I have said from day 1 that Reinhart isn't a winger, and neither is Grigo. But I don't see having your entire center ice being occupied by 4 guys with little to no experience.

Kane/Girgensons/Ennis
Moulson/Grigorenko/McEichel
Foligno/Larsson/Reinhart
Deluauriers/Schaller/Hodgson/Kaleta/Gionta
- sbroads24

I think some are forgetting murrary has openly said he's trageting a top 6 forward in his early mid 20's

Warning: Long post incoming, HardHat please dont respond.

Kane-McEichel-Ennis
Moulson-Reinhart-Girgensons
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers-Grigorenko-Hodgson
McCormick

Line 1: Best offensive talent on the team, a true top line threat, will command the best matchups from other teams

Line 2: Veteran goal scoring winger, young experienced hard working 2 way flex winger centered by a defensively responsible playmaking center. Will feast on 2nd pairings and be responsible to take on secondary matchups. Line has all the needs for Reinhart to excel at what hes best at.

Line 3: A two way shutdown line that can handle heavy defensive responsibilities and will drive possession for the team. Will handle secondary scoring too.

Line 4: A line you can roll to feast on favorable matchups -- other teams bottom lines and bottom pairings.

I dont think McEichel or Reinhart should be wingers. They will benefit from driving play up the middle of the ice. Both are defensively responsible players. Yes they are young. Yes they wont be completely built into their bodies. BUT They have more or similar talent than some players who have come into the league at their age and performed in those roles (Toews, Monahan, Coots, etc)

I dont expect us to be a playoff team or a bubble team next year. I do see massive improvement on both offense and on defense though. Like massive improvement. Like +30-40 more goals for and -50-60 goals less. Im expecting a record around .500 (perhaps 35-35-12) -- something like Philly, CBJ or NJD this season. Finishing in 7-10 and having a small shot at a lottery top 3 pick.

The more I analyze this roster and my expectations for where we should finish next year, the more I'm fine with not having to really make any big moves (IE selling off on Larsson/Grigorenko + McCabe/Pysyk + 1st for ROR type of move). I would prefer not to package any of the draft picks this year (the other 1st and our 2nd rounder) to move up in the draft because I think some actual quality players will fall to our spot and put us in position to make value picks. We also need to start drafting more D to fill our pipeline, and I think the other 1st and pick 31 would be good start.

Theres only 4 things I expect to see Murray do for next years team:

1. Find a top 4 D for the left side. We currently have Gorges, Weber and Zadorov on the depth chart with McCabe knocking at the door. Personally, I'd send Zads and McCabe back to Rochester. Could be through UFA (no lost assets) or trade... but my top options would be Sekera, Oduya, and get ready... Ehrhoff!

2. Has to do something about the goalies obviously. I want Murray to chase down a Ben Bishop (when he was traded to TB) type of goalie. A young goalie who has proven himself at the NHL level but is sitting behind another starter.... Talbot, Hammond, Gibson or Anderson... something like that. Im fine with Johnson as a backup since he only has 1 year remaining. Let Ullmark and Makarov battle it out in Rochester next year. I think the price for these guys wont be too high.

3. Make a decision on Hodgson. Either seek out a team who is in need of a young player like him as filler who can still return you good value (Im looking at you ARI and Darcy) or give him a shot in the role I defined above or buy him out.

4. Get rid of Nolan.
- theblueandgold

Nice post
I think it's more likely that either Larsson or even Reinhart play RW this year instead of Girgensons... I pretty much agree with how the rest of it looks. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hodgson in the top9 instead of Larsson though. He's got skill, just needs a coach tht doesn't hate him.
As far as what you're looking for from Murray...
1. Idk if he's looking for a top4 LH defenseman. Zadorov is in there most likely. I don't think he'll be sent down. An Georges is signed for another year so he's there too. Gives McCabe time to ease his way in. Eventually, I think McCabe could be on the top pair on the left side. I really like him. I also agree with you that we need to spend a couple picks on defense in this draft.
2. He's mentioned talking to other GMs about their young goalies, I think that's his #1 priority after he says McDavid's name & drops the mic. Talbot is actually older than you'd think, and Hammond was one of the worst AHL goalies before this miraculous run he's on. Maybe he asks about Lehner though? Allen, Bernier & Vasilevskiy are guys I really like.
3. Murray has made comments that lead me to believe he likes his talent and disagrees with him being buried on a lower line. He's kind of unreadable right now bc of this years stats & his contract, so I think he sticks around & gets a shot at more playing time. Even if he is on the 4th line though, there will be enough talent on that line that they should be able to produce some points.
4. Ya, I used to think Nolan would get another year. But he & Murray are clearly not on the same page. I'd say there's a very good chance we have a new coach next year.

I think some are forgetting murrary has openly said he's trageting a top 6 forward in his early mid 20's
- Carubba-Kaleta

"Targeting" and actually pulling off that kind of trade are 2 different things though
Those kind of deals are tough to pull off
Wouldn't surprise me if he does, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't

"Targeting" and actually pulling off that kind of trade are 2 different things though
Those kind of deals are tough to pull off
Wouldn't surprise me if he does, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't
- jdfitz77

I agree but he's seems like someone who gets what he wants. Since the cap is going down many teams will be pressed to make trades for prospects which we have plenty of.

Warning: Long post incoming, HardHat please dont respond.

Kane-McEichel-Ennis
Moulson-Reinhart-Girgensons
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers-Grigorenko-Hodgson
McCormick

Line 1: Best offensive talent on the team, a true top line threat, will command the best matchups from other teams

Line 2: Veteran goal scoring winger, young experienced hard working 2 way flex winger centered by a defensively responsible playmaking center. Will feast on 2nd pairings and be responsible to take on secondary matchups. Line has all the needs for Reinhart to excel at what hes best at.

Line 3: A two way shutdown line that can handle heavy defensive responsibilities and will drive possession for the team. Will handle secondary scoring too.

Line 4: A line you can roll to feast on favorable matchups -- other teams bottom lines and bottom pairings.

.
- theblueandgold

Nice job
They might be mixed up come training camp. I like that Grigo was on the 2nd line the past few games. Hodge was playing better than I have saw all season. I'm sure we will see more line combos on here that would rival the fat ladys lotto tickets at the 7-11. Gonna be a fun summer.

Nice job
They might be mixed up come training camp. I like that Grigo was on the 2nd line the past few games. Hodge was playing better than I have saw all season. I'm sure we will see more line combos on here that would rival the fat ladys lotto tickets at the 7-11. Gonna be a fun summer.
- cabin

Hahaha nice. I can't wait, i hope it's gonna be a good year for buffalo fans after a lot of suffering. Hopefully we can get Babcock in here as head coach that would be better than any trade imo. He would truly take our prospects to the next level.

I agree but he's seems like someone who gets what he wants. Since the cap is going down many teams will be pressed to make trades for prospects which we have plenty of.
- Carubba-Kaleta

True... But he's also said he wants guys that fit into a certain age range as well. A team like Chicago is a lot more likely to trade someone like Sharp as opposed to Terravainen or Bickell, Shaw, etc
Idk that he'll trade good assets for a guy in his 30s
We'll see though.
I just hope we don't get ROR... Even though I like him, I don't wanna pay him 6mil+ and I think he wants to be a UFA and really cash in anyways

Get McEichel. Wrap that up and hope they get lucky and get McDavid. I would move anyone not names Girgensons and Risto for Kessel. I would part with Reinhart if needed but I would love him to be our 2C of the future. Murray has acquired his top line power forward and almost has his cornerstone franchise center just get that pure goal scoring winger and after a season of growing together they should be ready to make that playoff push (assuming they find a serviceable goalie and round out the D)

Kane McEichel Kessel?
Moulson Reinhart Girgensons
Foligno Larrson Gionta
Deslauriers McCormick? Shaller?

Risto Bogosian
Gorges Zadorov
Pysyk FA?

Dubnyk?
Enroth?

Get McEichel. Wrap that up and hope they get lucky and get McDavid. I would move anyone not names Girgensons and Risto for Kessel. I would part with Reinhart if needed but I would love him to be our 2C of the future. Murray has acquired his top line power forward and almost has his cornerstone franchise center just get that pure goal scoring winger and after a season of growing together they should be ready to make that playoff push (assuming they find a serviceable goalie and round out the D)

Kane McEichel Kessel?
Moulson Reinhart Girgensons
Foligno Larrson Gionta
Deslauriers McCormick? Shaller?

Risto Bogosian
Gorges Zadorov
Pysyk FA?

Dubnyk?
Enroth?


- Stripes77

Kessel

True... But he's also said he wants guys that fit into a certain age range as well. A team like Chicago is a lot more likely to trade someone like Sharp as opposed to Terravainen or Bickell, Shaw, etc
Idk that he'll trade good assets for a guy in his 30s
We'll see though.
I just hope we don't get ROR... Even though I like him, I don't wanna pay him 6mil+ and I think he wants to be a UFA and really cash in anyways
- jdfitz77

Kessel
- Carubba-Kaleta

HUGE F no.

Kessel
- Carubba-Kaleta

Over the last 3 seasons only 1 winger has outscored him...Say what you want but if you're adding him to compliment your team and not be the cornerstone find me another winger that could be available that produces like him

So here is a weird thought I have been milling around with today figured I'd post an see what you guys think.

Say we actually win the lottery and get McDavid and Arizona will have the 2nd pick.
Would you consider trading the 1st (McDavid) for a package of Ekman-Larson and the 2nd (Eichel)? if that wouldn't be enough try and push for Domi too? Or do we just take McDavid and run?

Over the last 3 seasons only 1 winger has outscored him...Say what you want but if you're adding him to compliment your team and not be the cornerstone find me another winger that could be available that produces like him
- Stripes77

It's all about the value of the product. I'd take him on a fantasy team... but what are you giving up for Kessel. Is he too old for this team for what he's worth today? I just don't think you should be targeting a player like that for this team. Skill aside.

Nice job
They might be mixed up come training camp. I like that Grigo was on the 2nd line the past few games. Hodge was playing better than I have saw all season. I'm sure we will see more line combos on here that would rival the fat ladys lotto tickets at the 7-11. Gonna be a fun summer.
- cabin

I agree.
Hodgson has skill. Give him ice time with decent players & he'll produce.
Maybe he won't be the 2nd line center we all thought. But I can see him being a 20goal, 50 point winger if he can play in someone's top6

True... But he's also said he wants guys that fit into a certain age range as well. A team like Chicago is a lot more likely to trade someone like Sharp as opposed to Terravainen or Bickell, Shaw, etc
Idk that he'll trade good assets for a guy in his 30s
We'll see though.
I just hope we don't get ROR... Even though I like him, I don't wanna pay him 6mil+ and I think he wants to be a UFA and really cash in anyways
- jdfitz77

Brad Marchand

So here is a weird thought I have been milling around with today figured I'd post an see what you guys think.

Say we actually win the lottery and get McDavid and Arizona will have the 2nd pick.
Would you consider trading the 1st (McDavid) for a package of Ekman-Larson and the 2nd (Eichel)? if that wouldn't be enough try and push for Domi too? Or do we just take McDavid and run?
- Orphen22

Tough decision,even without the picks. The will both prolly be more equal in 8 years than we think.

So here is a weird thought I have been milling around with today figured I'd post an see what you guys think.

Say we actually win the lottery and get McDavid and Arizona will have the 2nd pick.
Would you consider trading the 1st (McDavid) for a package of Ekman-Larson and the 2nd (Eichel)? if that wouldn't be enough try and push for Domi too? Or do we just take McDavid and run?
- Orphen22

No, but I would trade McDavid for Eichel, OEL, Domi, 2016 1st, 2017 1st

I agree.
Hodgson has skill. Give him ice time with decent players & he'll produce.
Maybe he won't be the 2nd line center we all thought. But I can see him being a 20goal, 50 point winger if he can play in someone's top6
- jdfitz77

And be able to fill in on the upper 2 lines in emergency or just a shake up for a few shifts.
Unrelated: Weber will be 28 this coming Dec.

I thought he was still around 23

Over the last 3 seasons only 1 winger has outscored him...Say what you want but if you're adding him to compliment your team and not be the cornerstone find me another winger that could be available that produces like him
- Stripes77

If murray traded Reinhart for kessel I would find him and kill him myself for the rest of this message board

No, but I would trade McDavid for Eichel, OEL, Domi, 2016 1st, 2017 1st
- TheSabresTaco

GReedy . But I would do the same

GReedy . But I would do the same
- cabin

Greedy of course. But it's (frank)ing McD

If murray traded Reinhart for kessel I would find him and kill him myself for the rest of this message board
- Fattony1187

WE got your back boss

Greedy of course. But it's (frank)ing McD
- TheSabresTaco

It would have to WOW me too trade him away. Still a worry Jack would end up being the better choice.

If murray traded Reinhart for kessel I would find him and kill him myself for the rest of this message board
- Fattony1187

Totally agree.

So, now that we're chatting about Kessel... what would you folks value him at? I'm not talking about what's fair or what TO would accept... I mean, what's he worth to you?

To me, I would trade the 2nd 1st, Buffalo's 2nd, Grigorenko or McCabe.