All I want to know is: Where is Russ Brandon and his famous "Full Court Press" he put on Mario Williams back in 2012? If anyone can sell an athlete on Buffalo, it's Brandon.

What did I miss
- SABRES 89

Another brain dead Leafer shooting his mouth off.

Another brain dead Leafer shooting his mouth off.
- TheSabresTaco

And refs who threaten and then do absolutely nothing because "Don't want to hurt the precious little leaf fans"

I disagree that Andersen is head and shoulders above Lehner until he replicates the success in the Blue and White. We've seen many goalies go from great to average when they leave a team with good defense to one that doesn't have the same system or players in front of them. You want to say they're comparable, sure, but I can't say he gets the edge without him playing for you yet.
- Zschalberg

I disagree here. I thing Lehner has a lot more to prove than Andersen. Andersen IMO, is head and shoulders above Lehner even tho the latter is an inch taller

Can Murray offer Stamkos 9 mill in salary but then give him like 5 million in bonus so really he's making 14 mill a year but only 9 mill against the cap?

Yep, I'd take those two as well. Forwards are definitely a win for BUF

Andersen was the starter in Anaheim, or at the very least a 1B. Lehner was a backup on a terrible team in the East, and I don't see what that has to do with anything? He lost his job to the Hamburglar. The Hamburglar!

Maybe "far better" was pushing it. But from what I have seen of both goalies, Freddy is the better of the two
- WingmanWillie

Lehner won the AHL championship with Binghampton (sp?). He was actually hurt and played injured when he "lost" his starting job.

Gibson is clearly their starter going forward. Must not have been to special in thier mind.

Can Murray offer Stamkos 9 mill in salary but then give him like 5 million in bonus so really he's making 14 mill a year but only 9 mill against the cap?
- bluengold12

Bonuses count against the cap

O'Reilly's actual salary is 1 mil a year, the rest is paid in bonuses.

I disagree here. I thing Lehner has a lot more to prove than Andersen. Andersen IMO, is head and shoulders above Lehner even tho the latter is an inch taller
- DeflatedPucks

Lehner has to prove he can stay healthy, that's the big difference. If he comes out and plays well but it's only 20 games it doesn't work. Andersen needs to prove he isn't a product of Anaheim. Neither of them are clear great starters. You want to give the edge to Andersen, sure. But I'm not ready to say head and shoulders. I put them in the same group.

Lehner won the AHL championship with Binghampton (sp?). He was actually hurt and played injured when he "lost" his starting job.

Gibson is clearly their starter going forward. Must not have been to special in thier mind.
- JVince11

There are a lot of folks in national circles that are saying Anaheim traded the wrong goaltender.

Lehner won the AHL championship with Binghampton (sp?). He was actually hurt and played injured when he "lost" his starting job.

Gibson is clearly their starter going forward. Must not have been to special in thier mind.
- JVince11

The only time I've ever supported a Binghamton anything...let alone a sports team...that city is a dump

Bonuses count against the cap

O'Reilly's actual salary is 1 mil a year, the rest is paid in bonuses.
- Sabresfan-365

Damn.. What about paying him 5 mill in endorsements instead of cap?

Yep, I'd take those two as well. Forwards are definitely a win for BUF

Andersen was the starter in Anaheim, or at the very least a 1B. Lehner was a backup on a terrible team in the East, and I don't see what that has to do with anything? He lost his job to the Hamburglar. The Hamburglar!

Maybe "far better" was pushing it. But from what I have seen of both goalies, Freddy is the better of the two
- WingmanWillie

I'd rather have Lehner and his contract than Andersen and his. Goalies are completely overrated.

There are a lot of folks in national circles that are saying Anaheim traded the wrong goaltender.
- buffalofan19

I think they did but its more about cost than anything else.

Bonuses count against the cap

O'Reilly's actual salary is 1 mil a year, the rest is paid in bonuses.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm hoping that Buffalo is the only one willing to do such big bonuses, making it buyout free, and escrow protected.

Damn.. What about paying him 5 mill in endorsements instead of cap?
- bluengold12

Who is going to give him that though? Tops? No one in Buffalo has the kind of money to give him big endorsements.

There are a lot of folks in national circles that are saying Anaheim traded the wrong goaltender.
- buffalofan19

Was it not the stud defense men the Ducks have that make a difference? Do the Leafs have the same quality defense? I am not worried about Anderson.

Lehner won the AHL championship with Binghampton (sp?). He was actually hurt and played injured when he "lost" his starting job.

Gibson is clearly their starter going forward. Must not have been to special in thier mind.
- JVince11

Or maybe Gibson is just a stud. They would have lost Freddy to expansion. May as well get something for him

Who is going to give him that though? Tops? No one in Buffalo has the kind of money to give him big endorsements.
- Zschalberg

The Buffalo Bills? lol

I'm hoping that Buffalo is the only one willing to do such big bonuses, making it buyout free, and escrow protected.
- Mentalorgasm5

I wonder if they'll give him that given the concerns about his blood clot. yea its stamkos but it reminds me of the last time the lightning gave out a huge contract. Not that I wouldn't take the risk in paying him but im not sure id go that far.

Who is going to give him that though? Tops? No one in Buffalo has the kind of money to give him big endorsements.
- Zschalberg

I believe the CBA states you can only make an x% of bonuses compared to your contract.

Bonuses count against the cap

O'Reilly's actual salary is 1 mil a year, the rest is paid in bonuses.
- Sabresfan-365

The point of payment in bonus is that bonuses are excluded from the escrow calculations and holdbacks.

Who is going to give him that though? Tops? No one in Buffalo has the kind of money to give him big endorsements.
- Zschalberg

5 million to endorse Pegula's record company

Who is going to give him that though? Tops? No one in Buffalo has the kind of money to give him big endorsements.
- Zschalberg

I believe only 1 hockey player makes more than 5 mil in endorsements. (Crosby)

The endorsementsame come from National hockey companies, Nike and all them, it really doesn't matter where he signs for those.

Bernier played 1/3rd of the games when Leafs acquired him that Andersen has played.

The jury is out, sure. But let's hearken back to this line of conversation sometime next year and re-evaluate our stances
- WingmanWillie

For sure...hopefully for you guys that luck doesnt happen again. I like Freddy I just think you still need more credible d-men

I wonder if they'll give him that given the concerns about his blood clot. yea its stamkos but it reminds me of the last time the lightning gave out a huge contract. Not that I wouldn't take the risk in paying him but im not sure id go that far.
- Sabresfan-365

I think they would, and get the contract insured.

My biggest hope, Stamkos signs somewhere on 7/1.