Derrico

So Babcock is done talking to teams and will now sit with his family to make the decision. Sabres feel they've done enough to convince him to join the organization. You guys optimistic? I'm about 50/50 right now.

If they know ROR wants 8 per and ownership can't pay it then they will want something but I'm not sure what they're bargaining chips look like and hence keep some of our better players and prospects out of the deal.

You suggesting Ennis for ROR? I don't know if I want to go there. Grigo doesn't have much but I figured max value would be reuniting him with Roy.

Hahahhaaha well I say no and move on at that point. But if the owner knew they couldn't pay him and want the best return (after learning from stastny situation) would 21, 31, Grigio and pysyk get it done ( only if an extension was already in place)?

Good question on what would avs want. As far as keeping him, it's not cap space that is the problem but rather spending to the cap. Remember those problems we use to have? Several teams still have them. Hence stastny moving on.

To me it comes down to what the assets are. Otherwise yes.

Took you much quicker to explain what I was getting at haha.

My real estate appraisal career has me immediately looking at comparables to look at ROR worth (as liger first wanted) and therefore I looked to the most recent data. I looked at the 2014 July 1st signing period as that is like the real estate spring (hot) market. The only somewhat big name to sign was Paul stastny who signed a 4 year deal worth 7 million per year. Well as in any year (aside from 2008 to 2010) the market, and cost of doing business goes up every year. So in my eyes, the best comparable is the most recent which is stastny who is also a centre and also played on Colorado prior to the signing. Stastny was 28 at the time of the signing, ROR is currently 24. Stastny was taken 44th overall in 2005, ROR was taken 33rd in 2009. They're both 6 feet tall. ROR plays a much stronger defensive game, stastny has slightly better point totals (although both have only had one season with more than 25 goals). Like your house, you look at what your neighbour got and expect more for yours two years later. Comparable player salaries from more than two years prior are almost irrelevant, especially considering the trend in nhl player salaries. If stastny got 7 in 2014, ROR is at least worth 7.5 to 8 beginning in 2016. I agree that we have to manage the cap to ensure money is available for our stars when the time comes to pay them. However, in a salary cap era, I think it's also prudent to bring in some high cost talented players to really go for it while your stars are making reasonable salaries on entry level deals. Once Eichel starts make 10 plus mil per season it's hard to afford talent around him. Let's bring in big talent now while we can afford it.

Patrick sharp

Screw off whisky I wanted him lol. I'm about to head out for dinner and drinks. If I'm not back before my pick I'll pull a taro and pick when I can but keep the draft going.

I'm not as savy as most with the cap. We should be able to keep costs down for the first few years can't we? How long is the rookie deal? It's 7 or 8 years before ufa isn't it? I'd structure it 5 or 6 as the young guns should be fairly controllable for that length correct? I agree with blue that risto will be the first priority and I don't want him anywhere near free agency.

I think age is also important. If I feel like I'm overpaying a bit for a player I want it to be a guy that's had a few years in the league to prove himself but is also just starting to hit his prime. ROR age would fit in well with this young core. You know year 6 or whatever of the deal you still should be getting value for what you paid.

Paul stastney signed last July 1 a 4 year deal worth 7 mil per year. If ROR makes it to July 1 2016 hes getting 8 mil per. ROR is worth at least a mil more than stastney. If you sign him a year in advance maybe you get it done for 7.5 per but that's just squabbling at that point. ROR will get paid and he's the exact type of player you pay it to.

Did you only watch him once?

You're really comparing ROR to stafford?? Ok now I'm done as well. He's a top 3 forward on almost any team.

Because he's a top 3 forward. Huge skill, can put up points, strong on the puck and great defensively. He's a great all around player.

Maybe as I'm still in a dream that the Gennies knocked out McJesus!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go gens go!!!! Go gens go!!!!!!!!

Get your butts out to Prague!

I'm rocking the GMC tonight for hopefully Connor McJesus last junior hockey game. Go Gens Go!! Go Gens Go!! Now I know how you felt a couple of years ago NS.

A player cannot sign an extension to his contract more than one year from the expiration of said contract I believe. His deal runs out in July 1st or 4th or around then 2016 so he can start discussing an extension in early July 2015. Problem is I think that 2nd first round pick would be a good bargaining chip in a trade but unless Murray unofficially talks numbers with ROR agent, we won't be able to use that draft pick as part of the deal as we won't want to make the deal until he signs an extension. Edit - that was pretty wordy but it's the Friday before a long weekend so my mind is shutting off.

Sorry I meant 8 mil per year over 6 years.

Ya I guess yours easily does. Mine would be close. What r you thinking on ROR? 8 x 6? While on ROR, it is going to be tough trading for him prior to July 4th without a long term deal.

I could easily see Grgo get traded. We really do have a good stockpile of young D. I question whether either of our lineups even hit the cap floor though.

Fredrick Anderson. Who is Grigo knocking out of the top 3 lines? Gionta? Foligno? Can't send him to Roch. Edit - My thinking is this is not a typical 4th line and they play more minutes than most. This somewhat protects the rookies centering the top 2 lines with slightly less minutes.

Kane - Eichel - O'Reilly Moulson - Reinhart - Ennis Foligno - Girgensons - Gionta Deslauriers - Larsson - Grigorenko Bogosian - Risto Zadorov - Pysyk Georges - Weber/McCabe Talbot/Anderson Johnson Babcock as coach I cognize that this means the trade for ROR only involved picks and prospects. Having said that 4 of your top 6 forwards played less than 10 games for the Sabres last year. On your third line, Girgs and Gionta were hurt for awhile. On the fourth line Grigo only played 25 games and Larsson a half season. On D you have Georges back after missing a bunch of time, Pysyk now playing top 4 minutes, the potential for McCabe to step in and contribute and Risto and Zad are now a year older. Plus the Babcock factor. Edit - I love the addition of Sekera to that top 4. Bogo - Risto Sekera - Pysyk or Zad In conclusion you have 6 forwards and potentially 2 Dmen or 8 of 18 players who played 10 games or less for the Sabres. Plus a new coach.