I understand what you are saying, but dont agree with most of what you are saying....

Nikita Zaitsev, I am sure many teams wanted him. Let's just say the Sabres wanted him and asked to sign him, would he choose the Sabres or the Leafs? Toronto will always have a leg up on free agent signings (the lower end ones, with less money). Also, he is RFA this year and will start asking for more and more money. He is 25 years old, so he will want money soon or wont sign, I am sure.

Kadri, we over paid for a strong #1 Center that was 24 years old, by trading a bunch of meh pieces (O'Reilly), but Kadri was a #7 overall pick, so I guess we could have taken someone like him at some point, but not every draft is their a stud #1-2 Center available at 7 overall (and it may take years to develop that player also as Kadri was drafted in 2009).

JVR, they traded low on that one, I think we did that with Cody Hodgson, but it did not work out (at all), so that one might favor Toronto.

Andersen, so you say the Sabres should not have traded anything for a goalie and yet the Leafs traded 3 picks for one, granted he might have "vezina numbers" right now, but they seem to fall apart late in the 3rd a lot and his cap hit is icing on the cake as most people here dont want a goalie at that price.

Lehner 2.53 gaa .921 save % $2.25, cap hit
Andersen 2.69 gaa .918 save % $5m cap hit

All while most the feeling here is the D is horrible here in Buffalo. Not to mention all the D injuries we have had this year. The Leafs have played 7 D men all year (one only played 1 game), so no injuries on D basically. Sabres have had 11 D men play. Yea.

I understand the Leafs are scoring more and have a better record, but to say they are way a head of us is not correct. They have some nice players, correct. So do we.
- Lilroot9

Nice work pal!

So Murray said he does not want to pay $5m for a goalie, so that did play into that a lot. (however we feel about that)

Yes, our D right now is a mess. Gorges for a 2nd (in 2016 after having him for 2 full years) helped train our D how to play tough, but now he looks like a hot mess (since we lost when we needed to and dont want to anymore). Kulikov has been hurt most of the year, so he is incomplete. Bogo and his salary (and what was owed to him and what money was owed to Myers) was part of that deal to get Kane. A steep price, yes. but that was part of the deal. In hindsight, might not have been the best, but of the guys we traded, I am not sure I really want any of them back anyway. Franson was brought in as a stop gap and trade bait (he is a +2, on a team that only has 5 + players), for lower cap hit. Dont love the guy, but yea. McCabe and Risto our the future so you take the minus for the future pluses in their play.

JVR, yes. They took a risk and it worked out.

As far as ready to take the next step, I think they would get rocked if they made the playoffs. I do think we are better posied for years of success (just maybe not sooner). Only time will tell.
- Lilroot9

There are a few Leaf fans who come in here and quietly whisper they can imagine the team will keep up it's current pace.

Look at this guy right here.
- TheSabresTaco

This body wasnt built in a day, I treat myself

David Lee. "QB Guru"

Rex Ryan. "1980s Crap"

You fit your schemes with the players you have. Tyrod is a limited passer, hence the limited pass game. We have a good offensive line and a great running back. Hence, the running.

Rex expected to change a good thing into his image of a good defense and it flopped miserably. I expect the next oach to hire a DC who best utilizes the talents of the players we have instead of a guy who brings antiquated ideals to a team who frankly can't handle any more bullpoop.
- TheSabresTaco

David Lee was here once before and failed. He's not a QB guru. McCoy shaped his offense to be productive with Tim Tebow then completely changed it to work for Manning he's proven to work well in passing offenses. For the defense I agree 4-3 is necessary. Offense we need to get with the (frank)ing times.

cookingbuzz

Anybody know if there are any good college free agents that will be available? Our track record would seem to pretty good at signing those guys.
- adambuffalo

I don't know if that was a joke or a bash at the organization lol

So Murray said he does not want to pay $5m for a goalie, so that did play into that a lot. (however we feel about that)

Yes, our D right now is a mess. Gorges for a 2nd (in 2016 after having him for 2 full years) helped train our D how to play tough, but now he looks like a hot mess (since we lost when we needed to and dont want to anymore). Kulikov has been hurt most of the year, so he is incomplete. Bogo and his salary (and what was owed to him and what money was owed to Myers) was part of that deal to get Kane. A steep price, yes. but that was part of the deal. In hindsight, might not have been the best, but of the guys we traded, I am not sure I really want any of them back anyway. Franson was brought in as a stop gap and trade bait (he is a +2, on a team that only has 5 + players), for lower cap hit. Dont love the guy, but yea. McCabe and Risto our the future so you take the minus for the future pluses in their play.

JVR, yes. They took a risk and it worked out.

As far as ready to take the next step, I think they would get rocked if they made the playoffs. I do think we are better posied for years of success (just maybe not sooner). Only time will tell.
- Lilroot9

2017-2018 D:
??? - Risto
Guhle - Bogo ('cause unless LV takes him, he is ours forever)
Fedun - Falk
???
Need that top pairing guy...get a mature stay at home guy and let Risto loose

So Murray said he does not want to pay $5m for a goalie, so that did play into that a lot. (however we feel about that)

Yes, our D right now is a mess. Gorges for a 2nd (in 2016 after having him for 2 full years) helped train our D how to play tough, but now he looks like a hot mess (since we lost when we needed to and dont want to anymore). Kulikov has been hurt most of the year, so he is incomplete. Bogo and his salary (and what was owed to him and what money was owed to Myers) was part of that deal to get Kane. A steep price, yes. but that was part of the deal. In hindsight, might not have been the best, but of the guys we traded, I am not sure I really want any of them back anyway. Franson was brought in as a stop gap and trade bait (he is a +2, on a team that only has 5 + players), for lower cap hit. Dont love the guy, but yea. McCabe and Risto our the future so you take the minus for the future pluses in their play.

JVR, yes. They took a risk and it worked out.

As far as ready to take the next step, I think they would get rocked if they made the playoffs. I do think we are better posied for years of success (just maybe not sooner). Only time will tell.
- Lilroot9

I dont miss any of the guys we gave up in that deal either, just think we should have done far better for far less. They would get rocked, i meant strictly in terms of assets they are better positioned to make that big move than we are.

At this point our best bet at landing a true top pairing d-man ((frank) fowler) is hoping our pick is high enough to draft one or use it to trade for one and failing that probably have to trade someone from the core.

Here's the best way to do it in a way even I can't screw up.

Get a really good steak. Let it sit out to get to room temp for 20 minutes. During this time,

Put a cast iron pan in your stove under the broiler (on high) as it preheats; and

Lube up the steaks with a little olive oil and more salt and pepper than you think is right.

Turn the range on high. Put the pan on there, and sear the steak for 30 seconds each side.

Put the pan in the broiler for 2 minutes. Turn the steak over for 2 more minutes. (You have a medium rare steak. If your one of those dopes who likes medium, use 2 1/2 minutes. If you cook it longer than that you should hang your head in shame.)

Put the steak on a cutting board - drop a big pat of butter on it, and cover it with foil for five minutes.

Uncover the steak, cut it up and eat it. Experience joy.
- Der Kaiser

who the hell cooks steak in an oven?!

Would anybody be opposed to trading that first round pick and a prospect for a top 6 winger, I would think a team like Colorado would be HIGHLY interested considering how bad they been this year, they probably want to shake up that team.

2017-2018 D:
??? - Risto
Guhle - Bogo ('cause unless LV takes him, he is ours forever)
Fedun - Falk
???
Need that top pairing guy...get a mature stay at home guy and let Risto loose
- IonSabres

Where's McCabe?

cookingbuzz
- DDM-Coga

Would anybody be opposed to trading that first round pick and a prospect for a top 6 winger, I would think a team like Colorado would be HIGHLY interested considering how bad they been this year, they probably want to shake up that team.
- Flynox

colorado would not be interested so you know

Would anybody be opposed to trading that first round pick and a prospect for a top 6 winger, I would think a team like Colorado would be HIGHLY interested considering how bad they been this year, they probably want to shake up that team.
- Flynox

suppose it depends on the winger

Would anybody be opposed to trading that first round pick and a prospect for a top 6 winger, I would think a team like Colorado would be HIGHLY interested considering how bad they been this year, they probably want to shake up that team.
- Flynox

If it's not landeskog or Matt Duchene pass

colorado would not be interested so you know
- DDM-Coga

yes i forgot how smart the mgmt team there is and how successful they've been

David Lee was here once before and failed. He's not a QB guru. McCoy shaped his offense to be productive with Tim Tebow then completely changed it to work for Manning he's proven to work well in passing offenses. For the defense I agree 4-3 is necessary. Offense we need to get with the (frank)ing times.
- bluengold12

Or maybe a qb that can hit a receiver. That would help. Because if you can't, your game plan is limited to 200 yards in the air, maybe, and LeSean McCoy running for 100+ every game.

who the hell cooks steak in an oven?!
- Khmylev

Every chef that works in any restaurant anywhere, Mr. Wizard.

Would anybody be opposed to trading that first round pick and a prospect for a top 6 winger, I would think a team like Colorado would be HIGHLY interested considering how bad they been this year, they probably want to shake up that team.
- Flynox

Depending on where that 1st is.

There are a few Leaf fans who come in here and quietly whisper they can imagine the team will keep up it's current pace.
- Der Kaiser

That is good they have confidence. I dont see it, especially how much they implode up 3 late in games. I mean the Sabres fall apart up 1 late in games, but rarely up 3 and fall apart.

If it's not landeskog or Matt Duchene pass
- GERBE!!!75PTS

You are not getting either one unless you give up Risto or McCabe, that is what they are looking for if the decide to move either one.

Every chef that works in any restaurant anywhere, Mr. Wizard.
- Der Kaiser

yes i forgot how smart the mgmt team there is and how successful they've been
- Sabresfan-365

Lehner

Runs and hides

That is good they have confidence. I dont see it, especially how much they implode up 3 late in games. I mean the Sabres fall apart up 1 late in games, but rarely up 3 and fall apart.
- Lilroot9

TYPO.

Should have been "cant imagine" they can keep upon the pace.

Would anybody be opposed to trading that first round pick and a prospect for a top 6 winger, I would think a team like Colorado would be HIGHLY interested considering how bad they been this year, they probably want to shake up that team.
- Flynox

I'd trade for Landeslog if the prospect is Estephan or lower.