There will be rare opportunities with genuine contender for the cup this year. If none of them comes knocking at the TDL this year, I honestly believe - with as variable as the league has become year over year- there are not many places that have better chances to see the cup than buffalo. And I'm speaking in the short term after '15s draft and offseason.
- Der Kaiser

Even after we get McDavid/Eichel...
It's still gonna be a couple years before we truly contend
And do we have a goalie yet?
I'd say no
And that's a BIG issue

I've been saying for years now that Vancouver should trade for Stafford
If Pyatt & Grier can score 20g playing with the Twins, imagine what Staff would do...
At least 30, possibly more
- jdfitz77

Grier never played with them.

You're thinking of Anson Carter.

Who's a better player, Stewart or Foligno ?
- sbroads24

Foligno

Only because of his last name.

Even after we get McDavid/Eichel...
It's still gonna be a couple years before we truly contend
And do we have a goalie yet?
I'd say no
And that's a BIG issue
- jdfitz77

Neuvirth - healthy - is an ace.

"DYEWTG?"

I've been saying for years now that Vancouver should trade for Stafford
If Pyatt & Grier can score 20g playing with the Twins, imagine what Staff would do...
At least 30, possibly more
- jdfitz77

He could score 30 without the Sedins. His problem has always been not wanting to do the work to score. He's a big body perimeter player

He still isn't as bad as some fans would have people believe

Even after we get McDavid/Eichel...
It's still gonna be a couple years before we truly contendAnd do we have a goalie yet?
I'd say no
And that's a BIG issue
- jdfitz77

You guys are really funny.

You guys are really funny.
- MCGUIZZY

I thought there was no way we were gonna finish last before the season started.

Then I watched Matt Moulson, Brian Gionta, and Cody Hodgson have 2 total goals through almost 15 games and figured it is quite possible

There will be rare opportunities with genuine contender for the cup this year. If none of them comes knocking at the TDL this year, I honestly believe - with as variable as the league has become year over year- there are not many places that have better chances to see the cup than buffalo. And I'm speaking in the short term after '15s draft and offseason.
- Der Kaiser

Come on man. Lets be real for a minute. We dont have mcdavid or eichel yet (i know you must be assuming we get one) and 90% of our prospects are unproven at the NHL level. So please stop assuming that this thing is gurenteed to be successful because as of right now we are lightyears away from a cup. Its just not that cut and dry

Even after we get McDavid/Eichel...
It's still gonna be a couple years before we truly contend
And do we have a goalie yet?
I'd say no
And that's a BIG issue
- jdfitz77

We have 2.

Come on man. Lets be real for a minute. We dont have mcdavid or eichel yet (i know you must be assuming we get one) and 90% of our prospects are unproven at the NHL level. So please stop assuming that this thing is gurenteed to be successful because as of right now we are lightyears away from a cup. Its just not that cut and dry
- MCGUIZZY

Not making it up.

Nobody's proven until they get the chance.

There will be rare opportunities with genuine contender for the cup this year. If none of them comes knocking at the TDL this year, I honestly believe - with as variable as the league has become year over year- there are not many places that have better chances to see the cup than buffalo. And I'm speaking in the short term after '15s draft and offseason.
- Der Kaiser

Even after we get McDavid/Eichel...
It's still gonna be a couple years before we truly contend
And do we have a goalie yet?
I'd say no
And that's a BIG issue
- jdfitz77

By all accounts Makarov could be great or the guy that plays for MODO, but that's a few years away.

I thought there was no way we were gonna finish last before the season started.

Then I watched Matt Moulson, Brian Gionta, and Cody Hodgson have 2 total goals through almost 15 games and figured it is quite possible
- sbroads24

But wouldnt you agree that this team has gotten better in the past couple weeks? It does make sense that a team with multiple new players and young guys would struggle right away. But what happens if this team begins to gel and everyone picks up the pace? its not that crazy to think they will play just good enough to knock themselves out of last place. Its pretty much what I fear the most.

But wouldnt you agree that this team has gotten better in the past couple weeks? It does make sense that a team with multiple new players and young guys would struggle right away. But what happens if this team begins to gel and everyone picks up the pace? its not that crazy to think they will play just good enough to knock themselves out of last place. Its pretty much what I fear the most.
- MCGUIZZY

Definitely, but if we get hit with an injury bug we could go on a big losing streak.

Imagine Ennis or Girgensons out long term. Or even Ristolainen

Ray rice win on appeal will cost goodell his job at the end of the season. My bet.

Neither.
- buffalofan19

minus Stafford and Stewart, you're rw depth chart:

Gionta--35 yrs. old
Dalpe--25
Armia--21
Possler-20
Fasching--19
Baptiste--19
Olofsson--19
Karabachek--18

The Sabres should definitely consider re-signing Stewart. He's 27 yrs. old and is just entering his prime and there's not another player on the team who has his combination tools. Regardless of the stats, Stewart brings size, skating, and toughness to the ice every night. It's the kind of toughness that's been missing for a number of years.

Pass.

minus Stafford and Stewart, you're rw depth chart:

Gionta--35 yrs. old
Dalpe--25
Armia--21
Possler-20
Fasching--19
Baptiste--19
Olofsson--19
Karabachek--18
- Michael Pachla

Obviously, they would have to acquire somebody to upgrade, either via free agency or trade. That's what championship teams do, anyway.

Obviously, they would have to acquire somebody to upgrade, either via free agency or trade. That's what championship teams do, anyway.
- buffalofan19

who would they acquire, how would they do it and what would they need to give up?

just asking

who would they acquire, how would they do it and what would they need to give up?
- Michael Pachla

IMO Girgensons and Compher settle into roles on the wing when we are good.

I do think that an Evander Kane/Ryan Oreilly caliber player is traded for at some point

who would they acquire, how would they do it and what would they need to give up?

just asking
- Michael Pachla

If Tim Murray is as good as we all think or hope he is, he will figure out a way. It's what he gets paid to do.

IMO Girgensons and Compher settle into roles on the wing when we are good.

I do think that an Evander Kane/Ryan Oreilly caliber player is traded for at some point
- sbroads24

not sure why everyone thinks gus is a winger...he's pretty good at center, arguably the best center on the team at this point

If Tim Murray is as good as we all think or hope he is, he will figure out a way. It's what he gets paid to do.
- buffalofan19

just puttin' this out there...if stewart wasn't moved and was signed to a four-year contract, at the end of it the oldest of the rw prospects would be armia, and he'll be 25...

not sure why everyone thinks gus is a winger...he's pretty good at center, arguably the best center on the team at this point
- Michael Pachla

Because he won't be as good as Reinhart/McDavid ( I know we need to draft him first) and possibly Grigorenko has more upside offensively. I think Girgensons is too good to be a 3rd line center.

IMO he ends up as a wing in the top 6 that will open up space for his line mates

just puttin' this out there...if stewart wasn't moved and was signed to a four-year contract, at the end of it the oldest of the rw prospects would be armia, and he'll be 25...
- Michael Pachla

The problem is I don't think he's good enough to begin with. If they sign him to a four year deal, they'll still be looking to upgrade because he will be the weak link in a top 6.