Tondas

For picks, correct? Can't take on salary.

Say what you will about these terrible contracts, but I still prefer NHL guaranteed contracts to the NFL. NHL contracts are so much easier to understand for the fans and I assume, the players.

Starting to get interesting. Cap space at $3,115,476 with Jake and Linus still to go. JBOT has a plan but what is it?

Seabrook's contract makes Kyle look like a UFA. Sheesh.

It actually ended 49 years ago.

Flames sign Bennett to 2-year, $5.1 million deal. Is this a comp for E-Rod?

JBOT said as much which would concern me if I were Pegula. No GM should be absolutely close-minded to any tool available to him (i.e. buy-outs, offer sheets, trading for bad contracts if it makes sense). Why give other GMs an MO into how he operates? It's like telling your poker buddies you'll never up the bet unless you have at least 2 pair.

Yes, to any of your 4 alternatives. McCabe and Ullmark are more valuable and I don't think we can afford all 3. E-Rod goes at $2 mil.

I'm sort of serious with the offer sheet to Marner thing. If someone offer sheeted him now, wouldn't the Leafs have to match it now and the LTIR wouldn't work since they would need to be under the Cap before the season started, thereby making the LTIR moot, or at least putting the Leafs in jam.

So now would be the time to offer sheet Marner??

It's not my money and I like E-Rod, but paying him more that $2 mil just doesn't feel right to me. Unless JBOT has a trade lined up for E-Rod, I'd walk away from $2 mil.

Why would the Laffs do this?

Wholeheartedly agree with the first part. I've turned around many businesses and you can't just snap your fingers to success. With JBOT, he has bad contracts, union issues, player evaluations, etc.. He had to revamp the scouting dept. There's only so much he can do in 2-3 years. He's only been a GM for 2 years. Progress is great and expected, but a playoff run in years 1-2 is overoptimistic. Let's give the guy a chance. This year progress; definitively. Next year with all the cap space and another draft; playoffs. If that fails, there will still be plenty of time to buy the tar and feathers.

Kennedy'd. That would mean we have to send him back and to the left, back and to the left.

Hope all goes well with your hip.

I'll give JBOT this year and next. I'd like to see some progress this year but next year is the key for me with all the UFAs coming off the books and 3 drafts under his belt. Plus it gives us at least 2 years to see what RFK can do. I think JBOT is smart, he seems to be well connected throughout the NHL and by all accounts is respected. I'm not sure who I'd replace him with right now. I'm for staying the course with a new GM growing into the job.

I think the Sabres can walk away like they did with Tim Kennedy. He would then be a UFA.

Just to quote Randy, he pronounces it like this:

Not sure I want him as s Sabre, but it would be great to see a Perreault flying around the ice for Buffalo again.

Didn't they sing "Takin; Care of Business?" Love those guys.

Ask for all you want Erod, but an offer more than doubling your salary is fair for the team and you. I'd rather save money and make sure we lock up McCabe.

First Neil, then Thurmann Thomas. Will we ever catch a break?

We both want JBOT to be successful this year. If he is not, I hope you are 100% correct for next year with a new GM and coach.

It is frustrating. But there is no "NHL GM for Dummies" book written yet. I think progress (80+ points) this year gives JBOT another year to use the cap dollars he will get with the UFAs leaving. next year I'd rather risk another year with JBOT than start the GM lather rinse repeat cycle that we'd be in again.

Fair point Blue. But we're not sure he did break it. We can either give him a 4th year to find out or fire him after 3. If we fire JBOT after 3 years, then we are now 4.5 years out to fixing the problem. It's a good discussion. The kind of discussion that Terry should have but is not experienced enough in hockey to make a proper decision. This is why I think the Sabres need a Pres of Hockey Ops.