nfreeman

Maybe the Sabres are due for some good fortune and him turning into a really good goalie is part of the payoff. This is a killer batch of hopium I'm on.

Again: do you think KA received better offers but chose this one?

For anyone saying that KA should've gotten more: do you not think this was the best offer he got? I get being disappointed in the return, but wanting more is different from expecting your GM to get more. Again: if you think KA screwed this up -- how, specifically, did he do so?

Do you not think KA took the best offer he received?

We'll never know, of course, but I really doubt that there were any offers that included a better 1st-rounder or one of the offeror's top 2 or 3 prospects. If he doesn't sign an extension in the next couple of weeks with Florida, it'll be more evidence that he wants to go to UFA. If that's the case, it caps the amount other teams are willing to pay. Now this is a valid and reasonable position. I guess it comes down to KA's assessment of the benefits of turning the page and only having guys around who want to be here vs the benefits of having Reino play 1C and shield Cozens and Mitts. I tend to agree with KA on the importance of moving out the guys who don't want to be here, but it's reasonable to feel differently.

It was $20. I'll designate Roswell Park Hospital in Buffalo as the charity. Sorry about this sir. I know he's one of your favorites. If it's any consolation, I think he'll have a solid career wherever he ends up, and that he's going to sign with a good team, so you'll probably going to be able to enjoy watching him in the playoffs sooner than would've been the case had he stayed here. Hall almost certainly wouldn't have signed here without the NMC.

I'd guess that Reino refused to sign an extension with Florida.

These 2 Russian kids are going to love playing with Kaprizov when KA gets him from Minny for Eichel.

I know I said that I didn't think Reino would sign an extension as part of a trade, but contract talks with the Panthers do seem like a pretty likely reason for the delay in finalizing this.

A nifty Russian! First such Sabre since Max? NHL Central Scouting had him #18 overall, FWIW. Edit: it was #18 among Euro/Russians, evidently. Whoops.

Respectfully, I think the bolded is nuts. OK, but making the roster worse next season doesn't equate to not prioritizing talent.

What is this based on? Reino is a good but not great player and in any event didn't comprise 85% of their offense, nor did he plus Risto comprise 85%. There is always a better option than tanking. Sure, but if teams aren't willing to part with their crown jewels for Eichel, they definitely won't do so for Reino plus sweeteners.

I highly doubt KA is planning to tank, nor do I think trading Risto and Reino (and Eichel, if and when that happens) should be interpreted as planning to tank. He is rebuilding the team culture, which was terrible. He's now shipped out 2 guys who pretty clearly wanted out and were both highly likely to leave after this year in UFA. I, whacked-out on hopium, believe he is planning on a major upgrade in goal, which by itself will create a huge improvement over last year and keep the Sabres well clear of the bottom 5. I think he also plans on adding at least 1 center and 1 defenseman who both fit his fast-gritty-good character target profile. Let's see how it goes.

I watched and I think both Harrington and Vogl are exaggerating on this. Yes, KA is communicating with the agent and not with Eichel directly. I think that is pretty common, especially in a situation like this where the player is estranged from the team. I think KA's view hasn't changed: he wants to trade Eichel but only for a rich package. If the right package doesn't materialize -- and the odds of that outcome increased substantially after last night passed with no trade -- he won't be traded.

FWIW, Florida's 2nd-rounder is #56 overall. That might be one of the "picks" that are being finalized. Or maybe the Sabres are throwing in #33 and Florida is sending us Barkov, who has told Florida he won't re-sign there and has always dreamed of living near Duffs and playing for Donnie Meatballs.

I have been saying for a while that I don’t expect Reino to sign an extension as part of a trade. I think after his experience with the Sabres, he wants to take his time and make sure he’s found a strong organization before committing anywhere long term. If that’s true, the Sabres weren’t going to get much for him — certainly not a crown jewel prospect like Lundell or Knight.

Well, I’ll guess they take a C at #33 unless there is someone they really like a lot at a different position.

Holy mackerel. I guess that's what happens when you subtract Risto, Borgen, Bogo, Scandella and Montour in a big hurry, after the previous bozo GM spent way too much time and resources accumulating a glut of defensemen. In any case it sure looks like Samuelsson will be on the Sabres next year, and perhaps Power as well.

Now that is some stinky #hammymath right there.

Me too. He looks like he could be an exciting player, maybe like Caulfield on the Habs.

I don't think they'll take a goalie. Top non-goalie choices, please?

OK: 2 more picks before we're up. Could whoever read McKeen's or otherwise developed knowledge please give us your top choice to fall to the Sabres?

Goaltending is indeed essential but more ephemeral, and easier to find, than franchise defensemen. Stevens, Niedermayer, Pronger, Doughty, Weber, Keith -- those guys can be huge pillars of top-end teams for a decade. The Sabres might have two.

Good. Defense wins championships. They might have a fire and ice situation with 2 great defensemen for a new Sabres generation.