This is my point though, we should set ourselves up with options down the line.

If we trade for Shattenkirk (who I really like) we are married to him for the long haul, mainly because we have to resign him next year.

I say, pick Matthews or a winger if we draft top 3, or seriously consider Chychrun at 4. Tkachuk looks great too.

Whoever we draft will be part of the core for the next decade along with Eichel, Risto and Reinhart.
- sbroads24

Well I'm hoping we pick top2
Laine might not be ready just yet, and I think next year we should be able to compete for a playoff spot

I'm probably as outspoken in support of drafting defensemen high as anyone on here
That said, I don't think Chychrun is in the same class as Jones & Ekblad were when they came out
I see him kinda like I did Risto
Problem with developing him is that he can't go to the AHL next year like Risto did
Chychrun prob could play sheltered minutes on a bottom pair next year, but idk of that would be best for his development
Regardless,
I think it would take him a couple years to get to the place Risto is now becoming a legit top pair guy
I do like Chychrun, just don't love him

I would trade for a defenseman in his mid20s who is top pair material, depending on the cost
Idk if that deal can be made though
And idk if Shattenkirk is even top pair material
I'd probably say he's a fantastic #3
I'm guessing a big reason StL is supposedly thinking of trading him is bc they don't wanna pay him top pair $$$ bc they don't consider him a "top pair" guy
That's just a guess on my part though

I think there's virtually no chance they trade the pick if it's top 6. It's too critical to the teams long term success.
- kingcong39

If we are picking 4th or worse...
I'd absolutely call Arizona about OEL
Idk if they'd even consider it for anyone other than Matthews, but I'd see if there's any way we could get him

Who are some other good young defensemen that might possibly be available?

What about going after Byfuglien as a UFA?
He's 30, so idk if we wanna give someone his age a 7 year deal, or if he'd even consider coming here...
The offense he brings to the table is considerable
But I wouldn't consider him a "top pair" guy, and he's gonna get at least 7mil per season, maybe more

Nevermind
I guess I just talked myself out of it
Too old, plus too much $$$ equals bad idea

If we are picking 4th or worse...
I'd absolutely call Arizona about OEL
Idk if they'd even consider it for anyone other than Matthews, but I'd see if there's any way we could get him

Who are some other good young defensemen that might possibly be available?
- jdfitz77

I just don't see Arizona trading their best player and a legit top 5ish defenseman in this league. Period. If they were like say the Canucks and on the downside with a bunch of older guys, maybe to acquire picks for the future, but Arizona are in the same place we are. Building with an eye on competing in the next couple years. You don't go and trade maybe their best player in franchise history -at least their NHL history anyway, Bobby Hull was ok - in the middle of that.

I just don't see Arizona trading their best player and a legit top 5ish defenseman in this league. Period. If they were like say the Canucks and on the downside with a bunch of older guys, maybe to acquire picks for the future, but Arizona are in the same place we are. Building with an eye on competing in the next couple years. You don't go and trade maybe their best player in franchise history -at least their NHL history anyway, Bobby Hull was ok - in the middle of that.
- Wetbandit1

Yeah...
Idk if they'd do it for anyone other than Matthews
Wouldn't make much sense
I sure would like to bring him here if he ever becomes a UFA though

Gotta vent. So this meme/article has been floating around my facebook today


http://www.cbc.ca/radio/i...-shoot-the-puck-1.3420306


It's been shared by all the typical "I'm a hockey player" dudes and it's like "We get it, you play hockey".

I know shouting "SHOOOOT" at a game is a lame brain thing to do. But I never took it as the fans thinking they know when to shoot more than the players themselves. It's more like the fans telling the team not to be complacent and seize the opportunity. Hockey elitists are annoying. They really just come off as burnt out players who are pissed know one ever cared to come to their game and shout SHOOOOOT DA PAAAWWWK!
- Buffalo--Sabres

I thought it was pretty damn funny

He (frank)ing hates Buffalo. Source: Multiple reports
- Buffalo--Sabres

He did say a long time ago that he wanted to play with us when he was with the Rangers when we had an elite team I remember that

He did say a long time ago that he wanted to play with us when he was with the Rangers when we had an elite team I remember that
- gerbe75pts

We aren't even a playoff team again yet, let alone "elite"
I can't imagine him wanting to come here right now
Too many better options for him

We aren't even a playoff team again yet, let alone "elite"
I can't imagine him wanting to come here right now
Too many better options for him
- jdfitz77

I was talking back in the day when we were good

If we are picking 4th or worse...
I'd absolutely call Arizona about OEL
Idk if they'd even consider it for anyone other than Matthews, but I'd see if there's any way we could get him

Who are some other good young defensemen that might possibly be available?
- jdfitz77

Question. Would you trade the number 1 overall pick and moulson for the number 5 and oel?

Question. Would you trade the number 1 overall pick and moulson for the number 5 and oel?
- joshs

I'd draft Matthews, and IF they took Tkachuk at #5...
then yes, I'd probably do that trade
If Tkachuk gets picked 4th we'd be screwed

How's Arizona getting pick 5 though?
It's possible if they miss the playoffs, but it's a severe longshot

We'd have to look at defensemen that may be available from teams that are likely to pick top5

I'd draft Matthews, and IF they took Tkachuk at #5...
then yes, I'd probably do that trade
If Tkachuk gets picked 4th we'd be screwed

How's Arizona getting pick 5 though?
It's possible if they miss the playoffs, but it's a severe longshot

We'd have to look at defensemen that may be available from teams that are likely to pick top5
- jdfitz77

Question. Would you trade the number 1 overall pick and moulson for the number 5 and oel?
- joshs

Absolutely!
Top 5 pick still lands you a very good player
You fill another position of need with a high end player
And you create cap space to go fill another area of need
All for one move...best possible outcome, but isn't going to happen.

Funny, when I said in December we were playing him too much and he was going to wear down, I was accosted.
- SabresPanacea

If others disagree with you and you take that as being "accosted", it shows a clinical sign of paranoia and an overinflated sense of self-ego. Even if your arguments seem ironclad, nobody has to agree with you.

He shortened it, but our franchise players are still 19,21, and 20.
- sbroads24

This is so true, and a big reason I have not freaked out over our poor record so far. Some here have been impatient and saying fire the GM because we're not a Cup team yet, and I've been saying all year that our future Cup raiser is only 19. 19!

I'm enjoying the whole rebuild process, lumps and all, and a big part is that we:
1 Are not losing on purpose (allegedly)
2 Are competing most games
3 Have Youth at all the key positions. Lots of growing to do
4 Have a GM with big kahunas. Like him or not, TM has made things interesting

I'm super excited about this year's trade deadline and draft. Who knows, things could look quite different in a few months

I'm excited for Goule, Bailey, Fasching. Thats about it for now. I personally think there is now way we should trade the pick if its top 4. We absolutely need one more scorer on the top 6. Matthews or one of the finish wingers will complete that. You can get good D in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. I personally wouldn't risk a top 5 pick on a D in this years draft. None are projected to be Ekblad good or even close.

On a side note anyone else notice ROR not playing anything like he did the first three months? I know he was over performing but the last 5-6 games he wasn't very noticeable. I hope this is just fatigue and he will get back into his groove after the break.

If others disagree with you and you take that as being "accosted", it shows a clinical sign of paranoia and an overinflated sense of self-ego. Even if your arguments seem ironclad, nobody has to agree with you.
- LandlordTom

Fine post!

This is so true, and a big reason I have not freaked out over our poor record so far. Some here have been impatient and saying fire the GM because we're not a Cup team yet, and I've been saying all year that our future Cup raiser is only 19. 19!

I'm enjoying the whole rebuild process, lumps and all, and a big part is that we:
1 Are not losing on purpose (allegedly)
2 Are competing most games
3 Have Youth at all the key positions. Lots of growing to do
4 Have a GM with big kahunas. Like him or not, TM has made things interesting

I'm super excited about this year's trade deadline and draft. Who knows, things could look quite different in a few months
- LandlordTom

My feelings as well.

Or he could sign with a contender
I like the idea, but it would make no sense for him to come here
After how good he's playing this year he'll prob have his pick on where to go next season
- jdfitz77

$$$

$$$
- chilliard77

I'm not saying that it's super likely, but it's not impossible. Look at the last few teams he's played for. Signed with NJ then re-signed, and was traded to Fla and re-signed. He's actually said that he wasn't happy on a contender (Boston) because he had such a small role. Never say never.

rochester scores 2 quick goals, up 2-0 in the first and drops a 4-2 decision

ullmark stops 28 out of 31 , empty netter

So this happened in Nashville last night...

I'm not saying that it's super likely, but it's not impossible. Look at the last few teams he's played for. Signed with NJ then re-signed, and was traded to Fla and re-signed. He's actually said that he wasn't happy on a contender (Boston) because he had such a small role. Never say never.
- chilliard77

He loves it in Florida. I see him retiring there

I'm excited for Goule, Bailey, Fasching. Thats about it for now. I personally think there is now way we should trade the pick if its top 4. We absolutely need one more scorer on the top 6. Matthews or one of the finish wingers will complete that. You can get good D in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. I personally wouldn't risk a top 5 pick on a D in this years draft. None are projected to be Ekblad good or even close.

On a side note anyone else notice ROR not playing anything like he did the first three months? I know he was over performing but the last 5-6 games he wasn't very noticeable. I hope this is just fatigue and he will get back into his groove after the break.
- Smittyx36

Yes to ROR declining play the last two weeks or more. Agreed with rest may help him to reestablish his effectiveness.

id be open to trading our pick ... But to get proper value it probably needs to be number 1...and we would still need to land in the top 5 to make it work.
I do like the poster who proposed the idea of making Moulson part of that deal so we can unload that contract...retain salary if need be, but get rid of that contract. That has real value to the Sabres

So this happened in Nashville last night...


- jochfr

He stinks!