mjd1001

Besides Boston, closest team to home? There are TONS of flghts or trains he can take to easly get back, and it is only a 3 hour or so drive? If being close to home but NOT for the Bruins was his priority, this was the best.

I really have no strong feelings myself where he will go, but from reading every article I could find out there about this in the last 48 hours, and watching a few interviews/listening to the radio, I don't hear anyone saying Pittsburgh or Toronto, so I would guess they are not likely. The feeling I do get it this: Chicago 30%, Buffalo 20%, Boston 20%, New Jersey 20%, Pitt, Toronto, Rangers (and everyone else combined) 10%. I don't see this guy scoring over 20 goals though, UNLESS he is healthy all year and plays 1st line PP time with guys like Kane or Hall. Other than that I see 12-16 goals at most.

That was me, and I 100% stand by my comment. My wife lived and grew up in NY city (for over 30 years) and I have spent a lot of time there. In my life (for my job) I also lived in Boston, very close to Miami, and Charlotte. We have relatives in Chicago that we visit often (a few time spending a full week there). I just don't see many positives that NY city offers that you can't find in other cities...and I see things in other Cities that NY city doesn't offer. It is an opinion, but NY city is no where NEAR the greatest city in this country to me (let alone the World).

I think it just isn't the thing for some people. When lived outside of Boston, I had to travel to NYC for work a few times a year. I got to know the city better (a LOT better) when I met my eventual wife there, and we visited there frequently after she moved away and her parents still lived in Queens. I can say, without a doubt, I really really dislike the city. Crowded, smells bad, overpriced...and I'm not just talking Manhattan, but all the boroughs. 90% (or more) of what you can find in NY City you can find in other places, often for a lot less cost and for a lot less aggravation. I have no desire to really ever go to or visit there ever again. Its just not for me.

I'm OK with Sal and Coller. The morning show I can listen to, and I like Hamiltons segments. But as many others on this board, Shopp and the Bulldog I have a problem with, I hardly listen to them anymore. Too many times I tune in at 3pm on the ride home, and I hear stories about ANYTHING except for sports for the entire first segment. I understand shows these days want to mix things up...but that afternoon show has taken "off topic" too far.

I'm OK with him still on this team. Do I like the stuff he is doing? No. But if he IS still going to be in the NHL with SOME team and getting paid, I'm OK with the Sabres being it. With that said, I think it is about time the NHL (or Sabres) come down with a 10 game suspension on him (WITHOUT PAY). Money is valuable to just about everyone but it seems REALLY important to Kane, lets see the league take that step.

I'm not sure you can get him on a 2 year deal at the $ as low as you have listed, it might be a bit higher. As for what role does he have with this team? I have really NO Idea. -He could be a winger on a top-2 line...someone who (if he buys into the system) is a physical, good skating, get the puck out of the corner 15-20 goal guy. -He could be a guy who doesn't adjust to a 'system' and needs to get traded to a team that runs less of a 'system' and become a decent #2 center there putting in 15-20 goals. -He could be a bottom 6 winger or center on this team, playing less minutes than he has in the past and putting up 5-10 goals a year. I could really see any of those. So, if he is traded, so be it. If he isn't traded, great, lets hope for the best and cheer for the guy.

I keep going back to the same thing with this guy...just how good is he? Nobody really knows, and anything is a guess. But I have to wonder....this year or next, how much better off are they with him in the lineup vs Bailey? Or Carrier? What is everyone expecting out of him? 15-20 goals out of him if he is a top 6 guy....and he may not be a liability in the D-zone, but he would still have a lot to learn about the NHL game? I'm not sure that is all that much better than what you will get with one of the guys who were down on the farm last year. The more I think about this, the only thing I can come up with is that Murray has a deal on the table (that isn't going away), or maybe a FEW deals that involve bringing in a D-man to the Sabres but the Sabres have to give up a Fasching, Carrier, or Bailey. If Vesey signs he will be OK with making that deal (basically getting a 'free' replacement for Forward depth), but without Vesey, he'll stand his ground and go into the year with what they have.

I don't know...if there was a way for the Sabres to retain a lot of salary..maybe

A lot of what is on these boards is speculation, but, while I want the Sabres to sign him, I'd want it just like i'd want them to sign ANY Player that is seemed-to-be considered at mid 1st round talent. HOWEVER, did anyone ever go back a few years and look at most of the forwards drafted in the middle of the first round? A lot of players not in the NHL anymore...some career AHLers, and a LOT Of 3rd and 4th line players. So if it doesn't cost you anything to sign him..sure, it would be great for what he MIGHT become, but if part of signing him is a promise of power play time and top 6 line time...I'm not sure if I even want that.

Just for fun, I thought I'd look back at drafts over they last 10-15 years and see what players were taken at 8. To be fair, I got a list of players taken with picks 7, 8, and 9 to get an idea how they turn out. I'm not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but I haven't seen it as of now: Forwards: Nazem Kadri, Scott Glennie, Colin Wilson, Josh Bailey, Logan Couture, Kyle Okposo, Peter Mueller, James Sheppard, Mikkel Boedker, Jakub Voracek, Zach Hamill, Jeff Skinner, Alexander Burmistrov, MIkael Granlund, Mark Scheifele, Sean Couturier, Bo Horvat, William Nylander, Nikolaj Ehlers, Timo Meier D-men: Jared Cowen, Dougie Hamilton, Jacob Trouba, Derrick Pouliot, Matthew Dumba, Darnell Nurse, Rasmus Ristolainen, Haydn Fleury, Ivan Provorov, Zach Werenski,

I have the same thought/fear. From all that I have read, listened to, remember hearing on Canadian radio stations about him before Buffalo was even in the mix..etc...is that this is a kid who MIGHT, EVENTUALLY touch 30 goals in a year for a max ceiling...it is likely he'd be a 18-24 goal guy....but there is also a chance he might be just a decent 10-15 goal a year 3rd line guy. Those exact words were not spoken by anyone I heard or read in any order, but that is the strong impression I get from putting everything I've heard about him together over the last year. So, what does that make him? I guess talent-wise what you would expect from a mid 1st round to early 2nd round guy (many of which don't stick around in the NHL that long). So do I want the Sabres to sign him? Sure, if for only the chance he ends up being that 20-30 goal guy. But I think it is a better chance he ends up being just an average-to-good 3rd line talent.

I'm happy with the deal (was afraid it would be over $7 million per yer), but I'm just OK with the player. I think Okposo is good, but I'm not super high on him.

It says Murphy's show will be from 10am until 3pm in the article..but it also says Hockey Hotline will 'keep' its 10am to noon slot. Obviously that can't work as there is overlap there. Is it a mis-print or error in the article...with Murphy's show being noon to 3, and hockey hotline staying at 10-noon? Or will Murphy get 10am-3 during football season (or at least training camp), and Hockey Hotline being off the air until the season starts?

Today, the betting odds of winning next years cup came out. Pens Favorite at 8-1. Buffalo? Tied with the Leafs at the worst at 66-1. So as far as Vegas is concerned, every team except Toronto has a better chance at the cup, and even Toronto and Buffalo are even. I KNOW this isn't exactly saying they will have the worst record...but does vegas/betters really think they are so bad that they deserve to be rated as the worst? Full link with article here: http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/nhl-odds-penguins-open-as-favorites-to-win-2017-stanley-cup/ At those Odds, I'd take a flyer on Buffalo, Tampa, Florida, and MAYBE Columbus. I think the Sharks, Red Wings, Rangers, Flyers, and Bruins are the worst bets at those odds.

Where is his spot on this roster going forward? Not specifically who are his linemates, but where does he slot it? 2nd line winger? 3rd line center? I'm just wondering where everyone sees him fitting....and then will whatever you pay him slot into that spot?

I'd still say that if you increase goals, ANY kind of goals, that gets you half way to where you want to go. In todays game, when a team has a 2 goal lead, it feels like the game is often over. Even if the goals aren't any more exciting, I'll start by taking more of them simply to get a 'back and forth' flow of scoring. Give me goals, any kind of goals...and also work on getting a better flow.

The way the game is played is killing the game, not the network it is carried on. I read these forums. I want the Sabres to win. I follow stories around the league. I love to look at the stats at the end of the year. Fantasy General manager is one of my favorite pastimes. But you know the one thing that is different with me than it was in the past? I hardly watch the games anymore. I find the news, the rumors and the RESULTS of the game interesting...but whenever I try to watch an actual game, I am bored with it. Its either after all these years....I'm not seeing anything that I haven't already seen....or the game has just gotten really, really boring to watch. I'm guessing its a bit of both, but mostly that the game is boring. Give me a 7-4 game with 70+ shots and I'll be happy. The more goals the better, as long as it doesn't get so out of hand to resemble an NHL all star game. Honestly, the only way I think I come back and start watching hockey as much as I used to is: 1. Get the national games on network TV (at least once a week). 2. Rule changes for a LOT more scoring 3. Sabres need to be a playoff caliber team. I think that number is getting lower and lower. Not many, but a handful of people I work with that are 'middle aged' have dropped Cable TV and are going strictly with the Netflix/Hulu/OTA mode. However, my observation is that is a LOT more common with people under 25. I have a niece that just went to college this year, and we visited her last fall. In the Dorms where she stays, almost everyone there does the Hulu/Netflix thing. I asked her boyfriend what he does about sports (he lives in a dorm in a different building) and he says he just doesn't watch live often..just checks the scores on his phone...and if there is something they want to watch badly enough, they will find a sports bar (or someone who DOES have cable) to watch there. Bottom line...a lot of those younger folks have no problem watching the NFL (most get it with a cheap antenna over the air) and can watch a good number of NBA games, but MLB and NHL they just watch less and less.

I'm against it. I mean, I hate the fact that the current stadium is in Orchard park and not in the city...I'd almost say lets build a new one so we can get it downtown.....but I won't go that far. As long as the current stadium is not falling apart and as long as the fans fill it (for the most part), there is no need for a new Stadium. And when there does come time for a new stadium, I don't want any public money going toward it. Now if they want to attach a convention center to the stadium...AND we can accurately seperate the cost of the stadium from the CC, then public money can go to that part of it..but beyond that...no.

I'm not a huge fan of retiring numbers. I don't see the point to it. Maybe, if you need to, have a 'semi retirement' to honor the player. Retire the number for 5 or 10 years, but then give it back out. I just don't see such a big deal in a number.

I'm fine with charging for the Draft, as long as it isn't 'too much'. If they don't sell it out, they charged too much. Other than that, I'm ok. This year, it appears 'selling out' should be no problem. Sabre fans will come close to filling the place, but the huge number of Maple leaf fans coming down from Toronto probably justifies charging for it. Just make sure you put on a good, or a GREAT show. Have stuff to do outdoors, make it a MAJOR event. With Sabre and Leaf fans all over, this will be another opportunity to 'raise the bar' and put Buffalo on the map for more NHL events.

I'm going to really miss the name First Niagara Center. To me, it was the best name for any arena/stadium for the area. Even though it was named after the bank, the fact it had the name "Niagara" in it was great...it had something to do with the region.

1. No major long term-injuries for Sabres 2. Tampa and Florida have at least one major (top 5 player) long term injury 3 One major upside surprise (Reinhart hits 30 goals...sign Stamkos or a top 3 D-man...Moulson returns to 25 goal status...Ennis back at 100% and fits in with 25+ goals) 4. A tad bit of luck in close games.

I really REALLY wanted the Sabres to draft in the top 5 this year. I beleive, long term, it would be best if they had 3 super-young superstar potential forwards. However.... There was really going to be no way this team was going to finish last....and I'm holding onto what Tim Murray said in an interview on the radio a few weeks ago....he said that There is a clear #1, then a drop to #2 and #3...then after that he thinks the next big drop is after 11 or 12. If that is true, then as long as they are before that next drop, they should get a good player.

I like hearing Craig Rivet occasionally, but I think he is WAY too dry to be on everyday. The show also gets a bit 'crowded' when you have more than 2 hosts. I'd rather see them stay with 1 or 2 hosts, and sprinkle in that third guy occasionally.