We've collected so many picks and prospects over the last 2-3 years, that at some point we needed to start spending those assets to upgrade into NHL ready players.
- theblueandgold

Murray has gone so far as to say this was his plan with all of our picks and prospects collcted because he couldnt sign them all. Many of them were to be considered currency to "buy" what he wanted.
He's executing his plan pretty well. People may not like his plan, but he's doing exactly what he said he was going to do.

With Darling in Chicago, they needed to move one.

I don't think this has the smell of something bigger, at least not yet.

NYR needed a back up.

Simple hockey trade IMO.

Edit: However....
David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod · 2m2 minutes ago
Blackhawks still exploring moving Sharp and Bickell. Not sure if both go, but all signs point to Sharp being moved
- Stripes77

They need to move both for Cap room
The oilers should scoop up Bickell
With his contract, someone could get him for a midround pick I'd guess

Looks like this might work this year, its picking up some steam


I run two dynasty leagues for hockey, one is in its 5th year, the other is a friends and family going into its first offseason. I tried last year to put one together with HockeyBuzzers, but didn't get enough interest.

If anyone is interested in doing one, please PM me, looking for 10, maybe 12 teams.

Old ...

PDan Rosen ✔@drosennhl
Tim Murray was asked if he's prepared to make Ryan O'Reilly the highest paid player on the Sabres. "I assume I'm going to have to," he said.
10:40 PM - 26 Jun 2015


But what do you think we sign him for ?

Old ...

PDan Rosen ✔@drosennhl
Tim Murray was asked if he's prepared to make Ryan O'Reilly the highest paid player on the Sabres. "I assume I'm going to have to," he said.
10:40 PM - 26 Jun 2015


But what do you think we sign him for ?
- gerbe75pts

7 mil over 5?

Old ...

PDan Rosen ✔@drosennhl
Tim Murray was asked if he's prepared to make Ryan O'Reilly the highest paid player on the Sabres. "I assume I'm going to have to," he said.
10:40 PM - 26 Jun 2015


But what do you think we sign him for ?
- gerbe75pts

7 years between 49-52.5 million

This was the main reason I didnt want O'Reilly.

Murray has gone so far as to say this was his plan with all of our picks and prospects collcted because he couldnt sign them all. Many of them were to be considered currency to "buy" what he wanted.
He's executing his plan pretty well. People may not like his plan, but he's doing exactly what he said he was going to do.
- seedy

The only player in those trades that wasnt immediately replaced with an upgrade has been Zadorov. And it stings, but its not tough or impossible to replace him through other means (FA, another trade with our abundance of forwards, promotion of other prospects like McCabe).

Armia, Lemiuex -- Kane.
Grigorenko, Compher -- ROR.

We got the NHL proven guys who are 24 or younger yet to hit their prime. Too much value being placed on draft picks and prospects.

How is Murray overpaying in every deal? I dont think youre really looking long term if you think hes overpaid in every deal. Not to mention there have been like 2 deals in the couple handful hes made where we sent more pieces. Specifically ....

The ROR deal was great value for the Sabres. The only real assets we gave up in that deal were Zadorov + 31, and acquiring ROR to insulate Eichel and Reinhart was a priority over those 2 assets. He has his two core D in Ristolainen and Bogosian already set. Plus there are still options in FA for Murray to land a top LD... Sekera, Ehrhoff, Martin, Oduya. Grigorenko, Compher were expendable assets because they were never going to jump ahead of Eichel, Reinhart, Girgensons or Larsson (and by extension, now ROR) on the depth chart. He made a deal to get better today than wait 2-3 years for it. In essence, the trade in value to the Sabres becomes Zadorov + 31 for ROR.

The Kane deal was good value for the Sabres. Stafford was a UFA at seasons end and not in the future plans. Armia is a 2011 mid-1st round pick who hasnt made the jump to the NHL yet, and doesnt really look like he will soon or ever. He was always a boom or bust prospect from the time he was selected. Lemiuex wouldve been competing with Fasching, Bailey, & Baptiste as the high upside prospects securing NHL jobs in the future. By all indications, these guys are doing better than Lemiuex in their development, which made him expendable. That 1st round pick wouldve come in handy looking at all the deals that were made that last 2 days. Myers for Bogosian swap basically becomes a wash. We swap out styles of defenseman who both were top pairing guys. And that statement coming from a huge Myers fan. In essence, the trade value to the Sabres becomes Lemiuex + 2015 1st for Kane.

We've collected so many picks and prospects over the last 2-3 years, that at some point we needed to start spending those assets to upgrade into NHL ready players. I'd be surprised if Grigo, Compher ever become even HALF of what ROR is. I'd be surprised if Armia, Lemiuex ever become even HALF of what Kane is. We got the best players in these two deals, and it will make our team better starting now. The best part? They both are 24 or younger...

EDIT: I also forgot, and I'd like to add... I absolutely agree with you about Lehner. The only deal Murray has made that I've been upset about. Im not a fan of Lehner at all. And its the first time we've seen Murray have an attachment to a guy he drafted.
- theblueandgold

nice post

nicer profile pic

7 mil over 5?
- Sabresfan-365

7.5M over 8.

Old ...

PDan Rosen ✔@drosennhl
Tim Murray was asked if he's prepared to make Ryan O'Reilly the highest paid player on the Sabres. "I assume I'm going to have to," he said.
10:40 PM - 26 Jun 2015


But what do you think we sign him for ?
- gerbe75pts

50-55 mil for 7 years

7.5M over 8.
- theblueandgold

I didn't think we could give him 8?

7.5M over 8.
- theblueandgold

We cant give him 8 until 6/27/16

7.5M over 8.
- theblueandgold

I think 7 is the max length on his deal

Gagner traded to Flyers for Grossman and Pronger


wtf

I think 7 is the max length on his deal
- homiedclown

He still has a year left on his current contract. We own his rights since he was traded to us. The team that owns his rights can offer 8 years. Otherwise, if he becomes UFA, teams can only sign him for 7 years.

21- Konecny
31- Roy
51- Vladar

If we didn't make any trades, & this ended up being our draft, all the guys on here that follow prospects would've been super psyched.

Or...
21, 31 & 51 for Hamilton would've been pretty amazing


I'm on the fence with Lehner, but we def overpaid for him. A 1st was ridiculous.
Also gave A LOT for ROR...
And IF he signs here...
IF...
It'll be for a # that could really mess up our salary structure in a few years
I like him as a player,
But dude only had 18goals last year
It's the same kind of overpayment that ppl get all up in arms about with Callahan
A 7mil guy has to score closer to 30goals than 20
- jdfitz77

No comments?

Gagner traded to Flyers for Grossman and Pronger


wtf
- homiedclown

And Philly gets a draft pick
How the hell did Arizona agree to this?
Grossman is AVERAGE... at best

Ganger is the best player in the deal, by far
And does that franchise really have $$$ to dish out to a guy that won't even play?

Tank on Arizona
I hope they actually win the lotto this year...
They need it

No comments?
- jdfitz77

History say one of those 3 picks will turn out to be a top 6 forward and Chicago seemed to be able to pay Hossa over $5M late in his career and do just fine. Paying ROR $7M stings a bit but its not the end of the world IMO. Oh, and IMO, no way Boston trades Hamilton to us.

No comments?
- jdfitz77

I'll bite...

It doesnt matter who we drafted at 21 or 31. They would not be NHL players for a few years. We upgraded the team, and insulated our 2 elite prospects by acquiring a stud NHL proven talent. We're set for the next 8-10 years with ROR-Eichel-Reinhart that Grigorenko, Compher, Kocecny, whoever -- it doesnt matter.

I generally didnt see a pressing need for ROR, but wasnt completely against the idea. I'd rather have ROR over Hamilton.

Agree about Lehner. I liked Talbot, and wouldve taken Lack over him. Both came with cheaper price tags.

ROR contract wont hurt our structure. Chicago has a core of 8 players that they won 3 cups with. All sharing larger salaries for the 2nd and 3rd cups.

ROR provides more than offense. Hes a puck possession hog. Hes a smart player. He plays defense. He plays the most important position and plays it well. He can shut down other teams best players. ROR is 3x more valuable than Callahan. $7M today and in 3 years wasnt what $7M was 4-5 years ago. $7M has become the new $5M... elite guys will be getting $10M +

Old ...

PDan Rosen ✔@drosennhl
Tim Murray was asked if he's prepared to make Ryan O'Reilly the highest paid player on the Sabres. "I assume I'm going to have to," he said.
10:40 PM - 26 Jun 2015


But what do you think we sign him for ?
- gerbe75pts

At least 7mil
And I agree with everyone else about the "C"
I get your point,
But it's rare that it's just randomly taken away from someone
New Captain will be named in a couple years when one of the young guys steps up & earns it
Should be a good competition for it
Eichel, ROR, Girgensons, Bogosian, Reinhart...
McCabe was team USA captain
Lots of solid options

He still has a year left on his current contract. We own his rights since he was traded to us. The team that owns his rights can offer 8 years. Otherwise, if he becomes UFA, teams can only sign him for 7 years.
- theblueandgold

You have to own his rights for a year.

He still has a year left on his current contract. We own his rights since he was traded to us. The team that owns his rights can offer 8 years. Otherwise, if he becomes UFA, teams can only sign him for 7 years.
- theblueandgold

I don't think we can. Per the CBA:
Maximum contract length of seven (7) years subject to Club’s ability to re-sign its own Player for a term of up to eight (8) years (provided the Player was on the Club’s Reserve List as of the most recent Trade Deadline). With respect to potential Unrestricted Free Agents only, the option to re- sign a Player for an 8-year term expires with the opening of Free Agency on July 1.

History say one of those 3 picks will turn out to be a top 6 forward and Chicago seemed to be able to pay Hossa over $5M late in his career and do just fine. Paying ROR $7M stings a bit but its not the end of the world IMO. Oh, and IMO, no way Boston trades Hamilton to us.
- BigStew

Hopefully by the time that ROR is at the Hossa stage of his career The Cap is significantly higher and it equals out.

No comments?
- jdfitz77

I rather have NHL talent than more prospects. Boston wouldnt have traded us Hamilton, they had a better offer for him, and turned it down since the team was from the East.

Lehner, I agree was too much, but him and Gibson, have by far, the highest ceiling out of all the goalies that where available. Rather have Lehner at 21 than Samsonov

I'll bite...

It doesnt matter who we drafted at 21 or 31. They would not be NHL players for a few years. We upgraded the team, and insulated our 2 elite prospects by acquiring a stud NHL proven talent. We're set for the next 8-10 years with ROR-Eichel-Reinhart that Grigorenko, Compher, Kocecny, whoever -- it doesnt matter.

I generally didnt see a pressing need for ROR, but wasnt completely against the idea. I'd rather have ROR over Hamilton.

Agree about Lehner. I liked Talbot, and wouldve taken Lack over him. Both came with cheaper price tags.

ROR contract wont hurt our structure. Chicago has a core of 8 players that they won 3 cups with. All sharing larger salaries for the 2nd and 3rd cups.

ROR provides more than offense. Hes a puck possession hog. Hes a smart player. He plays defense. He plays the most important position and plays it well. He can shut down other teams best players. ROR is 3x more valuable than Callahan. $7M today and in 3 years wasnt what $7M was 4-5 years ago. $7M has become the new $5M... elite guys will be getting $10M +
- theblueandgold

Also, I have no problem with who we picked at #51. Ghule has a huge chance at being a complete steal later down the road. Its kind of like the Brycen Martin pick from last year. There were better projected options left on the board, but Sabres went with a project player. I think we'll be fine in goal between Ullmark, Peterson and Johansson. All 3 have huge upside.