DarthEbriate

I cropped a bit for space and to target a few specifics -- but all good points. I'm already wondering how Dahlin decides to proceed with his second contract. Does he opt for a slightly lower-paying bridge (on what could very well still be a junk team) and play for earlier free agency (or be able to suggest a trade)? Or does he agree to lock up forever with a franchise that has gone nowhere in a decade? And of those two options, which is the more valuable commodity to be traded to another team? (All with caveat that I hope we don't have to make a decision on trading him until multiple Cups have been won and he's in his late 30s and we're starting a rebuild and want to loan him out to an up-and-coming contender who needs his PP savvy to get them over the hump.)

And Point and a 1st. ? It would have to be Herschel Walker-level-crazy. It would require a GM who is mad like Ditka about a RB. It's not impossible, but it's not happening either. And besides, we should keep him. He's going to improve.

The master motivator coach works until the message gets stale with the veterans. I hate to refer to Carroll in Seattle --- but why does the ra,ra,ra work for him? Because the players enjoy it when they're competing for spots --- AND --- because the team hit on every single draft pick for a few years, plus an MVP-caliber QB (rookie contract or now otherwise) whose every deep ball and scramble drill in the second half of a game resulted in a clutch first down or big play, and it resulted in a ton of wins. But if Seahawks don't nail all those draft picks and their QB (Shameless love Matty Flynn! plug) is Flynn instead of Wilson --- then Carroll is long since out of a head coaching job. RK's not getting results because it's Jack/Reino/Olofsson or nothing and they're not enough to carry everyone for a full season.

Ottawa, Montreal, Anaheim. We play 'em all in the next few weeks while Hutton is our #1. If you want to make up ground in the tank standings, now is the time to do it.

I'll take that bet. I'll wager my new racing pod against... say... the under (and his mother).

Sure, I'd love to see Dahlin score more goals, but other than that I think he's well on track. It'll be another 5 seasons before he even starts his defensive prime. So -- nah, I wouldn't move him. But! If I did, I think now is not the time. His trade value was probably highest before he was picked, and now there's a bit of a lull while he's in his growing pains (particularly on a bad team where he can't freewheel with protection). Every mistake is amplified by this team because there's no margin for error. He's not young Doughty on those stacked LA Kings rosters. But, but! I'd start by requesting a young 2C to build around, the team's top forward prospect, a D-man who can take his spot on the PP, and at least 2 first-round unprotected picks, a couple second rounders, and.... maybe a goalie swap with Hutton going back. Remember, other GM, you're trading for Baby Lidstrom for the next 15 years. I want your future! Give me your children.

<the sound of the Millennium Sabre sputtering; the view of stars remaining static through the canopy> RALPHO: They told me they fixed it! I trusted them to fix it! (Although by all counts, Coach K would take the blame like a good coach)

At this point it has to be. Plus deadline-day trades to begin the reformation. But based on the number of expiring contracts we have to do exactly that and we don't get an expansion draft. In Watto voice: Only money!

On the one hand, I like that JBot has stocked the D-pipeline in drafts. They take longer to mature and having a constant stream of chips to play or move over the coming years is a good thing. On the other hand, they aren't all, but are they predominantly regarded puck-moving defensemen who play small and move the puck because they don't embrace contact and physical imposition. Yes, it's a generalization. On the one hand, the team is hovering around the cap because of some big contracts over the years (Moulson, Bogo, Skinner, Okposo) that exceeded the player's output (at least offensively). And it takes time wait for them to expire --- so you average about 1 "freed-up money" slot to move around each year to slowly overhaul a roster. OR, it takes additional resources and a willing recipient to move those contracts. So... patience. On the other hand, while some bad contracts come off the books this offseason --- so does most of the team. 9 of 13 NHL contracts for forwards expire after this season. Nine! In general, it costs more to replace the same position via free agency, particularly if it's a 4-year+ contract for someone you value enough to build around. Our FA 2RW will cost more than Frolik or Sobotka (though not necessarily combined). RFAs Olofsson and Reino will cost more. Even Larsson (if he returns) would get a tiny bump. A FA 2C would cost significantly more than MoJo. And yes, some of those positions will cost less (13F less than Rodriques; 3W less than Vesey, etc.). But I think we'll be at or above the $52M we're spending on forwards this year unless.... Basically, we need Risto + Things to not just bring back a 2C and another starting 3F/4F, we need both of those new players to be cost-controlled and viable parts of the roster for a couple seasons until more cash re-opens (Okposo + cap increases from expansion). That's a tall order for any GM. (And I don't want to give up any 1st round picks in the next 2 seasons because this is not a playoff team yet.)

Minimum of 2 coaching changes and at 3 full seasons so that he can turn over the roster in his own image (unless he does something to personally antagonize the owner or the code of conduct). So, after next season is when the JBot watch can begin. Alternately, if you believe stability breeds success (see.... Steelers, Patriots, Bengals) you keep a coach for at least 10 seasons, regardless of outcome. But the NHL and NFL are unfair comparisons.

The glut of defensemen was there. It may have decreased the leverage (even with Pilut and Bogo injured). But yes, Regier (before he thought he was just a piece away and would get the Boyes' of the world as rentals) would've addressed it. And GMTM would've mortgaged a position pipeline and a couple drafts for it. JBots is GMing .... either scared.... or assured that he can play the long game.

Hey... Pegleg is a quality pivot. And Wheelchair got his nickname from his lightning speed and ability to pop a wheelie on his motorcycle....

Is constantly dressing 11F 7D just Coach K's way of shouting "Help us, JBot! Help me... help you... you're my only hope."? They don't even have a 4th line, let alone a 2C. And the only guy who is hurt is a rookie. Olofsson

That's the way to make the contract make sense in the short-term. In the long term, I'm more ambivalent about Skinner's cost because we'll start seeing Vegas and Seattle's impact as well as renewed TV contracts, as well as continued growth in non-traditional markets (see the players starting to emerge in the southern US). I think the cap will soften the damage. Wrong movie... but what if Hasek fell through a hole in a floor, but was wrapped in a carpet and unable to move his arms or legs?

They're playing EA hockey this year.

You never know with non-contact knees. The whistle blew in a lacrosse game once -- I slowed from run to walk to... and my knee disappeared. I hit the dirt and my knee was on fire and I could only wince. And then... my leg began to relax, and (with the sound in my head like a thunderclap) the whatchamacallit snapped back from the rear-side of my knee back to the top of my knee. And voila. I was able to limp off the field and return to the game about five minutes later. Yeah, typical... banked the shortie to close us out.

Oh Linus. I'm sorry to see that. Non-contact knee. I hope it's just a weird strain and he's good to go shortly. On the positive spin -- Jbot -- go get a goalie!

But... I'll contend that Johansson is not a C. Sure, he played center when he broke into the league, but hadn't been primarily a center for years. So that he's a bottom 6 level center this year isn't surprising. He's also had a huge-slump Skinner and no one on the other wing. Note: I won't contend that he'll be the de facto 2C next year.

What happened to Linus there?

Huh. No one posted in the last 10 minutes? Either my refresh is down, the site is busted, or the game put everyone to sleep.

They could also put him back with Eichel next season --- depends on if Olofsson's game meshes with the 2C.

With Larsson or Lazar or (2nd year) Mitts or MoJo as center? The expectations change when he's with Eichel. Or when a new 2C arrives. But for now the brass has to believe he drives offense and gets his goals whomever is his center.

At worst, we (and Sabres leadership) have to believe that he'll keep putting up 20-25 even if Mitts, Larsson, or Asplund were his centers .... just like the centers he had with Carolina. Until we have a legit playmaking 2C who can get him back up to 30+. How will Gilligan muck it up this week? Stay tuned!

The droids can walk through a flurry of shots from all of our lines excepting Eichel and Reino.

Ottawa continues to win races to the puck. I thought JBot said this team was fast!