matter2003

If you build it...they will come

There is a huge chasm between where they stand and just reaching the cap floor, which is expected to jump to between $52-54 million next year as the cap rises to over $71 million. Currently the Sabres project with bonuses counted to be around $36 million. They need to add between $16-18 million minimum to get there...I am assuming Ennis, Foligno and Conacher will get tendered as RFA's, so that will add 3-4 million maybe more if they do some longer term deals... How do they get there? Signing a bunch of vets to ridiculous 1 year deals? Wouldn't that potentially screw up our tank job for McDavid? What is the penalty if they don't get there? Looks like Leino won't be getting bought out...they need his salary on the books...

Sounds like Trent Edwards

Yeah that's really what I meant...for what they gave up, and what they got back they got mauled in that trade

Vanek for a 2nd and a prospect...Isles really got fleeced on that trade...

Which is exactly why I think this might be pretty credible...it was well before the trade and a complete difference of opinion that would be hard to work through especially if both parties are dug in. One is trade a few pieces and quickly rebuild through the draft, the other is have a tire fire sale and start over from scratch. Also explains why Nolan is rethinking things...it isn't what he was told he was signing up for.

From what I am gathering, the issue appeared to be difference of opinion on how long and the depth of the rebuild. PLF and TN were here under the impression it would be a quick one to two year rebuild. Murray was hired, probably told that's what they think it will take, and he probably said he would need to dig deeper before he would know for sure but he would be open to whatever the best way to go would be. Murray apparently did his work and came back that it needed to be a 3 to 4 year rebuild, not a quick one and there was no way that would work. PLF disagrees and now there becomes a fundamental difference of opinion on how to go about it. The Sabres back Murray, the guy PLF hired, PLF says this isn't what I signed up for and resigns/throws a hissy fit and gets fired. Nolan also was here expecting it was going to be quick, but now with a 3 year extension offered, basically is going to be here to do all the heavy work and lifting and then potentially replaced by Murray's handpicked coach once they get back to a level where they are competing for division titles and or championships. So now Nolan is in the position to take a job where he is going to do all the hard work but potentially not be in position to reap the rewards of that work which is probably what PLF is telling him and why he is hemming and hawing now about it...

I am really starting to like Murray. Just ruthless, no BS personality. "I'm not begging someone to be here, I want players that want to be here and coaches that want to be here" "I appreciate him hiring me but I can't make choice for him, everyone makes their own choices and this doesn't change anything" This dude is EXACTLY what we need as our GM...ruthless, calculating, "Your only as good as your last season" GM...

I don't think PLF has the makeup to be in the front office and have to make the tough decisions...its like he wants the job but only wants the good part not the bad part that comes with it...explains why it was reported that Pegula was furious at him for basically being MIA for 3 days and then bailing...not like he hasn't done this before

Yes, his job that he wanted was to hire the GM, let him know what they wanted to accomplish and then let him do his job, holding him accountable for what he did. Instead, PLF thinks he can avoid doing the day to day dirty work of the GM but still reap the benefits of all the personnel decisions...doesn't work that way...he didn't want the GM role, so that's on him

He didn't pull this 3 months ago.

Yeah pretty much my thought...if you wanted to be involved in personnel decisions then he should have been the GM. His role was to build the hockey department, set the outline for what they wanted to do, which was rebuild, and let his people do their job then give input at the end of the year or as needed regarding what they were doing....not immediately meddle with the guy you just hired

If you hire someone to do a job then either you let them do it or you become a meddler

How would he be a meddler by telling PLF, you hired TM to do his job so let him do it? If anything he told PLF to stop meddling

Didn't Paul Hamilton just say what he found out?

This looks like its more on PLF from what Hamilton is saying...also I like the contract extension for 3 years...hopefully Nolan takes it

I agree, PLF hired the man to do a job, not be a puppet. If he is going to succeed or fail it should be his way, not some his and some he doesn't agree with.

If Murray tried to get Miller to sign an extension and he refused, why let him go for nothing at the end of the year. Perhaps PLF thought they could get him to change his mind after talking with him but TM didn't and thought he was valuable to help rebuild by adding picks and more trade ammo. Miller brought some of this on himself by being so wishy washy about the whole thing, imho, at least in the media

TM seems like he would ransom a family member if he could get another first round pick thrown in...ruthless but those are the people that build great teams because they see the players as commodities and when their production starts declining they replace them...Patriots have been doing it for years, as did the Eagles

Maybe they can change his jersey name to "Lame-O"

Our new front office

Feels awesome for once to have an open checkbook like Jerry Jones or Dan Snyder to make whatever you want to happen, happen

I honestly have no complaints right now...

Especially considering Pegula is eating a lot of money unless there are buyout clauses in Regier and Rolstons contract...he obviously means it when he said money is no obstacle

Why? He was a damn good coach