If Murray is smart he will stay away from Lehner
- SABRES 89

Agreed. Too risky and I wouldn't want to help their cap by taking on salary as well in any deal.

I gotta think Terry Murray's big priority coming here will be to work with the young D- Risto, Zads, Pysyk and McCabe. That is why I doubt Zadorov gets moved.
- mhp

Big fan of the Terry Murray hire as an assistant. He seems to have a lot of fans, even from LA.

I see Ian Baker-Finch shot an 80 today

He may need to retire
- homiedclown

He's been an analyst for CBS for a couple of years now. When did he come back?

Agreed. Too risky and I wouldn't want to help their cap by taking on salary as well in any deal.
- mhp

I would rather Murray sign Niemi to a 2-3 year deal to be starter while he refills the pipeline, lets the others develop rather than spending assets to acquire one.

I would rather Murray sign Niemi to a 2-3 year deal to be starter while he refills the pipeline, lets the others develop rather than spending assets to acquire one.
- ImThatGuy

Everyone of quality in our pipeline is at the very least 2 years out. And none of them are certainties. Of course it always depends on what you have to give up. But some of my listed options could definitely be worth it.

Goalies I'd look into.

Gibson - They don't have a suitable back up ready in the system yet, but Andersen is only 25 years old and could be the starter for a long time.

Subban - Rask will be the starter for at the very least the length of his contract, which is 6 more years. By this time, Subban will be 27. He's a high quality prospect that needs a year or two more in the AHL, so it wouldn't be my top choice unless we were content on trading/signing a short term goalie.

Ortio - I doubt he'd be made available because they'll likely bring him up either this or next season to compete with Hiller. Played pretty well during his NHL debut.

Darling - They still have Raanta who I doubt will rise to a starting caliber goalie. Makes it easy to just start CC and not have the pressure to pay their backup goalie starting money. This all changes if they have the desire to trade CC in the near future. Darling certainly has starter quality and could start here next season.

Forsberg - Kidding.

Mrazek - Won't ever happen, but it'd be cool. They'll trade Jimmy if they have to.

Jones - Quick's the undisputed starter for a long time. Jones is 26 and could probably be a starter for a team that still cares more about development than winning. LA would have to sign a vet backup to replace him.

Talbot - Starting quality goaltender just entering goalie prime. Still a small sample size on a great team, but certainly showed the skills to be a true starter. They'll likely lose him next year to bring in Skapski to back up Hank. This would be my top option.

Lehner - I think outside opinion of him is a lot more negative than Ottawa's and their fans' opinion is of him. He's still very young for a starting goalie and has had recent concussion problems. This should help bring his price down a bit. Depending on his progress with his most recent concussion, I wouldn't mind taking a stab at him. He still needs work to become a starting goalie. He'd be a guy I'd bring in to be the backup of a short term vet goalie. I know some of us around here detest him, but he could become a very good goalie in the next few years.

Gudlevskis - Very consistent, quality goalie. Vasilevski will never move, ever. Bishop and Vas' contracts are up at the same time in two years. Bishop will walk (he currently has a NMC) and Vas will become the starter. Gudlevskis would be brought in to likely be a backup to a short term vet goalie, but definitely has the skills to become a starter in the next few years.

Lack - A Talbot-esq option, same age with one year left on his contract. I'd prefer Talbot over Lack because Lack seems to have consistency problems at times. Either that or his defense in front of him is shoddy. I'm not his biggest fan but I don't watch him enough to have a solid opinion. He apparently can be had for a 2nd round pick, maybe +.

Anyone not listed here is either too far out, I have no interest in, know very little about, or just has no chance in hell leaving their team, other than Mrazek.
- TheSabresTaco

Good list.

My thoughts

Gibson- Anaheim has a real good 1-2 punch in goal with him and Andersen and I doubt they move Gibson. The Ducks don't need to do anything at this point.

Subban- I would think he's in play. Rask is the guy there.

Ortio- I haven't seen him play but will the Flames re-sign Ramo?

Darling- Yes

Jones- Is Jones the product of a good defensive system? Terry Murray is probably familiar with him.

Talbot- stock seems to be rising

Lack- The games I saw he looked really good. A big goalie that Murray would like and is seemingly available.

My two cents

I would rather Murray sign Niemi to a 2-3 year deal to be starter while he refills the pipeline, lets the others develop rather than spending assets to acquire one.
- ImThatGuy

Murray did mention the possibility of signing an older goalie. Niemi would fit that. Not my choice but ya never know. If I'm signing a UFA goalie and Dubnyk is available, that's who I would want.

Looks like a I missed another mind numbing evening.

Went to Canalside last night. Saw Everclear. That was cool.
- TheSabresTaco

I was going to to until the thick fog rolled in during my drive home. They kept saying we were going to get rain, so I decided to stay home and take my dog for a 3 mile walk instead.

I was going to to until the thick fog rolled in during my drive home. They kept saying we were going to get rain, so I decided to stay home and take my dog for a 3 mile walk instead.
- HonkFortheGoose

We went to resurgence and hydraulic hearth to kind of gauge the weather before hand. And to drink. We parked over by Templeton Landing, wandered over there, listened to the tunes, music ended, walked back. Started sprinkling about 60 seconds before we got to the car. Get in the car, hurricane.

Gotta love Buffalo.

Good list.

My thoughts

Gibson- Anaheim has a real good 1-2 punch in goal with him and Andersen and I doubt they move Gibson. The Ducks don't need to do anything at this point.

Subban- I would think he's in play. Rask is the guy there.

Ortio- I haven't seen him play but will the Flames re-sign Ramo?

Darling- Yes

Jones- Is Jones the product of a good defensive system? Terry Murray is probably familiar with him.

Talbot- stock seems to be rising

Lack- The games I saw he looked really good. A big goalie that Murray would like and is seemingly available.

My two cents
- mhp

A friend of mine that hangs out on HFboards sent me a screen shot from one of the guys there that usually is good with rumors, but it was pulled from Twitter originally, so take it with a grain of salt.

The twitter source is Frank Krulicki, and apparently according to this guy, he's got a good track record. It said expect Talbot to get traded first, to Edmonton. Once that happens, Lack will go next to Buffalo. It goes on to say 31st over all OR 21st and Grigorenko for Lack and a young defenseman.

Murray did mention the possibility of signing an older goalie. Niemi would fit that. Not my choice but ya never know. If I'm signing a UFA goalie and Dubnyk is available, that's who I would want.
- mhp

I saw something that said he wants $5 mil per year. It's not terrible, but I don't quite know that he has the track record to back up that high of a demand right now.

Murray did mention the possibility of signing an older goalie. Niemi would fit that. Not my choice but ya never know. If I'm signing a UFA goalie and Dubnyk is available, that's who I would want.
- mhp

I was thinking Niemi or Greiss.

A friend of mine that hangs out on HFboards sent me a screen shot from one of the guys there that usually is good with rumors, but it was pulled from Twitter originally, so take it with a grain of salt.

The twitter source is Frank Krulicki, and apparently according to this guy, he's got a good track record. It said expect Talbot to get traded first, to Edmonton. Once that happens, Lack will go next to Buffalo. It goes on to say 31st over all OR 21st and Grigorenko for Lack and a young defenseman.
- HonkFortheGoose

Thanks Goose. I could actually see that scenario playing out. I would think 31 for Lack could be done. The Nucks have cap issues so they could throw in a cap dump, etc. Ya never know.

A friend of mine that hangs out on HFboards sent me a screen shot from one of the guys there that usually is good with rumors, but it was pulled from Twitter originally, so take it with a grain of salt.

The twitter source is Frank Krulicki, and apparently according to this guy, he's got a good track record. It said expect Talbot to get traded first, to Edmonton. Once that happens, Lack will go next to Buffalo. It goes on to say 31st over all OR 21st and Grigorenko for Lack and a young defenseman.
- HonkFortheGoose

#ROOMORS!

If young means Sbisa, yikes. If young means Ben Hutton, cool. 31st and Grigs for Lack and Hutton. Sold.

I was thinking Niemi or Greiss.
- ImThatGuy

I've always liked Greiss. I'd like to see him in a starting role. Could be worth a shot especially if you can get him fairly cheap.

I saw something that said he wants $5 mil per year. It's not terrible, but I don't quite know that he has the track record to back up that high of a demand right now.
- HonkFortheGoose

5 would seem to be the going rate for a UFA goalie and a #1 starter. I wouldn't oppose it, especially if Terry Murray builds a solid D core here.

Thanks Goose. I could actually see that scenario playing out. I would think 31 for Lack could be done. The Nucks have cap issues so they could throw in a cap dump, etc. Ya never know.
- mhp

The friend that sent it to me isn't really too pleased about it. He said he'd rather have Lehner. I feel the opposite. Without actually looking at stats, I'm pretty sure Lack's are better and he doesn't have the concussion history that Lehner does.

I was thinking Niemi or Greiss.
- ImThatGuy

I'd do either.

I think he made it pretty apparent trading is option 1, signing is 2. So we'll see! Sounds like Chad Johnson will be here to back up whomever comes in. So on my list, I'm going to guess whomever we trade for will be the de facto #1. Which means any guy I listed who isn't NHL ready won't be targeted. Sad face.

#ROOMORS!

If young means Sbisa, yikes. If young means Ben Hutton, cool. 31st and Grigs for Lack and Hutton. Sold.
- TheSabresTaco

I know nothing about what Vancouver has in the pipe so I'll take your word for it.

I'd do either.

I think he made it pretty apparent trading is option 1, signing is 2. So we'll see! Sounds like Chad Johnson will be here to back up whomever comes in. So on my list, I'm going to guess whomever we trade for will be the de facto #1. Which means any guy I listed who isn't NHL ready won't be targeted. Sad face.
- TheSabresTaco

Apparently it was mentioned he's looking for a #1 for Rochester as well. So don't get discouraged yet!

He's been an analyst for CBS for a couple of years now. When did he come back?
- buffalofan19

He fell apart, lost all mental aspects of the game and left the game


kind of like what tiger is doing

I saw something that said he wants $5 mil per year. It's not terrible, but I don't quite know that he has the track record to back up that high of a demand right now.
- HonkFortheGoose

Good looks on the twitter follow (about Lack). Also, with the Dubnyk thought, if they are trading his rights, that would be a 3rd or so, then just pay the guy $4.8/4-5 years. can't imagine he thinks he is worth more. Then use the 2nd & Grigs to pull a young D or F or move the #21 pick up (lower). Still think we should try to get the Reilly guy that did not want to sign in Columbus.

The cool thing, we have a ton of opportunity to make something happen. Should be exciting couple of weeks! Maybe more exciting than the entire season! lol

Apparently it was mentioned he's looking for a #1 for Rochester as well. So don't get discouraged yet!
- HonkFortheGoose

Turned my frown upside down!

Although that's very surprising. I think Lieuwen will be let go when all is said and done. Ullmark is here for sure. So that's one. Then we have Makorov. That's two.

Unless we throw an AHL goalie in the other direction, I can't see us trading for a high quality AHL body. But I'd love it.

Turned my frown upside down!

Although that's very surprising. I think Lieuwen will be let go when all is said and done. Ullmark is here for sure. So that's one. Then we have Makorov. That's two.

Unless we throw an AHL goalie in the other direction, I can't see us trading for a high quality AHL body. But I'd love it.
- TheSabresTaco

They may send Ullmark to the ECHL for a bit. Lieuwen, Makarov, and Knapp all spent time there, so it wouldn't be the first time they've done it. Plus Ullmark is coming off of hip surgery, so he won't even be ready to go at the start of the season.

I've always liked Greiss. I'd like to see him in a starting role. Could be worth a shot especially if you can get him fairly cheap.
- HonkFortheGoose

I would be very happy with Ramo and Greiss