Darryl Shannon's +/-

I'd speculate that a condition of employment for Murray was continuing with Nolan as coach at least through next year, barring a Rolston like output.

College basketball hasn't fallen apart with players being allowed to bolt after one year and in the past when they didn't have to at all. I assume the only reason these players (like Grigorenko) aren't allowed to play in the NHL is because when they are in juniors, they aren't technically part of the union? It seems like protecting jobs for vets on the way out to maximize paychecks.

Another viewpoint to the echo related to athletes - the athletes themselves may not want it to occur as it could negatively impact their earning power. Eddie Curry (I think) had a heart condition that was found out and there was a lot of noise made about whether or not his team could allow for a DNA test to be performed. A routine echo that may find this structural defect may be something the players themselves don't allow?

If Pegula were sitting on his money like Jeff Loria and doing nothing, I could understand this complaint or point of view. Essentially, by complying with league rules he got free money delivered to him and/or the team. If he passed up on said free money, I could see some pointing to that as a fault in Terry as an owner. "He's so clueless that he left x million on the table...." In the meantime, he's probably going to finish his project downtown before the Canalside area is fully functional. Those dollars could be what financed a portion of that building. Lastly, as for Murray being a scout and not liking to be in contact with an owner, my personal view is that with promotions comes responsibility, much of which isn't loved. By taking on the role of GM, it's his job to keep Terry updated to the exact level he wants, be it through LaFontaine/Patrick or directly to the boss. Saying that he's gruff or doesn't want to do it doesn't fly anymore in my opinion, that bridge was burned the second he agreed to become a general manager.

I'm failing to see the problem in an owner talking to a GM on a daily basis? In my opinion a balance needs to be struck so one doesn't look like an absentee owner, to the other end of the spectrum where one doesn't want to be seen as meddling. Becoming familiar with the plans of the guy running your team and understanding his vision in an ongoing manner should help to evaluate him in his job, right? Does spending 10-15 minutes of your workday chatting up the guy signing your paycheck really stunt your effectiveness?

Ted Nolan in the postgame presser can now chide the MSG production staff for a lack of consistency.

Sorry, I must have gotten crossed up and read Pysyk and Girgensons in addition to Vanek as the hypothetical. As you state it, I think that is worth the risk. If it's Vanek, Ennis, Foligno for Seguin, I still think that's a little top heavy from our end, but it's better in my mind as we aren't dumping two recent young first rounders. Also, catching up with another point, Seguin type players are available in the top 3, almost every year. Looking at the past, for the first overall pick you have to go back to DiPietro and Stefan to be disappointed. For the second pick, Legwand and Zyuzin. Third picks fall of a little bit, with Turris, Horton, and Svitov being questions. I think it's very, very difficult to screw up if you're in the top 3, and even harder in the top 2 as we appear to be locked in for this year and next. Add to this multiple other draft picks that we already have an will be acquiring, and the next 1-3 years will be fun for building a team.

Absolutely, they gambled and won. I'm trying to be fair in my own mind, looking at the deal as it would have been presented to Darcy at the time. There were very real, very dangerous red flags that came along with Seguin at the time, and it appears we were being asked to mortgage the future for his talent. It's a horrible comparison because Milbury was involved, but Yashin being dealt to the Island was the same type of risk, and that set a franchise back for probably 5 years. I'm biased in that I'm on board with the rebuilding plan as currently being sold by management. Acquire multiple high selections, draft well and let them pan out or fizzle. In addition, we can acquire 2 Seguin like talents in the next two years for free. Well, almost free - we need to watch waiver wire pickups playing the power play for us.....but I think you get the point. Haha.

During the offseason there were reports of Seguin needing to be put up in a hotel with a guard during the playoffs so he wouldn't wander for entertainment. That's a huge risk that wasn't worth it in my opinion. Pretending Vanek, Pysyk, Girgensons gets that trade done, if it doesn't work out how bare is the cupboard? And it sounds funny, but is it bright to bring in a guy who had these problems in a town where bars close at 2am rather than 4?

If Vanek is looking to be on a perennial cup contender, there are plenty of better places to look than Boston. Their window slams shut the second big Z hangs up the skates.....and that day is coming. As for the trade, I think we got more value out of Vanek being dealt for a high #1, high #2, and whatever return Moulson gives us. If we traded 2 other young assets, the cupboard would be pretty bare for people who could step in next year. I'm laughing thinking of the general outrage of if Girgensons were traded to Boston and playing meaningful 3rd line minutes there.

Sorry if I'm being dim, but doesn't that picture just show that Kadri is looking directly at the numbers and nameplate as he drives the guy into the wall? I get that he's a little bit to the side of him, but always thought that it was like clipping in football?

Agree here....the loss of Grier was not why we lost that series. I had an issue trying to equate Grier's contributions to a team with Kassian's. Apples and oranges, Kassian is not and will never be a Mike Grier type of player.

I don't think bringing Grier in is a fair comparison to Kassian. Grier was a smart, physical player who was a fixture on the penalty kill. I don't know if Kassian ever projects as a PK guy even if he realizes his potential. To date he doesn't show 10% of the hockey sense or leadership that Grier brought to the table. Fighting, especially of the staged variety is stupid. But saying that Kassian is a great fighter is the part I take the most offense to. He really seems to be a middle of the road type that is willing but just not that dangerous. And if he really is as productive as some believe he is/can be, he should only drop the gloves 2-3 times a year, tops. As for the 20 goals, if he keeps up this great shot % as referenced above, he's on pace for 17.

Wish NBCSN didn't have to pitch every game as a "rivalry game". Hockey as a sport should sell itself without the transparent gimmicks.

Haha....Milbury is doing a breakdown like he's a GM. That would be riveting tv.

I too like this crew, wish they were the top team. Reminds me of a CBC type feel....

Another thing to consider is that moving one of our only viable goal scorers early is a way to make sure we draft in the top 3.

Agree that Moulson should be saved for last.....a proven 30 goal scorer at the deadline should be used as bait for a feeding frenzy. Miller/Ott require more finesse....

That hit looked eerily similar to one that was overanalyzed into the ground by us a few months ago.....

How? If he rots in Rochester until we find out if he is ready for the show, what is lost? I understand the chemistry argument at the NHL level, but not at the AHL level. Giving up on this prospect entirely or dumping him for lower level picks seems too strong.

Look historically.....1-11 are never correct. It is really a crapshoot and it's fun to see the names of prior years that never made it. Cutting bait right now is pointless....if he washes out, he washes out. But trading his potential for a 3rd or 4th round pick isn't worth the risk. Another way to look at it.....we had picks 12 and 14 in the same draft and one of them has appeared to hit in a big way. That's the expectation of the draft....if Grigs ever contributes we are ahead of the game.

If orchestrated by his agent, he only gets commission for new contracts. Perhaps he was trying to force the issue and make a new KHL pact?

Yet another reason why I hate facebook and the social media platforms of recent years. 15 years ago this would have never made the news and we'd be none the wiser. I'm glad that Grigorenko didn't want to play in the Q, now let's see if he pulls a Derek Roy and dominates at a level that makes us think twice about the demotion. I remember Roy being the last cut for the Sabres and upon being demoted to the AHL he scored 4 or 5 the first night.

The thing that makes me laugh about this entire situation is that if Grigs never touched the ice for us, we would have seen a guy dominating juniors and leading his team in scoring in the WJC and be touting him as the next big thing. Way too early to call this story over. This also can be homesickness.....he just got done playing with Russia and has been told that his 1M salary is now 0, then will likely be a prorated 95K per year. Furthermore, he was told by the team that he had an NHL spot this year. Which means he was probably banking on that 1M. This gets into the stuff Nolan has talked about from day 1. Some guys need a kick, others need a pat. This will be interesting to see where it goes.

I disagree.....top draft picks do this as well. As draft picks, they have zero track record in their respective pro leagues. Elway, Eli, Bo Jackson, Lindros. Hasek bullying his way out of Buffalo was different. He was a top level talent who wanted to move on and forced the move.