The bottom 6 matters very little when your top 6 is dominant. That is why those parts are always interchanging.

When the Sabres top 6 consisted of - Vanek,Stafford, Connolly, Roy. That team was destined to fail from the start.
- ImThatGuy

Key word is dominant. When the top 6 is dominant you can devote a line to to pend pk guys like Grier/ Hecht /Neidermayer

if you could transform that line and make it our third then im all for it.

and definetly interchangeable. IMO Kaleta can walk anytime Larrson Gus can fill his pk time and be an upgrade offensively and gus can hit better as well

When Crosby came into the league, Pittsburgh signed a multitude of veterans to mentor him. They had signed Ziggy Palfy (whatever happened to that guy) and Mark Recchi to decent deals. Those veterans won't be hard to come by. I would imagine any GM would consider that.
- buffalofan19

He even lived with Lemieux for a few years . Maybe Lafontaine will move McDavid in with him ! Let us Buffalo fans dream . At least you are in Vegas ( 89 ) while we are all freezing Butts off!

Key word is dominant. When the top 6 is dominant you can devote a line to to pend pk guys like Grier/ Hecht /Neidermayer

if you could transform that line and make it our third then im all for it.

and definetly interchangeable. IMO Kaleta can walk anytime Larrson Gus can fill his pk time and be an upgrade offensively and gus can hit better as well
- hubie

Correct which is why teams like LA, PIT, CHI, BOS, DET are consistently good. It is not due to their bottom 6.

Correct which is why teams like LA, PIT, CHI, BOS, DET are consistently good. It is not due to their bottom 6.
- ImThatGuy

Id bet good money on that the bottom six of those teams are on other rosters now. Kris Versteeg comes to mind

He even lived with Lemieux for a few years . Maybe Lafontaine will move McDavid in with him ! Let us Buffalo fans dream . At least you are in Vegas ( 89 ) while we are all freezing Butts off!
- Maximum Signal

I'd move back home if I could trust me

Correct which is why teams like LA, PIT, CHI, BOS, DET are consistently good. It is not due to their bottom 6.
- ImThatGuy

LA, BOS, CHI, DET have bottom 6 that set them apart from the VAN, SJ, ANA, NYR of the NHL....

Id bet good money on that the bottom six of those teams are on other rosters now. Kris Versteeg comes to mind
- hubie

There are two kinds of bottom 6 players: youngsters that could be top 6 players but their team is so deep that there's no place else to put them (Versteeg types), and then there are actual grinders. The first type often goes to other teams, or gets moved up to the top 6 after they ship older players out. The grinders are interchangeable. There's a reason they don't get paid very much, relatively speaking.

I'd move back home if I could trust me
- SABRES 89

If you had to deal with the weather here this week, you would quickly change your mind. I feel like I'm living in Minnesota or something. I know we get cold and snow here, but this is just unreal.

I'd move back home if I could trust me
- SABRES 89

Better to stay where you are . Job market sucks here.

If you had to deal with the weather here this week, you would quickly change your mind. I feel like I'm living in Minnesota or something. I know we get cold and snow here, but this is just unreal.
- HonkFortheGoose

Better than having unbearable heat where you cant go out during the day

LA, BOS, CHI, DET have bottom 6 that set them apart from the VAN, SJ, ANA, NYR of the NHL....
- theblueandgold

False. They are always changing. Bottom 6 players come and go. That is why most are on 1-2 year contracts.

The bottom 6 is interchangeable.

If you had to deal with the weather here this week, you would quickly change your mind. I feel like I'm living in Minnesota or something. I know we get cold and snow here, but this is just unreal.
- HonkFortheGoose

When I win the mega Millions on Tuesday I told everyone They can find me in Charleston SC in the summer and Savannah GA or Miami FL in the winter.

I hate snow and everything about it.

If you had to deal with the weather here this week, you would quickly change your mind. I feel like I'm living in Minnesota or something. I know we get cold and snow here, but this is just unreal.
- HonkFortheGoose

I was in Florida all last week. Sunny. 80. Everyday.

False. They are always changing. Bottom 6 players come and go. That is why most are on 1-2 year contracts.

The bottom 6 is interchangeable.
- ImThatGuy

That being said, I doubt any team wins the cup with Matt Ellis and John Scott getting minutes. Your bottom 6 playing well and being able to contribute is what will set you apart from other teams.
Bickell and Paille were both key last season for each cup team. One could argue that if it wasn't one of them someone would have stepped up but still

That being said, I doubt any team wins the cup with Matt Ellis and John Scott getting minutes. Your bottom 6 playing well and being able to contribute is what will set you apart from other teams.
Bickell and Paille were both key last season for each cup team. One could argue that if it wasn't one of them someone would have stepped up but still
- sbroads24

I agree anyone that has John Scott playing decent (Greater than 5 min a game) has problems.

Those teams did not win the cup because of the bottom 6 though. They won because they had Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Kopitar, Brown, Richards Carter, Getlaf, Perry, Ryan etc.

That being said, I doubt any team wins the cup with Matt Ellis and John Scott getting minutes. Your bottom 6 playing well and being able to contribute is what will set you apart from other teams.
Bickell and Paille were both key last season for each cup team. One could argue that if it wasn't one of them someone would have stepped up but still
- sbroads24

Thats because Matt Ellis is ineligable to play in the playoffs to level out the playing field. IF he was on such a roster there would be a sweep in every round for that team and would kill the tv ratings so the nhl wouldnt allow that to happen.

I agree anyone that has John Scott playing decent (Greater than 5 min a game) has problems.

Those teams did not win the cup because of the bottom 6 though. They won because they had Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Kopitar, Brown, Richards Carter, Getlaf, Perry, Ryan etc.
- ImThatGuy

Right. I don't think any one would think that a strong bottom 6 will take you anywhere on their own. But if you have an injury to your top 6 in the playoffs and your forced to bump up Pat Kaleta or Cody McCormick, ain't nobody got time for that

Thats because Matt Ellis is ineligable to play in the playoffs to level out the playing field. IF he was on such a roster there would be a sweep in every round for that team and would kill the tv ratings so the nhl wouldnt allow that to happen.
- hubie

True.

When I win the mega Millions on Tuesday I told everyone They can find me in Charleston SC in the summer and Savannah GA or Miami FL in the winter.

I hate snow and everything about it.
- ImThatGuy

LOVE Charleston!!! But it gets pretty ugly in the summer

Right. I don't think any one would think that a strong bottom 6 will take you anywhere on their own. But if you have an injury to your top 6 in the playoffs and your forced to bump up Pat Kaleta or Cody McCormick, ain't nobody got time for that
- sbroads24

what if your are forced to play rory fitzpatrick in your top d pairing

When I win the mega Millions on Tuesday I told everyone They can find me in Charleston SC in the summer and Savannah GA or Miami FL in the winter.

I hate snow and everything about it.
- ImThatGuy

too many stupid people.. i would probably have to move to some secluded area to get away from them

what if your are forced to play rory fitzpatrick in your top d pairing
- IndianaSabresFan

Then your forced to have an All star defensemen on your top pair

We don't need Leino for anything if Moulson and Ott want to stay that's one way or if not there are other players to bring in that can actually contribute to this team. Leino is and always will be a waste.
- SABRES 89

I would be all for signing Moulson and Ott, question is if they would want to sign here. Those two still dont cover the amount you'll have to spend, especially if Miller doesnt sign here.

LOVE Charleston!!! But it gets pretty ugly in the summer
- stashu

Good. I happen to like the heat.

If you had to deal with the weather here this week, you would quickly change your mind. I feel like I'm living in Minnesota or something. I know we get cold and snow here, but this is just unreal.
- HonkFortheGoose

It's been cold here to some, 23 at night