Bob Malooga

Their work is done, I'm sure. Board is set, input has been taken. No need to have any extra chairs at the table. I'd love to open against Toronto on NBC Sports Network, on Opening Night. Makes sense for him to go there, and that he would sign there. I don't think he'll be a star, but that will turn into a good move for Shanny. He's not a scrub, that's for sure. (Better than Bailey, IMO.)

I do too. This is what separates the good from the great. It's what makes an athlete rise above his peers. "Swagger," as the kids call it today. I'm talking about on the ice/field/court. This is why EJ Manuel will never be a good NFL QB, he doesn't have that killer instinct, that "swagger." I have a feeling this is a serious issue with Mikhail Grigorenko, as well. He just doesn't seem to have it in him. Yes, like I said, "Taken with a grain of salt, given the source." :flirt: Like I said in the thread asking how good I think he'll be...I agree with you, this will be a key move that everyone remembers. He will be dominant with Eichel. He has never had a center, or even a linemate, as good as Eichel is going to be. This is the only reason I am open to Nash...a top line of Kane - Eichel - Nash would be nasty, and absolutely huge. That could be a premier line in the NHL. I'm not sure Nash has ever had that talent around him either.

Personally, I think whatever big trade they are going to make will happen at the draft. I also still think Shane Prince is brought back home to Rochester, and that could be an under the radar move next weekend. (Part of a package for a goalie?) But, depending on what players are available, I am not sure I want to give up #21 and #31 and not use them. I was all for it, until I started thinking about this draft and adding some serious quality to our prospect pool. I wouldn't give up those picks for a Cam Talbot or Craig Anderson. I would for ROR, Nelson, Saad, and Toffoli. Possibly a young goalie like Gibson, but I don't think Lehner is worth that much, although I do like and want him. I rather get one of the draft eligible goalies, and I am hoping they can get Samsonov, Blackwood or Vlader. I'm just super excited, even gave up DJing Friday/Saturday (making GREAT money) so I can watch it. Lol. I'd normally never do that. GO TIMMY, GO SABRES! (The only older veteran I would want, would be TJ Oshie, I think. I don't know if there is anyone else worth it, besides possibly Rick Nash.) EDIT: I voted for 2 by the way, a goalie either for Buffalo or Rochester, and a prospect ready to breakout, or a top-6 forward of some kind, young or a veteran.

We need someone better in Rochester, Makarov is not the future goalie with the organization, and nobody knows how Ullmark recovers. Murray said he wanted to find one. Anderson is like 25 and just took them deep into the playoffs. Many, many outlets have said Gibson could be available. I'll take him for OUR #1, but I still think we need a veteran.

Taken with a grain of salt (given the "source"), and it's kind of ironic coming from someone who roots for Patrick Kane, but...I just thought it was funny. http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/John-Jaeckel/Rumors-Now-Flying/128/69389 On a sidenote...Crawford's on the market? (Don't think I'd want him, but that's quite interesting to me.)

I was just going to post this...a middling prospect for Zach Hyman and a 7th round pick? Kind of wish the Sabres would have done this. Hyman is a good player. 54 points in 37 games, leading Michigan in scoring and a Hobey Baker finalist. Great move by Toronto (Casey Bailey too), as much as I hate to say that. (They still need to sign him, but that won't be an issue.) EDIT: I guess they weren't going to get much knowing he wouldn't sign there. Makes a lot of sense to get something.

Yeah, I've given up on this idea. They want a top d-man, and we don't have that to give up, and it's not Zadorov or Pysyk, IMO. There's just no way Zadorov, Grigorenko, pick #21 and even pick #31 would be enough. I've been talking to a couple Avs fans, and they say Roy wants O'Reilly as his top line center with Landeskog and MacKinnon. Duchene would be the second line center, and the focus would then turn to finding him a running mate on the wing for the 2nd line. I saw an article that said $7M/year for 8 years...but they think they will give in and pay him $8M for 7-8 years. Time to turn our attention elsewhere. It's not what it would cost to re-sign him, but what it'll cost to get the opportunity to do so.

I'd really like to see Murray pull in someone like Robin Lehner or Eddie Lack for Buffalo, and a John Gibson or Malcolm Subban for Rochester. We would be set for the next 10 years. He did say he wanted to find a starter for Buffalo AND Rochester. Well, there they are. (Or something along those lines...as I highly doubt Gibson OR Subban are available, but that would be my dream scenario...especially Gibson.) I just want something to happen before the draft. Lol. Anything. Give me something.

I really want to know what was asked where they said "we're not getting into that." (Directed at Harrington.) And what UFA were they just talking about at the end?

Just going off the numbers I have seen throw around by people who actually know...they say $7-7.5. On a bridge contract, compared to other similar players around the league? Yes. Maybe a $3M increase.

I agree with both...but it would probably be Blackwood or Vlader at 31, Samsonov will most likely go in the first round, one way or another. Plus, Murray knows and likes Lehner, as I have shared (quotes) before...I think he's my favorite, as well.

I was speaking with a Colorado fan, and he said (yesterday), "Roy and Sakic have a pre-draft presser tomorrow, so we'll hear about ROR." So, I assume every team is doing this during the lead-up to the draft.

I understand we are not near a cup, I was strictly talking about managing the cap. All these other teams found a way to do it, and with having most of our best players (or soon to be) on cheaper contracts, there's no reason a $7M contract cannot fit in there. Either way if you are going to add one of these kinds of players, whether it be O'Reilly, Toffoli, Saad, Tarasenko, Oshie, Sharp, Williams or whomever, you're going to be paying them big kinds of money, for a decent amount of term. If it is O'Reilly that Murray sees fit to fill that role of a top-6 forward, then there is no reason why he cannot find a way to manage the cap and keep the core in place, for the long-term, especially with the cap going up every year. Some of the older players will be coming off the cap within time as well. The Sabres cap situation is very good, and should cause no kinds of complications in the next 7-10 years. http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/ I see no reason why we would have to lose any of them either. Bogosian is tied up through 2019 on a friendly deal, as is Kane and Ennis through 2018. Girgensons is up in 2016 and could see a $2M raise, while Zadorov would see one in 2017. I still see no problem here, at all. There is nothing to suggest that Ryan O'Reilly CANNOT play on the wing, in a 2nd line role. He has done it before, and succeeded. Not saying Zadorov is untouchable, but that I would like to see him as part of our core moving forward. Kane is untouchable. As for Bogosian, I didn't quite explain that very well. I do not think he was just a "throw-in" in terms of being something that had no value, like Jason Kasdorf, but that there was another player that needed to be included and Murray landed on him, for numerous reasons. My point was more so based around the idea that Evander Kane was the big player in that trade, and if Bogosian is "untouchable," then Kane should be too. ;)

Let's hear ONE example of when a team trading for a quality player prevented them from keeping their 3 best players? Did getting Gaborik make the Kings lose Doughty, Kopitar and Quick? How about the Blackhawks getting Hossa, did Toews, Keith and Kane leave, or did it prevent the Blackhawks from extending their contracts? The point of stockpiling assets is to be able to supplement your "star" players through trades, or to acquire a "star" player, or someone close to being one. Getting Ryan O'Reilly has ZERO effect on what happens with Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen YEARS down the road.

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that GMTM gave up a bounty of assets for Evander Kane, and had to take Bogosian back to equal things out. If Bogosian is an "untouchable," there is absolutely zero doubt that Kane should/would be too. (Eichel, Reinhart, Kane, Girgensons, Bogosian, Ristolainen, Zadorov...that would be my 7-player core moving forward.)

I have a new favorite target...Brock Nelson. 6-3, 200, American. Has chemistry with Eichel already too. Islanders don't have a first, second or third round pick this year...work out a trade. They also have Anders Lee, who is bigger and also American...but I think I rather go after Nelson. Thoughts?

Kane - Eichel - Ennis Moulson - Reinhart - ? Foligno - Girgensons - Gionta Deslauriers - Larsson - Kaleta I don't see where he fits in. I do not want him in the top-6, especially if we CAN get a O'Reilly, Toffoli, Saad, or even an Oshie. Why do you think a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are so young, got rid of Martin St. Louis? His attitude sucks and he's selfish. And why would he want to go somewhere and be a mentor for the last 1-2-3 years of his career? It makes absolutely zero sense, at all, for either side. They will and have learned more from Brian Gionta, than they could EVER learn from Marty St. Louis.

Where are these picks from NYR coming from? They don't have a first for the next two years, do they? They have no picks left to trade now. Gross. No. Murray said any player he brings in will be in the 25 year old age-range. We don't need a 40 year old player who is declining, and will want good money. You want the team to stay young, but you wouldn't add a 23 year old player? Lol, gotcha. And I'm also curious what Av's games you DID watch, because ROR had 25 points in his last 27 games. http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8475158&season=20142015&view=gamelog Oshie, on the other hand, had 22 points in his last 28 games, on a much better team...he's also 5 years old. http://blues.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471698&season=20142015&view=gamelog

I figured that's why it wasn't brought up, very hard to find that information without watching the games. The Edmonton thing just made me laugh. Like you said, Talbot for 16 is hilarious, Talbot AND Yandle for 16...that's just delusional. I just saw something where a couple people think Murray will make a run at Dougie Hamilton. (It was based off a quote though from Friedman.) And at 28 years old, I don't care much for Talbot...especially for picks 21 OR 31, based on half a season as a backup.

He's not going anywhere. He has always said the NHL is where he wants to be. Not worried about him, at all. I think Makarov's days are numbered with Ullmark coming over though. Plus, he apparently had a Stanley Cup cake at his wedding...shows how much that means to the kid, can't win that in the KHL over in Russia.

So his girl can legally move to the United States and live with him...in Buffalo.

Smehlik - Weber and Kaleta (Ellis and McCormick could fall here too) Snuggerud - Foligno and McCabe

Is this SERIOUSLY a legitimate idea? Is St. Louis that crunched against the cap, they could lose this kid? That is just mind-boggling to me...even Toffoli and Saad are hard to see going elsewhere. (Dougie Hamilton too.)

Regarding Grigorenko vs. Mantha...who were they playing with and on what lines? Grigo had another first round pick with him at the beginning in Armia, and they were first liners, right? Was Mantha playing with equally talented linemates, and/or was he on the first or third lines? That could be a big difference between their stats, no? (As for the Cam Talbot to Edmonton rumor...I saw an Oilers fan suggest #16 for Talbot and Yandle! LMFAO.) I've never been this excited for an NHL offseason in my entire life...praying we end up with ROR, Toffoli or Saad. (I won't stop either. Lol.)

If you're going to buy him out, why not package him in a trade and retain some of his salary? But, I guess I've come to the conclusion that this is a player that I do not care much about. (Not sure I ever did.)