This whole "he want's to play near home" thing just sounds too good to be true to me.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Yeah, all speculation because neither Stamkos nor his agent have said anything. Still East coast Canadians usually are reluctant to go west and McKenzie has about as much insider info as anybody. Plus, GMTM saying his gut tells him Eichel's 2nd winger isn't currently on the team isn't dulling the Stamkos speculation. Granted, he could mean a draft pick, Faeshing or a lower free agent (Mcginn like) too? Still it's going to be a fun draft and free agency

they need to have speed


for all we know, ennis could fill the void
- homiedclown

Agreed. It's an issue outside of Kane, Eichel, and maybe Girgensons.

They need a burner or two

some inside info from people who've gotten it right on other occasions...personally, he'd be nuts to leave tampa, especially with no state or local taxes in florida...adds 5-10% to his take home pay



edit: opps...sorry....

did you mention Edmonton, jero?

*snicker, snicker*

nothing personal
- Michael Pachla

The only reason I suggested Edmonton was the undeniable McDavid factor.

Yeah, all speculation because neither Stamkos nor his agent have said anything. Still East coast Canadians usually are reluctant to go west and McKenzie has about as much insider info as anybody. Plus, GMTM saying his gut tells him Eichel's 2nd winger isn't currently on the team isn't dulling the Stamkos speculation. Granted, he could mean a draft pick, Faeshing or a lower free agent (Mcginn like) too? Still it's going to be a fun draft and free agency
- turbo044

From what I was told, he wants to compete for a cup starting next year, and through the duration of his contract.

Sabres fit that bill. So does Nashville to an extent.

Detroit and Toronto don't. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Kronwall are in there mid 30's. Toronto is way too young.

They also don't have the assets to pull off a two deals like the Kane/O'Reilly one.

Just my opinion but I think it will be BUF and NSH competing with Tampa, and Toronto will be in the mix but never a serious option.

The only reason I suggested Edmonton was the undeniable McDavid factor.
- Jeropotato

As much as I hate to say it ... I'm not buying the idea that since Toronto is perhaps on a "5-year" plan that Stamkos wouldn't be interested. They land the number one pick and that puts them closer to where Buffalo is now then few would admit.

From what I was told, he wants to compete for a cup starting next year, and through the duration of his contract.

Sabres fit that bill. So does Nashville to an extent.

Detroit and Toronto don't. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Kronwall are in there mid 30's. Toronto is way too young.

They also don't have the assets to pull off a two deals like the Kane/O'Reilly one.

Just my opinion but I think it will be BUF and NSH competing with Tampa, and Toronto will be in the mix but never a serious option.
- sbroads24

The Sabres are going to be competing for the cup next year? Wow ...... just wow.

From what I was told, he wants to compete for a cup starting next year, and through the duration of his contract.

Sabres fit that bill. So does Nashville to an extent.

Detroit and Toronto don't. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Kronwall are in there mid 30's. Toronto is way too young.

They also don't have the assets to pull off a two deals like the Kane/O'Reilly one.

Just my opinion but I think it will be BUF and NSH competing with Tampa, and Toronto will be in the mix but never a serious option.
- sbroads24

Yep - good analysis. Does Nashville have the cap space??

From what I was told, he wants to compete for a cup starting next year, and through the duration of his contract.

Sabres fit that bill. So does Nashville to an extent.

Detroit and Toronto don't. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Kronwall are in there mid 30's. Toronto is way too young.

They also don't have the assets to pull off a two deals like the Kane/O'Reilly one.

Just my opinion but I think it will be BUF and NSH competing with Tampa, and Toronto will be in the mix but never a serious option.
- sbroads24

You really think the Sabres are going to compete for a cup next year? Not trolling I just think that's some pretty high expectations for a group of players who have very little talent over 25 yrs old.

Just for the record, if your core is mostly intact when Reinhart and Eichel are 23-24 yrs old the team will be sick good.

You really think the Sabres are going to compete for a cup next year? Not trolling I just think that's some pretty high expectations for a group of players who have very little talent over 25 yrs old.
- Jeropotato

If they add Stamkos to this group? While inevitably adding a top 4 d man? Yes I do think they will compete. Probably not win one next year

If they add Stamkos to this group? While inevitably adding a top 4 d man? Yes I do think they will compete. Probably not win one next year
- sbroads24

Interesting.

If they add Stamkos to this group? While inevitably adding a top 4 d man? Yes I do think they will compete. Probably not win one next year
- sbroads24

You give Stamkos way too much love ............ he's not the differnce between a bottom 5 team and a cup contender. There's (6-8) players on this team that need to be replaced next year and we give Stamkos that kind of dough ............ 6 of them will be here next year.

You give Stamkos way too much love ............ he's not the differnce between a bottom 5 team and a cup contender. There's (6-8) players on this team that need to be replaced next year and we give Stamkos that kind of dough ............ 6 of them will be here next year.
- fastek

Well Tampa is a pretty good team...top 4 or 5 in the east at least...and looking at that roster...I dunno. If you Stamkos and say Coburn or Stralman off that team are they worse than the Sabres?

You give Stamkos way too much love ............ he's not the differnce between a bottom 5 team and a cup contender. There's (6-8) players on this team that need to be replaced next year and we give Stamkos that kind of dough ............ 6 of them will be here next year.
- fastek

Eichel going from a 50 point player to a 70 point player like most great players do during there 2nd year will be a boost. Reinhart improving will he a boost. Lehner being healthy could be a boost, adding a top 2-3 defenseman will be a boost. That alone let's us compete for a playoff spot.

Adding Stamkos makes us a threat.

Eichel, Stamkos, O'Reilly and Reinhart would rival OV, Kuznetsov, Backstrom and Oshie as one of the best forward groups in the east

Eichel going from a 50 point player to a 70 point player like most great players do during there 2nd year will be a boost. Reinhart improving will he a boost. Lehner being healthy could be a boost, adding a top 2-3 defenseman will be a boost. That alone let's us compete for a playoff spot.

Adding Stamkos makes us a threat.

Eichel, Stamkos, O'Reilly and Reinhart would rival OV, Kuznetsov, Backstrom and Oshie as one of the best forward groups in the east
- sbroads24

Yeah....I dunno...I think from my experiences watching the oilers that it takes more than a half dozen good young forwards. Mind you, we never had an O'Rielly and Reinhart looks like he might have more offence than Nuge, so up until recently, that group may be superior to ours. Lehner is t great but he's sure as (frank) better than Dubnyk/Scrivens/Fasth were...maybe they will.

Interesting.
- Jeropotato

If you add Stamkos, Faeshing, get lucky and have the lottery pick be in the top 5, add a top defenseman and stay healthy (3rd most injuries this year) then this Team gets very interesting. A lot of if's but a lot more hope than we've had in 8 years, or so.

Yeah....I dunno...I think from my experiences watching the oilers that it takes more than a half dozen good young forwards. Mind you, we never had an O'Rielly and Reinhart looks like he might have more offence than Nuge, so up until recently, that group may be superior to ours. Lehner is t great but he's sure as (frank) better than Dubnyk/Scrivens/Fasth were...maybe they will.
- Jeropotato

I think the difference will be that players like Foligno, Larsson, Girgensons, McCabe, Pysyk and even Evander Kane are good role players. Oilers struggled filling out the roster with good veterans.

Right now the Sabres #1 issue is scoring 5 on 5. 2nd is defense. Adding Stamkos and say Cam Fowler could go a long way (Although I'd prefer Lindholm, not sure it's likely)

I think the difference will be that players like Foligno, Larsson, Girgensons, McCabe, Pysyk and even Evander Kane are good role players. Oilers struggled filling out the roster with good veterans.

Right now the Sabres #1 issue is scoring 5 on 5. 2nd is defense. Adding Stamkos and say Cam Fowler could go a long way (Although I'd prefer Lindholm, not sure it's likely)
- sbroads24

D has gotten a lot better. I think i read somewhere that we're on pace to.give up 75.goals less than last year. Big q to me is whether or not Lehner can handle the #1 goalie role.next year. He's looked fantastic on a limited sample.size this year (I personally hated the trade with Ottawa) but need to see it over 60 games

You really think the Sabres are going to compete for a cup next year? Not trolling I just think that's some pretty high expectations for a group of players who have very little talent over 25 yrs old.

Just for the record, if your core is mostly intact when Reinhart and Eichel are 23-24 yrs old the team will be sick good.
- Jeropotato

I doubt it but in the right scenario they'd be far closer than some of the other teams mentioned (assuming he crosses TB off his list)

D has gotten a lot better. I think i read somewhere that we're on pace to.give up 75.goals less than last year. Big q to me is whether or not Lehner can handle the #1 goalie role.next year. He's looked fantastic on a limited sample.size this year (I personally hated the trade with Ottawa) but need to see it over 60 games
- turbo044

Agreed. I think Lehner looks the part, but staying healthy is a concern

D has gotten a lot better. I think i read somewhere that we're on pace to.give up 75.goals less than last year. Big q to me is whether or not Lehner can handle the #1 goalie role.next year. He's looked fantastic on a limited sample.size this year (I personally hated the trade with Ottawa) but need to see it over 60 games
- turbo044

I think this is more of an illusion than actual improvement. They still give up a lot of shots/shot attempts per game and spend a lot of time in their own end. On the one hand they're not giving up as many goals but that's mostly because they've been rolling the full park the bus method, particularly in the third period.

Effective for now when the bar set is last years historically awful team, but when you want to actually compete you need a defense (and defensively competent forwards) that's good enough that you can trust your team to actually try and score in the 3rd rather than just take shots from 50 ft and make sure you never have more than 1 guy over the red line.

Eichel going from a 50 point player to a 70 point player like most great players do during there 2nd year will be a boost. Reinhart improving will he a boost. Lehner being healthy could be a boost, adding a top 2-3 defenseman will be a boost. That alone let's us compete for a playoff spot.

Adding Stamkos makes us a threat.

Eichel, Stamkos, O'Reilly and Reinhart would rival OV, Kuznetsov, Backstrom and Oshie as one of the best forward groups in the east
- sbroads24

It makes us a playoff team is all..... we have a lot of holes to fill before we are anything more than that.

I think this is more of an illusion than actual improvement. They still give up a lot of shots/shot attempts per game and spend a lot of time in their own end. On the one hand they're not giving up as many goals but that's mostly because they've been rolling the full park the bus method, particularly in the third period.

Effective for now when the bar set is last years historically awful team, but when you want to actually compete you need a defense (and defensively competent forwards) that's good enough that you can trust your team to actually try and score in the 3rd rather than just take shots from 50 ft and make sure you never have more than 1 guy over the red line.
- Sabresfan-365

Granted, more improvement is needed, but giving up a goal per game less than the previous year isn't an illustration, it's improvement.

I think the difference will be that players like Foligno, Larsson, Girgensons, McCabe, Pysyk and even Evander Kane are good role players. Oilers struggled filling out the roster with good veterans.

Right now the Sabres #1 issue is scoring 5 on 5. 2nd is defense. Adding Stamkos and say Cam Fowler could go a long way (Although I'd prefer Lindholm, not sure it's likely)
- sbroads24

The first (3-5) guys you mention would be my first choices to be off the team next year.

The first (3-5) guys you mention would be my first choices to be off the team next year.
- fastek

I would be fine with moving out some of them, but Foligno and Larsson are putting together nice stretches. They are fine bottom 6 players

Granted, more improvement is needed, but giving up a goal per game less than the previous year isn't an illustration, it's improvement.
- turbo044

It is depending on what you compare it too. Giving up a goal less per game would be outstanding if not for the fact that last years goal was to give up as many as possible. And also how they are doing it. The 5 players behind the blue line strategy won't be effective when the goal is to win instead trying not to lose which is essentially how they've been playing this year.