Sterling Archer Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 It seems to me that a lot of people seem to think that Drew Stafford has turned the corner. But, it seems kind of suspect that Stafford would go from lazy floater, who had been a healthy scratch several times last year, to a monster who spasms into fits of scoring and being the player he was sold to us as. I understand that Stafford is a RFA but that doesn't mean he can't clean up this year. I realistically think if he keeps this performance up, Stafford could easily command Horton money in the offseason. The thing is if he gets that contract, it is based on 4 months worth of work over the last 2 years. Watch when he turns into another Pominville.
Drunkard Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 This is the million dollar question (likely multi-million dollar). Sabres fans have been waiting for Stafford to break out as a top line player for some time now but he hasn't seemed to be able to get over that hump. At the same time he's shown enough too much potential to give up on. I'd say it's a coin flip at this point and while I wouldn't feel comfortable giving him a long term deal for big money, I'd rather not see him walk out the door either without significant compensation. Hopefully the Sabres can find a way to string him along for another season or two to see if he's really turned the corner.
spndnchz Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Other- Commitment. No hurry on the contract, being an RFA. If an Edmonton offer sheet comes in, bye-bye.
dumb_dumb88 Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Other- Commitment. No hurry on the contract, being an RFA. If an Edmonton offer sheet comes in, bye-bye. spndnchz is my hero :wub:
shrader Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 The more I think about it, he could be the poster boy for the "which way will they go under new ownership" question this offseason. I have no idea what to expect and we should learn a lot about this supposed new organization from the way they deal with him.
LabattBlue Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 This is where truth serum could really come in handy. I promise you won't remember a thing Drew. :lol:
LabattBlue Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Easier said than done, but I'd rather give Stafford 2-3 more years as a Sabre instead of guys like Connolly, Pominville and Hecht who all seem to have peaked in terms of potential and now have settled back into a level of play not equal to their salary. I have no problem going forward for 2-3 years with Stafford, Vanek and Roy in the top 6(along with Ennis). I just don't know who the other two top 6 forwards will be. Hopefully that is addressed this off-season.
shrader Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Easier said than done, but I'd rather give Stafford 2-3 more years as a Sabre instead of guys like Connolly, Pominville and Hecht who all seem to have peaked in terms of potential and now have settled back into a level of play not equal to their salary. I have no problem going forward for 2-3 years with Stafford, Vanek and Roy in the top 6(along with Ennis). I just don't know who the other two top 6 forwards will be. Hopefully that is addressed this off-season. I think you hit the nail on the head with that bolded line. He's 1 year way from UFA status, so he's going to want a pretty good payout if he's going to buy into that second and third year.
kwalk Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Going with Other: Now that Roy is out, TOI and playing with new linemates has made a difference. Addition by subtraction.
shrader Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Going with Other: Now that Roy is out, TOI and playing with new linemates has made a difference. Addition by subtraction. Notice that he's also not skating on the same line as Vanek.
Barnabov Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 While I'd like to hope that he's finally turned the corner and developed into an impact player, I feel that he'll lapse again into his old pattern. I would love to see us get a big return in the trade market prior to 2/28 or else resign him & see what 1 more year brings about - worried though that he'll hold out for unrealistic money even as an RFA and that if he gets it, he'll revert to Tim Connolly status. Better to try to get a solid return while his trade value is at it's current all time high.
korab rules Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 I think its a mix of the first two. If it was just the pay day, we would see signs of him slipping. We made this guy a high pick for a reason - he has always had the tools - it was his head that was the problem. He is FINALLY developing into the power forward with elite size, soft hands and the wicked shot we envisioned when he was drafted. Remember how everyone was drooling over Bobby Ryan earlier this year? Well he is our Bobby Ryan. Players like Staff are rare. He has shown us, infrequently in the past but much more frequently lately, that he has the ability to completely take over a game. No way do we let him go. He's an RFA, and I see a 3-4 year contract at 3-4 million coming his way. Someone mentioned Nathan Horton - that is a pretty fair comparison, but THIS YEAR he is much more consistent than Horton.
Weave Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 An unlikely thought hit me on the way home but I'll put it out there anyway..... Stafford usually comes out of the gate at the beginning of each season on a real good scoring pace and then he tails off. He's been injured and out for an extended period twice this season. Each time he's come back into the lineup he torched the scoresheet. And again, he's hot after an extended all star break. Almost as if it were the start of the season all over again. It's given him 3 real good hot streaks this year. It is almost as if he loses interest and focus as the season goes on, and the injury breaks and long all star break this year give him the chance to refocus and get his interest back. I wonder if the trainer could dispense Ritalin for him?
nfreeman Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 I voted "Real Development." I'm an optimist. Also, he doesn't seem so obnoxious and full of himself in interviews anymore. As for his contract: he has 20 goals in 34 games. There are 32 games left. If he ends up with, say, 33 goals in 64 games (which would represent a significant dropoff from his current pace) AND plays well in the playoffs, he's gonna suddenly cost $4MM+ per year to keep, since as noted up-thread he's one year away from being a UFA. Incredibly, we (and more importantly the Sabres) are going to have to think seriously about whether it makes sense to give him, say, 4 years x 4MM per year if not more.
spndnchz Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Where he is now I'd say Morrow or Gionta money.
sabresnutinphoenix Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 Keep him!!! It is not everyday Sabres have had a power forward!!!
billsrcursed Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 I voted "Real Development." I'm an optimist. Also, he doesn't seem so obnoxious and full of himself in interviews anymore. As for his contract: he has 20 goals in 34 games. There are 32 games left. If he ends up with, say, 33 goals in 64 games (which would represent a significant dropoff from his current pace) AND plays well in the playoffs, he's gonna suddenly cost $4MM+ per year to keep, since as noted up-thread he's one year away from being a UFA. Incredibly, we (and more importantly the Sabres) are going to have to think seriously about whether it makes sense to give him, say, 4 years x 4MM per year if not more. I was noticing the same thing, like he is growing up, seriously. I've been as down on him as anyone, but dare I say, assuming his production continues, a re-up AND a letter on the sweater? :unsure:
bob_sauve28 Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 Does NHL have incentive based contracts? Is that an option, like $20,000 a point or something?
inkman Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 Does NHL have incentive based contracts? Is that an option, like $20,000 a point or something? Well I know it did during Mogilny's run to 76. A grand (I think) for each goal over 50. Those were good times.
drnkirishone Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 I think it's real development for Stafford. Forwards that play his sort of game take extra time to develop. Personally I would like to see them simply tender him a contract and see if anyone throws in a monster bid for em. If we can get a 1st rounder or 2 in compensation walk away. If not see how he does first couple months of upcoming season and decide then on him
donteatyellowsnow Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 Heard that Ruff had made a comment to the fact that "a light went on for Drew". Maybe it's just a money light, who knows, but right now it's fun to watch.
UncleWally Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 I think it's real development for Stafford. Forwards that play his sort of game take extra time to develop. Personally I would like to see them simply tender him a contract and see if anyone throws in a monster bid for em. If we can get a 1st rounder or 2 in compensation walk away. If not see how he does first couple months of upcoming season and decide then on him For what?? So we can start the cycle all over again??
ROC Sabres Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 I was noticing the same thing, like he is growing up, seriously. I've been as down on him as anyone, but dare I say, assuming his production continues, a re-up AND a letter on the sweater? :unsure: I remember making this comment his second year in the league. It wasn't anything spectacular but you could see he had potential and could be a future letter holder.
nfreeman Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 For what?? So we can start the cycle all over again?? Exactly. There is no point whatsoever in trading him/letting him leave in exchange for a first-rounder.
Weave Posted February 10, 2011 Report Posted February 10, 2011 Exactly. There is no point whatsoever in trading him/letting him leave in exchange for a first-rounder. Agreed. Any trade for Stafford needs to include a top line player coming back.
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