PerreaultForever

From what you saw, can Helenius become a new version of Christian Ruuttu?

A fair comparison. Although Jerry Jones (for all his errors) might be more competent than Terry. There's also that thing we heard earlier that "Buffalo was hard to deal with" in terms of trading. I think that was on 32 thoughts around the time of the Byram rumors or Peterka trade. I tend to forget as I'm less invested these days but it was around there. So you have to think two things. One, Kevyn does not have good relationships with other GMs and two, I wonder if part of that is Kevyn constantly having to get the okay from Terry. Whatever the case it isn't good. We need an experienced GM who already has league relationships and he needs to be given free reign and that won't happen with Terry. Apathy? I guess so. I've been in the prove it on the ice mode for a few years already and now I'm really deeply in the skeptical prove it camp. Even a 10 game out of the gate win streak won't get me out of that. It'll take a lot to get me back on the bandwagon. So I guess I'd say not apathetic (as I will still watch) but definitely cynically skeptical. I will say this is the first year I am not interested in the rookie camp or prospects and I don't plan to watch preseason unless I'm really bored or multitasking. The "future" stuff is a big pile of whatever.

The lack of hope stems from one central idea and that is that Terry Pegula is stuck on one idea, one vision, and he won't relinquish power to actual hockey people who know better. Terry thinks he knows better and he is the de facto GM or director of hockey operations. As long as that remains this will continue as is with a little up then a little down but all on the outside of the playoffs as players leave or get dumped in rebuilds periodically. Everything else is just icing on a cake that was baked with salt instead of sugar.

Just be glad they didn't trade for Fedotov.

So did he "win the trade"?

You said "Do it" I did it. I don't really care if you intended to be sarcastic or snippy or whatever. I just thought sure, take him literally and start it. Takes a minute to do tops. If nobody cares, whatever. Move on. It's just the internet. You saw Georgiev play last year right?

Go Mammoth?

As do most teams that are good for a long time (but as a Sabres fan I respect your wish for them to suck forever). They got Hagens when they probably shouldn't have though so we shall see what he amounts to. I can't figure out what they will be this year. Probably suck, but probably also hard to play against so I don't know if that gets them anywhere or not. I find it interesting that they aren't naming a captain. It's Pasternak or McAvoy (presumably) but they aren't going to name one this year. makes me wonder if it goes badly this year one or both of them might get dealt for an even bigger tear down. Just a speculation, but it's an unusual move for that team. Much depends on Swayman who seems like your typical crazy goalie so who knows.

Okay, I suggested it and was asked to start it so here it is. It is my firm belief that injuries will be used as this years excuse. So, feel free to list them all here and end of the year we can see how many we had and if it had any legitimacy or predetermination at all. (or to tell me I was wrong if I am) First one, Sept 12. UPL has "tweaked" something and may or may not have an issue. https://www.hockeybuzz.com/2025/09/12/upl-injured-georgiev-signed-and-alarm-bells-are-tweaked

and so it begins. UPL has "tweaked" something and camp hasn't even started. Injuries will be the 25/26 excuse. Start a thread now. This is the first. There will be many more.

Everybody wants to play in Vegas that is for sure. It's a good organization and they want to win every year and they market the team well and treat them well. It might depend on how he fits with Marner. The Boston thing is the question mark. They are certainly positioning themselves in a way adding a 1C would make sense. Eichel with Pasta? That's a heck of a combo. It's certainly been dreamed of by many Bruins fans on a regular basis. No idea if Eichel shares that dream or not.

We can't say until they sign their deals wherever. There was a rumor that Kaprizov won't sign it because he "wants to win a cup". Maybe he wants to play with Ovi. Or maybe Kucherov or Bobrovski. Maybe even Michkov. idk, but if it was just money you'd think he'd take that offer. McDavid idk where. Toronto? Eichel? Boston? Again idk if any childhood teams matter or if it's just talk but if I am one of them I don't see why I'd want to stay where I am necessarily when I know there'd be a bidding war for me. As for a superstar making it hard to build, absolutely, but a superstar also helps you win and maybe they play for less in one of those places or a no tax place and so on. I just think all the agents are saying "go to free agency and make bank".

Wouldn't be surprised if Kaprizov, McDavid and Eichel all go to free agency and let the bidding war commence. I mean wouldn't you?

If this is the plan I am fine with this signing. Low risk reclamation project and if he is sensational in Rochester maybe he's an option down the road. If not whatever. Maybe helps Rochester win a title. If the plan is to trade UPL and go with Georgiev Lyon with Levi pressing for time then I just add it to the long list of Adams failures.

You know I saw an episode of The Hockey Guy about a week ago and he had polled his viewers and Sabres were predicted dead last in the division. So that's what non Sabres fans think. I can't figure out what Boston's doing so it's possible they are the dead last team instead but otherwise that's where I figure they end up. I am not confident of the Sabres being better than many Eastern teams. I'd expect better than Pittsburgh as well, but that's about it for sure. Somebody else might have a bad year and drop but otherwise most everybody looks better to me. I wish that wasn't the case.

Oh no they most definitely can be worse. Now because of the Olympics it's unlikely a big name holds out or wants out this year. But, scenario 1 - Dahlin asks for a trade and the team quits all around with that news. scenario 2 - injury injury injury. There's no depth. We lose Tage and Dahlin we are sunk. We lose all the injury prone at the same time we are likely sunk. scenario 3 - the goaltending is not just bad but garbage scenario 4 - Ruff starts to get frustrated, starts to grind them and they quit on him. All very possible along with sophomore slumps or Quinn still sucking and so forth. Possible success above last year's level hangs by a thread here.

Again, I don't disagree. I did say a "better version of Risto". Without fighting over words we all want him to be better defensively. Stronger and able to defend the front of his own net and not get moved away easily. To the "2" I guess you don't think Dahlin is in that 3 but I'd disagree. While he's better defensively than Power or Byram his strength is still offense and that's his preference. He's an allstar offensive defenseman, he's only a decent defensive defenseman but that's not unusual for most star D men like him in the league.

I'm not disagreeing but it's funny how much people want him to basically be a better version of Risto. We have 3 top D men who all want to play offense. Nobody else has this. It's a problem.

The talk is the old "wants to win" talk and so he just doesn't want to stay there. He will play for less somewhere else. Wild are pretty much screwed.

I am most definitely cynical and apathetic. I don't know why everybody isn't? They did very little. They may even have gotten worse. They certainly didn't get better. Adams is still here. It's a ridiculous franchise that is breaking my heart. You post this after insulting me for saying Montreal has passed us and has a better GM and mocking the idea of them making the playoffs. Nice.

So what you're saying is if everything improves they should improve. Is that about right?

As I've said before, when LaFontaine walked out the door we all should have followed him. He knew. He was right.

You know the thing for me is everything just feels the same and I want some sign or feeling - even a false hope - that something is different this year. Something to make me feel this is a serious organization (which I don't think it is). Right now I think Thompson, Tuch and Dahlin will all play well to try to get on their Olympic squads. Tuch doubly so since it's a contract year. Benson will play hard cause that's who he is and the rest is just meh. Maybe Kesselring or Doan but they are unknowns. It just feels like we will see a complete repeat of last year.

Bag skate them day 1 to show everybody this year it's serious. Send anyone who pukes over to that new trainer. (won't happen but a boy's gotta dream)

as you so often do you get obnoxious when you have no argument. Just put me on ignore please.