dejeanneret

St. Louis to allow Tarasenko to test RFA market. Will not sign him before July 1st. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=773156&navid=nhl:topheads THEY ARE FRICKIN' NUTS! GET'R DONE TM!!!

Per NYPost & Arizona Sports by 16-17 season http://nypost.com/2015/06/30/arizona-coyotes-to-move-to-las-vegas-under-new-owner/ http://arizonasports.com/43/1846520/Report-links-Arizona-Coyotes-moving-to-Las-Vegas-for-201617-season NHL Is denying. Thoughts?

Bieksa to Ducks per NHL Network

I don't like this. Although i can understand a coach bringing in his own guy, Irbe turned crap into very good. Whoever Bylsma brings in will have large shoes to fill

Why give a 20 year old top 2 pick away for two aging defensement who are declining and were horrible for the Leafs last year? This guy is on crack whoever wrote the article.

According to spotrac.com, the Sabres currently have $15.4 million in cap space remaining (Cap of $71,400,000 w/ $55,360,000 of active contracts). They are roughly $4 million above the cap floor. That doesn't include Reinhart is $900k and McCabe is $925k. Bring both of them up and we are at $13.6 million. Buying out Hodgson adds $3.2 million. Buying out Legwand saves us $2.3 million. Correct me if I'm wrong, but each team gets two buyouts per year. If they go that direction that will put them at $19.1 mil cap space, which is right at the cap floor. Some may disagree, but I don't see the value at keeping Legwand at $3 million when arguably he is no better than McCormick. Difference is Mac brings a physicality that Legwand doesn't have at half the price. Giving OReilly a max deal of $8 mil per season will raise his cap value $2 mil this season (from $6 mil). That puts us at $17.1 million. That leaves plenty of room for an RFA (RW?), veteran defenseman, and solid number 1a goalie. I think a solid option between the pipes is Lindback. He responded well to Irbe's tutelage, and at 6'6 fits Murray's mold. His first two seasons with the Preds he had a 2.52 GAA and SV% of around .914 through 38 games. Had a rough time in Tampa and Dallas but responded with a .924 SV% last season and 2.76 GAA. At 27 he still has 5 solid years left in him. We could probably get him for $1.5 mil per season (he made $925k last year) on a 2-3 year deal. Some may say we are stacked at forward. But when you have the chance of bringing in a Tarasenko at 23 years old and outbid a cap-strapped St. Louis franchise, you do it. $6-7 mil should do it. I'd take him over Foligno, Larsson, McGinn, McCormick, etc. Move everyone else down. If we can't get him (with Toffoli signing) I think we stand pat at forward. At defense, I think the money is on acquiring a younger player via trade. Unless Bylsma can talk Murray into Paul Martin (former Pen). I don't think Beachemin or Oduya will want to come to Buffalo. At their age they want to win a Cup now, and I'm sure there will be a team that will overpay both to help them do that.

I would have to think with Bylsma behind bench that Martin is going to be a strong consideration. He is someone Disco Dan knows and trusts from his years in Pitt. Especially when it comes to working with younger players, Bylsma knows what he's getting in Martin.

I believe not being able to get Lehner for 31st cost us Compher. TM admitted he tried until draft day to trade Lehner for 31 and was told it's either 21 or nothing. He had to make a move or get off the pot, so he did it. When the ROR deal changed from 21 to 31, I have a feeling the Avs wanted Compher.

That's the problem when some fans follow a team so closely. They attach a higher value to a player instead of seeing them who they really are. We were a last place team two years in a row with the talent we had. So to grab a GREAT player like Kane or OReilly is worth giving up a bunch of "mediocre". Grigs wasn't going to sign with us anyways since he wanted a one way deal. Zadorov granted was the stud of the deal, but you have to give up SOMETHING. A 31st pick or Compher are neither guaranteed to make the league. Same with the 21st pick. Even with the players we let go, there STILL isn't room on the roster for everyone. Were still going to have to either cut or trade players who we "valued" last year. When we add FA pieces, it's going to be more competitive and more players who we stuck a flag in the sand for last year will be gone. Thats what happens when you finish last two years in a row. It means your not good.

Wouldn't surprise me if the Sabres used a buyout on Legwand in addition to Hodgson From prohockeytalk.com. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/21/blues-wont-extend-tarasenko-til-after-season/ "The 16th overall pick at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, it’s conceivable Tarasenko could get a contract similar to what fellow draft mates Taylor Hall got from Edmonton (seven years, $42 million) or Jeff Skinner got from Carolina (six years, $34.35 million)." Sounds right for $6 mil per season to get the deal done. Maybe even $7 mil. But that's it. That's a steal

I might have missed something, but why did the Kings not have the buyout go towards the cap last year, but it does this year?

Last year the Sabres did their buyouts the morning after the draft, similar to Kings and Canadiens today. No word today from Murray. Hmmmm....Could Cody be staying?

Completely agree. Those that can see big picture aren't micromanaging this. Love what Murray has done and can't wait for FA.

Final piece to make this one of the most incredible summers in Sabres history is to sign Tarasenko. We get him, game over.

GM Tim Murray put it out there that we are in the market for a left-hand-shot defensemen. During the conversation he hinted at "acquiring" one and didn't rule out a trade for good reason. The market for a left handed Dman in this years free agency is rather ripe...and not in a good way. A majority are well over the age of 30 and are on the downside of their careers. If the Sabres are looking for someone long term, they will have to either look at RFA or trade. With RW being a hot topic of conversation for RFA Murray may need to put on his trading cap again. From NHL.COM here are the lead candidates for left handed Dmen, in no specific order: FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN, ANAHEIM DUCKS 35 years old 14-15 Season: 64 games, 11 goals, 12 assists, 23 points, +17, 48 PIM Previous cap charge: $3.5 million Beauchemin was the Ducks' No. 1 defenseman this season based on his ice time (22:44 per game). He had 23 points in 64 games, a plus-17 rating, and a 50.51 shot-attempts percentage (SAT). He had nine assists in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He is 35 years old and can still be a valuable top-four defenseman on most teams. He'd still be a valuable veteran for the Ducks, who have a young group of defensemen in Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler, and Simon Despres who appear ready to take the next step in their careers. James Wisniewski, Clayton Stoner, Mark Fistric, and Josh Manson are also signed for next season. Beauchemin wants to return to Anaheim, but the question is how much should they be willing to pay a 35-year-old? Notes: Older defensemen, but one that could help Gorges tutor younger D-men and maybe allow a McCabe to season further in minors. Still productive and clutch in post-season and averaged +/- of +20 over last three seasons. Two year rental at most. PAUL MARTIN, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - 34 years old 14-15 Season: 74 games, 3 goals, 17 assists, 20 points, +17, 20 PIM Previous cap charge: $5 million The Penguins are in an interesting position with Martin. He was one of their top defensemen this season, particularly with Olli Maatta sidelined for the majority of the season and Christian Ehrhoff and Kris Letang out later in the season. He is still able to play upwards of 23 minutes per game and be effective. However, the Penguins have a glut of young defensemen who might be ready to play more significant minutes, including Derrick Pouliot, Scott Harrington, Brian Dumoulin, and restricted free agent Ian Cole. They also still have Letang, Maatta, Rob Scuderi, and Ben Lovejoy. They need to beef up their top-six forward group around Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The money they use there might come from what Martin was making. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Tuesday that Martin's agent, Ben Hankinson, plans to meet with Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford in Florida at the 2015 NHL Draft to discuss Martin and potential contract options. Notes: Obvious history with Bylsma makes him a possible candidate. Played four seasons under former Penguins bench boss. Another older player who can tutor younger players. Another multi year rental. CHRISTIAN EHRHOFF, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - 33 years old 14-15 season: 49 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points, +8, 26 PIM Previous cap charge: $4 million Ehrhoff is a valuable defensemen, but he's coming off a concussion. With so many young players who might be ready to assume bigger roles it's unlikely he'll be back in Pittsburgh. It was reported in May that Ehrhoff was selling his home in the Pittsburgh area. He was limited to 49 games this season because of injury, but he had 14 points and averaged 21:45 of ice time. Notes: Injuries & previous history with Sabres makes it highly unlikely for a return to Buffalo. ANDREJ SEKERA, LOS ANGELES KINGS - 29 years old 14-15 season: 73 games, 3 goals, 20 assists, 23 points, -3, 14 PIM Previous cap charge: $2.75 million The Kings need a player like Sekera, especially with Robyn Regehr's retirement and the cloudy future of Slava Voynov because of his legal problems and his recent Achilles surgery. They gave up a conditional first-round draft pick and a prospect to get Sekera from the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline. The hope was Sekera would help the Kings make the playoffs. He played well, but they couldn't get in, and now there is the threat that he could leave. The Kings' defense depth chart isn't that deep, but Sekera would fit into a top-four role with Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, and potentially Alec Martinez. Notes: Former Sabre was traded away by ex GM Darcy Regier. Year removed from 44 point season in 73 games for Carolina. Still tread on the tires. Has averaged 73 games over the last 4 non-strike seasons. JOHNNY ODUYA, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS - 34 years old 14-15 Season: 76 games, 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points, +5, 26 PIM Previous cap charge: $3.383 million Arguably nobody enhanced his value more during the playoffs than Oduya, who appears headed for the market because of the Blackhawks' cap constraints. He was effective and played significant minutes (24:45 per game), especially in the final two rounds, to help Chicago win the Stanley Cup. Oduya is a two-time Cup champion who is 33 years old and still has a lot of mileage left, as he proved in the playoffs. He would be a good fit for a team that moves the puck well and has young defensemen that can skate, such as the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers. Notes: As stated, Stanley Cup performance made him a hot commodity. Having a two-cup winner and championship pedigree on your team of young defensemen has to be appealing, but another team on the verge of a championship may overbid for his services. That, or he may not want to play for a team still a year or two away like Buffalo. BARRET JACKMAN, ST. LOUIS BLUES - 34 years old 14-15 season: 80 games, 2 goals, 13 assists, 15 points, +3, 47 PIM Previous cap charge: $3.167 million The Blues have informed Jackman he won't be re-signed. He has played every one of his 803 NHL games with the Blues, but is now in the same boat as Michalek in that he's a veteran defenseman being nudged out. The only difference is Jackman has been a core member of the team for a long time. Jackman, 34, is still serviceable and would be a good addition to a team looking to bolster its blue line with a veteran, stay-at-home presence. His minutes, though, have been declining in recent seasons. Notes: Gritty D man who is on the downside of his career despite averaging 80 games in three of his last four seasons despite decrease in minutes. Could be a cheaper alternative in a pinch. OTHER ALTERNATIVES: Jordan Leopold, 35 years old 43g / 1g / 3a / 4p / -6 / 18 Notes: Former Sabre who has had trouble staying healthy, averaging 36 games over the last three seasons. Point production on the decline as well. Sounds like he wants to stay in Minnesota. If he doesn’t, his daughter better start penning more letters. Tim Gleason, 32 years old 72 g, 1 g, 8 a, 9 p, -13, 55 PIM Notes: Another older veteran who seems to have his best games behind him. Not a big fan and thinking we can do better. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Out of this list, I feel Beauchemin, Martin, Sekera, and Oduya are the only true options. These players allow the Sabres to have another veteran besides Gorges tutor the young defensemen on the team while allowing the prospects to grow more in the minors. But if TM is thinking long term to fill the need, he'll most likely have to go another direction.

Like what Weave said, there are only so many players we can have under contract. We can't sign them all. Bottom line is we are looking for the best 12 forwards, 7 defenseman, and 1 goalie you can put on the ice. That's 20 players. Those 20 are what wins you cups. So if we need to trade 3 for 1, so be it. We have enough depth to do that. Obviously value means something, but in the end it's not what we paid for the player but whether he performs at a high level. And those that believe "we paid too much" for a player, that's in your lamen opinion. You have no clue. No one on this board knows scouting talent like a professional GM. So let the pros do their thing, and have faith that your GM is steering you in the right direction. Micromanaging every trade or player move isn't what great GM's do. They look at the big picture. Our big picture is looking fantastic.

Foligno makes Foligno expendable

I like the McGinn add. Year removed from 19g/19a/79games year in 2014. Only 26.

Done deal per nhl radio network

Love this

NHL Radio Network reports via Paton and Hahn ROR Looking for max deal $60 mil. Didn't say years. Highest paid Sabre?

I agree. I also think alot of angst from the fans comes from the fact that #21 has been tied to any potential ROR deal. Obviously ROR is a bigger name than Lehner and there is a feeling that TM could have gotten more value for 21 (I.E. ROR). But we don't know whats going on behind the scenes. With TM coming out and saying Lehner was his #1 choice then the 21st pick isn't a huge price to pay considering reports are a first round pick alone isn't enough to secure the services of Talbot. With Lehner off the market Talbot's price just went up. TM is ahead of the curve on this one. As another poster indicated if 21 was such an intrigal part of the ROR deal then Murray may have not made the Lehner trade. I'm sure we are still in on ROR. My fear is if the price will be too steep. But then again we are last place team. Some fans fall in love with players or names that may have been good or "up and coming" at one time and haven't produced. We have alot of "mediocre" on the team and to trade some of that way for great isn't a bad thing. In the end it's the best four lines you can put on the ice. Hopefully we have enough talent where big names aren't making it.

Katie Strang ✔ @KatieStrangESPN With Robin Lehner off the board, teams pushing on remaining goalies in play. Clubs interested in Cam Talbot: CGY, EDM, DAL, FLA and SJS. Let the overpaying begin. Thank God we aren't a part of that.

Worse deal of the year...signing Soderberg to a $5 million per season contract. He'll be 30 when the season starts and he averaged a point ever two games. We have a bunch of those guys on our team already. Not sure what Avs were thinking.

Talent to me is more important than salary. We are 11 million under the floor. We have a billionaire owner. If we have to take on some additional salary to get better I'm for that. With that being said, not sure why some think Legwand is a lock to make the team just because he makes $3 million. He can be cut, sent down to AHL, or even traded. Whether his salary goes towards our floor might even help us in the end since we are more concerned about talent then acquiring players with high salaries. In the Sabres case, because they had to take a $3 million player actually give them the advantage in the trade, not disadvantage. Probably before, which is why Murray went to Lehner.