Scottysabres

Score, just score. I don't care who.......come on boys, WIN!

Just got home from work. Listened on the radio......GO SABRES!!!!!

How much more time and money are on Bylsma's contract? Something tells me CJ isn't coming to Buffalo when that answer is posted.

Great game. Leaving the arena now. Eichel is just.......when he's on, he's on.

Shea Theodore, LHD The issue would be cap. Your taking Stoner and most likely an in-season cap dump to make it work.

Absolutely. If his uncle can help, even better.

Fasching, Bailey and Baptist are RW'ers and Carrier, while fast looks suited for line 3/4 duties. Nylander I've seen and commented on. I still see the LD and LW as a weakness in the organization.

Are there any power forward or sniper LW'ers, 19, 20, 21 years 9ld with speed that could mesh with Eichel?

My youngest son is stationed inboard the USS Antietam out of Japan. 2 days ago he called me, the ship had run aground. He manned his post in the bowels of the ship in engineering trying to restore propulsion. While no one was hurt, the damage I'm told is catastrophic. He followed in dads footsteps and early on at least, is acquitting himself quite nicely. Signed, A proud dad.

And Pegula will give him the time to try and complete the product. Going after Murray is minutes in your life you won't get back........... For now.

This. Especially your Eichel comments. He needs help desperately. I agree.

No, just.....no! Sabres-land hates Laughs-nation..... SABRES SMASH!!!!! :P

Yes, "fixing" the 4th line would "help" fix the Sabres. So would fixing the 1st line, the 2nd line and the 3rd line.

A little early yet for optimism. There is still a lot of February hockey to play before the playoff picture clears yet. The most important stretch will be from the ASG to the deadline.

It is possible. But let me put it this way, less than 5% likely.He won't be adding the necessary skills to use the muscle he "may" (and I stress may) add. I see him as his brothers mini-me. He is awful puck possession wise along the boards. And it's not just physical, it's poor decision making. He doesn't create his own space, he almost completely fails or refuses to use his obvious stick handling abilities in a constructive way, and by that I mean finding space to either create a chance for linemates or himself. He floats around a lot. He has a long, long (2 ALL seasons in my assessment) way to go in order to step in to the big clubs roster. He's raw, it's going to take a bit to polish him ad a finished product. But I don't doubt the skill and drive are there. Wish he was faster though.

I understand. I've been to numerous Amerks games this season, so I'm basing my opinion on what I've witnessed to date. His WJC performance not withstanding, it's very clear in Rochester he'll need next season for sure. He may see a call up or 3, but nothing I've seen indicates he's even close to sticking next season. I will concede the following year is a real stretch of an opinion based on how far out it is, but i revert back to what I see now with him. However, I don't see him as a washout, I view him him as a 2nd/3rd line RW projection. In no way do i see him as top line material. Once again, this is just my early assessment on him from what I've seen. Only time will tell if I'm right or wrong I reckon.

Can see him moving if the price is overpayment, but a rough patch wouldn't constitute moving him after he just signed a 4 year, 4.875 aav. Anaheim is overflowing with LHD's, I expect Stoner or Bieksa (if he waives his NMC which I highly doubt) will be packaged at the deadline for LW (ideally) or forward top 6 scoring help. They are in "make a run" mode. The window is 2 to 4 seasons depending on post ELC signings for them in future years. That's why the Kane / Girgensons package makes so much sense for them in my opinion. Buffalo offers the most complete, rounded scoring package for them, but Colorado's Landy or Duschene offer the largest impact. The difference though is cost in assets, Colorado's moving pieces are going to cost significantly more than what Anaheim may be willing to pay. But I have to be honest here for a moment, if its Kane or Landeskog as options, Landy is signed long term and has shown he can produce. Kesler centering Landy, Getzlaf centering Perry (whom is having a rough patch of his own) must bring drool to Anaheim fans mouths. Management in Anaheim however, might like the much shorter contract of Kane and the decreased asset price to acquire him compared to Landy.

I think if we are to get Theodore, cap plays a big role with any dealings with Anaheim. We are both so tight to the ceiling. 2 million pro rated for remainder of season puts Anaheim over the cap by 800,000. There has to be more roster players involved, and Anaheim will be looking for internal cap relief. This type of deal gives them an additional 700,000 which moves their number from 71.82 to 71.12, leaving them 1.88 in cap space as opposed to 1.18.

We definitely need defense. LHD and RHD up and down the organization. I will say this, Fasching, Bailey and Baptiste are all RW'ers. Are left wing depth is pretty thin. Don't expect Nylander up in 17-18 nor 18-19. He's going to need a couple of seasons in the AHL to develop size and adjust to the adult game. It's already showing. Goaltending, we have to fill the pipeline because great save the other night or not, Lehner has some real post hugging issues.

Accidently posted this in the GDT. Good points on the pros of Kane in this thread. The cons though, are most likely insurmountable. That being money, term and to some, lack of team play with his linemates. Move him this deadline or off season if a deal like shea Theodore presents itself is my opinion. Just for fun though, Anaheim is against the cap more than we are right now. To Anaheim: (projected cap hit, 76.8 - LTIR relief, 4.98 - current cap projection, 71.82) Kane 5.25 aav 6.00 sal (1 yr) Nillson 1.00 aav 1.00 sal (UFA) Girgensons 1.15 aav 1.15 sal (RFA) Total: 8.40 aav To Buffalo: (Projected cap hit, 71.6 - LTIR relief, 0 - current cap projection, 71.6) Stoner 3.25 aav 3.25 sal (1 yr) Bernier 4.15 aav 4.15 sal (UFA) Theodore 863,333 aav 832,500 sal (ELC) Nick Ritchie 1,627,500 aav 925,000 sal with 850,000 P bonus (RFA) Total: 9.1 aav I included the salaries because Anaheim has internal cap? Just something to look at. So, Bernier had been playing bad lately and he's pricey. Give them Nillson for price reduction and appears steadier in play. Both are FA's. They get Kane and Girgensons for the playoff run and scoring increase they need as well as both can be around next season for it as well. We get Theodore for an LHD we need and we get Ritchie who has had a tad bit worse struggles than Girgs as the price for swinging the deal. But both are young and appear to need a change of scenery.May have to add something minor pick wise to equalize, not sure though. Stoner is the cap relief they'd like and he's gone before jack and Sam's new contracts kick in. My first time trying this, be kind in your flaming :) Thoughts?

Good points on the pros of Kane in this thread. The cons though, are most likely insurmountable. That being money, term and to some, lack of team play with his linemates. Move him this deadline or off season if a deal like shea Theodore presents itself is my opinion. Just for fun though, Anaheim is against the cap more than we are right now. To Anaheim: (projected cap hit, 76.8 - LTIR relief, 4.98 - current cap projection, 71.82) Kane 5.25 aav 6.00 sal (1 yr) Nillson 1.00 aav 1.00 sal (UFA) Girgensons 1.15 aav 1.15 sal (RFA) Total: 8.40 aav To Buffalo: (Projected cap hit, 71.6 - LTIR relief, 0 - current cap projection, 71.6) Stoner 3.25 aav 3.25 sal (1 yr) Bernier 4.15 aav 4.15 sal (UFA) Theodore 863,333 aav 832,500 sal (ELC) Nick Ritch 1,627,500 aav 925,000 sal with 850,000 P bonus (RFA) Total: 9.1 aav I included the salaries because Anaheim has internal cap? Just something to look at. So, Bernier had been playing bad lately and he's pricey. Give them Nillson for price reduction and appears steadier in play. Both are FA's. They get Kane and Girgensons for the playoff run and scoring increase they need as well as both can be around next season for it as well. We get Theodore for an LHD we need and we get Ritchie who has had a tad bit worse struggles than Girgs as the price for swinging the deal. But both are young and appear to need a change of scenery.May have to add something minor pick wise to equalize, not sure though. My first time trying this, be kind in your flaming :) Thoughts?

I have one problem with this assessment, he doesn't use his linemates effectively. He's a puck hog and it actually hinders the abilities of his linemates more often than not. I'd rather the money went elsewhere to be honest. Not that he is an over all bad player, just that I feel the team can do better. He could fetch a decent young top 4 LED in a deal. I'm still looking hard at Anaheim.

Once Eichel and Reinhart are signed, Kane will be "on the clock" to be moved if we did re-sign him. Ask yourself this: what amount and term do you see a 26/27 year old Kane re-signing for? My guess is he'll be looking for 5 years or more at 5.5 to 6 mil aav. Given what he brings to the table, I'd move him.

This says it best. And Theodore is who I would target as well. Muzzin, not so much. The problem is 2 fold really. Keeping Kane is nit a reality as he'll want equal to or a few more dollars. While he brings a hard charging 20 goal scoring game to the team, he is also 1 dimensional in that regard ad he fails to use linemates much more often than not and when he does shoot many of those shots are way out on the angle. Trade him for a Theodore type d man who doesn't need to be protected and fills a desperate need. But bare in mind, take a look at the cap jail many teams that would like him are in. It will be tough for most. There is however, 1 team I see that has the need and cap space, Carolina. They are flush with young D ad well.

Great game. Best I've seen all season. Bailey tearing up the A since his return to boot.