MakeSabresGrr8Again

If they had the desire to compete we wouldn't have these problems. There have been very few times that this team as a whole has played up to snuff. They have shown they are capable on a couple occasions, but compete and skill is lacking yet on a nightly basis.

I haven't followed this conversation as much as some and I'm curious about how adamant you are about Dahlin's usage. You seem to have the stats to back your argument about the subject and you opinion is also well documented here. However, my curiosity lies in the area more of necessity. As we all know, right side Dmen are harder to find and quality ones even harder. So when you can find a lefty that can play both sides well, sometimes necessity over-shadows anything else. My question to you is this....with recent injuries to the D has this usage of Dahlin had anything to do with it. You know, best player to fill in for an injured player. Since you seem to be the most likely to pose this question to because you seem to be the one who's mostly looked into every aspect of the situation. Just curious about that myself to see if there is an avenue you may have overlooked or not. Also, to go along with the injuries, could it be that Phil is trying to put the best "available" D-corps on the ice. Just as an example.....would you "sit" one of Dahlin, Pilut, or Scandella in favor of playing Tennyson or would you play Dahlin on the right and play the others on their left? Just would like to know if these were considered in your search.

No. Every once in awhile it just comes out from years of going to Canada, being around the people alot, and living on the edge. Sometimes I just like to fake it. Ex wife had relatives there and I used to go fishing up there all the time with them. Georgian Bay area and all along Lake Ontario.

Thanx, I was pretty sure he had said that.

Also insane, the 4th leading scorer is also a D-man and 24yrs old. Boy, I'm coming around to the idea that we might need some forwards, eh?

I'm glad you think it's admirable...and lofty yes. They also won 4 cups in an 11yr span during those years (and lost 1).

I agree and was just presenting the possibility (as I put on my blinders). I just think it's more likely by using the 1st rd picks than trading them all away, that's all.

Thanks for that info. And it does seem as though they kept the picks (mostly) and IIRC a good number of their trades were lateral such as the Saad trade. Some were even in players but less in contract. In some ways we can all say we're right. No one really knows what would work best and only time will tell if anything works out. I want to be more like the Wings were over 25yrs and have more opportunities to get those cups and piss more people off when we make it to the playoffs "again" every year.

I thought Dahlin said earlier in the year that he liked playing his off side? I could be wrong, can anyone confirm?

To add to that...their star player gets hurt and he had them coming to play and win inspite of it all.

I'm talking about now, they have the same core pretty much. Is it that they ran out of depth in the ranks? Just asking out of curiosity. And yes, I would take even one cup but why not 4,5,6? If we use the draft picks and continue building our depth, it is possible we could have one or more before those picks even hit the NHL. Smart trades and FA signings could get us to a level of domination for years to come. And just think while players like McDavid, Matthews, Pettersson, etc will likely still be around, others like Ovie, Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, Tavares, etc won't be.

And where is Chicago? (and don't say ...in Illinois).

If that's the case and you know him so well, I can't wait 'til he gets his MOJO. I've been very happy with his play so far. Do we have another "King" among us? Or a Dominator?

So, in 3-5 years we have 1 diamond in the rough? why not wait 1-2 years and increase the odds of having more players who can step into those 1-2 spots you talked about? We don't have the depth right now that people think we have because if we did don't you think we would be bringing them up to improve our middle 6? Some might be close but not ready yet. Getting those legit 2nd line players may cost you more than you think. Look at what STL gave up for O'Reilly and how well that has turn their team around. I know it's not just ROR but they also added Bozak and Maroon, etc. I guess what I'm saying is that they made all those moves and it got them nowhere. Mitts and TT haven't shown that they belong right now and then add in Olofsson on the same line with them and it could be a disaster in the making (or not). I actually hope that Olofsson is more than a 3rd liner when he comes up. I'm assuming that you are talking about spending (2) 1st rd picks on each 2nd line player. Then you have to pay them besides. Depending on who you get it seems to be over payment (and depending on how cost controlled they are). All said and done, I trust JBot to do what's right for the entire organization.

Maybe Ullmark gets an empty netter to seal the win.

I think he is looking at the possibility of falling even farther. With the cushion over the Rags/FLA being enough to hold them off at least for a little while longer. That's also assuming the Sabs lose.

Who expects to win now? And it's not about 3yrs from now, it's about 3-10yrs from now. The window to win and the "timing" is the issue. Like you said, timing it right is almost impossible. You increase you odds if you can build to contend more than 1-2yrs. Look how long the Caps were building that team and finally won. Where are you getting those 1-2 players to fill those spots every year...from the 3rd round and later? Good luck with that.

I thought the idea was to build a team that would contend year in and year out. To do that you need to draft well and be able to sign decent FA. You have a better chance of getting a 1st round pick that will play and produce than a later round pick. If you give up those picks you have almost no chance of finding the upper echelon players. To use those picks to win now is still going to hurt you 3-5 years down the road. You won't have those picks developing in your system to keep you contending.

Just to ADD to this, FLA also has 2 games in hand on us. Great post and thanks as I agree.

Me. Fios is fighting with the company that owns the local station and it is BLANK. I could go out and buy an antenna but with my luck they will agree on a contract later that same day...LOL

Oh, I agree. Only, aren't we to the point where injuries (and lack of middle 6) are currently dragging them down? Eichel, Girgs,Wilson. I was just thinking of the opportunity to get a "look" for a couple games just to see. If Jack is out a couple games do you expect this team to flourish without him? It could be a good wake-up call for the team but I don't think it is reality.

I agree. But I don't think it will hurt as much as you do if they don't make the playoffs just as long as they don't miss by much. Isn't that what we hoped for before the season started? If we ultimately do make the playoffs with this team....the future has got to look brighter after another draft and FA ?

Not really. You may be able to pick up a FA to hold over until Casey develops more. And don't forget that we actually thought we were gonna concede this year, but we haven't yet. What you are seemingly saying, is if we use those picks we will concede a few years while they grow into NHL players. But isn't that where we were at some what before the season started? By "swing for the fences" I assume that you are talking about trading the picks away for immediate help? How many picks/ players are you willing to trade? If you trade away the picks aren't you really conceding the future 3-5yrs out? Maybe dismantling some of the depth we have built throughout the Org? Do you think that the "our trash for their treasure" is gonna happen? Any trade has its risks just (see O'Reiilly trade) as well as a draft pick does. If you trade for a 25yr old player with some term they might help you now but how about 3-4yrs from now when they are due another contract and are 28-29yrs old (that contract could be just as risky). I think that the biggest difference between trading away the picks and using them is, with a trade you look for the best player you can get to "fill your needs" . When drafting a player, I like to think we are hoping that player "exceeds" our expectations and are happy if they just "meet" them. Have faith in JBot that he will do what is needed when it's needed.

That's good...so now he doesn't even have a role on this team ?

Wasn't Sheary playing with Jack earlier in the season? IIRC he didn't play that great then, maybe better but nothing special.