Derrico

I like the idea of Skinner-Jack-Samson. Samson can take more D responsibilities and is smart enough to dish the puck to the other two. Questions is whether he can keep up with them. However, if he's a guy that likes to hang onto the puck like Randall says then I wouldn't mind seeing him play with Mitts. Let Mitts be a secondary type player on his line come his rookie year and Skinner may do wonders for the kid. Going to be fun to see what happens in another month or two.

It just occurred to me. Didn't the Sabres just hire Steve Smith as assistant coach? The guy was most recently the assistant with Carolina the past 4 years. Phil should be getting some good intel on how to use Skinner.

I might. I'm the guy that is all about our prospects and all about futures. But FFS we have to start winning soon. How much longer until someone like Eichel becomes discontent and wants out? I don't want Dahlin or Mitts to start getting ingrained to losing like Risto may have. It's not due or die we make the playoffs this year but we had better be within striking distance come March, not out of it by Halloween.

thumbs up. Exactly 9 weeks today is the season opener!!

Ok sounds good. I'll set the draft for Tuesday September 4th at 7:30 and if there are big issues with the time it can still be changed.

This being August the 2nd (aka dog days of summer) I don't see how there can't be a couple of other non-hockey threads going. You can only talk about our 'depth wingers' for so long seeing as non of these guys are actually playing to be evaluated and the roster hasn't changed in nearly a month.

I don't see why he wouldn't be eligible. Mittlestadt was committed last season and he attended training camp no?

Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in!! Are you busy all that night juju or just starting at 9? If so, and it's not too early for everyone we could do 730. That way it should be over by 9.

Anyone that hasn't chimed in yet, right now we're looking at Tues right after labour day at 8pm eastern for the draft.

Does 8pm (5pm for you westerners) work for you Pi?

Tuesday is good for me too. What say the rest of you? Tuesday September 4th at 9pm Eastern work?

I'd be good with 2 year $4 per

I would be fine going with the Tuesday? or Thursday before that weekend?

Unless I'm missing something that's not a great deal for the Sabres at all. A player becomes a UFA at the age of 27 or 7 years played. Sam has played 3. So you are buying up all of his RFA years and only one UFA season. I think no matter what it should either be a 1-3 year bridge deal or 6+ long term deal. 4-5 years are not very desirable from a Sabres perspective.

As mentioned in the 'Club' section, we should start thinking of a draft date/time. Any ideas? I had mentioned that last year we had it Labour Day but in the evening (I think around 9) so if anyone was away that weekend they were usually back by then. I'm open to whenever. Also, I will pm jsb and Taro as I need an email address to send you the link to the league.

Hey guys, was just coming on here to do this. What's everyone thinking for a good draft time? For myself, after 8:30 or 9 o'clock is usually best. I also like having it just a few days before the season opener. That way you don't draft someone and then get screwed if he's injured late in camp. Last season we drafted the Monday evening of Labour Day. Usually everyone is back if they are away that weekend so I would be cool with going that day again. But really, I'm open to whenever (preferably not Fri or Sat) evening.

Go concern yet. But I do find it strange that tomorrow is August 1st and we haven't heard a thing.

This is a game I'm already planning on going to with my uncle. So I won't need a ticket from Tom but I'll try and atleast have a beer beforehand or meet up at an intermission.

I completely agree with the 'earn it' type mentality, especially for the big club. But prospects (especially guys going into their first year as a professional) better be playing every night down on the farm. I don't need Matt Tennyson on whatever AHL lifer vet taking his ice time down there.

I have no idea who McWilliam is. I would hope the braintrust knows that Borgen needs to be getting regular playing time in Roch.

I wasn't going to post either. But future reference, what is acceptable to post behind a pay wall? I often come across things in the Atlantic that are post worthy. Certain portions of an article are ok I take it? As long as it's not the vast majority etc?

Matt Moulson is 34, Sam Reinhart is 22. I don't have as much hesitation giving these young guys the long term deals as opposed to 27/28/29 year old UFA's.

I think the philosophy is going to be homegrown and bringing guys in slowly. Our last gm wanted to bring in a bunch if guys to fix deficiencies. I don't care for how that worked out. Keep a spot open for Guhle and Pilut for later this season or to open 2019 please.

For the record, never once did I bring up anything to do with the rumor mill. I agree with your points on what the rumor mill actually is, click bait. That's why I've always asked an actual signing or trade because everything else is just noise.

I really don't understand your take? Your making out as if this is on botts that another team wasn't willing to give up another top 4 d for almost nothing. Top 4 D dont grow on trees. I would have loved to have got one. Toronto would have too. Edmonton too. Chicago too......there are atleast 25 other teams in the league that need another one but they also weren't able to. Is that on the other 25 gms as well??