Game 18: Sabres @ Leafs, 7:00pm - SNet-O, Fan590

[Zee]

Franson with assists on both PP goals, tied for 7th in D-men points with 11, and tied for 4th overall in plus/minus with +11.

I've always liked his offensive game and now that Carlyle has tightened up the defensive parts he is looking like a pretty valuable player 5 on 5 and on the PP.  Only downside is that he is going to want a big raise from 1.2M if he keeps this up; good problem to have I guess.

Yup! This guy has been awesome. You have to respect a guy that comes out and admits he stunk and voes to improve his play this season, because he says he's got something to prove... and then he does it in big fashion.

Without a trade or a substantial injury, I don't think we are going to see Gardiner back this short season. Just a hunch.

I think they'll be a trade before the season is up.  Gardiner will be back on the team.

 

[bustaheims]

Without a trade or a substantial injury, I don't think we are going to see Gardiner back this short season. Just a hunch.

He won't be back until there's a permanent spot on the team for him. He's too close to losing his waiver exemption to be an injury fill in.

 

[sampson]

Without a trade or a substantial injury, I don't think we are going to see Gardiner back this short season. Just a hunch.

He won't be back until there's a permanent spot on the team for him. He's too close to losing his waiver exemption to be an injury fill in.

I wouldn't be shocked if Liles is traded for some kind of draft pick.

 

[Andy007]

Without a trade or a substantial injury, I don't think we are going to see Gardiner back this short season. Just a hunch.

He won't be back until there's a permanent spot on the team for him. He's too close to losing his waiver exemption to be an injury fill in.

I wouldn't be shocked if Liles is traded for some kind of draft pick.

'Some kind' meaning one that magically erases length and details of a contract? Unless he can start to at least put up some consistent points, he's going to be harder to move than Komisarek.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Without a trade or a substantial injury, I don't think we are going to see Gardiner back this short season. Just a hunch.

He won't be back until there's a permanent spot on the team for him. He's too close to losing his waiver exemption to be an injury fill in.

I agree with the first part, but I'm not sure how much the exemption status plays in keeping him.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I think they'll be a trade before the season is up.  Gardiner will be back on the team.

Yeah, they're kind of jammed here, because the Marlies are short D-men, but the ones (other than Holzer) that you would send down would most likely get plucked off waivers, so if you want to make a move, it will most likely be an external one. Maybe a trade to get picks, but also a younger defensive prospect or something.

 

[bustaheims]

I agree with the first part, but I'm not sure how much the exemption status plays in keeping him.

If he plays 3 more games, he has to be put on waivers to go to the Marlies. He's not going to be brought up to be a healthy scratch and the team is not going to expose him to waivers. It plays a pretty significant part in determining which league he plays in. He's not going to be an injury replacement - unless we're looking at an injury that ends a career or, at least, spans the remainder of that player's contract.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I agree with the first part, but I'm not sure how much the exemption status plays in keeping him.

If he plays 3 more games, he has to be put on waivers to go to the Marlies. He's not going to be brought up to be a healthy scratch and the team is not going to expose him to waivers. It plays a pretty significant part in determining which league he plays in. He's not going to be an injury replacement - unless we're looking at an injury that ends a career or, at least, spans the remainder of that player's contract.

It's more that if your first point is right, the second is irrelevant. I agree that they won't call him up for a short injury call up, if they even need to do that anyway, as you imply they already have Liles and Komisarek healthy scratches. That's why I said substantial injury.

Gardiner is NHL quality, I think that is a safe statement and if he is ready to come up, it should ultimately force a trade, or an executive decision in my opinion. Tough call though with the way Frazer, Kostka and Holzer are playing. Gardiner is probably more frustrated about his status than any of us.

 

[Bonsixx]

That's an extremely weak lineup. Vanek, Pominville and Miller are the only reasons they've won as many games as they have.

Two excellent forwards and an all-star goalie? Yeah, probably...

Yeah but they clearly can't do it all. They have no depth. Even if miller keeps them in it if Pominville or Vanek don't score its game over. Their record indicates this and last nights game practically proved it.

Oh I agree, I'm just saying, two very talented forwards and a goalie who sometimes just can't be beat is plenty to be a dangerous team to play on any given night. The main issue with the Sabres, as *shudder* Greg Millen pointed out last night, appears to be their utter lack of team speed.