tom webster

They have plenty of cap space.

My expectation is that Moulson will either be the 13th forward or in the AHL next year

First, I agree with Blue, DB needs to understand what makes a good dman in today's NHL. Second, and I have said this before, the Sabres are only 30 goals behind the Blackhawks and teh Blackhawks have at least 10 more empty net goals and stand 8th in the league in goals per game. As bad as the team has looked offensively at times, who here can't see the 20 goal differential being made up by Jack and Sam alone next year? How about Moulson's replacement? Not to mention factoring in that goals beget goals. You score first and the game opens up. You lead late and the games opens up. You lead late and the empty net goals come.

I got one have been encouraged by their play. I'm assuming that Jack and Sam take a big leap next year and the defense is upgraded. Everything else stays the same and they are payoff contenders and their goal output would be smack in the middle if the league with no other changes. And I see them making other changes. You ask all the time, is this what we expected. I'll admit to being a little disappointed but I will put this in writing. Solid playoff contenders next year, Cup contenders by Jack's fourth year

I thought it was just me.

Yost reporting that Nashville will announce they re-acquired Hartnell after game concludes.

I've been burned more then once thinking this was their year, but I couldn't argue your point.

Not sure anyone ever thought they were going to more then a 5th for him anyway. Back up goalies aren't exactly hot commodities.

TSN just reported done deal, details to follow

Actually, he is having the kind of year that he has been having for his career, He is a career 15-20 goal scorer. I'm not advocating keeping him because as I have said before, the new NHL is a top 4 core kind of league and you don't give term and money to any other forwards but to say he is a fourth line center shows a lack of knowing what the NHL has become with respect to scoring and a lack of knowing what McGinn has done throughout his career 2011/2012 - 20 goals 2012/2013 -11 goals in a 48 game strike shortened season 2013/2014 - 19 goals 2014/2015 - 4 goals in 19 games before injury

And exactly his many 15-20 goal scorers are third liners much less 4th lines?

Weiss and Fleischman to Blackhawks

Still looking for a 3rd line winger apparently.

All the shady rumor mongers are reporting Yakupov to Canadiens close so either someone set them all up or their is fire to this smoke.

He can put them on the same pairing and take coffee breaks during their shifts on just stare at our goalie because the puck will usually be in the other end.

It won't be a huge deal but I expect to see Peter Wiercioch in a Sabre deal. Could be a decent number two pairing LHD.

Again we agree. I would rather it all come together Monday as well

Man, good thing that salary cap keeps holding them back

Hey something we agree on. Actually hearing several deals coukd get done tonight

Andrew Ladd scratched tonight and reports of talks between Chicago and Winnipeg heating up. Teddy Purcell for a second close to getting done.

I think you are probably right and I definitely agree if it's a choice, fixing the defense should come first. In sticking with the Chicago blueprint, maybe they find their Hossa at next year's trade deadline.

You talking from a salary cap standpoint or being able to accomplish it all in one off season? From a salary cap point of view, I think you can do it especially if you get a top 5 pick and fill one of those spots with an entry level deal. I would agree the two LHD would be great but if you can find one true top pairing guy you could be alright if McCabe develops. I don't worry two or three years down the road. As long as you sign people to good value deals and avoid the Moulson kind of deals, you can work the rest out.

I think Edmonton does that, Buffalo doesn't. After center, number one defenseman are most valuable position on team.

Exactly, only really have to cut Mario and he would have been gone with or without salary cap issues.

What Graham later added was that the GM expressed that the team had some pretty enviable talent and was competetive but he didn't understand how they had so little cap room. Unless he studied the cap implications of every contract they had he wouldn't know how easy it was or wasn't to negotiate out of,