Crusader1969

Also are you not better off (long term) having the "kids" be part of a playoff drive., even if they don't make it?

I'd love to know how many of you guys who definitely wouldn't trade him are guys who would have traded him for a bag of pucks prior to December. If it's a deal that nets you a top pair dman who you can control for next 4-5 years. You have to consider it.

What to do when Carrier and Girgenson are healthy? It will be a shame to see Moulson take a roster spot from any of the younger, faster and better options! What's the ideal line- up? Bailey, O'Reilly, Okposo Kane, Eichel, Reinhart Ennis, Girgenson, Foligno Baptiste, Rodriguez, Carrier Gio traded and Moulson in press box?

There is a whole thread of what to do with Kane. You have to look at the 2018/19 season to make an informed decision. Can you afford him after his contract expires. If not, trade him now. His value may never be higher. ....... Who would you use as a comparable for Eichel? McKinnon got $6.5Mill., Barkov Avg of $5.9mill, Seguin $5.7mill, Tyler Hall $6. Taveres $5.5. I'd think max $8 for Jack. Though it will be interesting what McDavid gets, They were talking $12mill on TSN radio. Here is where they stand: Forwards Eichel $7.5Mill Samson $5.5 Mill Kane $6mill O'Reilly $7.5mill Okposo $6mill Moulson $5 Ennis $4.6 Defence McCabe $1.6 Risto $5.4mill Bogo $5.1mill 10 Players and $55million in salary. Doesnt leave a lot to fill out the rest of the roster Guehle, Nylander would still be on their ELC. so there is another $2mill. thats $18million and still 11 players to pay.

I would call Columbus and see if they would trade Clarkson for Moulson. Make sure Clarkson never passes a physical and stash him on LTIR. Sabres would then be able to go $5 mill over cap -allowing them the space to potentially sign Eichel, Reinhart and Kane. Does Eichel for $8 , Samson for $5.5 and Kane for $6 sound right?

The topic of trading Kane got me thinking about 2 years down the road when he is a UFA What does your projected lineup look like and what are the salaries? Here are the guys already signed: O'Reilly $7.5mill Okposo $6mill Risto $5.4mill Bogo $5.1mill Moulson $5 Ennis $4.6 McCabe $1.6 Eichel and Samson will be done their ELC contracts. it will take a miracle but somehow that Moulson contract has to be off books by then

``want`` is a strong word but you have to consider it depending the return.Especially if you can get a top 4 dman on their first contact. Also, have to consider the salary cap implications. What can you re-sign him for once his contract expires after next season?. That Moulson contract could really come into play in the 2018-19 season, as Kane, Eichel and Reinhart come up. Unless you get rid of Moulson (or Ennis) not sure how you afford Kane. Even if you get rid of Moulson it could be tough, unless your D is Risto, Bogo, McCabe, Guhle and 3 more earning about $1mill each.

Easily the best recap of draft eligibles in the OHL http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/ Tippett is now listed as the top prospect in league and could be a top 5 pick

This thread is almost embarrassing as the send a Reinhart to the minors thread

I dont think this is right, I thought I saw that they are one of the worst in giving up shots in the slot or prime scoring areas. Do you have a stat to show otherwise?

There are some nights to wave that flag, tonight is not one of them

seriously, how do you manage to even manage to get yourself out of bed in the morning? I couldn't imagine being so negative.

Lehner, Kane and Bogosian just gave your argument a big F you this weekend. All 3 were exceptional! Now let's keep it going !

Just because you (and some others) think it, doesn't make it right. Sabres are maybe 3 or 4 points below where I thought they would be. If you told me at the start of the season that they would be decimated by injuries to key players, they might actually be ahead of where I would think they would be. Anyone who thinks Mcnabb, Pysyk and Myers are the difference that would get them into playoff position is truly delusional. Not to mention the fact that Myers and McNabb have been hurt almost all season! Funny, in one paragraph you say that history is against a second round pick making the NHL and in another you are up in arms about giving up 2nd round picks!!! And what exactly was the downside of having to pay $3 million for 1 year to legwand? They didn't have cap issues and it's not your money? You are grasping at straws! How much would they be paying for stafford and Myers? Myers has been hurt and Stafford has 4 goals!

Even if the Sabres had 3 more points, now you are 4 points out of the playoffs. Now add in all the other injuries to their top 9 and top 4. You can choose to be doom and gloom, I'm just not about to join you. I see what he is building and realize it going to take time - literally the Sabres were historically bad only 2 years ago. To think the turn around would be any faster when you are relying on young players to carry your team is completely misguided IMO.

you guys make is sound we are down in the standings with Arizona and Colorado. 7 more points and we are 15th overall. 10 more points and its 11th overall. Be honest, if Eichel wasnt hurt, how many more points would the Sabres have in your opinion?

Seriously? Fasching is a failed trade? Its the kids first year as a professional? you are ready to call him a bust? How is Kane and Bogo a failed trade? First, the trade help ensure last place in 2015. Second, Kane has 12 goals this season (2nd on the team). are you saying this team would be better off if we still had Stafford, Armia and Myers? Lemieux and the first rounder he gave up haven't played in the NHL yet, why are they not busts like Fasching? No one seems to be complaining in Toronto about Andersen costing a 1st rounder? why, because they are winning even though Lehner has a better GAA and SV% then Andersen and has played most of the season with at least 2 if not 3 AHL Dmen. Gorges, Moulson were brought in to reach the salary floor. And no one could have predicted Kulikov would get hurt in the preseason. Are we really missing Pysyk and his 1G and 6A?? I guess you're are ready to call Asplund a bust as well? They are at the bottom of the standings because there is still a lot of dead weight on this team thatwill soon be cleared with younger faster better players and they've had a $hitload of injuries to key players. I judge Murray on the entire organization not just the NHL team.I still see a team that will compete for a cup in a few years. Drafting in the top 5 will ultimately be a step forward. They are 7 points behind the Leafs, you dont think that if they didn't have any key injuries (like the leafs until last night) there may not be a gap between the two teams?

Sure they could be better, they probably would be at least 5 to 7 points better if Eichel wasn't hurt and we wouldn't be having this conversation. They probably would be better if Guhle was in NHL but they wanted him to develop more. Maybe the would be better if both bailey and Baptiste were with Sabres all season but again they are better long term in ahl. You don't think he realizes that he has a slow defence? He is doing what is best for the organization. When you are waiting for prospects to develop it can be frustrating. I get that.

So I guess the Sabres were extremely lucky to find one of those rare guys!

A rare team? Which team was fortunate to draft an elite generational player and didn't find success?

TOTALLY wrong, his job is to build a team that will one day compete for a cup. He will do whatever is best to get to that point even if it means the current product suffers. What trades? What FA signings? What prospects has he developed incorrectly?

ESPN came out with their top 50 prospect rankings today. Not surprisingly, Nylander is #4. Cliff Pu was ranked 20th. "He has had a monster season and has been the top rising prospect in my eyes. He has been one of the OHL's best players and a key part to London's continuing to be a dominant force in that league. It's hard to find a flaw in Pu's game. He's big, fast and skilled, and he can make plays at both ends of the rink. Pu doesn't have elite skill, but there's plenty of talent there to project as a potential top-six center in the NHL. A part of me wants to see Pu with the Sabres sooner than later just to see how Rick Jeanneret calls his goals. Also, he likes stuffed animals a lot." So, gmtm drafts Guhle in 2nd, Borgen in 4th, Pu in 3rd, Asplund in 2nd and somehow people think he needs to be fired??

I'm sorry but Fasching is still a prospect. Who are your etc? O'Reilly? You think trading for Kane was trading for a shiny new object? Or maybe just the right move to ensure the tank was successful. So you admit getting elite talent at the top of the draft is important?

I think the Sabres are right on course, they are probably in playoff contention without injuries but I never thought they would make playoffs even t full strength. I love that Murray is being patient but he still has important moves to make coming up in the next 6 weeks. I'm not sure what to expect next year because I expect them to be very young and inexperienced but the years that follow I'm extremely optimistic that they will become the Sabres glory years. Got to be lucky to get in top 3. The draft seems to be at least 12 players deep, so they will get another key "piece" no matter where they draft. Totally disagree, the Sabres have been around for close to 50 years and way too much of it was spent in mediocrity. Don't think the Blackhawks are complaining they got Toews and Kane from basically doing the same thing. Pretty sure he knows exactly what he is doing- Being patient

Maybe so, but have a look at that draft and there are some excellent players from it - especially dmen MURRAY, REILLY, Lindholm, Dumba and Trouba all went in the top 10 Where would Sabres be if you added 1 of them to roster? I won't assume Sabres win a lottery position so will (likely) drafting 4 to 10. I believe the Sabres will end up with a huge piece of the puzzle for the rebuild.