That's awesome, hope you have a blast:


- washedup20

OMG, that is one of the best scenes of all time. Marrrrrgalllllettti

So we're one of 78 teams that called about Zegras...

Am I the only one who thinks that would be a silly move at this point? Seems redundant.
- QuinnFan

he might be an interesting alternative for the 2nd line wing, but in a way he kind of reminds me of Byram in that you aren't sure what you have and at some point you need to give him his first big contract. I wouldn't move anyone from the top 2 lines for him.

Benson for Zegras - who says no?

more commercials
less showing of their families and the few hot moms
- homiedclown

We need more hots moms not less!!! Damn you Gary!

he might be an interesting alternative for the 2nd line wing, but in a way he kind of reminds me of Byram in that you aren't sure what you have and at some point you need to give him his first big contract. I wouldn't move anyone from the top 2 lines for him.

Benson for Zegras - who says no?
- Slump Buster

Ooooooh, that's a good one. I'm not sure. I really like Benson and worry Zegras is a little punky, so I probably would shy away, but that's a fair swap anyways. We get a winger who can play center, they get a more cost controlled winger that's younger and fits the window better.

It is going to be a short period anyway. One would think minds have already been made up and so it could last 30 minutes and be enough time.

6/24 at 10:45pm + 48 hrs = Wed 6/26 10:45 pm the BO period starts and goes until Sunday 6/30 at 5:00pm.

I'll be in Italy enjoying the sights, food and the Mediterranean Sea and Beach. (frank) Kevyn. Lol
- IonSabres

Have fun uncle ion!

Well, sure, that's the point. Success can be defined in a lot of ways. The league can be more profitable but less popular. The game has gown financially under Bettman's watch, but that certainly isn't the whole story.
- Slump Buster

Would have been almost impossible to not grow financially.

What we have is a watered down product. The gap between making the NHL and being a skilled NHL player is still gigantic.

Adding more teams to “grow” the game actually made the game less exciting. The classic over-saturation effect. Keep adding salt until it tastes good, but by that point the water has boiled out and it’s too salty, so you have to water it back down, and that never ends up tasting good.

And the whole problem is that Gary doesn’t realize all you need is ice and cocaine.

- washedup20

Dcikhead

Dcikhead
- broncohorvath

not a fan of Giggles?

Sure, that's a different question. But you can't tell me that the small cash grab to go to the Outdoor Life Network away from ESPN was a smart one. They became an afterthought on Sportscenter when that happened.
- Slump Buster

Agreed.

Would have been almost impossible to not grow financially.

What we have is a watered down product. The gap between making the NHL and being a skilled NHL player is still gigantic.

Adding more teams to “grow” the game actually made the game less exciting. The classic over-saturation effect. Keep adding salt until it tastes good, but by that point the water has boiled out and it’s too salty, so you have to water it back down, and that never ends up tasting good.

And the whole problem is that Gary doesn’t realize all you need is ice and cocaine.
- Jet Jaguar BD

I agree with much of what you said, but I disagree that the game is less exciting. I think trends in the game have affected quality of play at certain stretches, but that is natural in a copycat sport. The trend in sports is to have more young players in the sport, and I don't think that is a bad thing.

But yeah, I don't think he can get too much of a pat on the back for the growth in revenue.

he might be an interesting alternative for the 2nd line wing, but in a way he kind of reminds me of Byram in that you aren't sure what you have and at some point you need to give him his first big contract. I wouldn't move anyone from the top 2 lines for him.

Benson for Zegras - who says no?
- Slump Buster

Sabres should say no.

I like Zegras. He’s not what this team needs.

Sabres should say no.

I like Zegras. He’s not what this team needs.
- ImThatGuy

I would agree with that. I suspect that both team's fan bases would say no. They are certainly going to over-value him because of the name recognition.

30 years in? And he still doesn't realize he needs to market his players better.

he might be an interesting alternative for the 2nd line wing, but in a way he kind of reminds me of Byram in that you aren't sure what you have and at some point you need to give him his first big contract. I wouldn't move anyone from the top 2 lines for him.

Benson for Zegras - who says no?
- Slump Buster

Anyone with a brain.

Skinner for Zegras

I agree with much of what you said, but I disagree that the game is less exciting. I think trends in the game have affected quality of play at certain stretches, but that is natural in a copycat sport. The trend in sports is to have more young players in the sport, and I don't think that is a bad thing.

But yeah, I don't think he can get too much of a pat on the back for the growth in revenue.
- Slump Buster

What I see is a league with an average of 1 superstar per team, a supporting group of talented players no more than 5, and that leaves 12 spots for your hard workers, over-achievers, nepotism and guys who could afford to be there.

1/3 of the league is talented. So by natural laws of conflict, 2/3 of the league is working to make sure 1/3 of the league doesn’t get to look too cool, or have too much fun (and therefore, the fans are happier) and they will hurt you, literally physically if you do.

And Gary has made sure it stays that way. His revenue and growing of the game made that 1/3 vs. 2/3 system a 1/4 vs 3/4 system, and at one point it was 1/5 vs. 4/5 under his direction, which has caused multiple lockouts.

It is only exacerbated by the corrupt officiating, which is the guys who weren’t good enough to make the NHL but also were affluent enough that an AHL career would have been a conscious decision to lower your class and economic standing, and in a sport ruled by the upper-middle class, it makes sense that the entire system top-to-bottom is run by bitter goons.

What I see is a league with an average of 1 superstar per team, a supporting group of talented players no more than 5, and that leaves 12 spots for your hard workers, over-achievers, nepotism and guys who could afford to be there.

1/3 of the league is talented. So by natural laws of conflict, 2/3 of the league is working to make sure 1/3 of the league doesn’t get to look too cool, or have too much fun (and therefore, the fans are happier) and they will hurt you, literally physically if you do.

And Gary has made sure it stays that way. His revenue and growing of the game made that 1/3 vs. 2/3 system a 1/4 vs 3/4 system, and at one point it was 1/5 vs. 4/5 under his direction, which has caused multiple lockouts.

It is only exacerbated by the corrupt officiating, which is the guys who weren’t good enough to make the NHL but also were affluent enough that an AHL career would have been a conscious decision to lower your class and economic standing, and in a sport ruled by the upper-middle class, it makes sense that the entire system top-to-bottom is run by bitter goons.
- Jet Jaguar BD

We have 18 year olds doing Michigan's and between the leg top 10 goals.

The league is far more talented than 10 years ago.

Why are the Devils trading Marino?
- TheSabresTaco

supposedly he has repeated trouble with the basics.

supposedly he has repeated trouble with the basics.


- Ratsreign

Is Bob playing? I assumed he took the extra day off and didnt practice but have not looked into it.

Anyone with a brain.

Skinner for Zegras
- DirtyDan

Would you trade Benson for Cozens (if he wasn't on our team)?

Cozens is pretty equivalent to Zegras is all I mean.

I do like your trade a lot better thooooooooo.

supposedly he has repeated trouble with the basics.


- Ratsreign

Big day buddy. You got your lucky socks and sweater on?

Is Bob playing? I assumed he took the extra day off and didnt practice but have not looked into it.
- DirtyDan

He’s playing.

He’s playing.
- Ratsreign

I assumed so. Guy needed a break

What I see is a league with an average of 1 superstar per team, a supporting group of talented players no more than 5, and that leaves 12 spots for your hard workers, over-achievers, nepotism and guys who could afford to be there.

1/3 of the league is talented. So by natural laws of conflict, 2/3 of the league is working to make sure 1/3 of the league doesn’t get to look too cool, or have too much fun (and therefore, the fans are happier) and they will hurt you, literally physically if you do.

And Gary has made sure it stays that way. His revenue and growing of the game made that 1/3 vs. 2/3 system a 1/4 vs 3/4 system, and at one point it was 1/5 vs. 4/5 under his direction, which has caused multiple lockouts.

It is only exacerbated by the corrupt officiating, which is the guys who weren’t good enough to make the NHL but also were affluent enough that an AHL career would have been a conscious decision to lower your class and economic standing, and in a sport ruled by the upper-middle class, it makes sense that the entire system top-to-bottom is run by bitter goons.
- Jet Jaguar BD

So you think expansion has ruined the game? I don't think that the teams are watered down at all. In fact, I think the proof is in the pudding: we no longer see vets who are not stars playing into their late 30s. If there was a talent shortage, I think we would be seeing that. Instead, it is the opposite: it is very much a young man's game. Does that change the game? Sure, of course, and not always for the better. But I don't think the game is in very good shape.

We have 18 year olds doing Michigan's and between the leg top 10 goals.

The league is far more talented than 10 years ago.
- DirtyDan

You, like most Americans, can’t tell the difference between skill and talent.

Do something a hundred times and get good at it… That isn’t talent. It’s work. A skill.

Josh Allen is talented. Otherwise he would be Brock Osweiler. That’s the difference. Lot’s of guys can throw the ball 60 air yards. Most can’t hurdle 6’6” black dudes and stiff arm them into the dirt while dragging 2 of them on his feet.

Zegras can do the Michigan but he isn’t talented, or he would be McDavid and wouldn’t need to do the Michigan, you understand?

Would you trade Benson for Cozens (if he wasn't on our team)?

Cozens is pretty equivalent to Zegras is all I mean.

I do like your trade a lot better thooooooooo.
- QuinnFan

I refuse to entertain