You mean the whopping 3 times Toronto's had a top-5 pick in the last 9 years? I'm not fan of Toronto, but they're not quite Edmonton or Pittsburgh in that regard.
- jmatchett383

Right, my point being they will sit at the bottom, sneaking into playoffs. They will never be the teams I listed. They will be in that limbo of making playoffs but getting nowhere while not getting good draft picks.

I think you misread that...
- rmiethaner

I think my words were confusing, in his defense.

I think my words were confusing, in his defense.
- Simple

It was confusing, but after reading it, yes we actually agree. They're definitely trending up, but I wouldn't put them into the Cup Contender category just yet.

Kaleta gets 10 games, easy.

Lol at Garfs column:

As if it couldn't get worse for the Sabres.....

Kaleta is garbage. He shouldn't even be on the team, and him missing five of fifty games will have zero impact on the team. They are bad with or without him.

I cant stand Kaleta but I didn't think this was all that bad really.. I don't think he should get games.. But at the end of the day Sabres fans does it matter? I am not trying to bust balls I just wonder how much he does contribute nightly?

I cant stand Kaleta but I didn't think this was all that bad really.. I don't think he should get games.. But at the end of the day Sabres fans does it matter? I am not trying to bust balls I just wonder how much he does contribute nightly?
- Popcorn Kid

He's pretty good on the PK, good shot blocker......

I cant stand Kaleta but I didn't think this was all that bad really.. I don't think he should get games.. But at the end of the day Sabres fans does it matter? I am not trying to bust balls I just wonder how much he does contribute nightly?
- Popcorn Kid

It's inconsequential, we're trying to tank I think I'd rather his roster spot go to a rookie anyways, brings less heat to the team. Well, unless the rookie does something stupid

It's inconsequential, we're trying to tank I think I'd rather his roster spot go to a rookie anyways, brings less heat to the team. Well, unless the rookie does something stupid
- Sabresfan-365

I think I would move or waive Stafford 1st, rather have a rook get top 6 minutes then 4th line....... Ennis should be moved soon also.......

And Phil shouldn't be allowed a stick since he thinks he's a lumberjack.... Great comment sparky......
- derekjd

Haha

It's so funny how Toronto finally has somewhat of a team and they talk garbage. We get it. Sabres are bad and Toronto is on their upswing. Would I trade spots with you now? No because honestly Toronto may or may not make playoffs but if they do they will not get past the top teams. Boston, Detroit, Pittsburg, Chicago, Colorado, etc. Toronto is good, not great. Enjoy what the Sabres have been doing for years, just making playoffs and not getting top 5 picks while lingering in that position for years.
- Simple

Hahah so Toronto has no top line talent but Colorado after finishing 2nd last in 2013 is in the same category as the other teams?

You're right Toronto, has no chance against teams like Boston. Got spanked by them last year and didn't address the reasons why at all.

The zero wins to start the season is going to your head.

Right, my point being they will sit at the bottom, sneaking into playoffs. They will never be the teams I listed. They will be in that limbo of making playoffs but getting nowhere while not getting good draft picks.
- Simple

FYI, the Leafs finished 5th in the East last year. I hardly consider 5th, sneaking in.

Oh and they're 4-1 to start the year.

How's Bernier look to you?

I love Garth's constraint when he's talking about a Buffalo player's illegal hit. He says stuff like "check to the head" and "high contact". When it's a Buffalo player getting hit it's more like "attempted decapitation".

The weasel gets 10 or more games. Buffalo stinks and will continue to stink. High draft picks are no sure thing especially when you draft Europeans. There is no blue chip can't miss stud in the 2014 draft. 2015 is when you want the no.1 pick. The Bills stink and will continue to stink. Both Miller and Vanek are leaving - very smart on their part. It must suck to be a Buffalo sports fan these days.

Yep..Kaleta is trash...
- Fruitcakenipple

And Kessel is a soft, dirty coward!

And Kessel is a soft, dirty coward!
- bcbanger

And Kessel is a top 10 scorer.

Kaleta is........

The weasel gets 10 or more games. Buffalo stinks and will continue to stink. High draft picks are no sure thing especially when you draft Europeans. There is no blue chip can't miss stud in the 2014 draft. 2015 is when you want the no.1 pick. The Bills stink and will continue to stink. Both Miller and Vanek are leaving - very smart on their part. It must suck to be a Buffalo sports fan these days.
- Flats

reminds me of the Sundin years......

The weasel gets 10 or more games. Buffalo stinks and will continue to stink. High draft picks are no sure thing especially when you draft Europeans. There is no blue chip can't miss stud in the 2014 draft. 2015 is when you want the no.1 pick. The Bills stink and will continue to stink. Both Miller and Vanek are leaving - very smart on their part. It must suck to be a Buffalo sports fan these days.
- Flats

While it may suck to be a Buffalo fan right now it's still a hundred times better than having to be a lowly Toronto fan. How's the Blue Jays playoffs going? How about that big tough guy Kessel who has been badmouthed by just about everyone in the league for his lumberjack attack. And do you still have the raptor's and does anyone care?

And Kessel is a top 10 scorer.

Kaleta is........
- Flats

he topped out at 37 goals in one year, sorry but that's not elite nor worth 8 mil a year....

he topped out at 37 goals in one year, sorry but that's not elite nor worth 8 mil a year....
- derekjd

At 26 he's over the hill and already topped out. Nice response from a team that doesn't have a 30g scorer on the horizon once Mr Vanek takes his show elsewhere.

Nice come back.

At 26 he's over the hill and already topped out. Nice response from a team that doesn't have a 30g scorer on the horizon once Mr Vanek takes his show elsewhere.

Nice come back.
- Flats

how is 37 goals at 8 million equal to say a 50 goal scorer at 8 million? Toronto math?

I'm thinking Burke probably would have not made that deal.....

The weasel gets 10 or more games. Buffalo stinks and will continue to stink. High draft picks are no sure thing especially when you draft Europeans. There is no blue chip can't miss stud in the 2014 draft. 2015 is when you want the no.1 pick. The Bills stink and will continue to stink. Both Miller and Vanek are leaving - very smart on their part. It must suck to be a Buffalo sports fan these days.
- Flats

Wide right, no goal, and so forth. It always has stunk and still stinks lol. Blue Jays and Raptors aren't doing so hot either. But at least you have your leafs. It hurts to watch Sabres.

how is 37 goals at 8 million equal to say a 50 goal scorer at 8 million? Toronto math?

I'm thinking Burke probably would have not made that deal.....
- derekjd

No one should be making $8 million dollars but that's the market for a top 10 scoring forward. See Claude Giroux. If Kessel would have made it to UFA he would have got that and maybe more. Vanek will get in that range from someone other than Buffalo because he's smart and getting out.

You probably don't understand that, cheering for a team that let's it's players walk when it's time to pay them. How's that working out for the Sabres.

Wide right, no goal, and so forth. It always has stunk and still stinks lol. Blue Jays and Raptors aren't doing so hot either. But at least you have your leafs. It hurts to watch Sabres.
- Simple

Thank god the Leafs are the only Toronto team I cheer for. Brutal team for a long long time. They finally look like they are on the right track and we're enjoying it. They are young and have some very good pieces in place. But it's early and no parades are being planned - yet.

Wide right was the worst, followed by the "foot in the crease".

No one should be making $8 million dollars but that's the market for a top 10 scoring forward. See Claude Giroux. If Kessel would have made it to UFA he would have got that and maybe more. Vanek will get in that range from someone other than Buffalo because he's smart and getting out.

You probably don't understand that, cheering for a team that let's it's players walk when it's time to pay them. How's that working out for the Sabres.
- Flats

That was actually not a bad contract, IMO. Given what Kessel means to the Leafs in past, present, and future... and given his status as the Leafs' best player and potential to hold that status in the future, as well as the future of the market... again, not a bad contract.