mjd1001

A Myers deal is going to be a tough trade for any team to make. Why? Tim Murray is probably going to want a young star in the making...not a good player but a STAR...and I think Buffalo may be looking to throw in a prospect with Myers or a second round pick or higher. Why? The Sabres are loaded, and I mean LOADED with former and current first round picks..as well as young guys who look to be pretty decent second-liners. They also have a lot of future #2, #3, or #4 D-men. What they need is someone who is going to be a legit first liner. A top 50 forward in the league. For that, you are going to have to sweeten the pot with more than Myers...but this team has a lot of stuff to sweeten that pot with. There is no way the Sabres can take on any more "good but not great" prospects or future draft picks...they are getting to the point where in the future, they won't have spots for all of the ones they have already. Once again, If Myers gets moved, I think Buffalo throws in somethingthing extra to get a young STAR forward.

I agree with you totally. Although I do not think Zadarov is being rushed. What I hope is to see him play through 9 games then go back to Junior....get some time with the Amerks at the end of this year, and then give him a SHOT to make the team next year. Best case scenario for him is he plays well enough to possibly make the team next year but gets sent to Rocheter for at least a couple months...then 'works' his way into the lineup. As for the others, I agree. Next one up should be Larson, give Grigorenko at least a half season in Rochester, and a full season wouldn't be bad for him. As for Renhart, I don't think you want him in Junior this year AND next year, but if I could get away with it, I would have him in Junior, this year, Next year, then the following year spend at least part of a Season with Rochester......of course with the caveat that he can play with the Sabres earlier if he forces your hand. Prove he is one of the top 6 forwards on the team. Until he can do that, it is Juniors or Roch.

I'm NOT all for dirty play at all. Hits in hockey, sure. Stick work or any other kind of play that is on the edge of the rules..needs to go. I'd be just as excited to go to that Amerks game and see the 5 goals, especially how nice some of the goals where...when you see that kind of scoring, I don't need any of the other stuff.

Auto....all cars, all the time. I bought one manual mitsu Eclipse turbo years ago....falling into the thinking of thinking of "sporty cars are meant to be driven with a manual"....but i didnt get that feeling when i had it, Ease of use, comfort, and with todays tech, I'll take also the added performance and efficiency of the Auto over the manual (most Auto cars now out perform their manual equipped counterparts, espeically with DSG's and 6-8 speed autos). Also, if I had a performance car, I want to just hit the gas and enjoy the feeling of pure acceleration with my mind only on steering or modulating the gas to reduce wheel-spin...I don't need the extra 'sensation' of shifting gears to enjoy the acceleration.

On the other hand, you might want to keep players like him (and next years picks) developing even if they take 3-5 years to reach potential. You put together a very good, competing team with what you have now as the current young players come into their own (Risto, Girgensons, Grigo, etc.) Then in 3-5 years, as they come up for contract, or older players like Ennis, Stewart, etc come up for a BIG contract, you have to worry less about overpaying them because you have the next set of young guys who are ready for the NHL to plug in. I personally like that idea the best. I'm not even big on trading prospects for top players, I'm more of the mind of always developing your prospects and when they are ready (if even 3+ years after they are drafted), to plug them in then.

Was at the game last night, saw him play for the second time and I watched him most of the game. He didn't look awful, but really didn't do anything special at all. I always said I'd want him here only if he looks like he is a top 6 forward right now....and while not terrible, he does NOT look close to being a top 6 forward even on this team. I haven't seen anything to make me think he looks bad, but everything I see says he shouldn't make the team this year for the whole year.

First question, does anyone know if any Amerks games will be on TV in the Buffalo market this year? Second item, and maybe a bit longer of one we can revisit from earlier in the year....now that Pegula will own the Bills and the Sabres, AND it looks like he is getting involved in a lot more (possible new stadium, all the stuff at the harborcenter, etc), do you think it is looking any MORE likely we might get a regional cable sports network in the next few years? Think of the programming. All the Sabres games (exce,pt national ones), Amerks games, an Expanded Blue and Gold. Any NFL content about the Bills that is allowed by NFL rules (player shows,t extened pre and post game shows, etc.) Bandits games. A possible Buffalo based Traverse city type preseason tournament. Bandits games. I'm sure I'm mising a lot. The thing is we always talk about the expense of a network, but you might only be looking to get it on in Buffalo, Rochester, and MAYBE Syracuse and southern Ontario. And what seems to be different about Pegula that we aren't used to, he seems willing to spend (or lose) a bit of money to reach a longer term goal..to market a product. The possibilities of what can be done with a WNY sports network with him owning 4 teams in the area seem pretty good.

I really think Reinhart will be a very good to great player (not based on my expert scouting, but just what I have heard), but what I do feel VERY strongly about is the timeline for him to contribute to this roster should be starting with the 2016-2017 season. If he comes banging down the door before then, then great. The only thing is, the optimal situation in my mind would be onre more year in Junior and then one year with the Amerks....but NHL rules say he won't be eligible for a full year in the AHL until 2 more full years in Junior, correct?

I don't like that he dismissed it so quickly. But he is the coach, he is not putting the team together. I CAN be OK with it if the guys picking the players (Murray and scouting staff) are at least using it to a certain extent.

As of right now, I think the same that I did a few months ago, that 2nd overall pick this year would have been in the 5-7 range in 2013. So what does that mean? He is not going to be a 20-30 goal guy or a 60-70 point guy this year, or next year, or maybe even in 3 years. I'm guessing he is likely to be a 15 goal, 40-50 point guy by the time he is 21 years old (yes, 3 years from now), and his 'peak' may be 25 goals, 70 points....and that may not be for 5 more years. To all those who are thinking he is our 'star' and we need him on the Sabres this year, maybe seeing this little reality check of how long a potential 'star' (not superstar) needs to get used to the NHL is needed. Who we should be looking for signs to be excited about is Risto, Grigorenko, and Armia....we are more likely to see things to get excited about from them THIS YEAR.

I think I remember those comments (or at least reading someone reference them on here), but then there we also comments either from Murray or Nolan that when the season DOES start, it is likely he'd be 'protected' a bit (meaning maybe a day off on road games where you can't get the matchups you want, and in home games only being played in certain situations.) As I said in a previous post, I am in a way hoping he goes back to Junior....as it will be his first time playing in junior after a 'taste' of NHL camp and real NHL competition. But if he stays, I wonder if the fans are going to be prepared for him to get some nights off, and when he does play to only be getting 10 minutes of ice time a game, and sometimes playing in the 3rd period, and other time be glued to the bench by Nolan in tight games in the third until he GRADUALLY gets the chance to be put it. Remember, Girgensons last year seemed really ready for the NHL, yet he got very little, if any, Powerplay time the entire year (even spot duty on the 2nd unit, it didn't happen)

The more I think about it, the more I am agreeing with you. Even if he is one of the 'top 6' forwards on this team right now (which I don't know if he has much of a chance to do that), do you really need him here? Some will say he won't get better in Junior anymore, but I disagree with that. If he goes back to Junior, he will do so after a FULL TRAINING camp with the Sabres, he will know a LOT better what he will need to improve on to be a player with the Sabres. I'm sure he will go back to Junior with a workout plan and a "skills improvement plan" generated by the Sabres. Basically, if he goes back to Juniors, he should have a much more productive year preparing for the NHL than last year because the Sabres will be bringing him along all the way. I guess unless he looks like he will put in 25+ goals (which even McKinnon didn't do), I'd probably want him back in Juniors after his 9 game exposure to the NHL.

Keep him with the Sabres no matter what? Juniors no matter what? Personally, I'd like to see him with the Sabres only if it is CLEAR he is ready now, and a top six guy right now.

Maybe, but over the last 5 years or so, the average number of 30+ goal scorers per team is less than 1 player per team.

I agree with you, just wish it was on TV, or even viewable on the web. I'm an equal Bills and Sabres fan, but....while the happenings with the Bills lately have everyone elated, I kinda need a break from the Bills. I'm happy for everything going on, but I'm on Bills overload now.

I only go to a preseason game every year...one where I can pick up tickets for a fraction of the cost. I want to show up once a year just to get a 'feel' for the Arena and what it is like to see a game in person. I can do that at a preseason game. As far as watching a game that matters, High-def and a big-screen work for me for the regular season.

I don't mean to repeat points I made in a previous post, but I want to add to what you said above. He is not going to be 'wasting away' in junior, or playing in a league with 'nothing to prove'. -He is Sabres property now, if he goes to Juniors, he will be on a workout program and diet that will make him more NHL ready a year from now. -He will have a taste of the NHL through camp and preseason (and maybe regular season games). He will learn what he needs to work on and hear what the Sabres need him to work on. In Juniors, he won't just be playing to win, but instead working on aspects of his game that the Sabres staff identify to him. I really think the best thing for his kid (and the Sabres) would be for him to play in Junior, have his team eliminated early from the playoffs, and them for him to play with Rochester at the end of the AHL season and a run for the Amerks in the playoffs. To have him spend a few weeks, or even a month, with a lot of other younger guys in Rochester might be the best month this kid can have in preparing for the NHL.

Reinhart back to Juniors this year. He'll stay with the Sabres at the beginning of the year, practice with the team as much as he can for a month, they will work him into games where they can 'protect him' (meaning only home games where they can get the matchups they want) but ultimately he will go back to Juniors, where he should be. The exception to this would be if 1 of two things happen: 1. The Sabres have MAJOR injury issues during camp/preseason 2. He looks like (to everyone, including coaches) that he will instantly be a 15-20 goal, 50 point guy. This team is under very little pressure to win, and is not having problems getting fans to show up. There is no reason to rush him to the big team. He may not get better in the Juniors another year, but by waiting until NEXT season to play him, he will get a year older, a year stronger/more mature, get 2 full camps in with the Sabres, possibly some time at the end of juniors with Rochester, and a full year with the Sabres training staff. Meaning, even without playing a full season with the Sabres, he will be a LOT better and a LOT more prepared for the NHL next year than he is this year.

-No backup QB that knows the playbook, only 2 qb on the roster -Entire Offense looks bad in preseasons, fans criticizing it as even worse than it is. -Revolving door at some positions -Ownership still not settled, Bon Jovi in, then out, then back in---Toronto group threat won't go away, please let it end already. -It is only preseason and I think Preseason means next to nothing, but can this team be any more boring to watch? I'm sure there are a lot of other things to add to the list, but please, Sabres games can't get here soon enough!

Ok, it would be great to get a generational player who is drafted #1 overall, this thread is not about saying you are better off NOT getting a chance at McDavid, but I thought about how important is it to your success at winning the cup? I went back through my hockey watching years (close to 30 years now) and came up with 3 'for sure, no doubt' "generational players" who were picked first overall: Crosby, Lemieux, and Lindros. Those are the only 3 guys I can remember getting as much hype as McDavid in their draft year. There have been other players with almost as much hype (Tavares, Ovechkin, Joe Thornton, and a few others) but only 3 guys were this hightly touted. So looking at Crosby, Lemieux, and Lindros, what do we get? -3 Stanley Cups in 38 seasons played between them. I'd take it, and those players were really exciting to watch, but those numbers show that missing out on a #1 overall 'generational' player doest mean much in terms of going on a multiple Cup run. If you look at next tier, the 'almost generational player hype' guys, I would say that group would be Pierre Turgeon, Joe Thornton, Alex Ovechkin, John Tavares, Taylor Hall, and Nate Mckinnon (sorry, Patrick Kane is close to this list, but not quite there). What do you get there? -0 Stanley Cups in 58 combined seasons. Once again, you have multiple 100 point seaons, 50 goal years, all star games, awards won, but not as much success as we would think from players this highly touted as first overall picks in the draft. So what is my take-away from this? I'm thinking the Sabres will not finish last, and thus not get either McDavid or Eichel. I'm trying to convince myself that over the next 10-15 years, getting McDavid will not guarantee they will be a more successful team. I'd still love to get him, it would bring excitement to the building, hype to the team, but it really isn't needed.

The more I think about it, the more I would hope this turns into a game or two a year in Buffalo, and not much else. What may be better than bringing a Junior team to Buffalo would be to strengthen ties between two cities and two fanbases...Erie and Buffalo.

I doubt that will happen, but as far as message board talk goes, how successful is the franchise in Erie? Could this be a team that could be moved to Buffalo as a Junior team here (I'd hope not, I'd rather see Buffalo become more of a College hockey town with an improving Canisius and/or Niagara Program) Or could this lead to a partnership of sorts between the Otters and Sabres (saying down the road, the Otters play a handful of games in Buffalo, even in years without McDavid?)

For me, its either finish last (guaranteeing at least the 2nd pick in the draft) or go all out for wins. I'd PREFER finishing last, but I just don't think they are going do that this year. I see this team as worse case scenario a 25th to 26th place team, and BEST case about 20th overall. The problem is, I don't think they will finish last.

Positive impact? Pegula not only is a big player in Buffalo, but he becomes even larger in NY states eyes (Albany politicians) and the pull he has will be directed at Western NY. Negative? Same a above, but when the state does direct something his way (to WNY) they may say "you'll get money for one thing but not for both, now pick which you want" If the Bills get a new Stadium here in 10 years, at about that time we might be looking for a new Hockey arena or at least a MAJOR refurbishment of the current one at a minimum cost of $100's of millions. The arean is fine now, and will probably be usable by then, but a few things to consider: 1. In 10 years, it will be approaching 30 years old. 2. While nice for an arena, Some of the ones built in the last 10 years are much nicer already. 3. As or right now, how many Teams in the NHL play in buildings that are more than 5 years older than ours? 5 Teams. The Islanders and Edmonton have new homes coming, and MSG has had a nearly Billion dollar renovation. That is now, what will the NHL landscape look like in 10 years? With the Harbor centre basically attached to the arena now, I'm not sure we will be looking at a new one, but I can expect major renovations/upgrades to be happining in that time frame.

Anyone know anything about him (Danny Flynn) other than he was a coach in Moncton?