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Because of the team and the coaching around them. Yes, they are very talented players, but it's a team sport and you need structure and a defensive system and guys sticking up for other guys. It's the whole package and not just the attention getting stars. Reinhart is a good hockey player but Barkov is without a doubt the most underrated star in the league. He is an absolute beast that plays a full game and opens up a lot of space for his linemates. Ask yourself how does E-Rod look so good there? It's the team concept and the support around him. This has always been what the Sabres get wrong. Build the culture, the structure, the identity and when it's all in place insert stars and you will succeed. Drafting the stars and just saying okay go win is stupid and that's what they do.

Of all the players on the team, I thought that the referees seemed to single him out for calls that most other players wouldn't get. As you point out, knowing when to do things, where to do things and when to do things is something that he will have to learn. He's a smart enough player to make the necessary adjustment as he gains experience.

Greer was picked up on waivers. So was Boquist who wasn't part of the final 3 but did play bottom line much of the year.

...that he was willing to give. It's a press conference, not a deposition under oath. Your assumption they don't have a plan is an opinion, as is mine that they do. But I think mine makes more sense logically. You're is based on emotion.

I would take Nelson as our HC. Also, he would have been a great add to our coaching staff as an assitant. He would have been a natural to replace Ruff as head coach at Thanksgiving (if things don't do well).

Allan Walsh has been playing The Game and this is the Sabres playing The Game. It's All About The Game:

Ultimately we move JJP based on the contract he think he's worth, if it's in the $5-$6 million two - three year bridge deal think he stays if he's looking for a $8-9 million nine yea deal think we move him.

I would also think the Stars adding salary is counter to what they are looking for. Ideally they would want to save a million or 2 on JE for JJ and get a useful ELC player or two as a sweetener

Powers contracts too high to move, and they couldn't sign byram either. They're pretty much needing ELC contributors and a big piece to replace Robertson. I'm not sure they move him this year though - Moving dumba and lyubushkin can save them 7M, they can probably move lundkvist's RFA tender for an ELC forward. Next year i think there's more urgency to trade him as both him and Harley are coming up and with rantanen's deal in place i don't know how you can pay two wingers 24M and roster a team.

Over what? Personally I would not consider trading that package for Robertson. The upgrade in one of our deepest positions is not worth the gaping long-term hole on D.

Seems like an overpay to me as think most feel we'd be adding Robertson to give the Stars more cap room. So the thought is trade them JJP whom they can sign for less than $7.75 they'd be willing to make the trade since JJP may not be as good as Robertson but fair compensation for less cap room. Power's due to get $8.35 million next season so I highly doubt Dallas would add him unless they give us Robertson and some other player with a bad contract which is dumb of the Sabres as again we're trying to improve not worsen this team.

I'd rather trade JJP and Power (and a prospect) in a Robertson deal. Is that not feasible?

You can if they're over 35yrs old

Especially if you are getting Robertson, that is like the Reinhart deal or the Eichel deal in reverse, I dont think either team would be upset over what they gave up to get the best player

Weathermen get the bad rap, but NHL Insiders have them beat a million times over.

I am at a point where an overpayment of prospects and picks is OK. You don’t need to worry about winning the trade in the long term, just get the better player now.

It's heavily hedged to the fact he hasn't played in two years and may never return to form or need to retire again. That being said, I never knew you could structure a contract with that much bonus potential. 2 mil cap hit that can balloon as high as 7mil.

Speaking of statements that aren't true,... And FTR, you are assuming that they have a plan. We already know for certain that KA had no plan for Byram when he traded Mitts. He also figuratively threw his hands up in his PTs & Ts Presser that he had no answers.

Anyone else surprised at the potential value of Toews contract?

Also remember Robertson was injured and came back halfway through the playoffs. He was just starting to get back to form when they were eliminated

Looks like the Amerks are keeping Leone

Ilya Samsonov is not resigning in Vegas, might be a good option behind UPL as a vet to push him for playing time

I don't know what the Sabres are planning because they are not leaking anything, and neither are other teams and agents, other than Peterka's. If you want me to predict I assume there are meetings with Kiekäläinen, Staal, Ventura and Karmanos to discuss players that are available and which Sabres assets are most attractive to which teams. I will say the Sabres are positioned to make some big moves with the assets they have. But in my opinion, the Sabres can't just target a player to acquire. They have to be sure that player is on board 100%. The last thing we need is another Taylor Hall; a name who takes a big paycheck, then half-azzes it. I would hate to see a young player blossom elsewhere because, out of desperation, we make a Tim Murray-style trade where we overpay and either get nothing, or get more problems. What I'd like to see is a veteran who is fully bought-in and will get in the grill of any Sabres player not giving full effort.

It was reported by multiple news outlets including Paul Hamilton at WGR. We hate every player the Sabres bring in.

Eric Robinson extends in Carolina 4 years 1.7 per year I missed him, I felt he unfairly was scapegoated as one of the problems with the 4th line, id gladly take him back over Lafferty ffs