Somehow the penguins manage too.
- Putzfrau

Also - they won't get help on those contracts when the salary cap drops next year like the Pens will...

and this season Vanek has more of both.
- RynoBull

Vanek wins the first 30 game race, he always does. By end of year he will be at least 10 goals behind the league leader

Edit:
Getzlaf and Perry aren't even a superstars. They both had multiple sub 60 point seasons

Getz has never scored 30 goals

Vanek has more career goals and almost as many assists as Perry
- RynoBull

Perry is top 20 forward in the NHL.

Vanek totally plays in the NHL - that I know!
- atlsabsfan

Vanek has a hot wife. End of debate

Vanek has a hot wife. End of debate
- RynoBull

What's pomminville's ball and chain look like?

Vanek is lazy. Did you see him in the last game against the caps? Their greatness and vaneks laziness are not dictated by point totals.

I love vanek, but perry and getzlaf are way more bang for your buck, even at 8+ a year
- Putzfrau

Not even a valid point of discussion IMO
Vanek, Pominville & Miller will all get HUGE paydays
Whether or not they are as good as them really doesn't matter, because someone will pay them top dollar...
Either the Sabres to keep them
Or one of a number of teams sure to be bidding on them as free agents

For a team that's "close" it makes sense
For a team like Buffalo, the smart move is to rebuild
Otherwise we become Calgary

Vanek has a hot wife. End of debate
- RynoBull

Door knob....

Not even a valid point of discussion IMO
Vanek, Pominville & Miller will all get HUGE paydays
Whether or not they are as good as them really doesn't matter, because someone will pay them top dollar...
Either the Sabres to keep them
Or one of a number of teams sure to be bidding on them as free agents

For a team that's "close" it makes sense
For a team like Buffalo, the smart move is to rebuild
Otherwise we become Calgary
- jdfitz77

My point was vanek is no Corey perry. You seemed to be implying they were close. Even if you look at them from a purely statistical standpoint perry has much better numbers

My point was vanek is no Corey perry. You seemed to be implying they were close. Even if you look at them from a purely statistical standpoint perry has much better numbers
- Putzfrau

We need to trade all these bumholes BC they aren't getting us a cup in my lifetime if we don't!

What's pomminville's ball and chain look like?
- atlsabsfan

There we go, finally... on the right.

My point was vanek is no Corey perry. You seemed to be implying they were close. Even if you look at them from a purely statistical standpoint perry has much better numbers
- Putzfrau

I'm just trying to say that I don't want to re-sign any of our "big3" because the contracts will just be stupid

No one really takes "hometown discounts" anymore, and all the best players will continue max deals as far as $$$ and length are concerned

That's a bad idea IMO for the Sabres
This "core" has proven they are incapable of winning the cup
And top free agents aren't gonna sign here, so it's unlikely we can get them enough help to do so

Therefore, the logical option is to trade our "big3" for good young NHL talent that we can add to the pretty good group of youngsters we already have...
Let them grow together, and in a few years we should again have a very competitive team

I'm just trying to say that I don't want to re-sign any of our "big3" because the contracts will just be stupid

No one really takes "hometown discounts" anymore, and all the best players will continue max deals as far as $$$ and length ate concerned

That's a bad idea IMO for the Sabres
This "core" has proven they are incapable of winning the cup
And top free agents aren't gonna sign here, so it's unlikely we can get them enough help to do so

Therefore, the logical option is to trade our "big3" for good young NHL talent that we can add to the pretty good group of youngsters we already have...
Let them grow together, and in a few years we should again have a very competitive team
- jdfitz77

Yah I'm all for bailing on this sinking ship. Mostly because I think there's too much negativity attached to the current "core" and a fresh start would do wonders.

There we go, finally... on the right.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Well - I can't judge - got to get some sllep

Eff the Sens

Yah I'm all for bailing on this sinking ship. Mostly because I think there's too much negativity attached to the current "core" and a fresh start would do wonders.
- Putzfrau

I actually like all 3 players quite a bit...
We'll miss them more than we think & it'll be a pretty crappy next two years or so without them...
But as good as Miller is, he'll be 34 to start his next deal...
Someone will give him a 7-8year deal, but I don't want it to be us...
Even though I do think Miller is one of the best goalies in the league

Same w Pommer & Van...
Really good players, but I'm not paying them till they're 38-39 years old either

Let another team make that mistake

Well - I can't judge - got to get some sllep

Eff the Sens
- atlsabsfan

When all else fails...

When all else fails...
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Punt.

I'm just trying to say that I don't want to re-sign any of our "big3" because the contracts will just be stupid

No one really takes "hometown discounts" anymore, and all the best players will continue max deals as far as $$$ and length are concerned

That's a bad idea IMO for the Sabres
This "core" has proven they are incapable of winning the cup
And top free agents aren't gonna sign here, so it's unlikely we can get them enough help to do so

Therefore, the logical option is to trade our "big3" for good young NHL talent that we can add to the pretty good group of youngsters we already have...
Let them grow together, and in a few years we should again have a very competitive team
- jdfitz77

Disagree. I see every single one of them receiving less value on their AAV than their current contracts. Pominville may be the only one who sees an increase, to like 5.5M.

They are all in their 30. Miller will be 34 during the first year of his next contract. Vanek will turn 31 during the first year of his next contract, and same with Pominville.

They will get money up front in the first 3-4 years where they hit 35+ and then the salary will drop to keep the cap hit down.

I dont see any of them getting more than $7M AAV.

im just glad Toronto did not get their meat hooks on another ducks player ........

Disagree. I see every single one of them receiving less value on their AAV than their current contracts. Pominville may be the only one who sees an increase, to like 5.5M.

They are all in their 30. Miller will be 34 during the first year of his next contract. Vanek will turn 31 during the first year of his next contract, and same with Pominville.

They will get money up front in the first 3-4 years where they hit 35+ and then the salary will drop to keep the cap hit down.

I dont see any of them getting more than $7M AAV.
- theblueandgold

But if they stay, all those deals will be long term...
Do u really want a $7mil cap hit for Miller when he's 36-41?
I don't...
We have very good defensive prospects coming, but it's going to take them more than 2-3 years to become good in the NHL (ex, Myers)
By that time Miller will clearly be on the downside of his career

It's become quite clear to me that These back problems Vanek is having is becoming a yearly re-occurring issue... $7mil a year till he's 38-39...
That's just not smart

And I think it's naive to not think Pominville will get big $$$ also
If he can't lead this team at 31, what makes u think he can when he's 35+?

I like all these guys NOW,
But signing them to long deals is dumb
It turns us into the Calgary Flames!

Extending them leaves little $$$ to make improvements elsewhere, and that's assuming we can attract GOOD free agents to come anyways... Which I doubt

These guys have proven they aren't good enough to lead this team to a cup...
And if we can't bring in any legit help for them,
What's the point in keeping them around?

im just glad Toronto did not get their meat hooks on another ducks player ........
- rubberduckies

+1

Soooooooooooooo

In conclusion...

Pommer> vanek

Soooooooooooooo

In conclusion...

Pommer> vanek
- JVince11

In what sense??

But if they stay, all those deals will be long term...
Do u really want a $7mil cap hit for Miller when he's 36-41?
I don't...
We have very good defensive prospects coming, but it's going to take them more than 2-3 years to become good in the NHL (ex, Myers)
By that time Miller will clearly be on the downside of his career

It's become quite clear to me that These back problems Vanek is having is becoming a yearly re-occurring issue... $7mil a year till he's 38-39...
That's just not smart

And I think it's naive to not think Pominville will get big $$$ also
If he can't lead this team at 31, what makes u think he can when he's 35+?

I like all these guys NOW,
But signing them to long deals is dumb
It turns us into the Calgary Flames!

Extending them leaves little $$$ to make improvements elsewhere, and that's assuming we can attract GOOD free agents to come anyways... Which I doubt

These guys have proven they aren't good enough to lead this team to a cup...
And if we can't bring in any legit help for them,
What's the point in keeping them around?
- jdfitz77

My whole point about extending these players, is that we can get them cheaper than their current AAV. We are able to get a better deal on the business side, because we have an extra year to work with that other teams dont have. This will allow us to give them more cash up front, and be able to bring the total AAV down to something reasonable for the club side.

I think the Sabres can get Vanek for 8 years/$48M, Miller and Pommer both for 8 years/$44M. Where Vanek makes $30M in the first 4 years, Miller makes $32M in the first 4 years, and Pommer makes $27M in the first 4 years.

As I said, all of them will be in the 30's. Miller will be 34. No team will be able to unload Miller carrying an AAV of $7M+ when hes 38-39. I dont think a team wants to pay a 38 year old Miller anything over $5M in actual salary either.

Dont forget, teams will no longer be able to bury contracts in the minors anymore. That cap hit will count against a team. A team who gives Miller, Vanek or Pommer crazy contracts, they wont be able to unload them when they are 38 years old and carry a $7M AAV, nor will they be able to send them to the minors to bury the contract.

Perry is top 20 forward in the NHL.
- Pillar

Roy and Connolly are top 20 centers

Are all you buffalo guys tring to say your problem is pommeville, vanek, or miller. No problem there is about oh i'd say 29 other teams willing to take them off your hands. You guys tried to get better by throwing money around and overpaying some guys.You also brought your top pic griganeko in to early. A quick turn around can be made in buffalo. Clean up your contract messes, get some quality caracter guys, fire the coach and as a side note it obviously wasn't lindy's fault. Don't get rid of miller pomme vanek hodgeson you already jumped the gun and got rid of a quality guy in ruff. This yrs done . the team has lost it s confidence. Big differance a yr makes and i'm jealous as all hell if you get the top 3. To be honest if seth jones goes first i think the 2nd and third pic in mackinnon or drouin is the better pic. I have a little simpathy for you guys as its a hard thing to go through this and as a maple leafs fan i know this. good luck