PerreaultForever

First off, we ARE a .500 hockey team. 4 wins, 4 losses, 2 OT losses = 10 points in 10 games that is the definition of .500 and that's what the NHL % has us as: https://www.nhl.com/standings/2020/division As for missing the playoffs with that, yes, probably, as the OT system creates bad math, as I was suggesting, with almost all teams above .500 despite playing each other. .500 should put us in the middle but it obviously doesn't because of the OT situation. The percentage matters, as the NHL has already said if the schedule can't be evened out they might resort to win percentage to determine standings and playoff births. So ya, I guess we are agreeing on the "mirage" part just looking at the math slightly differently. Fact remains though, we currently have 2-3 games in hand and if we win them we are in a playoff spot. Will we? I doubt it, but technically that's all it takes.

In fairness, we're a .500 hockey team and if we win the next 2 games to even us at 12 games (same as most of the division) we'd be the 4th place playoff team. The weird thing, and I think it shows a flaw in the NHL system, is despite the 8 teams only playing each other only one team (Rangers) is below .500 in win percentage. That just seems intrinsically wrong, even though I know why it is. I think what will likely sink us in a compressed schedule (assuming we get to play) is the goaltending. Ullmark will burn out.

It's not an unnecessary layer, if they get along and have a common vision it makes for a strong organization. For one thing, the GM doesn't have to keep answering to the owner in all likelihood and can focus on his job. My understanding is Pittsburgh was only looking for a GM but Mario was calling Burke and asking him his opinion on guys and they got talking and then Mario asked Burke, hey, you want to be top dog (or something like that). So obviously they saw eye to eye. I imagine Burke isn't going to work all that hard actually. He's just there to shape the organization and deal with big issues should they arise. I'm sure Hextall was hired to be in charge of the draft as that was what he did so well in Philly. Why I still advocate for a guy like Dudley to be made our hockey czar is we do not have a very well built organization and we need to have a stronger hockey culture. That's what his task would be. The GM would still be the GM. Look, the Pegulas do not know how to run a hockey team and they need to acknowledge that. But of course, they seem incapable of looking in the mirror.

typo? and both together............................ How is Kreuger doing anyway? Any word on that?

I think his manner and things he says gives him a bit of a bum wrap on that truculence thing. He does believe teams that are big have better chances of winning it all, and history bears that out as true overall, but he believes in balanced hockey teams. Attitude is more important to him than just toughness. Hard workers. As a president though, what he brings is knowledge of the game, and more importantly relationships all over the league and in the NHL at the top. He is a guy who can sway trades and pull favours. I'm a firm believer that you need owners to step back and you need a hockey guy like him at the top overseeing and networking. Sadly, the Pegulas do not agree.

I believe there is some talk that Sid wants to play with McKinnon in Colorado for a real shot at a cup or two before he retires. Malkin has one more year on his contract after this one I think. I heard Burke on Tim & Sid today and if he's being honest, they plan to talk to Sid, assess their realistic chances and if they think they can still win in Pitt will try to add some D and grit and make a run but if they assess it and decide it's a longshot at best I suspect Sid, Malkin and Letang will all be dealt. Just a guess on that though. Pitt will definitely look different in a few years no doubt. Will be interesting to see if Hextall drafts as well there as he did in Philly. If he does, then we clearly missed out on an opportunity.

Exactly what I wanted us to do. Dudley was my first choice, Burke second, and Hextall as GM.

Pretty sure that's the guy Columbus really wanted for long term (hometown boy) so they had to in order to make the deal. They'll flip Laine if he doesn't buy in.

Ya, I wish the league would be more clear and open on this stuff instead of all this cloak and dagger stuff.

I think it was best explained on TSN's That's Hockey, where they said just another example of how the NHL doesn't treat small market teams as well as their big market counterparts. Which, we all know is true.

Stewy was obviously a diversity hire. Lucky timing for him. Adds nothing else to the broadcast. I like Burke though. You need an old school cranky guy in the mix and he plays that role well. Also seems to be the only guy who agrees with me on too many lame penalties being called 🙂 I also like McGuire, but he says "monster" too often. Can't stand Alpert when he does the NBC games. His voice just bugs me. I think the hockey in the Canadian division might be a little more intense overall, but that might just be because they have both Tkachuks.

Ya, I was good with that too, still am, but I did hate the short era where the enforcers were doing the staged prearranged bouts and they'd toss their helmets and equipment and circle like two boxers in a ring. That started to look pretty stupid imo. I'm not a big fan of the legal check payback fight either. Maybe when they go for your stars, but not every good hit needs a fight. Spontaneous in the heat of the battle fights are the best, and even better if they're not between typical fighters.

Anyone else feel the league is calling way too many ticky tacky nothing penalties this year? Every game I've watched lately there seem to be a bunch of nothing penalties. Not sure if it's intentional or just bad refs in this whole thing.

I guess, but none of them are putting up many points. There are many games where if the top line doesn't score they lose.

I actually sat down and watched that entire game today and it was so much fun despite the blurry old video. Punch Imlach in the booth giving commentary was fun. Amazing to hear phrases like "Sabres being physical". I don't remember when the last time I heard that was. Probably back in the Peca era. Korab was a tank. French Connection were so fast and skilled. Maybe one day we can dominate somebody again. Maybe.

The lowest point thread depressed me so as an alternative I offer this one for people to consider. We made it to the cup final a few times but they ended badly so for me, the highlight of this franchise was this game. For those too young to remember, the Russians were the evil force back then. The Soviet machine, and they were handing just about everyone they played defeat. There were two teams and we played the second one, but we trounced them. At that moment every North American hockey fan became a Sabres fan for a little while and it felt really really good. Those were the days.

I suppose that is true. McAvoy has definitely come into his own, no question. I guess we just overpay our talent then 🙂 I dunno though, I look at that roster and after the perfection line and an aging Krejci they're just a bunch of mid level muckers who struggle to score goals as much as we do. Wagner, Kuraly, Blidh, Frederic, and I'm blanking on names here...........but not many stand outs in a "talent" sense. Just a lot of tough hard workers. So basically, I stand by the idea that I'd win more games with a team of that kind of player than a team of "talent".

Well the "talent" is clearly not delivering, but is not enough talent actually true? How many teams actually have more than one top scoring line? On paper isn't a top line of Hall Eichel Reinhart just about as "talented" as anyone can hope for? I look at the rosters of most teams and in a cap era you don't get more than 4 or 5 top talents on your offense. But our talent doesn't get it done. I would argue that our nemesis Boston Bruins do not have more talent, they just have a different attitude, work harder, and maximize what they have. When you lose the talent is recategorized as lacking so every year going in we seem to have more talent but then we don't (eg. Staal). This ownership doesn't see hockey the way I do so I know there is zero chance they'll wake up and build it right so I'm not sure how we get out of this current path. Not many people on this roster are earning their paychecks at this point, that's for sure. All I know for sure is I'd gladly trade any or all the "talent" for a hard working team that can actually win games.

Totally. That one was a joke right? It's not the worst blunder, but drafting Nylander instead of McAvoy has to be up there for me (or even Sergachev) . Otherwise so many choices....................Skinner's contract is the gift that keeps on giving though. Regarding the tank, I also think the way Murray treated Nolan played a part in ruining this team's culture. Like him or hate him he was placed in an impossible situation and then tossed into the trash. A popular man with his players and part of the team's history/success that was just wrong, and that sort of thing has a lasting effect. Only way to get over it quickly is to start winning right away, and we didn't do that. Culture of the team has been broken ever since. ROR should have been named captain, that's another big one for me. Holding it for Eichel was a big big mistake.

As a 61 year old I love reading things like this but it's still a scary thing and I basically avoid everybody I can. Hopefully Ralph will be ok. I'd be worried if I was Granato. His immune system could still be compromised and that's often a bigger issue than just age. I wonder how many players and how many teams before the league has to hit a total pause?

The thing is players who go there don't want to leave and a lot of them take hometown discounts. Most of them love the culture and team comradery and so they are willing to take a little less to stay. There are exceptions, but that's generally why they get away with paying below market value. We are the exact opposite.

I saw this too. Bruins lack young scoring forwards (just Pasternak) and might be in trouble trying to replace Bergeron Marchand Krejci but they've done an amazing job on their D. Young and solid. Lauzon and Zboril stepped right in and Miller somehow came back from two broken knees or legs or something. Unbelievable. However they develop their D is what we should be doing. Not rushing them is part of it, but there ahs to be more.

Most people probably already know this, but it all started to go downhill fast after it was sold to Burger King which is really all a Brazilian company. I think that was about 6 years ago. First thing that was noticed was the number of winners in 'Roll Up The Rim" suddenly plummeted, then the service, then the products themselves. Just the worst now. So like a lot of bad things, it all boils down to ownership 🙂

A miracle? Or because they held it in a bubble in Canada. Travel is the issue. Maybe it'll all even out by the end, but a big asterisk has to be placed beside any results/winners this year. When you play someone is more important than who you play. Right now there's one team that's played 13 games and one that's only played 6 (a bunch at 7). That disparity alone results in skewed results. How do you make up that difference? You cram a pile of games in late or you make teams sit and wait? It's a mess, but I confess I'd be unhappy if they cancelled the season so it is what it is. This is why I skipped the NHL package this year though for the first time in ages. Look on the bright side, Sabres won't lose this week.

I think it's kind of both. My understanding is they didn't get the contact tracing done properly or on time because they had to alter their travel plans in some manner because of the weather.