tom webster

He's a solid number three center. Not sure he deserves much more.

LB may be the most overrated position in the NFL today. Last year the Bills played either nickle or dime 60% of the time. As Hoss said, their backers aren't that bad although they could always upgrade.

I'm assuming that Risto is our 1 and that either Pysyk, McCabe or one of the propects will become our number three. I also always assumed that the shopping list was one top tier forward and one top tier LHD to pair with Risto. I've said it before, ultimately you want to end up with 4 top forwards, a couple of forwards comfortable playing complimentary roles, 3 defenseman and a solid goalie. Adding more talent and picks only increase the odds of finding them on your roster. Once they are on your roster, its up to the front office to know which players are the core and which become the fillers.

I go back and forth on this but I feel that in the end, they may still be searching for that 4th forward. This year has been a disappointment for Zemgus and Tyler and I'm still not sure you want Kane as your 4th core forward. He is defintely a guy that you want on your team but I fear that he may be one of those guys who wont settle in as your number four forward and might thus outprice himself. With Jack and Sam being on entry level deals and Kane having two years left on his you have a rare chance to overload the forward ranks and then let things settle out themselves in two years. In the end, I'm comfortable with the third line being what it is, hope to improve the fourth center position and hope that Fasching starts his career on the fourth line before developing into a top guy and if you add a stud upfront you end up with one forward position for whoever his left between Ennis, Zemgus, Bailey and Moulson. I'm not sure I explained myself very well, but that is where I see things right now.

Have to give you credit, you were the first person I ever heard mention Hoffman before he cracked the big club. He has really turned into a nice player and I think he could be an interesting get without costing a fortune. That said, I would like to see Schwartz assumimg Stamkos isn't interested in playing woing for $10 million per and Landeskog and Hall would cost Risto.

I don't think so, I think he was going to cut in front.

I think he will either be an important part moving forward. I'm just not sure if its on the team or as part of a trade.

Real problem is they don't exist in 95% of NHL games

I know it's not a popular opinion on this board but if Foligno was playing his second year in the NHL like he should be fans would be predicting big things for him.

I know that's what GMTM said I just don't see where he fits. He's the perfect guy for the playoffs when you want to upgrade the skill on your fourth line but he just isn't what I think they want in the top two lines

That's what Buffalo would prefer, I doubt Fasching's people will let him do that.

The Bennett trade was huge but that wasn't a free agent signing. Possibly the best trade ever but I have always had a soft spot for Ahmad Rashad for Dennis Shaw.

Just because he moved up the list doesn't mean his wealth increased. I'm pretty sure he was at $4.2 billion a few years ago.

What the hell? Blackhawks score a goal in hockey town and half the lower bowl stands up and cheers! I thought that only happened in Buffalo.

I thought that sounded high. He just corrected himself

Oh God, I completely agree with you but I just know where this is heading and I fear for my sanity....

They still have McKelvin and Graham to restructure. If they could get Gillmore to sign that would free up a bunch. A rookie or two will replace a veteran so those veterans can be cut.

I would rate Bryce Paup and Ted Washington above him as far as impact in team but I believe you are right, one of the best and I would want them to do it again

With Jake McCabe getting signaled out by Tim Murray for his developement this year, I guess I technically owe Hoss playoff tickets and an autographed jersey. Unfortunately he will have to wait at least a year for those tickets. As for the 6.0 version of the contest. I am open to suggestions on how to make it better.

Cal O'Reilly

Excuse me? Show me anywhere I ever said anything about paying 6 forwards $6M per year! I've been pretty consistent in talking about a top 4 and giving yourself flexibility in the bottom 9.

Read better. I continue to say it's a top 4 not 6. Chicago has proven you pay 4 forwards, 2-3 defenseman and a goalie. You don't pay guys like McGinn $4M plusThey have s little leeway for two more years because Jack and Sam will be on entry level deals but that's the framework

The problem with McGinn is he doesn't bring enough to the table. He scores good enough that he qualifies for the second line play. but does nothing else if you want to move him on the third and fourth line. He doesn't skate well enough, not great defensively. They want guys like Kane that can play anywhere throughout the top 3 lines. to go along with a top 4 that presently consist of Jack, Sam and Ryan and to be determined.

Vogl must have gotten his info from Tampa sources because clearly he is not in touch with anyone in the Sabres' organization

We will know soon enough.