Sabres Murray: Believe Nothing I Say, And Everything I Do

[dejeanneret]

Pulling off the first blockbuster trade of the NHL season, on paper the Buffalo Sabres gave up a lot.

 

In acquiring volatile top three forward Evander Kane, defensemen Zach Bogosian, and a goalie prospect for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux, and their worst slotted first round selection in this summer’s draft, it seems the Sabres gave up a king’s ransom for two players with all the potential in the world and little to guarantee they will achieve it.

 

However, a deeper look reveals the trade isn’t about Kane or Bogosian.

 

It’s about Connor McDavid.

 

McDavid, whose talents and contribution to his future NHL team may rival Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, or Wayne Gretzky; is the undisputed top ranked prospect heading into the 2015 draft.  Jack Eichel, who is a poor man’s McDavid, has also been forecasted to have a similar effect at his new NHL home.  They are both once in a generation prospects who can alter the course of a franchise on talent alone.  Take them out of the picture and there is a huge drop-off.

 

Hockeyprospect.com, ISS Hockey, and NHL Central Scouting Mid-Terms all have McDavid ranked 1^st and Eichel ranked 2^nd.  After that there is no clear consensus pick.  No franchise-changer. No one worth tanking a season for.

 

If the Buffalo Sabres finish last in the league, they have a 20% chance of securing the first spot, and are guaranteed the 2^nd pick.  Either selection will give them a building block at Center that they don’t have on their roster nor will be available to acquire on the trade market.

 

Finishing second-to-last gives them a 13% chance of landing the number one pick and a 66.5% chance of falling to the 3^rd pick.  The Sabres are currently four points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the worst record, and ten points behind Carolina with two-thirds of the season gone. 

 

Simply put, General Manager Tim Murray is playing the percentages and he’s not taking any chances.

 

Stafford is a UFA at the end of the season. His 31-goal season seems like an eternity ago, and his 10 goal average over the last three years has frustrated fans and coaches alike.

 

Myers has been a huge disappointment since his Calder Trophy campaign when he lead the Sabres defense with 11 goals and 48 points.  Over his last three seasons, he has 42 points combined, which is underwhelming production for the seven-year $38.5 million extension he signed in 2011.

 

With Stafford being the team’s third leading scorer and Myers leading the team in minutes played this season, Murray is giving up two players who are major contributors at the moment.  Consider that Bogosian is the only piece who can contribute this season; the trade makes the Sabres less-skilled on paper for now.

 

Mission accomplished.

 

AJ Jakubec from TSN reported that Lemieux’s dad Claude told the Sabres point blank his son wasn’t going to sign with them.  That makes his inclusion in this deal a little easier to digest.  Although Armia is reportedly on the verge of being NHL ready, his success at the next level is a crapshoot.  A late first-round pick is years away from being NHL ready, if ever.  The Sabres farm system is ranked first in the league by Hockeysfuture.com. What the Sabres sent to Winnipeg shouldn’t be a deal-breaker considering Buffalo’s depth.

 

Safe to say all 30 NHL teams would have traded the entire package Buffalo gave away on Wednesday for the rights to McDavid or Eichel alone.  If you add in Kane and Bogosian, one could say Murray got the steal of the century.

 

Any team who isn’t challenging for last place and a chance at McDavid or Eichel wouldn’t be able to receive the same value as the Sabres.  That’s what makes Buffalo’s situation so unique.

 

Despite the song and dance that Murray slings across any interview or press conference, there is a method to his madness.  He will blame himself for the team being bad.  He will blame himself for the team losing 14 in a row.  He will stomp his foot and pound his fist about how the players are not trying to tank the season for the rights to the next hockey messiah.

 

That’s because he is doing it for them with a grin and a wink from owner Terry Pegula.

 

Murray’s excitement is building as he prepares for this summer’s draft.  He did throw a bit of shade on head coach Ted Nolan during Wednesday’s press conference regarding the Sabres recent play, which in my mind is laying the foundation to bring in the guy he really wants to lead the team, Luke Richardson. 

 

Murray’s work isn’t done.  Arguably he has some huge pieces still in play--led by forward Chris Stewart.  I also believe that the underachieving Cody Hodgson, Marcus Foligno, and Mike Weber will all be moved as well.  It’s an easy sell to say all three of those players would be more productive in different environments.  It would also fit in Buffalo’s plan to become weaker now, in order to be much stronger down the road.  Their loss wouldn’t put a dent in the team’s character, either.

 

What Murray does next is anyone’s guess as the March 2^nd trade deadline approaches.  Whatever trade he pulls off, you can bet he has one thing in mind that’s music to the ears of Sabres fans abroad.

 

Sacrifice this season in order to quicken the rebuilding process for the future.

 

And that will speak much louder than anything he says to the contrary.

Edited February 13, 2015 by dejeanneret

[Iron Crotch]

Too much text.

 

 

 

...That is all.

 

;)

 

 

[Number73]

Keep Stewart, were gonna need that grit with McEichel... Him and Kane are power forward we need on this team next year!

[Kelly the Dog]

I didn't read the entire filibuster but it's 100% impossible as well as stupid for a GM to be honest with the media. Surely there are some who are better at it than others. But there is no way in hell I want my GM to be honest with the press about his players or his trades or his true feelings about the team. It's the dumbest thing you could do and nothing good can come of it except pleasing a few ill-informed fans.

[spndnchz]

Where u been? Good post but we've been saying this for months.

[Kelly the Dog]

One of the reasons for the trade, as other have clearly pointed out, is that you really can have too many prospects. There are only so many contracts and positions. I wonder if Lemieux not wanting to sign had something to do with too many guys he has to beat out in two years.

[Stoner]

Nothing like that patented, hearty SabreSpace welcome!

[shrader]

So where is this cut and pasted from?

[SDS]

So where is this cut and pasted from?

 

I thought the same, but couldn't pull up anything on a search. The font difference may be because they typed it in Word or something and then cut and paste.

[That Aud Smell]

That's good work product.

 

A pro tip, if I might: Lengthy, wide-ranging blog style entries (like the one above) don't engender much engagement on a message board (which is the purpose of this kind of forum).

Edited February 13, 2015 by That Aud Smell

[shrader]

I thought the same, but couldn't pull up anything on a search. The font difference may be because they typed it in Word or something and then cut and paste.

Well then we've got an actual writer in our midst because the language and style is far more professional than most of us bozos around here. Anyway, I do want to see that "Lemieux wouldn't sign" rumor go away though (speaking of which, Jakubec is not TSN). That one is absurd on so many levels.

[SDS]

Well then we've got an actual writer in our midst because the language and style is far more professional than most of us bozos around here. Anyway, I do want to see that "Lemieux wouldn't sign" rumor go away though (speaking of which, Jakubec is not TSN). That one is absurd on so many levels.

 

Is it a rumor if GMTM says there is something to it? It may not make it true, but it elevates beyond rumor status - no?

[shrader]

Is it a rumor if GMTM says there is something to it? It may not make it true, but it elevates beyond rumor status - no?

Yeah, but is it "not willing to sign today" or "not willing to sign with Buffalo"? Those are two very different statements but for whatever reason, only the second is what people are running with. The comment I heard from Murray was more of the former.

[Stoner]

Burn the new poster! No, wait, throw him or her in the pond!

[Iron Crotch]

Burn the new poster! No, wait, throw him or her in the pond!

 

I love it when new guys (or infrequent posters) post their thoughts.  But, I have a limited attention span.  Social media has done this to me.

[nucci]

King's ransom?

[woods-racer]

Pulling off the first blockbuster trade of the NHL season, on paper the Buffalo Sabres gave up a lot.

 

In acquiring volatile top three forward Evander Kane, defensemen Zach Bogosian, and a goalie prospect for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux, and their worst slotted first round selection in this summer’s draft, it seems the Sabres gave up a king’s ransom for two players with all the potential in the world and little to guarantee they will achieve it.

 

However, a deeper look reveals the trade isn’t about Kane or Bogosian.

 

It’s about Connor McDavid.

 

McDavid, whose talents and contribution to his future NHL team may rival Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, or Wayne Gretzky; is the undisputed top ranked prospect heading into the 2015 draft.  Jack Eichel, who is a poor man’s McDavid, has also been forecasted to have a similar effect at his new NHL home.  They are both once in a generation prospects who can alter the course of a franchise on talent alone.  Take them out of the picture and there is a huge drop-off.

 

Hockeyprospect.com, ISS Hockey, and NHL Central Scouting Mid-Terms all have McDavid ranked 1^st and Eichel ranked 2^nd.  After that there is no clear consensus pick.  No franchise-changer. No one worth tanking a season for.

 

If the Buffalo Sabres finish last in the league, they have a 20% chance of securing the first spot, and are guaranteed the 2^nd pick.  Either selection will give them a building block at Center that they don’t have on their roster nor will be available to acquire on the trade market.

 

Finishing second-to-last gives them a 13% chance of landing the number one pick and a 66.5% chance of falling to the 3^rd pick.  The Sabres are currently four points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the worst record, and ten points behind Carolina with two-thirds of the season gone. 

 

Simply put, General Manager Tim Murray is playing the percentages and he’s not taking any chances.

 

Stafford is a UFA at the end of the season. His 31-goal season seems like an eternity ago, and his 10 goal average over the last three years has frustrated fans and coaches alike.

 

Myers has been a huge disappointment since his Calder Trophy campaign when he lead the Sabres defense with 11 goals and 48 points.  Over his last three seasons, he has 42 points combined, which is underwhelming production for the seven-year $38.5 million extension he signed in 2011.

 

With Stafford being the team’s third leading scorer and Myers leading the team in minutes played this season, Murray is giving up two players who are major contributors at the moment.  Consider that Bogosian is the only piece who can contribute this season; the trade makes the Sabres less-skilled on paper for now.

 

Mission accomplished.

 

AJ Jakubec from TSN reported that Lemieux’s dad Claude told the Sabres point blank his son wasn’t going to sign with them.  That makes his inclusion in this deal a little easier to digest.  Although Armia is reportedly on the verge of being NHL ready, his success at the next level is a crapshoot.  A late first-round pick is years away from being NHL ready, if ever.  The Sabres farm system is ranked first in the league by Hockeysfuture.com. What the Sabres sent to Winnipeg shouldn’t be a deal-breaker considering Buffalo’s depth.

 

Safe to say all 30 NHL teams would have traded the entire package Buffalo gave away on Wednesday for the rights to McDavid or Eichel alone.  If you add in Kane and Bogosian, one could say Murray got the steal of the century.

 

Any team who isn’t challenging for last place and a chance at McDavid or Eichel wouldn’t be able to receive the same value as the Sabres.  That’s what makes Buffalo’s situation so unique.

 

Despite the song and dance that Murray slings across any interview or press conference, there is a method to his madness.  He will blame himself for the team being bad.  He will blame himself for the team losing 14 in a row.  He will stomp his foot and pound his fist about how the players are not trying to tank the season for the rights to the next hockey messiah.

 

That’s because he is doing it for them with a grin and a wink from owner Terry Pegula.

 

Murray’s excitement is building as he prepares for this summer’s draft.  He did throw a bit of shade on head coach Ted Nolan during Wednesday’s press conference regarding the Sabres recent play, which in my mind is laying the foundation to bring in the guy he really wants to lead the team, Luke Richardson. 

 

Murray’s work isn’t done.  Arguably he has some huge pieces still in play--led by forward Chris Stewart.  I also believe that the underachieving Cody Hodgson, Marcus Foligno, and Mike Weber will all be moved as well.  It’s an easy sell to say all three of those players would be more productive in different environments.  It would also fit in Buffalo’s plan to become weaker now, in order to be much stronger down the road.  Their loss wouldn’t put a dent in the team’s character, either.

 

What Murray does next is anyone’s guess as the March 2^nd trade deadline approaches.  Whatever trade he pulls off, you can bet he has one thing in mind that’s music to the ears of Sabres fans abroad.

 

Sacrifice this season in order to quicken the rebuilding process for the future.

 

And that will speak much louder than anything he says to the contrary.

Welcome to the Forum!!!

 

See people, this first, then all of the above should come after. Your Mothers' would not approve of this behavior...

[dudacek]

Well-written piece, but what I enjoyed most was the screen name.

Please get an avatar to match.

[Rasmus_]

I don't think Stewart wants to be a part of this team to be honest.  I see him moving on regardless.  He's got a low one year risk deal in Boston or something like that IMO. 

Pulling off the first blockbuster trade of the NHL season, on paper the Buffalo Sabres gave up a lot.

 

In acquiring volatile top three forward Evander Kane, defensemen Zach Bogosian, and a goalie prospect for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux, and their worst slotted first round selection in this summer’s draft, it seems the Sabres gave up a king’s ransom for two players with all the potential in the world and little to guarantee they will achieve it.

 

However, a deeper look reveals the trade isn’t about Kane or Bogosian.

 

It’s about Connor McDavid.

 

McDavid, whose talents and contribution to his future NHL team may rival Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, or Wayne Gretzky; is the undisputed top ranked prospect heading into the 2015 draft.  Jack Eichel, who is a poor man’s McDavid, has also been forecasted to have a similar effect at his new NHL home.  They are both once in a generation prospects who can alter the course of a franchise on talent alone.  Take them out of the picture and there is a huge drop-off.

 

Hockeyprospect.com, ISS Hockey, and NHL Central Scouting Mid-Terms all have McDavid ranked 1^st and Eichel ranked 2^nd.  After that there is no clear consensus pick.  No franchise-changer. No one worth tanking a season for.

 

If the Buffalo Sabres finish last in the league, they have a 20% chance of securing the first spot, and are guaranteed the 2^nd pick.  Either selection will give them a building block at Center that they don’t have on their roster nor will be available to acquire on the trade market.

 

Finishing second-to-last gives them a 13% chance of landing the number one pick and a 66.5% chance of falling to the 3^rd pick.  The Sabres are currently four points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the worst record, and ten points behind Carolina with two-thirds of the season gone. 

 

Simply put, General Manager Tim Murray is playing the percentages and he’s not taking any chances.

 

Stafford is a UFA at the end of the season. His 31-goal season seems like an eternity ago, and his 10 goal average over the last three years has frustrated fans and coaches alike.

 

Myers has been a huge disappointment since his Calder Trophy campaign when he lead the Sabres defense with 11 goals and 48 points.  Over his last three seasons, he has 42 points combined, which is underwhelming production for the seven-year $38.5 million extension he signed in 2011.

 

With Stafford being the team’s third leading scorer and Myers leading the team in minutes played this season, Murray is giving up two players who are major contributors at the moment.  Consider that Bogosian is the only piece who can contribute this season; the trade makes the Sabres less-skilled on paper for now.

 

Mission accomplished.

 

AJ Jakubec from TSN reported that Lemieux’s dad Claude told the Sabres point blank his son wasn’t going to sign with them.  That makes his inclusion in this deal a little easier to digest.  Although Armia is reportedly on the verge of being NHL ready, his success at the next level is a crapshoot.  A late first-round pick is years away from being NHL ready, if ever.  The Sabres farm system is ranked first in the league by Hockeysfuture.com. What the Sabres sent to Winnipeg shouldn’t be a deal-breaker considering Buffalo’s depth.

 

Safe to say all 30 NHL teams would have traded the entire package Buffalo gave away on Wednesday for the rights to McDavid or Eichel alone.  If you add in Kane and Bogosian, one could say Murray got the steal of the century.

 

Any team who isn’t challenging for last place and a chance at McDavid or Eichel wouldn’t be able to receive the same value as the Sabres.  That’s what makes Buffalo’s situation so unique.

 

Despite the song and dance that Murray slings across any interview or press conference, there is a method to his madness.  He will blame himself for the team being bad.  He will blame himself for the team losing 14 in a row.  He will stomp his foot and pound his fist about how the players are not trying to tank the season for the rights to the next hockey messiah.

 

That’s because he is doing it for them with a grin and a wink from owner Terry Pegula.

 

Murray’s excitement is building as he prepares for this summer’s draft.  He did throw a bit of shade on head coach Ted Nolan during Wednesday’s press conference regarding the Sabres recent play, which in my mind is laying the foundation to bring in the guy he really wants to lead the team, Luke Richardson. 

 

Murray’s work isn’t done.  Arguably he has some huge pieces still in play--led by forward Chris Stewart.  I also believe that the underachieving Cody Hodgson, Marcus Foligno, and Mike Weber will all be moved as well.  It’s an easy sell to say all three of those players would be more productive in different environments.  It would also fit in Buffalo’s plan to become weaker now, in order to be much stronger down the road.  Their loss wouldn’t put a dent in the team’s character, either.

 

What Murray does next is anyone’s guess as the March 2^nd trade deadline approaches.  Whatever trade he pulls off, you can bet he has one thing in mind that’s music to the ears of Sabres fans abroad.

 

Sacrifice this season in order to quicken the rebuilding process for the future.

 

And that will speak much louder than anything he says to the contrary.

 

All good stuff here, welcome to the site.  Valid points to everything in my opinion. 

[That Aud Smell]

what I enjoyed most was the screen name.

Man. I just picked up on it.

[dejeanneret]

So where is this cut and pasted from?

I wrote it exclusively for this forum

 

I appreciate the love from everyone

Edited February 13, 2015 by dejeanneret

[Brawndo]

I wrote it exclusively for this forum

 

I appreciate the love from everyone

Impressive work, welcome aboard

[CallawaySabres]

The line where you state most franchises would have traded the Sabres players/picksfor McEichel alone is great. Add that to getting Kane and Bogo and it really DOES look like a no brainer. I had not thought about it that way and even though I was fine with the trade before, I am loving it now from that perspective.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Burn the new poster! No, wait, throw him or her in the pond!

If he / she doesn't float then we will burn them, or is it the other way around.  I can't remember right now ... it's a damn seniors moment.

[beerme1]

The line where you state most franchises would have traded the Sabres players/picksfor McEichel alone is great. Add that to getting Kane and Bogo and it really DOES look like a no brainer. I had not thought about it that way and even though I was fine with the trade before, I am loving it now from that perspective.

 

 

It is GMTM doing what he said he would. A little roster manipulation near the deadline.