Iron Crotch

Isn't there something about Rochester having too many over aged players? If so, he can't be sent down without another transaction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNcM4YjzgHY

I'm too lazy to do the math. But, this year Vanek has taken 51 shots and Moulson has taken 32. Total shots year-by-year are fairly similar. BTW - the guy who is absolutely abysmal is Drew Stafford. 5% last year and 3% so far this year. This guy screams "awful contract."

Moulson is at 14.1% for his career, while Vanek is at 15.1%. BTW - Moulson is tied for 4th in the NHL in goals so far this year.

Missing what? We were the worst team in hockey with Vanek... it's not like moving Vanek now is going to hurt our won-loss total this year. We can dissect scoring stats all we want, but we weren't winning with guys like Vanek and Pommer at the top of the food chain. Time for a change. From my perspective, it sounds like they offered a pile of cash to Thomas and he made it clear he wanted out no matter what. So, why have a guy on your roster for 2/3 of a season who doesn't want to be there? That destroys team chemistry as much as anything. I think it is the correct move to trade hm sooner rather than later (yes, I am giving Darcy some credit for once). I'm kind of shocked we got a cheaper comparable natural goal scorer in return, in addition to the first and second round pick. I've always liked Matt Moulson and would love for him to stick around (doubt it will happen), but I don't see swapping him for Vanek as hurting the team one bit for the rest of the season.

Vanek was the only guy on the current roster who could speak German with The Hoff. Now The Hoff is lonely. ;)

Malcontent in that you can't leave a guy on your roster for 3/4 of a year when everyone in the room knows he doesn't want to be there. That Vanek wanted out was the worst kept secret in the world. IMHO, you are best off with guys like that out of the room sooner rather than later (certainly Darcy could have moved him this summer).

On NHL radio today they were joking that maybe having grandparents an hour up the road in Mississauga is enough to keep Moulson around (he has two young kids, one is a newborn I think?).

We traded a malcontent in Vanek for a guy who has scored more goals over the last few years, is less injury prone, and is less than 1/2 of Vanek's cap hit. Plus, we got a 1st and a 2nd. So if there was any way to resign Moulson for a reasonable amount (doubtful, but you never know). And, if the Isles tank with Vanek (doubtful, but you never know). Then, we'd get a cheaper goal scorer who wants to be here plus a nice 1st round pick to add to our surefire top-5 pick.

F Vanek, I like Moulson better. :P (I'm only half kidding, I always really liked Matt Moulson.) Vanek never seemed like the "heart and soul" guy who wills his team to a championship through blood, sweat, and tears. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just never got the impression he was that sort of player. Talented for sure, but if he wants out, he wants out. Build around guys who want to be a Sabre.

Poor Matt Moulson having to go from a playoff caliber team to Hockey Hell. ...sounds like Vanek couldn't wait to get out of town. Tells you, perhaps implicitly, what the players think of Darcy and his ability to rebuild this team.

Looking at the team stats on NHL.com paints a pretty grim picture. We're worst in the NHL in shots per game (25.1 - no one else is even close to that level of futility) and 2nd worst in shots against per game (35.7 - only Ottawa is worse). Our team +/- is at -15 (only the Rangers are worse at -16). What is interesting is statistically we're a much worse team at home (-13) than on the road (-2).

Matt Moulson leads the entire NHL in power play goals with 5.

Yes, but the Preds had a similar setup to what Buffalo will have in that they had a 1st rounder (Ryan Suter #7 overall) plus 3 second rounders. Shea was the third of the three second rounders. Ott is now full-time captain, as expected.

Shea Weber was a 2nd rounder! BTW - It's probably worth nothing somewhere in this thread that Moulson was a 9th round pick.

Guess who our highest paid forward is now? Yep. Ville Leino.

No. Darcy won't go away. He won't die. He is the shirtless guy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pnqTFwB8CU

Darcy is like a cockroach. Nuclear war... the apocalypse... nothing can kill Darcy. Nothing.

Durability is definitely a big difference between Moulson and Vanek. I really like Moulson. I know most don't get to see a lot of Isles games, but Matt is always around the net and always scores "dirty" goals. Probably gone at the deadline, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Moulson's game.

HOLY ######! So Darcy actually made a move that wasn't within 24 hours of the trade deadline? Unbelievable! Personally, I really like Moulson. I hope he stays for a bit. Next up... Miller!

Seth Jones is just retarded good. He just did a little curl-and-drag move to score on Montreal (Price) with 1:27 left in a tie game. Awesome play and a game winner to boot. Easy to see what this kid was the #1 draft prospect this year.

Here I am! I'll fire Darcy. Just give me the word, Terry. :flirt:

NBC should probably change their name to MBC... the Manchester Broadcasting Company. I like that they picked up the premier league, but they seem to assume the entire USA wants to see every Man U and Man City game.

I definitely like the defensemen in the system and think they can be a very strong group at some point. But, I don't see a dangerous offensive team emerging without significant additions/changes. IMHO, adding a #1 pick or two and substracting Vanek (the closes thing we have to a superstar now) probably doesn't get us up to the elite level for many, many years if at all. I also think it is presumptive to hope that we get a bunch of #1 picks and they all turn out to be elite scorers.

...for management to try to tell fans this is all part of "the plan" is downright insulting. I'm actually glad to see the stadium was empty tonight.