Looks like she will be leaving with the photographer. He just doesn't see it yet.
- cabin

Hope only gives you opportunities.

Closing is all on you.

Hope only gives you opportunities.

Closing is all on you.
- Der Kaiser

Coffee is for closers.

Coffee is for closers.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I look for more than coffee in a closing.

extremely optimistic outlook
- Michael Pachla

I think competing for one next year should be the expectation.

A player of Eichel's caliber will be in his prime. Reinhart will be 22 and in his prime.

ROR in his prime. Risto in his 5th pro year, and in his prime.

We will have the flexibility to add players with a year or so left and load up the roster before we have to give Eichel 7.5 mil and Reinhart 5. (complete guess)

It's actually how most rebuilding teams win cups. Pittsburgh and Chicago won initially when they had there core on cheap ELC's or just coming off ELC's, and were able to load up with depth.

We don't have prospects that are just going to step into Gorges, Franson, Kulikov's place. A lot of that dead weight cap will already be accounted for with having to fill the roster.

We also have very expensive pieces already in ROR, Okposo, Risto, and an unsigned Lehner to add to the mix

Next year is absolutely our best chance at a cup. Anything beyond that will take a combination of luck, good drafting, and health to get there.
- sbroads24

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It tough to compare Chicago and Buffalo. Kane and Toews were like the cherry you put on top of the Sunday. Check their draft history starting at 2000. They had 10 first round picks for seven years, most of which were top 10. Most of those players drafted stayed with the team or were present for that run.

I realize the Sabres had several high picks dating back seven years, but the first few times the previous regime whiffed. Two years, two first round selections each year. You get Risto/Zadorov/Grigorenko/Girgs. Out of those four, right now it looks like on ONE is going to pan out with this team. Yes Zads and Grigs helped land O'Reilly, but this team would be much more solid if those two panned out to what our previous staff thought they would be.

Murray inherited a mess, with a cupboard that LOOKED stocked, but we saw that young talent wasn't going to pan out. We all freaked when we saw our prospects going out the door, but it doesn't look like they were as good as we thought.

This is a process, it's going to take time. We didn't draft top five like the Pens did for what five straight years? Three times? netting first overall. They essentially drafted McDavid AND Eichel.

Personally, I think comparing the Sabres to the Pens/Hawks is like Apples and Oranges.

I look for more than coffee in a closing.
- Der Kaiser

Breakfast is a plus . depending

**it should be. The fact that it isnt explains why some are upset.
- Sabresfan-365

so some are expecting buffalo to win the Stanley cup three years after finishing last in the league twice in a row?

i'd consider that extremely optimistic

Admittedly is and yes they absolutely could win after eichel and reinhart sign. I just believe that year gives them the best shot. Most of the core players will be at or near their prime and if you ditch the dead weight while 15 and 23 make nothing you can all in at the draft, off season and deadline without crippling your team. It would also make them fun to watch assuming the players they add dont suck of course.
- Sabresfan-365

You need to have a good mix.

Look at Chicago. Kane and Toews got their deals, they had Sharp, Hossa, Keith under bigger contracts.

It is all about drafting after that point...

COR
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I like him as well anchoring the fourth line...would much rather have him in that spot as opposed to wunderkind

so some are expecting buffalo to win the Stanley cup three years after finishing last in the league twice in a row?

i'd consider that extremely optimistic
- Michael Pachla

**HOPE**

movie updates

ben hur, slow but watchable
arrival, sucked big time
inferno, not as good as angels and demons but a decent watch
- homiedclown

You lost all credibility here wingman.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It tough to compare Chicago and Buffalo. Kane and Toews were like the cherry you put on top of the Sunday. Check their draft history starting at 2000. They had 10 first round picks for seven years, most of which were top 10. Most of those players drafted stayed with the team or were present for that run.

I realize the Sabres had several high picks dating back seven years, but the first few times the previous regime whiffed. Two years, two first round selections each year. You get Risto/Zadorov/Grigorenko/Girgs. Out of those four, right now it looks like on ONE is going to pan out with this team. Yes Zads and Grigs helped land O'Reilly, but this team would be much more solid if those two panned out to what our previous staff thought they would be.

Murray inherited a mess, with a cupboard that LOOKED stocked, but we saw that young talent wasn't going to pan out. We all freaked when we saw our prospects going out the door, but it doesn't look like they were as good as we thought.

This is a process, it's going to take time. We didn't draft top five like the Pens did for what five straight years? Three times? netting first overall. They essentially drafted McDavid AND Eichel.

Personally, I think comparing the Sabres to the Pens/Hawks is like Apples and Oranges.
- gcomella34

This is a good post.

If anything I think they should try to be a team like Tampa or LA...

You have your superstars and a good mix around them. Then plug in cheaper players to round out your roster.

I think competing for one next year should be the expectation.

A player of Eichel's caliber will be in his prime. Reinhart will be 22 and in his prime.

ROR in his prime. Risto in his 5th pro year, and in his prime.

We will have the flexibility to add players with a year or so left and load up the roster before we have to give Eichel 7.5 mil and Reinhart 5. (complete guess)
- sbroads24

I get it, but i'd alter things a bit...with Eichel and reinhart still only 21 and 22, respectively, perhaps "entering their prime" might be more appropriate...

here's how I laid it out for myself beginning with the year after Eichel was picked:

last season--big progression still away from the playoffs
this season--filtering out process, moderate progression, knocking on the playoff door
next season--in a playoff spot, making noise, possibly making it past two rounds
following season--anything's possible

I get it, but i'd alter things a bit...with Eichel and reinhart still only 21 and 22, respectively, perhaps "entering their prime" might be more appropriate...

here's how I laid it out for myself beginning with the year after Eichel was picked:

last season--big progression still away from the playoffs
this season--filtering out process, moderate progression, knocking on the playoff door
next season--in a playoff spot, making noise, possibly making it past two rounds
following season--anything's possible
- Michael Pachla

You're a good man Pach, but We're going to be good this year.

last season--big progression still away from the playoffs
this season--filtering out process, progression, first taste of delicious playoff experience
next season--in a playoff spot, making noise, possibly making it past two rounds, anything's possible
following season--REALLY REALLY GOOD FIND A FRIEND WITH TICKETS BUY LOTS OF DRINKS FOR THAT GUY.

This is a good post.

If anything I think they should try to be a team like Tampa or LA...

You have your superstars and a good mix around them. Then plug in cheaper players to round out your roster.
- Stripes77

I think that is more realistic. The front office just needs to draft well for a while and we need some guys that we don't expect to step in on the ELC's after Rhinehart's and Eichel's expire. That's when we're going to succeed.

I kept looking and saw Chicago's second round picks from those years. Their second rounders overall accounted for MORE roster spots than their firsts. WOW.

Sabres just haven't drafted like that. You can win with your superstars on ELC's if your drafting before them had been lights out.

We're going the other way, our drafting prior to Rhino/Eichel as spotty AT BEST. We have to NAIL it now.

Like Pu and Asplund have to be contributors sooner rather than later (next three years) Nylander, next year. And we have to hit a home run this draft class as well if we want to be like the Hawks.

You're a good man Pach, but We're going to be good this year.

last season--big progression still away from the playoffs
this season--filtering out process, progression, first taste of delicious playoff experience
next season--in a playoff spot, making noise, possibly making it past two rounds, anything's possible
following season--anything's still possible
- Der Kaiser

It's actually how most rebuilding teams win cups. Pittsburgh and Chicago won initially when they had there core on cheap ELC's or just coming off ELC's, and were able to load up with depth.

We don't have prospects that are just going to step into Gorges, Franson, Kulikov's place. A lot of that dead weight cap will already be accounted for with having to fill the roster.

We also have very expensive pieces already in ROR, Okposo, Risto, and an unsigned Lehner to add to the mix

Next year is absolutely our best chance at a cup. Anything beyond that will take a combination of luck, good drafting, and health to get there.
- sbroads24

Every team needs the 3 items in bold every year to win the cup.

Just coming off ELC's meaning players on their second contracts?

If that is what you mean, they have 1 or 2 years after next season for additional time.

Coffee is for closers.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I get it, but i'd alter things a bit...with Eichel and reinhart still only 21 and 22, respectively, perhaps "entering their prime" might be more appropriate...

here's how I laid it out for myself beginning with the year after Eichel was picked:

last season--big progression still away from the playoffs
this season--filtering out process, moderate progression, knocking on the playoff door
next season--in a playoff spot, making noise, possibly making it past two rounds
following season--anything's possible
- Michael Pachla

With Eichel, Reinhart, ROR and Okposo you have 4 of your top 6 completely locked up

With Risto and McCabe you have one half of your top pairing and one half of your second paring in place. Assuming one of Kulikov and Bogosian are here next year you are still missing a top pairing D. Shattenkirk anyone?

If Nylander can step in next season and be a top 6 player and Carrier starts finding the score sheet you can young cheap players in your top 6.

Kane can be here on the 3rd line with Foligno and Larsson or he could be dealt.

Ennis needs to go.

Gorges has one more year left and Franson is done after this season. I have liked Falk and Fedun's game better anyway.

There are a lot of question marks on this team to be considered a contender next year regardless of timing on contracts.

Basically what I am saying is Eichel ROR Reinhart and Okposo up front and Risto on the blue line, they should be good enough to make the playoffs...the rest depends on how things fall into place.

- homiedclown

With Eichel, Reinhart, ROR and Okposo you have 4 of your top 6 completely locked up

With Risto and McCabe you have one half of your top pairing and one half of your second paring in place. Assuming one of Kulikov and Bogosian are here next year you are still missing a top pairing D. Shattenkirk anyone?

If Nylander can step in next season and be a top 6 player and Carrier starts finding the score sheet you can young cheap players in your top 6.

Kane can be here on the 3rd line with Foligno and Larsson or he could be dealt.

Ennis needs to go.

Gorges has one more year left and Franson is done after this season. I have liked Falk and Fedun's game better anyway.

There are a lot of question marks on this team to be considered a contender next year regardless of timing on contracts.
- Stripes77

I think they are the perfect 3rd pairing honestly.

westworld is weird as f@ck

I bailed after 5 or 6 episodes
- homiedclown

Give it another shot. I was ready to bail around that time too cause I thought it was getting boring. Make it to the episode where Bernard gets fired. See if it doesn't recapture your interest. The piano music and occasional violin music in the show is awesome.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It tough to compare Chicago and Buffalo. Kane and Toews were like the cherry you put on top of the Sunday. Check their draft history starting at 2000. They had 10 first round picks for seven years, most of which were top 10. Most of those players drafted stayed with the team or were present for that run.

I realize the Sabres had several high picks dating back seven years, but the first few times the previous regime whiffed. Two years, two first round selections each year. You get Risto/Zadorov/Grigorenko/Girgs. Out of those four, right now it looks like on ONE is going to pan out with this team. Yes Zads and Grigs helped land O'Reilly, but this team would be much more solid if those two panned out to what our previous staff thought they would be.

Murray inherited a mess, with a cupboard that LOOKED stocked, but we saw that young talent wasn't going to pan out. We all freaked when we saw our prospects going out the door, but it doesn't look like they were as good as we thought.

This is a process, it's going to take time. We didn't draft top five like the Pens did for what five straight years? Three times? netting first overall. They essentially drafted McDavid AND Eichel.

Personally, I think comparing the Sabres to the Pens/Hawks is like Apples and Oranges.
- gcomella34

No offense, but this is total BS. He inherited a gold mine, and it was maybe the most highly sought after GM job in a while when Darcy was let go.

We had a top 3 prospect pool, on a trajectory to Reinhart, with 3 first round picks in a loaded 2015 draft, with oodles of Cap room.

I think they are the perfect 3rd pairing honestly.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I am okay with that if you top 4 is something like

Risto Shattenkirk (pipedream)
McCabe Kulikov/Bogo

No offense, but this is total BS. He inherited a gold mine, and it was maybe the most highly sought after GM job in a while when Darcy was let go.

We had a top 3 prospect pool, on a trajectory to Reinhart, with 3 first round picks in a loaded 2015 draft, with oodles of Cap room.
- sbroads24

Any turn into allstars from that group ?