erickompositör72

Pouliot line 4?

That's all true. ASAP would make us all (probably including Jack) feel a little better, though. Especially if the outcome will be the same, whether it's asap or June '18. And this is now probably over-analyzing: maybe, in the back of his mind, GMBot could think that going into the year without a contract could inspire the young Jack to play even a little bit harder?

It doesn't matter if the offer sheet ultimately materializes or not. That's not the point. The point is that the mere possibility should be enough to motivate GMBot to get this done ASAP.

Of course Jack's not worried. He plays hockey for a living and is going to get a +$10mil check in the next 10 months. 100%

That's a very rainbows and unicorns way of putting it. The Sabres want him to sign for the least amount possible -- and right now -- and he wants to sign for what he believes he is: a generational talent that can take a team to the cup.

I don't think it will. I still think he could be magic at 3rd line C

What part do you think is being ignored? Some people just hear what they want to hear with these things. Quite frankly, I think he said everything he was supposed to say and was professional. One little thing that stuck out: he said he obviously wants to stay in Buffalo and bring the team to the next level. He then said that ultimately, it's not his choice, something about his agent, etc etc. Actually, it IS his choice! He could take the offer that's on the table right now. Obviously, he won't. ------ I don't think Eichel will get to the offer sheet point. I was being a little dramatic by bringing that up. BUT, I think GMBot will wise up and give him whatever he's asking for. If I had to bet, I'd say it doesn't go longer than 20 games, after Jack is at PPG pace, that GMBot gives in to what he's asking for, to avoid the doomsday scenario I kept referencing. Exactly. He's willing to wait him out.

Sam has played center in the league before, but thank you for your contribution

I don't think we can seriously even consider Reinhart being anywhere near a top center in the league unless his skating improves drastically. Either way, though, I think he could play a key role on the Sabres

Other GM's know we need Eichel, so GMBot best get this done before he gets a "predatory" offer sheet for 14mil

I think Sam needs to be a center. When we look at our teams' centers, though: Eichel makes painfully apparent Sam's lack of speed, and O'Reilly makes painfully apparent his lack of grit. I don't know how much he can improve these things, but I think that's ok, because... For one, I believe Sam's stick-handling is severely underrated. Secondly, I think we all know he can create plays and scoring chances out of nothing. I think if he was given more opportunities to showcase this (i.e. centering a line with wingers who can finish), he'd show why he went #2 overall. To quote Ted Nolan, "I'm not much of an X's and O's guy" (sorry, Ted), but I feel if Samson has wingers who have speed and grit, to compensate for his lack thereof, that line could be a very threatening force. I could imagine Sam quarterbacking zone entries by making perfect passes to a speedy winger, cycling it in the zone, and setting up plays. Another thing I love about Sam is his knack for knowing just when to get rid of the puck. He hangs on to it just long enough to draw defenders out of position, getting them to bite, and then knows exactly where to pass it to take advantage. If this was our 3rd line, with the match-ups they'd likely get, maybe we could even see 3rd line production like we haven't seen since Vanek played on the 3rd line...

Boldin still wants to play. Just not for us... https://www.google.com/amp/s/articles.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2017/09/former_buffalo_bills_wr_anquan_boldin_wants_to_play_for_new_england_patriots_rep.amp#ampshare=http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2017/09/former_buffalo_bills_wr_anquan_boldin_wants_to_play_for_new_england_patriots_rep.html

What would it cost us to get what we consider the top QB prospect? Do we need to just finish with a very poor record, or could we trade up with our current assets (personnel + draft picks)? EDIT: the reason I ask is, could we get that prospect and still put some semblance of a competitive team on the field this season?

GMBot and Wowie need Eichel to have a break-out year this year (meaning, establishing himself as our generational talent). The team needs it, and ownership expects it, if we're to believe we'll be a contender. Ironically, Eichel not establishing himself as such would be the only chance at them signing him for less than he wants.

bottom line- Eichel has all the leverage :flirt:

Aha, sometimes I realize my overall points can be nebulous because of how I word my posts. Yes, I'm just saying it might be in GMBot's best interest to hold his nose and just give the kid whatever he's asking for.

Buffalo matches. My theory is the offer sheet is the amount he's asking for right now, or more.

All of your responses make me feel like I'm either not being clear, or you're not getting what I'm saying. What I'm saying is: Jack's last resort: wait for offer sheet. This gives him leverage. Whether he wants to play for Buffalo or not (which, the impression is, he does) is not relevant to his overall leverage.

Yes, but I buy the argument that, for example, we are not utilizing Samson to his potential by not having him at center. Don't you think the same would be true of Duchene? And this is not for you, but for others- You'd waste Duchene by not using him at center, and give up someone who flurishes at LW? EDIT: I guess the other option would be moving ROR to left wing

The only logic I see is Kane-hating. A fast, goal-scoring power-forward left wing is not easy to come by. So we get rid of him for a center, when we don't have any problems with depth at that position?

Of course they report that. If they weren't go well, it wouldn't be in anybody's interest to admit that.

Leverage isn't defined by what someone wants. It's defined as what someone's last resort options are, and that's why Jack has all the leverage. Doesn't necessarily mean he uses it, but he has it.

Eichel, Pastrnak, and McDavid (before he extended) could receive offer sheets from any team in the NHL, and the team with their rights would have to match it. If not, the other team could sign them, but owe the team they are coming from a certain number of 1st round draft picks. https://mynhltraderumors.com/2017-nhl-offer-sheet-draft-compensation-for-signing-restricted-free-agents-2008-2017/2017/06/02/

You were critical me for bringing up Drury/Briere vis a vis a potential Eichel walk, and now you're comparing Eichel's contract situation to Pastrnak's? I'm not sure your line of reasoning, but mine is pretty clear if you go through the previous posts. I'm curious of yours. Please elaborate.