dejeanneret

I'd love to have Toffoli, but he's an RFA that will probably require atleast 1 first round pick if not two. But at 23 he'd be a perfect addition

I agree I believe last year's plan was just to sign big contracts to get us to the floor. This year will be different. I think the Sabres will be more active with trades, and their acquisitions will be younger with more focus on the future than the short term. No more signing 30+ guys past their prime just to put "character" guys in the locker room. Honestly, I don't see Gionta on this team past next season. Unless his scoring increases drastically $4 mill is too much to pay for a 3rd liner. I think OReilly is in the mix at $6 mil and 24 years old. Those are the perfect contracts for Murray to take on. Problem is we don't need more left wingers or centers unless one is given up. If so, who? It was rumored Grigorenko and Zadorov last season. That still leaves us with glut at LW and C. I think Goalie is a perfect spot to load up salary since we only have Chad Johnson. Right wing as well. Again, they have to be guys 27 or below with great years still ahead of them. Stewart and Frolik via free agency and Lucic via trade are examples of players that can be huge contributors for an entire 5 year contract. I would love to have Tarasenko, but as an RFA we'd have to give up multiple first round picks just to get him. With RW being so thin in FA for young talented players I'm thinking it's more likely an addition will come via trade. Bottom line we have to get more bang for our buck this year. Easier said than done. With that being said, I have complete confidence that Murray is up to the task. He hasn't done us wrong yet, and I know he is completely prepared and already has his course of action mapped out for this off season. should be fun

Anyone can spend money on a bunch of huge contracts to reach a cap floor. It's the ability to do so while keeping the integrity of your plan, which is building through the draft and your farm system. Young good players who are still signed to their first deal are usually cheap. That's who Murray is going after. Sure you have to sprinkle in your high priced veterans. But at what cost can you accomplish that without affecting the younger players who may be more skilled and you would want them to get more experience. That's the sticky part.

According to www.Spotrac.com, the Sabres current cap is at $42,766,000 for next season. The league is projecting a cap ceiling of roughly $71.5 million. With the floor at roughly 74% of this year's cap, that will make it around $52.8 million next season. That puts us about $10 million below the floor. That includes: Cody Hodgson- $4 Million Mike Weber- $2 Million Chad Johnson- $1.6 Million Cody McCormick- $1.5 Million I think we keep Hodgson & Weber. But losing Johnson/McCormick puts us at $13 Million under. That's a steep climb. A few positions I see as an easy fit to add depth and salary: Goalie Under Contract: Chad Johnson $1.6m This is a no brainer, and the reason why a player like Niemi might be a Sabre next year. I think TM knows the team needs a big-time goalie to turn things around for this team along with making the job more attractive for a big name coach. Imagine what our record would have been like had we kept Halak instead of letting him go to the Islanders, one of the most improved teams of the year? It's apparent no one is ready on the farm. I think we sign two veterans, one to be the horse and another young up and coming guy that can eventually take over. Niemi and Cam Talbot come to mind. That would also give our younger goalie prospects a year or two to develop so they can battle Talbot for the starting job in a few years. Or a trade can come into play here. Regardless, I see a true #1 netminder with a huge salary between the pipes next season. Right Wing Under Contract: Cody Hodgson: $4.0m Brian Gionta: $4.25m I think this is where the Sabres do the most FA/ trade damage forward-wise, as I don't see Patrick Kaleta being the answer. I see the Sabres adding at least one highly paid RW to the roster, maybe even two unless: 1) They decide to put Girgensons at RW (who is a left shot) 2) Call up Baptiste who'll count $700,000 (is he ready for the NHL?). 3) Dare I say...move Eichel to RW? if they keep Hodgson, I don't see Gionta being top six. That's a lot of cash to spend on a 3rd line guy. Defense Under Contract: Bogosian $5.25m Gorges $3.9m Weber $2.0m Risto $925,000 Zadorov $925,000 Ruhwedel $675,000 Toughest of the 3. Switching Ruhwedel for McCabe is almost a salary trade off. 1) Do you call up McCabe or leave him in minors another year and add a big-money D? 2) Do you move Zadorov as a piece to acquire a stud forward? 3) Do you add big money D and leave Weber and McCabe up? It will either be Weber or McCabe sitting nightly (McCabe would be better off being left in Roch). Bottom line: The combos can be split a few different ways, but bottom line this is going to be a completely different Sabres team heading into October. Not only from a talent standpoint in order to be better, but from a Salary Cap standpoint we don't have any choice. I have a feeling net and right wing will have a much different look, with the Sabres being more active in the trade market and seeking younger players with more talent than whats on the roster, rather than signing older veterans just to eat up salary. On question. Will the younger players acquired via trade carry enough cap muscle to put us over the floor? Should be an interesting summer.

Also Spotrac.com is a very reliable sight, and up to the day

He's 31 and a left hand shot, and will command too much money. If we are going to spend that kinda doe we need a young rising right hand shot.

It's still really early in the process but I would have to imagine if Babcock does leave Detroit the Sabres would be one of the favorites, if not in the lead for his services. One issue that I wonder is how much control would Murray be willing to give up? Nolan made it apparent that he wasn't involved in all player trades or call ups. Do you think Babcock would be ok with the same thing? Do you think Murray would be ok giving that up to the HC. Just knowing Murray I would think he would be more content with someone who would let him run things more his way. I don't see Babcock being that kind of coach. With that being said, I know the Sabres had a tough year in 2014-15 and some of the decisions Murray made aren't decisions he'll have to make in the future (playing lesser skilled players in order to tank.) But still, the control thing is there for TM and I see that as the only deterrent for him truly wanting Babs behind the Sabres bench.

Babcock to address future with Red Wings in next few days http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2015/04/29/detroit-red-wings-mike-babcock/26618327/

Sabres traded away Blues 1st round pick from this year in Kane deal.

Seems he was more of a product of Eichel based on the fact he had 21 goals and 39 assists first three seasons, then 21/40 his senior yr w/ Eichel. Plus he played LW with Eichel where we are stocked. Even if he moves to RW it's another Leino situation. I say he is a depth guy for Rochester.

http://www.hockeygoalies.org/faq/numbers.html guess they got both of us

http://nhluniforms.com/ very cool site that shows any uniform of any team from any year back to 1917 that's cuz Biron in French means two circles

I think a swap w/ Edmonton will be more about saving face. Still feel McDavid doesn't want to play for Edmonton and the Oilers won't want to deal with that PR nightmare. Murray knows this. Murray has no reason to throw the kitchen sink at Edmonton. With that being said, Eichel, Grigs and Hodgson, and a couple 2nd rounders for McDavid and Yakupov isn't chopped liver. I don't think Murray throws in 16 first rounder since it could be a lottery pick. If so, scratch the two 2nd rounders. Eichel Grigs Hodgson 1st in 2016 (possible lottery) for McDavid Yakupov I see that as doable.

2nd overall pick, Grigorenko, Hodgson, 2nd rd pick in 2015 and 2nd round pick in 2016 to Oilers for 1st overall pick & Nail Yakupov

That's right....forgot that. Yeah, 15 makes sense then.

At 35 I just think Miller's play right now is spotty at best, and no longer starter a playoff team can count on. LaFontaine wanted to resign Miller to a long term deal and have him be the leading face of the franchise as they made it through the rebuild. Murray knew he was past his prime and wouldn't make it through that deal at the top of his game. Regier would have, but not Murray. After the trade to St Louis, he had the worst Save % since 2004, including .897 in the playoffs. His save % in February w/ Vancouver before he got hurt was .894 in eight starts. In his first game back before the season ended he got lit up for 5 goals and a .82 save % against the Oilers. That's the worst hockey of basically his career. When you sign a guy like Miller your expecting a solid goaltender that will play lights out in the playoffs. A player that even if he sits out a month w/ injury will come back and be your rock in net. Miller's days of being that are gone. Murray knew that, and traded him away for assets. Looks like Murray's line of thinking was spot on. Sorry Pat.

Would you consider mirroring the number of the Great One bold? Balsy? Arrogant? Who cares? I think with him and McDavid being labeled the next two "generational" talents, I think him doing so would be news. I also think 99 puts a spotlight on him. Another player with lesser potential..not so much. Eichel? I think that would be a huge statement about the kids confidence and would heighten the expectations the league would have for him. Thoughts?

So we tanked to ensure we can get one of the two top picks, and because we didn't win the lottery some fans call Murray a failure??? That makes zero sense. In fact, negative sense....less than zero. Murray's plan that he spoke of when he first got comfy in his GM shoes is going exactly as planned. He tearing this crappy team of mediocre dog dodo apart and is selling off contract year players for assets in order to bring in great player and build a championship franchise. He is not holding onto mediocre talent like the previous GM did just because they are "his guys". He is making trades, and had a plan and structure in place in order to get one of the top two players in this draft and it worked perfectly. He secured us a pick in the top 2. I saw his presser, and I got this out of it: --He's pissed off that he had to drive to Toronto when he could have been told over the phone of the results. He has said for years he doesn't agree with the lottery, but that's neither here or there. --I believe that a trade for McDavid is still in play for us. He said straight out that he is going to regroup with the scouts and talk about moving up to get McDavid. It's not a guarantee, but it's on the table. Reasons why I believe this actually could happen: *McDavid has made it known he doesn't want to play in Edmonton *Edmonton came straight out after lottery saying they don't know if they were going to pick McDavid (REALLY??? Your not going to commit to taking a once in a generation talent???) *Eichel says he's not certain he is going to the Sabres, and wouldn't verbally commit that is the team that is going to pick him. I believe that Murray, Edmonton, and Eichel all know that McDavid doesn't want to play for Oilers. That's why everyone is being vague. Whether the deal happens or not isn't known, but I can tell you Murray will talk to Edmonton, and where there is smoke, there may be an inferno. I also believe that Murray has a plan that will involve trades this summer. He has a layout of who he wants on this team, and if it involves giving up players who haven't proven they can do it in this league for players who have shown they can be successful and score and are young, then he will go after them, maybe even trading more for them. I'll take trading 3 maybes for 1 for sure talent any day. Whether you believe in the tank or not is up to you. But regardless of your belief, don't tell me what happened at the lottery makes Murray look like he was unprepared or underestimated. That is why we finished last, not to guarantee McDavid but to guarantee Eichel. Goal achieved. I think this is going to be a different team come next year. The tank portion is over. There will be no finishing last for a top pick. Any talk of being a lottery team will be due to whether the team can make the playoffs or not, not about finishing in last place. Those days are over. This team will be too talented next year to finish in last. YES, that will mean we may have to trade some mediocre sh*% for a few good players. I'm on board with that. That article in the Buffalo news by Bucky Gleason was moronic. Murray just didn't drive a team into the ground to get a top draft pick. He tore up a garbage pile to obtained assets that will help his overall plan that obviously Darcy Regier had no clue how to implement. I think Murray is a forward thinking GM who has us on the right track for success. When this team is competing for cups year after year, all of you nervous nellys who are pissed off cuz you can't wear your Johan Larsson and Marcus Foligno jerseys anymore because he was traded can sit back and eat crow. ...and don't buy another jersey till were in the Finals.

Sometimes when you have an abundance of mediocre you have to give that up for a bit of greatness. It's about putting together a team. I put a thread out there a while back that traded alot of assets to the team drafting 2nd if we won the lottery so we could have both McDavid and Eichel Some said it was too much, other said why trade so much for a single player. The whole idea is to build a complete team. Right now we are brainwashed to think that many players on our team or in the minors are great assets, but simply put we don't know. WE ARE A LAST PLACE TEAM PEOPLE. When you trade a bunch of maybes for someone who has already done it in the league and is a young player then I don't see a problem with that IF you still have players around him to make up a great team. Less not forget free agency as well. Even if you trade too much for a single great player you can fill a void by adding 1 or 2 key free agents. People are crying about Marcus Foligno being traded as not a good thing for Buffalo. Maybe he becomes a great star, maybe he's the next Curtis Brown. Who knows. But he hasn't done it at this level and to give him up as a piece to get someone who has done it at this level I feel is a good thing. Even if we have to include more pieces or players that also haven't done it at this level. That's what builds a champion.

Some people get it Fire Eater, and some people don't. Don't waste your breath bro.

I still don't think McDavid to Buffalo is dead. Knowing Murray, when he wants something he goes after it like an SOB. This should be interesting

I could see the Oilers playing this angle. I could also see Murray playing ball with them. Although the GM said he couldn't see himself trading out of this position, which is why i'm thinking they just take Eichel since admitting of not trading the pick takes out the drama for Buffalo I agree

We tanked to guarantee Eichel, not get McDavid. Had we not finished last we would be getting neither. Thank God we did. Mission accomplished.

So McDavid seemed less than thrilled that the Oilers won,and Edmonton wouldn't come out and say definitively they would draft McDavid. Oilers can't trade out either or they will miss out on Eichel. I think there maybe drama brewing with this. Could Oilers take Eichel over McDavid????

edmonton sucks you know what when it comes to drafting...they are so frickin lucky and they cant draft worth a crap yet they get so frickin lucky. unfrickin believable. Thank God we finished last imagine if we didn't and finished 3rd in this????? Holy s&*^