A. The Oilers we’re just in the WCF

B. You keep saying the roster was constructed with patience and no one knows what the hell you’re talking about

Colorado has been a cup contender for a few years now. They’ve been making trades and other moves every single year for 5 years now
- sbroads24

we got bishop

what more do you want

Sure, but they also won without him. It's more important for your goalie to be playing well than to just be great. Look at all of the goalies that won over the last decade that did nothing before or after.
- Slump Buster

Agreed, but let's not pretend goaltending isnt the single most important position in the game. You can ink the Rangers into the playoffs for next deacde, and they'll cycle all of those great players through as their game fades, but Igor will be there the whole time.

A. The Oilers we’re just in the WCF

B. You keep saying the roster was constructed with patience and no one knows what the hell you’re talking about

Colorado has been a cup contender for a few years now. They’ve been making trades and other moves every single year for 5 years now
- sbroads24

In what universe has anything that Edmonton has done over the last 5 years considered to be a success?

Colorado drafted well, let their prospects grow and traded some of the prospects for other players in hockey trades. When you do this over several years it can be described as being patient. In other words, they didn't rush out to sign 36 year old free agents to big money when they were on their upswing.

Again, I am all for making a hockey trade. All I hear is generic references to having too many contracts or being passive about the build.

Agreed, but let's not pretend goaltending isnt the single most important position in the game. You can ink the Rangers into the playoffs for next deacde, and they'll cycle all of those great players through as their game fades, but Igor will be there the whole time.
- lacaprup

Goalies are running backs. If they were the most important position in the game then they would be paid accordingly. They aren't. Other than the top 3 or 4 goalies, you can throw the rest of them in a hat.

In what universe has anything that Edmonton has done over the last 5 years considered to be a success?
- Slump Buster

They had a wonderful season last year.

They had a wonderful season last year.
- lacaprup

Their fans beg to differ

Goalies are running backs. If they were the most important position in the game then they would be paid accordingly. They aren't. Other than the top 3 or 4 goalies, you can throw the rest of them in a hat.
- Slump Buster

Nonsense. No RB controls the outcome of a game like a goalie does. Only a SP does.

Nonsense. No RB controls the outcome of a game like a goalie does. Only a SP does.
- lacaprup

That's true, but the point is you can't count on them to regularly do that. There are 3 or 4 that can, but there is a giant dropoff after that.

The proof is in the pudding. Why did only a handful get big money (and often, foolishly)? Why are there so many mediocre goalies with rings? You don't need a great goalie, you need your goalie to be playing well when it matters.

Goalies are running backs. If they were the most important position in the game then they would be paid accordingly. They aren't. Other than the top 3 or 4 goalies, you can throw the rest of them in a hat.
- Slump Buster

in the last 11 stanley cups

the winning team had drafted the goalie 10 of 11 winners

colorado was the exception

In what universe has anything that Edmonton has done over the last 5 years considered to be a success?

Colorado drafted well, let their prospects grow and traded some of the prospects for other players in hockey trades. When you do this over several years it can be described as being patient. In other words, they didn't rush out to sign 36 year old free agents to big money when they were on their upswing.

Again, I am all for making a hockey trade. All I hear is generic references to having too many contracts or being passive about the build.
- Slump Buster

A Buffalo fan calling the Oilers, who have won about 4-5 playoff series over the past few years, a failure, is some funny stuff man.

Only one team wins the cup every year.

And yes, your approval on a hockey trade is noted, the bottom line is there wasn’t a hockey trade made, hence the frustration looking at the black holes in the forward lineup

in the last 11 stanley cups

the winning team had drafted the goalie 10 of 11 winners

colorado was the exception
- homiedclown

Not sure what your point is. Regardless of how they got the goalie, my point was that a lot of mediocre goalies have won cups.

Nonsense. No RB controls the outcome of a game like a goalie does. Only a SP does.
- lacaprup

what would the sabres record be in the 90's w/o dom?


two words


really bad

Not sure what your point is. Regardless of how they got the goalie, my point was that a lot of mediocre goalies have won cups.
- Slump Buster

if by a lot you mean 5 percent

sure


I can pull vezina votes for the goalies in the finals for the last 20 years if you would like

A Buffalo fan calling the Oilers, who have won about 4-5 playoff series over the past few years, a failure, is some funny stuff man.

Only one team wins the cup every year.

And yes, your approval on a hockey trade is noted, the bottom line is there wasn’t a hockey trade made, hence the frustration looking at the black holes in the forward lineup
- sbroads24

It absolutely is, but at the same time it isn't. They lucked into 2 franchise players and the results have still been way, way, way below what they should be.

I would also reference the hockey trades that both Colorado and Tampa made. They had let Jost develop a bit in the majors before realizing that they could do better (and taking advantage of a foolish Toronto GM). Tampa had let Drouin play in the league for a bit. In other words, they found out what they have.

I know we are pretty much saying the same thing. I just don't feel the sense or urgency that you do, but that's just a matter of opinion.

if by a lot you mean 5 percent

sure


I can pull vezina votes for the goalies in the finals for the last 20 years if you would like
- homiedclown

Sure, they made the finals. The guy that is arguably the best goalie in the world lost in the finals last year. The guy that is the best didn't even get there. The guy that won the cup was a backup goalie.

You just don't build your team from the goal out.

Sure, they made the finals. The guy that is arguably the best goalie in the world lost in the finals last year. The guy that is the best didn't even get there. The guy that won the cup was a backup goalie.

You just don't build your team from the goal out.
- Slump Buster

how many more times are you going to move the goal post?

It absolutely is, but at the same time it isn't. They lucked into 2 franchise players and the results have still been way, way, way below what they should be.

I would also reference the hockey trades that both Colorado and Tampa made. They had let Jost develop a bit in the majors before realizing that they could do better (and taking advantage of a foolish Toronto GM). Tampa had let Drouin play in the league for a bit. In other words, they found out what they have.

I know we are pretty much saying the same thing. I just don't feel the sense or urgency that you do, but that's just a matter of opinion.
- Slump Buster

Because they actually have some sort of expectations.

Which I believe it’s time the Sabres have as well.

It really is not hard to build a playoff caliber hockey team when 50% of the league makes it. We make it look impossible

That's true, but the point is you can't count on them to regularly do that. There are 3 or 4 that can, but there is a giant dropoff after that.

The proof is in the pudding. Why did only a handful get big money (and often, foolishly)? Why are there so many mediocre goalies with rings? You don't need a great goalie, you need your goalie to be playing well when it matters.
- Slump Buster

Contracts are what they are. The current NHL fad is GMs believe they can luck into it. I find it iteresting the current cup champ thought it a good idea to lock up a great former backup who everyone knew was starting material at age 26 - 29. They know it's an important position. They could have gone cheaper. They have no cap room.


I think a good NHL gm can ensure their goalie tandem has minimum .910% If you enter a season with any group you think could be below that number shame on you.

There's only a few great goalies, true, but there are more servicable goalies than people let on. And, whether or not they make league minimum, salary max, or 3.5 a year they are all more important each game than anyone else on the ice except the other goalie.

A guy like the fella Comrie backed up last year who can play 70 games a year is worth his weight in gold.

Sure, they made the finals. The guy that is arguably the best goalie in the world lost in the finals last year. The guy that is the best didn't even get there. The guy that won the cup was a backup goalie.

You just don't build your team from the goal out.
- Slump Buster

The best player in the world lost in the WCF.

The best goal scorer in the world lost in the first round.

what would the sabres record be in the 90's w/o dom?


two words


really bad
- homiedclown

Paul Hamilton disagrees.

The best player in the world lost in the WCF.

The best goal scorer in the world lost in the first round.
- lacaprup

carey price takes a blah team to the finals on his back, he misses most of the next season and the habs are in last place

goalies don't matter much

Paul Hamilton disagrees.
- lacaprup

well he is a liar


I mean he said he was the last cut for the 80 olympic men's hockey team

how many more times are you going to move the goal post?
- homiedclown

I didn't think I was. We started talking about goalies and then you tied the goalies to who drafted them. I don't really care who drafted them, my only point is that they aren't terribly important.

The best player in the world lost in the WCF.

The best goal scorer in the world lost in the first round.
- lacaprup

Not sure what your point is. My point is to get as many good players as you can.

my only point is that they aren't terribly important.
- Slump Buster

if lehner made a few shootout saves, housley may still be our hockey coach with a happy eichel and ror as our 1/2 centers

but please continue