nfreeman

I may be in the minority here, but I'd rather give Risto a bridge deal than a fat 8-year contract. He's only 21 -- we have no idea whether he'll continue to improve, how he'll respond to the pressure of being the #1 defenseman on a playoff team and (hopefully!) cup contender, etc. He has 4 more full seasons to play before being eligible for UFA. I would give him a 3-year deal and make him prove that he's the stud we hope he is. When that deal expires, he'll still be an RFA and the Sabres can control the situation and, if he's worth it, give him a fat contract that will cover pretty much all of his prime.

Well, I like what is developing too, but let's not forget that the Sabres finished tied for 25th in scoring last year. They certainly haven't arrived at a spot where they don't need a guy like Stamkos.

So you're saying there's a chance.

You're probably right. Roy might be fooled by it though.

I will be shocked if Stamkos doesn't get max term (i.e. 7 years, or 8 if it's TB) and $10MM+ per year.

Not likely. But maybe: Zemgus + Bailey + Gorges + #8 for Barrie + #10?

It does seem like a Zemgus-plus-sweeteners-for-Barrie deal is out there, innit?

But the question included "where would Stamkos want to go". Carolina is probably bottom 5 in his personal preference ranking.

You have got to be kidding me.

In response to this and to dudacek's post regarding Zemgus in a different thread: I'm kinda starting to expect this, especially once Stamkos signs with the Sabres.

The fried egg really puts it over the top, innit?

I agree. No need to rush a decision on Zemgus.

Put Ennis as the winger to be named later with ROR and Stammer, and switch Kaner and Girgy (which I would've thought was obvious) and I will be EXTREMELY psyched for opening night. And Yandle plus Gogo instead of Stamkos is like preferring 2 quarters to a silver dollar.

Very nice.

His coach doesn't appear to think so -- Fowler had more ice time during the regular season and the playoffs (with a bigger spread in the playoffs), and their scoring stats were pretty much identical.

Well, many knowledgeable hockey writers have opined that Anaheim is going to trade one of its good young defensemen. Bottom line is that they are a budget-constrained team and it is entirely reasonable to think they won't be able to pay all of them. With that as the context, I don't see any compelling reason why Lindholm would be materially less likely than the others to be traded -- particularly when GMTM starts swinging for the fences. You're really asking for a dissection of your predictions in that thread, innit? Perhaps when I have some time this weekend.

The bolded is certainly well supported in the politics thread on this board.

I can't disagree with the bolded, and as I've mentioned before I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that there is a high likelihood of the wheels coming off this season. But I still think he is a completely honest and sincere person who wants to be here and lift this franchise out of the quicksand, and I can't help rooting for him. As for the organizational pushback -- absolutely -- but given the mediocrity and incompetence displayed for a generation from those pushing back, I couldn't care less about them being unhappy. Frankly, my ideal scenario for this season is a shocking drive to 11-5 and 2 playoff wins, with TT looking like Vick 2.0, followed by Rex winning a power struggle and forcing out RB, DW, Overdorf and the rest of the lifetime-tenured bozos at OBD.

McDonagh is not available. The source for that theory is Larry Brooks, who is not credible, and who is merely speculating about what might happen.

I just can't help liking these guys: http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/05/26/rob-rex-ryan-buffalo-bills-interview-nfl Clearly there's some dysfunction in the organization:

Beautiful. Qwk -- God bless you and your gramma.

It wasn't Pommer's fault, because it wasn't in his nature, but if Gare had been on the ice when Lucic steamrollered Miller, everything would've been different (and Lucic would've had enormous dental bills). That move by Hunter is a top-5 moment of infamy in Sabres history. Awesome.

I didn't have a problem with Dorne. Ellaria sand was pretty consistent in lobbying the prince for war to avenge Elia Martel and her kids. And her daughters were pretty... compelling too.

Euron wasn't terribly compelling, innit? And where is Ian McShane already? Still, the last scene with Hodor was great.

I will be amazed if anyone gives CJ $6 MM. Even if it's $6MM Canadian. Shots fired!