Dee Karl: A Big Win & a Big Signing Notes for an off the ice day.

~First! Go SABRES!~

That was one heck of a game by Nabby. Nice to have a goalie steal a game. I can't remember how long it has been since the goalie is the sole reason we won the game. It was awesome to see... that said I would not be surprised to see Garth trade nabby right now. lol.

dee...no one takes the ferry...its an extra hour at best...sorry i know i'm insane..

Nabby stole that one. No question. You need your goaltender to steal a game now and then. If they don't, you likely won't be a contender or a playoff team. Good job by Snow on Nielsen's extension. Good number for both sides. Good to have JT, Moulson, KO, Grabs and Nielsen all inked to long-term deals. Having RDP inked to a long-term deal, not so good...

Great win, now more than ever we need to make a trade for a dman.

And let's keep this momentum, or luck, going

The bad news is they looked pretty bad these last two games. The good news is they got 3 out of 4 points in those two games. That's something they've been unable to do before: come up with points when they're outplayed. But hopefully they come out a lot better tomorrow. If there's any hope at all, then they have to go on a major run in February, because the schedule in March is not friendly at all.

Congrats to Frans on the contract. I'll probably be the only one who says this, but I think four years is two years too many. Just my opinion, but I think we'll have more physical two-way centers coming up soon, and Frans seems to just disappear when games get physical and chippy...which if they ever do make it back to the playoffs, that's every game.

Whelp..here's how we look after last night.
Teams -Games Rem- Pts
6. Pittsburgh 54 65
7. Toronto 54 62
8. Ottawa 56 61
9. Florida 52 59
10. Winnipeg 55 56
11. NY Islanders 52 52
12. Tampa Bay 52 51
13. Montreal 54 51
14. Buffalo 52 50
15. Carolina 54 49

We have 4 games in hand on 8th place Ottawa which means if we won all 4 we could pull within a single point. Florida is obviously the team to watch as they are even with us in games played and a full 7 points ahead. Still, both Ottawa and Florida have been falling like stones as of late. If we can win 3 out of our next 4, I'll start considering our chances.

The bad news is they looked pretty bad these last two games. The good news is they got 3 out of 4 points in those two games. That's something they've been unable to do before: come up with points when they're outplayed. But hopefully they come out a lot better tomorrow. If there's any hope at all, then they have to go on a major run in February, because the schedule in March is not friendly at all.

Congrats to Frans on the contract. I'll probably be the only one who says this, but I think four years is two years too many. Just my opinion, but I think we'll have more physical two-way centers coming up soon, and Frans seems to just disappear when games get physical and chippy...which if they ever do make it back to the playoffs, that's every game.
- UIF

I see your point on Frans but worst case scenario is that down the line he could be traded with a reasonable cap hit. I think he'll be fine once he gets to play his actual role on the team. And we can always use those other players as trade bait as well. At some point we won't be able to use our draft picks alone (hopefully).

Whelp..here's how we look after last night.
Teams -Games Rem- Pts
6. Pittsburgh 54 65
7. Toronto 54 62
8. Ottawa 56 61
9. Florida 52 59
10. Winnipeg 55 56
11. NY Islanders 52 52
12. Tampa Bay 52 51
13. Montreal 54 51
14. Buffalo 52 50
15. Carolina 54 49

We have 4 games in hand on 8th place Ottawa which means if we won all 4 we could pull within a single point. Florida is obviously the team to watch as they are even with us in games played and a full 7 points ahead. Still, both Ottawa and Florida have been falling like stones as of late. If we can win 3 out of our next 4, I'll start considering our chances.
- keaner17

I think the best thing to do is give it 10 games or so before we assess the teams situation. Too many intangibles game after game to check on them that often.

The bad news is they looked pretty bad these last two games. The good news is they got 3 out of 4 points in those two games. That's something they've been unable to do before: come up with points when they're outplayed. But hopefully they come out a lot better tomorrow. If there's any hope at all, then they have to go on a major run in February, because the schedule in March is not friendly at all.

Congrats to Frans on the contract. I'll probably be the only one who says this, but I think four years is two years too many. Just my opinion, but I think we'll have more physical two-way centers coming up soon, and Frans seems to just disappear when games get physical and chippy...which if they ever do make it back to the playoffs, that's every game.
- UIF

Casey Cizikas???

nice signing, Frans is an underrated player

The bad news is they looked pretty bad these last two games. The good news is they got 3 out of 4 points in those two games. That's something they've been unable to do before: come up with points when they're outplayed. But hopefully they come out a lot better tomorrow. If there's any hope at all, then they have to go on a major run in February, because the schedule in March is not friendly at all.

Congrats to Frans on the contract. I'll probably be the only one who says this, but I think four years is two years too many. Just my opinion, but I think we'll have more physical two-way centers coming up soon, and Frans seems to just disappear when games get physical and chippy...which if they ever do make it back to the playoffs, that's every game.
- UIF

They now have a logjam at center going forward. That is great for a team that needs other pieces. Now, moving Bailey and/or Nelson or others can be done to address the glaring need for d-men. Long-term, I see JT, Strome, Nielsen and Cizikas as the team's four centers, unless Brock Nelson does something to shake things up. Bailey is probably a goner now or will be once Strome and/or Cizikas are NHL ready.

~First! Go SABRES!~
- Flynox

No life, huh? I see you have time to go around to other blogs and troll away.

11th in the East, 9 points out, but with 4 games in hand and 30 remaining, on 8th place Ottawa. This team's not out of it yet.

The bad news is they looked pretty bad these last two games. The good news is they got 3 out of 4 points in those two games. That's something they've been unable to do before: come up with points when they're outplayed. But hopefully they come out a lot better tomorrow. If there's any hope at all, then they have to go on a major run in February, because the schedule in March is not friendly at all.

Congrats to Frans on the contract. I'll probably be the only one who says this, but I think four years is two years too many. Just my opinion, but I think we'll have more physical two-way centers coming up soon, and Frans seems to just disappear when games get physical and chippy...which if they ever do make it back to the playoffs, that's every game.
- UIF

You can't let Frans go, or sign him to a shorter term deal, based on prospects. Until guys are proven, you can't rely on them like that.

The bad news is they looked pretty bad these last two games. The good news is they got 3 out of 4 points in those two games. That's something they've been unable to do before: come up with points when they're outplayed. But hopefully they come out a lot better tomorrow. If there's any hope at all, then they have to go on a major run in February, because the schedule in March is not friendly at all.

Congrats to Frans on the contract. I'll probably be the only one who says this, but I think four years is two years too many. Just my opinion, but I think we'll have more physical two-way centers coming up soon, and Frans seems to just disappear when games get physical and chippy...which if they ever do make it back to the playoffs, that's every game.
- UIF

agreed about 2 years too many....he got rewarded for having a subpar year....

agreed about 2 years too many....he got rewarded for having a subpar year....
- LetsGoIsles

You're kidding right!!!

Casey Cizikas???
- jimmc7722

And Brock Nelson. And Anders Lee is listed as a center too, although I'm not sure if he plays there for ND. I'm not saying any of those guys are going to be taking Frans' spot in the lineup next year...but three seasons from now? Who knows, maybe, maybe not. I guess I just don't see any harm in going with 2 years, and then 2 more later on if it still seems worth it, instead of 4 right off the bat...even if that means a slightly higher cap hit to compensate for 2 fewer years. Not like we'll have to worry about cap space in the next two seasons.

Oh well, in the end, it's not a bad number and Frans is a nice player, so it's not like I'm outraged or anything. Just putting my thoughts on the record.

Casey Cizikas???
- jimmc7722

Brock Nelson and Anders Lee would be my gues
.

Nabby stole that one. No question. You need your goaltender to steal a game now and then. If they don't, you likely won't be a contender or a playoff team. Good job by Snow on Nielsen's extension. Good number for both sides. Good to have JT, Moulson, KO, Grabs and Nielsen all inked to long-term deals. Having RDP inked to a long-term deal, not so good...
- Jethro09

It must be nice to have a goalie steal you a game or two. We don't have that luxury. We had our chances last night, that's for sure. Hats off to the Islanders on the win.

They now have a logjam at center going forward. That is great for a team that needs other pieces. Now, moving Bailey and/or Nelson or others can be done to address the glaring need for d-men. Long-term, I see JT, Strome, Nielsen and Cizikas as the team's four centers, unless Brock Nelson does something to shake things up. Bailey is probably a goner now or will be once Strome and/or Cizikas are NHL ready.
- Jethro09

you can always move nelson to wing...he is really progressing well and is now built like a moose

Brock Nelson and Anders Lee would be my gues
.
- niteislander

i don't see lee as a center i think he would be more useful on the wing nuless he improves his skating

You're kidding right!!!
- jimmc7722

you see incapable of making factual points.

btw, im still waiting for an answer to my question from yesterday