Rasmus_

If you can get Callahan and Miller for McCabe and a 3rd, I'm game on that trade. The rest is a question. I definitely wouldn't touch the Winnipeg trade, or Haula and Miller for 31st, Nylander and Larsson. The Zucker trade might be a realistic option, but it likely isn't for Minnesota. The Buffalo Sabres need more depth. Yes they need a second line center, but unless you're overpaying for Matt Duchene's services, would he choose Buffalo over others there isn't a great crop available. I find Hayes a player that is a black hole of a contract at north of 5.5 for more than 3 seasons. I wouldn't touch him. Along with depth, and a center, I still see goalie as the long term need to fix. UPL, is likely two seasons away from taking the mantle.

Turcotte is the most obvious choice, if for some reason he fell. He has the defensive upside, the skill and the skating at pace that is the most appealing. Outside of Kakko, he's my facvorite player in the draft. That could change, I'm starting to like a few other European players. However, Turcotte at 7 would be the best gift ever.

Because, guys who are undersized always make it. Sure, I could be wrong, but I'm just not biting on Caufield. That's just my take. I'll take Zegras who fits both a need and value at 7 over a sprite, who can shoot.

Give me Zegras as the best "of what's left" situation at 7 overall. I'm hoping for Turcotte, Byram or Krebs. I'm okay with Cozens or Dach. I don't want Caufield.

So much quality depth. Waves and waves of quality! I would love an in his prime Teppo or Toni Lydman.

Hayes is not worth the likely 5.5M plus contract he's going to sign. He was a wet fart in the playoffs, and does absolutely nothing for that type of cap hit. We're talking about another soft Okposo signing with Kevin Hayes. I don't give a ***** if he's friends with Jack. He hasn't been a quality player since he left Ottawa. That's a hefty contract to take on, even if he's available on the cheap. Unless they're taking Okposo, pass.

No.

I will just say this, if Callahan is a serious offseason addition, I want more than just Taylor Raddysh. I'm tired of the "veteran leader crap". If we're bailing out Tampa Bay, I want Raddysh a 2nd round pick, and for them to take Sobotka back. Callahan is just another retread fourth liner who won't do much on the stat sheet.

This is the type of draft where talent should be available in the mid rounds that could be higher in weaker drafts. I'm excited, and if we're able to add anything, that would be even more impeccable.

I'm not interested in 5'8" scoring tease guys in any program. Does the wording "concussion risk" sound like fun. We don't need another Tyler Ennis. Please, oh please may it be Cozens, Zegras, Podkolzin, Dach, Boldy in that order. Vancouver picks 10th.

Such a concise well put together post! Nice points that I wasn't aware of!

No relation to Marco Sturm, sadly. That would only increase my interest! I don't see Cale Morris on here, has he been a disappointment this year? Veronneau, and Schuldt would be interesting to anyone's system.

Can't be higher than a 4th round pick. If it took a 3rd to get him from Montreal a 4th would likely be the going rate for a depth defensemen. Honestly, i'd rather see Scandella or Hunwick go, but to each their own. At this point: Dahlin - Montour Pilut / McCabe - Ristolainen Scandella - Bogosian Looks rather appealing. However, we do need to move two out of: Scandella, Beaulieu, Hunwick, Nelson.

Technically speaking, it's the SJ pick or the St Louis pick if between 20-31. Either way it's likely the lower of the picks.

Their entire team was abysmal, as well as to say Randy Carlyle is an archaic fossil who shouldn't receive an NHL job again. He makes Housley look like a genius.

Wilson back, makes too much sense. One more piece in place to not seeing Pominville's use on the PK!

Just depends on your belief in the prospects themselves. Abramov hasn't had a strong showing this season. It's more likely about the picks for Ottawa I would assume.

Seems about what is fair for a healthy Matt Duchene. Good on CLB to augment their roster before they move Panarin.

I would give him a passing grade on everything. The culture has shifted and at a little past the halfway point the Sabres are still in contention just 4 points out of the final wild card. Sure, you can question the Housley hire (though I and many were clamoring for it), the ROR return (though I'm happy with the 1st, 2nd and Thompson). He's looked like a Jedi master with the additions of (Sheary and Skinner). He's listened to what his scouts have brought to the table and brought in talent. In addition, he's stuck to his guns and made Rochester into a likely back to back playoff contender. He's improved the back end and brought in a competent goalie to compete with Ullmark to push this team closer than we've been in the past 9 seasons. He has a little bit of former mentor's and he's pushed for talent when he's needed to while remaining steadfast in his opinion's. For once, I feel like this team is trending upwards. Regardless, of how the 10 game win streak did for expectations.

The problem is we don't even really have someone in the 23-25 range that would match Minnesota's desire. Unless they were interested in Sheary. That being said, it's a win win for both players. Rask is a much more dynamic talent than how he was being used in Carolina. For what it's worth Don Waddell got a "win" in terms of overall talent. However, they have no clue what their doing down there.

Good luck in Philly Justin! Thanks for your hard work for Rochester. Another, tool box type player that never reached what his "potential" could be. Leier gives Buffalo someone with AHL playoff experience. Welcome.

If you consider family, and at this point he's played 8-10 seasons in the league. He has other reasons and pressures for sure. It didn't sound like he wanted to be here, but tried to make the best of it. Again, if he doesn't want to be here then cut the player. He mutually agreed to terminate the contract and gives him the chance to go to a team that is more veteran based. I could see him going to San Jose who could use a bottom six forward, or somewhere else. Bye!

Why break up something that is working. This is the logic that baffles me. If your top line is working (see Colorado), don't mess with it. Eichel finally has a finisher to go with the wall distributor and down in the block ricochet scorer. I guess, I just don't understand "don't fix what isn't broke", mentality here. If you ask me, I'd rather see Sobotka with Okposo and a line of Sheary, Mittelstadt, Thompson working together. A little bit of size and three guys that can skate reasonably well together. Then you add ______-Sobotka-Okposo which makes sense to me as a third line. Yes this doesn't really fit a great marriage to Pominville, but at this point it makes more sense to me.

To be honest, with the HNIC forum comments from Friedman it sounds like it's been an issue since he first arrived. If they're able to offer an amicable time frame and he agrees to come back to the team, fine. If not, cut him loose and terminate the contract. That is what is best for the player and his family if he's that unhappy. Oddly enough Sobotka has been the better of the two and they play redundant roles on this team. I'd love to get the term off the books. That opens up a hole for Elie, and other's that actually are fighting to make the line up. This team just moved past Toronto for second in the division and is showing renewed confidence night in and out. If he doesn't want to be here, cut out the malcontent and move on.

Back after a brief hiatus. The game was definitely exciting and it was excellent to see Jack finally step up and get the puck into the net. It was good to get at least a point, though we need to start finding ways to fend off pucks in the third after having a lead.