R&R Hall of fame and Boston, Kansas, Styx, The Guess Who are not.

No more ribald fun. :(

Realistic Hope: An entertaining hockey team that tries EVERY night, never mails it in, and players that play for each other and have each other's backs.

Goal horns and canons (Columbus). I remember in the Aud, Milt Ellis would announce that artificial noisemakers were prohibited. Sorry, read the post as "get rid of".

Offer sheet Gostisbehere where Philly can't match. Hopefully, Gio (not re-signed), Moulson (Las Vegas favor by McPhee) , and Kane (trade for draft choice) will be elsewhere and off our books. That's over 10 million to work with.

Preds look like the real deal this year. Fast and physical. And when you look at Rinne, the guy takes up 3/4 of the net just standing there. I have seen NO difference in the size of the goalies since the NHL implemented the form-fitting pads. However, Rinne would be good at half the size.

Come on man. Phil Kessel as Strength and Conditioning Coach. That's just nut(s).

OK, speaking of medical issues. Anyone have a hernia (just your regular version no sports hernia)? I've had one for 7 years (i'm 55) and it doesn't bother me except for the occassional zap when it pops into place (or out of place depending on your perspective). I'm not inclined to get it repaired unless I have to. I've read seceral articles recently that say if it's not bothering you, there's no need to get it repaired, and in fact, studies have shown that post surgery results are less favorable than leaving as is. Any one else in this boat?

Now I'll drink to that, Saratoga! :beer:

Not as quickly as a trade. Hopefully, Guhle is the real deal. That leaves us with Risto, Guhle and McCabe. Need another stud now to go along with Bogo and Gorges as 5 & 6.

You feel the same way as many GM's do. That's my point and why we should trade him for a stud D-Man now. We need a 1-3 D-Man more than we need Sam.