Iron Crotch

I think some (much?) of the recent draft success has to do with the rehiring of scouts and perhaps the promotion of Devine to AGM three years ago. To me, one of Darcy's biggest shortcomings was he was absolutely abysmal at dealing with player contracts.

Roy got 1 year $1 million. Cheap.

So 12 first/second round picks at Development Camp... plus we currently have 3 first and 3 second round picks in the coming draft. Ridiculous. One thing I like that Murray did (which was so very anti-Darcy) was he cleared out most of the marginal players this off-season (e.g., McBain, D'Agostini, Leino, Hank, Conacher, Konopka, Scott). Whether intended or not, I think doing so tells these young guys that if they step up, there is a spot for them on the big club.

I don't like the signing, but 1 year at $1.05 million is low risk.

Puppa. That's just funny to say. Puppa.

He wants out and they want him out so the price won't be as high as you think. They're supposedly asking for a roster player and a pick. The price isn't crazy high. As well, Kane would have to go to a team that can accommodate his $6 million salary.

Evander Kane anyone? http://www.hockeybuz...p?post_id=61213 What would you move for him (player(s), pick(s), prospect(s))? I'd send them CoHo and a 2nd for Kane (or thereabouts)... price might even be less if the Jets are in a hurry to get rid of him.

They're over the cap right now so they have to move Vinny Lecavalier (or someone else) first. But, there might be some mutual interest with Philly if the salary demands are low enough.

Don't care. I just want to watch some hockey and be entertained. Too many folks looking too far ahead around here.

I generally agree with this. I think there is some addition by subtraction this season relative to last. Getting rid of guys like McBain, Leino, D'Agostini, Ellis, Connacher, Sulzer, Omark, Konopka, and Scott helps this year. None of those guys belong on a contending team's roster. I applaud Murray for very quickly dumping the guys who didn't belong. I still think we finish bottom-5 this year, but I don't think it'll be unwatchably bad like it was at times last year.

Great article on what we already have in the system and what some of the recent trades brought back: http://www.hockeybuz...sterm/209/61199 We already have the #1 rated prospect pool in hockey (according to both SI and Hockey's Future) and have another three first and three second rounders in the coming (very deep) draft. This team has a chance to be very good in the coming years whether we finish dead last this year or not. Even if we don't get McDavid/Eichel we stand a reasonable chance to be a Cup contender in a few years.

Preds have a bunch of other centers: Colin Wilson, Calle Jarnkrok (aquired from the Red Wings for David Legwand), Matt Cullen, Olli Jokinen, and Goose. Have some good center/wing prospects in Austin Watson and Colton Sissons down on the farm too. Fisher is a team leader though (wears an "A") and is a top penalty killer and faceoff guy. He'll be missed.

Yes, Justin Bailey. He is the one who tweeted that picture... kid still needs to learn how to use social media, apparently. ;)

I think it'll be Nashville unless the Preds trade for Vinny Lecavallier. When I ran into Goose at the dog park he mentioned Derek Roy as being an option for the Preds.

Nashville Predators ‏@PredsNHL 1m . @PredsNHL Sign Anton Volchenkov to a one-year Contract. Read more - http://bit.ly/VTu96L

Ladies and gentlemen.... your 2014-2015 Buffalo Sabres...

I just think that karma will have a way of getting back at us if we try to game the system. ...or maybe I've watched the movie Major League a few too many times. ;)

No team dominates with one player or one line or one defense pairing. They dominate with many strong players across positions. This is what the Sabres are set up to do with the depth of picks/prospects that they have. There is an incredible amount of noise in the draft and there is no way to know a priori that the best player in this coming draft when all is said and done will be McDavid/Eichel. While it may appear that way, a lot can happen... The draft is nothing more than gambling on futures. If through the course of normal events we end up dead last then fine. But, it shouldn't be the strategy going into the season.

You should have reported Murray has canther. Then we would have known which Murray you're talking about. (yes, I know this post was very wrong of me :angel: )

2012: 2 first rounders (Grigorenko, Girgensons) + 1 second rounder (McCabe) + Ullmark in 6th round 2013: 2 first rounders (Ristolainen, Zadorov) + 4 second rounders (Compher, Hurley, Bailey, Carrier (StL)) + Baptiste + Fasching 2014: 1 first rounder (Reinhart) + 3 second rounders (Lemieux, Cornel, Karabacek) 2015: 3 first rounders, 3 seconds With 19 first and second round picks over a 4 year span, this team should be fine with or without McDavid/Eichel. If not, fire every single scout.

There is no single route to winning a cup. It certainly doesn't require losing on purpose year after year. It does require a GM know knows what he is going and can string together several successful personnel moves. The Cup Champion Kings only have one top-5 pick on the roster that they drafted (Doughty #2 in 2008).

Robben is definitely one of the most dangerous attacking players in the world (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, maybe a few others). And, he never stops running. A freakish athlete. His work rate is ridiculous. That said, the constant diving has made him public enemy number 1 for a lot of fans. I guess you take the good with the bad. BTW - rumor has Seattle Sounders' DeAndre Yedlin transferring to Roma. He impressed a lot of people at the World Cup.

Stick to hockey predictions. :D I was surprised that Belgium couldn't generate more offense against Argentina. Belgium has the talent, but they lack the creativity in the offensive third that separates the good sides from the great sides. Young team. Belgium should be even stronger in 4 years.

20000 calories in 10 minutes! Muricah.