I hate to say it but in the half hour or so that I watched the hockey game last night I noticed Mathews every time he was on the ice. He seemed to always be near the puck and he skates much better than I thought he would (and he was already touted as a great skater).

I hate to say it but in the half hour or so that I watched the hockey game last night I noticed Mathews every time he was on the ice. He seemed to always be near the puck and he skates much better than I thought he would (and he was already touted as a great skater).
- Slump Buster

Yeah he was looking really good. The whole team was. The amount of speed they played with was unreal. Chara looked like a pylon and completely lost out there.

I would like to report our blogger

I feel using the slug as his picture should result in a 48 hour ban, lord knows I have been banned for less offensive stuff

I hate to say it but in the half hour or so that I watched the hockey game last night I noticed Mathews every time he was on the ice. He seemed to always be near the puck and he skates much better than I thought he would (and he was already touted as a great skater).
- Slump Buster

if the leafs get 1 more quality d men, and slightly better than average goalie, they will be in the mix for the 8th seed THIS SEASON

I posted on the Chicago thread because JJ is writing about their LW woes. Below is what I wrote, thought I'd copy it here for input as well:

Looking at any trade possibilities between Buffalo and Chicago, these would be the NHL-level LWs available from Buffalo:

Evander Kane - 5.25M per for 2 more seasons
Tyler Ennis - 4.6M per for 3 more seasons
Matt Moulson - 5M per for 3 more seasons

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Chicago has any major cap dump guys left, so it couldn't be something like a 4-5M scrub plus a good prospect for someone.

The shortest term player in the 4M+ range, my basis for looking to make a trade that would be close in salary exchange, is Hjalmarsson at 4.1M per for 3 more seasons.

Obviously it wouldn't be an even swap of any of those LWs for Hjalmarsson, but as a starting point, is there anything interesting Chicago would consider?

if the leafs get 1 more quality d men, and slightly better than average goalie, they will be in the mix for the 8th seed THIS SEASON
- homiedclown

Sriracha for scale

Sriracha for scale
- jochfr

oh my

I posted on the Chicago thread because JJ is writing about their LW woes. Below is what I wrote, thought I'd copy it here for input as well:

Looking at any trade possibilities between Buffalo and Chicago, these would be the NHL-level LWs available from Buffalo:

Evander Kane - 5.25M per for 2 more seasons
Tyler Ennis - 4.6M per for 3 more seasons
Matt Moulson - 5M per for 3 more seasons

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Chicago has any major cap dump guys left, so it couldn't be something like a 4-5M scrub plus a good prospect for someone.

The shortest term player in the 4M+ range, my basis for looking to make a trade that would be close in salary exchange, is Hjalmarsson at 4.1M per for 3 more seasons.

Obviously it wouldn't be an even swap of any of those LWs for Hjalmarsson, but as a starting point, is there anything interesting Chicago would consider?
- stashu

foligno would be a good fit for them short term on the cheap

foligno would be a good fit for them short term on the cheap
- homiedclown

You know who they could use?

Teuvo Teravainen

You know who they could use?

Teuvo Teravainen
- BINGO!

Is he in Columbus?

I have to poop.

Arthur StapleVerified account ‏@StapeNewsday

No news on Ryan Strome. #Isles do still have team rule in place that players not signed by start of camp are out for year.

He would be a great 3C

Kane ROR Okposo
Ennis Eichel Reinhart
Moulson Strome Gionta
Foligno Larsson Girgensons

Roll 4 lines

I have to poop.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Greasy breakfast?

Greasy breakfast?
- SomeoneGerman

2 monsters in already. Not going to end well.

Is he in Columbus?
- jochfr

Maybe.

Arthur StapleVerified account ‏@StapeNewsday

No news on Ryan Strome. #Isles do still have team rule in place that players not signed by start of camp are out for year.

He would be a great 3C

Kane ROR Okposo
Ennis Eichel Reinhart
Moulson Strome Gionta
Foligno Larsson Girgensons

Roll 4 lines
- Stripes77

That could be the game winner line right there.

2 monsters in already. Not going to end well.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

A mercy flush 1/2 way through should be in order.

Good luck.

Arthur StapleVerified account ‏@StapeNewsday

No news on Ryan Strome. #Isles do still have team rule in place that players not signed by start of camp are out for year.

He would be a great 3C

Kane ROR Okposo
Ennis Eichel Reinhart
Moulson Strome Gionta
Foligno Larsson Girgensons

Roll 4 lines
- Stripes77

That is stupid on their part. All you do with a rule like that is potentially alienate your players plus probably make your team worse for the year as well.

That is stupid on their part. All you do with a rule like that is potentially alienate your players plus probably make your team worse for the year as well.
- HonkFortheGoose

Could be why they have been so bad the last decade.

Could be why they have been so bad the last decade.
- cabin

It could be part of it. Though I think they've looked pretty decent the last few years. They're actually a team I enjoy watching lately. But their owner is such a moron it's hard to believe that the franchise even exists still.

That is stupid on their part. All you do with a rule like that is potentially alienate your players plus probably make your team worse for the year as well.
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree, not sure what it would cost to get him (my guess is more than we have to offer) but that rule isn't smart

That is stupid on their part. All you do with a rule like that is potentially alienate your players plus probably make your team worse for the year as well.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'd kick the tires

anytime you can get skill for 50 cents on the dollar it should warrant a phone call

I agree, not sure what it would cost to get him (my guess is more than we have to offer) but that rule isn't smart
- Stripes77

I get the reasoning behind it, but it's not exactly the best negotiating tactic at all. It's pretty much like blackmail. It's one thing if your a team like the Hawks or Wings where the team is managed very well and players really want to play there. For a team like the Isles to have a rule like that is really only hurting themselves. It's not exactly a hot destination to begin with.

I'd kick the tires

anytime you can get skill for 50 cents on the dollar it should warrant a phone call
- homiedclown

Yep. Any GM who doesn't call isn't doing their job.

I'd kick the tires

anytime you can get skill for 50 cents on the dollar it should warrant a phone call
- homiedclown

I agree. But I have a feeling their asking price isn't what we think it should be. That management group is so dumb they'd rather him just sit the year than get something that can play in return.

Honestly, I think they should keep him, wait for him to sign, and then let him play when he does. If he hasn't signed, it's probably because they're giving him a poopty offer that he doesn't like.