http://www.newser.com/art...-with-buffalo-sabres.html

Why would TM be on the phone? Its not his money, it's TPegs money. I'd say this is above TM and up to TP and the contract guys.
- Homer

This is what is being reported on GR (via other sources)

I don't think the Wings will be out of the mix anytime soon. They have some really promising prospects on forward and defense, and Mrazek is 21-22, so they look pretty good for the next several years IMO.
- nova2112

I don't think they are going "down" either. They have been decimated by injuries lately I believe.

I tell you right now... Nyquist and Tatar... I would trade WORLDS for those guys to be here. A lot of great young talent and very solid veteran talent as well. Young goalie now too. I feel like their biggest need is the middle lines and depth. Couple of injuries really widdled them down thin.

I honestly think that adding Kane, Eichel, and Reinhart to our line-up makes it very potent. Look at what Ennis is doing with top level talent and then add in Girgensons and Moulson. I mean. It is a very solid group up there.

our D will very solid as well with Bogo and Gorges being minute eaters. Add in the young bucks of Risto, Zadarov, Pysyk, and McCabe/Ruhwedel. A solid bottom line guy in Weber who blocks a ton of shots.

Goalie is the biggest thing... there is NO WAY in hell we come close to the playoffs with the guys we have signed right now. Not even if we sign back Enroth or Lindback would I consider us a playoff contender. Talk of us trading for Howard wouldn't be good either IMO.
- JVince11

Yeah, the roster is shaping up nicely. I honestly think Kane coming back is going to be bigger for the team than people realize. He's going to improve our offense almost by himself, but with Reinhart coming up and (probably) Eichel, it's going to be a very different team offensively. You're on key with the D analysis, too.

Goalies, yeah, I have no idea what the team is going to do here. Would be amusing if we landed Babcock and traded for Howard.

I don't think the Wings will be out of the mix anytime soon. They have some really promising prospects on forward and defense, and Mrazek is 21-22, so they look pretty good for the next several years IMO.
- nova2112

Let's hope so. They're my #3 team to root for.

Red Wings fan a known troll came in and started ripping Mike and his blog a few people told him to take a hike in a not so nice way...
- Stripes77

A post was deleted and a troll was banned. All subsequent posts that quoted the original one were also deleted.

Wings are not on the downswing. They've got a lot coming, prospect wise. Pretty sure hockey futures has them listed as the 4th best group. We don't get the high picks like Buffalo, but we draft and develop young talent better than anyone else in the league.
- nova2112

You will absolutely have a good team for a while the difference is whether you get more guys developing into a Dats or Zetty to have a great team. Detroit has had a major luxury in having great players that allowed for better development over almost every other team in the league bare none. I'm interested to see what happens when they retire and if they can keep it going.

Cheers

Why would TM be on the phone? Its not his money, it's TPegs money. I'd say this is above TM and up to TP and the contract guys.
- Homer

Because he is the one with the best history with Mike. Makes him feel more comfortable during this process. TM relays the extra info to Terry. Terry already knows the contract they offered so he lets TM manage the smaller items and then gets approval from TPegs in the end. Simple yet annoying process haha

I don't think they are going "down" either. They have been decimated by injuries lately I believe.

I tell you right now... Nyquist and Tatar... I would trade WORLDS for those guys to be here. A lot of great young talent and very solid veteran talent as well. Young goalie now too. I feel like their biggest need is the middle lines and depth. Couple of injuries really widdled them down thin.
- JVince11

I mean, a couple of key injuries would hurt any team really. It's going to be an interesting summer for the team to be sure. I love Gus and Tats, and from a #s perspective, they're pretty close to where Pav was at this stage. Both need a big step forward next season though.

Yeah, the roster is shaping up nicely. I honestly think Kane coming back is going to be bigger for the team than people realize. He's going to improve our offense almost by himself, but with Reinhart coming up and (probably) Eichel, it's going to be a very different team offensively. You're on key with the D analysis, too.

Goalies, yeah, I have no idea what the team is going to do here. Would be amusing if we landed Babcock and traded for Howard.



Let's hope so. They're my #3 team to root for.
- OnPoint

i just really think we need another talented RW. Ennis could be our 1st liner but would prefer if he was our 2nd liner which would allow Gionta onto the 3rd line. Gionta is not a 2nd line type guy even though he ended the year strong.

I don't know who is out there besides Stewart who supposedly LOVED his time here but who knows. I can see us trading out 2nd 1st round pick and a 2nd rounder for a player at this position.

I think I saw that the likes of Niemi and Dubnyk are UFAs so that is possible.

Very soon then?
- Punch70

Sure hope so. From what I know which isn't much, I'd say 60/40 Buffalo

The player that stands the most out of this is someone we have written off as trade bait (he could still be) but Babcock you know actually plays Russians...Girgorenko could stand to gain the most from this (if true). At least in Buffalo that is.
- Stripes77

Speak for yourselves

I mean, a couple of key injuries would hurt any team really. It's going to be an interesting summer for the team to be sure. I love Gus and Tats, and from a #s perspective, they're pretty close to where Pav was at this stage. Both need a big step forward next season though.
- nova2112

I trade for Nyquist in every NHL video game... Love watching him play.

Maybe we can get him with Howard by the sounds of the rumors that we like Howard..

Speak for yourselves
- Herzeleid

I don't know where Grigo plays if he is here... that is the only thing...

Is he on the 3rd line with Girgensons and Foligno? Okay that could be good for him.

But that means that Ennis is 1RW and Gionta is 2RW which I am not a fan of.

Unless I am mistaken I thought we played Grigo at RW late in the season when he finally got comfortable?

Because he is the one with the best history with Mike. Makes him feel more comfortable during this process. TM relays the extra info to Terry. Terry already knows the contract they offered so he lets TM manage the smaller items and then gets approval from TPegs in the end. Simple yet annoying process haha
- Beezer33

Just like in every negotiation, the owner takes a very limited role, unless your name is Jerry Jones.

I trade for Nyquist in every NHL video game... Love watching him play.

Maybe we can get him with Howard by the sounds of the rumors that we like Howard..
- JVince11

Gus isn't going anywhere, and while I'd love to get something for Howie, I think he sticks around. Mraz is young and needs a solid vet backup. Wings would have to have something in place.

Just like in every negotiation, the owner takes a very limited role, unless your name is Jerry Jones.
- TheSabresTaco

Or Terry Pegula.....see Rex Ryan.

Or Terry Pegula.....see Rex Ryan.
- Homer

Terry didn't negotiate his contract details.

In Babcock and Ryan, he took a huge role in courting him. Not drawing up contract details.

A post was deleted and a troll was banned. All subsequent posts that quoted the original one were also deleted.
- nfph

Almost lost a whole page. You've come a long way from year 1 of your mod days .

I was enjoying reading this blog until I got to the part about Datsyuk and Zetterberg replacing Yzerman, FRANSON, and Lidstrom. Come on now :|

Good luck to Buffalo fans if you get Babs, he can sometimes be stifling for younger players, but he's a great coach. Wings are pretty much in a win/win, we either get Babs, or we get to promote Jeff Blashill, probably the best coach in the AHL and soon to be one of the best new coaches in the NHL. Should be a fun 24 hours.
- nova2112

Yeah, dude...caught that myself just after posting it...appreciate the read as you got half-way through it before it became less enjoyable

i just really think we need another talented RW. Ennis could be our 1st liner but would prefer if he was our 2nd liner which would allow Gionta onto the 3rd line. Gionta is not a 2nd line type guy even though he ended the year strong.

I don't know who is out there besides Stewart who supposedly LOVED his time here but who knows. I can see us trading out 2nd 1st round pick and a 2nd rounder for a player at this position.

I think I saw that the likes of Niemi and Dubnyk are UFAs so that is possible.
- JVince11

To WPG: Tyler Ennis, Mark Pysyk and our 2016 1st
To BUF: Drew Stafford

1RW solved.

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham1717 10m10 minutes ago
I can tell you one of the things Babcock is trying to hammer out with Murray is how much say he has in player personnel.

A very important aspect. It's good that Murray and Babcock are hammering this out. Going over Murray's head with these types of details could prove very harmful.

Almost lost a whole page. You've come a long way from year 1 of your mod days .


- cabin

I generally try and be more surgical than that - I really don't like modding heavily for a number of reasons. But in that case the whole arm had to go.

To WPG: Tyler Ennis, Mark Pysyk and our 2016 1st
To BUF: Drew Stafford

1RW solved.


- sambarugh

What are you, an idiot? Add our 2015 1st to that.

It just makes sense for Babcock to come to Buffalo. I mean, we gave them Hasek, so now they rub our back, right?

For real, though. Next season's Sabres roster is shaping up to be fairly solid throughout. Knowing TM's relationship with Babcock in the past, it seems like they'd be on the same page about everything. Not to mention the $5 Milly deal makes him look like the hero for other coaches. No brainer to me.

Terry didn't negotiate his contract details.

In Babcock and Ryan, he took a huge role in courting him. Not drawing up contract details.
- TheSabresTaco

How do you know that? Maybe not little nuances but he had a lot to do with it. I'm not really here to argue, but TP has a lot to do with contract offers.....to players as well. I know that as a fact. BTW, its not always good.