is there really a point to having a conversation if you are only going to use far fetched extremes?

i'll try my hand at this.

i for one, would rather play in russia where the government isnt spying on my family through my verizon wireless!
- robz228

You're using Russia as an example of a country that doesn't spy on its people?

You asked if I'd rather play for a ridiculous amount of money with a high standard or living, or a ridiculous amount of money with a lower standard of living. I chose the high one.

If Pittsburgh trades or lets Letang walk, Shero is an idiot.

I just can't see that happening. After Sid and Geno, he is their most valuable player.

How many guys like Letang are there in the league?

A level: Karlsson, Subban, Enstrom...

B level: Yandle, Campbell, Streit.

And which of those are expected to replace your Norris candidate adequately?
- jmatchett383

Pouiliot has the highest likely upside. He, Maata, and Despres are all first rounders. Harrington and Doumolin are second rounders. You are simply unlikely to replace Letang on a one for one basis, at least not immediately. My hope would be that eventually the defensive corps in its entirety is better than what they have today.

You're using Russia as an example of a country that doesn't spy on its people?

You asked if I'd rather play for a ridiculous amount of money with a high standard or living, or a ridiculous amount of money with a lower standard of living. I chose the high one.
- jmatchett383

i dont know if your school had outdated textbooks but russia is no longer the USSR fighting in world war 1 with broomsticks

they have just as good of aviation as we do, they dont get the boeings that werent good enough to go into US markets, they get boeings.

So its basically grig, #8 and A prospect. IF mackinnon is the next Stamkos then you pull the trigger. if the prospect in demand is Armia, then maybe no.
- RynoBull

You forgot Miller and the guy in the post said they would probably have to add to that and I'm not sure I would, I guess I would have to see who or what the addition or additions would be. Would love to get mackinnon but at what price?

Would you rather have:

Eric Staal or Thomas Vanek?
Ladd or Stafford?
Crosby or Zagrapan?
Johnson or Pearsson?
Kane or Brennan?
Stamkos or Myers?
Tavares or Kassian?

Shall I go on?

You get the #1 because its a centerpiece to build around. stay put and you get mediocrity, which is exactly what we have now. Lets trade down and stock pile more mediocrity! Yeah!
- RynoBull

Eric Staal was a #1?

Pittsburgh will be a lot younger next season,its time really ,That supporting cast has run its course.It will be a transition year for Pittsburgh in that they will be playing a lot of their cheap young players in support of their vaunted overall corps which includes Letang.Besides the cap will start to go up again after next season

- top shelf 15

Agreed. Despres and Bennett are going to play big roles at the very least.

If Pittsburgh trades or lets Letang walk, Shero is an idiot.

I just can't see that happening. After Sid and Geno, he is their most valuable player.

How many guys like Letang are there in the league?

A level: Karlsson, Subban, Enstrom...

B level: Yandle, Campbell, Streit.
- Charliebox

They wont ,Shero had a plan the whole time ,you dont have that many cheap young defenders in waiting, without a plan to use them.Letang is a quality piece he will sign with Pittsburgh long term .The supporting cast will be a lot younger and cheaper surrounding their corps

Eric Staal was a #1?
- jmatchett383

MAF was in 2003, Staal I believe was rated #1 though.

Florida (frank)ed their franchise up by trading out of the #1 spot 2 years in a row for nothing. Instead of Rick Nash and Eric Staal, they ended up with Jay Bouwmeester and Nathan Horton.

i dont know if your school had outdated textbooks but russia is no longer the USSR fighting in world war 1 with broomsticks

they have just as good of aviation as we do, they dont get the boeings that werent good enough to go into US markets, they get boeings.
- robz228

I'm aware of that. You were the one who said they had a lower standard of living (and yes, their economy is worse than the US', and it's not close). Plus, there were several KHL contracts that teams were unable to fulfill, but that may have changed in the past year or two,

Their aviators are fine I'm sure, but no, KHL teams are notorious for having poor planes. Russia itself has fine aircraft, but that is not so of individual KHL teams. Unless Boeing is now making Yakovlev Yak-42s.

Eric Staal was a #1?
- jmatchett383

my bad.....MAF...Sabres would have taken Staal, no need for MAF with Miller

Agreed. Despres and Bennett are going to play big roles at the very least.
- Emperor Filonius

Yep you dont move a norris contending defenseman,because of a slight bump .Orpik will be around next season as well to help the kids ease their way into the lineup ,after is contract is done and his suitable replacment is groomed he will be gone also

If Pittsburgh trades or lets Letang walk, Shero is an idiot.

I just can't see that happening. After Sid and Geno, he is their most valuable player.

How many guys like Letang are there in the league?

A level: Karlsson, Subban, Enstrom...

B level: Yandle, Campbell, Streit.
- Charliebox

And out of all the aforementioned, how many of those teams made it past the first round of the playoffs, or made the playoffs at all? Having those guys as your number 1 defensemen isn't getting you a Stanley cup

Eric Staal was a #1?
- jmatchett383

I think this draft might be different because it's so deep. Buff could trade Vanek and Miller at the draft and possibly have 4 1st's and 4 2nd's in this years draft. Then I could possibly be able to part with some picks and or prospects to move up. But I wouldn't give up the farm to do it when as I said this draft is 2 and a half rounds strong.

I think you go for it.
- hubie

That scenario is way too much or at least I think so. I don't even want Mackinnon. Now that I've done a little research I want Nichushkin!

Tampa is a team that needs some cap relief, and some defense, whom I could see more willing to trade their pick over Nashville and the top 2, no? Well see what darcy can scrape out of this draft.

He got rewarded for SUCKING in Eastern Conference Finals.
- Sabresfan88

He wasn't the only one who sucked.

You forgot Miller and the guy in the post said they would probably have to add to that and I'm not sure I would, I guess I would have to see who or what the addition or additions would be. Would love to get mackinnon but at what price?
- devereau

I know Miller was part of it, put he's already gone in my book. From a Sabres organization standpoint it #8, a pick a prospect and Grigs. Miller is just bonus. I would give that up for the #1 pick all day.

And out of all the aforementioned, how many of those teams made it past the first round of the playoffs, or made the playoffs at all? Having those guys as your number 1 defensemen isn't getting you a Stanley cup
- sbroads24

Well them being in the second or third round round could be made possible with a better supporting cast ,all those team you mentioned are pretty young

i dont know if your school had outdated textbooks but russia is no longer the USSR fighting in world war 1 with broomsticks

they have just as good of aviation as we do, they dont get the boeings that werent good enough to go into US markets, they get boeings.
- robz228

Um..did you read any of the reports after the fatal Yaroslavl disaster?

MAF was in 2003, Staal I believe was rated #1 though.

Florida (frank)ed their franchise up by trading out of the #1 spot 2 years in a row for nothing. Instead of Rick Nash and Eric Staal, they ended up with Jay Bouwmeester and Nathan Horton.
- theblueandgold

If Pittsburgh trades or lets Letang walk, Shero is an idiot.

I just can't see that happening. After Sid and Geno, he is their most valuable player.

How many guys like Letang are there in the league?

A level: Karlsson, Subban, Enstrom...

B level: Yandle, Campbell, Streit.
- Charliebox

So when you have over 50% of the cap hit going to Crosby, Malkin, Neal, Fleury, and Letang, how do you field a competitive team in 2 years when you need to give new deals to Kunitz, Sutter, Orpik, Niskanen, and Engelland, keeping in mind that Dupuis, Cooke, Adams, and Eaton are all up for new deals this year?

Tampa is a team that needs some cap relief, and some defense, whom I could see more willing to trade their pick over Nashville and the top 2, no? Well see what darcy can scrape out of this draft.
- Dr3aMWeav3r

Tampa needs a goalie. Ben bishop is not ready to be a number one. Did anyone watch the world championship? He was terrible.

So when you have over 50% of the cap hit going to Crosby, Malkin, Neal, Fleury, and Letang, how do you field a competitive team in 2 years when you need to give new deals to Su Kunitz,tter, Orpik, Niskanen, and Engelland, keeping in mind that Dupuis, Cooke, Adams, and Eaton are all up for new deals this year?
- jmatchett383

These guys wont be pens for very much longer ,its time for Pittsburgh to get younger ,cheaper around their corps

Eric Staal was a #1?
- jmatchett383

to help ryno with his point

would you rather have
tavares or scott glennie
stamkos or Mike Boedker
kane or hamil
johnson or mueller