gretzkyghosts

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Apr 19, 2018
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Edmonton Oilers
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Montreal Canadiens
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Jan 1, 2001
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Forum: Armchair-GMDec 13, 2019 at 1:52
Thread: my take of the 6 to 2 loss to the rangers Please tell me what you saw
<a href="/users/F50marco" target="_blank">@F50marco</a>
<a href="/users/GMTD" target="_blank">@GMTD</a>
<a href="/users/ArakinSkywalker" target="_blank">@ArakinSkywalker</a>
<a href="/users/Big_Euge" target="_blank">@Big_Euge</a>
I can respond to you now.
I posted this obviously before the team went into a 10 game tailspin.
I was commenting not only on this game but also on the deficiencies I noticed in the previous games.
I was actually hoping for more feedback other than, chill out!
You may want to check but I also posted <a href="https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1515803">https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1515803</a> just before the team snapped the losing streak, with essentially the opposite message that the team will win again once the “puck luck” returns.
I did not get much feed back then either.
The PK and PP has been better.
Secondary scoring is obviously better.
No has more pts than Jack over the past 10 games. This is how a captain leads a team when the team is faltering, not say “I lost my love of the game”.
The team will go through more rough spots, and more wow are they good stretches as well. They will be close to a playoff spot.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov 25, 2019 at 6:06
Thread: Could this do it for Tampa
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>BOLTLOVER1</b></div><div>No to Beleskey. He done.

Kreider would be top 6 in Tampa .. Tiny Tyler Johnson and Joseph go down/away. They really hurting team. Tampa surely needs a 4th "star".

I love the Colin Miller trade. Assuming Shatterkirk has played himself out of Tampa as he has been great this year .. what Sergachev CANT BE .. Tampa D has holes and Miller is WAY more proven than Sergachev or Cal Foote.

Interesting part is Tampa and Buffalo have been talking trades .. did a trade this weekend together .. and play again tonight after week Sweeden timeand 2 games .. lots of get to know time</div></div>

I can imagine the conversation between Julien and Jason.
We have been talking since February, let's make minor trade at least.
Thus a trade a LHD for a RHD.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov 23, 2019 at 11:19
Thread: My take on the 1-7-2 streak lets not give up
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Ledge_And_Dairy</b></div><div>"We had a spot open up the other day in the Anti-Winners Winner Club when Toronto decided to part ways. Anyways we would like to Welcome our newest member to the group Buffalo" - Calgary Flames</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>SalamiCheese</b></div><div>The game against Boston was the best in November in content, but still could not win. We don’t have a starting goaltender, we don’t have enough talent in attacking, we don’t have enough players with grit and size, GM and the coaching staff have a lot of work now, we need to correct the situation right now, otherwise it will be too late. There will be five hard games in one week, and I don’t know how the team will cope with this.</div></div>

I never expected the Sabres to be a playoff team this year. The start was obviously above their grade level. It is impossible to disagree that there are several deficiencies, I am only making the point that if the team can correct the PK and PP, with the current roster they could get back to winning again.
I did not keep a record but in nearly every game of this 10 game slide, I thought the Sabres had the better of the play in the first period then went into the dressing room on the short end of the score.
I should have added to my rant, stop passing when you have an off man rush shoot the puck.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov 21, 2019 at 3:13
Thread: My take on the 4-1 loss to the Wild
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>SalamiCheese</b></div><div>Yes, I changed my name a little, but for some reason can’t change the photo, I’am already tired of looking at Bill Murray’s displeased face. :)

Yes, the defenders need more time and often it is individual for each player. Dahlin is still too young and I fully admit that he will have recessions, this is normal, but I have some doubts about the training and the coaching staff. I don’t know how Housley coached him, it seems to me that he didn’t work with him on the defensive game at all, but Housley left, and Steve Smith stayed this year, because he is the defender’s coach, it’s difficult say not being in the team and having little information on training, in general I liked how Dahlin played with Chicago and Minnesota, he looked better than in previous matches, maybe sit in the bench in the game against Ottawa also influenced. Krueger said that they work with Dahlin at every training session on his defense game, I hope these are not empty words, we can get a guy in the future who is poor in defense, but good at attack and can score 80 points per season, but we can to get a guy who is decent in defense and attack, but already 50-60 points, I choose the second option.

Risto is a strange character, but it seems to me that he has improved this season, but not by much, I really don’t like the fact that he plays in tandem with McCabe, they are both similar players and just should not play together, I liked how Risto played in tandem with Pilut, he needs a player who can move the puck and is solid on the defensive, but McCabe just doesn't suit him.

I completely agree, Skinner should play with Jack, they have excellent chemistry, Sam should carry his line, but we need help with the help of trade. Our team is too soft, when it is beaten, it shrinks, we need at least one player with grit, and preferably two, also I have not yet been sold to Olofsson, maybe he should play Bottom 6 in the link with Mitts, or look at him in the link with Reinhart and Johansson, the main thing is away from Jack. Thompson is unfortunately injured now, but I like the energy of Asplund and Lazar, maybe Lazar will take the place of Okposo until the situation with his concussion is clarified, but Asplund I don’t know, Larsson and Johansson will return now and someone will have to sit down in the press box or go to the press Rochester.

In the last lines from the training session, Vesey was in the first link with Jack and Sam, apparently this will be the last attempt to revive Jimmy, maybe he will finally score a goal. Olofsson and Asplund were in a link with Mitts.</div></div>

I completely agree with your evaluation.
The team needs a Kadri. While Larsson, Girgensons and Ristolainen will throw their weight around, it is not enough, they need someone who is actually nasty.
You are correct Ristolainen and Pilut was a great combo.
IMO, Johansson played even better than I thought he would while as you Vesey has been a huge disappointment.
Welcome back my friend, I always enjoyed your sharp analysis.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov 20, 2019 at 10:09
Thread: My take on the 4-1 loss to the Wild
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>SalamiCheese</b></div><div>Dahlin looked better in recent games, but should he learn to play defense? It may be better to give him complete freedom so that he can untie his hands and attack more, now it turns out that he is learning to play defense and this ties his hands in attack, he doesn’t play so boldly, this can be a problem. Although it’s too early to say yet, he has enormous potential, with his hockey IQ, skating and hands, it will be difficult to completely ruin this child, at least he can become the second EK65 for us if he does not learn to play defense.</div></div>

I presume you changed you name but kept you photo. I have not been on for a while.
I know you are correct. I have been preaching that defensemen take years to develop and IMO Ristolainen has finally put it together this year. I am worried that I have noticed too many "lazy" plays by Dahlin, I hope it is only sophomore growing pangs. Do you think Kruger has put a lease on him? I think he was more involved with the offense last year.
I think Kruger needs to move the players around. I would like to see:
53-9-43
68-90-23
13-37-72
I never liked 9 and 23 on the same line.
Do you have any thoughts?
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 28, 2019 at 12:03
Thread: All Time 23 Man Roster
I would not even think of trying to do better than you, great job. So many great players hard to decide who to add and who to take off. I wonder if some one as Datsyuk could be considered. The wings missed the playoffs when he left the team. He may have been the best 2 way player ever. But again this is your team, and you did a great job.
God bless you for placing Hasek over Roy. I know Patrick has cups with 2 teams but when Hasek was over the hill he took a Wings teams to the cup with more shutouts in one cup run than any other GK (I think Brodeur broke it the following year, hard to keep him off of the team as well, but this is your effort).
I agree keeping Ovechkin and Crosby on the team. If they retired right now their achievements warrant their additions.
Great job, great video, love it.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 26, 2019 at 5:00
Thread: My take on the 2-0 win in Detroit
<a href="/users/BuFfaLOFaN" target="_blank">@BuFfaLOFaN</a> Yes it was Olofsson who set the screen, I guess I was so used to watching Sam do it well, I presumed it was him.
TBH, there was another ACGM who tipped me off to Bales before he came to Buffalo, and when Betterall was able to sign him, I knew good things were going to happen.
Minus 41 is really ugly, but 24 minutes a night and leading the team with 235 hits made me think that it would take a huge over payment to move him. I am really happy he is on the team.
Sam this year has made me into a believer. I traded him a few times over the summer, I was wrong.
<a href="/users/MikeyThePensFan" target="_blank"><a href="/users/MikeyThePensFan" target="_blank">@MikeyThePensFan</a></a> and <a href="/users/MikeyThePensFan" target="_blank"><a href="/users/MikeyThePensFan" target="_blank">@MikeyThePensFan</a></a> Sheary is MUCH better than I thought he would be. He is fast, has a good shot, will go to the dirty areas of ice and always seems to try hard. I am happy we only had to give up 4th to get him. I agree, IMO playing with a regenerated Mittelstadt, he just may get to 20 goals (he is on a pace for 20 even after missing 1/3 of the season with injuries).
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 25, 2019 at 12:32
Thread: my take of the 6 to 2 loss to the rangers Please tell me what you saw
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>F50marco</b></div><div>Can you do me a favor? Can you reply to this comment? Don't <a href="/users/F50marco" target="_blank">@F50marco</a>, literally just reply to this comment.

Just want to see if I get a notification or not.</div></div>

I wanted to get feed back on my observations of the game.
Let me add, that my eyes tend to favor the Sabres and since it appeared to me that they out played the Rangers in the first period I was hoping I could get other thoughts to either confirm or help me to correct my eyes.
Let me add, I told my GF before the game that I thought the Sabres would lose, so I am not surprised about the results and the game has not soured me on my thoughts that this team will be in the hunt until March and will most likely make the playoffs.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 25, 2019 at 11:10
Thread: my take of the 6 to 2 loss to the rangers Please tell me what you saw
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>ArakinSkywalker</b></div><div>Lol they've lost two games this year. In the words of my girl taylor swift, you need to calm down.</div></div>

<a href="/users/Big_Euge" target="_blank">@Big_Euge</a>
<a href="/users/F50marco" target="_blank">@F50marco</a>
I am including you because you gave thumbs up to the comment above.
I am calm, did I not say the game was a lot closer than the score? I commented to my GF that they totally out plays the Rangers in the first period but went to the locker room down 3 goals.
Maybe I watch the games too intently, but I noticed that they play better against skating teams and play poorly against hard checking teams (Jackets, Ducks and Sharks).
Jack again has managed to disappear on the road, I was wondering if any one else noticed what I saw.
That is not the first Eichel back hand pass that has led to a goal nor the first time Dahlin has played poorly. So again I was looking for feed back regarding the game LAST night.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 23, 2019 at 10:45
Thread: MY ideal 2020 TDL
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Shibbal18</b></div><div>Rodrigues has not been good, and i really wouldnt worry about cutting the cap with moving out Larsson and Girgensons. Ive never been a huge fan of those 2, but results so far, i dont want to mess with that, that would be a line to rely on to win games at the end of the year. I think we need Sobotka to get hurt long term to replace him. Scandella is as good as gone, Id think before January 1. Bogo is gone, and they probably could move out another RHD or Jokiharju sits. Mittelstadt has been alright at 3c not blowing anyone away, i dont see him taking over 2c this year. He really just needs to work on his body though its not a talent thing, he needs to be stronger. If they move out Sheary and brought up Cozens at RW and keep Vesey on the 3rd line, I'd be less hesitant at best. Thompson needs to prove it in the NHL before I can trust him fully, he was always good in the A, but he's rebuilding his confidence so thats a positive. I would still look at an NHLer to upgrade 2RW through trading one of their assests instead.</div></div>

Good answer.
I agree with your comment about Scandella and Bogosian, I just hope we can get a decent return.
I am sorry to say but Larsson and Girgensons have been a little disappointing this year. But you make a good point, they may still be adjusting to a new system.
Rodrigues has been equally unproductive, I never would have thought Sobotka would be in the line up ahead of him.
I think Tage has been good in the AHL only his last 21 games (11 goals, 17 pts in 17 games), his first 46 he only had 20 points. He and Cozens I believe were two of the last cuts, so they were close.
BTW Mittelstadt has been really good this past year. His defensive play is what has me becoming a big fan of his, more than his offensive contributions.
But of course this post is a reach and as I said it is very unlikely that any team would be able (or want) to trade away all of its UFA's.
So thank you for your thoughtful answer.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 22, 2019 at 5:01
Thread: MY ideal 2020 TDL
<a href="/users/BuFfaLOFaN" target="_blank">@BuFfaLOFaN</a>
<a href="/users/Pharrow" target="_blank">@Pharrow</a>
Well we know this will not happen, I do not know of any team that has ever been able to trade all of their UFA’s at the TDL. That is why I called this my ideal 2020 TDL. trade them all and bring in the kids.
Thompson and Cozens played really well in the preseason tournaments (both were among the last players to be sent down), they are playing really well in their lower leagues right now and IMO they could easily replace Vesey and Sheary.
Furthermore, if we bring in Cozens, Johansson could go back to the wing (or play either Mittelstadt or Cozens at LW).
I thought that Rodrigues would be in the line up over Sobotka, so I put him there now.
Lazar and Asplund appear to be 3rd or 4th line players, so let’s cut the cap and bring in the kids.
Lastly, I really like this team and I like their chances, but if Cozens, Thompson, Pilut, Asplund and Lazar ready, trade what we have for younger players.

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Shibbal18</b></div><div>If theyre going into the playoffs, they arent trading out 6 of their current starters and replacing them with rookies that have little to no NHL experience. The NHL isnt juniors. Its also not the A. Add in the playoffs, those kids will get eaten alive. Botterill wouldnt do that</div></div>
Bogosian and Scandella are easily replaceable with defensemen who are less expensive and better.
Lazar has played in only 5 fewer playoff games than Bogosian, Vesey, Girgensons and Larsson combined, so do not see how keeping them adds anything to the play off story.
I guess Matt Murray and Jake Guentzel really wilted under the playoff pressure as rookies in 2018.
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>littlejerryseinfeld</b></div><div>You can only retain on 3 salaries.
Also, no.</div></div>
Yes, you cannot retain more than 3 salaries, I was waiting for some one to point that out.
At the beginning of the season, every one was willing to either buy out Sobotka, Scandella or Bogosian, or add a pick for a team to take them, or hoping they would go to the KHL, now I get a “NO” to the entire post. What a joke, wake up to the real world. If you want to make a comment at least give some reasons.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 13, 2019 at 7:20
Thread: Buffalo fans how would this team do without rushing the rebuild
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>BuFfaLOFaN</b></div><div>I do believe the current roster is good, and could be slightly better than ours now, on offense, but defense and Goalie is worse.iMO. Goaltending for sure...defense is similar, I just think Dahlin at LD is better than the new.additions, Myers does help.</div></div>

I should have included Hutton as he was a free agent and would most likely have been signed in an alternative universe, so at least the GK would be the same.
Not having Dahlin is HUGE. Because of the Salary cap a team can really only afford a Top 10 Center, Defenseman, Goalie and decent role players to be in the playoff hunt. Some teams can afford more but I think in a couple of years Reinhart, Eichel, Skinner and Dahlin will consume about 50% of the cap space leaving little cap space for Olofsson, Montour, Miller, Mittelstadt (on the average they will be asking for $6,000,000 each or about 30% of the cap) and the other 15 players will have to split about $20,000,000 among them. I hate to say it but, the window for Buffalo will start to close in 2 years when the last four players will be looking for big paychecks and Buffalo will need to trim the roster and play younger perhaps less talented players.
On the bright side Dahlin in a few years will be the NHL top defenseman as the current candidates are aging (Burns, Hedman, Weber, Subban, Karlsson etc) and he is better than any of the younger crop (Reilly, Carlson, Heiskanen etc). But I left him off of the team as the team would have to have finished last in 2018, and that may not have happened in my alternative universe. I did not want to have to explain how the Sabres could have a good young team as I posted above and still finish last in 2018. As you can see it was a struggle to explain that Jokiharju, Miller, Montour, Skinner etc would still be on the team.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 13, 2019 at 4:49
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 13, 2019 at 10:16
Thread: Buffalo fans how would this team do without rushing the rebuild
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>aedoran</b></div><div>Ok 2018 really? So you weren't rebuilding the 6 seasons you missed the playoffs prior to that?</div></div>
No we were not rebuilding we were giving away prospects and picks for other teams cast offs. The team finished last in 2018 so if that is the consequence of rebuilding, I would rather not tear the team down. Yup the worse rebuild ever up until the end of 2018, then a true rebuild was started.
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>BuFfaLOFaN</b></div><div>Look at the goalies also, we lost our best.goslie imo, and not having Dahlin is a huuuge loss.</div></div>
Let's look at the GK at the end of this year. Did Lehner ever perform as a championship GK when he was in Buffalo? I thought the year we had Johnson, Nillson and Ullmark as his back up they all had better w/l % than he. What did Lehner do to bring a championship here? I will repeat 81 78 and 62. BTW the year we had 81 pts he only played 21 games. So the best record the Sabres had while he was here, he was not the primary GK.
I know not having Dahlin is huge and 6 #2 D-men will replace him, but were you happy finishing last in 2018. The Hockey Writers Association looked at the improvements Botterill made during the off season and predicted the Sabres would make the playoffs. If the talent is there, but the players are not performing up to the expectations, it time to clean house. Getting Dahlin should have been out of the question and an unexpected bonus for poor on ice results, the team was not predicted to be the worse team in the NHL.
BTW as I stated above if the rebuild is not rushed then the team has a shot at Laine. I know it would never happen but Laine (or Matthews or Dubois or Tkachuk), Zadorov, McNabb, Myers, Cernak, White, Armia, Compher, and Roslovic gives the team talented depth which would make the team very difficult to defend against. That my friend is the talent that was lost by rushing the rebuild.
As a final thought, maybe the team is still bad in 2018 and gets Dahlin anyway. LOL
Forum: Armchair-GMOct 12, 2019 at 10:45
Thread: Buffalo fans how would this team do without rushing the rebuild
I am not making any assumptions about drafting Draisaitl over Reinhart or Sergachev of Nylander, both taken directly after the Buffalo picks. I am adding the players traded away and players taken with the picks traded away. I did not presume that Aho could have been drafted with the 2nd traded when O'Reilly was acquired or any other wild guesses like getting Konecny instead of White or Beauvillier over Roslovic.
All of the players are easily obtainable with the assets that were on hand.
White is projected to be solid #2 center I put him at RW,
Armia has developed into a good PK power forward.
McNabb is always near the top of his team's +/-
Zadorov is always among the league hit leaders.
Cernak is considered one of Tampa's up and coming defensemen.
Myers has always been reliable and other GM's know this as he was given a 5 year contract at $6,000,000/yr.
The team is at least as good the one on the ice now, with more home grown talent.
Let me add, this is a very young team with most players still room to be better.

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Stan_Bowman</b></div><div>you forgot to reverse the Jokiharju trade.</div></div>
I am presuming all the same players being drafted, so Nylander is still available to be traded for Jokiharju! I will give up Jokiharju if you agree that the Sabres probably would have finished last in 2016 as they did in 2014 and 2015 with a shot at Matthews or Laine instead of Nylander.
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Nick623</b></div><div>If Armia is your 2nd line RW you are still in a rebuild...</div></div>
Why, Armia is off to a great start 3 goals in 5 games and last year he had 13 goals in only 57 games (nearly 20 goals over 82 games), playing less than 16 minutes a game. BTW are you saying Sobotka is better than Armia?
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>aedoran</b></div><div>When did Buffalo start their rebuild?
How many GMs have they had during their rebuild?
How many coaches have they had during their rebuild?</div></div>
Well this is presuming all of the draft choices made my Murray were the same, as well as the picks made by the teams to which he traded the picks.
But to answer the question, the rebuild started when Dahlin was drafted and all of the garbage was out of the locker room.
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Nick623</b></div><div>And the Montour, C Miller, Jeff Skinner etc...</div></div>
Why, Miller and Skinner were picked up for 2nd round picks, and Montour for a first. There is nothing here that is unreasonable, as all of those picks were available.
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>BuFfaLOFaN</b></div><div>Defiently worse, I would love to undo ROR trade though</div></div>
Why is this team definitely worse? The only loss is Dahlin (I know that is a big reduction), but Compher, Armia, White, and Roslovic are better than Okposo, Sobotka, and Rodrigues. Zadorov, McNabb and Cernak are all quality Defensemen. But the team probably finishes last in 2016 and has a good chance to get either Matthews or Laine instead of rushing the rebuild.
So you want to keep a captain who said he lost his love of the game. Captains are suppose to instill the team with fire in their bellies and hold players accountable, not give up. Let me add 81, 78 and 62 so how did his presence in the line up improve the team? He was traded to a team that missed the playoffs by one pt in '17-'18 and added not only him but Perron, Bozak and Binnington but we are all led to believe that his 50% FO wins during the playoffs is what lead the Blues to the finals and the cup the following year.