I love spending $300 on Apple products that are supposed to be high quality but then break just over a year later (and conveniently just after the warranty expires).
- chilliard77

I hear you I honestly think here's my tinfoil hat theory lol
Every time a new iPhone comes out they slow down the old phone all of a sudden it's slow as hell (frank)ing up etc.

Picking in the top5 and then
Trading for a good young defenseman

I think that would be a pretty good "splash"

No reason to waste assets on a guy we can get for nothing
If it's a 3rd...
Ok, no prob

If it's Ennis, or a 1st in 2017, or anything significant like that...
No way
Doesn't make sense
- jdfitz77

Especially if he ends up four to July 1 anyways. I agree though picking top 5 and a huge trade for a d-man would be pretty huge

I'd definitely be in favor of signing Stamkos
- jdfitz77

If people honestly female dog about signing Stamkos I don't know what to say he's a (frank)ing superstar

The only way they end up signing Stamkos is acquiring his rights before July 1st. If they get into a battle in the open market, they will lose.

The only way they end up signing Stamkos is acquiring his rights before July 1st. If they get into a battle in the open market, they will lose.
- buffalofan19

I'd be interested to see what teams not named Toronto would give up to get his rights as players like him don't hit free agency often.

The only way they end up signing Stamkos is acquiring his rights before July 1st. If they get into a battle in the open market, they will lose.
- buffalofan19

But If that were true what would make him more likely to sign here after acquiring his rights? He could just wait till July 1 and sign with his first choice. Keep in mind the new cba allows teams to talk to pending UFAs during the re signing phase

The only way they end up signing Stamkos is acquiring his rights before July 1st. If they get into a battle in the open market, they will lose.
- buffalofan19

Yep I see that ..

But If that were true what would make him more likely to sign here after acquiring his rights? He could just wait till July 1 and sign with his first choice.
- Sabresfan-365

would honestly be so Richard. ... doesn t he have to wave to come here

I believe what you are saying was said...it certainly makes sense given last years discussion at the draft.
My issue is Stamkos' value. Is he really worth $11-12m long term. That contract becomes a boat anchor in about 4 years...and assuming he signs for 7 years, wow "that is a lot of bread"..it impacts the team in a big big way, obviously. I remain skeptical that it is in the best interests of the Sabres to go all in on him.
- IonSabres

I was just saying the same thing about him today in regards to the long term, big money contract we assume he'll get. I'm not crazy about that at all. Having said that, if we won a cup with him I might be inclined to care a bit less about it

would honestly be so Richard. ... doesn t he have to wave to come here
- gerbe75pts

He could wave and use their desperation to up the offer and then on July 1 ask his 1st choice to match. I could absolutely see his agent doing that. Edit: grammar not so good

I really hate the idea that where a draft is held supersedes what is best for the team.

In my opinion, the fact that the draft is in Buffalo should not be a factor on any decisions. At all.
- rmiethaner

The only way they end up signing Stamkos is acquiring his rights before July 1st. If they get into a battle in the open market, they will lose.
- buffalofan19

Why do you think that?

I'd be interested to see what teams not named Toronto would give up to get his rights as players like him don't hit free agency often.
- kingcong39

Keep in mind that he isn't going to allow his new team to give something of significant value to his old team. It kind of reminds me of Hasek controlling who came back to us in the trade (some rumors had it as being significant pieces before he changed the trade).

Why do you think that?
- Slump Buster

When money gets thrown your way you forget about everything

When money gets thrown your way you forget about everything
- gerbe75pts

He is getting whatever money he wants so that isn't an issue. I think he makes it to the "can talk to other teams" phase no matter what so I don't think this will be an issue anyway.

I believe what you are saying was said...it certainly makes sense given last years discussion at the draft.
My issue is Stamkos' value. Is he really worth $11-12m long term. That contract becomes a boat anchor in about 4 years...and assuming he signs for 7 years, wow "that is a lot of bread"..it impacts the team in a big big way, obviously. I remain skeptical that it is in the best interests of the Sabres to go all in on him.
- IonSabres

He's still young...
And one of the best scorers in the league

I think u get top talent when u can
Fill in the rest

I hear you I honestly think here's my tinfoil hat theory lol
Every time a new iPhone comes out they slow down the old phone all of a sudden it's slow as hell (frank)ing up etc.
- gerbe75pts

They don't slow down the phones the way you think. It's an indirect outcome. They release a new phone which almost always comes with a new OS which has more features and takes a higher spec to run smoothly. Therefore older phones that don't have the same components as the new ones are slower. I have an old, old PC in the basement that runs on XP. If I tried to install windows 10 on it it would more than likely run like chit. Just like trying to run a new game on an old system. The system isn't slower, it's just the demand for performance is higher.

Stamkos would get 50-60 goals that itself should be worth 12 million... I remember people, wgr female doging over 4 years ago saying ov was done and no one would want to trade Thomas Vanek for him what happened then
- gerbe75pts

Well, in fact we don't know what his production will be.
His production over the past 2 -3 years has been generally declining...still a top goal score and point producer no doubt, but in decline no doubt as well. Getting 50 -60 goals would mean that he his in the 90 -100 point range. That would be fantastic!

i don't see it quite like you do...maybe he gets 40-45 goals and 80 pts.
match that to the expected price tag of $11-$12m and I'm hesitant.
My point is we may be better off getting 2 guys at $6m and getting 25+ goals from each.

He's still young...
And one of the best scorers in the league

I think u get top talent when u can
Fill in the rest
- jdfitz77

Hell yeah he's young what is 26 so many years left for him what is ov 30? And he hasn't slowed down and he plays the roughest game possible

Especially if he ends up four to July 1 anyways. I agree though picking top 5 and a huge trade for a d-man would be pretty huge
- Sabresfan-365

I think doing those 2 things would almost solidify Stamkos coming here

I really think that's the direction this all is trending

Well, in fact we don't know what his production will be.
His production over the past 2 -3 years has been generally declining...still a top goal score and point producer no doubt, but in decline no doubt as well. Getting 50 -60 goals would mean that he his in the 90 -100 point range. That would be fantastic!

i don't see it quite like you do...maybe he gets 40-45 goals and 80 pts.
match that to the expected price tag of $11-$12m and I'm hesitant.
My point is we may be better off getting 2 guys at $6m and getting 25+ goals from each.
- IonSabres

But what two guys are UFAs that can get 25 + goals? And that are at Stamkos age..

He's an elite talent and I would pay on the max possible because you know he's dangerous when he's on the ice think about him and Jack together holy hell

The only way they end up signing Stamkos is acquiring his rights before July 1st. If they get into a battle in the open market, they will lose.
- buffalofan19

Why do u say that?

Stamkos has a NTC
So he's only gonna accept a trade to where he wants to sign
Now IF that's the Sabres...
Why would July 1st make a difference?
The only thing it might do is cost us more $$$

I'm sure his agent already knows who's interested
And when the season is over, he'll let Stamkos know the options & he'll choose where he wants to go play
Whether or not his rights get traded to that team seems a bit arbitrary to me

Stamkos, ror, eichel, risto is a lot like Chicago's kane, toews, hossa, keith...

If Stamkos wants to sign here I 100% think it's the best and fastest move for us to become cup contenders. Obviously add the top 5 draft pick and bring in a top 4dman and we are looking reallllllll good

But what two guys are UFAs that can get 25 + goals? And that are at Stamkos age..

He's an elite talent and I would pay on the max possible because you know he's dangerous when he's on the ice think about him and Jack together holy hell
- gerbe75pts

Not arguing about the ceiling...he's terrific. The next 3-4 years would be great...and they better win multiple cups.
Take a look at his stats, they have gone down...I just see warning signs and project that decline out over 4 years from now. Just go in eyes wide open and realize going all in has An incredibly high risk associated with it.
You hate Moulson's contract now...imagine in 4 - 5 years being saddled with a guy who has $12m tied around you neck and he ain't producing like that contract demands anymore.

Not arguing about the ceiling...he's terrific. The next 3-4 years would be great...and they better win multiple cups.
Take a look at his stats, they have gone down...I just see warning signs and project that decline out over 4 years from now. Just go in eyes wide open and realize going all in has An incredibly high risk associated with it.
You hate Moulson's contract now...imagine in 4 - 5 years being saddled with a guy who has $12m tied around you neck and he ain't producing like that contract demands anymore.
- IonSabres

his stats have gone down and so has every NHL'r not named Kane pretty much. Unfortunately the commissioner doesn't care about the lack of offense. Stamkos is as good as they come when it comes to goal scoring.