I’m torn. The eras that they played in were so different. Perreault could take over games. Rick Martin was a pure sniper. What a shot.

Hasek was the best Sabre ever. A generational talent. Position aside.

LaFontaine was a combination of speed and skill in one. So fun to watch.

Eichel is speed, skill and power playing against defenses geared towards taking away his space.

The jury is still out IMO.
- Pairo11

This.... jack could be the 2nd best player on the list before it over... or he could end up behind Gil and patty... which is still great.

Reggie White
Bruce Smith
Deacon Jones 173.5 unofficial sacks, they didn't start counting until the 80's or he'd be 3rd all time.
- Wetbandit1

No



Bruce was better

Great win today. Late to the party but here are my random observatrions:

- don't touch the Jack/Skinner/Rhino line. It's working
- Dahlin is the real deal
- Risto is playing in beast mode.
- our PK guys (Larsson, Girgs, Scandella, Risto, EROD and Sobotka) doing a heckuva a job
- Ullmark/Hutton - what a great, incredible affordable goalie combination. So much better than anything we have had in years
- Our #1 PP is scary looking
- really impressed with some guys that I have ragged on for the past 2 years- Larsson, Girgs, Bogo and Blow-you
- However, unlike others, i am not re-signing Bogo or Blow-you. Would rather have guys like Pilut and Guhle on the ice
- Hunwick looked OK out there. Glad to have him on the team as a depth defencemen. MUCH better than having Tennyson anywhere near the ice
- we really need some secondary scoring. Jack's line will have off/bad games and we need some other guys to step up
- Our coach and GM should be hands down winners for coach and GM of the year respectively.

And finally, eff off Leafs and eff off Bruins.
- SabreWest

Nice take... and I agree

Forgot OJ , piece of poop person but you can’t deny his football


Bruce
OJ
Dom
Gil
- gordong

Oj deserves recognition from a football standpoint, but he was not better then dom.

Dom is arguably the best player at his position ever.

Bruce played 1/3 (offense, defensive and special teams) of the games.
Dom played all game , almost every game
Mvps to back it up, also championships and gold metals

Reggie white always played on better teams.... Bruce got double/triple teamed while white might get doubled occasionally. That spin move Bruce had was deadly.
- gordong

Reggie also played a not insignificant amount of time at tackle. And if you think he wasn't double and triple teamed you're crazy. The Bills were the best team in football for the majority of Bruce's time.

Edit: Reggie also had about 1 more tackle per game than Bruce and 2 less sacks in 47 less games.

Matt Duchene would be a very good add but then there's that cap hit it will cost for him.

Matt Duchene would be a very good add but then there's that cap hit it will cost for him.
- SABRES 89

Do you ever take a players attitude/ off ice b.s. into evaluating players?

Tmgm89?

Why would we want that? Being in 4th overall isn't enough. Probably have to give up a 1st as well.

Do you ever take a players attitude/ off ice b.s. into evaluating players?

Tmgm89?

Why would we want that? Being in 4th overall isn't enough. Probably have to give up a 1st as well.
- Boss34

you need help, 1 issue and you banish players. You're a joke loserGM34

Do you ever take a players attitude/ off ice b.s. into evaluating players?

Tmgm89?

Why would we want that? Being in 4th overall isn't enough. Probably have to give up a 1st as well.
- Boss34

All GM’s are going to take aim on the 1st rounders, and rightly so.

Botts has to aim for a 2nd tier guy that’s not gonna cost a 1st rounder, but a quality prospect and a pick/player.

Matt Duchene would be a very good add but then there's that cap hit it will cost for him.
- SABRES 89

I’d take him or stone in a heartbeat... they would be expensive and I just don’t see JB making that kind of deal.

I’d take him or stone in a heartbeat... they would be expensive and I just don’t see JB making that kind of deal.
- gordong

Never know but I was just throwing a name out there

Never know but I was just throwing a name out there
- SABRES 89

Like I said i’m There with you.. love to have him... but he doesn’t seem to fit what JB recently said he wanted about younger players with term. It will be very interesting to see what you start hearing as the season progresses. I think he knows we aren’t there yet... but what if we are still number 2-4 in the league will that change his mind to make a run? You gotta think that if we are in that position some younger guys have stepped up, and maybe one big rental could make a difference.

Like I said i’m There with you.. love to have him... but he doesn’t seem to fit what JB recently said he wanted about younger players with term. It will be very interesting to see what you start hearing as the season progresses. I think he knows we aren’t there yet... but what if we are still number 2-4 in the league will that change his mind to make a run? You gotta think that if we are in that position some younger guys have stepped up, and maybe one big rental could make a difference.
- gordong

Need more scoring from the 2nd line but things won't change until Skinner is handled, one way or the other.

I don't disagree, but he's probably gunna get 6-ish mil on a long term deal. I dont think that works for us.
- Sabresfan-365

I think he's going to get more than that, especially if he repeats last year next year.

I was thinking strictly for this season and next, sort of like an NBA expiring contract but for a player that can still be good.

Like I said i’m There with you.. love to have him... but he doesn’t seem to fit what JB recently said he wanted about younger players with term. It will be very interesting to see what you start hearing as the season progresses. I think he knows we aren’t there yet... but what if we are still number 2-4 in the league will that change his mind to make a run? You gotta think that if we are in that position some younger guys have stepped up, and maybe one big rental could make a difference.
- gordong

If they’re still playing this good at the deadline what Bott’s does (or more importantly) does NOT do speaks very loudly to the team.

At that point he’s obligated to make some moves. The big question is our D. Can they hold up ?

I think he's going to get more than that, especially if he repeats last year next year.

I was thinking strictly for this season and next, sort of like an NBA expiring contract but for a player that can still be good.
- kingcong39

it'd have to be quite the discounted trade cost otherwise it hurts you.

They've got just enough assets to make one more trade for a core player without trashing their pipeline.

Im not totally against doing that for a centre, just has to be one we know will be here beyond 19-20.

it'd have to be quite the discounted trade cost otherwise it hurts you.

They've got just enough assets to make one more trade for a core player without trashing their pipeline.

Im not totally against doing that for a centre, just has to be one we know will be here beyond 19-20.
- Sabresfan-365

That's the problem as I'm certain the Blues would want a 1st round pick as part of the deal, and I'm not giving that up for an expiring contract or UFA.

I'm also greedy and want to keep all their toys, both prospects and first 2 rounds of picks, while also realizing it's going to suck tremendously when they are in a playoff position at the deadline and have to trade Skinner because they can't come to a deal.

That's the problem as I'm certain the Blues would want a 1st round pick as part of the deal, and I'm not giving that up for an expiring contract or UFA.

I'm also greedy and want to keep all their toys, both prospects and first 2 rounds of picks, while also realizing it's going to suck tremendously when they are in a playoff position at the deadline and have to trade Skinner because they can't come to a deal.
- kingcong39

you don't think they'll come to an agreement?

If they’re still playing this good at the deadline what Bott’s does (or more importantly) does NOT do speaks very loudly to the team.

At that point he’s obligated to make some moves. The big question is our D. Can they hold up ?
- Pairo11

let's face it, we need scoring and we are still thin on defense (mostly because of age / experience. Im hoping that the defense keep improving as the year goes on. I don't have the same hope for scoring... Maybe Casey and maybe Tage or someone from Rochester can improve but I don't see a big enough difference (short term) from within. Long term who knows....

Apropos of nothing I think NHL players should get UFA status at 25 or 7 years, whichever occurs first. Players get more money, bridge deals would be neutered, and more very good players(ones worth overpaying for) will go to market. And 6, 7 years won't kill you if you're only paying someone until they're 31, 32 and getting 2 or 3 years of their prime.

That obviously doesn't do anything about the Vesey loophole though.

you don't think they'll come to an agreement?
- Sabresfan-365

I hope they will, but it's tricky.

What if Skinner says $9M per and no less?

I'd have to say no to that.

I hope they will, but it's tricky.

What if Skinner says $9M per and no less?

I'd have to say no to that.
- kingcong39

Id probably say no to it too, but im cautiously optimistic that it won't get that high.

I do however think Skinner and co. will "win" the negotiations. They've got way too much leverage not too.

Im actually more interested in seeing the move that comes after.

Jack is on pace for 108pts. currently 7th in the NHL in scoring

Skinner is on pace for 57 goals..84pts. currently 31st in scoring

Sam on pace for 77pts. currently 42nd in the NHL in scoring.

only three guys had 100pts last year....

there are 12 on pace for 100pts. this year...

From the bruins board

Linus Hasek is to blame.
- shoreorrpark

Sorry Kritter but you probably aren't old enough to have seen Gilbert Perreault play. He's the best non-goalie we ever had. Haskek is the best Sabre ever - agreed.
- SabreWest

I may be getting old and senile (I'm 53), but I've long mantained that Pat Lafontaine was better than Gil Perreault. I know, this is blasphemy around these parts...sue me.