I get what you are saying, and it would be nice to have consistent production throughout the season, but just to play Devil's advocate, I wouldn't call it padding the stats this time of year. Teams are starting to tighten up and make their playoff pushes, it's harder to score, at least in theory, at this point of the season. If I had to choose when a player gets hot, it would be in the spring with the playoffs on the horizon.
- CubanBuffet

I'm not suggesting there is no value in it. All that I'm saying is that to expect him to produce like this all year isn't realistic as of yet. Goals are goals, whether they come in October or March, but I don't think we can expect him to put up 30 goals

Gillis and Benning have both been reluctant to throw big money long term at him. Let's see what happens this time around
- VANTEL

I'm not sure "reluctant" is the right word. He was an RFA, only the Oilers throw money at their RFAs. It is idiotic to pay more then you have to before you have to. Having said that, I'm shocked that Gillis didn't offer him 7x7 with a full NTC during his rookie season.

The way I look at it is that salary is always shifting, and we need to simply ask, can we replace Chris Tanev? IMO not signing him is less valuable to us than the extra .5mil/year between 4-4.5
Edit: it has nothing to do with what they deserve but what the current market dictates and how badly you need that player
- bezz44

I like Tanev but.....

If I am Benning I am looking at , Tanev is not a point producer, he gets injured enough times from being banged around, the team didn't miss a beat when he was out this year, and I can get a very good return for him in a package deal.

That proves scoring gets the big money and D is not a huge issue
- VANTEL

The first part of your statement is correct, the second half has absolutely no relevance to the first part If it's not a huge issue then why are D-men worth so much on the trade market?

And his total numbers reflect that. He has seen a points increase from last year but he always pads his stats this time of year. IMO you can't discount this repetitive pattern for Matthias if you are going to suggest that Kassian only finishes the year strong with only 2 years to support the pattern. I agree we should be wary for next year, but you can't ignore that with Matthias. That said, I like Matthias, but for what he is
- bezz44

You say he pads his stats this time of year like it's a bad thing?? Last time I checked these are the guys you want on your team going down a stretch into the playoffs lol

I'm not suggesting there is no value in it. All that I'm saying is that to expect him to produce like this all year isn't realistic as of yet. Goals are goals, whether they come in October or March, but I don't think we can expect him to put up 30 goals
- bezz44

As long as he doesn't get a NMC or crazy money then he should be tradeable, but until some of our prospects are ready to make the jump then we need what he brings IMO.

I like Tanev but.....

If I am Benning I am looking at , Tanev is not a point producer, he gets injured enough times from being banged around, the team didn't miss a beat when he was out this year, and I can get a very good return for him in a package deal.
- VANTEL

I think you under value what tanev brings to the back end... He reminds me a lot of salo in the sense that we could out him anywhere and with anybody and he brought a calmness to the other players game.. You don't need a flashy defenceman out there all the time, we can rely on him in any situation

The first part of your statement is correct, the second half has absolutely no relevance to the first part If it's not a huge issue then why are D-men worth so much on the trade market?
- bezz44

Dmen that put up numbers are a big tickets, no one cares about a Biega or Stanton. Myers Franson Sekera Bogassian all get high returns because they put up numbers. On occasion a D minded guy will draw high returns if they are big and mean or fight.

Dmen that put up numbers are a big tickets, no one cares about a Biega or Stanton. Myers Franson Sekera Bogassian all get high returns because they put up numbers. On occasion a D minded guy will draw high returns if they are big and mean or fight.
- VANTEL

You are misrepresenting Chris Tanev hugely here. Before the injury he was playing on our top pairing as if he had been there for years. We are not talking about Alex Biega or Ryan Stanton, and if you really think that is the case, then why would you suggest that we package him up for a nice return? Alex Biega is not going to get you a nice return

The way I look at it is that salary is always shifting, and we need to simply ask, can we replace Chris Tanev? IMO not signing him is less valuable to us than the extra .5mil/year between 4-4.5
Edit: it has nothing to do with what they deserve but what the current market dictates and how badly you need that player
- bezz44

You know what handcuffs teams more than NMC's? Bad contracts. Ask the Leafs.

Giving Tanev more than $4M is too much. You can grab defensive D as free agents for less.

I think you under value what tanev brings to the back end... He reminds me a lot of salo in the sense that we could out him anywhere and with anybody and he brought a calmness to the other players game.. You don't need a flashy defenceman out there all the time, we can rely on him in any situation
- MaWLz

I don't undervalue him . I just don't want to overpay him.

Tanev is a Jack of all trades, master of none.

As I said I like him, I was just offering the opinion of what Benning could be thinking

Da Sabres lineup...


Foligno – Flynn – Stewart
Moulson – Mitchell – Gionta
Deslauriers – Ellis – Hodgson
Larsson – Varone – Dalpe

Benoit – Bogosian
Weber – Ristolainen
Meszaros – Pysyk

Neuvirth
- Nucker101

I'm predicting a 4-0 game, for BUF. The canucks are due to serve up a disappoint effort for their fans. Tonight could be the night

You say he pads his stats this time of year like it's a bad thing?? Last time I checked these are the guys you want on your team going down a stretch into the playoffs lol
- MaWLz

Again, I don't say it like it's a bad thing. But don't pay for a 30 goal scorer because he put up X goals at X pace in march. Earlier in the year everyone was female doging about him (I have liked him all year) and has only come around now that he is scoring goals. What I am trying to say is that we don't know if he will produce like that all year, and that history in fact suggests that he won't.

I don't undervalue him . I just don't want to overpay him.

Tanev is a Jack of all trades, master of none.

As I said I like him, I was just offering the opinion of what Benning could be thinking
- VANTEL

You literally just compared him to Alex Biega and Ryan Stanton. How is that not undervaluing?

Lack starting tonight

Da Sabres lineup...


Foligno – Flynn – Stewart
Moulson – Mitchell – Gionta
Deslauriers – Ellis – Hodgson
Larsson – Varone – Dalpe

Benoit – Bogosian
Weber – Ristolainen
Meszaros – Pysyk

Neuvirth
- Nucker101

It will be embarrassing if that line up beats them.

You are misrepresenting Chris Tanev hugely here. Before the injury he was playing on our top pairing as if he had been there for years. We are not talking about Alex Biega or Ryan Stanton, and if you really think that is the case, then why would you suggest that we package him up for a nice return? Alex Biega is not going to get you a nice return
- bezz44

I am not misrepresenting him at all. As I said I like him. I am not sure if Benning feels the same way. I am not 100% sure JB will pay a D man 4 mil that doesn't put up offense , that doesn't crush opponents or fight.

Everyone knows Tanev is a smart D man , let's wait and see how JB feels ?

You literally just compared him to Alex Biega and Ryan Stanton. How is that not undervaluing?
- bezz44

Offensively yes. All around game no.

Lack starting tonight
- PetrolSexual

As it should be. We are in a playoff race.

Offensively yes. All around game no.
- VANTEL

That's like comparing Ovi to Tom Sestito because they both suck at D

It will be embarrassing if that line up beats them.
- Marwood

It's a trap game. It could very well happen. Emotional let down after we just beat the Bruins and looking ahead to the next game. These games are dangerous

I think you under value what tanev brings to the back end... He reminds me a lot of salo in the sense that we could out him anywhere and with anybody and he brought a calmness to the other players game.. You don't need a flashy defenceman out there all the time, we can rely on him in any situation
- MaWLz

i think he's very comparable to niklas hjarlmarsson. Doesn't have a big shot, isn't very physical, but moves the puck really well and has great gap control and skates well. if we get him in the low 4mil i'd be okay with that

I am not misrepresenting him at all. As I said I like him. I am not sure if Benning feels the same way. I am not 100% sure JB will pay a D man 4 mil that doesn't put up offense , that doesn't crush opponents or fight.

Everyone knows Tanev is a smart D man , let's wait and see how JB feels ?
- VANTEL

I think Benning will get him signed, he's young and was anchoring the top pairing, and we have no replacement waiting in the wings

That's like comparing Ovi to Tom Sestito because they both suck at D
- bezz44

Ovi and Sestito are comparable as D men . When was the last time Sestito put up 60 goals?

The fact is offense gets the big money not D unless they are monsters. Tanev is neither

Ovi and Sestito are comparable as D men . When was the last time Sestito put up 60 goals?

The fact is offense gets the big money not D unless they are monsters. Tanev is neither
- VANTEL

Never, that is the point... It's a stupid comparison
4.5mil isn't big money anymore, and if D don't get big money unless they are monsters then what is Marc Methot thinking right now?