And above all .... he's big in the pants.
- fastek

That's where the locker room problems come from...sheer jealousy.

It's not that simple is what I'm saying

I was just pointing out that the goaltending wasn't as good when we started playing a more offensive game last year
And it sounds like we will play more offensively this year is well

So idk if the goaltending is really all that set?
Defense is gonna have to be better to help them out
- jdfitz77

Safe to say there's question marks all over the ice for Buffalo. I just feel that mostly, defenses make the goalie, rather than the other way around. Wisely spend the dough on D, get goalies on the relative cheap and hopefully it becomes somewhat sustainable.

Safe to say there's question marks all over the ice for Buffalo. I just feel that mostly, defenses make the goalie, rather than the other way around. Wisely spend the dough on D, get goalies on the relative cheap and hopefully it becomes somewhat sustainable.
- PrinceChill

Who's saying to go get a 6mil goalie?
Of course we all want to upgrade the defense...
isn't that obvious?

And ex sabre will be signing here july 1st,GUARANTEED
- Buffalo39

Is it Chiquorin..

Nilsson was a pleasant surprise last year. And he stole a game against the Penguins. Maybe Botterill missed that game?

Nilsson was a pleasant surprise last year. And he stole a game against the Penguins. Maybe Botterill missed that game?
- Losman

If Lehner wants more than 4.5 we should just go get Chad Johnson

If Lehner wants more than 4.5 we should just go get Chad Johnson
- Slump Buster

wat

Can we talk about this. Please.

On Paul Byron...

Word is the Preds and Habs are discussing a deal to land Paul Byron in Nashville for a pair of top notch Defensive prospects...

Ek

All this McDavid contract chatter..

What does Eich daddy get?

6M for 3 years.. expires when he's an RFA (24), then probably makes 10x8, expires when he's 32.

8M for 8 years, expires when he's 29... Then hope to resign him to another 11x8, takes him to 37.

Can we talk about this. Please.
- TheSabresTaco

That made me laugh.

All this McDavid contract chatter..

What does Eich daddy get?

6M for 3 years.. expires when he's an RFA (24), then probably makes 10x8, expires when he's 32.

8M for 8 years, expires when he's 29... Then hope to resign him to another 11x8, takes him to 37.
- TheSabresTaco

I think I would prefer the max term that falls just short of UFA (is that 5 years?) at maybe 7.5 or 8 ideally...then give him the whopper after that.

Now, of course, if McDavid signs some insane contract during this offseason, that probably screws us over with these numbers.

I think I would prefer the max term that falls just short of UFA (is that 5 years?) at maybe 7.5 or 8 ideally...then give him the whopper after that.

Now, of course, if McDavid signs some insane contract during this offseason, that probably screws us over with these numbers.
- Deuce81

I don't think McDavid's contract impacts Jack at all.

I'm guessing they will go through a similar process like Toews/Kane.

I think I would prefer the max term that falls just short of UFA (is that 5 years?) at maybe 7.5 or 8 ideally...then give him the whopper after that.

Now, of course, if McDavid signs some insane contract during this offseason, that probably screws us over with these numbers.
- Deuce81

No. Outlined above, max prior to UFA is 3 years.

Assistant Coach Tom Ward is still part of the team, according to the Staff Directory. Everything else is up to date.

No. Outlined above, max prior to UFA is 3 years.
- TheSabresTaco

Jack is only 20 over this offseason...UFA is at 23 years old? Or is it based on years in the league?

Jack is only 20 over this offseason...UFA is at 23 years old? Or is it based on years in the league?
- Deuce81

7 years in the league or 27. So 3 years of ELC, new 3 year contract, expires with 1 year of RFA eligibility remaining.

7 years in the league or 27. So 3 years of ELC, new 3 year contract, expires with 1 year of RFA eligibility remaining.
- TheSabresTaco

Ahh, gotcha. My bad.

When it comes to simply handling non-human assets, I would do the 3 year deal and see how it plays out. You get 3 years to plan and handle your cap. And more guaranteed years total, he can't run off on you before that next contract is signed.

But you have negotiations between an agent and team for an elite player. Anyone's guess how it turns out. My guess is he gets a max deal. I would hate to be the Islanders or Tampa last year, thinking about whether my superstar is going to take off in his prime.

What why???

I really liked Gionta's game last year. Had more points than Cullen too but in more games. Plus Gionta already knows the teammates and has chemistry. Like Gionta as a 3RW more than Cullen as a 4C for similar cost most likely.
- JVince11

If that happens, we'll go into next year with the same group of forwards as last year. I would sign him to a 2-year 2-way deal. If he hates riding the bus after a momth, he can retire

If that happens, we'll go into next year with the same group of forwards as last year. I would sign him to a 2-year 2-way deal. If he hates riding the bus after a momth, he can retire
- jcragcrumple

I understand your point, but Gionta is not risking being put on waivers (and claimed), he would rather retire. He does not want to move again (remember the trading deadline).

Right now our larger issue is too many guys that are NHL ready. Trades need to happen to allow GMJB to make additional signings.

If that happens, we'll go into next year with the same group of forwards as last year. I would sign him to a 2-year 2-way deal. If he hates riding the bus after a momth, he can retire
- jcragcrumple

Not how that works. Two way deals mean nothing to NHL vets. Anyone not on an ELC or played a certain amount of NHL games are not waiver exempt. So you send him down to the minors, which will never happen to a captain let alone such a respected presence as Brian Gionta. First he needs to slip through waivers. 20 other teams would love to add him to I assume how fair his contract will be. Plus, one would assume that the team would do everything possible to trade the player before sending him to the AHL.

The two way deal simply means you're paid a smaller amount once you enter the AHL. Your cap hit still counts for the NHL team. League minimum (650K) + 375K is what you're relieved with. So if Gio signs for 2Mx1yr, and he magically gets sent down, which will never happen, the Sabres would be on the hook for 975K on the cap.


To sidetrack, this is a situation we can use on a guy like D-Lo. He has a one way deal, but his deal is less than the cap recapture of sending an NHL guy to the AHL. He'd be 0 on the cap and go back to where he essentially belongs.

I understand your point, but Gionta is not risking being put on waivers (and claimed), he would rather retire. He does not want to move again (remember the trading deadline).

Right now our larger issue is too many guys that are NHL ready. Trades need to happen to allow GMJB to make additional signings.
- Lilroot9

Perhaps this is just a personal preference/observation....which guys in the AHL are NHL ready if that's what you're referring to? I didn't see any player willing the Amerks to a even a playoff spot let alone playoff series victory.

The guys in the AHL, though they have performed admirably in LIMITED roles with the big club. But you build a winner through the AHL, again just my opinion.

Look, the Sabres just traded out their GM, both coaches, many of their scouts. Let those kids (Nylander, Guhle, Fasching, Baptiste, Bailey, etc) marinate another year in the AHL with the demand, you want to make the big club? Then win.

Just my opinion.

Don't know what's worse ... Ek's bullpoop rumours or Garth's constant trade Kane blogs.

According to Ek Preds willing to trade 2 defenceman prospects to Montreal for a 4th liner.

Don't know what's worse ... Ek's bullpoop rumours or Garth's constant trade Kane blogs.

According to Ek Preds willing to trade 2 defenceman prospects to Montreal for a 4th liner.
- Matthews_Auston

You're late homeboy

I don't think McDavid's contract impacts Jack at all.

I'm guessing they will go through a similar process like Toews/Kane.
- thatsapickle

I don't think Eichel assumes he should get McDavid money. He will want 7mil per range but not McDavid money. Plus, McDavid might as well be the second coming of Jesus in Edmonton. They will pretty much pay him what ever he wants even if it ruins the team.