Who says it's okay if we're done? Who's not expecting more?
- Der Kaiser

And that's what we're questioning. Where's the more coming from? They've pretty much used up their assets.

In the first three months of his tenure, Murray properly noted the ways to acquire talent. Trades are one. The draft is essential - then comes free agency. We're still major players in the draft (which is fraught with uncertainty) and Have tons of room under the cap for FA's.

We need another draft and probably 2 FA periods to reach the "excellence" we all want. I'm not gonna criticize the franchise because the league only permits those transactions in limited timeframes each year

I don't want the other teams to be that brand of acceptable. I want this team to be that brand of acceptable.

It can be quite frustrating how reluctant this fanbase is to demand greatness.
- buffalofan19

I have zero problem demanding greatness, but not this year, and yes I'd like to see them have more wins and a better place in the standings, but since there is a discernible difference to me in their long term future between picking 10th or top 5, the losses at least for this season have little effect on me, especially if they are close games and they play well.

And that's what we're questioning. Where's the more coming from? They've pretty much used up their assets.
- buffalofan19

This where GM's of past and present bang the "time to get creative drum". Reclamation projects, unhappy RFA's, hell even euro free agents.

Thing is, it's not a situation that is unique to us. Every team that's contending right now at one point had to get "creative" or opportunistic to get to where they are now. It's especially important for us since unlike chicago, toronto, NYC we don't have that level of appeal in FA.

And that's what we're questioning. Where's the more coming from? They've pretty much used up their assets.
- buffalofan19

Ennis is certainly a prime asset.

Ennis is certainly a prime asset.
- kingcong39

Ennis doesn't have nearly the trade value that everyone seems to think he does.

This where GM's of past and present bang the "time to get creative drum". Reclamation projects, unhappy RFA's, hell even euro free agents.

Thing is, it's not a situation that is unique to us. Every team that's contending right now at one point had to get "creative" or opportunistic to get to where they are now. It's especially important for us since unlike chicago, toronto, NYC we don't have that level of appeal in FA.
- Sabresfan-365

Common ground

I think it would be close since they can't take cap back, trying to get Stamkos under contract for next year and then Hedman year after that.

Drouin has lots of potential but even their own fan base are saying the same thing about him, plays small for being that small, not great defensively, needs a change of scenery, suppose to be a Top 6 Winger but hasn't played like one. Shows flashes of offensive skill but hasn't put it all together

Hes current stock is down, and if a team is paying for his potential then thats a very dangerous game to play
- DDM-Coga

I guy who may never play in the NHL and a mid first for Drouin, if that is all it took, he would be gone already. Yzerman isn't that dumb or desperate.

Ennis doesn't have nearly the trade value that everyone seems to think he does.
- buffalofan19

He has enough to get the team something they need if traded with other pieces.

Common ground
- Der Kaiser

Cheering for the same team, was bound to happen eventually

I have zero problem demanding greatness, but not this year, and yes I'd like to see them have more wins and a better place in the standings, but since there is a discernible difference to me in their long term future between picking 10th or top 5, the losses at least for this season have little effect on me, especially if they are close games and they play well.
- kingcong39

They really haven't been playing that well though. They've had moments, but they're not nearly frequent enough for me. Most nights they are still boring. Yes, Eichel will dazzle every 4 or 5 games, and O'Reilly will pot a goal when they're down by 2 already, but I expected a ton more offensively from this team. This is where my frustration lies. This team emptied the cupboards to improve its goalscoring. Yet it's the weakest part of this team's game by far. And they're still only one position better than last year.

This is what frustrates me. The past 3 years have been so awful that this year's team passes for playing well. It's still mediocre, boring hockey both in style and result, as opposed to last year, which was simply unbearably awful hockey.

I guy who may never play in the NHL and a mid first for Drouin, if that is all it took, he would be gone already. Yzerman isn't that dumb or desperate.
- BigStew

so a player that has requested a trade and wants out of Tampa, you would still put together a trade package designed "to pry him" out of Tampa.

For me the longer it drags on, the more time he spends in the AHL, the further his trade value drops. I think he is moved at the draft for a 1st round pick+, and it will be one those situations that Team A values Drouin over whats left on the board and Tampa Values Player X over Drouin

I guy who may never play in the NHL and a mid first for Drouin, if that is all it took, he would be gone already. Yzerman isn't that dumb or desperate.
- BigStew

People seem to equate a request for a trade as tying a GM's habds. Hell, Matt Barnaby demanded a trade and it took the Sabres over a year to move him, and he wasn't nearly as talented. Yzerman will wait for the highest bid, and it won't come from the Sabres, because they don't have the means unless you count guys like Eichel, Reinhart or Ristolainen.

He has enough to get the team something they need if traded with other pieces.
- kingcong39

They don't have many "other pieces", not that are attractive anyway.

They really haven't been playing that well though. They've had moments, but they're not nearly frequent enough for me. Most nights they are still boring. Yes, Eichel will dazzle every 4 or 5 games, and O'Reilly will pot a goal when they're down by 2 already, but I expected a ton more offensively from this team. This is where my frustration lies. This team emptied the cupboards to improve its goalscoring. Yet it's the weakest part of this team's game by far. And they're still only one position better than last year.

This is what frustrates me. The past 3 years have been so awful that this year's team passes for playing well. It's still mediocre, boring hockey both in style and result, as opposed to last year, which was simply unbearably awful hockey.
- buffalofan19

I believe this is an overall league problem too.

How many teams play an exciting brand of hockey?

I don't consider either Washington game, or the game against the Red Wings to be boring.

so a player that has requested a trade and wants out of Tampa, you would still put together a trade package designed "to pry him" out of Tampa.

For me the longer it drags on, the more time he spends in the AHL, the further his trade value drops. I think he is moved at the draft for a 1st round pick+, and it will be one those situations that Team A values Drouin over whats left on the board and Tampa Values Player X over Drouin
- DDM-Coga

I think Yzerman could literally care less that Drouin wants out of Tampa, it appears that unless someone blows his socks off, Drouin will remain in the AHL until he rights his attitude and can play with the big club. He is isn't trading Drouin for peanuts IMO as he doesn't have too.

He has enough to get the team something they need if traded with other pieces.
- kingcong39

Lightning have shown interest in ennis before (per alternate board sabres89/buff39)

Alex Prewitt
‏@alex_prewitt
Per NBC Sports, the 2016 Winter Classic earned a 1.6 household rating in the US with 2.775 mil. viewers. Lowest of the 8 Winter Classics.


Yea, who could've seen this coming?

Alex Prewitt
‏@alex_prewitt
Per NBC Sports, the 2016 Winter Classic earned a 1.6 household rating in the US with 2.775 mil. viewers. Lowest of the 8 Winter Classics.


Yea, who could've seen this coming?
- Sabresfan-365

The way the NCAA redid the bowl schedule killed them. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Florida all played during that time. I don't remember college teams that big all playing at that time frame before, not during the Winter Classic anyway.

It's a shame too, because none of the New Year's Six bowl games were any good at all.

Lightning have shown interest in ennis before (per alternate board sabres89/buff39)
- Sabresfan-365

The Ducks as well?

The Ducks as well?
- kingcong39

Yep. Despite having a bad year, i think he carries good value. Not just as a trade asset, but to this team as well. He's clearly a capable scorer when he's channeling his inner Max and he's only making 4.6 on the cap. That's ideal for a top 6 forward.

So when Pysyk comes back, are we at Pysyk/McCabe, Bogo/Franson, Risto/Gorges....plus our highest relative Corsi defenseman sits out?
- LandlordTom

poop, there goes the Presidents Trophy!

The way the NCAA redid the bowl schedule killed them. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Florida all played during that time. I don't remember college teams that big all playing at that time frame before, not during the Winter Classic anyway.

It's a shame too, because none of the New Year's Six bowl games were any good at all.
- buffalofan19

Certainly did not help, but haven't WC #s been going down for a few years now?

Yep. Despite having a bad year, i think he carries good value. Not just as a trade asset, but to this team as well. He's clearly a capable scorer when he's channeling his inner Max and he's only making 4.6 on the cap. That's ideal for a top 6 forward.
- Sabresfan-365

I'd like for them to try for a guy such as Boedker as an FA but IMO to do that, they need to get rid of at least one of Moulson, Gionta, or Ennis with the salaries they make, especially Ennis and Moulson, with what Kane makes for the length of his contract, assuming they get a top end winger this coming draft.

No. I don't hear that. I hear "the team made a few trades, gave up a lot of assets, and they're still only in 29th place, but that's okay." That, to me, isn't a winning mentality. The point isn't just that they're in 29th place. It's that they made trades to improve a certain area of the team, and that area is still the team's weakest and it's not even close.
- buffalofan19

What I hear is
They made these trades, why aren't we winning the Presidents Trophy yet...JC t has been 39 games...where is all the hardware?
Unbelievably ridiculous expectations. The rebuild just started folks...hello, is this thing on?