7+6=13

Even though he's proven he's that type of player the last 3 years and 2 other years in his career?

The reason for my "what'? was Skinner has proven to be more than Stafford was after his 2010-11 season. It's not the same scenario at all.

What?

They will try to sign him at any point and as N S mentioned they know what the contract generally looks like to get that done. Skinner however holds all the cards and likely wants to play long enough with the team to make sure he wants to spend the remainder of his prime in Buffalo. If at the end of that Skinner shows no interest, he'll be traded for something as similar to what we paid as possible to a playoff team.

He should and likely will get a chance to spend the free agency money available in the next two years. He'll then have a decision to make on whether Housley is the coach to lead the team he built. We'll have a clear picture of what we are 2 years from now as it should be the finished product of what we'll be at the NHL level. That coupled with what the pipeline looks like will dictate if he gets an extension.

You should go now.

I wouldn't mind seeing Housley gone. The roster is still incomplete but in 2 years we'll have the team we'll have. I don't see a satisfactory game plan from Housley that is clear the players aren't or aren't good enough to execute. Because of that - I don't want his system anymore.

If that's an option for you, yes.

It's amazing how teams attack the player with the puck when we are on the power play with no fear of us getting the puck to the open side. And we don't.

He's absolutely not ready nor should he be - that was my point for responding. NB said he wasn't quite sure if he's ready. The discussion that he could, might, or that it's even being discussed is proof (IMO) that this is a team not ready for expectations. We're in year 2 of a rebuild and we have to get to a point where we're not lead by teenagers and early 20 year olds - in terms of on ice production. That can't happen right now - so that's why I got involved in the thread. We need to stop expecting first drop to final buzzer solid play. That is not who we are. There were posters "expecting" playoff contention.

You're not sure if Olofsson is quite ready for 2nd line duties?

I'm not sure that answers the leadership part but there's no doubt they're on a different level. I do think there's an element of truth to the thought that Eichel would be better on either of those teams - and both would be worse on ours.

Who cares about excuse. What's the reason is the better question.

This is to be expected. We're still a team grossly under talented and our best talent is too young to lead. That's why all that playoff talk was head shaking to me. We're better and we're going to get better - but this is not a team that should be expected to play at a high level from the opening drop to the final buzzer. That's not who we are from a roster perspective.

I often think Girgensons looks good and I've rarely questioned his effort. The problem is he just doesn't produce. He's had plenty of consistent playing time in the NHL so the question has been answered. He should be better than the player he was after the 2015 season and built up on it - but he isn't.

McCabe is a liability. I cannot believe how he's regressed every year since having a promising start. IMO, he's the worst Sabre and I don't think it's close.

I did too. I thought Rochester could have really used him.

Finally our organization is getting healthy. This is another step towards that process. Players without NHL talent being moved on from.

No doubt - excellent post.

Not sure why I typed 27. I think his 5v5 is likely why he didn't get a long term deal. I don't see Sam as a featured player and I don't mind paying a role player that does his best work around the net.

I watched replays of all of Sam's goals from last year. I tallied each of them on what type of goal they were. 7 - Tips from outside shots 13 - In front of the net (only 2 were more than 1 foot from the crease). 1 was about 3 feet and the other 5 feet and both backhands. 2 - Wrist shots - 1 from about 10 feet and the other from about 20 feet that squeaked through the pads. 2 - Empty net (they only showed 24 but he had 27) It's pretty amazing the amount of work he does down low. It's something good teams need and I found a new respect for him after finding that video. His tip work is incredible and he's got the best hands on the team around the net - without knowing how the newcomers do.

Could you send to me also?

It's possible Eichel was just acting how he thought he was supposed to. He was paraded around town as the savior of a franchise. It could be that a 19-20-21 year old was trying desperately to play the part of losing is unacceptable now that I'm here.

I'm an optimistic fan - you have me beat by a country mile. Hey maybe you're right and we're in the playoffs this year. I can't get there.