7+6=13

We've got much more than that and even more coming. We have a GM that at his core is about development. Is Housley the type of coach to lead to the cup? Not sure, but it's pretty well documented he's a teacher - which is exactly what's needed right now. You'd almost have to do it on purpose to stop this team from being really good.

You guys are probably tired of me saying this (not that I pretend everyone reads my posts) but I didn't play organized hockey so I didn't learn the actual game within the game. I have been watching the Sabres all my life but just watched, ya know? Didn't really fully understand hockey. I kept up with draft picks and news about the Sabres always but over the last 4-5 years I really started to love hockey to a new level. I then decided I wanted to understand it better and this place has been the #1 place for me to learn. I appreciate you guys and gals big time. Fun place to come daily.

We've undoubtedly been through a lot as a fan base. "Because Buffalo" is over. Our young stars career can't be contained. Eichel will make his teammates better, he'll take care of bad coaches for us and he'll be the reason this team wins. I respect the knowledge at sabrespace and even if you want to stay reserved in your excitement - I don't blame you and I'm not mad at ya. However, this team is going to be good and you know and see it. We'll be a perennial force in the NHL very very soon.

That's a pretty excellent take right there.

I counted 9 goals in that video that another Sabre was involved in assisting Eichel. I'd expect that type of output to double with this years lineup and I think it adds up to a monster year for him.

I'm most looking forward to Eichel putting the points up and showing he's the star we all know he is. Also looking to see how our defense will contribute to the offense.

That's right. He'll be judged on how Cornel, Karabacek, Fasching, Guhle, Asplund and Nylander turn out - in terms of drafting. I know Fasching was a trade but it was still a prospect trade. Murray made a ton of moves and to track them all would be a lengthy process. I think ultimately he did a good job that still has the chance of being a great job.

If you look at the trades separately in terms of this year it looks like we did very well in the Eagles trade. If we don't sign Matthews we come away with a 3rd round pick for Darby who has one additional year under contract. If we sign Matthews to an extension it's likely to be at least $5 mil less than what Watkins would get. The Rams trade makes us worse this year - mitigates our loss of Darby - sets up future assets with getting a 2nd for a 6th and helps us on economics with a player they clearly weren't paying in Watkins after this year. I think the Rams trade makes perfect sense for them and I think they won so long as they get a healthy Sammy. The Eagles lost and I'm not sure what their thought process was. Paying a 3rd round for Darby would have been compensation enough IMO but then they gave up Matthews too. They could say well we weren't giving him 8-10 mil per anyway but paying a 3rd in that deal was crazy compensation for getting a player with 2 years and giving a player with one year.

We all understand what you're saying but I personally just think you're a year or two early on being outraged that there is nothing. Pros weren't producing last year - I just don't see how a young player could - I think that's why most of the "hockey" guys/gals on this site put that on Bylsma. Second the Rochester situation was a total mess and that has been put on Murray appropriately. How anyone can think a player coming out of a failing program like Rochester to a failing offense in Buffalo and shine is somewhat unrealistic - unless he's some phenom. JBot has clearly made a huge effort to change Rochester. In saying that, I'd reserve judgment on Murray's drafting by itself and subsequently the players themselves.

Some were wondering what we had in jeffsmagic - here he is. See how he shifts it into things like "man up" and tries to bait you into being as ridiculous as he is. He'll go away in a couple of weeks and go back to TBD. He'll then get suspended again and be back for another short stint. He's so angry at the mods over there that he won't be able to control his emotions. He'll want everyone to know how wrong they were and he'll get his hand slapped again. Instead of calming down, realizing we're all fans of the same teams and have different takes - it must turn into an insult laden argument. This will be the last time I respond to him. Just though it was important to expose him to you.

How do you do that with a bottom 5 team and you're a bad coach? #exposed

You're right that is obvious. Absolutely. Since we're so inept, have such a lack of talent, and didn't do an actual coaching search because Pegula is an idiot and Russ Brandon was involved - you should see the Bills has a bottom team in the league. If we are in the top 5 in next years draft you win - if we're outside of the top in the draft I win. The loser never posts on Sabrespace again.

I'm not sure why he was banned but I know I can find out. He's the type of vitriolic poster that incites the worst in other people. Everyone is frustrated the Bills haven't made the playoffs but most fair minded people or those of us with a little age under our belts understand there's no other choice but to see how they play. Magic is the type that has a need to make you feel supid if you're not angry. He'll then point to things that haven't happened and things he can't possibly know about as definitive truths. Then when called out on it he brings up the past - which of course show ineptitude but that's how he supports his predictions and things he can't know. It never stops and quickly becomes an argument and not a discussion - which is what most people want to do - discuss and express opinions. You've all heard it hear before relative to the Sabres. He'll just throw out Marrone, Brandon, EJ, Winfield, Gillislee and on and on and on. If you don't go along with his negative emotional responses than he reverts to thinking you're a sheep and round and round and round. In the end it doesn't make sense. If you're that upset don't follow the team - why would you care to stir up the people that do? It's because he goes right back to his foolish thinking that fans shouldn't put up with this. He actually believes that's a real thing.

Guys I'm telling you from experience. I have nearly 10,000 posts on TBD - don't engage him, he makes circular arguments about predicting the future by using the past ineptitude of the organization. You can't convince, win or anything else with someone like that. Avoid!

Hardly. They didn't pick up his 5th year option so the Bills were letting him go.

I'd look beyond just last year. Duchene is the better player. 5 out of Kane's 8 years in the league he's had more goals than assists. That's hard to do and I don't mean that in a good way. He just has to contribute more to others scoring but I don't see it happening. If he was part of the deal, it's a no brainer, and I like Kane.

I don't see any of these as good options for the Sabres. I just wouldn't create a hole on defense just to have an offensive player somewhat better than Kane or Okposo. In addition it's just getting that offensive player now vs waiting 2-3 years for talent we think is currently in our system.

There's never evidence with him. He simply cannot wrap his mind around the fact that anything the Bills did prior to their ownership has nothing to do with them. That it's actually a fact and saying "same old Bills" is just lazy thinking. It's just easier for him to understand - I assume for coping reasons. They haven't tried to find a QB - blah blah blah. They spend almost nearly to the cap because they're just trying trick me into buying tickets - blah blah blah. I pretend to know Russ Brandon's impact - blah blah blah.

IMO the case your trying to make is much more difficult than making the playoffs. That's a lot that would have to go wrong. I find it unlikely that Housley's system will create "big time growing pains". It will definitely be a work in progress that hopefully gets better and better - but it's no secret that most players hated Bylsma's system so there should be a certain level of excitement. In addition there's potentially 8 new players on the roster that didn't play in the old system and there's many vets that have played in multiple systems that could pick it up faster than you think. A healthy Eichel and Okposo with an improved defense alone is reason to debate it's a playoff team - add in another factor or two and the debate is legit.

I think so too. He's what you get at that price point too.

He'll be close. I think he'll be around that low 70's point mark.

I don't have near the hockey knowledge you do but the moment he was traded for my thought was he was brought in for Eichel. The perfect player until a young gun is ready. The reason I say that is he's got a high hockey IQ. IMO we do not have a player other than Kane that can handle the quick thinking passes Eichel delivers - but Kane doesn't give that in return. Pominville can be in the right spot and also recognize when another player is in the right spot. I understand he's not the same Pominville and asking him to play 5-6 more minutes compared to last year and 3 more minutes than the 2 prior years could be an issue. Heck I don't know enough to understand if a star players line mates play similar numbers as the star - but I'm pretty sure I don't want Zemgus or Baptiste getting those kind of minutes. At least I don't think I do.

Well it was something to get the discussion going. Looks like I accomplished that.

Really? I've admitted this before that I picked up trying to totally understand hockey later in life. I'm blown away that you guys see that as ideal for Eichel. Hey, I learn a lot from you guys and a lot of reading/watching. I've been shocked before - maybe this is another one of those times.

If Reinhart isn't at center who do you see there beside Eichel and O'Reilly? Larrson from your wish lineup - who's the 4th? You think he's a healthy scratch? No Rochester? Do you see Moulson getting the same treatment?