He's exempt. Needs 2 more years or 46 more NHL games to need to clear waivers.
- adambuffalo

Ah thought it’s was different for him because they burned his 1st year.

He's exempt. Needs 2 more years or 46 more NHL games to need to clear waivers.
- adambuffalo

That's right. He's still exempt. It has nothing to do with an ELC.

Rod Brind'Amour said Skinner wasn't the type of player the Hurricanes wanted. I wonder why? Production, work ethic?

By the way, you are all welcome for me bringing to light how sh*tty his game was. It wasn't popular but it had to be done. The truth hurts sometimes

What's your argument in regards to Krueger and nearly every player not named Skinner playing better than the previous two seasons, some having career years?
Clearly it's Krueger's fault that Skinner forgot how to play hockey after getting paid $9m.
- adambuffalo

That this isn't factual.

Skinner down
MoJo same
Vesey down
Olo is a rookie
Sam is the same
Sheary down
Mitts down
McCabe down
Miller down
Risto down
Montour down


Essentially the only players who did markedly better were the Log line and Jack. So, nothing to argue. Just to say I don't believe you are correct with your assumption that our players are playing better under Ralph.

I think people are missing my point, I found out last night that Krueger has issues with Skinner because he doesn't like his practice habits and how he practices. I have no issues with signing Skinner and am glad he is here but, it seems that Krueger has some issues with him.

That this isn't factual.

Skinner down
MoJo same
Vesey down
Olo is a rookie
Sam is the same
Sheary down
Mitts down
McCabe down
Miller down
Risto down
Montour down


Essentially the only players who did markedly better were the Log line and Jack. So, nothing to argue. Just to say I don't believe you are correct with your assumption that our players are playing better under Ralph.
- RhinoFan

Last I checked Risto was +2 compared to - off the charts last year. I'd have to say that is an improvement even though many want to use Corsi now even though that should have died years ago as a measurable

Miller has improved lately

Overall, their team D is up even with sh*tty goaltending for a lot of the year to support them.

That this isn't factual.

Skinner down
MoJo same
Vesey down
Olo is a rookie
Sam is the same
Sheary down
Mitts down
McCabe down
Miller down
Risto down
Montour down


Essentially the only players who did markedly better were the Log line and Jack. So, nothing to argue. Just to say I don't believe you are correct with your assumption that our players are playing better under Ralph.
- RhinoFan

How is Risto down

That this isn't factual.

Skinner down
MoJo same
Vesey down
Olo is a rookie
Sam is the same
Sheary down
Mitts down
McCabe down
Miller down
Risto down
Montour down


Essentially the only players who did markedly better were the Log line and Jack. So, nothing to argue. Just to say I don't believe you are correct with your assumption that our players are playing better under Ralph.
- RhinoFan

He’s made baffling lineup decisions all season long.

So,
-I do hear pushback from a number of posters on the Trocheck deal.
-I hear that 2C's just aren't available from others
-I hear others say there will be better and cheaper options in the offseason....some fro. Cap challenged teams
-I have asked about what a good 2C is for them, and it was generally described as
* 60pts player (+ or -)
* 26 or younger
* has a couple years left on contract
* AVV of $6 ->$6.5m or so
- I have heard generally that Cozens and 2020-1st are off limits

I'm wondering where all these great proven 2C players are that are suddenly going to become available at an acceptable; acquisition cost, production, age, contract term and AVV!

I heard a thoughtful argument around the potential for Cirelli, Point, or potentially Stamkos, but I find those to be relative long shots as I just don't see them moving Cirelli nor Point, and Stamkos doesn't fit the AVV nor Age profile...nor can I see those acquisition costs not involve Cozens or 2020-1st plus younger cost controlled players.

I'd love to hear posters real ideas on who they can get that meets these parameters
(He had one but rang it off the crossbar as time expired)

I think people are missing my point, I found out last night that Krueger has issues with Skinner because he doesn't like his practice habits and how he practices. I have no issues with signing Skinner and am glad he is here but, it seems that Krueger has some issues with him.
- SABRES 89

In research when more than one subject has the same issue, you have a trend. Krueger isn't the first coach to have a problem with Skinner and the fact that his previous employer didn't want him should have been a red flag before JB gave him an 8 year 9 mil contract.

So,
-I do hear pushback from a number of posters on the Trocheck deal.
-I hear that 2C's just aren't available from others
-I hear others say there will be better and cheaper options in the offseason....some fro. Cap challenged teams
-I have asked about what a good 2C is for them, and it was generally described as
* 60pts player (+ or -)
* 26 or younger
* has a couple years left on contract
* AVV of $6 ->$6.5m or so
- I have heard generally that Cozens and 2020-1st are off limits

I'm wondering where all these great proven 2C players are that are suddenly going to become available at an acceptable; acquisition cost, production, age, contract term and AVV!

I heard a thoughtful argument around the potential for Cirelli, Point, or potentially Stamkos, but I find those to be relative long shots as I just don't see them moving Cirelli nor Point, and Stamkos doesn't fit the AVV nor Age profile...nor can I see those acquisition costs not involve Cozens or 2020-1st plus younger cost controlled players.

I'd love to hear posters real ideas on who they can get that meets these parameters
(He had one but rang it off the crossbar as time expired)
- IonSabres

But trades are easy.

That this isn't factual.

Skinner down
MoJo same
Vesey down
Olo is a rookie
Sam is the same
Sheary down
Mitts down
McCabe down
Miller down
Risto down
Montour down


Essentially the only players who did markedly better were the Log line and Jack. So, nothing to argue. Just to say I don't believe you are correct with your assumption that our players are playing better under Ralph.
- RhinoFan

To be fair:

Skinner down - agree
MoJo same - agree
Vesey down - agree
Olo is a rookie - agree, though give credit to Kreuger for how well he fit in.
Sam is the same - agree, though he's a bit better
Sheary down - not really, he was basically the same, few less assists, played less with Eichel
Mitts down - Mitts was the same
McCabe down - McCabe is playing almost the exact same as last year.
Miller down - Miller was scratched in Vegas and had a rough year in 2018-2019
Risto down - This is easily Risto's best season.
Montour down - Injuries, +16 this year, really about the same

Joker has been better this year, Girgs, Larsson, Okposo, Jack, Dahlin has been about the same defensively and better offensively, Ullmark has been better (Hutton Worse).

It's really about 50/50

Are you actually expecting him to rack up the assists with Vlad Sobotka, Johansson who has like 7 goals, Curtis Lazar and Evan Rodrigues? Guys who literally have never scored double digit goals in their career?

As far as career years, or playing better than the previous 2, how about Jimmy Vesey, Connor Sheary, Zach Bogosian, Dahlin, McCabe, Johansson etc. ?
- sbroads24

First off, I don't expect him to rack up assists regardless of who his linemates are.
Vesey playing on a new team in a different role, but playing 3 minutes less a night has 7 goals in the span that Skinner has 2.
Sheary seemed to phone it in this season, but still had 6 goals in the timeframe that Skinner had 2.
Bogo coming off a major surgery was scoring at the same pace as last year even though he can't skate anymore, but has the same amount of goals as Skinner this calendar year.
Dahlin?
McCabe has regressed defensively, but still scoring at a similar pace even with a career low sh% of 3.1. One less goal than Skinner in 3 months.
Johansson not producing the same as he did with the Capitals, go figure? Not far off last year's pace though.

Taking in account Housley's freewheeling style versus Krueger's more structured style also has some affect on offensive production.

Not sure about the Flu, but found this for comparison:

Coronavirus 2019-present:
83K+ confirmed cases so far
2% mortality rate

Ebola 2014-16:
28.6K cases
40% fatality rate

SARS 2002-03:
8K cases
10% mortality rate

MERS 2012-present:
2.5K cases
34% mortality rate
- adambuffalo

Thanks!
Anything on the Flu, average wise

The rate of infection is just crazy compared to those other diseases

You are wrong.

He wasn't as fast as people imagined he was. He wasn't 'skating slow'. He just couldn't skate faster.

Listen to Peters on the Instigators sometime, hear how he defends Vanek and talks about how hard Lindy Ruff was on him for no real reason. The idea that Vanek was lazy is ridiculous. The dude showed up for big games and playoff games, was one of the most consistent goal scorers in the league, an underrated passer, and worked his tail off.
- matty12345

Meh, we’ll agree to disagree. I saw him 50/60 games when he was a teen. Talked with guys that played with him. They all said the same thing, that he could be the most dominant player (notice I never once said the fastest) on the ice with pure ability and just knowing what to do. And they all said the same thing. They rarely ever saw that guy. You like him that’s fine. I liked him too. Just know there was plenty more there.

You are wrong.

He wasn't as fast as people imagined he was. He wasn't 'skating slow'. He just couldn't skate faster.

Listen to Peters on the Instigators sometime, hear how he defends Vanek and talks about how hard Lindy Ruff was on him for no real reason. The idea that Vanek was lazy is ridiculous. The dude showed up for big games and playoff games, was one of the most consistent goal scorers in the league, an underrated passer, and worked his tail off.
- matty12345

And I would just add, there was probably a reason why Lindy was hard on him. He knew there was more there too, and was trying whatever it took to get it out of him.

And I would just add, there was probably a reason why Lindy was hard on him. He knew there was more there too, and was trying whatever it took to get it out of him.
- SDSabre

Yeah, he perhaps knew he needed to be pushed. Like students who learn differently, athletes are coached differently to get the most out of them.

But trades are easy.
- Powerslave

Never thought they were easy.
Yet, I don't accept the narrative that this trade wasn't going to happen because of division rival.
A good GM should be expected to overcome that reasonably well...especially when an owner directive mandated someone move to cut costs.

Yet, I also recognize that you can't give away the store.
People value players differently...I value time-tested production over prospective production, especially after seeing some of these guys most of which are 3 and 4 liners/pairings.
The exception here to me is Cozens, as it was about a year ago I started the chant in here "Cozens! Cozens! Cozens!"
(Now if they could maneuver into Byfield, Byfield Byfield territory I'd be happier than my puppy dog)

Ristolainen and Montour are one of the leagues worst pairings.

He keeps them together

Marcus Johansson measurably one of the leagues worst centers. Keeps him there.

Zach Bogosian, one of the leagues absolutely worst players, kept dressing him over Colin Miller or Pilut.
- sbroads24

BIG FACTS. great attitude, poor tactician, poor at maximizing talent, blind to the numbers. We will never be good.

Casey was his first 1st round draft choice

He needs him to work out IMO

From the sounds of it his game is developing much better in Rochester
- Stripes77

he stinks. confirmed

he stinks. confirmed
- trikkdaniels

Like Mamossers wing sauce ..Like heaven

EK has the Sabres finishing with 70 points...4th in draft before the lottery.
Seems low to me, but if they lose the next couple I'm ok with finishing 4th rather than 8th
Love to see them in a PO position, but with TML heating up and being 10 pts back even with 2 games in hand, it isn't looking great.

EK has the Sabres finishing with 70 points...4th in draft before the lottery.
Seems low to me, but if they lose the next couple I'm ok with finishing 4th rather than 8th
Love to see them in a PO position, but with TML heating up and being 10 pts back even with 2 games in hand, it isn't looking great.
- IonSabres

EK has been looking to get traffic and figured dissing the team with the largest following here is the best way to do it. He doesn't realize we are not the same as Leafs fans.

So,
-I do hear pushback from a number of posters on the Trocheck deal.
-I hear that 2C's just aren't available from others
-I hear others say there will be better and cheaper options in the offseason....some fro. Cap challenged teams
-I have asked about what a good 2C is for them, and it was generally described as
* 60pts player (+ or -)
* 26 or younger
* has a couple years left on contract
* AVV of $6 ->$6.5m or so
- I have heard generally that Cozens and 2020-1st are off limits

I'm wondering where all these great proven 2C players are that are suddenly going to become available at an acceptable; acquisition cost, production, age, contract term and AVV!

I heard a thoughtful argument around the potential for Cirelli, Point, or potentially Stamkos, but I find those to be relative long shots as I just don't see them moving Cirelli nor Point, and Stamkos doesn't fit the AVV nor Age profile...nor can I see those acquisition costs not involve Cozens or 2020-1st plus younger cost controlled players.

I'd love to hear posters real ideas on who they can get that meets these parameters
(He had one but rang it off the crossbar as time expired)
- IonSabres

Assuming this wasn't 100% all snark, some viable options:

Free Agents:
Derick Brassard - more of a Berglund type stopgap, but a useful player
Backstrom - still good for 70+ points, likely resigns in Wash?
Eric Haula - good two way center
Mike Hoffman can play center as well
Granlund


Trade Options:
Eric Staal - one year left at 3.25, probably not hard to get. At 35 he still has 18G 26A this season. Will come close to 60P
Blake Coleman/Yanni Gourde/Brayden Point - Hard to see Tampa needing all these guys with Stamkos, my bet is Gourde for a D may be available in a few months.
Alex Kerfoot - If the leafs get bounced there will be a roster revision, and Kerfoot might be the piece to go.
Backlund/Monahan - If Calgary is bounced in the first round, there are probably big shakeup moves coming. Either of this guys could be part of a big trade. Might need to include your top 10 pick for Monahan among other pieces.
Adam Henrique - Anaheim is probably going to try a rebuild
Anisimov - Bit overpaid, but would probably be not too hard to get. Only one year left which isn't a big risk.
Nick Bonino- Probably Nashville will be retooling a bit, I can see them open to this trade.

Yeah the Sabres drastically changing their ticket pricing method was a terrible idea.

Based on Kevin Adam this morning ..... the formula / analytics around it are also based on what other teams do

What it doesn’t take into account is other cities like the leafs. Hawks. Rangers and the bigger cities tickets in general are bought up by companies and not individuals.