French Collection

Kevin Lowe offered Vanek a huge contract that Darcy matched.

Captain Serious meets Captain Crush. They look like future opponents more than a Star and one of his fans.

Hoping their careers have similar trajectories. Hard for them to win Cups when they're not drafted yet. Just noting the similarities, where McDavid has highlight reel goals and seems more like an individual. Jack has more of a power game, not as flashy. More Toews than Crosby. Connor has won a WJHC gold. Hope Jack has that chip on his shoulder and competitive spirit in Buffalo.

Jack said during the interview his favourite player is Toews. McDavid's is Crosby. Pretty good comparison, Crosby gets all the hype and glory, Toews wins games.

Doesn't TM have a rep as not a fan of Russians? Can't see him gambling at 21 on a guy who may not leave the KHL.

I see a better fit with Sam, but Kane will be a force. He will go through, around or over opposing players. His rep with his fists also gives him space. Sam is less of a carrier but more of a soft touch passer and finding the ideal spot type of player. He seems to slow the game down and find a seam to make the smart play. He is also sound defensively so Kane can attack the net and forechecking like the Mongol horde.

It was a great interview, love his to the point answers. He sometimes pauses to get his thoughts in order but doesn't beat around the bush much. I like the fact he rarely dances around topics like a politician. Some people like a verbose speaker but I prefer this style. What's funny is he starts out by saying he's tired and talked out then goes on for nearly a half hour.

Kane was playing through some pain before that bullsh..... caused him to shut it down. Looks like he was putting the team first until Byflugien turned some people against him. I don't know how many games were played with the shoulder issues, but it was awhile.

Both goalies have 86 NHL games played.

Chicago may have trouble signing Saad. Either trade for him beforehand and match offers or make him an offer Hawks can't match. He's yet to hit his prime and is a force in the playoffs.

In defence of Sam Bennett, he was covering up a shoulder injury that required surgery at the end of the Flames' camp. Every athlete should be able to do at least one pull up. Excited to see how Jack stacks up vs the field.

He's the reason I'm a Sabres fan. I am French and my family were all Habs fans and I was along for the ride until I was old enough to have my own team. I saw him and his linemates play and was hooked. Nobody goes end to end anymore, he did it multiple times per game. His talent level was amazing. Today's game is different, the coaches would not allow that freewheeling game. The disparity of talent is not as wide either so your top players don't face as many pilons, like Brian Glennie etc.... Swashbucklers on ice!

Wonder if Dale Hawerchuk is on the radar for Rochester? He's had some success with the Barrie Colts of the OHL for a few years now. He may stay there a few more years because his son is on the team.

He wants the big bucks, he plays out the season and signs as a UFA. Very risky acquisition.

The vibe I got was he wasn't leaving, he and Holland are obviously close.

I watched the trailer on TSN.ca, we may get some insight into his decision. The interview with Holland is separate.

Cherry is basing his theory on his 1 and only coaching job after he was fired. The Rockies were not in a rebuild as he describes it, they were an expansion team in perennial tire fire mode. Maybe he wasn't as good a coach as he thought he was.

I also believe we are a frontrunner but do not want to have my heart set on Babcock in case we are not successful. I had high hopes when Bowman joined the Sabres so I've seen first hand how the coach alone does not guarantee anything. Lots of people say he is into win now mode but he is still young and could help a rebuild. There would be satisfaction in taking a last place club to the playoffs and then growing into a contender within a few years. Granted, we may not make the playoffs, but that would be their goal if he is hired. It would make this team more desirable for free agents and for players to waive their no movement clauses.

Just sayin' it's a battle that starts out fairly, played out dozens of times a game, that can give you possession of the puck. It's not like the jump ball in basketball. When Bergeron lines up against a guy 10-15 percentage points below him, there is a distinct advantage. Same as Gerbe going into the corner vs Corey Perry. There are constant matchups that coaches try to take advantage of and the face off is an easy one to use. The other skill that is getting more recognition is the takeaway, which Datsyuk is a master at. Seems like Stone is good at this as well.

Face offs are an important part of the game, they lead to possession. I'm not a fancy stat guy but you need to win the majority of the battles to have the puck more often.. I agree that it is a skill that can be taught and these young guys will need training and possibly a mentor. Bring back Konopka. LOL

I don't want Sam and Jack to be slaughtered but it is part of the learning process to go up against Toews, Kopitar and such and see what they do and how they need to counter these guys.

Not all players respond to the call for this tournament. Nagging injuries, family or other commitments, contract status, disinterest, multiple years of deep playoff runs and international travel may be factors. I don't know about the USA teams but Canada usually fields a team of young stars wanting to develop and show the national program they are commited. By the way, almost half of the Canadian Olympic team is still in the playoffs, so I wouldn't call the team stacked. It just speaks of the depth of the program. Toews, Sharp, Keith, Getzlaf, Perry, Price, Subban, Nash and Stamkos (had he been healthy) plus Seabrook from the 2010 team.

I would love to see Babcock land here but as coach and a "team" player. Today's NHL is too complex for one guy to have too many roles. Scotty Bowman had won 4 consecutive Cups when he landed here. He may have had more success if he was only the coach.

Pronovost is the great uncle of Wings prospect Anthony Mantha.

I hope one of the NYI and Blues do not advance into the second round. Ideally the Isles lose and Blues advance giving us a better pick and the Jets a later one. Both winning hurts our draft and both losing helps the Jets.