thesportsbuff

I love this idea. It has always annoyed me that a team can be leading by a goal late in the game and take a penalty, and in a way get "rewarded" with the freedom of full-ice shots on an empty net if the trailing team has pulled their goalie.

1. The Leafs are rebuilding. They will take the best offer they can get for Kessel. I can pretty much guarantee that Shanahan and Co. are not concerned in the least about whether or not a potential trade partner is in their division. Lol. 2. Not sure how you came up with all that stuff about Vanek based on what I said about Kessel being motivated to play vs his former team. :blink: Motivation does not equal "he's going to transform into a sick two way forward who hits hard, backchecks and is a great leader." 3. Kessel is light years better than any of the core we got rid of, including Vanek. "Highest paid player on the team" -- so what? He has earned his money and will continue to do so. Which Sabre deserves more money than Kessel right now? Not even going to address the "clashing with team mates" part because there is exactly zero reason to believe that would be the case. Anyway just an idea, since that's what this thread is for. I'll let you get the last word in since I know that's what you really want.

I'm sure there have been several. 1. Something about Tim Connolly being a #1 center. 2. I defended Regier for "winning" deadline deals. 3. I think I said I thought we'd get a first rounder or equivalent for Stewart. :P (Forever spoiled by the Gaustad trade.)

Those are all valid and understandable points, and I agree it is probably an unlikely scenario. But I personally don't share those same concerns. He won't come here and win a cup immediately, so yes a few years of his prime would be wasted and it may not be the best career choice for Phil. But it could make some sense for the Sabres. While I will acknowledge that he is probably not a great vocal leader, he would still be one of few Sabres with nearly a decade's experience in the league, including a few playoff runs, by the time the team is ready to compete. At around 30, 31 years old, he would still have a couple good years left as a top 6 caliber forward. And learning how to win becomes a little easier when you have a proven NHL sniper on your team. His contract doesn't really scare me either, as it kind of goes hand in hand with my last point. He will only be 34 at the end of the deal-- it isn't like we would be paying a washed up has-been for several years while he fights off retirement. I would expect him to be a very good player through out the duration of the deal. Just some other thoughts: Phil Kessel is tied for 4th in goals scored over the past five seasons. That stat is slightly skewed by the fact that he's played as many as 20 more games than some of the players around him on the list, but I wouldn't necessarily call that a bad thing either -- he hasn't missed a single game in those five years. While putting up pretty impressive offensive numbers in Toronto, he has never had a legitimate #1 center to play with there. Bozak is an okay player and Kadri is a pretty good player, but no one comes close to what we expect Eichel to be. Or even Reinhart. I love JVR as a player as well, but I think it's a no brainer that he would be surrounded with a lot more talent here in Buffalo. Piggybacking off that thought: We've all heard the stories about his run ins with media, and how he maybe doesn't like to be the center of attention. He certainly wouldn't have to be here. Not with Eichel, Kane, etc. More fuel to the Toronto rivalry fire. It is hardly even a significant rivalry anymore because of how bad the teams both have been, and it may not get any better soon since the Leafs are rebuilding. The Babcock ordeal helps us hate them a little more. Can you imagine how much more they would hate us if we snagged Kessel? Especially when he's scoring/winning games at the ACC with a star studded Sabres team? That would be fun. I also think it would serve as some motivation for Kessel who was called out, belittled, and probably somewhat embarrassed at times by the TO media.

You can believe whatever you're so inclined to. He may not be a strong leader --not everyone has to be-- but Toronto's problems run much deeper than their star winger not giving a pep talk, or whatever leaders of bad hockey teams are expected to do. Defensive deficiencies or not, a young star in the beginning of his prime who has outscored all but three players in the league over the past five seasons isn't a "waste of money."

Any kind of shot blocking restriction sounds awful to me. If you want more offense just give all forwards rocket propelled skates.

I don't know how much stock to put into that, really. Some would say where there's smoke, there's fire... and there has definitely been a lot of smoke (even for Toronto). Personally, to me he comes off as a guy who is just a little shy, and maybe not a very vocal leader -- and I think that's why the Toronto media rip him so much. The way everyone was joking around so openly about it at the All Star Game kind of makes me think that the players know it's all a load of crap, and not as big of a deal as some make it out to be. But then again, I don't know him personally, so to speculate on his personality is silly.

I have wavered on the Sharp idea myself. Mostly due to his age. Admittedly I thought he was closer to 30 than 35. I think he would add a nice veteran presence, winner, etc but overall it just doesn't make a ton of sense outside of the "connect the dots" circumstances (they need to move money, we can take money). So I think I am out on Sharp, provided it would cost more than a 3rd rounder to get him. I am officially IN on Phil Kessel! I know he's not the model hockey player in some regards but he has always been one of my favorite non Sabres. I love watching him go end-to-end, it reminds me of a 100x more refined Afinogenov. At 27, he's still young, but maybe not young enough to fit the profile of what Murray is looking for. Probably unrealistic, but I would welcome it. Our other 2015 1st + 2016 1st ? Maybe another mid round pick? Steve Simmons implied Friday the possibility of a disconnect between Stamkos and the coaching staff, even going as far to suggest a trade wouldn't be entirely out of the question. I'm not sure I'd be willing to give up what it would take to fetch Steven Stamkos, but holy cow. That would be nasty.

i do this all the time. lol

I'll take Oduya. And maybe even Bryz, because why not. Not really interested in any of the UFA forwards.

In a perfect world I would rather have Saad, but in the real world NHL, I'd rather have O'Reilly. Either one would be a good addition and kind of fit the criteria of the player we are looking for. But to me the choice is simple: Offer sheeting Saad would cost us next years 1st + 3rd at the very least. If you're talking in the $8 million range, that's two firsts, a second, and a third. O'Reilly would cost us less to trade for, and likely would allow us to keep next years first round pick.

oh i don't know really. i'm sure the biggest reason is that when i got a new laptop a year+ ago it took me forever to add SabreSpace to my favorites bar. :P edit: posted some other stuff, but it's really off topic so i deleted it haha

lol i don't post here that much anymore so i might have missed some but this is probably your best post ever :flirt:

Weird, I wonder why he would rule out Buffalo early given that we now have probably the two best players from his college team. Maybe they don't like him after screwing the pooch in the ship?

You're probably right, but at the same time $2 million isn't really going to hurt us when somewhere around half of the team is going to be on entry level deal/cheap bridge deals for the duration of Hodgson's contract. I imagine Murray will explore all options.

i really don't think that is the case. i have a hard time believing that anyone here believes Eichel is "deficient", or that he will be a bust, or that he won't meet expectations. it is just the buffalo inferiority complex -- this could ONLY happen to Buffalo, where we are put in a situation that leaves us disappointed in getting a franchise player. It is not a dig at Eichel, or anything like that, but it's just logic: you want #1. McDavid has been the consensus #1 for literally years. I think we are all extremely happy with Eichel... but some people think being disappointed over losing the lottery means you think Eichel sucks. Not true. It's just Buffalo finishing 2nd, again.

Grigorenko, Larsson, Pysyk/McCabe/Zadorov, Hodgson, Moulson Grigorenko is the obvious #1 to me because he has had struggles, has been accused of not giving enough effort, has been delegated to 3rd & 4th line minutes the majority of his time in the NHL with 3 different coaches, but has produced well in the AHL and is young enough that he could still grow into a NHL player. The obvious connection to Roy helps, but whether it's to Colorado or elsewhere I think he would be a decent piece in a bigger trade package. Larsson played very well down the stretch and may finally be taking the next step to becoming a bona fide NHLer. I think some other teams have probably taken notice, and he could also be a nice piece in a bigger trade package. Pysyk/McCabe/Zadorov - I bunch these three together because I don't necessarily think one is any better than the others, or that one is more likely to be traded than any of the others. But I do know you have to give up something to get something, and if we're going to trade for a high-caliber top line player, it's probably going to cost us one of them. Hodgson - Unlikely, but you never know. I only include him because he was such a disappointment that every option has to be explored as far as moving him. If Murray calls every team in the league and offers to retain 50% of his contract, you never know -- maybe someone bites. But I doubt it. Moulson - Also unlikely, but one of the few guys I would be ok with parting with that might still have value after the atrocity that was last season.

I don't think anyone is "not happy" with Eichel. But last night was about McDavid. The kid who has been the #1 pick since he was 15. It's okay for people to be disappointed in missing out on McDavid and still be happy about getting Eichel.

well the article wasn't as bad as i hoped but all i have to say to any of that is who cares? who cares if other fans disagree with your point of view, or vice versa? don't let it ruin your day. the fans don't make the decisions, and the players aren't losing on purpose. My only problem is with this statement: "If you're as bad as the Sabres are, one player will not change your fortunes." Because 1. Yes, a McDavid/Eichel WILL (or, I should say "CAN") change your fortune -- even if indirectly. Whether a free agent decides to sign here to have a chance to play with "the next Crosby", or Murray decides to part with other young assets in exchange for a already-established goal scorer as a result of drafting a franchise center, or a high profile coach decides to come here to instill his wisdom upon one of the best young players in the game... So yeah, "McEichel" won't be out there single-handedly winning us games (although he will help), but it certainly expedites the rebuild, which eventually leads to us changing our fortunes. And 2. If the Sabres are losing on purpose, or even built to lose, then you can't really use that measuring stick -- "If you're as bad as the Sabres." I mean according to your own viewpoint, even the Sabres aren't "as bad as the Sabres." Because they were losing on purpose, right? Tank-shaming has gone on all season from people in the media. Jeremy White nailed it some time ago though -- it's all jealousy. Last year's team was worse, and virtually nobody mentioned "tanking."

I just want to read the article, although I can tell from the title that I would be face-palming the whole way through.

i wish i could have read the article, sounds like a hoot

Been preaching that all season. :thumbsup: I would have no problem with no lottery at all.

I bought the game a week or so ago. Friends and internet message boards have been recommending I try EHM 07 for years, but I was always reluctant to buy a game from 2007. When I saw this new version on Steam, I figured I would give it a shot. So far it has not disappointed! I have always been one of the guys who starts a GM mode on NHL 15 and simulates. And simulates. And simulates. I sim a few weeks at a time, monitor my progress, maybe make a trade or two along the way. I stop at key points in the season like the ASG and near trade deadline, but after taking care of my managerial duties, it was back to simulating. I rarely actually play any games, preferring to try to manage my team to victory based on the game's own sim engine. A lot of people might think that's boring, but I have always enjoyed it as far back as I can remember. The NHL series has been good for this -- but oh my, EHM takes it to a whole new level. It was a little overwhelming at first. You have control of everything you can imagine and it is a lot to take in, but after a few lengthy play sessions I've gotten a good grasp on most of it. I haven't gotten too involved with setting up custom tactics yet because I'm not the biggest X's and O's guy. I hired Mike Babcock to do that for me :flirt: One thing to note: Because the game isn't officially licensed by the NHL, it uses randomized names for all owners/managers/coaches/players/etc. That would take away a lot of the fun for me. Luckily there is already a roster database available on a third party site (for free) that allows you to use real world players. It is actually quite impressive. Anyway I could go on forever, but the bottom line is if you're into this kind of game, it is worth it. It's super addicting. I had to self-impose a moratorium on the game this weekend to make sure I spend SOME time with family... :P

Haha, I would have guessed the exact opposite. I think the whites are by far the best looking jerseys of the bunch. The blues are rather "meh" imo.

Fair points, but I would counter with the following: 1. It is common practice for young centers to begin their pro careers on the wing. But given that Reinhart has proven to be a natural centerman so far in his junior career, you can go ahead and swap him and Zemgus. Or, as I mentioned at the end of my post, if only one of Reinhart/McDavid make the team, the third line center role is theirs for the taking. 2. O'Reilly is the first line center by default. Your "first line center" is McDavid or Reinhart, but I think it's unlikely they throw them to the wolves and slot them there from Day 1. Obviously they aren't going to go trade for or sign a legit #1 center with McDavid and Reinhart (especially if it's such a sin to play one of them on the wing), so I feel that O'Reilly would be the best option on the roster for the role. 3. I think Sharp has played a little bit of both wings over the course of his career. But yes, you are right, a RW would make more sense in the grand scheme of things. I'd still take him.