nfreeman

Got any fancystats to support this? If so, other GMs may have the same opinion you have.

You are quite likely right, and I certainly wouldn't be surprised. I kinda think though that they won't deal Fowler, as he is locked up for 2 more years at a very reasonable $4MM per year. If that's correct, then it comes down to trading Vatanen or Lindholm. Their production is pretty similar, but I think they'd likely get more for Lindholm. You could be right, but he plays a GMTM kinda game. He's also young with pretty good upside on both ends. I don't think they'll trade him unless, as I said above, it's part of a package for a really high-end player coming back.

I know. I felt dirty posting it. (I originally had Foligno instead of Zemgus and then I upgraded to Zemgus -- but it's still too skinny.) I couldn't figure out what else to include. The most obvious pieces are this year's #1 and McCabe, but I don't think GMTM would trade either of those for anything less than a no-BS established star. Lindholm is good but he's not yet at that level. Maybe their #1 in 2017 -- but that isn't that appealing to Anaheim. As for the comparison with the ROR trade -- I think Zemgus and Pysyk is a better package than Griggy and Zadorov.

First, thanks to TW for another awesome contest. These are perennially great threads. This year's winner: - Sabres do not move up in the lottery and end up drafting 10th. They take a defenseman. - Matt Moulson is not traded due to utter lack of demand, nor is he bought out due to cap repercussions. However, the Sabres put him on waivers, which he clears, and send him down to Rochester. - Sabres trade Zemgus, Pysyk and a #2 pick for Hampus Lindholm and give Lindholm the fat contract that Anaheim was unwilling to give him. - Sabres re-sign Risto to a 3-year extension (which ends with him still being an RFA). - Sabres re-sign Ocho to a 2-year extension. - None of Legwand, Coliaicovo, or Ruhwedel is re-signed. Sabres speak with McGinn but don't get him as someone else overpays for him. - Sabres do not make offers to any other team's RFAs. - And the big one: Sabres sign Stamkos to a 7-year, $77MM contract. Game on!

I don't think Chuck trying to keep the client can be characterized as screwing Jimmy. Any business would do the same in that situation. I agree that the document caper will inevitably blow up and create issues with Kim. Separately, I'm going to predict that Mike's plan puts Tuco's uncle in the wheelchair that we saw him in in BB.

This is hard to say definitively though IMHO. We sure didn't see much effect from Gionta last year.

DeLuca .500 is where wins = losses + OTL + SOL.

Awesome.

NHL .500 or DeLuca .500? Only the latter is interesting. Very nice. There has been quite a bit to enjoy. Aside from the obvious names, IMHO the McCabe-Bogo pair hasn't gotten much attention but has been very solid lately.

Do you not think they are corrupt?

IMHO there's a bit too much defending of Jimmy and criticism of Chuck in here. Jimmy is charming and not a mean-spirited person, but he's also dishonest and perfectly happy to take risks with other people's assets -- and he usually leaves a major swath of destruction in his wake. Separately: I was away on vacation and just watched the last 2 episodes (not including tonight's, which I haven't yet seen). I liked the one from 2 weeks ago, in which Mike has the showdown with Tuco's uncle, but not so much the most recent one with Jimmy scheming his way out of the law firm and trying to convince Kim to join him. I don't think Mike's daughter-in-law is playing him. I'd like to see more Mike, Nacho and Tuco's uncle, and less Jimmy/Kim psychodrama.

Kinda depends on your view of tanking, innit? If you don't want teams to race to the bottom in pursuit of #1 overall, then the NHL did the right thing by only giving the DFL team a 20% chance of taking home McDavid.

Good stuff. Thanks. I found it kinda interesting that their odds of moving up from #7 into the top 3 are better than their odds were last year of "keeping" #1 overall despite finishing DFL.

I totally missed this, then went back and checked the thread in which the meltdown occurred. It didn't seem like much.

I agree on Legwand. As for the 3rd line, I too would like to see Foligno-Larsson-Gionta in that slot again, but I kinda think the Sabres are going to trade 1 or 2 of their RFA forwards: Foligno Larsson Zemgus Deslauriers I think the Sabres like all of them, but I can see a couple of them wanting too much cash and GMTM getting annoyed and sending him/them off.

Ok, I'm ready to predict that Nelson is ahead of Pysyk in the D rotation by the end of next season.

Good post. I agree with all of this.

38 posted this in the Carey Nelson thread (which is a misdemeanor offense). I thought it was relevant here, and a great summary of GMTM's remarks on Kaner, so I'm quoting it here. It was pretty interesting hearing GMTM speak very frankly about Kaner. GMTM clearly likes Evander's game, but he didn't pull any punches about areas for improvement. It sounded to me like GMTM wants a bit more ROR/Drury dedication out of Kaner, and a bit more opening up to his teammates, in order to make Kaner more of a leader on the team.

I think it's way too early to judge Lehner, including the asset the Sabres gave up for him. We'll need at least one full season out of him before we can evaluate. I do not discount Eastside's concerns about giving up too much in the trade for Kane, but I really think it comes down to how one feels about Kane. I am very happy with him on this team and can see him adding even more value next year. I also don't think the Sabres could've gotten materially more for the assets they gave up than Kane, Bogo and the goalie prospect. I agree that Fasching/McNabb at this point is more or less a wash. If Fasching has a big year next year, which certainly could happen, we can start to exult about that move. I think everyone's happy with ROR.

Interesting, and very possible. I wouldn't be surprised though if Franson stays in the lineup and Pysyk is either traded or ends up fighting it out with Franson and/or Nelson for 5/6/7 priority.

Thanks -- just listened to it. GMTM also mentioned a couple of times that Nelson is a good skater and has a high hockey IQ. It sounded to me like GMTM expects him to be a full-time Sabre, possibly as early as next year.

I think he has to be a pro for 7 years before becoming UFA -- so that would enable him, if he times his next contract correctly, to skip town at the age of 25. Looking at it right now, I'd have to say it's not terribly likely, but if they continue to stink, it's possible. In particular, if they continue to stink between now and the time he signs his next contract, I would kinda expect that contract to end during the same summer that he's UFA-eligible. I certainly would advise him to set it up that way.

Very nice.

Not a chance.

Very nice.