I think you're missing the point I was making. I never said it would be a good idea to sign any of those guys you just stated, what I am referring to is the fact that when Pegula took over we were told things are going to change on how UFA's looked at us, that has not happened. For whatever reason Pegula didn't get his man in Doan, Richards, Parise, Suter, Babcock, Bailey, and now Cagguila and I'm sure there's more. These are all guys we pushed hard for and they said no. Erhoff and Reigr we trade for their rights so we had no competition for their services, and even then Erhoff couldn't leave fast enough. Schultz in Edmonton said no to us also back when Pegula first got here.

We took the past few years off for the rebuild and now that we're back looking for UFA's to come here it seems we're back on the NO wagon. But I guess we'll have to still see what Vessy and Stamkos does.

But Gionta was never a bigger name than Iginla or Boyle, and when did we ever have Brooks Orpik or Cammalleri?
- sskkoo1

Yeah, sorry, that was unclear. I didn't mean to make it sound like we signed them. I should've used a period or put Gionta at the end.

Other than Babcock we never had a chance at any of those guys. College guys are college guys, sure Schultz said no to us, but he said yes to Edmonton. How many other teams did he say no to? Erhoff did say no to other teams, Vancouver his original team and the Islanders. Regehr could've stayed in Calgary, there were other suitors, or Pegula wouldn't have hopped on his jet and flew to Calgary to make his pitch.

I just think your expectations were/are way out of whack as to what's possible with a mediocre to one of the worst teams ever. If in the next few years we continue to improve but still can't draw some big names then I'll be willing to say "yeah, so much for he always gets his guy." The switch basically got reset this year, we're starting from scratch again. Frustrating though that may be it is what it is.

Besides Stamkos this year, I don't see the Sabres pursuing any high profile free agents that will demand big salaries. They will have three guys on their roster who they will need to make a commitment to salary wise.

In the future, any FA players they go after will be a lower tier to fill out the roster. They should be easier to sign when the team is good.

Yeah, sorry, that was unclear. I didn't mean to make it sound like we signed them. I should've used a period or put Gionta at the end.

Other than Babcock we never had a chance at any of those guys. College guys are college guys, sure Schultz said no to us, but he said yes to Edmonton. How many other teams did he say no to? Erhoff did say no to other teams, Vancouver his original team and the Islanders. Regehr could've stayed in Calgary, there were other suitors, or Pegula wouldn't have hopped on his jet and flew to Calgary to make his pitch.

I just think your expectations were/are way out of whack as to what's possible with a mediocre to one of the worst teams ever. If in the next few years we continue to improve but still can't draw some big names then I'll be willing to say "yeah, so much for he always gets his guy." The switch basically got reset this year, we're starting from scratch again. Frustrating though that may be it is what it is.
- Wetbandit1

I agree with pretty much everything you said here. It's just when Pegula got here we weren't a bottom feeder, we were middle of the road and won the division in 2011. He tried then to land the big fish, it didn't happen for whatever reasons.

Of course nobody was going to come here during the rebuild, so we didn't go after anyone. But now that we are putting together a solid team, and people see that, I would hope we are becoming more desirable destination. Maybe, it's still early, maybe we'll have better luck this summer or a year from now. But the numbers don't lie, Pegula is 0 for at least 6 in guys he made a push for.

Guys whom we traded for their rights you really can't count because nobody else could make a sales pitch to them. Maybe Erhoff we can put in the UFA winning category because he did turn down the islanders.

It's just a little worrisome that in Hockey Heaven we've lost out on Casey Bailey and Babcock to a team like the Leafs. And now with them getting Matthews, if Stamkos signs with them they will be a head of us. It just seems like we're still playing the role of little fish in this league.

Sounds like van is out now in the caggiula sweeps. Edm must have promised that this kid will play with mcdavid
- MCGUIZZY

Caggs turned down his college coach who is now in Philly, so I wouldn't be too concerned we didn't get him. He's a good not great prospect. Much rather have Vesey, who by the way is Best buds with Captain Jack. Vesey won the hobbey Baker for a reason. Caggs was never rumored to BUF, Vesey and Stamkos have been. The UFA college d we signed said 25 teams were interested in him. Don't give up on Hockey heaven just yet!!

Well, please, tell me where I'm wrong with my statement? Since Pegula took over the team we've been told that Buffalo will be a place where UFA's want to go. It's been 4-5 years and that doesn't seem to be the case. If I'm wrong, show me where and I'll change my opinion. But if you can't provide examples where we've been at the top or coming out on top in luring high-profile UFA's than just go back to sticking your head in the sand.
- sskkoo1

First, almost all of the examples you gave went horribly wrong for the team that "won" the free agent. We only had mini disasters Leino and Hodgson (not a FA, I know).

So we're jilted lovers because some free agents didn't sign here? I hate to tell you this but a all of the other teams miss out on a free agent (assuming they wanted him). So what? There are going to be 100 free agents this summer and 98 of them won't sign here. Our collective self esteem shouldn't take that personally.

First, almost all of the examples you gave went horribly wrong for the team that "won" the free agent. We only had mini disasters Leino and Hodgson (not a FA, I know).

So we're jilted lovers because some free agents didn't sign here? I hate to tell you this but a all of the other teams miss out on a free agent (assuming they wanted him). So what? There are going to be 100 free agents this summer and 98 of them won't sign here. Our collective self esteem shouldn't take that personally.
- Slump Buster

As always, someone said what I tried to say in 1/5 of the time.

So Caligula goes to the Oil. Discuss.

So Caligula goes to the Oil. Discuss.
- Wetbandit1

Jordan Eberle is available.

Caggs turned down his college coach who is now in Philly, so I wouldn't be too concerned we didn't get him. He's a good not great prospect. Much rather have Vesey, who by the way is Best buds with Captain Jack. Vesey won the hobbey Baker for a reason. Caggs was never rumored to BUF, Vesey and Stamkos have been. The UFA college d we signed said 25 teams were interested in him. Don't give up on Hockey heaven just yet!!
- turbo044

Well thought out, agree completely.

Heres the move:

Anaheim gets 2016 first round pick (8th overall), 2016 3rd, Tyler Ennis, Nick Baptiste and Mark Pysyk

Buffalo gets: Corey Perry, Cam Fowler

Buffalo signs Vesey

Vesey-Eichel-Perry
Kane-Oreilly-Reinhart
Foligno-Girgensons-Fasching
Moulson-Larsson-Gio/D-lo

Fowler-Risto
Mccabe-Bogo
Gorges-Nelson


(this is just for fun and I have no idea if this is even close to what it would take)
- MCGUIZZY

Buffalo first and Lehner for Fleury and a second round pick.

Jordan Eberle is available.
- sbroads24

This conversation always goes the same way though, really comes down to whether they like pysyk/foligno enough as those are the names that usually come up.

Buffalo first and Lehner for Fleury and a second round pick.
- Brianandr1

Pass because why?

Buffalo first and Lehner for Fleury and a second round pick.
- Brianandr1

No. That would be two first round picks for a 31 yr old Fleury.

First, almost all of the examples you gave went horribly wrong for the team that "won" the free agent. We only had mini disasters Leino and Hodgson (not a FA, I know).

So we're jilted lovers because some free agents didn't sign here? I hate to tell you this but a all of the other teams miss out on a free agent (assuming they wanted him). So what? There are going to be 100 free agents this summer and 98 of them won't sign here. Our collective self esteem shouldn't take that personally.
- Slump Buster

Nothing you said here has any relevancy to what I've been talking about. Who cares how successful the UFA's we've missed out on have been, the point is we pushed hard for them and didn't get them. The point is we still are not a destination that UFA's seem to want to come to. They didn't want to come here when Pegula first got here and threw the kitchen sink at them and they apparently still don't want to come here now. I also don't care if other teams missed out on them too, that was never my point. My point was we we're sold that we were going to become big players in the UFA world and were not. Maybe that will change, I hope it does, but the facts are we didn't become a UFA destination when our new owner bought the team and gave his speeches and we still aren't a UFA destination now that we have a solid team growing.

Buffalo first and Lehner for Fleury and a second round pick.
- Brianandr1

I wouldn't take Fleury and his contract for free.

Nothing you said here has any relevancy to what I've been talking about. Who cares how successful the UFA's we've missed out on have been, the point is we pushed hard for them and didn't get them. The point is we still are not a destination that UFA's seem to want to come to. They didn't want to come here when Pegula first got here and threw the kitchen sink at them and they apparently still don't want to come here now. I also don't care if other teams missed out on them too, that was never my point. My point was we we're sold that we were going to become big players in the UFA world and were not. Maybe that will change, I hope it does, but the facts are we didn't become a UFA destination when our new owner bought the team and gave his speeches and we still aren't a UFA destination now that we have a solid team growing.
- sskkoo1

I do agree with some of what you said. We were told that we were going to be major players and then "we" (the organization) looked foolish. That kind of thinking was scrapped (as it should have been - winners don't build through free agency).

Winning will make us a destination. Having star players will make us a destination. We haven't done the first and we're getting close with the second. Look at Edmonton for proof of this. They couldn't beg, borrow or steal FA's. They still stink but they got this guy (and probably their coach) because of 97.

No. That would be two first round picks for a 31 yr old Fleury.
- rmiethaner

Who statistically is a top 10 goaltender the last 2 seasons (top 5-6) this season... Who is the 18th highest paid starting goalie in the league and whom Pittsburgh has no intention of ever trading (except the emergence of Murray)... Im sure they would throw in Poulliot or Kunitz lol

Guy is underrated! Sabres = playoffs with MAF + Bylsma loves him

I do agree with some of what you said. We were told that we were going to be major players and then "we" (the organization) looked foolish. That kind of thinking was scrapped (as it should have been - winners don't build through free agency).

Winning will make us a destination. Having star players will make us a destination. We haven't done the first and we're getting close with the second. Look at Edmonton for proof of this. They couldn't beg, borrow or steal FA's. They still stink but they got this guy (and probably their coach) because of 97.
- Slump Buster

Agreed. Maybe with some winning we'll become more of destination, but right now we have a guy who is close to being a superstar in Stamkos becoming available. I'm alright with us not getting him, but if Toronto does, we might be screwed now that they are getting Matthews too. If it comes down to us or Toronto getting Stamkos we have to land him, but the results we've seen of us trying to land UFA's we've gone after so far in the Pegula/Murray era is not promising.

I know there are a few gamers here. Did anyone else see the Battlefield trailer? I was not thrilled about the WWI setting, but then I actually saw the trailer, and wow. It was pretty great, and Seven Nation Army is a great song to set it to. I know it's just a trailer, but I'll direct your attention to the horrendous, dogpoop CoD trailer. No wonder the guy who cut the Battlefield trailer was so cocky. It made CoD look like an "intro to editing" class project. One that got a D.

Who statistically is a top 10 goaltender the last 2 seasons (top 5-6) this season... Who is the 18th highest paid starting goalie in the league and whom Pittsburgh has no intention of ever trading (except the emergence of Murray)... Im sure they would throw in Poulliot or Kunitz lol
- Brianandr1

Dime a dozen. Particularly ones with shaky playoff performance under their belts and on the wrong side of 30. No thanks.

Agreed. Maybe with some winning we'll become more of destination, but right now we have a guy who is close to being a superstar in Stamkos becoming available. I'm alright with us not getting him, but if Toronto does, we might be screwed now that they are getting Matthews too. If it comes down to us or Toronto getting Stamkos we have to land him, but the results we've seen of us trying to land UFA's we've gone after so far in the Pegula/Murray era is not promising.
- sskkoo1

I am afraid of both landing and not landing Stamkos. To quote Rose Perez in "White Men Can't Jump", sometimes when you win you really lose and sometimes when you lose you really win. Hence my comments about not having the honor of dishing out giant contracts to some questionable FA's.

Who statistically is a top 10 goaltender the last 2 seasons (top 5-6) this season... Who is the 18th highest paid starting goalie in the league and whom Pittsburgh has no intention of ever trading (except the emergence of Murray)... Im sure they would throw in Poulliot or Kunitz lol
- Brianandr1

Yeah, but he chokes in the playoffs, is way older than the rest of our team that's going to be in here in 2 years, and his salary is more than it will cost to re-sign Lehner next year.

I'd take Pouliot though. He seems like a late bloomer. You can keep Kunitz though.

So Will Borgen and a 2nd for Pouliot. seems fair.

Dime a dozen. Particularly ones with shaky playoff performance under their belts and on the wrong side of 30. No thanks.
- Slump Buster

Shaky? Does that include the cup he won in 2009 and the 4 2-1 loses to the Rangers last year. He had 1 shaky playoff performance vs. the Iles several years back.... You think this Sabres team has better options (for cheaper)?

Fleury >> Robin... its not close...He's top 10 statistically in the league the last two years ... look it up

Everyone seems to forget, Darcy never had any interest in Brad Richards. His focus was on Leino the whole time.

Shaky? Does that include the cup he won in 2009 and the 4 2-1 loses to the Rangers last year. He had 1 shaky playoff performance vs. the Iles several years back.... You think this Sabres team has better options (for cheaper)?
- Brianandr1

Cam Ward also won a cup forever ago. So what? I'd take Chad Johnson and pocket the other 4 mill. Goalies don't win cups - how many times does this need to be proven.