Ryan Wilson: Santa Has Gifts For The Eastern Conference! Santa Has Gifts For The Eastern Conference!

A healthy team... Nope, doesn't ring a bell.

How about Boston trades Lucic to Pittsburgh? I hate that guy more than anything but feel like I would love him on my team. Overrated, overrpriced? Who cares.....better than the constant discussion of Big Buff or Chris Stewart somehow solidifying our top 6...and he salary is pretty equivalent across the board.

The Sabres are not tanking, they aren't a playoff team but they are not tanking either. Nolan won't let that happen and he shouldn't.

Maatta situation is strange. There are rumors that he needs another surgery, but you would think if that was the case, it would have happened by now, no?

Last night was the first regulation loss since the whole mumps thing started. With all of the lineup changes this team has shown incredible resiliency, led by the players who are supposed to lead, especially Malkin & Letang.

The Sabres are not tanking, they aren't a playoff team but they are not tanking either. Nolan won't let that happen and he shouldn't.
- SABRES 89

Tanking isn't done by the players or the coach, it's done by the GM. We know that from experience.

Maatta situation is strange. There are rumors that he needs another surgery, but you would think if that was the case, it would have happened by now, no?
- rival22

Tricky situation...can't rush the surgery if some doctor says he could heal naturally and play the rest of the season. No medical advice here just pointing out they probably are tackling this from every angle and trying to determine the best long term and short term thing to do.

Question...does he still burn this year off of his ELC if he doesnt play the rest of the year? I imagine it does but hes only played in like 20 games...just curious.

Last night was the first regulation loss since the whole mumps thing started. With all of the lineup changes this team has shown incredible resiliency, led by the players who are supposed to lead, especially Malkin & Letang.
- rival22

Yea I thought those two and 87 & 72 really picked their games up over the last couple. Sid should have 3 or 4 goals last 2 games.

Last night was the first regulation loss since the whole mumps thing started. With all of the lineup changes this team has shown incredible resiliency, led by the players who are supposed to lead, especially Malkin & Letang.
- rival22

Prior to last night we earned 10 out of the last 12 points with this team. Amazing, and even though we were gassed and full of new players, we still fought to the end and almost earned at least a point.

The Sabres are not tanking, they aren't a playoff team but they are not tanking either. Nolan won't let that happen and he shouldn't.
- SABRES 89

I don't want to sound rude here, but this is exactly what your GM wants you to think. He is pulling off the perfect tank that doesn't force out fans.

Yea I thought those two and 87 & 72 really picked their games up over the last couple. Sid should have 3 or 4 goals last 2 games.
- dbell646

I have been really impressed with Crosby's dedication to playing the 200 foot game. He has always been undervalued at it, but this season he looks like he is focusing on it more than ever. So far it has us in very good position. Let's hope as we heal the goals start to come.

Santa brought Ryan an early Christmas present this year by having his all-time favorite player Craig Adams miss his first game in decades!

I don't want to sound rude here, but this is exactly what your GM wants you to think. He is pulling off the perfect tank that doesn't force out fans.
- usethe1-2-2

Yeah, but they're not in last place. Not really close to Edmonton, and not that close to Carolina.

Prior to last night we earned 10 out of the last 12 points with this team. Amazing, and even though we were gassed and full of new players, we still fought to the end and almost earned at least a point.
- znagle

It would have been easy and understandable if the team just packed it in after 4-0 and just tried to get to the end of the game, but it was great to see them keep fighting, and to come back.

Whether it truly is HCMJ, or a new locker room climate, but this year's team seems to never take a night off.

Letang is playing like Letang, not Byslma Letang. That is the difference, MJ has given him the opportunity to do anything with the puck. He can skate it up which was a no-no from Bylsma in the past (get to our game, stretch pass it!) and he can forecheck all he wants as long as he gets back into position which he been doing incredibly well. How about the past few games where he had 2 minute shifts where he literally took the game over, dare I say it, more than Geno does at times when he is really on fire.

This is why Letang wasn't traded, won't be traded and earns the money he does. Like I've said all along he is a franchise defenseman. It just so happens we have three franchise players on the team in 87-71-58. We are truly spoiled, and also truly unlucky with all the injuries over the years. I would never do Letang for Hall straight up, when people were actually saying Letang +maatta + for Hall

Yeah, but they're not in last place. Not really close to Edmonton, and not that close to Carolina.
- hardnosed

Certainly not from a lack of trying with that roster. They will get a nice pick though and they have a real owner, their future is bright.

"Signing Dan Girardi to a huge extension while letting Anton Stralman walk away, not a very good choice."

wat

It would have been easy and understandable if the team just packed it in after 4-0 and just tried to get to the end of the game, but it was great to see them keep fighting, and to come back.

Whether it truly is HCMJ, or a new locker room climate, but this year's team seems to never take a night off.
- rival22

I agree. It's great to see. I think a lot of it last night and the past few games has to do with the AHL players. They are truly giving it 100%, this is their opportunity to get noticed and they will not blow it by not giving 100% shift after shift. I've been impressed with Farnham despite him not producing a lot of points, he is great on the forecheck and I would rather have him out there than adams or sill

If Ben Bishop does get injured before the playoffs (if we do in fact make them), I think they going with Vasilevski over Nabokov! I know he's only a kid, but he has two years of playing in the KHL as a starter and in the playoffs.

Letang is playing like Letang, not Byslma Letang. That is the difference, MJ has given him the opportunity to do anything with the puck. He can skate it up which was a no-no from Bylsma in the past (get to our game, stretch pass it!) and he can forecheck all he wants as long as he gets back into position which he been doing incredibly well. How about the past few games where he had 2 minute shifts where he literally took the game over, dare I say it, more than Geno does at times when he is really on fire.

This is why Letang wasn't traded, won't be traded and earns the money he does. Like I've said all along he is a franchise defenseman. It just so happens we have three franchise players on the team in 87-71-58. We are truly spoiled, and also truly unlucky with all the injuries over the years. I would never do Letang for Hall straight up, when people were actually saying Letang +maatta + for Hall
- znagle

100% agreed + infinity

Anyone else read about us being interested in Vermette? Seems like the last guy we would need to bring in unless we are sending Sutter out.

Not too worried about Bishop. Vasilevski has been solid.

It's an apples and oranges comparison. Signing Girardi in no way precluded signing Stralman. If the Rangers didn't know that Dan Boyle was going to come here when free agency started, I think they would have gone harder after and likely signed Stralman. Also, take a look at Stralman's production the last 10-12 games, regression central.

Anyone else read about us being interested in Vermette? Seems like the last guy we would need to bring in unless we are sending Sutter out.
- dbell646

We won't move Sutter out this year at the very least. Maybe we bring Vermette in and he takes 3rd center and Sutter moves up to play wing/center on the second line. That will further boost value where we have to make a descicion to trade him with high value, or pay a big contract (maybe 5-5.5) He could very well be our top 6 wing we need, or allow Geno to move to that spot.