tom webster

I know that. The point is that they all had a relationship with the team and that still didn’t influence their decision as where to sign. Players like to play. They come to camps.

What might not be going well is they don’t see him as a legitimate prospect. As far as development camp attendees, I wouldn’t read too much into into it. Cal Petersen, Alex Iafolo and Drake Caggiula attended multiple Sabre camps and none signed here.

ELP at CNE stadium. One of my favorite shows. Carl Palmer was incredible.

Ok, I seem to have two definite, Teri and NB, I’m assuming for one ticket each. I’ve also had three other posters react to my post but not sure if that means they are in. Please pm me with interest and number of tickets needed and I’ll explain process to those who haven’t done it before.

I’ve used it a couple times recently with good results but I’m not surprised to hear of your experiences. Like every other industry, help is hard to come by and standards have been lowered.

I know there’s a Little Steven gif for that, but damn if I know how to post it. Nice, that you are back though

I think you mean John Q.

I think they will ask for an unprotected 2023 1st. They won’t get it. I think it will end up being close to the above but like I said previously I’m still betting it won’t happen.

Trying to gauge interests in doing this again this year. We are back up to 8 tickets and save for 4 or 5 games we will have our choice of games. Cost will again be $100 per and I’ll need money by September.

Actually disagree. Prevailing sentiment is that Chicago wants to rid themselves of both without looking like they are forcing them out. Best way is to send both back to their hometowns.

Again, I don’t see them giving up significant assets. Chicago wants to be bad. They want a graceful exit strategy for both Kane and Toews. Trading Kane to his hometown is that. As Elliot Friedman stated, “it’s a romantic notion.” I just don’t see the downside.

If it was completely up to me, and it’s obviously not, I acquire both Toews and Kane with Chicago retaining half of cap hit, sign Letang to a one year, $10M contract, trade for Quick and see how it goes. If come March things aren’t going well, I trade Kane, Quick and Toews, recoup some assets and resign Kane next off-season. See, I could be an insider…..

There are a ton of factors going into this. While he wants to finish his career in Buffalo, he’s not going to just let them dictate the terms. If Buffalo doesn’t step up, someone else will and it could be a lot older Kane coming to finish up his career in Buffalo long after they could have used him.

I’m old, tired and hung over. Reading comprehension only at around 25% today.

Or, they trade him this off-season and he decides to re-up with the team he gets traded to. A lot of people seem to be assuming it’s now or next off-season but there’s no guarantee he’s free next year.

I like Comrie. In my opinion, either Quick or Campbell with Comrie is the best way to go. I wouldn’t mind Varlamov. Also, I’m not sure I would count on UPL at all.

Quick and Campbell seem to be the consensus favorites. Quick, because he would almost certainly waive his no trade clause to come back East, and had only one year on his deal that only pays him $2.5M and Campbell because he’s exactly the type of person KA wants, wouldn’t be too pricey, and could just be a slow developer a/k/a Tim Thomas.

Exactly.

One other thing, while analytics has improved this a little, player evaluation is not an exact science. The Sabres got Hasek for almost nothing, than exposed him to an expansion draft before being forced to play him due to injury. Pominville was exposed to waivers before becoming a 30 goal scorer.

NFL Contracts are almost always “back” loaded with huge bonuses paid early. The NHL can do the same within certain parameters. The difference is that in the NFL, the cap has a different value every year of contract, almost always lower to absurd, while the NHL total contract value is weighted evenly over the term of the contract. What the Sabres need to assess is what’s Tage’s floor, try and get him to bite on a contract that takes that risk into account, and hope he plays closer to his ceiling. Ultimately it’s up to him and his agent and how much he’s willing to bet on himself. Anyone thinking he’s going to sign for less than $7M per is kidding themselves. I feel like Don Quixote but I’m telling you, the cap is going to approach $100M sooner than you think.

It definitely makes sense for the players to sign shorter term, especially if they are confident in their abilities but most of them stupidly jump at what they see as financial security and guarantees and a lot of their agents push for it as well.

NHL today reported record revenue, $5.3 billion or more, another indication that salary cap concerns will vanish in two or three years. Teams smart enough to lock up young players now will be in even better position. Again, the next two years are the time to take advantage of any salary cap room.

You know I’m optimistic as well but that doesn’t mean that I have to be completely on board, especially if they weren’t at least considering the possibilities of jumpstarting things. I’m one hundred percent confident, however, that they have at least discussed it.

Glad to see your back, I was concerned. As for the above, the difference this year is that it’s plausible, though unlikely. Now it’s being brought up in TSN, not hockey buzz

But why not trade for Kane, who helps bring in Campbell or Fleury along with Subban. They become more formidable, bring in veteran leadership and do nothing to hurt the development of the kids. I understand what you are saying but your acceptance of another building year is where I have an issue. One other thing, before I forget. In the small chance that this does happen, it will not be TPEGS meddling, it will be KA adjusting to the opportunity. Once the cap skyrockets, the advantage the Sabres now have goes away.