Dahlin straight up, and I’ll even throw in Gustafson. Or Cozens + 1st 2020.

Nylander for “Mitts”....and then after Mitchell signs after his college season, I trade “Mitts” back for Joki
- DrewDawg

Thanks but no thanks on that one.

31st game - 30 with the Wings, one with Chicago.
- StLBravesFan

Very Sikuraesque.

If Buffalo is seeking a plug-n-play 2C or RW, Chicago is likely not a good trade partner as Strome and Kubalik fit the bill but would rather retain them both since they're already NHL regulars performing at a solid level.

If either Strome or Kubalik were in the same development timeline as Mittelstadt, then I would have considered Strome for Mittelstadt.

Not sure if the Sabres want any of our forward prospects but Kurashev and Entwistle could be possibilities. None of them are untouchable but I'd prefer we keep them over Mittelstadt.

And I doubt you want Nylander or Hagel back. Well, at least not Nylander.
- AEL_Fox

Yeah I guess we can't come up with something.

I'd prefer picks and prospects, too, but just want to indulge Buff36 on this trade proposal. The Blackhawks would likely have to give up coveted assets to make a trade work for one of their top prospects.

There were rumors earlier about a Krebs-Gustafsson trade with Vegas and recently a resurfacing rumor of a Roslovic-Gustafsson trade with Winnipeg.

If the Krebs rumor is anything close to true, I do that as fast as possible. Highway robbery.

I'd consider the Roslovic trade but think there's less upside there. Would rather get picks and/or prospects from the Jets instead.

Saw a rumor not too long ago about the Leafs shopping some of their players one of them being Kerfoot. He would be a pretty good 3C. Need to get a true 3C so Colliton stops playing Kampf there.
- AEL_Fox

AEL, this team would be much more dangerous with a good 3C, I certainly agree with you. We need to move Kampf to the fourth line where he belongs. Hopefully #56 plays a good game tonight so he can improve his trade value. I would take Roslovic for him yesterday.

Game slows down in the playoffs because the refs put the whistles away.
- Ogilthorpe2

One reason Bickell was better in the playoffs than the regular season....

Very Sikuraesque.
- Ogilthorpe2

Except Sikura had an overall game.

Elbows, saw your good summation of Maata on D. You addressed his slowness. My concern (and really the only one), addresses Strome and being slow footed. Yes, Strome puts up points during the regular season, but are you not concerned about that element of play, come playoffs? If we ever make it? Curious to hear your answer.
- gabriel

Once Strome gets going his speed is okay-ish. Not great by any stretch. The main issue is he lacks any quickness at all. It takes him a few strides to get up to speed. In the playoffs when things get tighter, his lack of pop in his initial strides is a concern. He is going to have hard time getting any separation to be able to utilize his hands and vision. Maybe once he gets a bit more strength he can compensate muscling his way to space. If that makes sense.

Thanks but no thanks on that one.
- Buff36

Botteril should be fired on the spot if he moves either Cozens or a 1st.

AEL, this team would be much more dangerous with a good 3C, I certainly agree with you. We need to move Kampf to the fourth line where he belongs. Hopefully #56 plays a good game tonight so he can improve his trade value. I would take Roslovic for him yesterday.
- Angotti

Toews - Strome - Dach in no particular order is pretty pretty pretty good.

then IMHO...pass
- bogiedoc

He should be playing tonight.

Once Strome gets going his speed is okay-ish. Not great by any stretch. The main issue is he lacks any quickness at all. It takes him a few strides to get up to speed. In the playoffs when things get tighter, his lack of pop in his initial strides is a concern. He is going to have hard time getting any separation to be able to utilize his hands and vision. Maybe once he gets a bit more strength he can compensate muscling his way to space. If that makes sense.
- Elbows15

He's not that bad. Huuuuuge improvement from last year and i think hell only get better if he keeps rooming with el gato.

I think his problem is that short (frank)ing stick and having to play hunched over instead of using an adult sized one so he can have a bit better balance. Especially for holding guys off and strength in the corners.

Except Sikura had an overall game.
- StLBravesFan

He is missing the most important element of hockey. Offense

He is missing the most important element of hockey. Offense
- GPHawksfan

The most important element of hockey is to score more than you give up.

Sikura is a +5 in 47 NHL games. Not a popular stat, but still....

He's not that bad. Huuuuuge improvement from last year and i think hell only get better if he keeps rooming with el gato.

I think his problem is that short (frank)ing stick and having to play hunched over instead of using an adult sized one so he can have a bit better balance. Especially for holding guys off and strength in the corners.
- fattybeef

Yes. He is.

Just asking:

Since this is the third time Boqvist has injured his shoulder this season - minor injuries or not - should they consider shutting him down for the rest of the season - and spend the time strengthening it?

He’s 19 - still growing into his body - no reason to take much of a chance of chronic injury (see: deHaan).
- StLBravesFan

I don’t remember if it was him, or the writer interviewing him that said it, but he needs to learn not to put himself in vulnerable positions. It’s part of learning to be a pro.

That's how Detroit did it before the hawks. But I think it would be quicker and easier being competetive to have an elite goalie than stacking a team like the hawks were back then. This years team seems to suggest that.
- 6628

Of course BOS only beat VAN for The Cup because of the play of their goaltender, who was an elite, who put up elite numbers, at the time.

Your team better be way better than your opponent if you plan on winning with average goaltending.

Botteril should be fired on the spot if he moves either Cozens or a 1st.
- Elbows15

Oh, that's a definite, he might be on a short leash know. We screwed up about 4 to 5 yrs ago when we traded everything for Kane and ROR, depleted are system and all the picks traded. We were just starting a rebuild and tried to speed it up, basically started from scratch again 3 yrs ago. We screwed up with rushing Mitts, can't afford to mess up with Cozens.

He is missing the most important element of hockey. Offense
- GPHawksfan

Sorry GP, but Bettman has sold you a false product. Exhibit A is the recent Oilers. All the #1 picks being top O guys, and they couldn't win anything. Scoring goals and giving up more = bad team.

Toews - Strome - Dach in no particular order is pretty pretty pretty good.
- fattybeef

I don’t disagree, very formidable but Strome is currently playing wing.

We’re gonna see Smith until the cows come home.

I know (to paraphrase Groucho) - you’d rather see the cows until Smith comes home....
- StLBravesFan

While in Africa, I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I’ll never know.

Groucho also had my favorite joke ever, while hosting ‘You Bet Your Life’.

A women around 30 is on, and during the interview, Groucho finds out she already has 10 or 12 kids.

Groucho asks her why, and she says that she loves her husband.

Without missing a beat, Groucho leers at the camera, and says, ‘well, I love my cigar, but I take it out of my mouth occasionally.’

Funniest guy ever.

I don’t disagree, very formidable but Strome is currently playing wing.
- Angotti

I was thinking similarly. If Strome plays wing with ability to slide to center if needed, then consider something like:

Caggiula - Toews - Kubalik
Saad - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Kerfoot - Strome
Carpenter - Kampf - Highmore

I don’t disagree, very formidable but Strome is currently playing wing.
- Angotti

He is and may be better suited there oppo ADB.

Kills me when people get upset when GMs don't reveal their TDL plans. Like he is going to put everything out there for the whole league to see.
- Elbows15

I agree, but i like his line about gm's being more open minded closer to trade deadline than any other time.

Oh, that's a definite, he might be on a short leash know. We screwed up about 4 to 5 yrs ago when we traded everything for Kane and ROR, depleted are system and all the picks traded. We were just starting a rebuild and tried to speed it up, basically started from scratch again 3 yrs ago. We screwed up with rushing Mitts, can't afford to mess up with Cozens.
- Buff36

He also has been unfortunate to miss on just about every forward he has picked up to fill in the gaps until his picks can mature. Aside from Skinner, every one has been huge disappointment in Buffalo. Skinner's usage this season is beyond ridiculous.

I think he was hoping to cobble some semblance of a middle 6 and it just hasn't worked. Fortunately, he didn't overpay for any of the players and none are long term investments. He really needs his picks to start matriculating to the NHL and soon.

I don’t remember if it was him, or the writer interviewing him that said it, but he needs to learn not to put himself in vulnerable positions. It’s part of learning to be a pro.
- scottak

Or, you know, players can stop drilling players from behind in bad positions. Boqvist doesn't play that puck and most of this board will label him soft for the rest of his days in Chicago.