JohnC

There is a bigger issue here that has plagued this dismal franchise that is reflected in the rumors, credible or not, about player dissatisfactions. It is absolutely real. It's a fact that Buffalo is very often, if not the most often, a team listed on many players NTCs. And it is true that our best players, such as Eichel, Reinhart and maybe to a lesser extent Ullmark wanted out. Don't be surprised if Tuch allows his contract to run out so that he can be sooner free from this sinkhole franchise. And don't be surprised when Dahlin, one of the best blueliner players in the league, says get me the fungo out of this Micky Mouse organization. I'm stuck in this losing factory and my career is fading away. So you may be tough minded on a player exercising a contract option to leave sooner but I realistically see it as a legitimate consideration when discussing trades. This situation is pathetic. This is what happens when you have a Pegula owned and operated hockey franchise.

The general point that the posters are making here is that Marty on WGR is more inclined to tip toe on issues as compared to when he is on TSN where he is more analytical and incisive when talking about players and other teams. The comparison between being bland on one stage and speaking critically, but fairly, on another stage is noticeable. One forum wants and allows forthrightness while the other stage doesn't encourage it. If you don't put some salt in your soup it turns out to be bland.

I’m more inclined to keep Quinn over JJP. The rumors that Peterka would like to be somewhere else makes me less committed to keeping him and more open to dangling him on the market to see what his value is.

I wouldn’t put it in those terms. It’s simply when you are near shark infested waters you are careful/mindful where you are at.

You are right that Marty on WGR is deliberately cautious when discussing the team and organization. Bread and butter considerations come into play. That’s disappointing because I consider him to be an excellent analyst.

I really like Kulich a lot and would hate to give him up. If you proposed JJP, our first pick and a B level prospect, I would say yes.

It's a mistake to get fixated on an outside player as if that one acquisition is going to be the answer to our roster problems. When you thin out your roster to harpoon the big what you end up putting yourself in a vulnerable situation in a business that injuries are an expected part of the landscape. What happens if the so-called star player is injured? Then what do you have to show for it? You end up thinning out your roster and have less of an ability to absorb the injuries that will likely happen. I'm not automatically against making a bonanza deal but you have to be smart about it. The proposed deal that included 9OA, Kulich and Östlund for Robertson is not necessarily a steadfast no for me but I am very hesitant to make that deal. Kulich is ready to play for us now. And our first pick and Östlund could be used to deal for another quality player. We need to thicken our roster, not thin it out.

Hell no! What you're offering is nothing but foolishness that sets this plagued franchise further back. My fear is that our Howdy Doody GM gets desperate just to show that he is doing something and makes a similar deal that thins out this already insufficient roster. If you want to make a big splash that will meaningfully upgrade this team, find a capable #1 goalie. That will do more than any of these imaginary fantasy hockey deals that one can concoct. An example to follow is Washington. They added Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren with medium deals that resulted in a top tier backstop for them. And it should be noted that they also made a series of medium deals that helped to infuse the roster with vigor for a fading SC team that was starting to age and fade. That's what happens when you have a smart front office that is creative and resourceful. Compare that to our rickety operation led by a dullard GM and an obtuse owner?

No.

Of course not. I said that if it was the deal, one for one, I would pounce on it. And what I also said is that if Byrum was thrown in the deal I would with no hesitation walk away.

I have no problem being laughed off. I would hang up and move on.

In a previous post you were willing to throw in Byrum into the deal. That would bring me to an absolute no because I would prefer using him in another deal.

A more proper evaluation is that the Sabres would have a better record if a more consistent goalie was in net.

My hairstylist asked me how would I like my hair cut. I told her to cut the gray off. I ended up leaving the establishment very bald. On the positive side I now where my Bills cap a lot.

You have a keen eye in recognizing that my position is grounded in my having more faith/expectations in our players than many here have. We shall see.

If the deal was straight up Peterka for Robertson, I would take the deal. In my opinion, some of your previous proposals were too generous for what we would give up .

Your response is well reasoned. However, don’t underestimate the challenge it will be to upgrade the goalie position and reconfiguring the blueline unit. And don’t underestimate how much it will improve this team. These are the priorities that need to be addressed. Where I diverge with a lot of the responders is that I strongly believe that young players such as Power, JJP and Kulich are ready to produce at a higher level a lot sooner than they think.

Why not have Tage and Tuch on the top line together? Tage can play either on the wing or center with Tuch on the other side. Norris can play center on the top line or second line. Where I separate myself with people taking the same position as you are regarding Quinn is that I see more upside from him than many others do. And I see that potential coming to fruition sooner than others see it. Again, with respect to this particular player I steadfastly say no. The priorities this offseason is in net and on the blueline. The blueline needs to be reconfigured with a better mix.

The Byrum issue relates to style of play within the current mix. And another consideration is the next contract cost. If he gets the gilded long term deal that I expect, there will be a poor cap distribution within the roster. I want to make it clear that I like him a lot.

Having depth and players competing for positions are not bad things. And having players such as Quinn, JJP and even Kulich who can move up to higher lines is what you want in an injury plagued crash sport. The priority is the goalie position. And the next priority is to bulk up the blueline with a couple more muscular defenders. We have the assets in Byrum, draft picks and prospects to accomplish those doable additions. Acting on frustration gives other more enlightened GMs opportunities to fleece us. Being smart is better than being dumb.

Our fundamental disagreement that can't be breached is in our views on Quinn as a player. I believe that his upside is higher than you do, thus his value. There is no circumstance that I see him as a lower line player or merely as a shootout specialist. If the issue is reduced between Marchment and Quinn, I'm still siding with keeping Quinn and eschewing Marchment. I'm not dispatching a player with more upside to tap. We disagree, that's okay.

We both agree that Byram should be moved because he has the greatest market value. I strenuously disagree with you that both Quinn and JJP need to be moved. For me, they are at a point of development where they should be 30 goal scorers. Too many people are dismissive of their offensive potential. I'm aware that they are not defensive juggernauts but they have the ability to improve defensively to the point where they are not glaring liabilities. As I stated in multiple posts, our greatest need is addressing the goalie position. If that is not done, everything else done will be wasted. My proposal compared to most other proposals here is a moderate/modest view that enhances what we now have as opposed to shredding the assets that we do have. We need to address the goalie position (priority #1), bring in a couple of veteran and bulky defenseman (reasonably attainable) and add two or three players that fall in category of players of hardnosed players who are Zucker like players. These are not show stopping transactions; they are smart deals that enhance what you already have on the roster. This cartoonish organization under the silent ownership of Pegula has had too many start and stop rebuilding efforts. It's time to stabilize and act judiciously and not reactively.

What blockbuster deal are you proposing that is realistic in coming to fruition? What value does Samuelsson have with his bloated contract? I'm not arguing to keep Byram, UPL or Samuelsson. The only value I see is with Byram. I would love to work out a deal such as trading him to the Rangers for K'Andre Miller. You don't need blockbuster deals to bring in a couple of experienced and rugged blueliners. They can be had on the market for reasonable second tier prices. Quinn and JJP are in my view 30+ goal scorers on a better team. You don't think that this team needs that output? Last year, Zucker and McCleod were brought in, and the year before Greenway was added. Those were quality support pieces. How about duplicating those roster improving moves that helped to reshape the roster and how it plays? Making a point that I have belabored into exhaustion is that the bringing in a reliable goalie will do more to enhance this team than any move. That's a priority that if it is not accomplished will undercut other transactions that would be made. There is too much attention is pursued for dramatic moves. How about making a series of smart moves better shapes and improves this roster?

I prefer Quinn over Marchant. And I’m not moving Kulich or Power. There are other assets such as Byrum, draft picks and prospects in the system to parlay. There are also mid-level free agents (such as Zucker was) that can be considered on prove it deals. Our biggest need is in net. Solidify that position and this team should be so much better. I’m not advocating for the blockbuster deal/s that strip this team for a short term gain. A few smart deals like was done in the acquisitions of Greenway, Zucker and McCleod are doable.

Still no for me.