I think it will have to happen. Their competitive window seems to have already passed with that group. This is the first season where I've honestly wondered if trading AO (among other players) would be more beneficial for the Caps than keeping him.
I think it will have to happen. Their competitive window seems to have already passed with that group. This is the first season where I've honestly wondered if trading AO (among other players) would be more beneficial for the Caps than keeping him.
Not having Backstrom around doesn't help much either. Meanwhile, Ovechkin pots the winner in OT tonight.
I swear when that guy wants to play hard, he's the best player in hockey, and I don't think it's even close. But I think he knows that too. Is that his problem, complacency/cockiness/hubris? I read an article in GQ about him; seems he's really, really into the Moscow party scene. He's like a Russian Roy!
What do you consider big? I'd imagine they'll part ways with Semin, at the very least. I wouldn't be surprised if they float Mike Green, too. He's arbitration eligible and I'm guessing he's not looking for a pay cut from his current $5.25m cap hit. Notwithstanding his tough season, I think they could get something pretty good for him, and they could get something even better if they packaged him with one of their two 1sts.
I think they'll bring over Kuznetsov, bring up Eakin, and with the amount of cap space they'll have they can get in on the bidding for Suter/Parise. I think removing Green and Semin from that locker room will do good things for them.
I said this the last two years and it's true even more so now. The Eastern Conference is pathetic. This happened last year too. Anytime the Sabres lost a game they felt minimal impact in the standings because the teams they were chasing lost too.
I said this the last two years and it's true even more so now. The Eastern Conference is pathetic. This happened last year too. Anytime the Sabres lost a game they felt minimal impact in the standings because the teams they were chasing lost too.
The vast majority of games are played within the conference, not losing ground has nothing to do with the quality of the Eastern Conference. The Sabres are treading between 11th and 8th, that's bordering on the bottom third of the league, teams are apt to lose more than they win at that point. That has a lot more to do with not losing ground in the standings after a loss rather than anything East vs West.
The vast majority of games are played within the conference, not losing ground has nothing to do with the quality of the Eastern Conference. The Sabres are treading between 11th and 8th, that's bordering on the bottom third of the league, teams are apt to lose more than they win at that point. That has a lot more to do with not losing ground in the standings after a loss rather than anything East vs West.
I never mentioned the Western Conference.
It has everything to do with the quality of the teams. Outside NYR, PIT and a healthy BOS none of the teams are clear cut better on a given night. There's parity in the East in that most teams are equally mediocre.
Calgary up 2-0 already, 7 mins in. Two PP goals for the Flames on undisciplined penalties by the Jets. How we gave this Winnipeg team three points in Buffalo I'll never know. What a putrid road team.
Calgary up 2-0 already, 7 mins in. Two PP goals for the Flames on undisciplined penalties by the Jets. How we gave this Winnipeg team three points in Buffalo I'll never know. What a putrid road team.
3-2 now, damn. Kane scores to make it 3-1, then Kolanos takes it off Pavelec's stick behind the net but flubs the wraparound tap-in as the puck rolls off his stick, then Wheeler scores a minute later. Don't blow this, Flames.
