I'd rather just buy out Hodgson

Call it what you want and don't tell me i'm wrong just because you don't agree with me, Semin is a sorry ass hockey player with a worse contract. Murray is not dumb enough to make a move like this. Go back and fourth all you want, won't change my opinion.
- SABRES 89

If Semin is a sorry ass hockey player how does this sorry ass hockey player average .80 ppg in his career?

Please, you're right I don't agree with you but Murray is going to need scoring and if he can move a player like Hodgson for a better version of Hodgson why wouldn't he? You can't expect kids to just carry the scoring on this team.

Semin would help on the PP. He would be a RWer that this team needs. He is a fill in until the better prospects are ready to go.

I am not slapping a letter on his chest.

That's what guys like Gionta, Moulson and Gorges are for. Semin would be here to score nothing more.
- Stripes77

But it isn't worth the risk of losing 2 youngsters. Semin may score next season but you'd still have him for 2 more years and a leopard won't change his spots. He'll go back. To being LZ and you risk that rubbing off on others.

You are better off buying out Cody than making this deal.

In 2011 54 in 77 games
In 2012 44 in 44 games
In 2013 42 in 65 games
In 2014 19 in 57 games

159 points in 243 games .65 ppg and that's taken into account his worst statistical year ever. You want to give Hodgson a chance to bounce back but not someone who has proven he can score?

If you take out last year those 3 previous seasons he is averaging .75 ppg yeah that declining production...
- Stripes77

Your'e defending two players over 30 in serious decline, one who has lost more than a step and the other who couldn't give any less of a poop over a guy just entering his prime. Yes, Cody Hodgson has less skill than Alex Semin and Mike Richards. But the contractual risk and just the fact that Semin is a disease and noted as such publicly, I want no part in him "When skill refuses to work hard.."

I want to give a guy with determination and youth to bounce back over even a hockey god who doesn't give a poop.

But it isn't worth the risk of losing 2 youngsters. Semin may score next season but you'd still have him for 2 more years and a leopard won't change his spots. He'll go back. To being LZ and you risk that rubbing off on others.

You are better off buying out Cody than making this deal.
- sabrerob

What youngsters are you losing here? The only one that I could see maybe following his suit would be Grigorenko which many aren't sure where he fits on this team anyway. Or you could play the Russian with another Russian and he gets comfortable. Girgensons is not of the mold to change who he is and Risto plays the blue line.

What youngsters are you losing here? The only one that I could see maybe following his suit would be Grigorenko which many aren't sure where he fits on this team anyway. Or you could play the Russian with another Russian and he gets comfortable. Girgensons is not of the mold to change who he is and Risto plays the blue line.
- Stripes77

Zadorov

But it isn't worth the risk of losing 2 youngsters. Semin may score next season but you'd still have him for 2 more years and a leopard won't change his spots. He'll go back. To being LZ and you risk that rubbing off on others.

You are better off buying out Cody than making this deal.
- sabrerob

How is going to ruin those two players? Serious question, just trying to get some clarification.

Your'e defending two players over 30 in serious decline, one who has lost more than a step and the other who couldn't give any less of a poop over a guy just entering his prime. Yes, Cody Hodgson has less skill than Alex Semin and Mike Richards. But the contractual risk and just the fact that Semin is a disease and noted as such publicly, I want no part in him "When skill refuses to work hard.."
- TheSabresTaco

It's not really a risk at all. IF and that's a big IF you aren't buying out Hodgson, Semin's contract ends before. They have $35 million in cap space right now. It would still be $32 if you swap the two. I am not seeing a risk anywhere here. Semin's contract would expire the same time Eichel will be do a raise...

Zadorov
- sabrerob

Who also plays the blue line...

That is what Gorges is for and the way Zadorov was last year he already knows he is in the dog house...

How is going to ruin those two players? Serious question, just trying to get some clarification.
- Dangles13

If you got a lazy Russians making $7 mil, who would be the highest paid player, loafing the other 2 Russians that already have to shake that label might gravitate towards him. I don't think it's worth the risk

Who also plays the blue line...

That is what Gorges is for and the way Zadorov was last year he already knows he is in the dog house...
- Stripes77

Just because he plays D doesn't mean he can't be influenced by him

If you got a lazy Russians making $7 mil, who would be the highest paid player, loafing the other 2 Russians that already have to shake that label might gravitate towards him. I don't think it's worth the risk
- sabrerob

Grigorenko has shown and said the right thing since he spent his time in Rochester. I think you are overplaying the Russian label here.

Just because he plays D doesn't mean he can't be influenced by him
- sabrerob

And just because he is Russian doesn't mean they others will follow...

If you got a lazy Russians making $7 mil, who would be the highest paid player, loafing the other 2 Russians that already have to shake that label might gravitate towards him. I don't think it's worth the risk
- sabrerob

If you're worried about one player's laziness rubbing off on young players then I think the problem would be a lack of leadership in the room. If your Captain can't get the young players to follow his work ethic then perhaps he isn't the right choice for Captain. I do think Gionta is a great leader and you wouldn't have to worry about it.

If you're worried about one player's laziness rubbing off on young players then I think the problem would be a lack of leadership in the room. If your Captain can't get the young players to follow his work ethic then perhaps he isn't the right choice for Captain. I do think Gionta is a great leader and you wouldn't have to worry about it.
- Dangles13

This...

Grigorenko has shown and said the right thing since he spent his time in Rochester. I think you are overplaying the Russian label here.
- Stripes77

He has done that but I don't want any temptations to go back.

If you're worried about one player's laziness rubbing off on young players then I think the problem would be a lack of leadership in the room. If your Captain can't get the young players to follow his work ethic then perhaps he isn't the right choice for Captain. I do think Gionta is a great leader and you wouldn't have to worry about it.
- Dangles13

I still don't think it is worth the risk. Culture can bond players and I don't want those 2 bonding with Semin

This...
- Stripes77

Plus if Semin doesn't work out he could still be moved, his offensive upside might be tempting for a team that has lost a star player and needs to make the playoffs.

I still don't think it is worth the risk. Culture can bond players and I don't want those 2 bonding with Semin
- sabrerob

If Semin can come in an change the culture that quickly the Sabres locker room is a decade away from being playoff contenders

Plus if Semin doesn't work out he could still be moved, his offensive upside might be tempting for a team that has lost a star player and needs to make the playoffs.
- Dangles13

This is what I have been saying. If we are trading Hodgson for Semin a playoff team would take a flyer on Semin over Hodgson all day.

Horrible idea.

Hodgson had 1 bad year under a terrible coach. You guys are already throwing him under the bus. I'd much rather have CoHo here than Foligno. This year Hodgson will bounce back with a better coach in place. If he is involved in a trade for Semin then that 5th overall should be in the conversation as well. With a bunch of other things going their way from our side.

Semin and 5th overall for the 21st, our second 2nd rounder, a third next season, Hodgson, Foligno, Bailey and McCabe.

Horrible idea.

Hodgson had 1 bad year under a terrible coach. You guys are already throwing him under the bus. I'd much rather have CoHo here than Foligno. This year Hodgson will bounce back with a better coach in place. If he is involved in a trade for Semin then that 5th overall should be in the conversation as well. With a bunch of other things going their way from our side.

Semin and 5th overall for the 21st, our second 2nd rounder, a third next season, Hodgson, Foligno, Bailey and McCabe.
- Jammerz04

You get laughed at...That 5th overall pick is worth a ton this draft. Throwing random pieces isn't going to get it done. You aren't getting into the top 10 with 21st and 31st overall let alone the top 5 by throwing in spare pieces.

People don't want to pay ROR 7 mill but would trade Hodgson for a player worse then Leino ? not a chance in hell would I want Semin and his bad contract anyplace near the Sabres. In no way am I a Hodgson fan but not a chance I would do this deal. Risk over reward my a$$, with what this team is doing we don't need a 7 mill a year boat anchor.
- SABRES 89

'bout time you chimed in on this one

'bout time you chimed in on this one
- Michael Pachla

"trade Hodgson for a player worse then Leino"

Mike,

Great blog again. It's a good question but I want Semin as far away from Big Z and Gringo as he can be. We already hear things about lazy Russians and I don't want those 2 to learn from 1 of the best ones out there. Upside, there is none. Downside, he can ruin 2 others in the process. This from someone who isn't a Cody fan
- sabrerob

can't agree with the "no upside" part...in the two years before last he scored 35 goals in 99 games while adding 51 assists...would have been the second highest goal-scorer on the sabres...

as prefaced, i'm well aware of the kind of player he is...I really am not looking at next season as being anything special and contrary to popular belief talented top-six players don't grow on trees