totally agree. im thinking 1yr rebuild a la philly, ottowa- not 3yr like pitt, edmonton...

positive is that we will suck bad in a 48 game season instead of an 82 game season.

downside is with the new lottery system % chance of winning 1st overall are down from last year.

upside to that is top 3 guys are all worthy of 1st pick.
- battelmt

Edmonton is on year 7.

This is the year, it has finally arrived believe it or not.
- Gunner Staal

can you almost guarantee it???

totally agree. im thinking 1yr rebuild a la philly, ottowa- not 3yr like pitt, edmonton...

positive is that we will suck bad in a 48 game season instead of an 82 game season.

downside is with the new lottery system % chance of winning 1st overall are down from last year.

upside to that is top 3 guys are all worthy of 1st pick.
- battelmt

If you finish in dead last the worst you can do is 2nd overall. With the top 3 picks all being blue chip prospects, its still a win win.

This is the year, it has finally arrived believe it or not.
- Gunner Staal

I still am hesitant to believe it will happen. I'm sure he's working vigorously to move Leopold and Stafford but he needs to do more

If you finish in dead last the worst you can do is 2nd overall. With the top 3 picks all being blue chip prospects, its still a win win.
- Gunner Staal

If things stay the way they are, Columbus has a shot at the top 2 picks.

Problem. As discussed yesterday. Are they going to trust a guy the plan to fire with making those decisions?
- Buffalo--Sabres

You can unload at any time, be it at the trade deadline or in the offseason. The point is to get something, anything, for some of these guys. Unless Darcy turns into some sort of bumhole looking to sabotage the operation, as long as he's only unloading deadweight, he can't really hurt much of anything else anymore. The damage has already been done.

totally agree. im thinking 1yr rebuild a la philly, ottowa- not 3yr like pitt, edmonton...
positive is that we will suck bad in a 48 game season instead of an 82 game season.

downside is with the new lottery system % chance of winning 1st overall are down from last year.

upside to that is top 3 guys are all worthy of 1st pick.
- battelmt

Edmonton has been rebuilding for 6 years...and they finally don't stink as bad as the Sabres. IMHO.... I say they still miss the playoffs.

- seedy

I this stay the way they are, Columbus has a shot at the top 2 picks.
- dadeadhead

And good for them, they need help too. They just now finally have competent people in charge. Depending on where the chips fall the Blue Jackets could be on a rebuilding fast track. That 1st round Kings pick looks way better than what they thought it would at the time of the trade.

I still am hesitant to believe it will happen. I'm sure he's working vigorously to move Leopold and Stafford but he needs to do more
- sbroads24

i think ruff was the toughest band-aid for pegula to pull. now that its done (and he had regier do it!!) i dont think hed have a problem dumping darcy- especially if he can replace him with a former sabre of some sort (dudley??)...

And good for them, they need help too. They just now finally have competent people in charge. Depending on where the chips fall the Blue Jackets could be on a rebuilding fast track. That 1st round Kings pick looks way better than what they thought it would at the time of the trade.
- Gunner Staal

So does the Rags 1st rounder.

So does the Rags 1st rounder.
- dadeadhead

Columbus can still be a pretty good market for the NHL I think. This draft should get them back on track. That fanbase has been given nothing since its inception.

I love seeing douchbags act tough from their seats behind 1" of Plexi.
- RynoBull

Hey, is that Connolly? LOL

Columbus can still be a pretty good market for the NHL I think. This draft should get them back on track. That fanbase has been given nothing since its inception.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, college hockey actually draws pretty decent crowds down there. There's no reason an NHL team shouldn't.

So does the Rags 1st rounder.
- dadeadhead

pyatt has 2 more goals this season then staff

If you finish in dead last the worst you can do is 2nd overall. With the top 3 picks all being blue chip prospects, its still a win win.
- Gunner Staal

Until Darcy trades away our number 1 pick in a desperation move to save his job.......

Yeah, college hockey actually draws pretty decent crowds down there. There's no reason an NHL team shouldn't.
- buffalofan19

I drove by the arena Saturday, looks to be in a really cool area by the water front. They just need that cannon firing more often than twice a game.

So does the Rags 1st rounder.
- dadeadhead

Until Darcy trades away our number 1 pick in a desperation move to save his job.......
- billyk

Lol, I wont come near this message board if that happens.

Edit: Just unplug Darcy's fax machine and its a non issue.

Until Darcy trades away our number 1 pick in a desperation move to save his job.......
- billyk

sure.

and it was his decision to fire ruff.

Lol, I wont come near this message board if that happens.
- Gunner Staal

Neither will I

Columbus can still be a pretty good market for the NHL I think. This draft should get them back on track. That fanbase has been given nothing since its inception.
- Gunner Staal

100% agree as a guy who lived in the market they just need to win a few.

100% agree as a guy who lived in the market they just need to win a few.
- hubie

Seems like a very nice area to live and raise a family.

Seems like a very nice area to live and raise a family.
- Gunner Staal

Its like any other city has its good parts and bad parts. Unlike Buffalo it has a ton of young professionals who can attach themselves to a team and be fans for life. Hockey is on the rise in Mid to South Ohio. 10 years ago J-Crew U (Miami @ Oxford) wasnt anythign special and now they are huge. Colleges are nwo starting hockey programs that are growing.

Its like any other city has its good parts and bad parts. Unlike Buffalo it has a ton of young professionals who can attach themselves to a team and be fans for life. Hockey is on the rise in Mid to South Ohio. 10 years ago J-Crew U (Miami @ Oxford) wasnt anythign special and now they are huge. Colleges are nwo starting hockey programs that are growing.
- hubie

And that is in a nutshell why USA Hockey will catch up and surpass Hockey Canada in 20-30 years. That is happening in a lot of areas around the country.