X. Benedict

I really mean what I said by calling him "A Rock" in poker. He was calculated, unemotional, and somewhat conservative. But his teams were really good at what they did. I loved how he used developed his defense and the defensive game in general. He got a lot of mileage out of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks that LA developed internally: Simmonds, Martinez, Clifford. etc. Besides....as much as the recent press about Tampa being the model. GMTM's model is LA. He's said it more than once. LA.

I'd take Meier. Hell, I'd trade up for Meier.

If he isn't traded (and I don't think he will be), I think he'll be a Sabre. I have no problem with GMTM saying what he did. He should come in as a minor leaguer and hope to earn his spot. 2 way, one way, it hardly matters now.

It really is bizarre in a way. The idea that he needed a a dramatic personae, or theatrical mask to succeed as a professional athlete. While it is very interesting, but I'm not buying much of this- he laments that there is no time to read in hockey, but apparently there is lots of time for extra-marital affairs. Hmmm? I just remember Chris Drury fielding all kinds of questions as captain of the NYR about Avery's behavior. Drury never cracked, but you could tell he exhausted nearly every stock answer he had for Avery being an important member of his team when he was often a detriment. I wonder what kind of discussions those boys had inside the room.

Well the uncle thing is kinda weird. But Terry Murray is his own man. I'm not concerned with the weird.

I can't tell you how delighted I am this morning that Terry Murray is part of the staff. I'm reluctant to call anyone in this game a genius. But I can't think of a better guy to handle/teach the defense and call the pairings.

Interesting Piece by Sean Avery......mentions his screening of Broudeur, his hard work, and at times his complete indifference to the players culture. http://www.theplayerstribune.com/sean-avery-why-i-retired-life-after-hockey/ "I handled the pressure partly by inventing a character — the tough, ornery Sean Avery that you think you know — and I’d put his game face on before I left for the rink, and I’d take it off when I got home. It was my way of handling all the demands on us to win. And to keep my job. I needed people to hate me. I needed players to come after me in order to stay motivated. Because honestly, playing in the NHL can become stagnant after a few years, especially if you have intellectual interests outside the rink." I guess we never really appreciated him for his beautiful mind. :)

A first round pick is way too much for Talbot IMO. Niemi is free. Ramos free. Nuevirth is free. Dubnyk is free. Not saying there won't be a trade market, it just won't be top 40 picks IMO.

No way do you get trade 16 for Talbot. I don't even think you trade 33 for Talbot. 57? Maybe the Oil trades 57.

Nobody is to stone Eleven until I blow this whistle.

Monty Python. Yes. Still a thing.

Nobody laughs when he says Biggus Dickus.

It's a good question. I really don't know how that transfer agreement works.

I see. But the issue really was Buffalo's options were limited. It was the KHL or the NHL. (Juniors wasn't an option). His Nationality was quite pertinent to this. It's like getting a car with a lien.

He really didn't say much, did he? The dream scenario is he's willing to trade #21 for a 23-24 year old forward. (I''m assuming that is a reference to O'Reilly) "Chances are slim to none." GMTM

Sorry about your Buddy, ubkev. That's a tough one.

It absolutely did, but not in that particular case, but in the past year. In the last year he had to stay on the Buffalo roster or get sent to the KHL. There was an issue where he couldn't be sent to the OHL because of his KHL rights.. IIRC. I think Bill Hoppe wrote a piece on it. Yep. http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/sabres-prospect-nikita-zadorovs-future-could-be-decided-soon/

Terry Murray is what poker players call a rock. He just doesn't get excited. He's a really good defensive coach. Less animated than brother Bryan though. I love that he coached Drew Doughtey and other young Dmen like Matt Green and Alec Martinez, as well as guys like Willie Mitchell and Scuderi. He's a really solid choice.

ACTM Associate Coach Terry Murray :lol:

I slept with Ryan O'Reilly and he, well, just kind of layed there. All kidding aside, he's become this years Paul Stasny.

Geez. What kind of fight are you picking here? I'm not writing anyone off. I'm suggesting that currently you have contract complications and poor decisions made with Grigorenko and Zadorov based partly (key word here, partly) on those players ability to leverage their opportunities with the KHL. (and Russians in general). And guess what? Grigorenko's agent is using that leverage again. I'm not saying don't draft Russians. Or they can't be successful.. Specifically, I'm saying don't draft one at #21. In practice, that means I'd pass on Guryanov, Svechnikov, Dergachev, or Samsonov.. To move up and grab a sure thing(that would include Provorov BTW) Or take Colin White. If Guryanov, or Svecnhikov or Samsonov is available at #31..... I'd be happy with the pick. Unlike the Darcy days, when players were rarely if ever moved. GMTM is much more willing to think in terms of organizational assets that can be moved for upgrades. Quite simply....I want the best stockpile of movable assets, especially a pick at #21.

I think I can google Kovalchuk, Radulov and Sobotka. Can you?

Lemme splain...... The issue is not so much Russian talent. There is plenty. I don't dispute that. The bigger issue is stockpiling trading chits. Because of the uncertainty of controlling a Russian players development, it becomes really hard to stockpile players in the situation where you want to move them for team needs. Because other teams have a hard time scouting Russians, and they might not be playing a North American game .....They don't become liquid assets. For example. Guryanov - there is the risk he stays in the KHL . .....but if the Sabres draft him and he isn't in the Sabres organization - he isn't a liquid asset to move like a Brendan Lemieux for example......who never played for the Sabres, but was a liquid asset. At #21 I don't want to pick a Russian. As far as the Sabres own Russians.......Grigorenko and Zadorov......the Sabres have burned through 3 and 1 years of contracts respectively when they should have been learning the game in the AHL. Isn't that reason enough by itself. (and those were players higher than 21).

Yep. And Sorta.

I always thought Grover Cleveland should have been on the 2.