Go to a game in Nashville, You will change your tune. Great atmosphere.
- ImThatGuy

Agreed!!
Been there a few time, it was fun.
Good music, hot southern women!!
And, awesome bars on Broadway, with killer beers on tap!

So by the sounds of it... most people want to pay Oduya 5+M AAV for 3 years as a stop gap until our young'n's are ready to eat more minutes. That just seems like a waste to me.

There has to be someone else better out there than a 34 year old dude for that job. I personally think that Risto could handle the time on the ice. He lead all of our defensemen in points and TOI last season and even had our best +/- if I remember right.
- JVince11

No I want him for three years as a stop gap number 1 pairing defenesman until we can trade or sign for another one. No one in our prospect pool beside Ristolainen is capable of being a top pairing defenceman in the next five years

So by the sounds of it... most people want to pay Oduya 5+M AAV for 3 years as a stop gap until our young'n's are ready to eat more minutes. That just seems like a waste to me.

There has to be someone else better out there than a 34 year old dude for that job. I personally think that Risto could handle the time on the ice. He lead all of our defensemen in points and TOI last season and even had our best +/- if I remember right.
- JVince11

That 34 year old dude just won a Stanley Cup. And also broke into the league a later age than most, so he doesn't have the amount of miles on him that you would think.

He's not Nik Lidstrom, but we could use a vet guy like him here. Do I want to sign him to anything crazy? No. But we need someone and I'm sorry, anyone else left out there is more the caliber of Mike Weber for the most part.

So by the sounds of it... most people want to pay Oduya 5+M AAV for 3 years as a stop gap until our young'n's are ready to eat more minutes. That just seems like a waste to me.

There has to be someone else better out there than a 34 year old dude for that job. I personally think that Risto could handle the time on the ice. He lead all of our defensemen in points and TOI last season and even had our best +/- if I remember right.
- JVince11

He's 33 but who's counting.

A waste of what?

That 34 year old dude just won a Stanley Cup. And also broke into the league a later age than most, so he doesn't have the amount of miles on him that you would think.

He's not Nik Lidstrom, but we could use a vet guy like him here. Do I want to sign him to anything crazy? No. But we need someone and I'm sorry, anyone else left out there is more the caliber of Mike Weber for the most part.
- HonkFortheGoose

X2

I second this.... Nashville is a GREAT smaller town market for hockey. It is pretty darn comparable to Buffalo. Not a huge city in per capita like a Philly, Pitt, Boston, Chicago, etc but them fans LOVE their hockey there.
- JVince11

Nashville hockey fan base similar to Buffalo??? Come on... When 17.000 show up for a scrimmage and they have a few bad years and still come close to or do sell out then talk to me. I retract the Nashville Dallas comparison but I put Buffalo fan base up there with Philadelphia and Winnipeg

That 34 year old dude just won a Stanley Cup. And also broke into the league a later age than most, so he doesn't have the amount of miles on him that you would think.

He's not Nik Lidstrom, but we could use a vet guy like him here. Do I want to sign him to anything crazy? No. But we need someone and I'm sorry, anyone else left out there is more the caliber of Mike Weber for the most part.
- HonkFortheGoose

X3

Nashville hockey fan base similar to Buffalo??? Come on... When 17.000 show up for a scrimmage and they have a few bad years and still come close to or do sell out then talk to me. I retract the Nashville Dallas comparison but I put Buffalo fan base up there with Philadelphia and Winnipeg
- bluengold12

I would put us above Nashville fan base, any given day!
But, Nashville fans are ok.

Nashville hockey fan base similar to Buffalo??? Come on... When 17.000 show up for a scrimmage and they have a few bad years and still come close to or do sell out then talk to me. I retract the Nashville Dallas comparison but I put Buffalo fan base up there with Philadelphia and Winnipeg
- bluengold12

It's not... I'm wondering if he just meant small market team (as far as comparable)...?

Agreed!!
Been there a few time, it was fun.
Good music, hot southern women!!
And, awesome bars on Broadway, with killer beers on tap!
- Sabresfan88

As a city I'd agree. I've heard nothing but awesome things about Nashville and it's probably a lot more exciting than Buffalo. In terms of fan bases... They don't exactly have great ones especially in football...

He's 33 but who's counting.

A waste of what?
- Homer

He is also a Stanley Cup winner...who eats a ton of minutes, is left handed (a position of need) and can hold the place until the kids are ready.

Think of a Matt Moulson on the blue line only better at his position than Moulson is.

Not a waste at all.

He won't cost assets, won't cost us when it comes to signing the kids (if its a 3 year or under deal). He is pretty much the perfect guy that's available. It's not our money, it helps the team be better which isn't that the point? To get better?

It's not... I'm wondering if he just meant small market team (as far as comparable)...?
- jochfr

Possibly.. Yes but in terms of cap space an spending we're not really a small market team anymore. Only in terms of revenue and population

As a city I'd agree. I've heard nothing but awesome things about Nashville and it's probably a lot more exciting than Buffalo. In terms of fan bases... They don't exactly have great ones especially in football...
- bluengold12

Yea.
Buffalo fan base ( Bills and Sabres ) are next to none!! IMO

As a city I'd agree. I've heard nothing but awesome things about Nashville and it's probably a lot more exciting than Buffalo. In terms of fan bases... They don't exactly have great ones especially in football...
- bluengold12

When Nashville was bad the fan base was anemic... They were practically begging fans to come to the games not too long ago.


Also they were almost sold to Basille and possibly moved...

Possibly.. Yes but in terms of cap space an spending we're not really a small market team anymore. Only in terms of revenue and population
- bluengold12

Even for population, I guess there is a big crown in each game that travels from out of town to catch Bills and Sabres game constantly.
I do it myself a lot, every season.

Go to a game in Nashville, You will change your tune. Great atmosphere.
- ImThatGuy

Went to a game last year, had a blast, really knowledgeable and passionate fan base. Love that they have a craft beer vender in the arena as well as chicken and waffle sandwiches. Love anything unique, all Calgary has is Molson poop and hot dogs and hamburgers

He is also a Stanley Cup winner...who eats a ton of minutes, is left handed (a position of need) and can hold the place until the kids are ready.

Think of a Matt Moulson on the blue line only better at his position than Moulson is.

Not a waste at all.

He won't cost assets, won't cost us when it comes to signing the kids (if its a 3 year or under deal). He is pretty much the perfect guy that's available. It's not our money, it helps the team be better which isn't that the point? To get better?
- Stripes77

Agree on all of it except I'm not sure I'd say he is a better Dman than Moulson is a forward, but that's the point anyway.

It's not... I'm wondering if he just meant small market team (as far as comparable)...?
- jochfr

yes.. smaller market team like Buffalo.

COME ON LET'S GO FOR JOHNNY O!!

No I want him for three years as a stop gap number 1 pairing defenesman until we can trade or sign for another one. No one in our prospect pool beside Ristolainen is capable of being a top pairing defenceman in the next five years
- bluengold12

He is not that... he is NOT a top pairing guy. He was barely a 2nd pairing guy in Chicago

No I want him for three years as a stop gap number 1 pairing defenesman until we can trade or sign for another one. No one in our prospect pool beside Ristolainen is capable of being a top pairing defenceman in the next five years
- bluengold12

He is not that... he is NOT a top pairing guy. He was barely a 2nd pairing guy in Chicago

He's 33 but who's counting.

A waste of what?
- Homer

he is 34 in October so basically 90% of the season he will be 34.

A waste of money and time on the ice that could further benefit our other players instead of him.

He is not that... he is NOT a top pairing guy. He was barely a 2nd pairing guy in Chicago
- JVince11

Yeah but that makes him a top pairing guy in Buffalo, tbh...

Went to a game last year, had a blast, really knowledgeable and passionate fan base. Love that they have a craft beer vender in the arena as well as chicken and waffle sandwiches. Love anything unique, all Calgary has is Molson poop and hot dogs and hamburgers
- DDM-Coga

Did you stay a few days?

Yeah but that makes him a top pairing guy in Buffalo, tbh...
- jochfr

yea sure.... "Ville Leino is a 2nd line guy in Philly so he should be a 1st line guy in Buffalo"

That works out well.

Craig Rivet ring a bell here to anyone else?