apuszczalowski

Yeah, taking the 2 bad contracts should have increased the level of prospect in the return Although from what it sounds like, JBotts had a hard on for Thompson and probably got the 2 picks in return for the bad contracts.....

I think the worst part about all this is that they took a couple of salary dumps and still ended up without one of their top 5 prospects? Its funny how JBotts says the asking price would have been much different if they paid the bonus since they took back almost the exact amount of the bonus in a cap dump. This leads me to believe that they think both those guys are valuable assetts and not dumps. With this deal, they saved paying ROR 7.5 mil for next season, but took in almost the exact amount in contracts to players that are not living up to them. If they paid the bonus would thay have taken the deal as just a first, 2nd and Thompson?

Thats where I would start, except that every other team has the same ideal, except they also have JBotts to call........

Why not, JBotts doesn't expect to win for a few more years....... They can trade those picks for players, but its most likely to get you vetrans in the late 20-early 30 range which isn't in JBotts window.......

Give us another example, or are we supposed to expect a turn around based on 1 team exceeding every expectation in one season..........

They do when they are late 1st, like TM sending one to Ottawa for a Goaltender?

But 22-24 year olds are in most teams 'rebuild window' in todays sports leagues, very few teams in any league are dumping anyone in their early 20's to help a rebuild, Older veterans are moved for picks/prospects I wouldn't use anything that Sabres front office has done recently as examples of good move or moves that will be repeated.

I thought that Colorado moved him because ROR was asking to be moved cause they weren't going to pay him what he wanted? I don't remember Colorado moving him just because they thought he was an issue in the lockerroom.

This team should be adding talent at this point, not more lottery tickets and potential They can get all the best cheerleaders and motivational speakers they want in this lockerroom, but if they still lack talent, they are going to lose and the culture won't change one bit. This team needs to start winning now to change the actual culture in the lockerroom. Selling the lockerroom on more time being needed to win isn't going to help either.....

Are they really? Cause from all the rumors in that Lockerroom, your saying they are about to put a 'C' on the one that always seems to be included as the guy that someone doesn't get along with...........

Why would they want to leave or would re-siging be an issue? Its not like the Leafs can't offer them something good salary wise, and if they keep that lineup together they could be the next Penguins/Blackhawks with JT now.

Or be in a spot where they are roadblocked by other players on the roster

Because both have been know to be locker room issues that actually outway their talent

I highly doubt the Leafs let either of them reach a point where they can be offer sheeted....... If they are going to negotiate the compensation, it would be a trade for their rights, and I doubt Toronto is dumb enough to move either of them for the later picks Buffalo will have to offer in the 1st Any GM looking at making a move with the Sabres is going to ask for their pick first cause thats the valuable assett.

But you would be giving up a pick mostly likey one of the better chances at next years #1, to get Nylander just because you have 2 late 1st rounders?

But if they are just starting a rebuild, they aren't giving up 22-24 year olds, they are keeping them and dumping older veterans for picks.....

Except that no one is trading those guys away for more picks, they want good players........ If its age that he cares about, might as well get on the Phone for Duclair and Yakupov as they fit the age........

And thats the problem and why I'm starting to believe he is in over his head. If you think its still going to be a long rebuild, you trade your best assett for good prospects who can atleast be put in your system to develop now Instead they get a 'meh' prospect and picks who will still be years away from making it in the NHL This team should be done bottoming out and should be looking at moving up, not continuing to bottom out

I don't recall hearing any comments or issues from teammates that he wasn't like in the lockerroom or an issue, there was only one who kept coming up but no one wants to believe is true............

Starting to believe that they have a GM and coach in over their heads, Again............ You can't keep waiting for your prospects to develop into super stars to carry your team while you wallow in mediocrity. The biggest change needed for that locker room is to just start winning and get better. Otherwise even the best guys are going to end up like ROR just being sick and tired of losing This franchise has the financing and ability to make themselves better, instead they continue to throw away valuable assetts and hope to win the lottery.......

You could also throw in the goalies in this swap as Buffalo took Hutton while the Blues took Johnson to be their backup...... Maybe that makes things marginally better????

Forgetting Moulson also?

Wasn't the same things said a few years ago after getting Sam and then getting Jack? I believe it was also a theme of the previous management

After today, maybe they make it to your (American) Thanksgiving this season before we start talking draft instead of the Canadian thanksgiving like this season? Gotta look on the bright side, baby steps......

I dont think that it's hard to believe options are slim if they cant work out a deal with the Isles. With FA already in play, teams have had a chance to start filling holes, and theres a chance that the asking price for ROR is just too high for most teams.