nfreeman

Well, I agree with some of what you've said in this thread, but taking a victory lap on the Eichel and Reino trades at this point is just insane.

Looks like the ayes had it! Not a very sweet victory yet though.

The Coen brothers did an excellent remake of this movie about 10 years ago starring Jeff Bridges and … Josh Allen’s GF!

I think they’re all available in a package for a good veteran forward coming back. OTOH, we could say that about each of these kids. They will probably only trade 1 of them this summer (if even that) and I’m looking forward to seeing each of them develop. Each is promising in his own way.

Certainly an underwhelming day on the trade front, but IMHO the buyout is still a pretty significant development. I think I heard on a podcast that this is the biggest or 2nd biggest buyout in NHL history. It's not a move that a franchise would make unless it's trying to win. Now KA needs to fill some holes over the next 4-5 days. Don't give up just yet gentlemen.

I kinda think that even where there is no NMC/NTC, most of the time GMs will try to send players into good situations -- which the Sabres assuredly are not -- unless there is a big spread in the trade return. I doubt the Caps could've gotten a good #2 pick for Beck anywhere else.

Seems like a respectable move to me. He's probably an upgrade over Robinson, Jost and Zemgus. As others have said, there of course needs to be much more over the next week.

How many forwards drafted last night are currently over 200 lbs? Please be specific.

I agree on the #5 defenseman. If the #3C is someone like Cirelli or Eriksson Ek though, I'm in. Here's a question: how do you feel about trading good prospects for a higher-end guy who only has 1 season left on his deal and doesn't sign an extension as part of the trade? I'm sorta undecided on that one.

Yes -- it is hereby decreed that a jettisoning of Skinner by any means constitutes a major move for purposes of this poll.

By "major move," I mean a top-6 forward or a top-4 defenseman, or other move that even KA's staunch critics would grudgingly admit is a major move -- even if they don't like the price, or the player, or the contract, or whatever else. EDIT: as noted downthread, buying out, trading or otherwise unloading Skinner would qualify as a major move. As always, the question is not what you want to happen, it's what you think will happen. The draft ends on Saturday night. (I guess that makes it alright.) My optimism is being sorely tested, but I voted yes.

Plan the parade!

Savoie and Cozens.

Skinner's contract really was one of the very worst moves the Sabres have made in this whole misbegotten era. Well done JB! As for the buyout, it strikes me that there are a number of possible reasons for it, with a corresponding range of indicators as to whether this bodes well for the franchise: - Worst case: the buyout is simply to save the cash. - Medium case but still not great: addition by subtraction -- i.e. the buyout is because KA or Lindy or both have had a long look at Skinner and decided that they simply cannot win with him on the roster -- but they don't intend to use the freed-up cap space on any significant additions. This would be positive in the sense that it would demonstrate a willingness to cut their losses and spend a lot of $$ for someone to not play here, but that's pretty much the only positive. - Best case: they are going to use the cap space on a significant addition or 2 from the outside whom they've already identified and are going to act decisively to secure those additions. This would obviously be great, depending of course on how well the additions pan out. Like most here though, I'm at the point where I'll believe it when I see it. Dude.

You're right -- KA needs for Byram to be really good, or at least more value-added than Mitts, AND for the Sabres not to be handicapped next season by poor 3C play. Otherwise it's a major mistake. I'm fairly optimistic that Byram will, under Lindy, be a substantially better player than Mitts, but I'm not terribly optimistic that KA will bring in a good 3C. The good players usually have options, and a big chunk of them are not interested in coming here due to years of suckitude. We'll see.

Whether Mitts would've signed a similar deal here is an interesting question. The Sabres stink, NYS taxes are higher and they had just given fat long-term deals to TT and Cozens. Either way, the pressure on KA for Byram to be a really good player here just got a bit higher.

So I got around to watching the long interview with Lindy by Matt Bove (who did a pretty good job with it IMHO). I think it's a lock that they bring in a fighter. I also think it's a lock that they are going to be a much better team next season.

I found myself rooting for Edmonton last night. I really like that they didn't quit on the series when down 3-0, and that they gave their fans a great, great show in their last home game of the season last night to force game 7. And that crowd was awesome. And Zach Hyman is the kind of guy the Sabres are dying for. BTW, the Oilers got off to a terrible start to the season, just like the Sabres -- but they didn't just write off the season like the Sabres did. They fired their coach, and look at them now.

I generally agree and would just add that there is no way they would buy him out without Lindy’s assent.

Awesome. Congrats to you and your family.

Got a link to support this?

Every once in a while a poster really goes off the deep end. Usually, no one gets hurt. But hoo boy the board has a long memory. Chops will be busted in perpetuity.

I will be pretty surprised if they buy Skinner out. If they do, though -- that would be a pretty substantial indication that they are determined to break out of the rut, and that TP wants to give Lindy a fighting chance.

Well that thread was a real thrill ride.

Well done gentlemen. It ain’t easy but it’s the greatest thing in the world.