Happy 4th, everyone. Just remember, I'm smarted than all of you, I think...or at least that's what I'm told I think.
- buffalofan19

I agree

Happy 4th, everyone. Just remember, I'm smarted than all of you, I think...or at least that's what I'm told I think.
- buffalofan19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ihn-TIFPAM


Please tell me 8 and 6 apply to you

Happy random Friday in Canada everybody

A pretty decent roster? I think its a pretty bad roster. I probably dont even have the makeup correct either. Im pushing Reinhart into a top 6 role where I think he belongs, with sheltered minutes, but I dont think that will be reality.

I have big problems with your "play great defense" statement. In terms of possession numbers (yeah I know everyone hates Corsi and Fenwick), our team got worse defensively. We removed our best puck possession D in Ehrhoff and replaced him with possession black holes in Gorges and Meszaros (thats not to say I hate Gorges, hes just a defensive Dman who doesnt drive possession, and Meszaros is far from a significant upgrade over McBain). Gionta is pretty much in line with Leino (yeah he will definitely score more than Leino did over 3 years, but he'll also allow or be on the ice for more goals than Leino did too, it balances out to about equal). Moulson in Moulson. The key will be how well Reinhart adapts in his first season in the NHL. I would shelter his minutes on the defensive side so as to not overwhelm him. But overall, defense will still be an issue on this team. We're going to get used to seeing the 2 minutes straight in our zone again this year.

We are definitely still a get goals by committee team, but I dont see any real scoring depth on the team. I think throughout the season some lines will go through slumps so we'll be stagnant as a 1 scoring line team most of the season. Someone (deadhead?) a month or so ago did the math on our players averages at the time and predicted we would score a ton more goals than we did last year,. I gave a ton of flack saying those guys will not score that much, but Im okay with the increase in GF now. How much more? I think we finish in the 190-199 range.

Looking at the numbers for the goalies (differences between Miller and the 2 we are going with), combined with the projected drop in possession numbers, I'd say we give up about 20-30 more goals than last season too.
- theblueandgold

I think the other big question mark is the overall depth. The younger players will (hopefully) get better and the addition of character players will help. However, I think the current roster is one key injury away from crumbling so unless they manage to stay healthy for 82 games I'm thinking best case scenario would be sitting around 4-6 from the bottom.

Why do people point to the NBA, the league that rigged the Patrick Ewing lottery in plain sight, as the lottery model the NHL should follow?
- buffalofan19

I said, the NHL is starting to follow the NBA format! I do NOT AGREE with this!

Happy 4th Irish!

Who knows what will happen next year at the draft and where we will be slotted for our pick, too early to tell at this point. Bettman and company might have their own motives and I don't want to cast aspersions upon that line of thought but we will still get a very good young player next year. Murray is building the team his way and I like what he did this week as the rebuild moves forward. Whether we get McDavid, Eichel, Hanifin, Barzal or White/Zacha, it will be an excellent young kid who will be a strong asset for the hockey club for many years.

off to the golf course.
- mhp

Happy 4th mph!
Yes, we will still get a strong player next year - we have 3 1st round picks! Plus all the draft selections the past 3/4 years, there isn't anywhere to put these kids soon?

Not going to hurt some of these kids to start winning here soon!

A pretty decent roster? I think its a pretty bad roster. I probably dont even have the makeup correct either. Im pushing Reinhart into a top 6 role where I think he belongs, with sheltered minutes, but I dont think that will be reality.

I have big problems with your "play great defense" statement. In terms of possession numbers (yeah I know everyone hates Corsi and Fenwick), our team got worse defensively. We removed our best puck possession D in Ehrhoff and replaced him with possession black holes in Gorges and Meszaros (thats not to say I hate Gorges, hes just a defensive Dman who doesnt drive possession, and Meszaros is far from a significant upgrade over McBain). Gionta is pretty much in line with Leino (yeah he will definitely score more than Leino did over 3 years, but he'll also allow or be on the ice for more goals than Leino did too, it balances out to about equal). Moulson in Moulson. The key will be how well Reinhart adapts in his first season in the NHL. I would shelter his minutes on the defensive side so as to not overwhelm him. But overall, defense will still be an issue on this team. We're going to get used to seeing the 2 minutes straight in our zone again this year.

We are definitely still a get goals by committee team, but I dont see any real scoring depth on the team. I think throughout the season some lines will go through slumps so we'll be stagnant as a 1 scoring line team most of the season. Someone (deadhead?) a month or so ago did the math on our players averages at the time and predicted we would score a ton more goals than we did last year,. I gave a ton of flack saying those guys will not score that much, but Im okay with the increase in GF now. How much more? I think we finish in the 190-199 range.

Looking at the numbers for the goalies (differences between Miller and the 2 we are going with), combined with the projected drop in possession numbers, I'd say we give up about 20-30 more goals than last season too.
- theblueandgold

Ehrhoff might have had good possession #'s, but that was mainly due to his overwhelming offensive advantages he was given.

Frankly I don't think replacing him with Gorges will be a huge downgrade, I guess we will see how 57 handles an increased workload now

3 birdies


still shot, guess



81



- homiedclown

Maybe you're just a 10ish handicap.....

Happy 4th, everyone! I hear the parade running through Leisurewood now, such a patriotic thing - a golf cart parade...

Denzel: I like that 3rd line you drew up

Happy 4th, everyone! I hear the parade running through Leisurewood now, such a patriotic thing - a golf cart parade...

Denzel: I like that 3rd line you drew up
- stashu

My harley golf cart.

Maybe you're just a 10ish handicap.....
- dadeadhead

A pretty decent roster? I think its a pretty bad roster. I probably dont even have the makeup correct either. Im pushing Reinhart into a top 6 role where I think he belongs, with sheltered minutes, but I dont think that will be reality.

I have big problems with your "play great defense" statement. In terms of possession numbers (yeah I know everyone hates Corsi and Fenwick), our team got worse defensively. We removed our best puck possession D in Ehrhoff and replaced him with possession black holes in Gorges and Meszaros (thats not to say I hate Gorges, hes just a defensive Dman who doesnt drive possession, and Meszaros is far from a significant upgrade over McBain). Gionta is pretty much in line with Leino (yeah he will definitely score more than Leino did over 3 years, but he'll also allow or be on the ice for more goals than Leino did too, it balances out to about equal). Moulson in Moulson. The key will be how well Reinhart adapts in his first season in the NHL. I would shelter his minutes on the defensive side so as to not overwhelm him. But overall, defense will still be an issue on this team. We're going to get used to seeing the 2 minutes straight in our zone again this year.

We are definitely still a get goals by committee team, but I dont see any real scoring depth on the team. I think throughout the season some lines will go through slumps so we'll be stagnant as a 1 scoring line team most of the season. Someone (deadhead?) a month or so ago did the math on our players averages at the time and predicted we would score a ton more goals than we did last year,. I gave a ton of flack saying those guys will not score that much, but Im okay with the increase in GF now. How much more? I think we finish in the 190-199 range.

Looking at the numbers for the goalies (differences between Miller and the 2 we are going with), combined with the projected drop in possession numbers, I'd say we give up about 20-30 more goals than last season too.
- theblueandgold

What if every single one of our players plays better this season, simply because Nolan whips them into great shape? Then everybody's value goes up.

Young players mature. A guy like Girgensons is going to develop into a 20g scorer. Pysyk is capable of a full-time NHL role. What could an elite conditioning program do for Myers's game? Reinhart immediately injects a potent shot of elite offensive skill into a mundane lineup.

Certainly none of our guys had career years last season, so all are capable of more. Upon arrival, Nolan was appaled at the fitness level of this team. But we'll fix that in training camp & get back to a hard working indentity before long.


You'll see a more continuity & stability this yr, tho that's not saying much considering the tire fire last yr was (from plyrs to Patty). But Murray & Nolan are already starting to mold this roster. You heard TM say that he wants to get tougher to play against, and Foligno/Girgensons/Stewart & Delauriers/McKormick/Kaleta looks like an imposing "Bottom 6".