Right. I meant if a trade is going to happen today it's going to be before the game. I wouldn't think if the other gm is ready to make the trade they would want to risk the player getting hurt. Otherwise trades might go right up to the deadline.
- Themomentgood

It seems like once a year or so a player is traded in the middle of a game. I know it happened last year - can't remember who. I don't know why we would dress Stewart or Mez today - why risk injury?

If Meszaros is dealt, it'll likely be for a pick and Buffalo retaining as much of his salary as possible.

Is it possible that Nolan said he lobbied hard for Pysyk to stay to try and make the move sending him back to the AHL a liitle less tank like?

Does anyone think it is very possible that if Stewart and Nuevirth are traded that both will be back in Buffalo next season. I can see that happening

Does anyone think it is very possible that if Stewart and Nuevirth are traded that both will be back in Buffalo next season. I can see that happening
- bflbilsfan

I think its possible Neuvirth stays past the deadline. I am not sure on Stewart. As a UFA someone is going to overpay for him and I don't think Murray needs to overpay him.

If Meszaros is dealt, it'll likely be for a pick and Buffalo retaining as much of his salary as possible.

Is it possible that Nolan said he lobbied hard for Pysyk to stay to try and make the move sending him back to the AHL a liitle less tank like?
- kingcong39

The idea that having Pysyk in the minors is a sign of the tank is absurd. Sure, he is better than guys that are here. So are 2 or 3 other guys.

Nolan lobbied for Pysyk early in the year. It is clear that he and Murray have no relationship at this point.

Does anyone think it is very possible that if Stewart and Nuevirth are traded that both will be back in Buffalo next season. I can see that happening
- bflbilsfan

I could see us paying Stew 4 years / 13 mill. After all, we will have PLENTY of cap space for the next few years because of our youth.

The idea that having Pysyk in the minors is a sign of the tank is absurd. Sure, he is better than guys that are here. So are 2 or 3 other guys.

Nolan lobbied for Pysyk early in the year. It is clear that he and Murray have no relationship at this point.
- Slump Buster

It's also pretty clear that because Zadorov is here and not in juniors (some will say him and his agent made a power move to stay here) someone needed to go down.

If his Russian team wouldn't sign the transfer agreement to allow him to play in juniors it was the right move keeping him here. If he stepped foot in Russia we wouldn't see him ever again.

Pysyk got sent down because he was still eligible without clearing waivers. Nothing more nothing less. With Benoit and Mezsaros and Strachan on NHL contracts it was pretty clear that Pysyk would be the one sent down over Risto.

Nolan can lobby all he wants but there is only so much room. Is it a tank move? sure it is but there is a lot of logic in it too.

Not a freaking chance. There is no way someone (especially St. Louis, who is already going to have cap issues) offered something for him and we said "no".
- Slump Buster

I said if they don't buy him out. Last season no one here would have disagreed with him being worth a first and maybe even a prospect. Cody would look great playing with other skilled players with speed. Yes he does suck on D and is a slow skater... But you don't score 20 goals on one of the worst teams ever to play in the NHL by luck.

People hated Stafford and said he was worth a bag of pucks. This year people felt he was worth at least a 3rd and possibly a 2nd.

Kid got drafted in the first round pretty early. He definitely has skill and I don't hate him for fully embracing the tank.

I will say this. As much as I can't understand how the Sabres can have Ted Nolan as a coach, and say they're in it for the Cup with a straight face at the same time, this is pretty crappy. If a player belongs in the NHL, he should be playing in the NHL, and Pysyk fits in that category.
- buffalofan19

Not so much directed at you 19, but to all who believe Pysyk should be up here since the start of the season (or the start of his season), GMTM clarified that he is in the AHL to work on improving his O game...pushing himself to learn when and where to join the rush...which BTW we all can agree he wasn't going to learn that up here with this sorry group of forwards who can't move the puck, pass or generate O-zone time.
So yes, he could be a solid D man, but they wanted more out of him...which leads me to 2 thoughts
1) that is a wise use of this season for Pysyk...he may not Luke it, but if he does learn it. Then his overall game will be much better
2) did Murray really have an vision of trading Myers early on, and needed for Pysyk's development to come along before deciding to do so?
Maybe the puzzle pieces are revealing themselves.

I said if they don't buy him out. Last season no one here would have disagreed with him being worth a first and maybe even a prospect. Cody would look great playing with other skilled players with speed. Yes he does suck on D and is a slow skater... But you don't score 20 goals on one of the worst teams ever to play in the NHL by luck.

People hated Stafford and said he was worth a bag of pucks. This year people felt he was worth at least a 3rd and possibly a 2nd.

Kid got drafted in the first round pretty early. He definitely has skill and I don't hate him for fully embracing the tank.
- Smittyx36

It still doesn't make sense. If trading someone for a bag of a pucks is an option then buying him out isn't necessary.

Stafford had worth because he was at the end of his contract and hadn't spit up all over himself this year. Bad contracts are killers in this league.

Neuvirth and his .945 save % since the Enroth trade is killing us

It still doesn't make sense. If trading someone for a bag of a pucks is an option then buying him out isn't necessary.

Stafford had worth because he was at the end of his contract and hadn't spit up all over himself this year. Bad contracts are killers in this league.
- Slump Buster

I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. Buying him out takes away any risk. So i get why they would do that. But I personally think he is a decent forward that is having a terrible season on one of the worst put together teams ever.

I really don't see a problem with getting Malkin. If the price is right, he's still 28, has at least 5 good years left, would be a legit #1 in Buffalo and his contract ends when he turns 36, a year or 2 just past his prime. The biggest problem is the 9.5 annual hit but that can be dealt with when its time. The deal kicked in this season, so there's already 1 year off its term.

People will argue that we won't be able to sign our young players when they need new contracts but its going to be at least 3 years, from now, before Rienhart needs an extension, at least 3 from now before McEichel or Strome needs an extension, as well as the same amount of time (at the very least 2 years) for any other young guys because not all of them are going to command 5+ million a year, half can be signed to bridge contracts, half won't make the team anyway. By then, who knows if we have another draft pick up playing on the wing at 950k scoring 20 gols and replacing someone like Kane?

What would it take to get Malkin is another story and he can always be bought out his last couple/few years anyway (right?).

It would instantly make us a potential playoff team by next year and we would have a legit player and superstar.

Neuvirth and his .945 save % since the Enroth trade is killing us
- Stripes77

It was said the other night after the Nucks game he is actually .952

I liked the kid at the end of last year...he threw up on himself in the preseason, and had some piss-poor performances early on...but he has generally been a rock since then. They need to make sure they get him back if he is traded...he has shown me at least, he isn't a typical .910 goalie to be found anywhere?
He needs to go with a wink, nod, nod ... See ya in September with a nice new contract, wink, wink!

I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. Buying him out takes away any risk. So i get why they would do that. But I personally think he is a decent forward that is having a terrible season on one of the worst put together teams ever.
- Smittyx36

I think he is a guy with one foot out the door of the league. Can only produce if he is with top-end talent (who can't?) or on the power play. Can't/won't play defense. That's a recipe for disaster.

I really don't see a problem with getting Malkin. If the price is right, he's still 28, has at least 5 good years left, would be a legit #1 in Buffalo and his contract ends when he turns 36, a year or 2 just past his prime. The biggest problem is the 9.5 annual hit but that can be dealt with when its time. The deal kicked in this season, so there's already 1 year off its term.

People will argue that we won't be able to sign our young players when they need new contracts but its going to be at least 3 years, from now, before Rienhart needs an extension, at least 3 from now before McEichel or Strome needs an extension, as well as the same amount of time (at the very least 2 years) for any other young guys because not all of them are going to command 5+ million a year, half can be signed to bridge contracts, half won't make the team anyway. By then, who knows if we have another draft pick up playing on the wing at 950k scoring 20 gols and replacing someone like Kane?

What would it take to get Malkin is another story and he can always be bought out his last couple/few years anyway (right?).

It would instantly make us a potential playoff team by next year and we would have a legit player and superstar.
- DynamicThreads

Only way you are getting Malkin IMO is moving the Sabres 1st this year and that's something I wouldn't do.

It would probably cost our 1st one of Risto or Zadorov and probably Girgensons for Malkin...pass

What would it take to get Malkin is another story and he can always be bought out his last couple/few years anyway (right?).

It would instantly make us a potential playoff team by next year and we would have a legit player and superstar.
- DynamicThreads

We would have to move multiple high-end pieces to get him. You're talking a top D prospect (Pysyk or Zads), a high-end forward prospect (Girgs or Reinhart) and probably more. Since we would be tearing apart our future core I don't see it happening.

I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. Buying him out takes away any risk. So i get why they would do that. But I personally think he is a decent forward that is having a terrible season on one of the worst put together teams ever.
- Smittyx36

A bit of a risky proposition, but I'm with you. I'd roll the dice and see what he can do with better players on his line, and under a new coaching staff. This year is not reflective of his talent leveL nor his history of performance.
The downside in doing so is if he truly has Sh!t the bed, then his buyout goes highernext year and his trade value is zero...then waive him and hello AHL.

I think he is a guy with one foot out the door of the league. Can only produce if he is with top-end talent (who can't?) or on the power play. Can't/won't play defense. That's a recipe for disaster.
- Slump Buster

I wouldn't say he played with top end talent last year. Vanek? Thats all he played with. I think a guy like that has some value. Good on the PP but a liability on D? A lot of guys in the league are like that.

A bit of a risky proposition, but I'm with you. I'd roll the dice and see what he can do with better players on his line, and under a new coaching staff. This year is not reflective of his talent leveL nor his history of performance.
The downside in doing so is if he truly has Sh!t the bed, then his buyout goes highernext year and his trade value is zero...then waive him and hello AHL.
- IonSabres

That's why it isn't worth risking another year. It isn't worth missing the buyout opportunity in the hopes that - if everything lines up - we can make him into a soft third-line winger or trade him for a second round pick.

I wouldn't say he played with top end talent last year. Vanek? Thats all he played with. I think a guy like that has some value. Good on the PP but a liability on D? A lot of guys in the league are like that.
- Smittyx36

Maybe Darcy in Arizonia would like him for their 1st this year?

A bit of a risky proposition, but I'm with you. I'd roll the dice and see what he can do with better players on his line, and under a new coaching staff. This year is not reflective of his talent leveL nor his history of performance.
The downside in doing so is if he truly has Sh!t the bed, then his buyout goes highernext year and his trade value is zero...then waive him and hello AHL.
- IonSabres

Glad someone kind of sees what im saying. Definitely risk but the next 4 years i dont think we will have to worry that much about the cap. When he is on his last year we will be signing the young kids.

I wouldn't say he played with top end talent last year. Vanek? Thats all he played with. I think a guy like that has some value. Good on the PP but a liability on D? A lot of guys in the league are like that.
- Smittyx36

The only time he put up decent 5-on-5 numbers was when he played with Vanek and Pommer. So did Luke Adam.

You hardly see any PP specialists anymore, and there is a reason for that. You don't see good teams with defensive liabilities.

That's why it isn't worth risking another year. It isn't worth missing the buyout opportunity in the hopes that - if everything lines up - we can make him into a soft third-line winger or trade him for a second round pick.
- Slump Buster

I hear what your saying, but another option is it does work out and he performas at 20g 45pts ?.. I'd take that...and it is a possibility.

I hear what your saying, but another option is it does work out and he performas at 20g 45pts ?.. I'd take that...and it is a possibility.
- IonSabres

Sure, it's possible. Nobody questions his talent. Why take the risk? That says nothing of his defense and he certainly doesn't fit the type of player we want on the team. The buyout window is closing and it costs almost nothing to get rid of him. It just isn't worth the risk.