give the blues a conditional 7th rd pick
- homiedclown

He's a UFA

I wouldn't "target" anyone in a trade. I might be in the minority but I'd be happy if we stayed put and see what we have with a new coach and system and our new additions we haven't seen yet (mainly Eichel and Kane)
I find it unlikely for us to make the playoffs this year whether we make a move for a "proven top 6" guy or not, so I'd rather keep our prospects and picks, especially if we're talking next year's 1st.

I'm not sure what you were trying to say comparing Backes and Oshie, but it pretty much furthered my point. Backes is just as, or more, productive as Oshie, is one of the more physical forwards in the league, and has great leadership qualities which would do wonders for this team. I think he's THE best guy to bring in to mentor Girgensons. I see a ton of similarities in their games, so I just think Backes would be a t guy for Zemgus to learn from. But like I said, I'm happy to make no moves and continue to develop our own guys.


Edit: In response to ThatGuy, I don't know why it won't let me quote.

My guess would be that with how rough of a year it was in general, they felt it was better to just leave things be.

Especially after Murray got lambasted in the media at the draft lottery.
- HonkFortheGoose

I really didn't have a lot of questions at the end of the season...it was what I expected...Nolan was the big issue and they addressed it, so onward to the off season

He's a UFA
- SABRES 89

not til july first

give them a conditional 7th, condition is he signs a 1 year deal

not til july first

give them a conditional 7th, condition is he signs a 1 year deal
- homiedclown

We'll give them nothing and like it!

We'll give them nothing and like it!
- jochfr

Piss Off Oprah............................

We'll give them nothing and like it!
- jochfr

go save a school or steal a tv oprah

I wouldn't "target" anyone in a trade. I might be in the minority but I'd be happy if we stayed put and see what we have with a new coach and system and our new additions we haven't seen yet (mainly Eichel and Kane)
I find it unlikely for us to make the playoffs this year whether we make a move for a "proven top 6" guy or not, so I'd rather keep our prospects and picks, especially if we're talking next year's 1st.

I'm not sure what you were trying to say comparing Backes and Oshie, but it pretty much furthered my point. Backes is just as, or more, productive as Oshie, is one of the more physical forwards in the league, and has great leadership qualities which would do wonders for this team. I think he's THE best guy to bring in to mentor Girgensons. I see a ton of similarities in their games, so I just think Backes would be a t guy for Zemgus to learn from. But like I said, I'm happy to make no moves and continue to develop our own guys.


Edit: In response to ThatGuy, I don't know why it won't let me quote.
- ZootAllures

Murray isn't standing pat, you will see players and prsopects being moved.

go save a school or steal a tv oprah
- homiedclown

Furniture is available also.

I really didn't have a lot of questions at the end of the season...it was what I expected...Nolan was the big issue and they addressed it, so on to the off season
- Michael Pachla

Do you think they make any changes in Rochester? I have to say, I wasn't a huge fan of Cassidy this year. Thought they probably could have done better with the roster they had there. I get that it wasn't exactly loaded with talent, but it should have been better than 3rd last, IMO.

I really didn't have a lot of questions at the end of the season...it was what I expected...Nolan was the big issue and they addressed it, so onward to the off season
- Michael Pachla

It was still incredibly informal, and even without Nolan, there's a ton of questions that can be asked regarding specific players and their destinations for next season, types of players to target in the draft or trade, estimated rebuild time, the coaching search and maybe a marketing question or two. These types of questions are more than the 'well what happened and why did you tank' stuff. Every other team does it. Why can't the Sabres? Didn't do poop last year either and it's an awful policy.

It was still incredibly informal, and even without Nolan, there's a ton of questions that can be asked regarding specific players and their destinations for next season, types of players to target in the draft or trade, estimated rebuild time, the coaching search and maybe a marketing question or two. These types of questions are more than the 'well what happened and why did you tank' stuff. Every other team does it. Why can't the Sabres? Didn't do poop last year either and it's an awful policy.
- TheSabresTaco

2 words would have been said to answer all those questions.....

"Still evaluating"

Do you think they make any changes in Rochester? I have to say, I wasn't a huge fan of Cassidy this year. Thought they probably could have done better with the roster they had there. I get that it wasn't exactly loaded with talent, but it should have been better than 3rd last, IMO.
- HonkFortheGoose

Cassidy did what he's paid to do. Develop players. A lot of players grew their games. In particular McCabe, Catenacci, Carrier, Grigorenko, Larsson and Schaller. The roster and talent was fair to begin with, and when the Sabres stripped them, they were pathetic. They had nothing in terms of net front presence. They lacked hard nosed defenders. They lacked consistent goaltending. I don't blame Cassidy one bit for finishing in the place he did. I'm sure it's possible there are a few candidates out there who may be better than he is, but he did an acceptable job in my opinion. Grew individuals on a poopty team.

2 words would have been said to answer all those questions.....

"Still evaluating"
- cabin

I'm pretty sure Murray has a little more respect for the city of Buffalo than Marshawn Lynch.

I'm pretty sure Murray has a little more respect for the city of Buffalo than Marshawn Lynch.
- TheSabresTaco

True true.

Murray isn't standing pat, you will see players and prsopects being moved.
- SABRES 89

That's fine. If GMTM could grab someone that helps our team in a fair deal that doesn't mortgage our future, he should. I was more responding to the question of who would "I" target. I don't want the Sabres to make a move just for the sake of making a move.

Cassidy did what he's paid to do. Develop players. A lot of players grew their games. In particular McCabe, Catenacci, Carrier, Grigorenko, Larsson and Schaller. The roster and talent was fair to begin with, and when the Sabres stripped them, they were pathetic. They had nothing in terms of net front presence. They lacked hard nosed defenders. They lacked consistent goaltending. I don't blame Cassidy one bit for finishing in the place he did. I'm sure it's possible there are a few candidates out there who may be better than he is, but he did an acceptable job in my opinion. Grew individuals on a poopty team.
- TheSabresTaco

special teams was brutal and rochester played below average on the road

18 if Detroit wins, 19 if they lose. (I think)
- porkchops1977

Incorrect. Won't know until the second round is over.

from a prospect pool, once you take into account the kids that should be with the big club

it's pretty bare on D, center and LW

Saw on Twitter Bruce Garrioch reported Erik Condra may be out in Ottawa. Any interest there?

Saw on Twitter Bruce Garrioch reported Erik Condra may be out in Ottawa. Any interest there?
- adambuffalo

I'd plug him on the 4th line if they remove kaleta from the equation

solid pk player
can move up the third line in a pinch


if he is on your third line, your not a deep team so there would still need to be an upgrade at rw so gionta is on the third line IMO

I wouldn't "target" anyone in a trade. I might be in the minority but I'd be happy if we stayed put and see what we have with a new coach and system and our new additions we haven't seen yet (mainly Eichel and Kane)
I find it unlikely for us to make the playoffs this year whether we make a move for a "proven top 6" guy or not, so I'd rather keep our prospects and picks, especially if we're talking next year's 1st.

I'm not sure what you were trying to say comparing Backes and Oshie, but it pretty much furthered my point. Backes is just as, or more, productive as Oshie, is one of the more physical forwards in the league, and has great leadership qualities which would do wonders for this team. I think he's THE best guy to bring in to mentor Girgensons. I see a ton of similarities in their games, so I just think Backes would be a t guy for Zemgus to learn from. But like I said, I'm happy to make no moves and continue to develop our own guys.


Edit: In response to ThatGuy, I don't know why it won't let me quote.
- ZootAllures

I think Murray should sit back and watch teams scramble a bit (teams near the cap) and offer low ball solutions to help them. My guess is one team will bite. As far as targetting a player, I think the player needs to have an upside and under 25 years old for Murray to consider it. We have a super young team (prospects), where most of them will be perfect for 3rd or 4th line duties for years. This to me is close to the model for the Blackhawks, each year they trade away strong 3rd and 4th line players but seem to have more waiting (or they sign college FA's or KHL guys). I would only package a couple prospects for a top 6 player or top 2 D man. Murray does seem to be very savy, so if an offer for a player is "too good to say no" then I trust him to make the right choice (well, I guess we have to, lol). I have liked all his trades so far (not that I wanted to trade the players we did, but sometimes you need to trade something good to get something better!).

I think Murray should sit back and watch teams scramble a bit (teams near the cap) and offer low ball solutions to help them. My guess is one team will bite. As far as targetting a player, I think the player needs to have an upside and under 25 years old for Murray to consider it. We have a super young team (prospects), where most of them will be perfect for 3rd or 4th line duties for years. This to me is close to the model for the Blackhawks, each year they trade away strong 3rd and 4th line players but seem to have more waiting (or they sign college FA's or KHL guys). I would only package a couple prospects for a top 6 player or top 2 D man. Murray does seem to be very savy, so if an offer for a player is "too good to say no" then I trust him to make the right choice (well, I guess we have to, lol). I have liked all his trades so far (not that I wanted to trade the players we did, but sometimes you need to trade something good to get something better!).
- Lilroot9

I agree with everything except the age part. His target age range should be someone in the 25-28 range. He needs some established players to play with the kids especially if Reinhart is going to be here.

I agree with everything except the age part. His target age range should be someone in the 25-28 range. He needs some established players to play with the kids especially if Reinhart is going to be here.
- Stripes77

Fair enough. The reason I went lower is because of the drop off (it seems) around age 30. We have a young team and dont need to win this year, but getting young talented players together for 3 years or more should do wonders for the franchise. Either way I think we will be alright, but getting another top 6 player would put us in the playoffs conversation this coming season (in my opinion).

Cassidy did what he's paid to do. Develop players. A lot of players grew their games. In particular McCabe, Catenacci, Carrier, Grigorenko, Larsson and Schaller. The roster and talent was fair to begin with, and when the Sabres stripped them, they were pathetic. They had nothing in terms of net front presence. They lacked hard nosed defenders. They lacked consistent goaltending. I don't blame Cassidy one bit for finishing in the place he did. I'm sure it's possible there are a few candidates out there who may be better than he is, but he did an acceptable job in my opinion. Grew individuals on a poopty team.
- TheSabresTaco

You're wrong. Ted Nolan did. His refusing to put players in their best positions to succeed until Tim Murray forced his hand by trading roster players away will go down as the single best thing for the development of these guys.