Two or less

My thoughts exactly. At first i thought they were protecting him from when the Sabres fire Bylsma all the attention wouldn't be on "Jack got DD fired". I've been following this all day and i honestly don't know what to think. The initial report seems shady though. First of all, the part about Eichel not wanting to return was the biggest thing in his piece, but it wasn't in the title nor was it anywhere except the bottom of the article. Just seems odd to me to sit on a major story like that and just throw it out late in a article on the day Murray was meeting the Pegulas. Second, he has one year left on his deal and then we have his rights for next 4 years. I highly doubt Eichel will want to play in the KHL or the newly formed Chinese league, as the only leagues who are able to afford him. He's kinda stuck here.

Justin Bailey says he's the best goalie he's ever seen...

Yeah but we traded him to Calgary. Montreal got him off waivers.

Why not? He's been a stud in Russia for years now and does well in international competitions. Players translate pretty well from KHL to NHL. Not saying he'll be as good as he's there or a top pairing minutes eater but I'd be surprised if he wasn't a strong second pair guy.

What made him go over the top? Sabres losing?

I'm not a Jerry Sullivan fan by any means, but he is on the right track. I like Murray but he's build a very flawed team. Everyone (me included) want Bylsma gone, and think fixing the defense will solve everything, but this team has bigger issues. We've screwed ourselves with the cap (Murray re-signed Ennis and Moulson) and this team plays with no urgency or passion on most nights. Gorges said if you need a coach to motivate you, you shouldn't be in the league. Kane said team needs swagger. I'm a strong believer this team needs a new coach. And a revamped defense. But theres still a lot more that they need then just that to be successful. However, i still think very highly of Murray. For whatever reason, maybe he saw an opportunity, or got a message from upper management, to speed up the rebuild. Granted the 2014 draft looks bad. But the players we drafted in 2015 and 2016 look very promising. It'll take time for those players to come up to the AHL and eventually NHL so they won't count for immediate success but theres a lot of talent that we picked. Hard workers, winners, leaders, goal-producers, you name it.

I'm not the biggest fan of Butcher, mainly because he is undersized, and Antipin is also undersized, but this post i totally agree. Keep adding as much as possible until we have our core. As of now, Butcher is looking like a 5th round steal for the Aves (if he signs there) and if he walks, someone will add him for nothing, is pretty wild. And nothing says Guhle has to start in Buffalo. He can start in Rochester if theres better players ahead of him,

Fleury has a NMC, so he automatically gets kept. They'd be crazy to pass over Murray.

Also, since this is Pegula's wonderland, i wouldn't be surprised if Ruff did return down the road... but as GM.

I can't believe how many people want him back. Did we all forget how badly this board wanted him fired? Hopefully Ruff lands somewhere soon, like Las Vegas and stays there for a while, or else he'll be the modern version of fans begging for a return of Drury/Briere.

Tim Murray's uncle is an assistant coach. I don't think any player will tell him anything tomorrow that he already doesn't know.

Yeah. And Friedman and McKenzie have said over the last couple weeks they don't think hes one the hot seat. There really isn't much evidence he will be fired besides most of the fanbase wanting a change. Sabres are gonna look real stupid if they are looking for a new coach by Christmas. So i hope they know what they're doing.

I'm in.

Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN moments ago he believes Bylsma is safe. He cited that ownership would like to see how Murray/Bylsma operate with a healthy roster.

What does the "scouting community" say about him?

I understand, but i just don't see it. He was this ultra-competitive guy when he came in which was awesome but i just don't think he has the skill you're talking about. He may be faster, but i am not sure he's better then Larsson in anything else other then playing a more physical game. Only good season hes had was 14-15 when he had this ridiculous crazy unsustainable shooting %.

It would be a major bummer for him to bail on us. He's got a very high ceiling and everything he's done to this point at ND to become one of the best goalie prospects in hockey has been without a goalie coach. Petersen going to the AHL and working daily with a goalie coach and playing against professionals, he could quickly become the #1 goalie prospect in hockey.

What offense?

Last time Buffalo hosted, i was driving to college, listening to WNSA, i think Jim Brinson show, and you couldve heard the bands in the background and he was saying what a great event this was and tickets were still available. I texted, while driving, a buddy of mine, who was also going to the same college, if we should skip and go. Surely enough, we met at a parking lot at school, he hopped into my car and we went to see Michigan vs. Minnesota. Was an awesome time and glad i did. I can't wait for this event and attend it, under much better circumstances.

I don't think Girgensons has a higher ceiling then Larsson. I like the game Larsson brings to the team. Plays smart, holds puck well and possession, is in good spots, is a good defensive forward, several times this season he was out against opponent top lines, including against McDavid. To me, Girgensons doesn't really bring much to the team at all.

Cal Petersen and ND getting rocked in the other game. 5-0 Denver heading into the third.

They can't really say anything, so i'm not so sure what kind of update you were waiting for... ?

Lethbridge defeated Red Deer tonight in 7. For Lethbridge, Giorgio Estephan scored a goal and two assists tonight (had 2g, 7a in 5 games this series), while Brandon Hagel scored a goal tonight in a losing effort (had 7 goals, 1 assist in 7 games).

Jonathan Kozial said it was Islanders players being rowdy.

It's only been 6 years. And part of those years, they decided to gamble and try to land a player who could become one of the best to ever play in this city. By doing that they needed to set the roster back a bit. Has it been longer then expected to get back? Sure. But i still believe they are on the right path and i'm not ready to jump off the ledge just yet like some of you. Few improvements to the roster, some health and a bit of luck, and the Sabres should be in the playoffs next season. Once we break that hump and clinch a playoff spot, i think it's fair to say we'll be a lock to make it in for the better of the next 10 years. They still have some growing pains but we'll get there sooner then later.