This is true of course about players like Oduya or Niemi would want to play here.

There are always players that would play for the right money.

If there are no big trades done by the Sabres I will expect a few 1 or 2 year deals for a players like Frolik. Throwing a $5 million per year salary for a year or two.

It all depends on the trade front. Many here believe that a bigger named player will be traded to Buffalo on draft day.
- Stripes77

Great two way player.

21 - Guryanov (RW sniper ), or package with propsect/palyer to move up well into the teens (or higher if available)
31 - Hold onto it through early Saturday to see if some team goes a bit nutso trying to get a player they love who fell. If no one pays for it, I'm ok with them taking the highest rated Goalie there ... although that said, I would prefer to go get another Dman if one of those guys fall (Kylington).

Great two way player.
- Bjm84

I will be disappointed if the Sabres end up picking 4 players in the first 2 rounds. That means no trades were done.

Some want them to package picks and move up, I would like them to pick 2nd and 31st and move the 21st and 54th pick for players that can play in the NHL next season.

Murray has kept a pretty tight lid on things, so who really knows what he is thinking.

I hear you. However, don't discount the mentorship and leadership required to groom to the young talent. This is to say that it is a mistake to assume that the only contributions or value a player can make is on the scoresheet.

Moreover, hitting the cap floor with useless and overpaid players is easy but bringing in guys who help you hit the floor while simulatenously contributing functionally now and later, on the ice and in the locker room, is a whole other thing entirely.
- Bjm84

Yup, good points...but I don't want an old guy in my top 6 ... let them play bottom 6 and if I'm spending $6M on a guys, he better be young and producing Top 6.
Not to say Sharp or anyone else isn't good... we can get the leadership elsewhere and let our Top 6 jell for 2 years.

How about people do what they want, ok?
- CaptainRivet

Sure, as long as that includes me as well.

21 - Guryanov (RW sniper ), or package with propsect/palyer to move up well into the teens (or higher if available)
31 - Hold onto it through early Saturday to see if some team goes a bit nutso trying to get a player they love who fell. If no one pays for it, I'm ok with them taking the highest rated Goalie there ... although that said, I would prefer to go get another Dman if one of those guys fall (Kylington).
- IonSabres

A Russian sniper, so I'll pass.

Yup, good points...but I don't want an old guy in my top 6 ... let them play bottom 6 and if I'm spending $6M on a guys, he better be young and producing Top 6.
Not to say Sharp or anyone else isn't good... we can get the leadership elsewhere and let our Top 6 jell for 2 years.
- IonSabres

Fair enough but free agent 3 time cup winning olympians don't grow on trees. The type of leadership also matters in that guys who have won, several times and several ways, are more valuable than veteran players who have not.

Yup, good points...but I don't want an old guy in my top 6 ... let them play bottom 6 and if I'm spending $6M on a guys, he better be young and producing Top 6.
Not to say Sharp or anyone else isn't good... we can get the leadership elsewhere and let our Top 6 jell for 2 years.
- IonSabres

If we don't bring in a top 6 forward then Gionta is probably in it, he's an old guy.

I hear you. However, don't discount the mentorship and leadership required to groom to the young talent. This is to say that it is a mistake to assume that the only contributions or value a player can make is on the scoresheet.

Moreover, hitting the cap floor with useless and overpaid players is easy but bringing in guys who help you hit the floor while simulatenously contributing functionally now and later, on the ice and in the locker room, is a whole other thing entirely.
- Bjm84

I don't think anyone disagrees that leadership is valuable, they're more worried about what value that is. A late 1st in a deep draft is a big piece and when the deal revolves around a guy who will be something like 36 by the time the team is ready to compete while the prospect will be around 21 is hard. I'm not saying your valuation is off, I'm just saying it's something we might not be ready for.

Also, people said how would we get players to play here last year when they knew we were tanking and we did. Now we're not playing for last, we have a potentially great young talent in Eichel, and the team from ownership down is looking better.

That being said, I think I'd take your deal but that's just me.

Curious.. have you heard any reason why Okposo is on the "trade block" seems odd... he comes in at a small cap hit and has done nothing but produce with JT
- yen6d1

I think the rumor has legs. The guy(Staple) who first reported it only leaks what Snow wants him to. Im guessing Snow may have already talked to his agent and maybe he wants more than Snow is willing to pay to make a long story short. He's only got a year left on his contract and we have quite a few guys to sign in the next couple of years.

Fair enough but free agent 3 time cup winning olympians don't grow on trees. The type of leadership also matters in that guys who have won, several times and several ways, are more valuable than veteran players who have not.
- Bjm84

It's valuable but not worth what Chicago is asking.

It's valuable but not worth what Chicago is asking.
- Sabresfan-365

Agreed. But that sales my friend, one party starts high and the other low, then you meet in the middle. Sharp should legitimately, and he will, fetch a mid first round pick and a good(not elite) prospect or/ELC player with top 6 upside.

If we don't bring in a top 6 forward then Gionta is probably in it, he's an old guy.
- Homer

Honestly, I think they give Cody one last chance to up his value as trade bait at the deadline by playing him in a top 6 role.
I want him gone yesterday, but he is nearly untradeable now...and his cap hit while reduced, will be something for a long, long time to carry on the books.
Makes sense for next year to try to maximize his value...maybe Bylsma and Barr can find his button to push to drive him?

As for Guryanov, kid is something special as a sniper ...he could be the closer we need for Reinharts creativity/passing.

Agreed. But that sales my friend, one party starts high and the other low, then you meet in the middle. Sharp should legitimately, and he will, fetch a mid first round pick and a good(not elite) prospect or/ELC player with top 6 upside.
- Bjm84

Negotiation 101, always be prepared to walk. Someone else can pay that

Honestly, I think they give Cody one last chance to up his value as trade bait at the deadline by playing him in a top 6 role.
I want him gone yesterday, but he is nearly untradeable now...and his cap hit while reduced, will be something for a long, long time to carry on the books.
Makes sense for next year to try to maximize his value...maybe Bylsma and Barr can find his button to push to drive him?

As for Guryanov, kid is something special as a sniper ...he could be the closer we need for Reinharts creativity/passing.
- IonSabres

This. Let him play and if he doesn't work trade him off for a 6 pack or buy him out.

Agreed. But that sales my friend, one party starts high and the other low, then you meet in the middle. Sharp should legitimately, and he will, fetch a mid first round pick and a good(not elite) prospect or/ELC player with top 6 upside.
- Bjm84

No worries, the target team to chase then is someone closer to playoff contention...Calgary...Edmonton...etc.
Sabres are not a good fit.

Honestly, I think they give Cody one last chance to up his value as trade bait at the deadline by playing him in a top 6 role.
I want him gone yesterday, but he is nearly untradeable now...and his cap hit while reduced, will be something for a long, long time to carry on the books.
Makes sense for next year to try to maximize his value...maybe Bylsma and Barr can find his button to push to drive him?

As for Guryanov, kid is something special as a sniper ...he could be the closer we need for Reinharts creativity/passing.
- IonSabres

Armia was supposed to be a sniper too...........they say you should have zero or one Russian, never more. Even though I think Grigs is on his way out that's still too many.

I'd rather take Colin White or a big guy like Bittner if either are still there.

Agreed. But that sales my friend, one party starts high and the other low, then you meet in the middle. Sharp should legitimately, and he will, fetch a mid first round pick and a good(not elite) prospect or/ELC player with top 6 upside.
- Bjm84

Normally I would agree, except for the fact that every other team in the league knows that you have cap issues.

Lowball offers will occur as a result.

Agreed. But that sales my friend, one party starts high and the other low, then you meet in the middle. Sharp should legitimately, and he will, fetch a mid first round pick and a good(not elite) prospect or/ELC player with top 6 upside.
- Bjm84

And all I hope is that the Sabres aren't the team to pay that.

Michael Pachla: Buffalo Sabres 2015 Draft Preview--Dilemna in goal heading into the draft?
For many, the Sabres might be in desperate need of goalies at every level, but Tim Murray doesn't seem all that worried.
- Michael Pachla

21 on a PP QB or more stout help on the wings. Then see what's available at 31 or 51, preferably the latter.

Armia was supposed to be a sniper too...........they say you should have zero or one Russian, never more. Even though I think Grigs is on his way out that's still too many.

I'd rather take Colin White or a big guy like Bittner if either are still there.
- Homer

I can see that too, but I am suspoect of them being there...we shall see. Get rid of Gringo and bring in Guryanov as your one Russian...he will play in KHL for a couple years anyway...so the timing good be perfect.

Normally I would agree, except for the fact that every other team in the league knows that you have cap issues.

Lowball offers will occur as a result.
- kingcong39

Cap is 71.4 million. Even if we just move Bickell to a team like the Coyotes then we are under the cap for next year.

Cap problems aren't as bad as they were forecasted to be and Sharp has generated interested from 8 teams per reports. He won't fetch what the Hawks have asked but he will get a better return that you're surmising.

Armia was supposed to be a sniper too...........they say you should have zero or one Russian, never more. Even though I think Grigs is on his way out that's still too many.

I'd rather take Colin White or a big guy like Bittner if either are still there.
- Homer

Gritty American, I'll pass

Cap is 71.4 million. Even if we just move Bickell to a team like the Coyotes then we are under the cap for next year.

Cap problems aren't as bad as they were forecasted to be and Sharp has generated interested from 8 teams per reports. He won't fetch what the Hawks have asked but he will get a better return that you're surmising.
- Bjm84

He'll go to a "cusp" team like Winnipeg or Columbus, IMO.

Cap is 71.4 million. Even if we just move Bickell to a team like the Coyotes then we are under the cap for next year.

Cap problems aren't as bad as they were forecasted to be and Sharp has generated interested from 8 teams per reports. He won't fetch what the Hawks have asked but he will get a better return that you're surmising.
- Bjm84

Good, I like the Hawks.
Them guys though just don't fit here.
You're selling, but we aren't buying...no offense, sombody else will.