I tried to lay off this for some time but really where has this guy been???? He's only got 2 points so far since being here. I thought he was suppose to be a "scorer" this year?

_________________
just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Well, he's been out the last two games with an undisclosed (wrist) upper body injury, and is now day-to-day.

Thing is about Raffi Torres, I think, is that his scoring woes is a product of the system and that the top two lines have gelled so well. I don't think Torres is going to be slotted back into the top six when he comes back. Honestly, unless Mair gets pulled out and Torres plays on the 4th line, I don't see him coming back at all.

Possibly a bit of a wasted trade.

_________________
mechaphil

Well he's injured right now. And Ruff kinda sorta indicated that he may have been injured when he was traded here, soooo...

_________________
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

Yep just like getting Moore last year.

_________________
just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Kinda sorta is a bit of an understatement haha

But seriously, Lindy has strongly hinted that Torres arrived in Buffalo injured, which (if the Sabres chose to raise a stink about it) could be very bad for Columbus.

_________________
mechaphil

So just like getting you know who from last year. Darcy for fuck sakes, before you make a trade ask the opposing team if the player is injured. If he is DO NOT make the trade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_________________
just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

could have possibly kept that second round pick.

_________________
"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Can GMs require a physical before acquiring a player?

_________________
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

I believe so.

_________________
just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

i think it's mandatory in football. one reason why we still have mccargo.

_________________
"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

you got that right.. Im confused about the whole situation with the NHL though..

_________________
Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

I called it before Darcy even made a trade.
I think I stated "Get ready for our annual Moore trade"

_________________
Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

I think people have to remember that getting a "goal scorer" at the deadline is hard. Hagman and Stajan both have lacked scoring with Calgary. Olli Jokinen has like 2 goals for NYR. Poni has 2 goals for Pitt and he has Sid as his center. Even Marian Hossa who went from Atlanta to Pitt struggled and was considered a bust, had like 3 goals in like 14 games, until he blew up in the playoffs.

My point is, Torres has done well as a role player and in the small things... such as play by the boards, physical aspect, and going to the net, but his true addition can't be judged upon until the playoffs. When the Sabres went out to get Torres, they had to have known it was going to be a learning curve, obviously you'd hope he would atleast score once already, but his value will be determined in the playoffs, how he does in the 1-1 games and how he does in the "big games" such as Game 7s....

_________________
Impossible Is Nothing.

Yes it may have been a waste of a trade if he isn't producing offensively however its tough to score when playing on a grinder line. On the positive side of it, if Torres getting brought in was enough of a kick-in-the-ass to get our top 6 forwards playing like they should, I'm ok with it.

_________________
"Every time I think you say the dumbest thing ever...you keep on talkin' " - Hank Hill
"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

I believe they can, but that's one of the dangers of waiting until the deadline until you make a move. Making a physical a contingency doesn't work much since the deal has to be DONE by 3pm.

I haven't as yet had time to check the CBA on this to see if it says anything. I would think that sending clubs have to disclose such injuries, but that's just a guess.

I believe they have to disclose the injury because Milan Jurcina was traded back to Washington and he was put on IR immediately

Ummm, I'm pretty sure he asked that question. You're giving grade 3 advice to a NHL Gm.

_________________
I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

Good points...

_________________
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

The NHL has no injury disclosure clause, therefore it's not really possible to tell if a player is hurt or not.

You can request a physical, but the paperwork for that player has to be processed by 3pm on deadline day. It's not like these players sit around all day, waiting to be traded, then run straight for a team doctor to check them out.

It's just shady of GMs to do that, but it's part of the business.

All in all Torres has done what we've asked of him, and he'll be back soon enough. It's not like that 2nd round pick would have helped us in the next 3-4 years anyway. Most second round picks don't jump into the league until they are 22. We need to win now. We've got a solid core of players, the best goalie in the game right now, and we needed depth on the 3rd and 4th lines. He provides that, where a 2nd round pick; does nothing until Vanek, Roy, Pominville, Miller, etc are all well over 30, and starting to down slope.

We have plenty of quality prospects, and can always get another prospect down the road later on. It's a matter of capitalizing on having a good team when you can.

_________________
"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

This is true, but how do you explain Stempniak?
9 goals and 2 assists in 10 games with the Coyotes, you think the change of scenery was the catalyst, or could it be he is playing with better linemates?
No matter how you slice it, Stempniak is finishing, thats the key. Something he is either not given a chance to do or just failed at in Toronto. Either way, Phoenix made out like a bandit if he continues to produce at this pace.

_________________
Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.