I don't hate the guy, but the mentality of playing him over a proven player like Williams bothers me.

IMO there was a reason he was cut by 3 other teams, and frankly I'm not sure I trust the Bills judgment over any other 3 NFL teams.

If he continues to play well, hey i'll be on board
- sbroads24

I know. I'm just yanking your chain. Although, I do think the four years of lacrosse and only one year of football at a mid-major institution had something to do with him getting cut by 3 different teams. He was always considered a project.

- homiedclown

18 wins in 69 games if I read the story right. 10 regulation.
What other reason than the tank is there.
He hates playing youth.. This team will be all about youth.
- hafgod

He likes Girgensons though. And he's not even 21 yet.

There is no way you TANK for 1 player I don't care how good he is, this is a team and not a 1 player team, no matter how much we need him.
- SABRES 89

They're not tanking for one player, though. They're "tanking" for multiple top 3 draft picks. Reinhart this year, McDavid (hopefully) or Eichel the next. You win championships by acquiring elite talent. The best way to acquire that kind of talent in this landscape is the draft. Nobody trades their elite talent, and nowadays, most teams lock those guys up and they never hit free agency.

They're not tanking for one player, though. They're "tanking" for multiple top 3 draft picks. Reinhart this year, McDavid (hopefully) or Eichel the next. You win championships by acquiring elite talent. The best way to acquire that kind of talent in this landscape is the draft. Nobody trades their elite talent, and nowadays, most teams lock those guys up and they never hit free agency.
- buffalofan19

does the tank end after this season, or do they go for the trifecta and get 3 top 3 picks?

does the tank end after this season, or do they go for the trifecta and get 3 top 3 picks?
- homiedclown

I have no idea, to be honest. However, if you don't believe you are going to make the playoffs, it's better to finish at the bottom than just outside looking in.

They're not tanking for one player, though. They're "tanking" for multiple top 3 draft picks. Reinhart this year, McDavid (hopefully) or Eichel the next. You win championships by acquiring elite talent. The best way to acquire that kind of talent in this landscape is the draft. Nobody trades their elite talent, and nowadays, most teams lock those guys up and they never hit free agency.
- buffalofan19

I know this already but in no way do you TANK, it makes things worse if you ask me. The vets and the kids need to win to learn from each other.

Why in the hell is 61 still playing when 51 should be????

They're not tanking for one player, though. They're "tanking" for multiple top 3 draft picks. Reinhart this year, McDavid (hopefully) or Eichel the next. You win championships by acquiring elite talent. The best way to acquire that kind of talent in this landscape is the draft. Nobody trades their elite talent, and nowadays, most teams lock those guys up and they never hit free agency.
- buffalofan19

I think the salary cap is the reason these guys sign long term deals with the teams they're already on. They know it's probably their best shot for a long term deal at a good amount of money. If there wasn't a cap, you'd see a lot more guys hit FA still due to the fact that teams get stupid and throw crazy money around. The difference is that there's less teams that can get in on doing so because they're too close to the cap.

does the tank end after this season, or do they go for the trifecta and get 3 top 3 picks?
- homiedclown

Doesn't next year start the "3-year average" for draft placement/lottery odds? That automatically will put Buffalo as a bottom team.

I know this already but in no way do you TANK, it makes things worse if you ask me. The vets and the kids need to win to learn from each other.

Why in the hell is 61 still playing when 51 should be????
- SABRES 89

Just about all of the current elite teams in this league did it, though. Chicago did it. Pittsburgh did it. LA did it. You could even make the argument that Boston did it, although they traded a lot of that high end talent away. The only difference is that they did it in an era where information was a little less instantaneous and social media wasn't as rampant.

I think the salary cap is the reason these guys sign long term deals with the teams they're already on. They know it's probably their best shot for a long term deal at a good amount of money. If there wasn't a cap, you'd see a lot more guys hit FA still due to the fact that teams get stupid and throw crazy money around. The difference is that there's less teams that can get in on doing so because they're too close to the cap.
- HonkFortheGoose

That's all correct. However, ultimately, that still means that you can't acquire elite talent through free agency like you used to. The draft essentially the only realistic option.

does the tank end after this season, or do they go for the trifecta and get 3 top 3 picks?
- homiedclown

Once we have McDavid/Eichel the tank ends. We'll probably still pick top 10 the following year but thats where I see it ending.

Just about all of the current elite teams in this league did it, though. Chicago did it. Pittsburgh did it. LA did it. You could even make the argument that Boston did it, although they traded a lot of that high end talent away. The only difference is that they did it in an era where information was a little less instantaneous and social media wasn't as rampant.
- buffalofan19

We both want the same thing just have different way of going about it I guess, no need for you and I to go back and fourth anymore, I don't want that.

"Myers needs to be more physical and hit people, get in their faces, and have a presence"

Myers gets a roughing, misconduct, and fighting penalties last night

and twitter went to

"Myers you are not a physical player.. you will never be Pronger or Chara.. just play hockey... oh.. and learn how to box!!!"


C'mon people... too many hypocrites.

I hope 61 slips in the shower so 51 can play, is that wrong?

Once we have McDavid/Eichel the tank ends. We'll probably still pick top 10 the following year but thats where I see it ending.
- sambarugh

I dont this teams awful..even after the pens/caps drafted crosby/ovie and they put up over 100 points each and the teams still finished second and fourth worst respectively

I hope 61 slips in the shower so 51 can play, is that wrong?
- SABRES 89

Isn't that how Rodman got caught cheating...allegedly?

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres did talk seriously about Sabres right wing Chris Stewart but it doesn’t appear a match at this time. The Sabres asking price is rumored to be either two young player or a young player and a draft pick…It’s also believes the Sabres asking price for Tyler Myers is so high because of the risk he’ll blossom elsewhere as a star.


I got that from Spector's site, he has another article about Stewart and the Jackets also.

I heard a caller on WGR yesterday ask a great question and wasn't sure if anyone brought it up on here. After this upcoming draft, The Sabres will have had four drafts of 1st rd building. Grigorenko/Girgensons, Ristolinen/Zadorov, Reinhart, 3 1st's. Add in players like Compher, Fasching, Bailey, Possler, Baptiste, Lemieux, McCabe, Pysyk, etc, I could keep going. How soon, after this summer's draft, do we expect to be competitive? Playoffs? Contenders?

My personal answer, they should be fighting for the final playoff spot next year.

This team was built to fail this year. No coach can make a player perform when they know they are expected to lose. That said, Nolan is doing to Reinhart what Ruff etc did to grigorenko. Play him with talent or send him down, end of story. I think some veterans lost respect for the coaching staff when Grigorenko was sent down (I agree he should have gone down but I thought he earned a look). He was told what to do to make it to the NHL, he did it according to the coaching staff, and was sent down.

I bet if we decided to move Myers and Hodgson we could maybe get Eberle and ?? just a thought I'm not saying move Myers.

Isn't that how Rodman got caught cheating...allegedly?
- stashu

Never followed him or baseketball.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres did talk seriously about Sabres right wing Chris Stewart but it doesn’t appear a match at this time. The Sabres asking price is rumored to be either two young player or a young player and a draft pick…It’s also believes the Sabres asking price for Tyler Myers is so high because of the risk he’ll blossom elsewhere as a star.


I got that from Spector's site, he has another article about Stewart and the Jackets also.
- SABRES 89

Wow. That is mighty high.

Wow. That is mighty high.
- ImThatGuy

Sounds like Darcy Regier isn't the only one who "overvalues his players".

Not that a poker game is a bad strategy at a time like this.

Sounds like Darcy Regier isn't the only one who "overvalues his players".
- buffalofan19

When teams are calling you inquiring, you can set the price high and see if someone bites. If they don't, you can reevaluate and go from there.

Did anyone stay up to watch the game last night? How did Zadorov look?