This is a good signing until Reins and Eichel both outperform ROR at the end of their of their ELC's(albeit a big if) and you're looking at paying anywhere between 15m-18m to resign them. Along with pieces like Kane, Risto, Girgs, Pysyk, etc. Some of the young talent buffalo has stockpiled are going to point to ROR's contract as a starting point, which will lead to them finding jobs elsewhere. Not trying to troll as ROR was a personal favorite of mine and I live in buffalo and will be at the development camp this week, but in 3 years when Eichel, Reinhart, and Kane's contracts expire this contract will be what they're looking to start at.
- goavsgo10

15-18 m huh?

What the hell are you talking about? Name me all the second line centers with comparative salaries who isn't Malkin.

I call him a first line center and you're arguing with me. Like...wtf?
- Blackstrom2

Eichel will be their number one center once 16-17 starts

These are valid points.

Pay attention kiddies, this poster knows how to hold a discussion.

I'll answer that by the way.

Aren't all contracts associated with some degree of risk?
For example, injuries, expectations on the club's larger picture roster wise, projected team strategies from both a coaching and personnel management aspect, other variables such as chemistry amongst players or individual performance and the commitment of all parties.

There is always inherent risk.
- TWGsabres

You're a good poster, why do you feel the need to belittle others who don't share your opinion? Be better.

If MTL or Toronto did it, it would already be on page 100+. Seriously, new here?
- nords21

.


No kidding

This is such a ridiculous discussion. Every time plays by the same rules. Every team has 71 million in cap space. In what way each team spends that money is entirely up to them. Are we really going to have to listen to people cry because of one teams signing will somehow inadvertently affect their team? Your GM has his 71 million to spend, it's his JOB to make it work. If he can't do it, then that's his negotiating skills, not the fault of how another GM spent his money.

15-18 m huh?
- Blackstrom2

I think so, yes. If Eichel/ Reinhart put up 70 points and ROR puts up 60 why wouldn't they ask for more than him? Bridge deals are becoming a thing of the past (see Saad, ROR). These young players want to get paid by their teams because they know someone else will meet their price tag. Would we have liked to have kept ROR at 6-6.5m, yes. But because agents and players know they can get more by holding out, it's going to become more common.

If MTL or Toronto did it, it would already be on page 100+. Seriously, new here?
- nords21

That wasn't my question. My question was do you think this would be put on the HB Hotstove if it were Toronto or Montreal.

I think so, yes. If Eichel/ Reinhart put up 70 points and ROR puts up 60 why wouldn't they ask for more than him? Bridge deals are becoming a thing of the past (see Saad, ROR). These young players want to get paid by their teams because they know someone else will meet their price tag. Would we have liked to have kept ROR at 6-6.5m, yes. But because agents and players know they can get more by holding out, it's going to become more common.
- goavsgo10

Eichel/Reinhart can't really hold out to get more after their ELCs. They have no arbitration rights and are RFAs. Realistically, their only options are to either accept the offer management gives them, receive, receive and sign an offer sheet, or not play. A guy like Sather is able to get guys in these situations to sign to really good bridge contracts. A lot of GMs aren't willing to hold their ground for as long as it may take for the player to cave though.

That wasn't my question. My question was do you think this would be put on the HB Hotstove if it were Toronto or Montreal.
- c1067

Yes. Because then we'd be discussing possible landing destinations for Galchenyuk, Reilly, etc. The only way this isn't argued to death is if he signs with a team like New Jersey. Everyone knows they aren't competing for cups in the next 5 years, they would have the cap space to pay him this contract, and there's no intriguing prospects whose contracts will be determined by this number. Sabres aren't gonna be able to pay Kane, ROR, Eichel, Reinhart, Risto all 7.5m+ which is where the outside intrigue comes from. Whenever a big deal like this is signed, vultures are gonna circle.

Eichel/Reinhart can't really hold out to get more after their ELCs. They have no arbitration rights and are RFAs. Realistically, their only options are to either accept the offer management gives them, receive, receive and sign an offer sheet, or not play. A guy like Sather is able to get guys in these situations to sign to really good bridge contracts. A lot of GMs aren't willing to hold their ground for as long as it may take for the player to cave though.
- rangerdanger94

True, however they are not exempt from team arbitration which is what Colorado filed for ROR. (Although it never got to an actual hearing as they settled around 6.5m) And while an offer sheet is one thing, the threat of an offer sheet is about as looming. ROR took the fastest possible route to UFA status and I think that trend will continue. Although hopefully Eichs and Reinhart are more team oriented than ROR and sign nice 5m bridge deals so the Sabres can win a cup before the Blackhawk effect kicks in.

I think so, yes. If Eichel/ Reinhart put up 70 points and ROR puts up 60 why wouldn't they ask for more than him? Bridge deals are becoming a thing of the past (see Saad, ROR). These young players want to get paid by their teams because they know someone else will meet their price tag. Would we have liked to have kept ROR at 6-6.5m, yes. But because agents and players know they can get more by holding out, it's going to become more common.
- goavsgo10

If they score 10 more points than him, they are going to ask for double his salary?

Hahahahhahahhaha coming from an oilers fan. Unless of course you were being sarcastic...
- Palfenier

The Oilers had a direction .They accumulated assets and have set themselves up to be a powerhouse .Now they could have been way better for sure , but at least they tanked properly even if that wasn't the intent .Colorado has no direction what so ever .They have no depth at any position and are not even close to being a contender .The Johnson trade was foolish .Their asset management has been just brutal

The Oilers had a direction .They accumulated assets and have set themselves up to be a powerhouse .Now they could have been way better for sure , but at least they tanked properly even if that wasn't the intent .Colorado has no direction what so ever .They have no depth at any position and are not even close to being a contender .The Johnson trade was foolish .Their asset management has been just brutal
- Allforhim12

Duchene, Mackinnon, Soderberg, Landeskog, Iginla and Tanguay. Would hardly call that lack of depth.

If they score 10 more points than him, they are going to ask for double his salary?
- Blackstrom2

I don't think I was clear...15m-18m for both. Maybe 7.5 for reins, 8.5 for Eichel, but neither of them have laced up for a full season yet so who knows.

I don't think I was clear...15m-18m for both. Maybe 7.5 for reins, 8.5 for Eichel, but neither of them have laced up for a full season yet so who knows.
- goavsgo10

If we have 3 guys playing up the middle that all deserve to be paid like elite guys, I think we as Sabre fans are going to be very happy as that means our team will be a serious contender every year. I will take that over the crap we just watched for two years.

7.5 mil for your number 2 center? He's their #1 buddy.
- Blackstrom2

Down the road they are banking on Eichel as numero uno and if he plays out his elc in three and gets seven or better, ROR is in the structure.

Also remains to be seen that injuries can relegate a hard player like ROR down a few notches as well, but it is always risk vs reward.

BUF fans should have a fun team to watch.

The Oilers had a direction .They accumulated assets and have set themselves up to be a powerhouse .Now they could have been way better for sure , but at least they tanked properly even if that wasn't the intent .Colorado has no direction what so ever .They have no depth at any position and are not even close to being a contender .The Johnson trade was foolish .Their asset management has been just brutal
- Allforhim12

Yeah we haven't accumulated any assets? So there's no way MacKinnon, Duchene, Landeskog is anywhere near Mcdavid, Hall, RNH.

No depth at any position? Yeah Duchene, Mackinnon, Soderberg, Hishon, Grigorenko, Mitchell is just brutal center depth. Varlamov and Pickard between the pipes for the next decade hurts too.

The Johnson trade? Because you probably don't know the details:

To Col:
Johnson
McClement
First round pick (Siemens)

To STL:
Stewart
Shattenkirk
Second Round pick (Rattie)

Stewart never put up over 36 points in STL.

Shattenkirk, while offensively gifted and a top 4 dman for sure is less rounded than EJ. Imagine if Shattenkirk was relied on as the number one dman without Petro and Jbow to take on other teams top lines, like EJ is with the avs.

Rattie has 2 points in 13 NHL games(granted a small sample size) due to the fact that dmen take longer to develop and Siemens(21 years old) looks like a keeper I'd say we are winning this prospect battle. Really too early to judge either though.

Please, do a little research next time.

If we have 3 guys playing up the middle that all deserve to be paid like elite guys, I think we as Sabre fans are going to be very happy as that means our team will be a serious contender every year. I will take that over the crap we just watched for two years.
- BigStew

I completely agree, but how do you pay them all and still fill out a competitive all around roster?

You're a good poster, why do you feel the need to belittle others who don't share your opinion? Be better.
- BackSlider

Sorry, wasn't meant to come across that way, just dry humor. And thanks, I can get excitable like any other from time to time. I only try to bring some balance when I can.

As for the contract. Fans will settle in with it league wide as with most others. Our beloved Sabres have been through a lot, Buffalo sports fans in general a great deal more.

This to shall pass.

In the summer interim, these conversations will continue.
I only wish we'd stop the city/region bashing.

It's one thing to haze a sports team fan base, quite another to go after ones childhood memories.

the debate of a #1 and #2 can range forever.

My fear as a BUF fan would be that ROR was a support player in COL and now will be the focal point. This reeks similar to Kessel. An above average support player that gets top dollar because of what he "might" do vs what he ever has done.

ROR could become a star, or a Plekanec. This is why there are question marks about his dollar amount. Anyone that says he is worth that, really, is hoping he will be worth it IMO.

You would think, if ROR has the ability to bring a team to the next level, COL would have easily given him this money... that is telling IMO.
- BooBoo997

I would'nt have called him a support player in Colorodo. He has more ice -time than any other player on the Avs the last two years.

And the Avalanche are the worst run team in hockey, nvm they won the hardest division in the NHL.
- Footer52

But didn't they then lose in the first round to a wild card team, then miss the playoffs in 14-15?

I completely agree, but how do you pay them all and still fill out a competitive all around roster?
- goavsgo10

If you can't, you trade them for future assets just like Chicago is doing. Just keep rolling guys in. You also have to draft well, you will never be able to keep everyone in a cap league so you have to make tough decisions.

Sorry, wasn't meant to come across that way, just dry humor. And thanks, I can get excitable like any other from time to time. I only try to bring some balance when I can.

As for the contract. Fans will settle in with it league wide as with most others. Our beloved Sabres have been through a lot, Buffalo sports fans in general a great deal more.

This to shall pass.

In the summer interim, these conversations will continue.
I only wish we'd stop the city/region bashing.

It's one thing to haze a sports team fan base, quite another to go after ones childhood memories.
- TWGsabres

Buffalo is a great city to live in. Sports crazy, Chippewa, Elmwood, Allentown for night life, free canalside concerts in the summer, affordable cost of living, Niagara Falls a stone's throw away, access to Canadian cities such as Toronto, and good, wholesome people. Those who bash Buffalo have never spent a day here and judge it based on the fact that it isn't a large city like Boston, NYC, etc.

I completely agree, but how do you pay them all and still fill out a competitive all around roster?
- goavsgo10

Decisions will have to be made. Everyone that is bashing murray for this contract right now isnt looking 2 or 3 years down the road when these kids are still under contract for the league minimum. He'll have to make a tough decision in the future perhaps. But do you not sign ROR because you're worried about a cap situation in 5 Years? No. If thats the argument, its a non issue. If we have to trade one of Girgensons, rinehart or eichel in 3-5 years, so be it. We'll deal with that when the time comes. If anyone has been paying attention, Murray is executing the plan he publicly announced when he was hired. You dont have to like it, but he's doing exactly what he said he was going to do.

But didn't they then lose in the first round to a wild card team, then miss the playoffs in 14-15?
- scottak

Anything can happen in the playoffs, if your back up goalie doesn't stand on his head for 2 or 3 games you guys are bounced in the first round. Sometime you need a little luck in the playoffs.