He will never be captain until Zemgus Girgensons is traded.
- TheSabresTaco

This. At most an A. But does that extra letter really matter? Besides, once someone in a Buffalo uniform gets the C he's gone the following deadline/within 2 years. Let's hope GMTM breaks the cycle.

Peca, Barnes, LaFontaine, Vanek, Pommers, Briere, Drury....

srsly?

What are the odds of Eichel turning pro? Has anyone on here heard anything?

What are the odds of Eichel turning pro? Has anyone on here heard anything?
- 50GinosIn07

100%

This. At most an A. But does that extra letter really matter? Besides, once someone in a Buffalo uniform gets the C he's gone the following deadline/within 2 years. Let's hope GMTM breaks the cycle.

Peca, Barnes, LaFontaine, Vanek, Pommers, Briere, Drury....

srsly?
- DynamicThreads

yup...and the thread that runs through this is darcy regier

This. At most an A. But does that extra letter really matter? Besides, once someone in a Buffalo uniform gets the C he's gone the following deadline/within 2 years. Let's hope GMTM breaks the cycle.

Peca, Barnes, LaFontaine, Vanek, Pommers, Briere, Drury....

srsly?
- DynamicThreads

The track record certainly isn't great. But you have to remember that was all under a completely different regime. Vanek never should have been named a Captain, and Pommers was a victim of being on a team that needed to be torn down. He was worth more than most of the other guys on the roster, so he had to be moved to bring in new fresh talent.

What are the odds of Eichel turning pro? Has anyone on here heard anything?
- 50GinosIn07

At least one of the guys here with connections to the team said that Eichel has informed them that he is turning pro. I know someone with ties to the business community told me that his advisor/agent has been working on some deals.

The track record certainly isn't great. But you have to remember that was all under a completely different regime. Vanek never should have been named a Captain, and Pommers was a victim of being on a team that needed to be torn down. He was worth more than most of the other guys on the roster, so he had to be moved to bring in new fresh talent.
- HonkFortheGoose

For me the biggest waste in there was Peca. Both sides dropped the ball and both lost out.

For me the biggest waste in there was Peca. Both sides dropped the ball and both lost out.
- Slump Buster

Definitely. Peca has admitted that if he could go back and do it over again he wouldn't have done things the way he did. But, hindsight is 20/20. Both sides handled that whole situation very poorly.

At least one of the guys here with connections to the team said that Eichel has informed them that he is turning pro. I know someone with ties to the business community told me that his advisor/agent has been working on some deals.
- Slump Buster

Deals for what though? He hasn't even been drafted yet. I would think it would be a pretty big no-no to start negotiating with a guy before you even draft him. Obviously he can do endorsement deals and such, which automatically voids his NCAA eligibility, so if that's the case, the info makes sense.

I'd trade either Hodgson and/or Grigorenko for a 1st, even a late one...
But I doubt any team would do that

Our best bet is probably to hang into them for now
Grigorenko is slowly (but steadily) improving, so if he can have a decent statistical season he'll be very trade able
Hodgson should have a bounce back year and score around 20 goals. If he does that, his trade value will go up & we'll be able to move him

Deals for what though? He hasn't even been drafted yet. I would think it would be a pretty big no-no to start negotiating with a guy before you even draft him. Obviously he can do endorsement deals and such, which automatically voids his NCAA eligibility, so if that's the case, the info makes sense.
- HonkFortheGoose

Right, so his "agent" is really just an advisor now. And I'm sure he already knows what he is doing (turning pro) so I don't think there are any issues either way.

I'd trade either Hodgson and/or Grigorenko for a 1st, even a late one...
But I doubt any team would do that

Our best bet is probably to hang into them for now
Grigorenko is slowly (but steadily) improving, so if he can have a decent statistical season he'll be very trade able
Hodgson should have a bounce back year and score around 20 goals. If he does that, his trade value will go up & we'll be able to move him
- jdfitz77

You couldn't move Hodgson for a loaf of bread without taking back another contract (hence the buyout discussion). I don't think you'd get a late 1st for Grigorenko.

For me the biggest waste in there was Peca. Both sides dropped the ball and both lost out.
- Slump Buster

but if he stayed, we never would have had the chance to enjoy tim conolly and taylor pyatt.

This. At most an A. But does that extra letter really matter? Besides, once someone in a Buffalo uniform gets the C he's gone the following deadline/within 2 years. Let's hope GMTM breaks the cycle.

Peca, Barnes, LaFontaine, Vanek, Pommers, Briere, Drury....

srsly?
- DynamicThreads

rosie riveter too

Right, so his "agent" is really just an advisor now. And I'm sure he already knows what he is doing (turning pro) so I don't think there are any issues either way.
- Slump Buster

He seems to like the idea of playing in Buffalo. Had great things to say about Bylsma, the fans, the city, etc. As much as he'd like to win the NCAA tournament, he's about to fulfill a lifelong dream, so I can't see him going back.

I know a few people that are still worried he's going to do what Lindros did.

I'd trade either Hodgson and/or Grigorenko for a 1st, even a late one...
But I doubt any team would do that

Our best bet is probably to hang into them for now
Grigorenko is slowly (but steadily) improving, so if he can have a decent statistical season he'll be very trade able
Hodgson should have a bounce back year and score around 20 goals. If he does that, his trade value will go up & we'll be able to move him
- jdfitz77

what about Arizona's high second (#32) in a deep 2015 draft?

You couldn't move Hodgson for a loaf of bread without taking back another contract (hence the buyout discussion). I don't think you'd get a late 1st for Grigorenko.
- Slump Buster

that contract is ridiculous. (4m, 4.5, 5, 5.5 over the next 4 years). maybe if the cap was 85 million, but what gm is going to risk it without sending some albatross back our way? i also think grigorenko would not return a late first. probably get back a similar prospect- former mid first who has not established himself yet- maybe a position we need more, a left d or a winger to throw into the mix. seems like we are looking for an established rw currently for our top 6, but we are looking for lw prospects due to whats in the pipeline.

Thoughts on what Grigs will get for a contract ?

Thoughts on what Grigs will get for a contract ?
- cabin

I would say that he should take whatever his qualifying offer is. He has a lot he needs to prove still and hasn't done anything to show he's worth more than that yet.

Thoughts on what Grigs will get for a contract ?
- cabin

1.2 mil per and a box of white castles

You couldn't move Hodgson for a loaf of bread without taking back another contract (hence the buyout discussion). I don't think you'd get a late 1st for Grigorenko.
- Slump Buster

I don't think we could get much for either right now
That's why I think we should hang onto both this year & see if we can up their value a bit

what about Arizona's high second (#32) in a deep 2015 draft?
- Michael Pachla

I guess it depends if there's someone at that spot Murray really likes?
I'm very confident that Hodgson will rebound this season, esp if he end up being the other top6 RW
And Grigorenko hasn't lived up to expectations, but by all accounts hes been getting better every year, even if it's baby steps

I'd prob hang onto both for this season, BC I don't think their trade value can get worse
Plus, there's so many teams in Cap trouble that will be forced to trade guys at below market value, and that will also drive down what we could get for our guys

If the right deal is there, cool... Trade them
But I'm not in a hurry to give them away for pennies on the dollar either

Eichel will be the face of this franchise.

I could see him wearing the C at 19 years old if Gionta calls it quits after this season.

I love Girgensons and think he is a leader, but our team being absent of a leader/franchise player I think has blown his leadership out of proportion.

Reinhart centered Max Domi and Anthony Duclair during the World Jr’s, trade him to Coyotes for their 3rd overall selection! Draft Hanifin? (or see what other teams are willing to deal for the selection?

Just thoughts, I like Reinhart

Reinhart centered Max Domi and Anthony Duclair during the World Jr’s, trade him to Coyotes for their 3rd overall selection! Draft Hanifin? (or see what other teams are willing to deal for the selection?

Just thoughts, I like Reinhart
- Irish 14

Didn't you suggest this before? Not trying to be a richard cranium but I remember this post from someone...