Crusader1969

Credit to Brawndo for this but the Blue Jackets signed Werenski to an ATO that allowed him to play in the playoffs for Lake Erie. I'm assuming the Sabres could do same with Mittelstadt

#2 prospect on my board (if I had a board) https://twitter.com/hockeyru20/status/970282826712182784?s=21

I don't really agree that recent bad drafting as hurt this team. I actually think thats one area that Murray got right. 2014 players should be NHL ready now but that draft was a poor one. I think you can only find 4 or 5 good players after round 1. A terrible year to have 3 2nd round picks - though shame one of th m wasn't for Brayden Point. Who Buffalo passed over 5 times after round 1. It's the drafting from 2007 to 2012 that really killed the depth of this team. Top 5 players draft after round 1 from those drafts 1) McCabe 2) Foligno 3) Byron 4) McNabb 5) Ullmark. IF Ullmark turns into an elite #1 I can ignore the inept drafting during these years

Rochester this year for the playoffs. Though a game or two with Sabres wouldn't hurt. Sabres next year

Possibility of Mittelstadt too. Think the odds are slightly better than 50/50

Casey Watch is about to heat up. I'll assume they have to wait another week before we know if he is done or not.

Another assist on the 5-4!goal. Not ready to say good bye to the season. Big game player

That lineup would look a lot better with Dahlin/Svechnikov/zadina/Tkachuk. Added. Plus a Nylander living up to expectations. Not to mention Bailey. I would guess CJ Smith will be ahead of Olofsson as Victor may need time to adjust to the NHL rinks

Get him signed after their season is done. Finish year in Buffalo and then to,Rochester to get some playoff experience. come to camp next year and see where he fits

4-2 Penn St after 40

I think he is a pretty dominate player already in the NCAA, just has zero support from his team mates. Though I would admit there is a possibility that I've been watching through Rose Colored Glasses. I wonder if the quality of the team will significantly weigh in his decision to stay or not? He also dominated against the top juniors in the World this past Christmas. Not sure why the BIG 10 scheduled its Hockey Championships the same weekend as the Basketball Championships cause it looks like none of the hockey will be televised. I will say, if Casey winds up in the Blue and Gold by next weekend, i will be pretty excited about it.

Love the enthusiasm and I agree, just don't know if its next year or the year after that we see a "real" turnaround. I still think its coming!

I'm sure the Sabres have a great shot at resigning him. How many other teams can pretty well guarantee a NHL roster spot next year?

I'm sad, I watch th Ottawa senators and any other team within 10 points of the Sabres. I do watch a lot of,predators. Hopefully the Sabres will one day look similar.

No sorry, I'm theorizing that Murray substantially over paid in 2015 consider he was injured and coming off "track suit" gate.

If they do land Dahlin, do you want him in Buffalo next year? or 1 more year in SHL? I could see the argument of keeping Casey in NCAA and the #1 draft pick from 2018, be it RD or any of the top wingers, for 1 more season but will the STH's wait 1 more season of darkness? Though, 2019 would be a lot of fun with 3 elite prospects (CM, 2018 and 2019 top picks) coming in, plus a 21 year old Nylander along with Asplund, Pu and whomever else is NHL ready. you are right but there wasn't an NHL season in 04/05.

how important is Casey Mittelstadt joining the Sabres next season for you from an interest standpoint? for STH does it weigh at all on your decision to renew? Will it change your expecations for the Sabres next season? For me it weigh's fairly heavily on my expectations and the amount of emotion that I am going to invest in this team. I'll start the season hoping for an Avalanche / Devils turnaround and will be emotionally invested in them once again. If he goes back its "hello darkness, my old friend"

If Kane's value is this low now, imagine how low it was when the Sabres traded for him? Murray held all the cards at that time and somehow still lost the hand, pretty hard to do. That being said, O'Regan is probably a bit better of a prospect that what he is getting credit for. Sure he isn't Jordan Kyrou or any other big name that I was dreaming about but he was one of the Sharks top prospects and maybe can turn himself into a bottom 6 winger for the Sabres? He certainly helps Rochester in the short-term. I also like the Sharks chances of re-signing Kane but not getting a guaranteed 1st for him is very disappointing. I do wonder if JB was more aggressive in trying to trade him prior to Christmas, would he have found someone willing to give up a 1st? hindsight is 20/20 but playing him with Larsson for anytime certainly didn't help his trade value.

This was discussed on another thread. He now qualifies to be a UFA - cap geek shows him as a UFA

0/1 4 goals remain.

Don't think we have to worry about the rental market next year as only 29 and Moulson will be UFA''s. Maybe they can trade them this summer with a full year under contract left?

I stand corrected. Thought it was UFA after next season.

Not at all, the exact opposite. This is the same answer I've given you on the draft board. I want them to come in last this year because I believe (ok 90% sure) all of the top 4 prospects will be in the NHL next season. All 4 (Dahlin, Svechnikov, Tkachuk and Zadina) have the size and skill already. Then you add that prospect to Guhle and Casey Mittelstadt, Ullmark, and CJ smith. Then I have hope for a much better product as soon as next season. However, if CM stays in school then drafting 5th or 6th this year isn't as big a deal because Boqvist, Dobson or Hughes will be another at least. In this case, next year will be just as bad if not worse than this year and we may as well start getting to know the top 4 or 5 guys in the 2019 draft. What would you do with Scandella?

have to edit one of your edits. 70% chance of the 2018 #1 pick playing for the Sabres next season (as of today)

I think the Rochester guys need to be full time NHL players next year. They need to see if there is any hope for any of them. I could see Guhle now staying in Rochester 1 more year, unless Scandella is traded (hope that happens) Casey is the wildcard to the turnaround IMO, if he stays in school then plan to turn it around in 19/20 Bogo a full season? probably most unlikely to happen McCabe, ROR and Samson - will turn it around. Okposo should improve as well, giving him a huge mulligan on this season with the ICU incident. #1 Goaltender - absolutely right!