nfreeman

Because Buffalo isn't in Canada.

Of course, but there are other teams bidding for him too. FWIW, I do not think GMTM will trade #8 for him, and I would not do so either, but I wouldn't be shocked if GMTM does so.

Speaking for myself only, the only time I will merge threads is when they are essentially redundant -- e.g. if there is a thread entitled "Should ROR be moved to wing?" and then someone starts a thread entitled "Is ROR better at center or wing?"

Well, there already is one for Stamkos and one for Vesey, and there will presumably be one for each of the Sabres' draft picks. If PAFan (or anyone else) wants to start a dedicated Fowler thread, or a dedicated Player X thread -- have at it.

What? What? That movie was one terrific scene after another. I will admit that QT is not for everyone. But if you appreciate his work, "Pulp Fiction" was pretty much a masterpiece.

I hope you're right, and I would send them Zemgus and Foligno (and a #2 pick if needed) for Fowler, and I think GMTM would too. I think Ennis would be Anaheim's least preferred member of the group due to concussion and contract. Good post. I kinda think GMTM is going to reel him in and this got me pretty psyched. I'd rather have Fowler than Shatty.

What a great movie.

There's a reason Lindy did that. Soupy was a train wreck in the defensive zone before 2005. As for Subban, I'd be amazed if the Habs actually traded him. From the Sabres' perspective, I'd probably give #8 plus either Reino or Risto, but Eichel is off the table, and dudacek is in the Sabrespace gimp's basement in "Pulp Fiction."

Yes indeed. My point was simply that GMTM will be factoring in the extension (and cost thereof) into his evaluation of whether to trade for Shatty -- and that Shatty may not be the kind of player that GMTM likes enough to give a big, long-term contract to.

I think it's worth noting that Shatty is entering the last year of his contract -- so if the Sabres were considering giving up real assets for him, an extension would have to be part of the deal. This would probably be pretty expensive. He turns 28 in January, so he's not too old for, say, a 5-year extension -- but it's a real question as to whether he's the kind of player that GMTM would want to give, say, $6MM x 5 years.

I don't know anything about soccer but this is like Gretzky-era Oilers vs a lower tier AHL team.

Good post. Perry Tuttle?

This has a cold and familiar ring to it.

Well I must admit that is pretty interesting. I think I'd still say no, and I think GMTM would too, but I could easily be wrong on both counts.

Good call.

I'm going to respectfully say NFW on this, at least not until his contract year (and probably not then either).

It is getting a bit frenzied in here.

I think Anaheim is likely to trade either Lindholm or Fowler, and I think GMTM will be in the mix. Fowler is under contract for 2 more years at $4MM per year; Lindholm will likely get a contract closer to $5.5MM per year. If the Sabres get Fowler, $4MM is a reasonable number that won't impair the Sabres' cap management. Lindholm is another story, because he'll be more expensive, and because giving him a fat, long-term contract means that it's more likely that they give Risto a similar contract. Still, I think GMTM would be likely to do so if he gets Lindholm. If the Sabres don't get one of those 2, then I think they get a stopgap like Soupy for 1-2 years at $4MM - $5MM per year. I'm sure there are others that I'm not thinking of who could pop loose (I think there may be a couple in Minnesota, for instance), but I don't think any of those will be too expensive. I don't think GMTM will throw $6MM x 5 years at someone like Yandle or Goligoski.

Oh yeah. It is ON. Kane-Stamkos-O'Reilly Ennis-Eichel-Reino Vesey-Girgensons-Gionta Foligno-Larsson-Bailey/Moulson Holy mackerel that would be exciting. As for cap concerns: some of Risto, Reino and Eichel get bridge deals, Gionta is gone after this year, Moulson can be bought out after this year (or perhaps another team is bribed with draft picks to take him), and GMTM generally won't pay anyone in the bottom 6 more than $1.5MM per year -- he'll cycle through those guys like Chicago does. He also won't give a big contract to a goalie. I also think that he won't end up giving a FA defenseman a big contract this year, as there isn't anyone worth doing so for.

I also liked seeing the Russi tweet expressing confidence that the Sabres would sign him. I think Russo is pretty credible.

Good post. Oh yeah baby. Now I'm really getting psyched for some GMTM hot stove peak offseason fireworks.

OK, who's got actionable intel on Vesey? I didn't see much with a google search for a Vesey scouting report. It looks like he has good scoring touch and can pass it as well as shoot it. Is he fast? Tough? Good hockey IQ?

I think it will work out the right way -- because I don't think either of those guys is that good. I'd rather have Soupy on a 1-year deal than either of those guys on a 5-year deal.

Having the same agent as Jackie Boy is a good fact for the Sabres' chances of signing him. Strong move by GMTM Stormborn, Breaker of Chains.

Did you like that movie? I thought it was pretty lousy.