This is a petty point but one I don't get... Why if they knew Fasching would be up with the club this year and play games, wouldn't they ask him what number he wanted? I'm sure the kid doesn't care and is just happy to play but 24 is open and he probably would've preferred that to 52..
- bluengold12

I belive you get "assigned" a number coming in like he is. Next year he would have the opportunity to choose. I think.

is there a "stamkos" available at this draft. and if so who is he?
- IndianaSabresFan

Any of the top 3 perhaps............ never know. They all have to start somewhere.

Any of the top 3 perhaps............ never know. They all have to start somewhere.
- fastek

IMO Matthews or no.

I love the Finns and want one for us...but they aren't Stamkos type players. Remember when he was first drafted we were talking about him as the next Sid-Gretzky-Lemieux...don't hear that chatter this time around.

He's not playing wing for anyone ......... Stamkos that is. I believe he's made that pretty clear already.
- fastek

I believe that's extremely overstated
Please try to find a link where he's say anything close to that

To my knowledge, he said (ONCE btw, not even multiple times)...
That he prefers center, but will do whatever it takes for the team to win

That's the kind of guy I'd like to have around

His center for that playoff run? Filppula
His potential center here? Eichel

See the difference?

Also...
I see no reason Eichel couldn't slide to the wing either
Sam did
Ennius did
Girgensons did
And there's examples of guys all over the league that grew up playing center & moved to the wing

I get your concerns...
And maybe they're justified
None of us really know what Stamkos is thinking
We'll just have to see how it plays out

IMO Matthews or no.

I love the Finns and want one for us...but they aren't Stamkos type players. Remember when he was first drafted we were talking about him as the next Sid-Gretzky-Lemieux...don't hear that chatter this time around.
- RhinoFan

Matthews is REALLY good though
If he's not on Jack's level, he's only slightly below

Ek says Hall is in play at the draft...

They want a D, a gritty center plus

If we draft 5-10th

Pysyk, Girgensons and our 1st
- Stripes77

Too much with our first. IMO.

I can deal them for Hall but not in addition to our first especially if we have a choice of Chychrun/Juolevi/Nylander.

Would anyone trade vanek for moulson and a 3rd this year?
- yen6d1

No thanks
Obviously Vanek is better, but I don't want that contract either
I'd rather just buy out Moulson after next year if he isn't taken in the expansion draft

My Sabres season awards

Rookie of the year: Jack Eichel
MVP of the team: Ryan O'Riley
LVP of the team: Matt Moulson
Biggest surprise: Sam Reinhart
Biggest let down: Zemgus Girgensons
Best defenceman: Rasmus Ristolainen (Despite his recent struggles)
Worst defeneceman: Carlo Colicavo
Biggest unknown: Tie between Ennis and Lehner
- bluengold12

Carlo beats out Franson for that award? That's surprising.

No thanks
Obviously Vanek is better, but I don't want that contract either
I'd rather just buy out Moulson after next year if he isn't taken in the expansion draft
- jdfitz77

I debated this same thing but looked into it.

6.5M for Vanek is only for next season.

Moulson is 5M for the next 3 years i think.

Moulson has about 10 pts this season. Vanek has 15 goals and 20 some assists.


I think I would actually entertain the idea of the offer just becuase then we don't hav eot buy someone out and pay long term.

We've agreed too much lately, i miss the old days
- Sabresfan-365

Matthews is REALLY good though
If he's not on Jack's level, he's only slightly below
- jdfitz77

Ive heard they are about 2A and 2B behind McDavid

do you bring chad johnson back?

if you could have one goal scorer for the next 3 years only with the sabres


benn
ovi
stamkos?




I would take ovi for 3 years, stamkos for 7
- homiedclown

I'd take Benn for 10 though.

do you bring chad johnson back?
- homiedclown

I'd certainly make the attempt to but he might seek more money or more options to be a starter.

I don't know what team has a glaring need for a 1A goalie right now though. Everyone seems to have someone in the near pipeline or someone they traded for recently.

Johnson is not exactly a hot commodity like Lack, Talbot, or Lehner were last year with oodles of potential.

I debated this same thing but looked into it.

6.5M for Vanek is only for next season.

Moulson is 5M for the next 3 years i think.

Moulson has about 10 pts this season. Vanek has 15 goals and 20 some assists.


I think I would actually entertain the idea of the offer just becuase then we don't hav eot buy someone out and pay long term.
- JVince11

Vanek's deal is up after next year?
Then yeah, I'd do that trade
But why would Minnesota take back Moulson for 3 years when they could probably dump Vanek to someone for just one season?
Vanek is at least scoring a bit still,
So I think someone would take him

No thanks
Obviously Vanek is better, but I don't want that contract either
I'd rather just buy out Moulson after next year if he isn't taken in the expansion draft
- jdfitz77

Agreed

do you bring chad johnson back?
- homiedclown

Absolutely
1-2 year deal
1.5m per season

He's pretty much been the perfect backup for us

Ive heard they are about 2A and 2B behind McDavid
- JVince11

The majority of what I have read has stated there are no Jacks/McD in this draft. Matthews is very good, but I'd say he goes #3 if in same year. I think AM was only a couple of days, age wise, of being in the same year and at THAT time was thought he would have been #3. Haven't followed him at all this year so not sure if something big has happened since.

I really think that a lot of guys have taken a "Most Improved" jump this year but I don't know who has been bigger than McCabe.

Reinhart certainly improved but I almost consider more so "playing up to his potential" then it is improved.

McCabe to me has solidified himself as a top 4 dman this year.

?? - Risto
Bogo - McCabe


We just need to fill that spot and I think our top 4 is actually quite, quite good.

I do see us trading the likes of Pysyk, Ennis, Girgensons/Larsson (depending on what hte opposite team wants) in order to bring back a top pairing DMan such as one from Anaheim in Fowler or a top 6 winger such as Hall.

I don't see us really going after a Ladd, Okposo, Boedker in UFA.

I could see us going after D Demers in UFA however if they firmly believe in Pysyk rebounding or Nelson/Guhle stepping up enough to fill and McCabe/Bogo being a top pairing guy and we only need to plug fill our 2nd line.

Ive heard they are about 2A and 2B behind McDavid
- JVince11

If Matthews end up being better than Jack... Or even McDavid...
It wouldn't shock me

Not that I'd predict that
But he is Fantastic.
And going to play in Switzerland was a great choice IMO
Playing against men, & for Marc Crawford should have him nice & ready for the NHL

Vanek's deal is up after next year?
Then yeah, I'd do that trade
But why would Minnesota take back Moulson for 3 years when they could probably dump Vanek to someone for just one season?
Vanek is at least scoring a bit still,
So I think someone would take him
- jdfitz77

This is where I absolutely agree. It doesn't make sense.

If it is for Moulson, it doesn't make sense. I can see them dumping him for a pretty good prospect from a contending team. I mean Vinny got traded this year so I really put nothing off limits. (Vinny is actually doing quite good in LA too the last I checked).

I could see a team like Florida, LA, NSH, or NJD taking a chance on him.

If Matthews end up being better than Jack... Or even McDavid...
It wouldn't shock me

Not that I'd predict that
But he is Fantastic.
And going to play in Switzerland was a great choice IMO
Playing against men, & for Marc Crawford should have him nice & ready for the NHL
- jdfitz77

Nylander did it too though. He went over there first and then came back to the OHL. Matthews did it vice versa.

I think it is Puljujarvi that is on a bad dry point streak right now. Chychrun is too.

I really think that a lot of guys have taken a "Most Improved" jump this year but I don't know who has been bigger than McCabe.

Reinhart certainly improved but I almost consider more so "playing up to his potential" then it is improved.

McCabe to me has solidified himself as a top 4 dman this year.

?? - Risto
Bogo - McCabe


We just need to fill that spot and I think our top 4 is actually quite, quite good.

I do see us trading the likes of Pysyk, Ennis, Girgensons/Larsson (depending on what hte opposite team wants) in order to bring back a top pairing DMan such as one from Anaheim in Fowler or a top 6 winger such as Hall.

I don't see us really going after a Ladd, Okposo, Boedker in UFA.

I could see us going after D Demers in UFA however if they firmly believe in Pysyk rebounding or Nelson/Guhle stepping up enough to fill and McCabe/Bogo being a top pairing guy and we only need to plug fill our 2nd line.
- JVince11

I don't think those guys u see us trading have enough value to get us back a partner for Risto or winger for Jack

This is where I absolutely agree. It doesn't make sense.

If it is for Moulson, it doesn't make sense. I can see them dumping him for a pretty good prospect from a contending team. I mean Vinny got traded this year so I really put nothing off limits. (Vinny is actually doing quite good in LA too the last I checked).

I could see a team like Florida, LA, NSH, or NJD taking a chance on him.
- JVince11

Not LA (cap reasons)...
But the others all make sense

If guess all they'd have to give up is maybe a 3rd
Minny prob just wants that contract off their books

It would take a small miracle for us to get rid of Moulson

Not that I know of
- bluengold12

Number has already been assigned