deluca67

Didn't the Commissioner of Baseball prevent player movement under the "best interest of baseball" once? Can't Bettman do something similar. Parise to the Pens is ridiculous as you say. It seems almost unfair. Malkin, Crosby, Neal and Parise? What is the NHL record for power play efficiency?

First part of a bigger deal? Nash and Foligno to Buffalo?

With Couturier being only 19, it would be like giving up two 1st round picks. With one of those picks already showing he can play in the NHL at 19. IMO, that is too much for Vanek.

Plus, he has the equipment. It's like letting someone in your band because he has his own amp. These seem to be the signings we would expect in day 3 or 4 of free agency. Seems like teams are bargain basement shopping until the some of the big ticket items fall.

I don't think you get Couturier and a 1st. You'd have to through in better than a Weber to get a 1st. I do like the idea though. Especially if you can turn around and move Meszaros to Anaheim in a package for Bobby Ryan.

Boyes career has been on the slide for some time. The Islanders have real quality talent in their forward ranks. Not sure if any team is talented enough to make Boyes productive again.

The Sabres would have take money back as well. Meszaros would be a perfect fit. He would make the money pretty close. You're not getting a package of players, picks and prospects a Rick Nash would get you.

Skating? Soft along the wall? He's not garbage, he's just part of what has been the problem with this team. Talented yet lacking those aspects of the game the Sabres desperately need. Especially as a Captain. For 7 years I watched Vanek and have waited for him to become a leader and an elite player. It hasn't happened. At the money he makes, he needs to bring more tot he rink. His game just hasn't matured. It's time to move on. That has little to do with fans dislike of Roy.

McGuire called Semin a "coach killer", God, I hope the Sabres sign him. ;)

"faking?" :beer:

First off, I was banging the drum for Pominville to get the 'C' since before Rivet was given the 'C'. I like Pominville, but I'm not going to allow fanboism to blind by judgement in regards to his value. I have to take into consideration his limitations as a player and the contract he has. Second, I've watched Vanek play for 7 years now. I'd believe I am pretty locked in to what his is as a player and what his value is. He is a one trick pony. If I can get a 19 year stud center that has size and isn't afraid to use it, and again, plays a position that the Sabres have a desperate need to fill? I'll make the trade everyday and twice on Sundays. Vanek and Pominvilel are part of a "core" that has led this team, along with Miller, nowhere. Someday your blue and gold lenses will fade and you'll eventually see what I am talking about. Roy's problems are a result of his off-ice reputation and has little to do with his on-ice production with the exception of the Bruins series where he and Connolly took a ton of heat for their complete no show.

Ryan is younger, cheaper, more physical and every bit as offensively talented as Vanek. In a Vanek for Couturier trade I would expect the Sabres take some salary back in return. I love Couturier as a player. A big kid that showed he can play in the NHL at 19. He is also a center. I'd take Vanek and the cap space for Couturier.

Pegula has that much in loose change under his couch cushions.

"I'll take what I can from last year but I'm looking at next year to really getting back to having fun and playing on a team that wants me there and I want to be a part of." IMO, this one line says volumes.

I'm no sure if it is a top priority, it definitely should not be ignored. IMO, if the right situation presents itself they should jump on it. IMO, in no way should there be contentment with the group of blueliners the Sabres currently have.

Free agency or trades, it's all the same at this point. The Sabres are facing the strong reality that Rick Nash may end up in a Flyers uniform. Parise may very well end up in Pittsburgh. Bobby Ryan may end up being a Ranger. Three teams at the top of the Eastern Conference are poised to separate themselves from the pack. I hope Darcy Regier and the Sabres are ready and we all are not listening to a press conference next week on how Regier couldn't get a read on another market place.

Both would be equally criminal, IMO. There is no reason they should walk away empty handed or with a token move. Darcy has assets to move and a league full of teams willing to make moves. "At least they didn't do something stupid" or "doing nothing at all" are both unacceptable.

With so many teams willing to make moves, there is no excuse for walking away empty handed.

Not a good start.

Is it wrong that i now consider July 1st to be the holiday and view July 4th as nothing more than a reason for the neighbors to bug the crap out of me while my dogs go nuts when the fireworks go off.

Thanks, I left out the 51 games he played with the hawks in 2009-10. If Barker was a UFA I could see a team taking a chance on him. If I were a GM I wouldn't want to give up any compensation for Barker at this point.

Haven't injuries been his problem? He has only player 96 games over the past 3 seasons. IMO, Gaustad is being paid for being 6' 5" 200lbs and not for his hockey skill. There has to be a market out there for Derek Roy, especially with the lack of centers available in free-agency. If Roy is a Buffalo Sabre on opening night it will be a huge failure on Regier's part. This year is a seller's market with more teams looking to add than there are quality players available. If Regier doen't have a "read on this market" than he never will.

In d4rk's defense, referring to Bobby Ryan as "a player who can not win the way the game is currently being played" is, for lack of a better word, "dumb." Bobby Ryan has averaged 30 goals and over 100 hits in his first four full seasons in the NHL. Bobby Ryan is thriving in the NHL as the game is currently being played. Is there any chance the Flyers would take Vanek for Couturier?

The'll need to Parise before they announce the Stafford trade. 3 for 1 - Dallas gets Stafford and the Sabres get Ott and his testicles. If I were Ryan Suter I would take a very serious look at signing with the Oilers. They are amassing a ton of talent in Edmonton. A player like Suter is just what they need. Doan might want to take a look as well. If the Oilers are willing to spend the money they can go from worst to first in a hurry.

Hagelin, Del Zotto or Dubinski, if I were the GM of Blue Jackets I would insist on two of the three. The Rangers are in desperate need of top line offense. If they don't get Nash they need to make another bid move. There was some online rambling about Bobby Ryan a couple of weeks ago. I'll throw this out there. Thomas Vanek to the Rangers would make a lot of sense.