You could probably ice that lineup for the next 4 years until some of the guys have to get paid.
- Slump Buster

then you hope you have a full pipeline of prospects to plug and play on the bottom half of the roster

- homiedclown

move ror back lw

ror-stamkos-skunk
kane-eichel-ennis

problem solved
- homiedclown

RoR to play wing, that he disliked back in CO? Not saying it doesn't work, but he made it clear that he prefers the middle. Skunk looks good as a wing, which is why it was a stretch for me to put him there with the centers, but RoR does look right at home down the middle. A UFA Stamkos signing is the only way it works of course, can't trade for him, but RoR as a winger again...idk

RoR to play wing, that he disliked back in CO? Not saying it doesn't work, but he made it clear that he prefers the middle. Skunk looks good as a wing, which is why it was a stretch for me to put him there with the centers, but RoR does look right at home down the middle. A UFA Stamkos signing is the only way it works of course, can't trade for him, but RoR as a winger again...idk
- RhinoFan

other option would be be to move eichel to the wing and roll 2 lines with ror and stamkos as the centers

I am pasting the first part

"Lightning captain Steven Stamkos made it clear on Saturday he wants to remain with the team long term, despite reports that he is probably on his way out of Tampa Bay.

Stamkos, who is in the final year of his contract, told the Tampa Bay Times that his representatives and the Lightning are "definitely still talking," and that he's optimistic an extension can be reached.

"Like I've always said, I envision myself winning a championship here and want to do that," Stamkos told the Tampa Bay Times. "Obviously, we got close last year, and I'm the captain of this team, and I want to be that leader."

Stamkos, 25, also denied any rumored rift with coach Jon Cooper, telling the Times, "That's false, too. ... There's been so many different articles written about Coop and I. How do they know what's going on in the room? A lot of it is speculation, a lot of it is a story that needs something to make it seem legit. There needs to be a reason
- homiedclown[he's still unsigned]. Why no one has had any concrete stuff is because there hasn't been anything to talk about."


http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...a-bay-lightning-long-term

Yeah, I saw that too. I think he would say all of that regardless of where he is in contract talks.

other option would be be to move eichel to the wing and roll 2 lines with ror and stamkos as the centers
- homiedclown

Actually am suprised Yeichel hasn't gotten a chance at wing.

I'm talking about Stamkos like we can't make room for a future hall of famer...

Yeah, I saw that too. I think he would say all of that regardless of where he is in contract talks.
- Slump Buster

I envision, I want, most of it is made up.....nothing to reassuring there if I am a TB fan

I am pasting the first part

"Lightning captain Steven Stamkos made it clear on Saturday he wants to remain with the team long term, despite reports that he is probably on his way out of Tampa Bay.

Stamkos, who is in the final year of his contract, told the Tampa Bay Times that his representatives and the Lightning are "definitely still talking," and that he's optimistic an extension can be reached.

"Like I've always said, I envision myself winning a championship here and want to do that," Stamkos told the Tampa Bay Times. "Obviously, we got close last year, and I'm the captain of this team, and I want to be that leader."


Stamkos, 25, also denied any rumored rift with coach Jon Cooper, telling the Times, "That's false, too. ... There's been so many different articles written about Coop and I. How do they know what's going on in the room? A lot of it is speculation, a lot of it is a story that needs something to make it seem legit. There needs to be a reason
- homiedclown[he's still unsigned]. Why no one has had any concrete stuff is because there hasn't been anything to talk about."


http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...a-bay-lightning-long-term

These are the easiest contracts to negotiate. 8 years $96 million. He doesn't want to be there.

I hope Eichel had nothing to do with any of this:

http://www.collegehockeyn...roberto_suspended_for.php

I've actually seen it twice (my little brother begged me to take him yesterday). I liked it better the 2nd time I saw it.

To me it seemed "safe", but it set up the next two in a way that they could be absolutely great.

I also thought it tried a little too hard to be funny at times.
- buffalofan19

That is the JJ Abrams signature with his writing, and I appreciate his efforts most of the time.

On a related note, I try not to be too hypercritical of things that are pure enjoyment as it tends to remove some of the enjoyment out of it.

Abrams material is maybe not always great, but it is almost always entertaining.

Oh man, I couldn't get over this last night.

I felt so bad for everyone involved, sincerely.

But you just had to know that these would start being made.

other option would be be to move eichel to the wing and roll 2 lines with ror and stamkos as the centers
- homiedclown

hc this one is for you

I hope Eichel had nothing to do with any of this:

http://www.collegehockeyn...roberto_suspended_for.php
- HonkFortheGoose

*** takes slug from Vodka bottle. ***

"Trust me, it's no big deal."

I hope Eichel had nothing to do with any of this:

http://www.collegehockeyn...roberto_suspended_for.php
- HonkFortheGoose

Copied from the article

According to several sources, Roberto's suspension is the result of gambling activity he participated in during last season. Sources indicate that Roberto was not the only BU player involved, though those players are no longer with the hockey program. The identity of those players could not be confirmed. Other sources have indicated that players from other teams were involved, too.

Copied from the article

According to several sources, Roberto's suspension is the result of gambling activity he participated in during last season. Sources indicate that Roberto was not the only BU player involved, though those players are no longer with the hockey program. The identity of those players could not be confirmed. Other sources have indicated that players from other teams were involved, too.


- BuffaloHardHat

There's a big part of me that feels like he had to be smart enough to know what was at stake if he participated and got caught.

There's also a big part of me that realizes he was a 17/18 year old kid and could very well have been dumb enough to participate.

Copied from the article

According to several sources, Roberto's suspension is the result of gambling activity he participated in during last season. Sources indicate that Roberto was not the only BU player involved, though those players are no longer with the hockey program. The identity of those players could not be confirmed. Other sources have indicated that players from other teams were involved, too.


- BuffaloHardHat

Eichel was there, but he didn't make a bet. I think you know why.

Eichel was there, but he didn't make a bet. I think you know why.
- SabresPanacea

Now that's funny!

Eichel was there, but he didn't make a bet. I think you know why.
- SabresPanacea

Frankly surprised you're still here.

Eichel was there, but he didn't make a bet. I think you know why.
- SabresPanacea

You've been on fire!

I can't imagine him wanting to go to Toronto. He has already been through one rebuild and they are years away from being anything.
- Slump Buster

Did we not say the exact same thing about Babcock?

Only a 2 hour trip down the QEW for him.
- BuffaloHardHat

It's not the same thing hat. My undergrad was spent somewhere only a few hours from home and it felt like I was on another planet. It's not just about home though, more opportunities endorsement wise than in Buffalo.

Did we not say the exact same thing about Babcock?
- Sabresfan-365

Completely different scenarios. First, there is no salary cap for coaches. Second, Stamkos is in his prime and that only lasts for so long. Coaches don't want to lose but there is no worry about being in their prime.

Completely different scenarios. First, there is no salary cap for coaches. Second, Stamkos is in his prime and that only lasts for so long. Coaches don't want to lose but there is no worry about being in their prime.
- Slump Buster

Except the leafs have the cap space and he's from there. Leafs and Sabres are close in the standings too so I don't see how winning now plays in our favor. We likely share similar timelines

Completely different scenarios. First, there is no salary cap for coaches. Second, Stamkos is in his prime and that only lasts for so long. Coaches don't want to lose but there is no worry about being in their prime.
- Slump Buster

Not entirely. Babcock chose Toronto because of the city of Toronto.

Stamkos wants to play in Toronto (allegedly) because of the city of Toronto.

Not entirely. Babcock chose Toronto because of the city of Toronto.

Stamkos wants to play in Toronto (allegedly) because of the city of Toronto.
- sbroads24

We don't know exactly why Babcock picked Toronto. The choice came down between us and them and he picked them. What if they offered 2 mill a year less? What if he had attractive choices. ?
Either way, it doesn't change the fact that Stamkos' concerns will be much different. You only get so long to be in your prime and some would say that age 26 (what he will be next year) is already on the down slope. That team is years away from competing. I'll take the field in this race any day.