Said friend... mixed up Hagelin... and Hamonic.
- Guile

You need to find smarter friends....

So, Edmonton has been rumored to be linked to him. God knows they need defensemen. Trying to figure out what Edmonton could provide for the Islanders that isn't redundant.

Islanders could lose Okposo, Nielsen and Martin via free agency, so would that be a possibility of RNH or Eberle moving on for Haromnic?

The Islanders would be dumb to do a Yakupov for Hamonic move.
- Oneonta Penguin

RNH and Yak for Hammer and a pick would be a solid trade for both sides. Gives the Dirty Ders a young, franchise 2C and maybe a top 6 RW to replace Okposo if they can reclaim Yak. Oilers get cap space and a top pairing young defender.

I can't remember a hockey team rolling like we are currently, but We didn't have advanced stats to justify the belief of internal game domination. Goals just are not scored at the rate we are lately. Very good job by the coaching staff in developing this team and a great job by Rutherford finding cheap assets to build depth. Schultz has turned into the best tdl pickup and he didn't cost a 1st and assets.

I would lean on keeping Malkin, but injury history means I wouldn't disagree with trading him. He is one of about 5-10 true contender level team number one center. His trade value would be huge and if you could pick up 2 1st plus a good number 2 center I would consider a deal.
- sditulli

You do realize that all the "cheap" assets on the roster were brought in by Shero. Bonino @1.9M and Cullen @800k are the only 2 players GMJR brought in that have a cap hit under 2M.

Don't feel bad Guile, I took on a new assistant coach who has been coaching for 10+ who didn't know, I had him tracking +/- in our 1st game and he had it so screwed up that he actually had a player at +7 in a 4-3 game.
- jaydogg1974

I don't feel bad at all for some reason. Normally my ego would have taken a blow.

4-1 Buffalo over the Rangers in the 2nd period. That's disgraceful. One wonders if they are trying to tank their way out of a first round matchup vs the Pens?

You do realize that all the "cheap" assets on the roster were brought in by Shero. Bonino @1.9M and Cullen @800k are the only 2 players GMJR brought in that have a cap hit under 2M.
- jaydogg1974

He probably meant cheap to bring in. Phil came at an extreme discount. Daley came for Scuderi. Schultz a third. Hags a one for one trade on a player that wasn't part of the present or future plans. That's four players that we acquired for nothing super major. The most consequential asset we gave up was a first, and right now it looks like that difference between that first and the second we got in return might, fingers crossed, not be too large.

He probably meant cheap to bring in. Phil came at an extreme discount. Daley came for Scuderi. Schultz a third. Hags a one for one trade on a player that wasn't part of the present or future plans. That's four players that we acquired for nothing super major. The most consequential asset we gave up was a first, and right now it looks like that difference between that first and the second we got in return might, fingers crossed, not be too large.
- Victoro311

How great would it be if the Pens pick was 30th and Toronto's 2nd was the 31st overall???

4-1 Buffalo over the Rangers in the 2nd period. That's disgraceful. One wonders if they are trying to tank their way out of a first round matchup vs the Pens?
- Emperor Filonius

It would be priceless if Buffalo manages to hold on. Rags fans had this chalked up for an easy win and don't have any fear in facing Pittsburgh. Maybe they should since they are getting run out of town in their own barn by Buffalo.

A year from now, Buffalo will be more formidable. They certainly have some nice pieces to get competitive in a hurry.

It would be priceless if Buffalo manages to hold on. Rags fans had this chalked up for an easy win and don't have any fear in facing Pittsburgh. Maybe they should since they are getting run out of town in their own barn by Buffalo.

A year from now, Buffalo will be more formidable. They certainly have some nice pieces to get competitive in a hurry.
- Oneonta Penguin

If a new season had started in January, I would bet that Buffalo would be gearing up for a playoff run. Probably wouldn't get out of the first round, but still. They've impressed me.

How great would it be if the Pens pick was 30th and Toronto's 2nd was the 31st overall???
- hipcheck_goalie

Well, that's the goal

How great would it be if the Pens pick was 30th and Toronto's 2nd was the 31st overall???
- hipcheck_goalie

I never thought of that, but it would be GREAT!

Edit... I think the second we got back was our second that we gave up for Winnik. So, maybe not that great.

It would be priceless if Buffalo manages to hold on. Rags fans had this chalked up for an easy win and don't have any fear in facing Pittsburgh. Maybe they should since they are getting run out of town in their own barn by Buffalo.

A year from now, Buffalo will be more formidable. They certainly have some nice pieces to get competitive in a hurry.
- Oneonta Penguin

I don't think that another matchup with the Rangers is going to be easy by any stretch, since Henrik can always catch fire, but if they aren't concerned about playing the Pens after what the Pens have been doing the past few weeks, they are in for a rude awakening.

I never thought of that, but it would be GREAT!

Edit... I think the second we got back was our second that we gave up for Winnik. So, maybe not that great.
- madmike71

I am pretty sure you are correct, the 2nd was our own from the Winnik trade.

Also, I'm not afraid of the Rags, but I hate these divisional match ups with how weak the Atlantic is.... as it stands right now Pens and Rangers are 2nd and 3rd in the whole conference, yet would have to play each other in the first round... kind of sh%tty.

He probably meant cheap to bring in. Phil came at an extreme discount. Daley came for Scuderi. Schultz a third. Hags a one for one trade on a player that wasn't part of the present or future plans. That's four players that we acquired for nothing super major. The most consequential asset we gave up was a first, and right now it looks like that difference between that first and the second we got in return might, fingers crossed, not be too large.
- Victoro311

Got Cole dirt cheap too, who has had a really good 2nd half of the season. Got Ollie to sign a cap friendly long term deal, was able to upgrade the bottom 6...its night and day compared to last season or the year before. Outside of the Despres trade, the only other thing I haven't liked was how long it took for them to dump HCMJ. It honestly should have probably happen about 10 games sooner. Getting TD for Scuds has to be on the same level as Neal and Nisk for Gogo..

I am pretty sure you are correct, the 2nd was our own from the Winnik trade.

Also, I'm not afraid of the Rags, but I hate these divisional match ups with how weak the Atlantic is.... as it stands right now Pens and Rangers are 2nd and 3rd in the whole conference, yet would have to play each other in the first round... kind of sh%tty.
- Willaged

I'm starting to think the Metro isn't all that great either beyond the Caps and Pens. I think the Flyers might be a stronger team than the Rags and Isle. The Rags look old and slow to me. I think we shred them easily if healthy. I'm not sure what's wrong with the Islanders, but their best players look very average. Does anybody think JT looks like the superstar he's supposed to be? Dude was a ghost this afternoon.

I'm starting to think the Metro isn't all that great either beyond the Caps and Pens. I think the Flyers might be a stronger team than the Rags and Isle. The Rags look old and slow to me. I think we shred them easily if healthy. I'm not sure what's wrong with the Islanders, but their best players look very average. Does anybody think JT looks like the superstar he's supposed to be? Dude was a ghost this afternoon.
- madmike71

Their coach is horrendous and I think he lost the room. If Garth Snow, who I think has actually don't a fairly good job, doesn't fire that hack Capuano soon, he's going to lose his job.

I'm starting to think the Metro isn't all that great either beyond the Caps and Pens. I think the Flyers might be a stronger team than the Rags and Isle. The Rags look old and slow to me. I think we shred them easily if healthy. I'm not sure what's wrong with the Islanders, but their best players look very average. Does anybody think JT looks like the superstar he's supposed to be? Dude was a ghost this afternoon.
- madmike71

That was the worst I've seen JT play against us. Very unnoticeable. Then again, almost all of them were.

If I am him, I tell the girl that gave him those hickeys....hey, look...we gotta do that again, look what happen.
- Thorny

I think he just is still dealing with a bad case of zits

I think he just is still dealing with a bad case of zits
- Dcoms

I'm starting to think the Metro isn't all that great either beyond the Caps and Pens. I think the Flyers might be a stronger team than the Rags and Isle. The Rags look old and slow to me. I think we shred them easily if healthy. I'm not sure what's wrong with the Islanders, but their best players look very average. Does anybody think JT looks like the superstar he's supposed to be? Dude was a ghost this afternoon.
- madmike71

I agree, but Hank scares me, guy's still a top 3 goalie in the world and can steal a series single handily. But that being said, the Pens are looking great right now and will be a tough out for anyone.. I haven't been this confident and amped for the playoffs since 2013...

So when do the people who wanted to tank or wouldn't be back till the pens missed the playoffs come back?
- Zac_O

F them!!!! I never want to see another comment from JKFST. Or Sammy, holeinone and Johnny "put your fist in my butt please" wrath.

A friend just texted me a "rumor" that Hagelin has requested a trade out of Pittsburgh recently. To a Western Canada team for family reasons... anyone hear of this?
- Guile

Hagelin is loving life right now and from Sweden. There is no way he has very much family in the west. He is playing in a system that showcases his best abilities. He's a happy camper right now and playing for the team.

Buffalo 4, Rags 3 Final

Buffalo 4, Rags 3 Final
- Oneonta Penguin

Love it! F that old, slow team.

Remember this time last year when Sid had to go balls to the wall every shift just to get us into the playoffs. He looks like he is on cruise control right now.
- stackthepads

Because the entire team is playing good hockey right now and there are even 5 guys that are not playing when the team is healthy but are playing at a high level when they get put in due to injury and there is even more where they came from. This team has incredible depth right now and the coach knows all of the players including all of the WBS guys.