kas23

No, Darcy is a tear down specialist. He certainly could build a team, but no one beats him in tearing them down. That Vanek trade is the stuff of legends. I even believe Darcy would've bagged a better haul than TM last trade deadline.

Tank is definitely on now. We should definitely spin his wheels this year just to see what we got (and to tank).

I'm OK with the length of this contract. In reality, the players we just drafted recently and the ones we get next year are not going to be stars in 3 years time. Likewise, while we may make the playoffs, the Sabres aren't going to be seriously competing for a Stanley Cup in 3 years either. It's going to take us probably 5 years to get to the level of the Kings or Blackhawks. A 5 year deal gets us to that point. It allows for a positive Veteran presence until our youngsters are vets themselves and gunning for the Cup. I think any vet that has a high "care level" and specifically chooses to be a Sabre, despite the Tank, is a very good mentor and a guy you would like to have around. Plus he's a proven to not be a Tank liability.

Do you think this is a just ploy to keep McDavid out if their division?

A certain military attack vehicle.

This is quite a surreal free agency eve. Usually we are all pulling for the Sabres to go out and get some awesome shiny toys. Not this year though. Seems like the consensus is to just get some warm bodies. You ever get into a traffic jam only to find out people were all just slowing down to gawk at an overturned tractor trailer? Same thing going on here.

Got that, Tank? Put that on your calendar or something. In fact, I'm holding you to it.

The Colts have Luck and we have EJ. See? Tanking couldn't possibly good for the long term health of a franchise. In seriousness, the Sabres have tried to do it the honorable way for years, yet here are still, hoping for next year's draft. Since it hasn't been said yet; you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette.

TN: Hey Dad, can I hire goalie coach yet? It's been months! Please? TM: Hush now, Teddy. Can't you see I'm busy with the draft? Go ask Uncle Joey, will ya? TN: Arrhhh...

But I'm unsure what this has to do with TM. Isn't it mainly TN's job to pick his own coaches? Surely TM isn't going to impose any coaches on TN and I'm unsure why he just couldn't sign off on it now, draft or no draft.

I'm pretty sure TM is on record for saying that you use FA to make a run into the playoffs, not to build the foundation of a team (which is done via the draft). Therefore, I don't expect to them to sign anyone worth a darn and rightfully so. I do see them taking on some salary dumps to get to the salary cap floor, but I wouldn't do so at the expense of winning.

I think he means that he should be a Bills fan.

I guess the question is, do we have anyone left to sell off for more? Maybe package a 2nd and Stafford/Ennis/hoff for another first? Maybe not during the offseason, but maybe when teams start getting desperate at the deadline. We certainly can't settle for just 3. That's child's play.

It may potentially occur if NYI give us their 2015. They may be OK next year, but they're the type of team that could actually implode. I don't see Snow as one that has long-term vision, so he may be dumb enough to give us the 2015 pick. I would rather rebuild over 4-5 years and end up with elite players than rebuild over 3-4 with just good players.

If Wang is set on selling the team this coming year, I don't see any reason for him to spend any money on FAs. It makes little financial sense for him to do this and the team would be more attractive to buy if it wasn't stuck with a bunch of long, multi-million dollar contracts. Any new owner would likely want a clean slate. Plus, weren't the Islanders in a selling mode last deadline? They dumped Vanek and likely would've dumped JT if he wasn't injured. And I would be so certain the Islanders are going to be good with a bunch of prospects coming of age. It's going to take 1-2 years for these kids to be hitting on all cylinders.

Yeah. In hindsight, seems like the perfect player for the tank. Wonder if we'll him here next season. You know, for the tank without consciously trying to tank.

It's not saying that at all. It comes down to this: will the Islanders be able to pick a better player this year or next year. And this is not solely a function of draft order or team standings.

"The dishonor for Connor" "Don't save it for McDavid" "No heart for Reinhart" is too lazy I guess. I can come up with more.

I'm really glad they got this done.

Anyone hear any news or updates on the contract situation? It seems with each passing day, Teddy's leaning towards leaving. But leaving for what? I don't like the little value he's placing on being an NHL head coach.

Probably for the same reasons we tanked this year with a world-class goaltender plus other assets other teams coveted. I just find it hard to understand how all these teams wanted players from our team, which were good enough to draw plenty of interest, but we still stunk. So, no, going on a shopping spree ain't gonna fix this team, especially now that were without Miller.

This is garbage. If you're trying to make a name for yourself, in any field, you need to pay your dues. This includes doing all the work and not getting any credit. Does this guy have so much of an ego he thinks things should be automatically handed to him? Isn't this why he preached to the youngsters?

No, I just want to get past the bad taste in my mouth that's PLF (and maybe TN if he keeps whining about what happened to his dear friend).

Where are the trades? For a GM who said "everyone" is available, shouldn't we be seeing more activity? Is he going to jam them all into his schedule on Wednesday?

For all those suggesting that PLF was bored at work, couldn't take the daily grind, believed his job was done, or some other benign reason for leaving, this is wrong. TN clearly spoke of a "situation" that occurred and insinuated a dear friend should be treated that way. This speaks of an incident(s) that happened leading up to the resignation. I don't know if this was due to the trade or not. It was no secret Miller wanted to leave and TM was trying to shop him. Both parties made this clear to the media. Everyone and their grandma knew what was coming. Now, did this "situation" arise before the trade was consummated? I think so, because PLF had been AWOL for over a week. I think it must be something non-trade related.