K-9

There's so much more to developing a winning team than just drafting high-end talent and saying, "OK, have at it boys." What kind of leadership qualities do these guys possess? What kind of "hockey" character do they have? I submit Edmonton, for all its high draft picks, doesn't value that aspect as much as they should or they just did a terrible job of scouting that component in those players. Contrast that with everything we've heard of Reinhart and Eichel. Both mature beyond their years, great leaders, great teammates, and possessing the necessary work ethic. Even if Reinhart needs another year to develop physically and has to spend it in the A, he's still gonna be worth it. Eichel is flat out gonna be one of the strongest, if not THE strongest, guys on the team the moment he walks in the building. Unless the Oilers get serious about their back end and goalie situations, they are gonna be looking up at us for a while, regardless of how good McDavid is. GO SABRES!!!

Both good points here. Bogo is far better defensively than Myers. Myers is better offensively, but not by as wide a margin as Bogo is better defensively. Great hockey trade as has been mentioned. Good for both teams. BUT, and it's a big but as it pertains to playoff hockey, DEFENSIVE posture is everything and with Buff struggling, I gotta think the Jets could use Bogo right now. Kane was traded for Stafford, Armia, Lemieux, and a later first round pick. If he comes back healthy and gels with the kind of center we think Eichel will be, I just don't see how anyone can say Murray overpaid. GO SABRES!!!

The entire population of Canada who can't tolerate the idea that a generational Canadian talent could in any way be second to a generational American player. Don Cherry would commit hari kari on national TV if that ever occurred (although, that would be an easier sight to behold than his normal attire). GO SABRES!!!

I can't say definitively who is faster, only that both are very fast and super strong on the puck. And it's safe to say Eichel does not possess the same hands or vision. Yet. GO SABRES!!!

Seeing lots of disdain for Byfuglien on the HF forum. I thought he was the reason they wouldn't miss Bogo. GO SABRES!!!

I think the Lemieux reminder is apt. From the longer stick to his longer skating stride and ability to hit top speed in two strides, he is similar in that regard. And he's fast as well. GO SABRES!!!

I think Roy's relationship with Grigorenko naturally fuels that speculation about RoR. GO SABRES!!!

Just to be clear, I'm not advocating we trade anybody. I'm simply answering the question posed by the OP. GO SABRES!!!

Perhaps the single-most important aspect of him as a hockey player. I think the ability to make those around you better is where the definition of greatness begins. GO SABRES!!!

Jim Otto.

Attainable and sustainable. GO SABRES!!!

I'm guessing Grigorenko and Zadorov. Most likely in as a package. GO SABRES!!!

This is true and it reflects what the former coach at BU said the other day. If you're at a stage where you're gonna be riding buses in the minors then go back to school. If you're NHL ready, there's not much to be gained by going back. To say Eichel is ready is an understatement. He'll arrive one of the strongest guys on the team at 18, so from a physical standpoint, he can take the pounding. GO SABRES!!!

I'd only be momentarily disappointed in having to wait, but I'd also be happy for the kid if that's what he decided to do. Must be nice to be that young and have those kind of options. Not that it means too much, but I found it interesting that they voted to give him an "A" on his sweater for next year. http://thehockeywriters.com/is-jack-eichel-returning-to-bu/ GO SABRES!!!

Interesting take, here. And I agree with your premise; more teams will be encouraged to "tank" as a result of expanding the lottery. It's all about big market teams (dollars) getting a shot at more elite talent. Murray has always been right that the worst team should get the #1 overall pick and so on down the order of finish. GO SABRES!!!

Murray isn't dancing for the NHL, either. He's beholding to one man, Pegula; the person he directly reports to. I get the impression Pegula couldn't care less about Murray's demeanor as long as he produces a winning team. GO SABRES!!!

You aren't owed anything by any team you spend money on. Period. Buying a ticket is nothing more than obtaining a license to occupy that seat. Buying merchandise is nothing more than obtaining stuff in exchange for legal tender. You think you have the power to demand that Murray dance like a monkey as you stated above? You're the one spending money on an inferior product. Who's dancing for whom? GO SABRES!!!

Right. Like you're just so much smarter than all the other fans out there. GO SABRES!!!

Same here. Anyone who thinks that because they spend money on tickets, merchandise, etc., that they are OWED something by the team is delusional. GO SABRES!!!

That's your paranoia kicking in. Nothing about any post in this thread serves to make one "look better." I'm not sure what that means but I can understand the need one might have for that kind of thing. There's just no measure of ego satisfaction to be gained here. Unless, of course, one wishes to boast about being right about something patently obvious. Like a media narrative that dovetails one's own particular take on a press conference, for instance. You yourself admitted that you've never previously slammed Murray so yeah, I guess your agenda started after the press conference last night and continues today. I think your body of work in this thread supports your anti-Murray message perfectly. GO SABRES!!!

I didn't misinterpret, I ignored it. Big difference. I don't think you're in a position to lecture anyone about misinterpretation given your butchery of Murray's comments. You chose to ignore any positive thing he had to say last night. Sucks, doesn't it? That's the hypocrite box you put yourself in earlier today. Castigating was a poor choice of words for which I apologized for. That's not making schit up, either. At worst, it's speaking out of turn. Get over it. So far today, I've managed to perfectly characterize your disdain for Tim Murray. I've misinterpreted nothing. You've been pretty clear and consistent in your negative attack on Murray since this thread opened. Agendas have to start somewhere so I find your defense of "I never attacked him before," utterly lacking. You purposely chose to ignore any positive statements he made because those statements don't support your overall theory that Murray was a babbling idiot that caused you to reconsider his abilities as a GM. Sorry, but when you purposely parse the language like that, it reeks of an agenda. No attempt to balance his statements, putting more weight into spontaneous remarks, and then boasting about being right about the media's narrative (even though it was obvious what is was going to be), all point to the same thing. Carry-on, indeed. You've seen fit to do just that this entire thread. GO SABRES!!!

Is taking time to listen anything like hearing only what you want to hear? GO SABRES!!! Ah, the old, "reading comprehension" gambit. What's next, calling me "dude?" GO SABRES!!!

That's a bad thing? Is it because you don't value his statements born out of reflective consideration vs. spontaneous, off the cuff remarks that reveal his total inability to be a GM? GO SABRES!!!

Hey, this crap can be hard to keep up with, so no worries here. You are correct that we need to judge Murray moving forward and these players were taken on his watch. I'll nitpick Lemieux though, as he was traded to acquire assets. I have no problem with that. GO SABRES!!!

You have a firm grasp of the obvious. Congrats! GO SABRES!!! No, overstated in that I made a poor choice of words. I assure you, nothing about my opinion of your views on Murray is from thin air. You have provided ample material to remove any doubt. GO SABRES!!!