You want replacement players?

Why? when you can catch an AHL game for a lot less and have nearly equal talent.

WGR's Matthew Coller was on the Howard Simon Show reviewing last nights Rochester Americans preseason game. Aside from his analysis of the game and individual players he notes that the AHL will have some extremely talented players in the league during the lockout.

Starting with the Buffalo Sabres/Rochester Americans connection, the Amerks will be boasting the likes of Marcus Foligno, Cody Hodgson and Brayden McNabb. Plus, we'll get introductory pro seasons from Zemgus Girgensons and Mark Pysyk as well as the opportunity to see goalie David Leggio play against an array of NHL talent from across the AHL.

And talent there is.

How about the Oklahoma City Barons, Edmonton's AHL team with the likes of Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? And if that wasn't enough, Taylor Hall will be joining them when he's cleared to play. They also have highly touted Justin Schultz on the back end.

Philadelphia's AHL club, the Adirondack Phantoms, will have young gun Sean Couturier at their behest. Joining him are Brayden Schenn plus defensemen Erik Gustafsson and Marc-Andre Bourdon.

Other AHL teams have some star power as well. The Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) have  2010-11 Calder winner Jeff Skinner and defenseman Jared Staal on their roster.
Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson will be suiting up for the Albany River Rats (NJ Devils.)

Other NHL names heading to the AHL:

• Nick Leddy, Marcus Krueger, Rockford Ice Hogs (Chicago)
• Jordan Caron, Providence Bruins (Boston)
• Brett Connolly, Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay)
• Emerson Etem, Norfolk Admirals (Anaheim)
• Jake Gardiner, Toronto Marlies (Toronto)
• Simon Despres, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh)
• Nino Niederreiter, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NY Islanders)

Put it all together and why would anyone want to go see an NHL game with replacement players when any number of AHL teams have the talent to beat an NHL replacement team?

Or, maybe the commish could replace the Winter Classic with the Replacement Classic and pit an "All star" replacement team vs. an AHL all star team.

*shrugs*

No skin off of my back.