French Collection

Elliotte Friedman reports the Sabres are interested in Czech free agent D-man Michal Kempny. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-panthers-chart-bold-new-direction/

I want the west to win the Cup because neither franchise has ever won. I'm leaning towards the Blues because they've been around longer but wouldn't be upset to see the heartbreak Sharks win. Those vets have been on a good team for a long time. The media would whine that the east is weaker and that there may not be a challenger to Western dominance until... the Sabres grow into a contender.

I realize what you're saying about puck moving D. I agree we don't need any Hal Gill types in this day and age. I was thinking more along the lines of Vlasic from the Sharks, who is a top 4 on a good team and was on Team Canada for the last Olympics. Never gets any press but obviously well respected. Checking his stats surprised me because he is getting some points, 39 this year, career best. He did get over a point a game in his last year in the Q as well. You may be on to something there, where scouts don't look for the Rod Langways, the coaches develop them into those roles once they turn pro.

Nice research. Focuses on the offensive side of the position. Defensemen come with a variety of skill sets and the shut down guys may not put up big numbers at any level but still end up on the first or second pair. I've always liked Ellis, on a different team he could be the PP QB. He would put up way better numbers with Josi.

I'm disappointed they got #1 pick but at least we stayed at 8. Ticket prices for the draft just tripled. I still want to go but will have to try and tune out Leaf Nation.

Matthews will always be in the shadow of the Eichel Tower.

I've only seen Chychrun play once. He didn't impress me, just played a solid two way game. This was early in the season before the Finns and others passed him. He didn't seem to be a potential #1 overall as was mentioned last year. Take my advice with a grain of salt as I watched Ekblad about 8 times in his draft year and thought his size was the only thing standing out. He was solid at both ends but didn't scream first overall. Maybe I expect too much from these young Dmen.

Kid is a finisher, good shot. Most of them where Mama hides the cookies.

Chicago is probably in the Caggiula mix due to a winning tradition, chance to play with North Dakota alumni Toews and their need for entry level contracts. Their revolving door needs cheap talent every year to keep that expensive core together. I hope his invite to our development camp made a good impression on him. The chance to grow with our young core and be close to home would be the best selling features. He sounds like a potential replacement for Ennis. A bit bigger too.

I think the NHL should relegate the Leafs to the AHL. Tanking would not be an option if relegation was in place. Sorry about your team MODO. That franchise has produced some talent over the years. Can they get back to the SHL next year by winning the Allsvenskan? Seems like relegation is a European thing, even the IIHF World Championships follow that process.

Sam's no look backhand pass from the boards in the neutral zone to a flying Eichel, who goes in to score. The future is so bright, I gotta wear shades.

Dubois for some French flair returning to the Sabres.

Rodrigues did have a good game. He may be a substitute for Gionta, sometime next season. Nelson had some good moments puck handling. He and Pysyk may be battling for 3rd pair RD. Cola is better than Benoit, but not by a lot. Acted like a true pro all year, but bye- bye. Schneider looks like an AHLer. Ullmark was OK, I think Johnson signs elsewhere (Calgary?) for a true shot at a #1 job. Sam and Jack are awesome to watch, I wish it wasn't over.

Good reference to the draft picks. I would like another high pick but .500 is a huge accomplishment for these guys, so let's go get those points and pass the Habs. Watched the Oilers tribute to Rexall Place the other night and McDavid looks sad all of the time. They won the game, every Oiler legend is there, the fans are still behind the team but Connor sees himself shackled in the dungeon, stepping in a cesspool of bad management. I think we'll be seeing a bigger than Stamkos UFA circus in a few years. Jack will show him what a rebuild is.

Risto, Jack and Sam will perform an exorcism on these Devils, tonight.

Chychrun with 2 goals and 2 assists in game 6. Great game with his team facing elimination.

Kane with 3 points, now sitting at 99. That's a good number in the low scoring NHL era.

GMTM would be thrilled to have that asset and just imagine the buzz around Buffalo.

I'm thinking of going with my son. We'll probably stay in Niagara Falls. Border crossing twice a day but it has many activities for an 11 year old.

We currently sit 8th from the bottom.

Guhle's season is done in the WHL, is it worth bringing him in to Rochester?

Ranger broadcast started the night by saying they owned us in the last 10 games. Way to play spoilers boys!

They look out of gas. Getting beat to every puck, Pens forechecking causing turnovers galore and having to listen to their announcers makes it way worse. They're planning the Stanley a Cup parade.

Without some lottery luck we will be picking 6-9. We're looking at one of the D- men as an option. Just so happens they are all left shooting. I'd still like one of the Finns and find a top 2 D-man in another transaction.

Keep the info coming, this is my main source. Visiting my parents who only have a few TV channels. I see the score on ESPN but no action details.