Hoss

Exactly. I'm still always about letting the players have what they want on the equipment end (within the rules). Some players feel most comfortable in a certain number or will feel most comfortable in a number they're allowed to pick. On top of that most guys will pick numbers that are far more visually appealing than 56.

Saying you wouldn't give anything and just sit at 4/5/6 is also a fair answer. It might be mine depending on what the price to get to 2/3 is. If it's anything more than a 2nd and a player who doesn't appear to be in the long term plans then I stay put.

He wore 56 in camp so I would've guessed 56 anyways.

Why wouldn't he just re-sign in Tampa? Maybe because he doesn't like it there. There's many reasons. And he knows that Tampa isn't the only team in the NHL capable of winning. Based on everything we know there is absolutely a chance. A small one, probably, but there's a chance.

Bill Hoppe @BillHoppeNHL According to the Sabres roster, Justin Bailey will wear Ken Priestlay and Steve Bernier's No. 56. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Somebody take a slapshot in the general direction of Rip Simonick or whoever the hell does this. Let him wear what he wants (which would probably be 95).

Joe Yerdon @JoeYerdon To make room for Bailey, it appears the #Sabres put Girgensons on IR. That's at least according to the team roster.

http://sabresdigitalpressbox.com/2016/02/10/sabres-recall-forward-bailey/ SABRES RECALL FORWARD BAILEY Posted on February 10, 2016 by Ian Ott | Leave a comment BUFFALO, N.Y. (February 10, 2016) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has recalled forward Justin Bailey from the Rochester Americans (AHL). Bailey (6’3”, 210 lbs., 7/1/1995) joins the Sabres for his first career recall after a stretch which has seen him compile 11 points (5+6) in his last eight AHL games. Through the first 47 games of his professional career, Bailey ranks second among Rochester skaters in goals (10) and fourth in points (23), and leads the team with 104 shots. A Buffalo native, Bailey was selected by the Sabres in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft before finishing his OHL career with 148 points (76+72) in 168 games with the Kitchener Rangers and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Or maybe Lehner freezes the puck less which leads to less time for the players in the defensive zone to rest which leads to a dump and change once the puck leaves our end.

So then what do you propose? That was the purpose of the question. I aimed low to start a conversation.

Alright, the draft lottery just ended. The Sabres are slotted somewhere between 4 and 6. The general consensus has become that Matthews, Laine and Puljujarvi will be the top three picks and the only players who will step into the NHL immediately. Question is, if you're Murray: do you trade up and what do you give? It wouldn't be a steep drop for anybody and there's definitely talent in the 4-6 slots. So maybe you're jumping from 5 to 2 by using a second (hopefully you have an extra after the deadline) and Ennis?

Sure, except the part where they'd need to sign a left tackle anyways.

Awesome stuff, Flagg.

I wouldn't be worried about losing Kane or Reinhart if it meant we had Stamkos. He's a better player than the two will ever be combined, and I'm confident in saying so. But I also don't think it means we'll absolutely have to move either anytime soon. Sacrifices would obviously have to be made. I would also bet it wouldn't be hard to sell Stamkos on the idea that signing with Buffalo would mean signing with a winner who would be able to attractive defensive pieces to set him and the rest of the team up for a good 7-8 years of winning.

It won't open up cap space. The team is already over the cap at this moment. Not re-signing him doesn't change that. Plus we'd then immediately need to fill that hole.

Kane - O'Reilly - ??? Boedker - Eichel - Girgensons ??? - Reinhart - Fasching Deslauriers - Larsson - Gionta Forwards coming together there a bit. Could fill one of the question marks with a draftee. Maybe Ennis. Maybe another free agent. Maybe I completely forgot somebody.

I don't think McGinn has an even remote impact on a conversation about Boedker. He's worth twice the term and at least $1.5M more. I would offer Boedker 5x5.

I'm hoping to target Boedker first and then Eriksson after we either get Boedker or miss out on him. I would consider Boedker to be this team's best free agent signing since... Drawing a blank here...

Phaneuf was number three (per player against usage) with the Leafs. He'll hopefully help Ceci be a much better guy and Phaneuf can relax without the 'C' on the second pairing.

Was there for the first two periods. Had to leave because friends' two year old got fussy. Glad I got to provide the little one with his first game even if it was a miserable one. Some thoughts: - Yuck. I think it'd be lunacy to say anybody on this team aside from maybe Reinhart is having a good game. - Really interested to see how Lehner responds to his first bad game as a Sabre. First time he hasn't been great and boy was it bad. I'm looking forward to it so much that I'm almost glad he got roughed up. Whatcha got, Robin? - The number of times I felt like Eichel was helpless out there with nobody with a remote offensive NHL skill set makes me realize this team needs to prioritize getting him wingers ASAP. I thought of Boedker and Eriksson many times during the game. Please. - That Jagr goal was a thing of beauty. Great play between him and Huberdeau. Happened right in front of me. Glad I got to see a Jagr goal. - Kane's intensity was the only thing to draw a response from this crowd. None of the Panthers goals drew much of a response. Evander Kane just put himself at the top of many fans' lists. Certainly seems he's unloading a bit of frustration. - Props to the guy who spoke up when somebody told my friend breastfeeding was inappropriate. If that was any of you then I'll buy you a beer (I expect multiple DMs from you all claiming it was you now :p)

Might have our second d trade of the day: Hearing that #oilers Justin Schultz being scratch tonight vs #devils might be trade related. #tvasports

Why is it always winning or money? Hometown, schools for your children, places to raise a family, country, nightlife... Etc etc. It's not just one of two things driving a decision.

Moulson will score but it will be overturned on a challenge.

Michalek used to be good but looks like he's just about done. Rough season.

Larsson got hurt in practice and may not be able to play.

Senators announce they've acquired Dion Phaneuf in a nine-player trade. Only other known players so far going to Toronto are Jared Cowen and Colin Greening. Milan Michalek goes to Toronto: #Sens get Phaneuf, Frattin, Bailey, Rupert and Donaghey in exchange for Cowen, Greening, Michalek, Lindberg and 2nd-rounder in 2017.