Michael Pachla: As Stamkos grabs all the attention, Buffalo shouldn't overlook Eric Staal

There's no need for Staal to be 'the' man in Buffalo and at this point of his career he shouldn't be expected to carry that weight. He's already been there, and lead the 'Canes to a Cup in the process so now it's more about fitting into a role that he's comfortable with on a team that can make a Stanley Cup run.

Wyshinski wrote that Staal "know's what he' looking for" as he hits free agency this summer. The money will be there, although it won't be close to the $8.25M per he got on his last contract, and there should be decent term, but he more than likely won't be getting a seven-year contract either. Among other things, Staal is looking for a home and a situation where he will fit in.

He's going to get more money than he is worth from somebody. I'm not sure it's worth the cap headache down the road. There are certain players you simply figure out a way to make it work for. Eric Staal was one of those players 4 years ago. He isn't any more. That being said, if he's willing to take a 3 year deal at $5 million per, sign me up. I doubt it though.

He's going to get more money than he is worth from somebody. I'm not sure it's worth the cap headache down the road. There are certain players you simply figure out a way to make it work for. Eric Staal was one of those players 4 years ago. He isn't any more. That being said, if he's willing to take a 3 year deal at $5 million per, sign me up. I doubt it though.
- buffalofan19

i'm with ya, b-fan...I wouldn't go overboard either

was thinking a four year deal at $5m per with most up front might work

What we said about him preseason: ElPaso

What we wrote in February: El Paso

What we conclude at the close of this season: El Paso

Questions for next year: who will make the mistake of signing this guy to the contract he'll ultimately get?

What we said about him preseason: ElPaso

What we wrote in February: El Paso

What we conclude at the close of this season: El Paso

Questions for next year: who will make the mistake of signing this guy to the contract he'll ultimately get?
- Der Kaiser

nice work, schultzie...

btw, what do you think he'll ultimately get?

Ew. Staal?

nice work, schultzie...

btw, what do you think he'll ultimately get?
- Michael Pachla

Doesnt interest me. We have his skill set covered already.

Gionta Legwand (I hope) and ROR can play the role Stall is selling himself as these days, and we can find more pure athleticism in other places.


I guess I think we have enough of the "how to be a pro" types. I'm investing in snipers and top pair LHD.

Michael Pachla: As Stamkos grabs all the attention, Buffalo shouldn't overlook Eric Staal
- Michael Pachla

I don't see a fit, I would have no idea where to put him

Not a Sabres fan but thought the article subject was interesting. Immediate thoughts were if he's willing to take $5 a year it's not a mistake to sign him. Leadership plus current production is worth that. It's a great deal if he bounces back and becomes a difference maker. Bad deal if his decline is too steep.

Last winter teams paid free agents what they are worth. This summer no idea. He reminds me of brooks orpik who was on the decline but caps still paid him top dollar for a bruising top 4 dman. Then again Franson was awful in playoffs last year and no one wanted him. I could see staal market developing either way. Overpaymeny for old performance and veteran grit or lack of interesting because he didn't do anything on playoffs

any team signing an over 30 year old to a contract longer than 3 years will regret it!! this inclues Staal, Ladd and Backes.

I lump Staal in with the likes of Chris Neil and Milan Lucic.
Pretty obvious what these 3 have in common. D-bag city.

I lump Staal in with the likes of Chris Neil and Milan Lucic.
Pretty obvious what these 3 have in common. D-bag city.
- siket71

I'd take all 3 over half of our guys up front


and for what it's worth, the Neil hit on Drury was clean, Drury needed to keep his head up


fwiw II, miller should have been suspended for his intent to injure Lucic with the tomahawk chop attempt at Lucic's head

nice work, schultzie...

btw, what do you think he'll ultimately get?
- Michael Pachla

6 years 36 mil


I'd only throw him a 3 year offer at a higher salary per year

I'd take all 3 over half of our guys up front


and for what it's worth, the Neil hit on Drury was clean, Drury needed to keep his head up


fwiw II, miller should have been suspended for his intent to injure Lucic with the tomahawk chop attempt at Lucic's head
- homiedclown

I was thinking nothing more than $3.5m a year 3 years top. Nothing more. Can spend $5m in different areas than this.

I'd take all 3 over half of our guys up front


and for what it's worth, the Neil hit on Drury was clean, Drury needed to keep his head up


fwiw II, miller should have been suspended for his intent to injure Lucic with the tomahawk chop attempt at Lucic's head
- homiedclown

Too much vodka last night. Repent to Sweet little 14.

I'd take all 3 over half of our guys up front


and for what it's worth, the Neil hit on Drury was clean, Drury needed to keep his head up


fwiw II, miller should have been suspended for his intent to injure Lucic with the tomahawk chop attempt at Lucic's head
- homiedclown

A Sabres fan defending Neil and Lucic?
The White Walkers must have gotten thru the Wall.

A Sabres fan defending Neil and Lucic?
The White Walkers must have gotten thru the Wall.
- siket71

Pretty sure he's being sarcastic....atleast i hope he is....or drunk...thats fine too

A Sabres fan defending Neil and Lucic?
The White Walkers must have gotten thru the Wall.
- siket71

Winter is coming.

Eric Staal ?....................... PASS

Michael Pachla: As Stamkos grabs all the attention, Buffalo shouldn't overlook Eric Staal
- Michael Pachla

I think Staal is on the way down fast. He has a lot of mileage on him.

From Last blog i'm very interested to see the responses towards this question



Let's have some fun

Who would you rather have on your team jack or hasek ( young ) right now

Everything on the team is the same but you get to pick one so who's going to lead us to a Stanley Cup and Et and explain why

I would take Eric staal for 3 million that's about it

Pretty sure he's being sarcastic....atleast i hope he is....or drunk...thats fine too
- feetontheair22

no, watch the drury hit, it was clean, drury had his head down


as for miller suspension, both lucic and miller were going for a puck when they collided but the play was over and miller clearly attempted to injure


trust me as a long time sabre fan, there is much to b!tch about

these 2 are not even close to the list

From Last blog i'm very interested to see the responses towards this question



Let's have some fun

Who would you rather have on your team jack or hasek ( young ) right now

Everything on the team is the same but you get to pick one so who's going to lead us to a Stanley Cup and Et and explain why
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Tough to say, I know what Hasek did whereas Jack is relatively an unknown. If Jack makes another big jump in the offseason...tough question. Hasek was the reason I wanted to be a goaltender and I loved the way he just simply out thought, battled and played everyone. Jack could be the guy that brings home a Stanley Cup for us though...ask in 15 years a fair answer?