Mustache of God

The prospect "tournament" is less than a week away, then training camp boots up a few days after that and the pre-season opener is less than two weeks from today. We'll have plenty of Sabres related news rolling in soon and that season opener will be here in no time. Like having a cup of coffee, really.

Reinhardt, Moulson & a 2nd Round pick so we can wear Chicago's dirty laundry? No thanks. I think #OneBuffalo has taken on enough "high-risk" players this past year. Reinhardt & Eichel will be the face of this franchise for a long time, the Toews/Kane combo for the Sabres (minus the allleged sexual assault hopefully). The only way I'd even consider considering that trade would be if Chicago retained 80% of Kane's salary/cap hit. Plus how can Murray trade Moulson when he's letting Eichel nest with him?

I like the deal. At this point I haven't seen anything from Murray which makes me question his judgement. The man has a plan this whole time and has been following it just as he said he will. One aspect of the trade to consider compared to the other goalies that were floating around at the time was the term of the contract. Doesn't Lehner become an RFA when his initial contract runs up? If he performs the way Murray hopes he will or is at least trending upwards we'll be able to sign him on long term if all goes well. Here's a link to all the 21st picks going back 30+ years: http://www.mynhldraft.com/nhl-draft-picks/21st-overall/210509/ I'd rather take a dice-roll on a starting goalie who can produce NOW rather than wait 2-4 years for the 21st pick to develop (and I'd much rather have a starting goalie than any of the names listed above). I'm tired of waiting on this team through this re-building process and I'm glad the moves Murray is making is helping accelerate the process. You can't win big if you don't take some risks.

Is this gonna draw any heat away from Ryan O'Reilly?

Last year I switched to hockeystreams after 3 or 4 years subscribing to GameCenter. I was sick of the blackouts (all the NBCSN games combined with that I live in NYC so any Rangers, Devils, and Islanders games were blanked as well). Never had a problem with any of the streams, all the games are in HD, no blackouts and you get to watch the playoffs.

He really doesn't turn it on until after the break.

My completely unbiased opinion: Where do the Sabres finish: (3rd) Eastern Conference Finals: (Washington vs. Sabres) Western Conference Finals: (Anaheim vs. Calgary) Stanley Cup Finals: (Anaheim vs. Sabres) Stanley Cup Winners: (Sabres) Rocket Richard Trophy: (Eichel) Hart Trophy: (Eichel) Vezina Trophy: (Lehner) Norris (defenseman): (Risto) Jack Adams (coach): (Blysma) Calder Trophy: (Eichel) Bonus: Who will be the biggest name moved during the season? Eric Staal Bonus: How many Buffalo Sabres participate in the All Star Game? (4: Eichel, Kane, O'Reilly, Girgensons) Bonus: Biggest bounce back season by any player? (Cody Hogdson)

Something interesting I heard in regards to Zadorov today in between beer league games: One of my teammates happens to be from Buffalo and he mentioned that during the draft one of his buddies was watching with Cody McCormick who was relieved when he heard that Zad was part of the ROR trade on accounts that the team wouldn't have to "babysit" him any longer and that his maturity issues go well beyond just being late occasionally. Of course I have no way to substantiate any of this and I still think once he grows up he'll be a great player but I figured I'd throw it out there anyways.

I agree, I don't want to see Murray moving any more prospects for the time being in this situation. The bold moves he has made so far have come with some criticism saying he overpaid which I feel is valid to an extent. I'd like to see if Murray is capable of pulling a Darcy-esque trade now where he's able to pull of some GM magic. Given the situation, I simply can't see this team going into the season with all the forwards we have. I think McGinn & Foligno share the same role and I can't envision a role for Larsson on this team anymore. He was upset with the 4th line minutes last year and shined when he was given a chance at the end of the season but now with the new additions coming in (Kane, ROR, Eichel, Reinhardt) I don't see him carving out a spot on this team. Does anyone else think Larsson will get moved? What about trading Legwand to a cash strapped team and eating his entire salary if we can get a good defensive return? Is that legal?

I don't see how Murray doesn't make a trade given the current state of the composition of the forwards in the line-up. In the bottom 6 they have the following players competing for a limited amount of roster spots: McGinn, Foligno, Desluariers, Larsson, Legwand, & McCormick. I just don't see all these players on the team by the time the season starts as some of them will inevitably have to be sitting on the sidelines each night.

It was Kea who got nailed.

After one period I'm now rooting for Kea to complete the Gordie Howe hat trick.

This is such a Micky Mouse operation. Crappy music during the dead play and then NOTHING during the actual game? They can't just pipe in the ambient sound from the arena? I feel bad for complaining because I really wanted to watch the stream but this is brutal.

Ah, some real music. Sympathy for the Eichel. GO SABRES!

and immediately segueing into a mix that makes me feel old and I'm not even 30 yet :(

Those wands ain't looking for spare change, they're they're to ensure no nutjobs bring in any guns into the arena. Could you imagine Eichel being assassinated during the prospect camp by some crazed self proclaimed #1 McDavid fanboy?

After the past 8 years I'm having trouble coming to the fact that we just locked up a true #1 center for the next 8 years and have a "generational" player about to enter the NHL and also Sam Reinhardt. This team is going to be scary sooner than we think. My only hope is that we're able to win a cup before RJ dies and preferably have him call the game (even if that means he steps out of retirement (as long as he's well and able to call the games)). This is the first year ever I want the summer to end so hockey can start. GO SABRES!

I honestly don't follow the rest of the league like many people here to have any specific player in mind. Ideally we don't need a big name defenseman but a young D-man who can hit and play a responsible game. I'm sure there's a team that could use a little of our forward depth that has an extra blueliner in their system. My two cents.

Although I'd like to see us sign Oduya, I've gotta believe Murray makes a trade for a mean, tough D-man. We have a glut of players and I don't see a place for Larsson on this roster. Wouldn't be surprised to see him moved.

I know everyone is leaning towards Murray acquiring a D-man through Free Agency but what about the prospect of a trade? Currently we have a glut of forwards and the players I see as expendable are Foligno, McGinn, Legwand, McCormick, Larsson, Hodgson (assuming he's not bought out in the next 8 hours which I find unlikely) and the stockpile of 3rd round picks next year. I don't follow the league closely enough to have any specific L shot D men on my wishlist but I think it's a good possibility we see another trade.

The biggest question for me is whether or not Larsson will be comfortable playing on the 4th line. Last year there was some sort of "falling out" with Nolan about the minutes/opportunities he was given and he did put up some decent numbers at the end of the season. Now that we have a new coaching regine will he accept being pushed down the depth chart to the 4th line or is something else going to be in play for him?

Talbot is still somewhat unproven. Sure, he can play lights out behind the Rangers defense but how is he going to fare with Edmonton?

I might have had too many tonight as I was convinced we acquired James Mcgill with the ROR trade and was prepared to nominate his nickname as "Slippin' Jimmy" and had high hopes of several Chicago Sunroofs this year. GO SABRES.

:( @TSNBobMcKenzie[1] : 2015-06-26 14:21:36 UTC[2] BUF-OTT trade call done. Official: Lehner and Legwand for 21st overall pick. BUF takes all of Legwand's contract.#TSN

I really don't understand why he added another Center to the team, especially a 34 year old center when Murray has stated the plan was to not bring in veterans but aim for young players. While it's not 100% official yet, I'll but the pitchfork out of storage and start honing the tines just in case.