7+6=13

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.

We all understand what you're saying but I personally just think you're a year or two early on being outraged that there is nothing. Pros weren't producing last year - I just don't see how a young player could - I think that's why most of the "hockey" guys/gals on this site put that on Bylsma. Second the Rochester situation was a total mess and that has been put on Murray appropriately. How anyone can think a player coming out of a failing program like Rochester to a failing offense in Buffalo and shine is somewhat unrealistic - unless he's some phenom. JBot has clearly made a huge effort to change Rochester. In saying that, I'd reserve judgment on Murray's drafting by itself and subsequently the players themselves.

Some were wondering what we had in jeffsmagic - here he is. See how he shifts it into things like "man up" and tries to bait you into being as ridiculous as he is. He'll go away in a couple of weeks and go back to TBD. He'll then get suspended again and be back for another short stint. He's so angry at the mods over there that he won't be able to control his emotions. He'll want everyone to know how wrong they were and he'll get his hand slapped again. Instead of calming down, realizing we're all fans of the same teams and have different takes - it must turn into an insult laden argument. This will be the last time I respond to him. Just though it was important to expose him to you.

How do you do that with a bottom 5 team and you're a bad coach? #exposed

You're right that is obvious. Absolutely. Since we're so inept, have such a lack of talent, and didn't do an actual coaching search because Pegula is an idiot and Russ Brandon was involved - you should see the Bills has a bottom team in the league. If we are in the top 5 in next years draft you win - if we're outside of the top in the draft I win. The loser never posts on Sabrespace again.

I'm not sure why he was banned but I know I can find out. He's the type of vitriolic poster that incites the worst in other people. Everyone is frustrated the Bills haven't made the playoffs but most fair minded people or those of us with a little age under our belts understand there's no other choice but to see how they play. Magic is the type that has a need to make you feel supid if you're not angry. He'll then point to things that haven't happened and things he can't possibly know about as definitive truths. Then when called out on it he brings up the past - which of course show ineptitude but that's how he supports his predictions and things he can't know. It never stops and quickly becomes an argument and not a discussion - which is what most people want to do - discuss and express opinions. You've all heard it hear before relative to the Sabres. He'll just throw out Marrone, Brandon, EJ, Winfield, Gillislee and on and on and on. If you don't go along with his negative emotional responses than he reverts to thinking you're a sheep and round and round and round. In the end it doesn't make sense. If you're that upset don't follow the team - why would you care to stir up the people that do? It's because he goes right back to his foolish thinking that fans shouldn't put up with this. He actually believes that's a real thing.

Guys I'm telling you from experience. I have nearly 10,000 posts on TBD - don't engage him, he makes circular arguments about predicting the future by using the past ineptitude of the organization. You can't convince, win or anything else with someone like that. Avoid!

Hardly. They didn't pick up his 5th year option so the Bills were letting him go.

I'd look beyond just last year. Duchene is the better player. 5 out of Kane's 8 years in the league he's had more goals than assists. That's hard to do and I don't mean that in a good way. He just has to contribute more to others scoring but I don't see it happening. If he was part of the deal, it's a no brainer, and I like Kane.

I don't see any of these as good options for the Sabres. I just wouldn't create a hole on defense just to have an offensive player somewhat better than Kane or Okposo. In addition it's just getting that offensive player now vs waiting 2-3 years for talent we think is currently in our system.