Last time we built our team around a 6 million dollar goalie. New plan is to build a team first around our young guys and we can add the goalie last. Saying a 6 million dollar goalie doesn't work then watch the Kings and Hawks win with a 6 million dollar goalie is foolish
- Fattony1187

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMV1bwXyi54

Puff, Puff, Pass
- SABRES 89

what's up on the rumor front, 89?

if Ullmark comes over next season and is in the AHL.. think that spells the end of Makarov if he can't show us something next season. Because then Kasdorf will be in the year after that.. i hope one of them turns into something

I would think we'll get a 4th for Meszaros.

Stewart is the wild card. My guess is Boston or Calgary.

Mitchell will get us similar to Meszaros unless packaged with someone.

No one will want Benoit.

Neuvirth stays.
- mhp

I agree I think Neuvirth stays as well but IMO I think Stewart stays at the last minute.

I think we will be fine in net a couple years down the line. Draft a goalie this year and sign nieuvirth for 2 years. In about 3 years when we are on the cusp of being good I think a lot of teams in cap trouble will be looking to dump their goalie for their emerging backup. Just look at these teams who have big dollar goalies with good backups who will be way cheaper



Either they will keep their goalie for high dollar or need to trade their good backup. Won't be able to do both. I'm not big on a high dollar goalie but to grab one cheap due to their cap trouble and have one for 2-3 years while our young goalie develops we can go on some cup runs. Just dump them when their contract is over. A 1st Ed pick and a mid prospect to have one for a couple years when we are good can be wort it. We will have cap space since our core studs will be on entry or bridge deals still
- Fattony1187

Just throwing in some numbers so things can be looked at for timing purposes:


Howard/merzek - expires 18/19
Quick/jones - expires 22/23
Crawford/raanta - expires 19/20
niemmi/stahleck - FA this season
Price/fucale - expires 17/18
Elliott/Allen - Expires 16/17 (Allen RFA this season)
Anderson/Gibson - both expire next season, both RFAs
Rask/subban - expires 20/21

what's up on the rumor front, 89?
- Michael Pachla

Quite I haven't heard much, I got a construction meeting for the first couple hours on March 2nd in the morning that i'm trying to get out of. Heard Murray is torn on Stewart.

Just throwing in some numbers so things can be looked at for timing purposes:


Howard/merzek - expires 18/19
Quick/jones - expires 22/23
Crawford/raanta - expires 19/20
niemmi/stahleck - FA this season
Price/fucale - expires 17/18
Elliott/Allen - Expires 16/17 (Allen RFA this season)
Anderson/Gibson - both expire next season, both RFAs
Rask/subban - expires 20/21
- stashu

A lot of those contracts line up perfect with timeline. When we are good can get one for last 2-3 years. Then dump them when Reinhart and mcdavid are due for big contracts. Gives us a 2-3 year window with a top goalie when we can afford it and hope our backup takes the reign

if Ullmark comes over next season and is in the AHL.. think that spells the end of Makarov if he can't show us something next season. Because then Kasdorf will be in the year after that.. i hope one of them turns into something
- IndianaSabresFan

not so sure, indy...Makarov is the only goalie signed beyond this season...neuvirth and lindback are ufa's while Hackett is a rfa

Quite I haven't heard much, I got a construction meeting for the first couple hours on March 2nd in the morning that i'm trying to get out of. Heard Murray is torn on Stewart.
- SABRES 89

he should be

he should be
- Michael Pachla

Also trying to figure out what to do with Hodgson

not so sure, indy...Makarov is the only goalie signed beyond this season...neuvirth and lindback are ufa's while Hackett is a rfa
- Michael Pachla

i can't see makarov playing in the NHL next season.. and with Ullmark over here next season and Kasdorf the next season i think that just pushes him off the depth chart. unless they think he is ready, but i can't see that happening.

I agree I think Neuvirth stays as well but IMO I think Stewart stays at the last minute.
- SABRES 89

If Stewart stays, Murray might just work on an extension for him. I still think he gets moved.

Also trying to figure out what to do with Hodgson
- SABRES 89

It would be nice to re-sign Stewart but if he isn't going to they need to move him. and even if he will maybe they can do it in the off season.

Hodge has to be bought out or stay with the team do you really think someone will take that contract?

If Stewart stays, Murray might just work on an extension for him. I still think he gets moved.
- mhp

Maybe he is waiting to see the offers and if they aren't to his liking then he keeps him, we will know soon enough.

Also trying to figure out what to do with Hodgson
- SABRES 89

a tough one too...imo, no need to rush on hodgson...they probably won't be a playoff team next season so what's the difference whether he stays or not?

It would be nice to re-sign Stewart but if he isn't going to they need to move him. and even if he will maybe they can do it in the off season.

Hodge has to be bought out or stay with the team do you really think someone will take that contract?
- IndianaSabresFan

I don't think anyone will touch him but you never know, 2 goals won't cut it from him and they know it.

not so sure, indy...Makarov is the only goalie signed beyond this season...neuvirth and lindback are ufa's while Hackett is a rfa
- Michael Pachla

Llllooowyn!! Bring him back!

i can't see makarov playing in the NHL next season.. and with Ullmark over here next season and Kasdorf the next season i think that just pushes him off the depth chart. unless they think he is ready, but i can't see that happening.
- IndianaSabresFan

kasdorf is not signed yet

neuvy/Hackett in Buffalo, Makarov/ullmark in Rochester might be the combos

a tough one too...imo, no need to rush on hodgson...they probably won't be a playoff team next season so what's the difference whether he stays of not?
- Michael Pachla

Hard to say but Nolan is pretty much done with him but IF Nolan isn't here what will the next coach think? bottom line.................. is Murray done with Hodgson.

Llllooowyn!! Bring him back!
- stashu

oops...forgot about him

Hard to say but Nolan is pretty much done with him but IF Nolan isn't here what will the next coach think? bottom line.................. is Murray done with Hodgson.
- SABRES 89

agreed

Hey guys, it's been a while. What return do you think we could get for Hodgson ?

Hard to say but Nolan is pretty much done with him but IF Nolan isn't here what will the next coach think? bottom line.................. is Murray done with Hodgson.
- SABRES 89

He's in a tough spot. Buying him out is a lot cheaper this year than next year. But he was showing improvement last year and for some reason this year he bottomed out. Can a different coach somehow supply a system in which he and the rest of the offense perform worlds better? Or is he really just too lazy to bust his azz every night? He either needs to score or needs to go. He has no other use. Predicting what is done with him is near impossible.

Hard to say but Nolan is pretty much done with him but IF Nolan isn't here what will the next coach think? bottom line.................. is Murray done with Hodgson.
- SABRES 89

It's a tough spot...someone posted and I agreed with them (365 maybe?) that there's no reason to dump him because the return would be so low, so why not keep him and have him (likely) increase his value next year?

The problem is timing...I may be wrong with the figures, but I think someone else mentioned if they buy him out this coming offseason, it's a miniscule cap hit (I think it was less than $1M per for like 8 years), but doubles if it's done in following years.

Tough spot. I'm in the camp that would prefer to keep him, figure he has to be able to regain form.

Hey guys, it's been a while. What return do you think we could get for Hodgson ?
- jaumiller

Right now? A third. In a perfect world.