Peter

I am glad it looks like a deal is going to get done. It will be interesting to see what the terms are.

But would you spend $45,000 on a $40,000 truck?

I really hope you are correct. I would have preferred having NO risk and a deal before making the trade - especially given ROR's contract history with the Avs. Without a prior deal, the Sabres have put themselves at risk. There is nothing to stop ROR or his agent from demanding more at the last minute (just like our recent trade partners appear to have done). Again, I hope you are correct and that ROR plays up to his contract.

I wrote in another thread that I thought that the Sabres had a lot more leverage to get better deals in the ROR and Lehner trades. Now that we have made the ROR trade (and have given up a lot for two guys who have one year left on their deals and one of those guys has serious back issues), we have very little leverage in negotiating the ROR extension. In fact, probably no leverage whatsoever. We essentially paid a premium to the Avs to take on their risk in getting a deal done. I really hope (given the above) that ROR wants to extend and stay in Buffalo, the Sabres and ROR agree to a fair value, and ROR plays up to his contract.

Let me preface my comments by saying that I like TM. I am happy that he is our GM. Nevertheless, I agree with the overall thesis of the OP. Tim has paid (in my opinion) premium pricing in his trades. We certainly accumulated assets to use to improve the team, but I think that we had a lot more leverage in both the Lehner and ROR trades. Lehner may end up being good, but his track record in the NHL does not justify the 21st pick in the draft. The goalie market this year and in recent years does not support the 21st pick in the draft. We also did Uncle Brian a huge favor by taking on salary. ROR is a good two way player, but appears (I hope not) to have a cap on his offensive production. We also are taking on the risk (whatever that percentage may be) of not being able to extend him beyond this year. Also, if we do extend him, it will have a ripple effect on the rest of the roster and cap in a few years. McGinn also has one year left on his deal and a history of back problems. In fact, his back issues limited him to 19 games this past year. I wish we could have used the 21st pick (instead of Zadorov) in the ROR deal. I also do not like having to "throw in" Compher on top of Zadorov. As some have said, if we win the Stanley Cup in the next few years, not many will care what we gave up. Forgetting about what his salary will be and what we gave up for him for the moment, the Sabres are clearly stronger down the middle with ROR than without. Lehner is a question mark. We can hope that he will reach the potential that Tim sees in him by giving him the minutes he needs and providing him the goalie whisperer (Irbe - presuming he continues to be the goalie coach). Mcginn's back and contract also are question marks. Let's hope his back issues are cleared up. We now have fewer assets than before. Tim is going to have to be more circumspect in his trades. At the same time, he probably has a bit of a reputation in the league for willing to pay a premium for players he is fixated on. He is going to have to show that those days are over. Side note: it will be interesting to see if and when Tim acquires any other Russian players. I have a feeling that he falls within that camp of NHL executives who are not fans of Russians. What is that adage that some use - none but certainly not more than one? Another side note: I have this impression (my opinion) that teams negotiate with Tim by insisting on "throw ins" at the last moment (e.g., Compher and Lemieux). That is a negotiating tactic that some attempt to use in the business world to take advantage of the other side's anxiousness to close the deal after thinking the parties already have agreed to terms. I hope that stops. Tim may have to call people's bluffs in future negotiations. Just my two cents.

That article concludes with: "Verdict: The Senators got what they wanted out of the deal - a first-round pick and some financial relief - and that's enough to get the nod over Buffalo. If Lehner turns out to be great, or even good, then the Sabres won't have any regrets, but paying a first-round pick and taking on salary seems like more than it would cost to acquire some of the other goaltenders that are known to be available this summer. Consider this the price of Sabres GM Tim Murray getting his guy."

. . . and yet, we gave up more than three first round picks to acquire those guys.

I think so. Look at the goalie trade market in recent years. Also, even we managed to put three goalies on the ice last year who had better save percentages and one about the same as Lehner. According to the Hockey News, Ottawa HAD to trade Lehner or Anderson given their $ situation and other goalies in their system. They also needed to unload a contract like Legwand's. After characterizing the trade as an "obvious win" for Ottawa, the Hockey News' closing comment: "But the first-round pick… yikes. Considering how badly the Sens needed to move Lehner, and how much removing Legwand helps their finances, shouldn’t Buffalo have had a bit more leverage here?" http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/senators-trade-lehner-legwand-to-sabres-bryan-murray-continues-to-win-the-off-season/ I REALLY hope I am wrong about this trade, but I think we gave up too much given today's goalie market and the leverage we had with Ottawa. My two cents - Murray the elder won this deal.

Darcy v. GMTM Complaint about Darcy (e.g., Bucky) - Darcy would turn down trade opportunities because he never wanted to overpay for a player (or be accused of overpaying for a player). GMTM - has no problem paying more than the market for players (my opinion). I have to believe that we could have gotten Lehner (or someone who can give us the same production) without having to give up the 21st pick in the draft AND taking on salary to give the other team cap relief.

It is VERY difficult to like this deal. It seems that we overpaid for a goaltender (given the recent market for even better goalies and Lehner's recent injury) and did Ottawa a favor. I really hope that GMTM pulled off a great deal in the end, but he sure has a habit (in my opinion) of trading more than one should (again my opinion) when he is fixated on a player. In the end, how much will Lehner give us compared to other goalies already in the organization (or free agents) and who we could have had with the 21st pick. Just my two cents.

I was able to get two tickets. It should be fun.

I also would be pissed if the Sabres traded Zadorov.

I live down here in Florida. I am actually thinking about trying to go to the draft. I have never been and given Eichel and having two firsts, I thought it might be fun. Is anyone else planning on going?

Thanks. That would explain it.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know why John Wawrow felt compelled to apologize publicly to Paul Hamilton on Twitter after the DB introductory press conference?

Careful? How can that be? The rule did not even exist at the time. They were being "polite" by saying that he was "relieved" which is a euphemism for being fired. Here is the press release you link: Dan Bylsma has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Jim Rutherford. Bylsma had coached the Penguins for five-plus seasons, compiling a record of 252-117-32 and leading the team to the Stanley Cup in 2009. “Dan is a good man and a good coach, but I thought we needed a change in direction moving forward,” Rutherford said. “I have no doubt that he will go on to be a head coach in the National Hockey League and have success. The search for our new head coach will begin immediately.” “We want to thank Dan for everything he has done for the Penguins organization,” co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle said in a joint statement. “He’ll always be remembered as a big part of Pittsburgh sports history for his role in our Stanley Cup championship in 2009. We wish all the best to him and his family.” Assistant coaches Tony Granato, Todd Reirden and Jacques Martin, goaltending coach Mike Bales and video coordinator Andy Saucier will be evaluated by Rutherford and the incoming head coach. Rutherford will evaluate the remainder of the hockey operations staff.

Somebody better tell these guys he was not "fired." http://www.si.com/nhl/home-ice/2014/06/06/coach-dan-bylsma-fired-by-new-penguins-gm-in-disgraceful-move http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/11042111/pittsburgh-penguins-fire-coach-dan-bylsma-hire-gm-jim-rutherford http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/dan-bylsma-fired-by-pittsburgh-penguins-and-new-gm-jim-rutherford-170900554.html http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2088569-dan-bylsma-fired-by-pittsburgh-penguins-latest-details-and-reaction http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/06/penguins-fire-head-coach-dan-bylsma/ http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2014/06/06/Rutherford-could-be-tapped-for-Penguins-general-manager-post/stories/201406060201

Someone on twitter brought up an interesting point - Pittsburgh fired him BEFORE the rule was adopted.

FWIW - Barry Melrose mentioned Gilbert last night when reviewing a highlight of Kane. Essentially, he said that he thought that Kane is the most exciting player in hockey today and that both he and Gilbert have/had the ability to make you look like a fool trying to defend them.

I still remember the expectation and energy in the aud every time he would skate behind our net to get the puck and accelerate up the ice and fake out opposing players.

FWIW - Mike Bacock: "Terry Pegula is a superstar." http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/22/video-emotional-babcock-says-good-bye-to-detroit/

Were there "layers of people" around the Pegulas when they personally took MB on a tour? Clearly not. This is a non issue that the News loves to bring up now and again.

I was hoping he would sign with the Sabres. I am disappointed he did not. It does look like he played us. It is what it is. There is nothing we can do about it other than enjoy beating the Leafs even more. He is now the HC of the Leafs so I feel about him the same way I feel about the Leafs. Go Sabres!

Wow. I had no idea. Horrible.

I would hope that not including Moulson and Gorges is no reflection on the Sabres' intentions going forward with those two. I presume that the focus was on the youth.