1. Don't understand why Mac T would publicly state this. Kick to the groin for Gordon (who has ok 3rd line production) and probably makes Hendricks a little less warm and fuzzy as well. More defensive zone time for them? Ouch. Why are we going this far out of our way to shelter our top 6? They need to start taking defensive zone starts and succeeding. Give our bottom 6 the odd offensive zone start to keep them sane as well. Points = bigger contracts even for fourth liners. Not getting the opportunity to score points has to rub some players the wrong way.

I personally think they should go with 4 lines. Split Gordon and Hendricks up to provide a solid base for the bottom 6 and fill out the rest with prospects and players... Like the rest of the NHL does. Drop Eberle or Yak down if they are not playing well. Bring Gordon up if he goes on a hot streak...

My faith in Mac T has diminished a bit with his "strategy".

2. No one I really want on the team long term anyways is available.

3. Cap space will evaporate with signing Petry and Shultz + etc... Or are they going a different route? Mac T saying stuff like this doesn't look good for Petry at least.

4. I appreciate we do not want to rely on our prospects but this has got to be a vote of no confidence to the scouting staff and players like Lander and Pitlick.

5. Just makes sense. Although reading between the lines here and the extra attempt to shelter the top 3 lines makes me think Gagner may be staying put.

6. I heard Mac T basically said it's highly unlikely they move from their current spot. He said they need a D-man or center and at #3 that exactly what they will be getting. No reason to truly entertain any thoughts otherwise.

Kind of a gloomy and wishy washy presser from mac T the way you summarize it.
- Aerchon

I think this is part of a shift we are seeing with the NHL. Where the third line used to be considered your shutdown line most good teams are starting to see a shift where the 4th line isn't a line of goons but of strong defensive specialists. Guys like Gordon and Hendricks would love to be go too guys. Just because they would be pushed down to "4th line duties" doesn't mean they are 5 minute players or anything...

This 4th line would be the line we put out with a minute to go and a one goal lead or dire situation. And make up for a large part of the PK

I think this is part of a shift we are seeing with the NHL. Where the third line used to be considered your shutdown line most good teams are starting to see a shift where the 4th line isn't a line of goons but of strong defensive specialists. Guys like Gordon and Hendricks would love to be go too guys. Just because they would be pushed down to "4th line duties" doesn't mean they are 5 minute players or anything...

This 4th line would be the line we put out with a minute to go and a one goal lead or dire situation. And make up for a large part of the PK
- CrustyRooster

yeah and I think it's a positive shift.

My prediction is that in 10 years coaches who have a top 6, a shutdown line and an energy/facepunching line will be seen as dinosaurs.

yeah and I think it's a positive shift.

My prediction is that in 10 years coaches who have a top 6, a shutdown line and an energy/facepunching line will be seen as dinosaurs.
- Morris

Eakins appears to feel that way already. He said many times this year about how his beliefs of old school and new school were fighting all year.

I think it should go something like this.

Top offensive line (line that should drive the offense)
Offensive line with emphasis on scoring.
Two way line with emphasis on forcing top lines to play defense
Defensive line with emphasis on PK and Dzone starts

Eakins appears to feel that way already. He said many times this year about how his beliefs of old school and new school were fighting all year.

I think it should go something like this.

Top offensive line (line that should drive the offense)
Offensive line with emphasis on scoring.
Two way line with emphasis on forcing top lines to play defense
Defensive line with emphasis on PK and Dzone starts
- CrustyRooster

Agreed. I think Gregor predicted they'd go that way this year at the end of the year.

Using our current depth chart:
Hall-Nuge-Ebs
XXXX-Gagner-Yaks
Perron-Arcobello-XXXX
Lander-Gordon-Hendricks

Agreed. I think Gregor predicted they'd go that way this year at the end of the year.

Using our current depth chart:
Hall-Nuge-Ebs
XXXX-Gagner-Yaks
Perron-Arcobello-XXXX
Lander-Gordon-Hendricks
- Morris

Lemme fill in those holes

Hall-Nuge-Ebs
Gazdic-Gagner-Yaks
Perron-Arcobello-Engelland
Lander's potential-Gordon-Hendricks

Lemme fill in those holes

Hall-Nuge-Ebs
Gazdic-Gagner-Yaks
Perron-Arcobello-Engelland
Lander's potential-Gordon-Hendricks
- TheNugeIsHuge

Whoa. We had the potential to have a Stanley cup winning team all year!

Vinny's contract is bad. Look at his WOWYs in year 1. Anchor

If your options for top 6 wingers are Upshall, Fleischmann, Boyes, and Bergenheim I'd bet you wouldn't be playing Schenn at 3C
- TheNugeIsHuge

Not interested in advanced stats; especially for a guy that played on all 4 lines, all 3 forward positions, and had two significant injuries.

How can MacT be comfortable with that top6?

No way will they be able to compete in the west the next 5 years minimum. Theyre lack of size up front compared to Stl, LA, Ana and SJ wont allow it. Never mind the other two squads - chi/col who are similarily sized.

They need a Marcus Foligno type winger in their top 6. And no, Gagner is not who we'd want.

Not interested in advanced stats; especially for a guy that played on all 4 lines, all 3 forward positions, and had two significant injuries.
- mochoson

His most common teammates were B Schenn and Simmonds who he dragged down to a pretty good extent (Simmonds 51.7 w/o 43.4 w/)

I think the fact that he's 34 and missed 57 games over the past 4 year is cause for concern, regardless

Agreed. I think Gregor predicted they'd go that way this year at the end of the year.

Using our current depth chart:
Hall-Nuge-Ebs
XXXX-Gagner-Yaks
Perron-Arcobello-XXXX
Lander-Gordon-Hendricks
- Morris

Hall nuge ebs
Kulemin grabbo yak
Draisaitl Goc Perron
Hendricks Gordon Lander

Maybe not doable but I'd feel more comfortable with this lineup. Even though it would be a waste of arco's talent he would be our best player to fill in an injury.

LD gets a good German mentor and learns a little bit of grit with Perron while being sheltered on the wing for the first half of the year before trying his hand at more and more responsibility.

The thing I like about this supposed lineup is we have many players capable of playing more than one position.

Kulemin can play either wing I think (not 100%)

Goc can play wing
Draisaitl can play center and a little bit of RW
Perron plays both wings
Yak plays both wings
Even arco can play C and RW

Injuries become more manageable and there are plenty of great line combinations to maximize chemistry. It looks great on paper but will take some good luck to land all these guys

How can MacT be comfortable with that top6?

No way will they be able to compete in the west the next 5 years minimum. Theyre lack of size up front compared to Stl, LA, Ana and SJ wont allow it. Never mind the other two squads - chi/col who are similarily sized.

They need a Marcus Foligno type winger in their top 6. And no, Gagner is not who we'd want.
- Otsegolectric

A 19 point winger is what they need! All problems solved!

How can MacT be comfortable with that top6?

No way will they be able to compete in the west the next 5 years minimum. Theyre lack of size up front compared to Stl, LA, Ana and SJ wont allow it. Never mind the other two squads - chi/col who are similarily sized.

They need a Marcus Foligno type winger in their top 6. And no, Gagner is not who we'd want.
- Otsegolectric

In a way I do agree but neither Hall or Perron are as tiny as people suggest. Nuge won't be a weakling forever and we intend on drafting Draisaitl to add a large top 6 center in our pipeline.

A 19 point winger is what they need! All problems solved!
- TheNugeIsHuge

Not only that, but if we don't do it we're doomed, and we need to give up a great piece to make it happen.

His most common teammates were B Schenn and Simmonds who he dragged down to a pretty good extent (Simmonds 51.7 w/o 43.4 w/)

I think the fact that he's 34 and missed 57 games over the past 4 year is cause for concern, regardless
- TheNugeIsHuge

I agree with the bold for sure.

Again, don't care much for advanced stats. Kinda hard to produce in any situation when your all over the line-up when actually healthy.

For how talented he is, he's well worth a 4.5 million cap hit IF he's healthy.

Not only that, but if we don't do it we're doomed, and we need to give up a great piece to make it happen.
- Morris

Hahah thats why i said 'type' player. But he has much more upside.

Besides, do you honestly think the top 6 today can stand up in the west?

Doomed? Isnt that what you guys have been since 2006?

Hahah thats why i said 'type' player. But he has much more upside.

Besides, do you honestly think the top 6 today can stand up in the west?

Doomed? Isnt that what you guys have been since 2006?
- Otsegolectric

Pro tip: Don't try to have honest conversation interspersed with childish trolling.

Are you just bored?

How can MacT be comfortable with that top6?

No way will they be able to compete in the west the next 5 years minimum. Theyre lack of size up front compared to Stl, LA, Ana and SJ wont allow it. Never mind the other two squads - chi/col who are similarily sized.

They need a Marcus Foligno type winger in their top 6. And no, Gagner is not who we'd want.
- Otsegolectric

love to have foligno.

so what do u think is a fair return?

Pro tip: Don't try to have honest conversation interspersed with childish trolling.

Are you just bored?
- Morris

Nah just responding to your over the top comment about being 'doomed'. Never said that, just cant compete in the west with lack of size in top 6.

Thanks for the pro advice tho.

love to have foligno.

so what do u think is a fair return?
- hugefemale dog77

I'd love to see him packaged with Ehrhoff for your #3 overall. Even myers/foligno but my fellow sabre fans think i'm nuts for entertaining myers.

Those two would be perfect fit for your team imo.

Nah just responding to your over the top comment about being 'doomed'. Never said that, just cant compete in the west with lack of size in top 6.

Thanks for the pro advice tho.
- Otsegolectric

Well I'm not too worried about our top 6. I think if we spread our talent out among 3 lines and add some size with complimentary wingers, we'll be in decent shape.

For the record, I'd love a guy like Foligno, but obviously Buffalo would want a real piece coming back as they probably want to keep him himself.

Maybe we can grab a cheaper guy or a guy from a team less attached to their younger players.

I'd love to see him packaged with Ehrhoff for your #3 overall. Even myers/foligno but my fellow sabre fans think i'm nuts for entertaining myers.

Those two would be perfect fit for your team imo.
- Otsegolectric

myers and foligno

3rd and kessy


done

myers and foligno

3rd and kessy


done
- hugefemale dog77

I don't know if I'm crazy about that. Myers was about as good as Petry this year. Would you bank 3rd overall on him getting back into form? I get that there's risk in say Draisaitl too but still

even Ehrhoff. He'd be an awesome fit, but he'll be 32 next year. How many seasons as a top 3 guy does he have left? Worth it?

According to TSN, Markov is looking for 3 years at 6 mil per. If he becomes available would you sign him at that price and term?
- rathagor

With Markov being 36 I'd offer him a bonus laden deal like Iggy.

3 years. 4 Mill salary per and 2.5 mill bonus per if he plays more than 55 games/season.

Booth gonna be bought out in VAN. Think EDM should go after him? 1 year prove himself deal?

I'd definitely offer him say 1 year 1.5-2M to play in the bottom 6

With Markov being 36 I'd offer him a bonus laden deal like Iggy.

3 years. 4 Mill salary per and 2.5 mill bonus per if he plays more than 55 games/season.
- Iggysbff

And he will say thanks but (frank) off....pretty sure we'd have to pay him the whole shabang . (frank) it, it's Katz's cash.