Eklund: Hope Building Towards the Weekend... Why I have it, What it will take...

Eklund: Hope Building Towards the Weekend... Why I have it, What it will take...
- Eklund

This season is toast.

Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.

Eklund: Hope Building Towards the Weekend... Why I have it, What it will take...
- Eklund

Sorry, but it bears repeating:
FU Gary Bettman
FU Donald Fehr
FU NHL owners
FU NHLPA
YOU ALL SUCK!!!

Sorry, but it bears repeating:
FU Gary Bettman
FU Donald Fehr
FU NHL owners
FU NHLPA
YOU ALL SUCK!!!

- BiggE

This. Over and over and over.

Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.
- CaptainRivet

Any Habs rumours?

Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.
- CaptainRivet

Too long...didn't read....except for The Christmas Story leg lamp part. Hilarious.

I think if talks fail, this weekend, the next set won't happen until mid November. By then, the whole season will be in jeopardy. It's really an insane situation, with two lemmings both headed for the same cliff. The U.S. economy is teetering right now and if another recession happens, revenues will take a tumble. It's not a good time for this to be happening.

I hope they do discuss some relocation of a hand full of franchises, so the Revenue Sharing aspect of the game is diminished. At least a couple of teams need to be moved, before the start of next season. Quebec City and Seattle should be considered as target area's, where there'll be profits being made and not loses. Saving that, once they settle on the relocation of two teams, there should also be consideration of contraction, if teams can't make a go of it, after that.

This season is toast.
- we_are_all_canucks

They'll be playing by December

Too long...didn't read....except for The Christmas Story leg lamp part. Hilarious.
- HopintheCordoba

You can have Peters twice is a classic

Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.
- CaptainRivet

And why is this relevant in this thread?

I love the players' mantra that they are doing this for the guys coming up yet the biggest stumbling block seems to be CURRENT contracts.

they'll be no closer after this weekend than they are now..

I love the players' mantra that they are doing this for the guys coming up yet the biggest stumbling block seems to be CURRENT contracts.
- braidan

It's actually disturbing how many times each side is contradicted their position.

Needless to say, the actions and words from both parties appears confused and that's what's scaring me most about these "talks" and the lockout in general.

They'll be playing by December
- Canada Cup

Cancel the season.

Sorry, but it bears repeating:
FU Gary Bettman
FU Donald Fehr
FU NHL owners
FU NHLPA
YOU ALL SUCK!!!

- BiggE

And again I

make it 50/50 what ever way makes them happy players take a 5% roll back lets play i would give up 5% for the sustainability of my job no problem

make it 50/50 what ever way makes them happy players take a 5% roll back lets play i would give up 5% for the sustainability of my job no problem
- rigger2.0

Make it 45-45 and leave 10 for the teams that lose money

The rumor is the NHLPA will present a proposal which slowly steps down toward 50% which starts To get close to what the NHL really wants out of this CBA. A drop-down next year to say 55% then 52% then settling around 50% would have very little effect on the current NHL salaries when you take into account rising revenues year after year.


- Eklund

This is, in a nutshell, exactly what Paul Kelly proposed on a Buffalo radio station (and probably others as well) a couple of weeks ago. If this is correct, and the NHLPA does propose this, and the owners are on board, it will be pretty ironic how the NHLPA brought in the supposed Czar of Players Unions to propose a deal that everyone and their brother, including the guy the union ousted to bring in said czar, knew was the logical way to do things in the first place.

If players really thought there was a chance they could be playing soon then they wouldn't be signing in Europe and Russia.

If they can figure out a way to avoid this from happening again every time the CBA expires then i'm willing to sit out an entire season in order to see it happen.

Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.
- CaptainRivet

Dude these guys dont play on your team any more

Ek.....what is the exchange zone supposed to mean

This is, in a nutshell, exactly what Paul Kelly proposed on a Buffalo radio station (and probably others as well) a couple of weeks ago. If this is correct, and the NHLPA does propose this, and the owners are on board, it will be pretty ironic how the NHLPA brought in the supposed Czar of Players Unions to propose a deal that everyone and their brother, including the guy the union ousted to bring in said czar, knew was the logical way to do things in the first place.
- buffalofan19

There is no hope for a season, as long as Gary Bettman is calling the shots, he's looking for a TKO of Don Fehr, it's all about ego, a very little about substance. RIP 2012-2013 NHL season.

Dude these guys dont play on your team any more
- billyberg10

wait are you serious?