We don't want to end up like the Kings, look at them they are in cap trouble and might lose out on good players 2 of them being Toffoli and Pearson. Offer sheets maybe for the both ( I don't mean from us ). We don't need anymore bad contracts in Kessel, get rid of Hodgson and we will be good.
- SABRES 89

Yeah winning two cups in a few years sounds terrible.

If you read Elliotte Friedman's latest 30 Thoughts column, he suggests, and I agree, if a team wants to deal you, they'll come to you if they have a deal with a team not on your list. Chances are player would take the move just to get out of town.
- PassionBucket16

In the case of the Islanders that was not true

We don't want to end up like the Kings, .
- SABRES 89

I'd take 2 cups right now

Yea but before they got there they won 2 cups in 3 years. It's a salary cap world it's going to happen to all cup contender teams at some point.

I really can't think of another team that's a significantly better model to follow. Pittsburgh? 1 cup in a decade with Crosby and Malkin? St. Louis? yet to win? Minnesota? same deal.
- Sabresfan-365

I really like what Tampa has built.

2 top picks, one is a beast
Free agent second line center
Free agent second line winger
Free agent d core
Loaded up front with young speedy wingers


If Druin and Connolly develop as well, they will be stacked for years

I really like what Tampa has built.

2 top picks, one is a beast
Free agent second line center
Free agent second line winger
Free agent d core
Loaded up front with young speedy wingers


If Druin and Connolly develop as well, they will be stacked for years
- homiedclown

I agree, but they have no cap space to sign there free agents.

I really like what Tampa has built.

2 top picks, one is a beast
Free agent second line center
Free agent second line winger
Free agent d core
Loaded up front with young speedy wingers


If Druin and Connolly develop as well, they will be stacked for years
- homiedclown

I like them as well but for the purposes of that post i decided to use teams that have been at it a little longer than tampa. But yes Tampa's built a great team however there's no guarantee that once they win the cup they'll be able to keep everyone around. That was my main point, in a salary cap world even when you're a great team you will at some point have to cut back.

Cut off the arm to save the body, i.e Chi town not too long ago.

Kessler is in an elite class of RW with Ovi, PKane and Perry. That class of talent comes with term and cap-hit. The difference in production between the guys in that class and the next level is notable.

When an opportunity to get one of these guys comes along, you have to have the conversation.

Even if hate for the leafs suggests otherwise.

Looking into the future, building the team isnt going to be the biggest issue, it will be cap management. Will be interesting to see what he does for all his young stars coming out of their ELC's.

Looking into the future, building the team isnt going to be the biggest issue, it will be cap management. Will be interesting to see what he does for all his young stars coming out of their ELC's.
- theblueandgold

Yea im interested to see what they do with some of the contracts they have on the books right now. What becomes of Gorges, Moulson, Gionta hell even Kane, he's a UFA at the end of his deal i think? I wonder how many of those guys are still here when we're a playoff team.

Kessler is in an elite class of RW with Ovi, PKane and Perry. That class of talent comes with term and cap-hit. The difference in production between the guys in that class and the next level is notable.

When an opportunity to get one of these guys comes along, you have to have the conversation.

Even if hate for the leafs suggests otherwise.
- Der Kaiser

I wouldn't put Kessel in the same grouping as Perry, Kane or Ovie. Points may be similar, but he doesn't have any of the intangibles these guys have.

Kessler is in an elite class of RW with Ovi, PKane and Perry. That class of talent comes with term and cap-hit. The difference in production between the guys in that class and the next level is notable.

When an opportunity to get one of these guys comes along, you have to have the conversation.

Even if hate for the leafs suggests otherwise.
- Der Kaiser

yeah, kick the tires

cap issues will sort itself out down the road

Yea im interested to see what they do with some of the contracts they have on the books right now. What becomes of Gorges, Moulson, Gionta hell even Kane, he's a UFA at the end of his deal i think? I wonder how many of those guys are still here when we're a playoff team.
- Sabresfan-365

gionta is off the books when reinharts and big z's deal ends
gorges will be off the book when kane's deal ends


hopefully coho is elsewhere and moulson is putting up ok numbers the last few years of his deal


IMO the key to sustain this long term will be to have plenty of picks and prospects in the pipeline to plug and play on the cheap 5-8 years down the road. Which will mean trading off rentals in years when we hope we are still competing.

Yea im interested to see what they do with some of the contracts they have on the books right now. What becomes of Gorges, Moulson, Gionta hell even Kane, he's a UFA at the end of his deal i think? I wonder how many of those guys are still here when we're a playoff team.
- Sabresfan-365

Its more about the "bridge" deals. Something like the deals that Tavares (6x5.5), Giroux (3x3.5), P. Kane & Toews (5x6.3), Getzlaf (5x5.325) got coming off their ELC.

I could see Reinhart getting a Giroux deal, and McEichel getting a P Kane or Stamkos (5x7) type deal coming off the ELC. I cant see McEichel getting a deal where hes making Kane, Toews (8x10.5) money right off an ELC. With a rise in cap, its likely they could make higher salaries in 8 years than if they took that kind of deal now.

I fully expect Grigorenko to be making less than 1.25 on this upcoming RFA deal. In fact I bet Murray just qualifies him, or offers a match with his rookie contract minus the bonuses. Grigorenko has no leverage to be asking for money.

We'll have a pretty good window where we shouldnt be in trouble with the contracts as long as we keep these guys to bridge deals until their 26, 27 years old. That gives us nearly 8 years before to compete until their prime.

I wouldn't put Kessel in the same grouping as Perry, Kane or Ovie. Points may be similar, but he doesn't have any of the intangibles these guys have.
- adambuffalo

is that because of his lack of talent, or playing with guys like bozak, grabovski, connolly, stajan, ponikarovsky, kulemin

none of those players scream Kane or McEichel

Its more about the "bridge" deals. Something like the deals that Tavares (6x5.5), Giroux (3x3.5), P. Kane & Toews (5x6.3), Getzlaf (5x5.325) got coming off their ELC.

I could see Reinhart getting a Giroux deal, and McEichel getting a P Kane or Stamkos (5x7) type deal coming off the ELC. I cant see McEichel getting a deal where hes making Kane, Toews (8x10.5) money right off an ELC. With a rise in cap, its likely they could make higher salaries in 8 years than if they took that kind of deal now.

I fully expect Grigorenko to be making less than 1.25 on this upcoming RFA deal. In fact I bet Murray just qualifies him, or offers a match with his rookie contract minus the bonuses. Grigorenko has no leverage to be asking for money.

We'll have a pretty good window where we shouldnt be in trouble with the contracts as long as we keep these guys to bridge deals until their 26, 27 years old. That gives us nearly 8 years before to compete until their prime.
- theblueandgold

Solid!

don't look now but Carrier has been heating it up in Rochester

If I had to guess, I would say he has put up 10 points in the last 15 games

Solid!


- homiedclown

Forgot to mention the D, Risto and Zads... id be fine with locking them up to long term deals out of their ELC. 7 or 8 years from 4-5.5M, obviously more to Risto than to Zads.

I wouldn't put Kessel in the same grouping as Perry, Kane or Ovie. Points may be similar, but he doesn't have any of the intangibles these guys have.
- adambuffalo

Please let me know what these "intangibles" are. I wont bother with the "controller disconnected" GIF, or links to all the stories about Kane's escapades. Find me one article about Perry clamping down in the defensive end.

Cup winners have different role players who all excel at their role. One of those roles is SNIPER - that's Ovi, that's Kane, that's Kessler. Let's leave the "intangibles" to guys like Girgensons, and Deslauriers, and just have Phil put the lights on the scoreboard.

Forgot to mention the D, Risto and Zads... id be fine with locking them up to long term deals out of their ELC. 7 or 8 years from 4-5.5M, obviously more to Risto than to Zads.
- theblueandgold

I think they have the money to take on a big contract for 5-7 years

My fear is they use it for a goalie

My hope is they use it for a top 2 d man or a stud RW

I think they have the money to take on a big contract for 5-7 years

My fear is they use it for a goalie

My hope is they use it for a top 2 d man or a stud RW
- homiedclown

I dont think Murray will spend more than $3.5M on a goalie. Watch Enroth come back, lol.


I want Sekera back here. Or maybe Methot. Top pairing of Methot and Bogosian?

Please let me know what these "intangibles" are. I wont bother with the "controller disconnected" GIF, or links to all the stories about Kane's escapades. Find me one article about Perry clamping down in the defensive end.

Cup winners have different role players who all excel at their role. One of those roles is SNIPER - that's Ovi, that's Kane, that's Kessler. Let's leave the "intangibles" to guys like Girgensons, and Deslauriers, and just have Phil put the lights on the scoreboard.
- Der Kaiser

By trading Armia, and turning the page on Staff, Murray is almost forced to get a RW for the top 2 lines

Gionta is a 3 liner for next season
who the hell knows what position Ennis will play next year

only other option is to move Gringo or Reinhart to the wing and I really think Reinhart needs to be on the dot. I can see Reinhart being a 25 goal 50 assist type center, something this team has been missing for a long time.

By trading Armia, and turning the page on Staff, Murray is almost forced to get a RW for the top 2 lines

Gionta is a 3 liner for next season
who the hell knows what position Ennis will play next year

only other option is to move Gringo or Reinhart to the wing and I really think Reinhart needs to be on the dot. I can see Reinhart being a 25 goal 50 assist type center, something this team has been missing for a long time.
- homiedclown

Yes to all. Gringo is a winger for real in October 2015. They should start that now, and I would do it here in Buff so he can get a little bit of time in before it really counts.

Let's go!

I dont think Murray will spend more than $3.5M on a goalie. Watch Enroth come back, lol.


I want Sekera back here. Or maybe Methot. Top pairing of Methot and Bogosian?
- theblueandgold

He would fit the shutdown spot for sure

Never thought about him.

I still want Martin or Boychuk but I would be fine with Methot

I dont think Murray will spend more than $3.5M on a goalie. Watch Enroth come back, lol.


I want Sekera back here. Or maybe Methot. Top pairing of Methot and Bogosian?
- theblueandgold

The Wonder Twins play together for the rest of the year with on the job training, but next year, split them with Bogo and whatever FA we acquire to get flashes of brilliance combined with steady veteran play.

Yes to all. Gringo is a winger for real in October 2015. They should start that now, and I would do it here in Buff so he can get a little bit of time in before it really counts.

Let's go!


- Der Kaiser

"Do you feel that Randy, the way the sh$t clings to the air? Sh$t Blizzard "