apuszczalowski

No, you're right, lets just wait it out a few more years for another couple drafts and some more prospects to develop. Playing in an empty arena should make it easier for their development and really take the pressure off. And I never said to get rid of all their picks and prospects, but using SOME to obtain quality players who can play in the league and help now is not going to hurt this team. The plan has worked so well for them up to this point I have said it many times before here about Murray, his problem wasnt that he used assets/capital to make moves, its that once he locked on to a player he wanted, he was like a little kid willing to pay anything to get it and grossly overpaid for players in situations he should have been able to steal the player from.

Oh no, you screw it up and the Sabres risk not making the playoffs and have to continue to rebuild? Definitely don't want to mess up what they have going I only said top 4 defencemen because I wouldn't take anything less then top 4 (if they trade for defence), they have plenty of defence and don't necessarily need more unless its an upgrade. My point is you only move him if you are getting something good back that makes another part of the team better Also whats his cap hit going to look like in his next contract? Can the Sabres afford it? Again, what else can you offer in a trade in order to get something of value back? Or are you expecting that they can dangle Bogo out there in a deal for Malkin/Crosby? The Sabres may have to throw in a pick/prospect or 2 to sweeten a deal and get something even better, but it would be alot less then what they need to throw in to take the junk away and get a good return back.

Couldn't have happened to a better D-Bag......

This team has enough prospects and picks, they need to start using them to get players who can play now. You can't keep sitting back and letting seasons slip away because your waiting to have a lineup of all prospects and picks you drafted. And trading the deadweight from the roster isn't going to get you anywhere either. By the time the next group of prospects are ready, Jack's going to be looking for a new team and be half way out the door. If they want this team to start being competitive they may have to make a trade or 2 that will hurt a little in the picks/prospects department to get something of value that will improve the team today.

Do you really want the guy fired by the Devil's to come in and try to fix this mess?

I don't think anyone is saying to move him for the sake of moving him, but you have to give something up of value to get something of value back. Out of the current roster guys the Sabres have, Sam might be the the most expendable that could return something that can help now. I haven't seen anyone saying to get rid of him for whatever you can get. But if he can return a 2nd line Centre, a top 4 defencemen', or a solid upgrade in net, I would consider moving him. If it's for some draft picks or lower prospects, I would hold on to him. Also some of the talk about moving him may be because it would free up cap space for moves that may help now, and if they don't think they can resign him under the cap......

Probably no where

Yeah, theres a few really good teams, and a big jumble in the middle with a couple really bad ones at the bottom. Niagara was in a 3 way tie recently in their division with a couple games in hand, compared to the other division they would be near the bottom Last year in the Playoffs Niagara was one of the top teams and went in with the top goal scorers in the league and were bounced early (they figured instead of trying to stop the other team from scoring, lets just hope we can outscore them, in the final season of Buffalo Native Goaltender Dhillons OHL career)

Akil Thomas had to waive a no trade clause from Niagara to go to Peterborough this week. I would have never thought they had them. I was watching the Niagara game the day of the deadline and they were talking about how the league should change teh deadline to later in January/early February to coincide with the School systems Exams/Breaks so that a player in high school could finish his semester at school and then be traded to start the next one at a different school. Right now they could be on the move a few weeks before their exams.

It really is quite an accomplishment to not make the playoffs in the OHL considering 80% of the teams make it, but everyone knows theres really only a couple that stand a chance at making the finals and representing the OHL in the Calder Cup so usually only a couple teams really load up. It is funny to watch some fan reactions to the trades when your team is dumping guys for picks, many people don't seem to understand that the leagues run on a cycle where because the players are only in the league for 3-4 years, you need to keep restocking the roster and picks are valuable in the future when you are ready to make your run.

Its typical Buffalo fan reaction, you can't make a trade for someone cause they would have to give up a precious pick or prospect, and you can't pick up a player that could block someone from being forced into action too soon. When I heard about the Rangers looking to move him I thought Buffalo could be a good spot. They need to move on from Hutton so why not try and get a someone like him that could become something. Is it really that bad to be in a potential situation 3-4 years from know where they have to decide between which 2-3 goalies they are going to keep? Its not like someone can't be traded for something. If he works out, great, they have him and Ullmark as a tandem until UPL is ready. at that point they can keep him the AHL until they can move one of the others and not worry about forcing him in because they are desperate for someone. Ullmark has shown he can be a decent backup, but not the franchise starter many hoped he would become. Hutton would struggle to stop a beach ball. At some point the Sabres have to start turning things around and get competitive while trying to ice a good team, hoping and waiting on the future to develop is just going to keep setting them back and the guys people want around are going to start asking to be moved. They need to start making some tough moves to acquire talent and maybe move a few of the more valuable assets waiting to be developed so they can upgrade the top of the roster rather then the bottom of it. They do love acquiring guys to bolster the bottom 6, usually hoping some of them will become top 6 guys.......

The Kid has shined in every league he has played in during his brief time in North America and at last years Juniors. I wouldn't be surprised if he looked like he belonged in the AHL too. As for Hutton, I don't know why anyone would be shocked, the Sabres picked him up as a 30 year old who came off of one good season (and the only one where he played close to a full workload for a starter).

Are we not at the point of Cheering on losses for the better pick? I thought thats what we are all supposed to do when the team isn't a cup contender?

Ruining their draft positioning i assume?

I wanted to see them make a move with the Islanders to get Ho-Sang for a late round pick. The kid has talent but needs a change of scenery. My only worry would be if the lockeroom was strong enough to bring in a player that may need strong leadership to help him become a pro. The Islanders have soured on him and he just needs to be moved, could be a buy low candidate who finally puts it all together when give a new chance somewhere else

Who said the assert Buffalo would be sending meets that description? Only one player is mentioned, the Sabres would be sending 'a defencemen' which could be one of the vets or one of the prospects...... Crawford may be an upgrade.....

I thought I heard around the all Star game they were supposed to announce something? Can Seattle pass on having to take someone from the Sabres Roster? Might be the first time an expansion team gives the other team a pick to just not have to make a pick.....

I don't think the NHL team holding a players rights in one of the league's in the CHL have any pull as to what happens with that player, Botterill and the Pegulas have no say in where they play. If the NHL wants control they WOD have to have them on their roster. Juniors and college are different then the minor leagues. The Sabres could probably speak to the GM of the juniors team and ask them to do something, but the junior team can do what they want. As for the trades in Juniors, typically, because players are only eligible to play in the league for a small window, they go through cycles of competitiveness (except for the London Knights who just always seem to be at the top...). Teams build up, make a run for a year or 2, use picks to grab some of the top players, then rebuild by dealing guys away for picks. Last year Niagara tried to make a run and picked up the league's top scorer, this year they dealt away Akil Thomas, their top player who just scored the gold medal winning goal at the juniors tournament for Canada and got a young player and 4 picks. They also dealt away their next top player Tomasino for 9 draft picks. They will trade for multiple picks over many years (next year it's going to change and you won't be able to trade picks outside a 4 year window). One of the things I was surprised to see that they have in Juniors is 'No Trade Clauses'

Have the Oilers submitted a request to forfeit tonight's game yet?

And he's already back on waivers......

That could be TPegs new slogan for the team, 'Sabres Hockey, it's better than nothing!'

Well there you have it, the missing piece! So which way should the parade route go through the streets of Buffalo?

Lafreniere is back for this game I believe

I don't see them moving, hockey and the NHL are still an 'affordable' sport for franchise ownership in smaller markets. They don't need billionaires for owners like the NFL does or the NBA, and they can play to 15-20k fans per game. If the NHL for some reason takes off and becomes more popular across the entire US, then maybe Buffalo would eventually be priced out of the sport, but I don't see it happening. As for what would I do if they moved. I would probably still follow them to wherever they moved to. I have no attachment to the City of Buffalo. I live less then 30 minutes away from the arena over the big invisible line that's supposed to make me a Leafs fan. I am a fan of the Bills and Sabres but don't care about the City they are located in. I could see if they ever were to relocate, the NHL would want them to be moved to somewhere nearby such as Hamilton, or make them the second GTA/Toronto franchise so they could try and retain some of the fanbase and rivalry with Toronto without saturating the Southern Ontario market which could hurt Buffalo

Has the GM really brought in talent to push these guys down? ERod and BOGO are still on the Roster. BOGO didn't lose his spot because of better players, he lost it because he can't stay healthy on the ice to get back into a spot where he can be relied on, and ERod is now being scratched cause he isn't producing. The GM has failed cause he hasn't improved the roster outside of picking up Skinner last season. Otherwise he has made some more minor moves while continuing to evaluate the roster and waiting for prospects to develop. The front office has made the team a laughingstock in the league that even bad players are embarrassed to play for. ERod should be thanking the franchise for giving him a chance to stick on an NHL roster instead of looking to be moved. BOGO should be thankful the Sabres have kept him around on a roster that gives him medical coverage cause his medical bills may have exceeded his contract by now since he was acquired......