Are we supposed to be winning Cups or getting award nominations for prospect cupboards ? Gentleman we moved armia, compher, zadorov, amongst others and Eichel, Reinhart, McCabe, Risto have graduated into the big leagues. We have 22 picks in the next two years and were worrying about our prospect depth. Who gives a frank we need like what one or two more prospects to work out to fill out the bottom half of our roster. Prospect depth is the least of our worries.
- Pegullaville

Prospect depth builds sustainability. I'm not saying it's a huge issue but it is something that will need to be addressed (and as you said, 22 picks in 2 years so it will be).

That said, you need to hit on those picks. Otherwise you end up with a quick run and thn when you have to pay people you have no depth.

We should lock up Johnson, the Goalie situation doesn't seem to be a closed case.
- SABRES 89

lehner got dinged up twice this season


not sure bubble boy is the 1A needed in net


he has proven capable of being in a split goalie rotation though

I agree. Lehner has to stay healthy for a whole season before I feel good about having a lesser backup. By the way, I applied for another job in Vegas. Hoping this one finally gets me out there.
- Pierceme69

I wouldn't want one anyways. Even when Miller was in his prime we had no backup that could let him not play 70-75 games. Paying Chad 2-2.5 won't break the bank and keeps a competent goalie here. He wants to be a #1 and I understand that. If he wants to try the market and someone says hey you can be a #1 here then sure. But I say keep him here as long as we can as long as he's good playing 20-25. Help hopefully keep Lehner fresh.

Let's say they do end up at #5 somehow. Would you trade that pick for a top-6 winger or a top-2 D?
- Pierceme69

if they sign stamkos, big if


go all in for 2 proven d men

move the first rd pick

move the dead weight

get some speed, and let it fly

Prospect depth builds sustainability. I'm not saying it's a huge issue but it is something that will need to be addressed (and as you said, 22 picks in 2 years so it will be).

That said, you need to hit on those picks. Otherwise you end up with a quick run and thn when you have to pay people you have no depth.
- Zschalberg

Prospect depth allows you to be like Chicago. You can lose good players and plug guys in and still win cups with your 3rd and 4th line making peanuts. And paying to have a monster top 6 and good D

Agreed. If they don't pick top 5, move the pick.

Just my humble opinion.
- dadeadhead

I'm fine with that more than I am just packaging a bunch of 2nd or 3rd rounders for a player. We need to start getting the pipeline full again

if they sign stamkos, big if


go all in for 2 proven d men

move the first rd pick

move the dead weight

get some speed, and let it fly
- homiedclown

Moving Moulson, IMO is the biggest thing that needs to be done. If Murray can somehow pull that off, it will be the biggest move of the offseason.

Karlsson is as proven as he's going to be. He's exactly what was advertised, a forward that plays D.

Coming from a bunch of hockeybuzz folks, in 20 minutes, off the tops of our heads, that's a pretty decent list.
- Zschalberg

Damn! I already screwed up. What I meant was, is Karlsson a proven Tim Murray scouting pick? Did Tim say to uncle Bryan, "We need to take this guy."

Prospect depth builds sustainability. I'm not saying it's a huge issue but it is something that will need to be addressed (and as you said, 22 picks in 2 years so it will be).

That said, you need to hit on those picks. Otherwise you end up with a quick run and thn when you have to pay people you have no depth.
- Zschalberg

if your prospects are mancari, funk, card, varone, etc


prospect depth doesn't mean sh!t


they need a handful of blue chip prospects in rochester (8), and a dozen in jrs/ncaa that can step up within 2 years for rocester


this teams needs quality in the minors, not quantity

Prospect depth allows you to be like Chicago. You can lose good players and plug guys in and still win cups with your 3rd and 4th line making peanuts. And paying to have a monster top 6 and good D
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

It also is ammo to add at the deadline or in the offseason.

Moving Moulson, IMO is the biggest thing that needs to be done. If Murray can somehow pull that off, it will be the biggest move of the offseason.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

gorges, franson, ennis, need to be in the conversation as well IMO

lehner got dinged up twice this season


not sure bubble boy is the 1A needed in net


he has proven capable of being in a split goalie rotation though
- homiedclown

It was the same injury both times. The second time it sounds like if we were in a hunt for something he would have only taken a bit off and then played but instead we shut him down to fully heal it.

Hopefully an offseason of rehab and being able to work will provide more durability. That said, injuries will happen. I vaguely remember the play that got him hurt but as I recall he was sliding and his foot hit the post. Could have happened to any goalie.

if your prospects are mancari, funk, card, varone, etc


prospect depth doesn't mean sh!t


they need a handful of blue chip prospects in rochester (8), and a dozen in jrs/ncaa that can step up within 2 years for rocester


this teams needs quality in the minors, not quantity
- homiedclown

Varone is a stud.

Prospect depth allows you to be like Chicago. You can lose good players and plug guys in and still win cups with your 3rd and 4th line making peanuts. And paying to have a monster top 6 and good D
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

pay 10 guys (6 up front, 4 on the back end)


plug and play on the cheap for the rest of roster


kids and vets on 1 year cap friendly deals

gorges, franson, ennis, need to be in the conversation as well IMO
- homiedclown

IMO one of Pysyk or McCabe is packaged this offseason. Leaves room for Franson on the bottom pair

if your prospects are mancari, funk, card, varone, etc


prospect depth doesn't mean sh!t


they need a handful of blue chip prospects in rochester (8), and a dozen in jrs/ncaa that can step up within 2 years for rocester


this teams needs quality in the minors, not quantity
- homiedclown

Of course. Like I said, need to hit on those picks. Otherwise Rochester will look like it does now.

Varone is a stud.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Which one?

gorges, franson, ennis, need to be in the conversation as well IMO
- homiedclown

I still have SOME hope for Ennis, i think if he can buy into not being one of the top guys and just plays his role he can help this team win. Franson i think will be moved at the TDL next year. But that 5.5 mil Moulson carries really hurts. You get rid of that and you could really make some big moves in the offseason and TDL.

It was the same injury both times. The second time it sounds like if we were in a hunt for something he would have only taken a bit off and then played but instead we shut him down to fully heal it.

Hopefully an offseason of rehab and being able to work will provide more durability. That said, injuries will happen. I vaguely remember the play that got him hurt but as I recall he was sliding and his foot hit the post. Could have happened to any goalie.
- Zschalberg

your first rd pick , if moved for a goalie, should give you stability in net


after 1 year, lehner is not stable, chad johnson is more stable in net

and that's scary

IMO one of Pysyk or McCabe is packaged this offseason. Leaves room for Franson on the bottom pair
- sbroads24

I'd rather move franson and grab soupy on a 1 year deal

gorges, franson, ennis, need to be in the conversation as well IMO
- homiedclown

Gorges also has an NTC so that might be an issue. That said, I'm cool keeping him as a 3rd pairing guy. Franson would be a 7th D but if we can trade him, great. Ennis can go either way. If we trade him, great. If we keep him, cool. Part of me wants to keep him just to see what he can do. As bad as he was early this year he had almost .5 P/G which is right around his career average of .58.

IMO one of Pysyk or McCabe is packaged this offseason. Leaves room for Franson on the bottom pair
- sbroads24

McCabe isn't going anywhere. He is going to be a stud and coaching staff and Murray love him. Pysyk is already halfway out the door IMO.

McCabe isn't going anywhere. He is going to be a stud and coaching staff and Murray love him. Pysyk is already halfway out the door IMO.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

if mccabe is part of a package to get vlassic or lindholm, IMO you do it

your first rd pick , if moved for a goalie, should give you stability in net


after 1 year, lehner is not stable, chad johnson is more stable in net

and that's scary
- homiedclown

Sure and I agree. Like you said, after 1 year. Year 2 will be the telling year. If it happens again then it's on Murray. If he plays 50-60 then I'm satisfied.

your first rd pick , if moved for a goalie, should give you stability in net


after 1 year, lehner is not stable, chad johnson is more stable in net

and that's scary
- homiedclown

Lehner played like a #1 when healthy, and Johnson played like a solid backup (hopefully he's resigned) Ullmark got some NHL experience, so I think we'll be fine for at least next season. If Lehner has problems next year than Murray will have to seriously start looking for a plan B which will probably be Ullmark.