Crusader1969

initial Craigs List: http://www.tsn.ca/auston-matthews-is-just-that-good-1.358947

Where do the Sabres finish: (12th) Eastern Conference Finals: (NYI v TB) Western Conference Finals: (CHI v ANA) Stanley Cup Finals: (ANA V NYI) Stanley Cup Winners: (Anaheim) Rocket Richard Trophy: (Kessel) Hart Trophy: (Crosby) Vezina Trophy: (Price) Norris (defenseman): (Doughty) Jack Adams (coach): (Mclellan) Calder Trophy: (McDavid) Bonus: Who will be the biggest name moved during the season? RNH Bonus: How many Buffalo Sabres participate in the All Star Game? 1 (Girgesnsons) Bonus: Biggest bounce back season by any player? (Phil Kessel)

Time to pick up the phone to Doug Armstrong. The Blues have $68.8 million committed to 20 players. Id be interested in Gunnarsson who is an UFA after this season. Might be a cheap stop-gap.

If anyone is interested (or just bored) the Oilers will stream their prospect game at 8:30 today on their website

I wouldn't be surprised if the Sabres are the ones who offered the "deal" that Oduya is sitting on. If so, and if the Black Hawks can't clear the cap space to re-sign him - problem solved. If its not Oduya - I'd still like them to be patient and wait for more teams to enter "cap-hell". With 4 second rounders next year the Sabres would be in great shape to pry loose a the Defeceman they want. Hawks already in Cap Hell Rangers, Canadians, Canucks, Blues, Wild, Bruins could find themselves desperate soon.

Id look at Montreal. They still need to sign RFA's Galchenyuk and Tinordi to sign and already have $63 million committed to 19 players. Emelin is a physical Lhanded D man that could play on the 2nd pair. Signed through the 2017-18 season.

he is exactly what this team needs in 2015!!! he looks pretty good still - wonder if he has one year in him? :)

Well he got Chicago and the Norris right. Plus Rinne had a fine season. But 7th in east and the Jack Adams for Nolan??? yikes.

Good Point.

2 questions - 1)what would you consider to be a disappointing season for the Sabres? I don't really care that much about play-offs next season. I would just like to see them increase their season point total by about 25 or so. Get a full season under the belts of Eichart / Pysyk and 1 full season of being a pro for Baptiste and Bailey. I'd also want to see McCabe thrive as the #1 Dman on the Amerks. 2) What is the line-up when Sabres are not just play-off contenders but Cup Contenders? Kane Eichel O'Reilly Bailey Reinhart Ennis Moulson Girgensons Baptiste Deslauriers Foligno Fasching Risto Pysyk not on roster Bogosian Gorges McCabe Lerner

I dont think Fasching scores enough to be a 3rd liner. Plus I have Baptiste plugged in as a 3rd line RW long term. McNabb played 15 mins in his first full year in NHL. He could eventually be a 2nd Pair LD.

McNabb is a Left handed D that we are short and is already playing 15 mins a night with LAK while Deslauries and Fasching will probably play wing on the Sabres 4th line for their career. Its revisionist thinking but still one that I would like back.

How would Brayden McNabb look in the 2015-16 line-up? Defense -- shoots L Born Jan 21 1991 -- Davidson, SASK [24 yrs. ago] Height 6.04 -- Weight 205 [193 cm/93 kg] If you ranked Murray's trades would McNabb for Deslauries and Fasching be the worst? As a straight up trade its not a bad trade but as we stand today - this is one I would definitely want this one back. 2014-Mar-05 Traded from Buffalo Sabres with Jonathan Parker, round 2 pick in the 2014 draft (Alex Lintuniemi) and round 2 pick in the 2015 draft (Erik Cernak) to Los Angeles Kings for Hudson Fasching and Nicolas Deslauriers

Austin Matthews work visa has been denied it seems. Good news for Everett of the WHL. DraftBuzz top 30: http://www.draftbuzzhockey.com/#!2016-prelim/c18mp

How about Foligno as 4th line center between Deslauriers and McGinn? allows Gionta to play on a line with Rienhart and Larrson. you beat me to the punch.

OMG!!!!! Definitely up for the winner of worst trade proposal EVER!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

man, these are crazy fun line-ups to play around with but just wait for a year or two when Baptiste, Bailey and Fasching are ready to play in NHL!!!!

why not pull a Garth Snow move? wait till a week before season and cherry-pick a team in cap trouble for a Dman they would rather not give up with 2 of the Sabres 4 2nd rounders next year? May sign a Benoit / Strachan type on July 1st but wait patiently for the big fish!

Only bad thing about the list is there is only 1 Sabres prospect in the OHL next year.

Ivan Chukarov - got nothing on this guy

Giorgio Estephan pick 192 a projectable - two-way contributor with some undervalued offensive touch. He is a very wide base when he skates, which seems to stop him from generating a ton of power from his edges. His speed is OK once he gets going but his foot speed isnt great out of the gate. He has soft hands and can both give and receive a pass well. He shows off a great shot, utilizing a quick release and finding soft spots in coverage where he is able to wire a one-timer or quick snap shot. has some nice dekes, utilizing head fakes and quick hands. great hand/eye co-ordination. relentless in puck battles. doesnt have much of the way of strength on his frame, but tries to play a physical game. Good role-model on the ice and wears a letter for Lethbridge. none of his skills are above average and his offensive upside is limited. 3rd or 4th line two way forward

im catching a theme here - good skating tall D men who need to get stronger but have high ceilings. think his effort has really come into question. but high skill potential. should go soon. edit - and he is Russian

Devante Stephens pick number 122 a raw, lanky dman who skates well. has a wide skating stride and lengthens it out to get himself up to a pretty good speed. He lacks explosiveness right now on his first few steps but has strong lateral movements and solid transitions, which helps him retrieve loose pucks. He is willing to take the hit to make the play and tries to play a physical game. lacks strength to intimidate opponents. likes to rush puck and makes a solid first pass. Has weak legs and gets knocked off the puck. Can get caught running around in his own end. desperately needs to weight to be able to play physical game. has raw tools, as a pretty good puck distributer and a physical defender, but he has some distance to go before he realizes his ultimate potential

Wotherspoon or Korostelev with 122 edit - wotherspoon taken by Islanders

nailed the forwards. Risto is a top pair Dman and Pysyk is in the 3/4 slot.