Considering how shiddy they were to be 1 point back with one game in hand out of first place now? I'd say they should be the favorite. Will they get past Chicago/Dallas? I think that's the better question.
- Wetbandit1

That doesn't matter as far as the pick goes though
They just have to get to the conference finals for the pick to become a 2nd rounder
And I think you're discounting StLouis

Stamkos would happen after the draft

And I disagree with u about all owners wanting a big splash
Winning is what matters
- jdfitz77

I think it will be interesting to see if teams try to acquire his rights before the draft in hopes of getting exclusive negotiating rights. If that goes down you would know right up front that he is amenable to signing, as he wouldnt waive the NTC otherwise. Plus, Tampa would want to get something rather than see him walk.

Imagine making that announcement at the draft. Would be a tad splashy.

Stamkos would happen after the draft

And I disagree with u about all owners wanting a big splash
Winning is what matters
- jdfitz77

But you'd think they'd have a better understanding of whether stamkos is a real possibility or not by draft day (where you could acquire his rights). Winning is what matters yes, but as the subpar movie drat day said "people pay to get wet"

I would say Pegula.

Obviously, I don't know, but I think that Murray would have gone with an unknown to most, but someone he would have been more familiar with.
- rmiethaner

Agreed, or someone short term until the team was ready for the big time.

I would say Pegula.

Obviously, I don't know, but I think that Murray would have gone with an unknown to most, but someone he would have been more familiar with.
- rmiethaner

What makes u say that?
The Richardson rumors?
I'm sure he was in the mix
Tough to say...
But I don't think Murray is the kind of guy that would take this job if the owner was gonna be making his decisions for him
He's kinda cocky/arrogant

Thats an.....interesting goal

What makes u say that?
The Richardson rumors?
I'm sure he was in the mix
Tough to say...
But I don't think Murray is the kind of guy that would take this job if the owner was gonna be making his decisions for him
He's kinda cocky/arrogant
- jdfitz77

That is true and a good point.

As I said, I obviously don't know. Just an opinion.


Edit: I just see a Head Coach interview being more involved with front office personnel, unlike player movement.

But you'd think they'd have a better understanding of whether stamkos is a real possibility or not by draft day (where you could acquire his rights). Winning is what matters yes, but as the subpar movie drat day said "people pay to get wet"
- Sabresfan-365

Using that doesn't help your case!
Hahaha

True, we prob will have an idea about Stamkos before it comes to July 1
but lets just say we know we won't get Stamkos...
I doubt Pegula tells Murray to go get Hall, or whoever

That doesn't matter as far as the pick goes though
They just have to get to the conference finals for the pick to become a 2nd rounder
And I think you're discounting StLouis
- jdfitz77

What I'm saying is I think it's a foregone conclusion that Anaheim makes the 3rd round, and that McGinn plays half the games. The only way he doesn't is due to injury,

When St. Louis gets past the first or second round I'll consider them, until then...

That is true and a good point.

As I said, I obviously don't know. Just an opinion.


Edit: I just see a Head Coach interview being more involved with front office personal, unlike player movement.
- rmiethaner

Me either
I just don't see Pegula as a Marc Cuban or Jerry Jones type owner

It's meltdown time.

What I'm saying is I think it's a foregone conclusion that Anaheim makes the 3rd round, and that McGinn plays half the games. The only way he doesn't is due to injury,

When St. Louis gets past the first or second round I'll consider them, until then...
- Wetbandit1

Idk if Anaheim is a forgone conclusion

I think it will be interesting to see if teams try to acquire his rights before the draft in hopes of getting exclusive negotiating rights. If that goes down you would know right up front that he is amenable to signing, as he wouldnt waive the NTC otherwise. Plus, Tampa would want to get something rather than see him walk.

Imagine making that announcement at the draft. Would be a tad splashy.
- Deuce81

People keep saying this as if it were true. It's not. He doesn't have to sign if he gets traded. Remember Erhoff? His rights were traded to the Isles first. He said he wasn't going to sign, so we traded for his rights and signed him.

People keep saying this as if it were true. It's not. He doesn't have to sign if he gets traded. Remember Erhoff? His rights were traded to the Isles first. He said he wasn't going to sign, so we traded for his rights and signed him.
- Wetbandit1

Did ehrhoff have a NTC?

oh god if they had finished that set up from eichel...wow

Two game streak...

Edit: 2 in 3...

I don't want Yandle on this team.

I don't want Yandle on this team.
- rmiethaner

He's the d-man version of hoffman. Ill take him as the #3, dont put him with risto though.

Browns released SS Donte Whitner.
The move saves Cleveland $3.95 million, but leaves $4.5 million in dead money. Whitner is coming off a solid year, posting 81 tackles in 14 games and grading as PFF's No. 24 safety. The Browns are cleaning house in their secondary, cutting Whitner and failing to re-sign Tashaun Gipson. Entering his age-31 season, Whitner won't struggle for interest as the top available safety behind Reggie Nelson.

He's the d-man version of hoffman. Ill take him as the #3, dont put him with risto though.
- Sabresfan-365

That's an expensive #3

That's an expensive #3
- rmiethaner

It certainly would be, you'd have to free up money else where.

Did ehrhoff have a NTC?
- Deuce81

Can't find anything to say definitively either way, but it's irrelevant anyway because he's(Stamkos) beholden to no one, so maybe the team that he'll sign with won't trade for him, but another team will and he wants the Lightning to get at least something for him. It's as plausible as any other scenario since no one knows anything about what's in his head.

Can't find anything to say definitively either way, but it's irrelevant anyway because he's(Stamkos) beholden to no one, so maybe the team that he'll sign with won't trade for him, but another team will and he wants the Lightning to get at least something for him. It's as plausible as any other scenario since no one knows anything about what's in his head.
- Wetbandit1

You're absolutely right, no one knows. But I would think if Stamkos walks from Tampa, it will be on unfriendly terms. Would he really agree to a trade just to do them a favor? I suppose anything is possible, but it seems unlikely to me.

In case anyone's wondering, with (4) games remaining the Sabres chances of moving up the ladder towards the top pick are dwindling. There are still opportunities to do so but it requires one or more of the bottom feeders going on a tear in the last week of the season. Here's the breakdown per team:

1. Oilers: Buffalo cannot pass EDM at this point
2. Toronto: The Sabres must get no more than 1 point in their last 4 and the Leafs must win all 5 of theirs.
3. Columbus: Sabres must lose all 4 and Jackets need to win 4 out of their last 5 games. One point from the Sabres and Columbus must win all 5 remaining.
4. Jets: Sabres can get one point out of their last 4 while the Jets need to win 3 out of their last 4. If Buffalo gets two points, Jets must win all 4 remaining games.
5. Calgary: Same as the Jets above
6. Canucks: If the Sabres get no points in their last 4 games, The Canucks need 5 points in their last 4 to pass Buffalo. Sabres can get two points in their last 4 which would require Vancouver to get 7 points in their last 4 games.
- fastek

Good. Prove we're improving.

Evenin' gang.