Formerly Allan in MD

Interesting thread. When do reach checkmate?

That 'crap" you speak of might be nothing more than a difference of opinion from yours. Ever hear about the value of an open mind?

Whatever you say. Apparently, you've done significant research and are a true expert. He played on a bottom tier line and less than 10 minutes a game. It's a hell of a way to rack up points and gain experience.

Also, Thompson averaged less than 12 minutes a game with St. Louis.

Thompson is only 20 years old. Yes, he didn't do much last season but who was he playing with: scorers, checkers, penalty killers? We may have something here; we may not. But he's an interesting proposition. It's too early to be judgemental. Hopefully he'll develop and contribute down the road.

Relax. Who can we get for two number ones? Having three number ones does not equate to having food poisoning. I really liked ROR until last season. His fall off in production and his public persona made him quite expendable. It's quite possible that a number of teams backed off because of that and it may have enabled St. Louis and others to low ball us on who they threw into this or another prospective trade.

Talking sense is nonsensical.

A guy who likes to seriously forecheck. That's been a rather foreign concept for the Sabres for some time. Good for him, and us.

I'd rather watch his brother.

Good move Botts.

Hopefully ROR's attitude changes when he sees the upward progression of this franchise. He can play! He takes a lot of heat on this board from posters who'll be going nuts about him if he's happy to be here and producing.

Smith-Pelly of the Caps became an UFA today, which is strange. He plays hard every shift and was one of their most valuable players in the playoffs. He'll come relatively cheap and would be a great third or fourth liner. We should take a hard look.

Well, you know Sam will be re-signed. Sabres will make a hard run at free agent forwards.

How do know he's not a diamond in the rough? The fact he's already in the rough potentially qualifies him.

Good pick. Needs to add weight and muscle; that comes next.

Plus 1 Unfortunately, Murray thought he was.

True. Though he's not the most talented player around, what he does better than many is "finish." He truly showed that proclivity in the playoffs. If the Sabres win the Cup and are boring, it'll work for me and probably many others.

Sabres should go after Grubauer. He can play, but rarely does and will be a restricted free agent.

Much depends on who we sign as free agents. Risto stays in any case.

Forwards and defensemen aside, we need an effecive goalie more than anything else. Lehner is a major "No" in that regard and Ullmark is a major "maybe." It's all not very comforting.

I'll take his back-up.

Fluery for MVP? Where would this team have been without his goaltending? And we still have Lehner and Johnson "holding" the fort. Ullmark better produce or we're up a creek again, even if we significantly fix the D.

Here is not so far fetched.

Grubauer

Not sure he had one.