Moving Ennis now is just poor asset management. He's a proven 20+ goal scorer and has top 6 talent. So, he's having a bad year, every player has a bad year at some point, that's no reason to dump a good player on a good contract. Other G.M.s will just low-ball Murray for Ennis right now, moving him is not worth a 2nd and a mid-level prospect we'd get in return. If, Ennis is part of a package that can return a solid top 6 winger or 2-3 defenseman, than fine, go for it. If not, let him bounce back next year and make a decision then, it's not like we're going to the playoffs this year.

My take on the Sabres at the deadline, assuming the team is not in contention for a playoff spot, and really, even if they are...

The take what you can get and run group: Johnson (Lehner's health is key), Weber, Carlo, Legwand

The try and swindle group: Moulson, Gorges (Why is Gionta not in this group? He only has one more year left on his deal while the others have 3 and 2 years left respectively)

The tough to get a proper return at the current low value rate: Ennis (Offloading him now is silly unless the return is a quality LHD)

The trade for a high end pick with the express intent shared to them that the team wants to sign them as UFA's in the offseason: McGinn, Foligno

McGinn is a known commodity, and he's pretty high quality. Keep him.

That's basic asset management.
- Der Kaiser

To play devil's advocate, not losing assets for nothing is good asset management. Murray has shown that he can turn assets into known commodities.

Moving Ennis now is just poor asset management. He's a proven 20+ goal scorer and has top 6 talent. So, he's having a bad year, every player has a bad year at some point, that's no reason to dump a good player on a good contract. Other G.M.s will just low-ball Murray for Ennis right now, moving him is not worth a 2nd and a mid-level prospect we'd get in return. If, Ennis is part of a package that can return a solid top 6 winger or 2-3 defenseman, than fine, go for it. If not, let him bounce back next year and make a decision then, it's not like we're going to the playoffs this year.
- sskkoo1

THIS!

you're not going to sign a 20 goal scorer(he'll prob. hit that this season) for $3M, not in this league anymore
- nikel

My issue is if you talk contract with him, he is not going to give you a "hometown" discount, so he is going to want $4.5 or more (starting point at least) and at that price, you might as well trade him and try to resign later. $4.5 or more and I am not sure I would want him long term (4 + years, which is what he should ask for).

So he has to fit in a few places, so my guess is he is traded before resigned at $3m / 2-3 years (what we would want).

My take on the Sabres at the deadline, assuming the team is not in contention for a playoff spot, and really, even if they are...

The take what you can get and run group: Johnson (Lehner's health is key), Weber, Carlo, Legwand

The try and swindle group: Moulson, Gorges (Why is Gionta not in this group? He only has one more year left on his deal while the others have 3 and 2 years left respectively)

The tough to get a proper return at the current low value rate: Ennis (Offloading him now is silly unless the return is a quality LHD)

The trade for a high end pick with the express intent shared to them that the team wants to sign them as UFA's in the offseason: McGinn, Foligno
- kingcong39

You have to put Moulson into the first category. They'd give him away for free if they could rid themselves of the contract.

I love the Winnipeg blog:


Today @ 12:02 AM ET
Peter Tessier: Major Discontent In Winnipeg- Change? Jets come out flat again for second home game in a row taking more dumb penalties and another lackadaisical loss.

Hmmm, thought all was solved when that cancer Kane was shipped off???

I disagree.

He's had a tough year but I'd like to see more of a healthy Ennis playing alongside Eichel.

Plus, you trade Ennis this year and you get only half of his actual value....let's give the guy some slack, after all he was really the only player that never slowed down his consistent play throughout the past 3 sheet seasons, and now that he's hit a rough patch he's gone?....that makes no sense.
- nikel

Were the last 3 seasons because he could do whatever he wanted since there was no structure, especially the Nolan years? I agree he should get another shot but it does say something that when he has better supporting cast and a system in place he falls off the map. If it's injury or chemistry, that's fine. But something is up.

He has the most points of a Sabres player since the tank so that shows he can put up points. Can he put those points up with this new team though? We'll see.

Cornel seems to be doing well. http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=152379

Not saying the players are going to be stars, but to replace a 3rd line C, you don't need a star.
- stashu

I think they moved him to the wing

And that's fine. So I trade him.
- Zschalberg

....because we don't want players that score goals?....I'm not following why we trade someone who has been a pleasant surprise in the goal scoring department?

It only looks that way because of how bad we are right now. On a good team he's a thrid liner who you wouldn't mind keeping around but wouldn't blink twice if you had to move on from him. He's already making close to three mil, if he's asking for any sort of raise I would move on from that.
- Sabresfan-365

The only counter to that I'll offer is they can afford to sign him to say a 2-3 year deal at $4M per, if and ONLY if, Moulson is somehow dispatched as McGinn can replace his salary while their hopeful top 5 pick is playing right away on an ELC.

On your earlier post, I can't imagine what the team would look like if TM was successfull in moving up to take Larkin.

On the upcoming draft, let's say they somehow get a 1st for McGinn and a 2nd for someone like Foligno. Would it even be possible/conceivable that TM would package those picks along with another 2nd, someone like Ennis, and possibly a prospect, to get back into the top 5 so they end up taking both Finn wingers?

I know, I have a better chance at winning Powerball, but oh to dream.

I love the Winnipeg blog:


Today @ 12:02 AM ET
Peter Tessier: Major Discontent In Winnipeg- Change? Jets come out flat again for second home game in a row taking more dumb penalties and another lackadaisical loss.

Hmmm, thought all was solved when that cancer Kane was shipped off???
- stashu

Petes still upset over Frolik, he loves his fancy stats

....because we don't want players that score goals?....I'm not following why we trade someone who has been a pleasant surprise in the goal scoring department?
- nikel

If you can get a 1st for him, you definitely trade him, and then take your chances at signing him as a UFA.

The only counter to that I'll offer is they can afford to sign him to say a 2-3 year deal at $4M per, if and ONLY if, Moulson is somehow dispatched as McGinn can replace his salary while their hopeful top 5 pick is playing right away on an ELC.

On your earlier post, I can't imagine what the team would look like if TM was successfull in moving up to take Larkin.

On the upcoming draft, let's say they somehow get a 1st for McGinn and a 2nd for someone like Foligno. Would it even be possible/conceivable that TM would package those picks along with another 2nd, someone like Ennis, and possibly a prospect, to get back into the top 5 so they end up taking both Finn wingers?

I know, I have a better chance at winning Powerball, but oh to dream.
- kingcong39

Top 5? probably not but a 1st and 2 2nds isn't nothing. Could move their top pick for a top pair d-man and still have the assets to restock the cupboards.

my 2 cents

sabres need to move any player they do not envision being on their roster next year (UFA's)

legwand
mcginn (if can't sign him)
weber
colaiacovo
johnson


try to move moulson/gionta


any key trades, would be to upgrade the top half of the roster, which would be 3 for 1 type trades


all the blah picks they get at deadline, try to package some to get better picks

You have to put Moulson into the first category. They'd give him away for free if they could rid themselves of the contract.
- Slump Buster

I only put Moulson with Gorges in the swindle group because I think it would be a total swindle if they somehow got rid of both of those contracts for any kind of return

my 2 cents

sabres need to move any player they do not envision being on their roster next year (UFA's)

legwand
mcginn (if can't sign him)
weber
colaiacovo
johnson


try to move moulson/gionta


any key trades, would be to upgrade the top half of the roster, which would be 3 for 1 type trades


all the blah picks they get at deadline, try to package some to get better picks
- homiedclown

I would only add Foligno to the first list.

My dream is they get enough quality picks, outside their own 1st, and package those along with a prospect and someone Ennis to get back into the top 5 and they end up with both Finn wingers. Never going to happen, of course.

I only put Moulson with Gorges in the swindle group because I think it would be a total swindle if they somehow got rid of both of those contracts for any kind of return
- kingcong39

gorges can be traded

kings wanted him earlier this season

My issue is if you talk contract with him, he is not going to give you a "hometown" discount, so he is going to want $4.5 or more (starting point at least) and at that price, you might as well trade him and try to resign later. $4.5 or more and I am not sure I would want him long term (4 + years, which is what he should ask for).

So he has to fit in a few places, so my guess is he is traded before resigned at $3m / 2-3 years (what we would want).
- Lilroot9

Wait a minute - if this guy is nothing but an interchangeable 3d liner, isn't his agent going to recognize that a 150% increase in his current salary is unrealisitic?

Moving Ennis now is just poor asset management. He's a proven 20+ goal scorer and has top 6 talent. So, he's having a bad year, every player has a bad year at some point, that's no reason to dump a good player on a good contract. Other G.M.s will just low-ball Murray for Ennis right now, moving him is not worth a 2nd and a mid-level prospect we'd get in return. If, Ennis is part of a package that can return a solid top 6 winger or 2-3 defenseman, than fine, go for it. If not, let him bounce back next year and make a decision then, it's not like we're going to the playoffs this year.
- sskkoo1

Nothing you said offsets Murray just not being into Ennis. We obviously don't know for sure that is the case, but he doesn't play the way players that Murray seems to covet do. I would guess that since his name is out there as available Murray doesn't love him going forward.

I only put Moulson with Gorges in the swindle group because I think it would be a total swindle if they somehow got rid of both of those contracts for any kind of return
- kingcong39

Doesn't Moulson have a no-trade clause?

....because we don't want players that score goals?....I'm not following why we trade someone who has been a pleasant surprise in the goal scoring department?
- nikel

I'm not saying I don't want him. I'm saying I don't want him for the cost it is going to bring and the term along with it. McGinn is having a career year and is far surpassing my expectations for him. He's looked great offensively, has worked with O'Reilly, and has helped us win games.

That said, his career high in goals is 19 and points is 38. This year he has 20 points in 43 games, albeit, on a team that is very hard pressed to score. 40 points isn't a great 2nd line player on a good team but I'm not saying it's something to sneeze at either. If he wants a term of 3-5 years I don't know if I want to pay him for that long.

If Tim Murray comes out tomorrow and says that McGinn was re-signed for 4.5M for 4 years I'm not going to be up in arms about it. I just don't know if I would do it myself.

Doesn't Moulson have a no-trade clause?
- Pierceme69

Modified I believe

I would only add Foligno to the first list.

My dream is they get enough quality picks, outside their own 1st, and package those along with a prospect and someone Ennis to get back into the top 5 and they end up with both Finn wingers. Never going to happen, of course.
- kingcong39

I really wanted the sabres to move the 2 late 1st rd picks and 31 to get Mikko Rantanen

(frank) you tim murray

Top 5? probably not but a 1st and 2 2nds isn't nothing. Could move their top pick for a top pair d-man and still have the assets to restock the cupboards.
- Sabresfan-365

Let's say a team in the top 5 says we will trade you our pick for your other 1st, both of your 2nds, Ennis, and one of Borgen, Martin, Florentino, or Guhle, would you do it?