7+6=13

Can't wait to have him and Eichel on the same team for at least 3-5 years.

We have a superstar to protect. I like the move.

Wegmans is getting closer and closer to Charlotte.

They'd get a prospect and trade Kane for more of them/picks at the deadline. Meanwhile back-filling the offensive void Duchene would leave for 3/4 of the season.

Congratulations on your freedom. We have a star in Buffalo that's converted hope into reality.

I'm with you here. I just can't find a reason we'd go 6-7 - it's not good business. I'd offer him a 1 year extension now for 2018 at 5.75 and give him a no trade clause. This gives me a chance to see if he works his way into the nucleus - if not my youngsters are closer. It gives him some stability and an opportunity at 28 to earn another contract either with us or another team in 2019.

My fault, I see where you changed your thought on easily getting $7M after your list post.

If we offered him 6M, I think he'd sign right now. I don't think we're going even that high. I think Kane could be in a real corner where the only big money he gets offered is by really bad or aging teams and he'll be faced with having to suck throughout his 20's. If he scores 30 with 15 assists I don't think he's getting paid what you think.

You could be right but I just don't see a player that has had more goals than assists 5 of his 8 years easily getting 7 mil - and needing that many shots to get the goals. I like Kane and I'd prefer to sign him but he's not worth 7 mil to me. He's got some intangibles and I like them but those lack of assists jump off the page to me. I just don't think I can pay that for 20 and 15 then 28 and 15 or I'd have to be 100% sure it's a line mate issue.

I don't think he would get $7m in the open market unless it's a team completely desperate for scoring. If such a team could be identified he has to know he's going to a very bad team and that might just bring him back. I don't think a healthy organization gives him that kind of money.

I'm not doing anything drastic for the now as it relates to giving up assets. Everything I want this team to do is for Eichel in his prime. We did enough for the now with Pominvile and bringing in some defensive help, etc. I want and think we can make the playoffs but I'm more interested in being cup contenders when Eichel is 23-30. I'm not giving up any young prospects that we don't know what they'll be yet. I want them in our organization when we find that out.

What did I misunderstand? You said - "he will pout and you'll have to trade him fast or that locker room will fall apart totally." Now you said " he won't pull the room apart ". I don't think I have a comprehension issue. I can tell you know hockey but you put a lot of guess work in too.

Kane doesn't have the ability to cause the room to fall apart. He may alienate himself and get his rear end chewed out but he couldn't tear the team apart.

Have a great Birthday Scott!

This group of defenseman will need his toughness. I think that alone makes him a valuable member that at this time I wouldn't want to part with. Hey if he finds the scheme to be a good fit for him, I'm good with that.

This is me too. He seems like a real great guy but I cannot listen to him.

Housley's defense isn't irresponsible. Even if they struggle a bit to pick up on the system initially - we will improve from the worst team on shots against/game. The defense contributing to an offense that was tied for 24th in goals/game should also improve right away. Obviously I think it's difficult to think we'll come out clicking in all areas but I expect us to immediately look improved. I also remember Jack coming back from injury like he was shot out of a cannon and still wasn't 100% healthy. I expect he does the same only much bigger. I think he's motivated to start blue hot. We won't look great as a team as the system will need time but I'm going with 7-4-1 on the back of Jack Eichel and he'll be the talk of the hockey world.

We've got much more than that and even more coming. We have a GM that at his core is about development. Is Housley the type of coach to lead to the cup? Not sure, but it's pretty well documented he's a teacher - which is exactly what's needed right now. You'd almost have to do it on purpose to stop this team from being really good.

You guys are probably tired of me saying this (not that I pretend everyone reads my posts) but I didn't play organized hockey so I didn't learn the actual game within the game. I have been watching the Sabres all my life but just watched, ya know? Didn't really fully understand hockey. I kept up with draft picks and news about the Sabres always but over the last 4-5 years I really started to love hockey to a new level. I then decided I wanted to understand it better and this place has been the #1 place for me to learn. I appreciate you guys and gals big time. Fun place to come daily.

We've undoubtedly been through a lot as a fan base. "Because Buffalo" is over. Our young stars career can't be contained. Eichel will make his teammates better, he'll take care of bad coaches for us and he'll be the reason this team wins. I respect the knowledge at sabrespace and even if you want to stay reserved in your excitement - I don't blame you and I'm not mad at ya. However, this team is going to be good and you know and see it. We'll be a perennial force in the NHL very very soon.

That's a pretty excellent take right there.

I counted 9 goals in that video that another Sabre was involved in assisting Eichel. I'd expect that type of output to double with this years lineup and I think it adds up to a monster year for him.

I'm most looking forward to Eichel putting the points up and showing he's the star we all know he is. Also looking to see how our defense will contribute to the offense.

That's right. He'll be judged on how Cornel, Karabacek, Fasching, Guhle, Asplund and Nylander turn out - in terms of drafting. I know Fasching was a trade but it was still a prospect trade. Murray made a ton of moves and to track them all would be a lengthy process. I think ultimately he did a good job that still has the chance of being a great job.

If you look at the trades separately in terms of this year it looks like we did very well in the Eagles trade. If we don't sign Matthews we come away with a 3rd round pick for Darby who has one additional year under contract. If we sign Matthews to an extension it's likely to be at least $5 mil less than what Watkins would get. The Rams trade makes us worse this year - mitigates our loss of Darby - sets up future assets with getting a 2nd for a 6th and helps us on economics with a player they clearly weren't paying in Watkins after this year. I think the Rams trade makes perfect sense for them and I think they won so long as they get a healthy Sammy. The Eagles lost and I'm not sure what their thought process was. Paying a 3rd round for Darby would have been compensation enough IMO but then they gave up Matthews too. They could say well we weren't giving him 8-10 mil per anyway but paying a 3rd in that deal was crazy compensation for getting a player with 2 years and giving a player with one year.