Ghost of Dwight Drane

Good point....he could be a valid #4. Still need a guy who can drop them, or strength in numbers. I think Murray's philosophy is strength in numbers, but we need more numbers of guys who can defend a foxhole....

I think Lieno, Flynn, Conacher have more NHL talent than Mitchell, McCormick, ??? I understand Lieno needed to go, but if you let him play with Reinhart and Moulson....the guy probably contributes and is rejuvenated by creativity. He busted with all 3 coaches though. I am also very concerned that there is not enough muscle on this team. I don't think you have 1 guy that could win a fight against a heavyweight, and only a few at middleweight. Georges and Stewart maybe can hold their own, but neither are fighters. Weber is game and gets his butt kicked. Girgensons has shied away from every single opportunity to make a stand for his teammates, which scares me a little. I don't want another season of 20 page threads about headshots, and have to see people complain when a Boston or Philly sends your #2 pick into the stands because they know not 1 person can do a thing about it. The overall character is better than the Darcy days, but still missing the muscle.

Oh, there always are reasons. I'm sorry....in the Murray presser that was linked here, Murray said something about "You guys always say Buffalo isn't a destination." It just sounded like a plant given the fact Murray has talked to the media 5 times in his life here, never on free agency, and he admitted the other day they want to train him. He also caught himself lying....and corrected it with something funny. He said "I don't know" in response to if he was done...then he paused, smiled and said "Yes I do but I'm not telling you." The guy is just a good dude. I hope he sticks it out without losing his marbles here. Today was a good step forward.

http://pinzjoe17.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/quinn3x-large.jpg

You bought that line? That was a direct feed into Murray's ear from the PR guys. I'm sure if you gave Murray a 10 question quiz about the city that a 5 year old could nail 9....he'd probably get 2 if we are lucky. He just wants to build a team and do well. (Although now they will probably make him read a book on the history of Buffalo and have a 4 hour tutorial on The Hatch and the Kazoo Factory)......

Last I saw he was a 3rd line winger on the worst team in the league.... I'm thinking about the future here. You don't want to hang Sammy out to dry.

They need at least 3 more bodies with talent. What will they do with Zadorov, Ristolainen, Reinhart? To me, guys that got a look last year who are NOT NHL players on a top 20 team....Larsson, McCabe, Ruhweedel Guys that you would be ok with having as a 22nd skater on a top 20 team....Mitchell, McCormick, Weber Guys that are ready for the NHL now with proper mentoring....Girgensons, Pysyk That leaves...... Georges, Mezaros, Myers Gionta, Moulson, Ennis, Stafford, Stewart, Foligno, Hodgson You have your top 9 forwards if Reinhart stays. You have 4, #3-5 NHL defensemen.....then Zadorov, Ristolainen and Weber. Even if they all stay, which I don't think is the development plan, with injuries you are down to garbage in no time. The 4th line is just pure filler. I don't want Kaleta anywhere near this team. Ted Nolan in 1997 may have been able to use him, but after what I saw last year from both of them, let the kid go. Like I said, Moss, Rupp and Sarich will be much better for working with the young guys, and Moss can probably score as many goals as 85% of the roster in a good year. I truly think Myers and/or Hodgson will be gone however. Let's start this thing from scratch.......we can wait on 9 months for Stafford.

We are a F'n Cursed city.......seriously....... Kiko blows out a knee? We couldn't even get home from work, take off the shoes, and get the bottle of Jergens on the Sabres news......

I've had plenty of Sabre fan quotient posts. I think I've been clear that I love Murray's philosophy. I was calling for Ehrhoff to go. I would have rather had Stralman than Mezaros and Boyd over McCormick, but today was a good day. I believe I proposed this exact plan prior to last season's draft/free agency and most people didn't like it. At the time it was a much stronger draft, and there was an artificial lowering of the salary cap which made cap room all the more valuable in free agency. Oh well. Day late.... http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/21955-compliance-buyouts-2013/page__st__200#entry490927 Not so sure....I'd make a run at David Moss for a true 4th line talent, Mike Rupp just to keep the locker room loose, and another stay at home D-man who could at least allow Zadorov or Ristolainen to roam a little. Confused about the lack of dialogue with Ott....but enough came today that it isn't a problem.

Huh?

If he's healthy, he can pretty much be a wash for Ehrhoff. He's almost on par offensively and more stout in his own end. It's an if...but net-net, the blueline is stronger today than it was a week ago.

One of the best guys in the world. Finish the 3 years....if he gets dinged again like Korab said, retire, and teach in the Hockey Academy. He will be a great teacher of young kids.

I like Moulson. He is smart around the net and doesn't take a beating because he is smooth. Solid effort..smart...he will work great with Reinhart. Seriously, who was here to get the puck to? Hodgson?

I'm saying the shift of the 2 teams. That's a pretty huge momentum swing.

St.Louis for Callahan, Stralman, Boyle, and 2 1sts......

Who hired this guy?

That probably means Boyle is on the move.....I would love him.

Not this year...in 3. It's a very Ruffesque team with those two and now Hemsky. Plenty of talent, but when the grenades start getting tossed in the spring?........

Ruff-Spezza-Seguin..............if anything screams Conference Finals Losers....it's this. They probably make it there in 3 years, then trade Benn away, then fade into oblivion. Check back with me in 5 years!

Brett Favre and Jared Allen are like that. Those two would trash talk and kill each other all game, and appreciate it. Sadly, it's even harder for honesty now because you have all of Youtube and Twitter out there just trying to make you look like a fool or get you in trouble. It's society in general...even comedians are out there apologizing now. "Brave" New World.

Yes. It was the aftermath however....the 3 1/2 years of keeping status quo and talking down to the fanbase. Most of that can be forgiven, but don't pretend like the past 4 years and what you are about to see on the ice the next few, didn't happen. The bragging about eating the final millions on a contract that may have been handed out under a directive like it is a noble deed of ownership. I was just pointing out that the money came from somewhere.......

20/15 Slight hearing loss in the right ear from listening to the GF yap in the passenger seat.....

"No Cliffy....don't do it....he's already 18......."

Del Zotto is a tougher version of Myers..... I don't know if that negates your point or supports it.....