I was thinking about that this morning. What is really interesting is that Murray was willing to move 21 and potentially miss losing ROR because of it as I would think they asked for it. They wanted Lehner that bad.
- Slump Buster

I have a feeling he knew he didn't need 21 for ROR.

No thanks.

Retain the 792k the buyout would be and save 3.166.
- dadeadhead

There is an argument that could be made for retaining salary instead of the buyout. We are going to have loads of cap room in the next 3 or 4 years until we have to start paying these guys. We could be done with his contract at that time and get back that 800k we'd waste in the 4 years after that.

Speaking of slapping foreheads, wasn't Slump Buster the guy preaching about goalies being exactly like Running backs, and how it's a waste to draft them in the first round? I'm pretty sure he had a good 10 pager about it a few weeks ago

But hey, keep doing them 180's.
- sbroads24

He absolutely did.

I don't see him praising Murray for that deal.

I am pretty sure we all aren't a fan of it.

Some dislike it more than others. I wasn't a fan, I am still not. But it's not like it doesn't make any sense at all. There is a reason behind it.

So keep being miserable just because, if that's your M.O.

It's one thing to question it, it's another thing to be absolutely miserable about it.

I have a feeling he knew he didn't need 21 for ROR.
- dadeadhead

You're probably right about that, especially with the names they were asking for. He said Ottawa forced his hand by telling him that someone offered a higher pick than 31.

Tim is a great GM and Lehner will be a good Starting goalie.. You're welcome

You don't replace Zadorov in free agency.
- TheSabresTaco

Andrej Sekera is a LH d-man with some exp & jump...

And we really don't have QB for our PP right now?


How about 3yrs @ $5 mill per?

He absolutely did.

I don't see him praising Murray for that deal.

I am pretty sure we all aren't a fan of it.

Some dislike it more than others. I wasn't a fan, I am still not. But it's not like it doesn't make any sense at all. There is a reason behind it.

So keep being miserable just because, if that's your M.O.

It's one thing to question it, it's another thing to be absolutely miserable about it.
- Stripes77

4 players drafted at 21 in the last 40 years are worth mentioning

Kevin Lowe
Saku Koivu
Dennis Maruk
Tuukka Rask

Am I thrilled about the cost? No but I also don't care.

Lehner will be in the NHL next year, White is how many years away from NHL play?

So what does everybody think about our picks 2-7? Hits/misses, hidden gems, projects/long shots, you get the point.
- sskkoo1

51 - Brendan Guhle
There were a lot of other higher projected picks still on the board, but its hard to say that Guhle was a reach here with his potential. He was a late riser as opposed to an early scouting favorite (IE Kylington, Dunn). As a scout, you are trying to project what a guy is going to do at the professional level, not how good he is in Juniors. I think Guhle is a very safe pick here and I like the pick. He is built and plays like a tank. Likes to play physical and takes it on too. The kid is a workout freak. He registered 7 top 10 finishes tying Jack Eichel at the Combine. He is an excellent skater. Has good explosiveness (as proved by fitness testing long jump and wingate) and footwork. Great hands and a good puck mover. Had an excellent second half of his season and will carry that into next year when he is the number 1 guy in PA.

92 - Willem Borgen
I honestly dont know much about him at all, cant really comment on his play. I think the Sabres wanted the guy who went 1 pick before them to Chicago -- Dennis Gilbert -- as I heard there was some disgust at the draft table after Chicago made that pick from a friend who was at the draft. I was hoping for Filip Ahl since he slipped this far. I had him rated as a 2nd round pick, so the 4th round wouldve been great value.

122 - Devante Stephens
This kid could end up being the real steal of the draft. If he played the entire season like he did when he got comfortable and settled down, he wouldve been gone in the first 2 rounds. Amazing he slipped to us in the 5th. Another late riser in his first junior season. Just became real poised and a stud for Kelowna in their run for a Memorial Cup. Was playing top pairing minutes by the end of it with Bowey and Morrissey. Kelowna has a good reputation for manufacturing NHL quality D, so I have high hopes for Devante. He'll be the #1 in Kelowna next season with Bowey and Morrissey turning pro, and he'll be a guy to keep an eye on.

152 - Giorgio Estephan
Another late riser with regards to his draft stock. He scorched through the 2nd half of the season to put up impressive numbers (1.09 ppg) and finish strong. Second half finish is most likely what earned him a spot to be drafted in the later rounds. Pretty skilled player, but not a very strong skater. Long shot to make an impact in the NHL. Killer name though. Im rooting for him.

182 - Ivan Chukarov
Know really nothing about him other than hes an overager who played in an inferior American junior league.

Tim is a great GM and Lehner will be a good Starting goalie.. You're welcome
- Erik6Karlsson5

Your GM just designated Cowen as a key member of your D - let us know how that works out for you. Better yet, get back to us when your owner will get within 20 mill of the ceiling.

Andrej Sekera is a LH d-man with some exp & jump...

And we really don't have QB for our PP right now?


How about 3yrs @ $5 mill per?
- SuperCat

Every time i have ever seen eichel play on the PP he is on the left side halfwall/point. He should and eventually will be the top PP QB

I wouldnt mind seeing sekera resigned. Im not even going to be picky as long as its a LD who can effectively eat minutes.

Every time i have ever seen eichel play on the PP he is on the left side halfwall/point. He should and eventually will be the top PP QB

I wouldnt mind seeing sekera resigned. Im not even going to be picky as long as its a LD who can effectively eat minutes.
- ieetbred

I'd have zero issue with Sekera back here but no more than 5 for 5.

Speaking of slapping foreheads, wasn't Slump Buster the guy preaching about goalies being exactly like Running backs, and how it's a waste to draft them in the first round? I'm pretty sure he had a good 10 pager about it a few weeks ago

But hey, keep doing them 180's.
- sbroads24

I said before and after the trade that I wouldn't trade a first for a goalie even though Lehner was my preference. The only thing I said about this trade (and the others) that might be taken as support of the trade is that if TM really wanted him he shouldn't let 10 spots at the bottom of the first round be the hill that the trade dies on. My preference has always been to keep 21 with the hopes of moving up and then signing Neuvirth. I'm just not one to female dog about the trade because it wouldn't surprise any of us if Lehner turned out to be very good.

I absolutely did - where have I not been consistent with that?
- Slump Buster

An hour after the trade? Did you not say the more you think about it the better the trade was? Didn't you also say that you wouldn't move Zadorov for almost anything?

Listen, I'm excited about this upcoming seasons, and beyond, only a moron wouldn't be, but I also think that we are FAR from set.

With a few moves we can seriously contend after next year, and I believe that, a lot of things have to go right though. My problem with it is that we have put most of our eggs in a few baskets. This isn't how it HAD be done.

Anaheim is a great team, drafted very well, they didn't trade their entire prospect group to get as good as they could as fast as they could. They might the right trades at the right time.

They pawned off Bobby Ryan at the right time, and added Kesler at the right time.

Same with Tampa, they picked Drouin 3rd overall two years ago, they didn't go moving Killorn or Palat then to add a Kane type of player. They kept the prospects and look at how some of them have progressed. They are a Stanley Cup contender that also has a top 5 prospect pool. IMO, this is where we were heading. Right now I think we are on the path to be a contender, but will eventually need to be creative to stay one

I'd have zero issue with Sekera back here but no more than 5 for 5.
- dadeadhead

Not sure how old sekera is off the top but id like no more than a 3-5 year deal for any vet dman right now, their contract will be moveable/off the books by decision time for the young guys.

Think sekera would even sign here? I thought he had some less than encouraging things to say about buffalo when he was traded haha

51 - Brendan Guhle
There were a lot of other higher projected picks still on the board, but its hard to say that Guhle was a reach here with his potential. He was a late riser as opposed to an early scouting favorite (IE Kylington, Dunn). As a scout, you are trying to project what a guy is going to do at the professional level, not how good he is in Juniors. I think Guhle is a very safe pick here and I like the pick. He is built and plays like a tank. Likes to play physical and takes it on too. The kid is a workout freak. He registered 7 top 10 finishes tying Jack Eichel at the Combine. He is an excellent skater. Has good explosiveness (as proved by fitness testing long jump and wingate) and footwork. Great hands and a good puck mover. Had an excellent second half of his season and will carry that into next year when he is the number 1 guy in PA.

92 - Willem Borgen
I honestly dont know much about him at all, cant really comment on his play. I think the Sabres wanted the guy who went 1 pick before them to Chicago -- Dennis Gilbert -- as I heard there was some disgust at the draft table after Chicago made that pick from a friend who was at the draft. I was hoping for Filip Ahl since he slipped this far. I had him rated as a 2nd round pick, so the 4th round wouldve been great value.

122 - Devante Stephens
This kid could end up being the real steal of the draft. If he played the entire season like he did when he got comfortable and settled down, he wouldve been gone in the first 2 rounds. Amazing he slipped to us in the 5th. Another late riser in his first junior season. Just became real poised and a stud for Kelowna in their run for a Memorial Cup. Was playing top pairing minutes by the end of it with Bowey and Morrissey. Kelowna has a good reputation for manufacturing NHL quality D, so I have high hopes for Devante. He'll be the #1 in Kelowna next season with Bowey and Morrissey turning pro, and he'll be a guy to keep an eye on.

152 - Giorgio Estephan
Another late riser with regards to his draft stock. He scorched through the 2nd half of the season to put up impressive numbers (1.09 ppg) and finish strong. Second half finish is most likely what earned him a spot to be drafted in the later rounds. Pretty skilled player, but not a very strong skater. Long shot to make an impact in the NHL. Killer name though. Im rooting for him.

182 - Ivan Chukarov
Know really nothing about him other than hes an overager who played in an inferior American junior league.
- theblueandgold

Good write up


Stephens will definitely be one to watch this upcoming season

Not sure how old sekera is off the top but id like no more than a 3-5 year deal for any vet dman right now, their contract will be moveable/off the books by decision time for the young guys.

Think sekera would even sign here? I thought he had some less than encouraging things to say about buffalo when he was traded haha
- ieetbred

29 years old turns 30 next year.

Not sure how old sekera is off the top but id like no more than a 3-5 year deal for any vet dman right now, their contract will be moveable/off the books by decision time for the young guys.

Think sekera would even sign here? I thought he had some less than encouraging things to say about buffalo when he was traded haha
- ieetbred

That was about the previous regime.

I'd have zero issue with Sekera back here but no more than 5 for 5.
- dadeadhead

We all know how I feel about Sekera

He'd be my number 1 target and I'd give him 7 years at 5-5.5M.

29 years old turns 30 next year.
- dadeadhead

Little younger than i thought.

5-6 years would be at least what hes looking for i would image.

That would make him a real part of the plan instead of a gorges type move.

Edit: Gorges type move would have had zadorov in mind, im probably more open to a long term deal for a true top 4 than realized

An hour after the trade? Did you not say the more you think about it the better the trade was? Didn't you also say that you wouldn't move Zadorov for almost anything?

- sbroads24

Yup, I said I warmed up to both trades. That isn't to say that I would have made the Lehner trade - I would not have. I'm still on the fence about giving up Zads. Some of the quotes I saw from those in the know after the trade said that he was a real PITA in the room, FWIW. Also, I have long liked McGinn - I think he is going to surprise a lot of people.

Either way, that isn't 180'ing on anything. The future is in fact uber bright and I've said that for weeks now.

Not sure how old sekera is off the top but id like no more than a 3-5 year deal for any vet dman right now, their contract will be moveable/off the books by decision time for the young guys.

Think sekera would even sign here? I thought he had some less than encouraging things to say about buffalo when he was traded haha
- ieetbred

"I think everything is better than buffalo"- sekera

Andrej Sekera is a LH d-man with some exp & jump...

And we really don't have QB for our PP right now?


How about 3yrs @ $5 mill per?
- SuperCat

He's 29, 3 years is what a 35 year old hopes for. $5m per any be close, but he'll get 5 years. My guess is 5 years $26m.

I like him but not sure I'd pay him that

We all know how I feel about Sekera

He'd be my number 1 target and I'd give him 7 years at 5-5.5M.
- theblueandgold

Puts him at 36. While not old he's not young either.

5 for 5

Might even to 5 for 6 just to get it done.

That was about the previous regime.
- dadeadhead

Good point, all bets have been and continue to be proved off since pegula.

Oreilly signing the big extension here that he wouldnt in colorado would be the next chip to fall in that line.

Yup, I said I warmed up to both trades. That isn't to say that I would have made the Lehner trade - I would not have. I'm still on the fence about giving up Zads. Some of the quotes I saw from those in the know after the trade said that he was a real PITA in the room, FWIW. Also, I have long liked McGinn - I think he is going to surprise a lot of people.

Either way, that isn't 180'ing on anything. The future is in fact uber bright and I've said that for weeks now.
- Slump Buster

Coming off back surgery.

If Healthy he is a guy that will give you 15-20g and 15-20a. Real good 3rd line energy guy.

McGinn/Larsson/Foligno could be fun to watch.

Having Gionta puts a damper on that though.

IMO your 3rd line is

McGinn/Foligno/Gionta