Derrico

Same.

You use the age difference in alot of your analysis. I agree that it is a factor but I'm not sure it should be a determining factor.

It may happen but I'd be shocked if they end up fifth from the bottom. They've gone 10-4 in their last 14 and most games they lose is because of their horrendous D, but visnovsky (aka their best D option) is finally almost ready to come back from a long term injury. If I could sign up for them ending up in 5th last today I would sign on the dotted line in a heartbeat.

I really do love the D potential that we have coming through the system. Also I would make that trade again because from what I've read Compher should be a good player. But let's just not completely write these guys names in pen as top end Dmen yet. It sounds silly now but I remember when we were 'loaded' on D a few years ago with the likes of Sekera, Butler, Brennan, Schiestel, Persson and Gragnani. How many other than Sekera and to a lesser extent Butler panned out? Now IMO Risto and Zadorov have shown real promise and were picked in the top 15 within a deep draft so they should have obvious more potential then the aformentioned player. Just saying that nfreeman's point may be that let's not start trading away top 4 Dmen on this team until we know what we have.

I know they lost last night but they've been really hot lately. Personally, I'm still holding out hope they lose a bunch down the stretch and then defer.

This is starting to look like the consensus top 5 players (albeit in many different orders). We should be getting 1 of these guys.

I do understand your point here. But honestly, just take a quick google search of next years draft and it's not just McDavid. The top 5 are suppose to be awesome. I know there is the old addage that next years draft is always better than this year. I get that but the things I'm reading from legit hockey writers is that next years draft should be atleast as good as last years draft (or even better at the very top ie. picks 1 AND 2). Hhahahahhaa, nice.

I completely forgot to set up the dvr tonight for this, thanks man. Sabres and isles regulation losses tonight, tank on....

I was just thinking the opposite lol.

That's why you can't tank for one season. The Penguins and Blackhawks tanked for a few. With all the assets we've picked up and some very promising prospects, I think if we can pick top 2 this year and next we are on the proper Pitt/Chicago/LA trajectory. I firmly believe in our young D core with the likes of Pysyk, Risto, Zad and McCabe (especially with Myers coming back to form). Give me a very good player in this draft and then next seasons elite prospect (with 2 or 3 looking like can't miss) and we are set. The Sabres are nowhere near the analogy you put forth earlier imo.

Completely disagree. I know you're being facetious but there are far more examples of teams landing stars at the top of the draft (and it helping result in a cup) than just the Penguins. Odds of a real lottery are like what, 1 in 80 million. It's not comparable.

Thanks man!

Could you (or someone)provide a quick little summary for those of us at work?

Hahahahha, I was actually talking about the Latvian, my bad for the mix up. My point is I don't think you can have too much depth at C. Why not keep 'the Latvian', Hodgson and 2014 1st all at C and roll 3 very good lines out there night after night. For the record I'm getting close to writing off the Russian Grigs and don't think it's worth giving him a nickname until we know he will actually play in the NHL. I'm not ready to cut him loose yet or anything but at this point I'm not expecting much and it will be a great bonus if he figures things out.

+1

If we end up with a very good team I would think Grigs would be the perfect 3rd line centre. He is a hard working guy who plays very sound defensively. What makes you think otherwise, just that he will be too good for the 3rd line? Boston had Krejci, Bergeron and Seguin down the middle last season and went to the cup. You almost need 3 good centres to win. If we ever got McDavid and had a high '14 draft centre, Hodgson, McDavid and Girgs down the middle then I'd look at moving one to wing.

That better not happen. I really can't see us re-signing Miller and we do require someone to play goal unless you either want to really tank for the pick next year (which I'd be ok with) or try and sign someone like Hiller in the offseason. Plus, I remember Clutterbuck from his Oshawa General days and I don't really want any part of that.

I'd sign up for Suggestion #1 in a heartbeat but I don't think the market is strong enough for that. Miller is getting later in his career and has clearly stated he wants to play for a contender. He has not signed an extension with us yet and sold his Buffalo residence last year. He has shown no indication (no media reports or quotes that I'm aware of) saying he is commited to staying. So therefore you have to trade him IMO. I would rather a good prospect but may have to take a 1st only. Going back to Suggestion #1, I'd take Scott Laughton period if that's all that was available. Other than the Flyers, Capitals and possibly Blues who else would be interested in Miller?

I would sign up for that but I still think Reinhart is the first forward taken in the draft.

I guess the name can change but I definetly enjoy all the speculation and rumours tweeted and discussed by the talking heads.

Yep. As for my preference, I still prefer Reinhart. I didn't see all of the game last night but he looked good in the parts I caught.

He had two years remaining plus the rest of a third season, that's not a rental.

Speaking of Dmen, I can man up and eat crow when it is warranted. I was listening to 590 (or was it 1050?) on the way home from work last night and they were talking to an Oilers beat reporter who said they would almost certainly take Ekblad if he is on the board when they draft. I am really hoping this is the case because if we come in last and the Oils are the ones who win the lottery we would get the best forward available. I still think several other teams would go with a forward if they were to win the draft lottery though. Either way, let's hope TM is doing his homework with Devine!

Yep, I like this analysis. I know we're in last place but really this is our third season of the rebuild and there are key players emerging that I don't want traded. The list is fairly short but I really don't want Gus, Myers, Risto or Zadarov gone from the team. I would almost put Hodgson on that list as well. Everyone else can be part of a deal and some I would miss more than others but don't trade the previously mentioned building blocks.