deluca67

Being a top 10 scorer puts Kessel into that conversation. Vanek, IMO, doesn't have Kessel's ability to create offense with speed. I have also thought Vanek to be more of a set play sniper where as Kessel as I see it is a more likely to create off transition. Not to say Vanek doesn't on occasion, just it's more in Kessel's wheel house. It's like the difference between Vanek being a solid ground game and Kessel being the big play.

i wouldn't sign him to big money either. Jackson's age and Spiller heading out the door, this team is going to need RB's. Figure they will draft one and sign a couple, Johnson is an option for the right price.

Jets decline the option on RB Chris Johnson. Might be a good option here for the Bills.

You gain a top 10 scorer. No one has claimed Kessel to be a Selke Award candidate. His offensive game is at such a high level it makes any defensive deficiencies well worth it. The Sabres would have to consider themselves fortunate if any one of these young kids drafted or soon to be drafted reach anywhere near Kessel's level. This entire "tank" scenario is based on the that very idea. Draft high in hopes of gaining an elite scorer.

No room for one of the NHL's premier scorers on this team? I'd much rather have a Phil Kessel on my team than continuously hoping one of these draft picks can play at a Phil Kessel level.

I get the feeling that in 2023 we are going to be talking about Jaomir Jagr playing at age 50 and scoring over 800 goals and 2000 points over his career. I think he can play this game as long as he wants to.

When's the last time his name was called during a game?

Hodgson is not Murray's trade or extension, I don't see Murray giving a another chance and I haven't seen anything from Hodgson this season that makes me think he deserves another chance. And, just because they will forever be intertwined, Kassian has 3 goals, 6 points and is a +4 over his last five games.

Schoeny was 40 years ago. I'd rather not see Girgensons' development hindered by the 'C'. I'd rather see him work on his game without the pressures and the politics that can come with the 'C'. Keep it on a vet until Girgensons is ready down the road, IMO at least.

To be honest, Zadorov, Girgensons and the top first round pick are the only assets I wouldn't move to get Hall. Everthing else is on the table. How about this for a blockbuster. To Edmonton : Phil Kessel, Ristolainen To Buffalo: Taylor Hall, Jake Gardiner To Toronto: Edmonton's #1 and Draisaitl. Buffalo's 2nd #1 pick, Grigorenko, McCabe and a 2015 2nd round pick. I wonder if a deal like that could ever happen?

Girgensons has a long way to go to earn that honor. I'm against just handing the 'C' to guys, I like the idea of putting the 'C' on guys that have earned their stripes in the NHL. It's why I like Gionta with the 'C' now.

I am going toss a first line out there for discussion. Taylor Hall - Zemgus Girgensons - Evander Kane Going into 2015 with this as the first line will cause a great deal of excitement. A great deal of size, grit and talent. Can't remember the last time we had a first line like this.

Plus, the cap will be what, $8 -$10+ million higher by that point. We have seen over and over again that a big part of opportunity is timing, like the Kane deal. If Kessel hits the trade market the Sabres need to jump on it and not hope there will be another Kessel level player available down the road. Put him in some blue & gold and slap the 'C' on his chest for the next 8 - 10 years.

I'd take Kessel and that contract in a heartbeat. One of the premier scorers in the NHL and he is still only 27, sign me up.

I hope this is the plan. Especially if the expectation is that Reinhart and McDavid are on the roster next season. Another plus of having big bodies that can skate and play the game is that concerns about a player like Ennis being too small disappear because he'll have the room to play his style of game.

Carol?

Nothing like a good old fashion hockey trade to warm things up in February. This is the bold aggressive type move most were hoping for once Regier was shown the door. This is the difference between waiting for something to happen and making something happen. Can't wait to see what GM Tim Murray has left up his sleeve.

How'd that work out for the Bills?

I'm sure the cabbie was taken care of in exchange for dropping the issue.

That's what people with money do in this country. It's why lawyers make so much money. Why do you think Bill Crosby can rape all those women over all those years? How did Ted Kennedy kill a woman and never go to jail? Making things disappear is part of the American way of life.

I couldn't care less about Brian Williams. I do how ever find great enjoyment every time Ted Cruz gives an interview. If you can get past how creepy he looks his level on insanity is very entertaining.

Most fans were ecstatic, myself included, because Kassian was so far outside the model of the typical Regier player. My biggest contention of the trade was that it symbolized Regier beginning to backtrack by moving an then unknown asset for another soft forward. Kassian has disappointed many during his time in Vancouver, Hodgson has completely disappeared. Hodgson's contract is the only thing keeping him on an NHL roster at this point. He needs to be in the AHL finding his passion and learning to play the game.

If I had millions when I was 23 I would have drove around this town dressed as the Million Dollar Man in the original Batmobile with Traci Lords in the seat next to me dressed as Virgil making people do f'd up sh!t for $100 bills. Seguin was damaged goods in Boston. When young players are made available there is always underlying circumstances. That's why they are available. I look at Kane with all that talent and I would like him on this roster, all the other crap can be fixed. Committing a violent crime is less offensive than showing off? That's a weird take.

I would not be surprised if the Hodgson trade and subsequent contract extension is what keeps Regier from a future job as a NHL GM.

None of these are legit reasons to pass on the kid. Even though this was Kane's 6th season in he NHL he will still only be 24 going into next season. Youth and being locked into a contract for the next 3 seasons are huge pluses. Going after a player like Kane is a major investment for the Sabres. Bring a kid like him in, you do so with the idea that he is one of the players you plan to build around. The kid has a swagger to him, earned or not, IMO, it's something that this franchise sorely needs. It's 2015, I don't need a bunch of Western Canada, yes sir/no mam, uber-polite drones. Give me a roster full of confident kids, I've already seen this franchise with a roster of players who confidence hung on by a thread. Give me a team of A-holes and lets win some friggn hockey games.