MakeSabresGrr8Again

Let's look at the 2nd bolded.....I know you are saying that alot of his current success is due to Eichel and I agree. Now for the 1st bolded.....the year (2016-2017) Skinner scored 37 goals, did you bother to look and see who was assisting on most of his goals. The answer would likely surprise you. It's actually no one particular player. But, from a quick glance, Lee Stempniak, Hannifin, Derek Ryan, Victor Rask,Slavin, and Pesce seemed to be the biggest contributors. Very few were assisted by Eric Staal (and most were 2ndary A's). So, to take that kind of stance that as if Skinner needs an elite C to prop up his numbers is not true. 3rd bolded....I guess there is someone out there, he just has the wrong opinion of Skinner or a much lower idea of what elite is.

I think it's more that people are looking at the NOW and not the LATER, myself included. Right now Casey is still a project with not the best help on his wings. Yes, he's coming along but if he were farther along or showing what he did at the end of last year(5pts in 6games), then I think people would be more at ease about the whole thing. But, with the possibility that Skinner goes elsewhere just adds to that feeling "here we go again falling to the basement". I feel like we can't afford to lose what we have and need to add more to the middle six to take that next step forward. You don't want to become another team where you make the playoffs one year and miss the next and go full Groundhog's Day (FLA, Isles, CBJ, etc). Jack, Jeff, Sam, Casey, Risto, Dahlin, Ullmark....McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, Chiasson, Nurse, Klefbom, Talbot. I feel we are better on the back end but still developing the front (or moreso the middle). If Jack can make a 30 goal scorer into a 45....or he makes a 20g guy into a 30, which is gonna win you more games?

That list in the article doesn't give me much hope at all. Most on the list are older than Skinner and less productive. Anders Lee might be a possibility but 28yrs old so I wouldn't sign as long term. Panarin maybe the same. In another post I commented that the Isles were a possible team that could go after Skins due to so many UFA's coming up. The list is also showing that a good number of those players are making more money than Skinner is now and also will be wanting more cash. Will we be saving money getting any of the decent names on the list?

Absolutely remember that. But then, I also remember putting foil on my rabbit ears, lol.

1st Bolded---I agree 2nd bolded--how many 30g scorers do you think you can get and at what price? I don't think you can take that chance in trying to replace Skinner(and the chemistry) and that may be my opinion and basis for my argument. I'm ok with replacing Skinner if need be with two 20-25g scorers if it will help with scoring depth and cap space. Pitt would be a bad comparison ...they got lucky with Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury. We got Jack and Sam. We now have Dahlin which will up our ante some to build on. I agree that you're getting to the point of "building more than one line" and more depth. But at this point in time we don't have a Malkin to build off of for the 2nd line. We aren't likely to get that by letting go of Skinner either. Can Jack and Sam hold that line together with anyone? If Bots thinks so and can build that 2nd line to help out immensely then I'm ok with that. 3rd bolded...you can't say Skinner isn't a 30g or more player but he is the only one producing at that pace with Jack so far. But you do seem like you believe he CAN be by looking at your stats previous to the 1st bolded. Skinner has performed without Jack and with lesser talent than Jack. 4th bolded...good luck finding another one for any significant reduction in cost. Question??? If Skinner ends up with 50 goals are you still gonna say that "Jack will net a player about 10 goals a season" or are you gonna up that to 20-25 so you can keep Skinner under 30g and the rest has to be Jack?

If we let Skinner go, the only way to compensate that is to make more than one move to shore up secondary scoring. If we can get that 2nd/3rd lines helping out, then if the top line tails off a bit, it won't matter as much. Or, find another Skinner.

No, I remember getting an Atari system though...Asteroids were the greatest. And Breakout. And Space Invaders. LOL

I don't totally agree with you. I think Skinner is almost as important to Jack as Jack is to Skinner. How many wingers have we tried with Jack and had "limited" success over the last few years. Jack's breaking out is partly due to Skinner and alot to do with his own efforts too. If it were proven that Jack could lift any winger, we wouldn't have had to go get Skinner. Skinner was a proven scorer before coming here and Jack has reaped the benefits from that as well. If we let Skinner go we might not find a winger that meshes with Jack that well for a while. They both deserve credit where credit is due. As for teams who can afford Skinner and have room for him? Try the Islanders, Montreal, and the one that scares me most is Canucks. Boston could maybe work him in and the Coyotes could afford him, along with some others like the Avs. Skinner likely wouldn't want to go to Coyotes. Islanders have several UFA's and I wouldn't be surprised they don't sign them all and go after someone "like" Skinner. The Avs wouldn't likely break up their top line but what if they did and sign Skinner....it would create even more scoring depth. The reason I say that the Canucks scare me the most is Pettersson...need I say more? Young and skilled team needs a Skinner to elevate them to another level. Skinner likes it here and that remains our biggest hope in signing him.

1. for RJ to lift the CUP in the square downtown. 2.Jack's 100pt season plus 35pts more in playoffs. 3. Skinner's LTC 4. Pilut to stay up with the big boys. 5. The Leafs move to Quebeque

You are cordially invited to join...."The Old Farts Club" and reap the benefits of membership. By joining now, you will receive 1 free nap/ week for the first year. You cannot redeem your free naps during Sabres games or Amerks games. Other restrictions may apply.

I actually used to listen on a radio my dad and I put together. It was a kit from Radio Shack. Wait.....I must not be losing my memory after all (don't tell my wife).

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. May the New Year be a prosperous one to all in love, health, and finances. Let's win for RJ!!!

How about Silent Night for the days between now and Thursday?

Sean Couturier--3 more years @$4.3M...32GP/14g/26pts...26yrs old

Schenn was also mentioned along with Tarasenko. Cj Smith was an internal idea. My question is ...is this necessary or can we just get or promote some better wingers for Casey? Olafsson?trade? Also, Asplund couldn't be much worse than Bergy was.

There's been talk around here about Burakovsky...I like what I've seen tonight. Could be a good piece for the future and now.

We made the playoffs? When was this? LOL

Skinner...

Keep it going Reino....

I remember the old saying..."I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out".

Then why can I hear what you're typing.

I'll take the bridge deal if the traffic goes north/south and not east/west. If I can keep the traffic flowing for 2yrs, then you have to buy my island with a statue of a woman with a torch.

So do we.

They're learning the system...lol

Did they remove this? When I click on this link it comes up "Sorry, this page does not exist". The Twitter link you responded to.