if i'm not mistaken, they based part of the trade on kulikov's play when he was on the top-pairing with Ekblad...

imo, gotta give him an incomplete so far this year simply because that tail bone injury really effed him up
- Michael Pachla

If there is one thing I can agree with Mike Schopp on is that it seems results don't matter to Tim Murray. He liked something about Bogo and Kuli when he scouted them years ago, so it doesn't matter how ineffective they have been throughout there careers.

kinda figured that with ennis...that piece by vogl really exposed the cap-crunch they're in so it's not surprising that nothing's been happening...

gus and Bylsma are oil and water...that's my only take on it...in defense of Girgensons (which I like to do if y'all haven't noticed,) Bylsma said he's basically been giving up too many scoring opportunities looking for offense...but when you look at the last three games, gus was on the ice for only two of the 12 goals scored against buffalo... and on one of them thanks to a miscue at the sabres blueline, he wasn't even in the picture...

*shrugs*
- Michael Pachla

He just can't play in certain systems and Bylsma's system seem to be giving him a hard time, they could package him but money is an issue. We might have to wait it out until next year but with Jack and Sam coming up as well, we may still be screwed.

fwiw im pretty sure kulikov was statistically the worst partner ekblad had (in terms of a duo's effectiveness). seems kind of dumb to trade for a guy based on his play with 1st overall d-man.

Im not sure some of his deficiencies are because of an injury either, everyone was quick to defend bogosian based on the same thing.
- Sabresfan-365

or bag on murray for trading mcnabb who was probably doughty's worst partner on the top pair...

when it comes to the kuli/Pysyk trade there were a lot of factors but the main one was probably the ability to move up and grab asplund

I've been on the worst kind of cold streak. I picked Franson the night he scored, and the ln changed it last second.

That's the kind of streak I'm on currently.
- ImThatGuy

I feel you. I have been bad this year too.

Laine has what 11 goals in 15 or 16 games? The four games I picked him, he doesn't have a single point.

The other night I picked 5 players between Nashville and Toronto, there were 8 total goals, not a single one for any of my picks

He just can't play in certain systems and Bylsma's system seem to be giving him a hard time, they could package him but money is an issue. We might have to wait it out until next year but with Jack and Sam coming up as well, we may still be screwed.
- SABRES 89

wait til next year....where have I heard that before?...


hmmmmm...


that said, i'm looking forward to a good run soon after 15 and the rest of the injured hit the ice again...i'm not of the opinion that this is a bottom-dwelling team

or bag on murray for trading mcnabb who was probably doughty's worst partner on the top pair...

when it comes to the kuli/Pysyk trade there were a lot of factors but the main one was probably the ability to move up and grab asplund
- Michael Pachla

Expect McNabb is the NHL leader in Relative Corsi. That doesn't mean he's the best defensemen, but bad players don't rank that high

or bag on murray for trading mcnabb who was probably doughty's worst partner on the top pair...

when it comes to the kuli/Pysyk trade there were a lot of factors but the main one was probably the ability to move up and grab asplund
- Michael Pachla

which i never have because you're right. Im probably one of the few that still genuinely liked the fasching trade. I hope it was about Asplund, means theyd be open to moving Kulikov at the deadline.

Expect McNabb is the NHL leader in Relative Corsi. That doesn't mean he's the best defensemen, but bad players don't rank that high
- sbroads24

good for him

or bag on murray for trading mcnabb who was probably doughty's worst partner on the top pair...

when it comes to the kuli/Pysyk trade there were a lot of factors but the main one was probably the ability to move up and grab asplund
- Michael Pachla

No offense, but this is seeming too convenient a reason now. The trade was made before the first 2 picks were made in the 2nd round. Asplund could have been picked, or could have fallen to 36 where we were.

He liked Kulikov. He said it himself. He didn't like Pysyk, he basically said that when he listed the teams future D core and named McCabe, and not MP.

There seems to be a ton of revisionist history around TM moves. Like how no one expected Kane to score 30 goals a year all of the sudden

which i never have because you're right. Im probably one of the few that still genuinely liked the fasching trade. I hope it was about Asplund, means theyd be open to moving Kulikov at the deadline.
- Sabresfan-365

they may end up re-signing him...at the end of the season he'll be a free agent which means, I believe, he won't have any exposure to las vegas

No offense, but this is seeming too convenient a reason now. The trade was made before the first 2 picks were made in the 2nd round. Asplund could have been picked, or could have fallen to 36 where we were.

He liked Kulikov. He said it himself. He didn't like Pysyk, he basically said that when he listed the teams future D core and named McCabe, and not MP.

There seems to be a ton of revisionist history around TM moves. Like how no one expected Kane to score 30 goals a year all of the sudden
- sbroads24

no revision at all...
kuli was a lefty, which they needed...Pysyk was a righty and he played a much bigger role than Pysyk...

murray said that he saw him on the ice in many crucial situations...

that said...

murray was also ecstatic about moving up to get aspulnd and the key to the deal was the ability to move up in the second round...without it the deal was dead...

if I recall correctly

No offense, but this is seeming too convenient a reason now. The trade was made before the first 2 picks were made in the 2nd round. Asplund could have been picked, or could have fallen to 36 where we were.

He liked Kulikov. He said it himself. He didn't like Pysyk, he basically said that when he listed the teams future D core and named McCabe, and not MP.

There seems to be a ton of revisionist history around TM moves. Like how no one expected Kane to score 30 goals a year all of the sudden
- sbroads24

I dont understand the desire to defend him. I think hes beyond overrated and is probably better off in a assistant role but Im still relatively hopeful about this teams future. It'll get there, I just dont believe he'll be the one to do it.

no revision at all...
kuli was a lefty, which they needed...Pysyk was a righty and he played a much bigger role than Pysyk...

murray said that he saw him on the ice in many crucial situations...

that said...

murray was also ecstatic about moving up to get aspulnd and the key to the deal was the ability to move up in the second round...without it the deal was dead...

if I recall correctly
- Michael Pachla

The trade was good value, but i hope they dont sit on their hands because of it if that makes sense. He's not the problem but also not the solution

no revision at all...
kuli was a lefty, which they needed...Pysyk was a righty and he played a much bigger role than Pysyk...

murray said that he saw him on the ice in many crucial situations...

that said...

murray was also ecstatic about moving up to get aspulnd and the key to the deal was the ability to move up in the second round...without it the deal was dead...

if I recall correctly
- Michael Pachla

I don't doubt he wanted Asplund. And Asplund looked really good when I watched him this summer.

I dont understand the desire to defend him. I think hes beyond overrated and is probably better off in a assistant role but Im still relatively hopeful about this teams future. It'll get there, I just dont believe he'll be the one to do it.
- Sabresfan-365

The fawning over him nationally has stopped. NHL network was criticizing him pretty harshly about a week ago over Kane.

I liked him, but the day he did that one thing, that I won't mention, I thought he was an insane person.

The fawning over him nationally has stopped. NHL network was criticizing him pretty harshly about a week ago over Kane.

I liked him, but the day he did that one thing, that I won't mention, I thought he was an insane person.
- sbroads24

For me its not so much about a specific move but rather the approach and what it's produced. I get there are different interpretations about when the rebuild started and what defines "building" etc. but this is his 4th year in charge and the D core when healthy is

Kulikov-Risto

McCabe-Bogo

Gorges-Franson.

The two players there with any sort of value were the two guys he didnt add. In year 4. If they were bad but rookies id say sure lets give it more time, in it for the long haul. Those are vets...who suck.

For me its not so much about a specific move but rather the approach and what it's produced. I get there are different interpretations about when the rebuild started and what defines "building" etc. but this is his 4th year in charge and the D core when healthy is

Kulikov-Risto

McCabe-Bogo

Gorges-Franson.

The two players there with any sort of value were the two guys he didnt add. In year 4. If they were bad but rookies id say sure lets give it more time, in it for the long haul. Those are vets...who suck.
- Sabresfan-365

Yup. I can't wait until Eichel is back, but there are so many other holes

For me its not so much about a specific move but rather the approach and what it's produced. I get there are different interpretations about when the rebuild started and what defines "building" etc. but this is his 4th year in charge and the D core when healthy is

Kulikov-Risto

McCabe-Bogo

Gorges-Franson.

The two players there with any sort of value were the two guys he didnt add. In year 4. If they were bad but rookies id say sure lets give it more time, in it for the long haul. Those are vets...who suck.
- Sabresfan-365

Also, we are right up against the cap now

Also, we are right up against the cap now
- sbroads24

The worst part of it all. He invested a ton of assets and $...oy

The worst part of it all. He invested a ton of assets and $...oy
- Sabresfan-365

Just none of it makes sense.

Do you think he can pull off getting a big time forward to replace Kane and a big time top 4? I think that's optimistic. So why sign Okposo if the plan wasn't to be really good while he's under 30 years old?

That remains to be seen, maybe with Kulikov, ROR and Jack being back it might help, maybe. We may have to give up something in the AHL to sweeten a deal but money will be an issue.
- SABRES 89

Jack is a dynamic player and he himself is worth the price of admission on the vast majority of nights.

Just none of it makes sense.

Do you think he can pull off getting a big time forward to replace Kane and a big time top 4? I think that's optimistic. So why sign Okposo if the plan wasn't to be really good while he's under 30 years old?
- sbroads24

kinda have to believe that no?


For a guy who was touted as a forward thinker there hasnt been much forward thinking with a lot of the players hes added.

good for him
- Michael Pachla

no revision at all...
kuli was a lefty, which they needed...Pysyk was a righty and he played a much bigger role than Pysyk...

murray said that he saw him on the ice in many crucial situations...

that said...

murray was also ecstatic about moving up to get aspulnd and the key to the deal was the ability to move up in the second round...without it the deal was dead...

if I recall correctly
- Michael Pachla

The fawning over him nationally has stopped. NHL network was criticizing him pretty harshly about a week ago over Kane.

I liked him, but the day he did that one thing, that I won't mention, I thought he was an insane person.
- sbroads24

Uhh, you kind of just did when you said his name 4 words before that.