on Ovi, per wiki

"He was so highly regarded that the Florida Panthers attempted to draft him in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in the ninth round, even though his birthday was two days after the cut-off (15 September 1985). Rick Dudley, the general manager of the Panthers, claimed the pick was legitimate, claiming that Ovechkin was old enough with leap years taken into consideration"


I did not know this
- homiedclown

Well, no, the bottom line is he stayed in Russia for 2 years, one of them being a lockout year. Plenty of Russian players were drafted before him and had no problems coming here, including the dude drafted right before him in Ovechkin.
- Wetbandit1

"After his first professional season in Russia, Malkin was drafted second overall (behind national teammate Alexander Ovechkin) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, a transfer dispute between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) delayed his Pittsburgh debut. On 7 August 2006, it appeared the 20-year-old Malkin had come to a compromise with Metallurg and signed a deal that would have kept him in Russia until May 2007. However, Malkin stated he signed the one-year contract not as a compromise, but because of the immense "psychological pressure" his former club exerted on him. Desiring to play in the NHL, he left Metallurg Magnitogorsk's training camp in Helsinki before it began on 12 August. It would later appear the team had taken Malkin's passport away to prevent him from leaving, but it was eventually given back to him, and Malkin was allowed to pass through Finnish customs. Meeting with his agent, J. P. Barry, the two quickly departed and waited for Malkin's visa clearance from the U.S. Embassy. "

I wouldn't mind taking a run at Anders Lee for a number of reasons. But he more likely than not will resign with the Isles
- RippedFuel

If he's going to resign with the Islanders he must first re-sign with them. In order for him to resign, he must have first finished his career playing with them by re-signing, probably more than once.

- Wetbandit1

I liked it

props to Duds


now bring him in to be the president of the sabres, and buffer the peggys from botts

he came to the nhl

my question was how many russians picked in the top 10, refused to play in the nhl


I went back 20 years and found none
- homiedclown

That's different from what your initial question was.

I call bullpoop. Lehner came out and said how much the Sabres helped when he finally asked for help. Why wouldn't the same management group help Berglund? No one, not him, not the PA, stood up and said "we don't like this, they're doing him dirty". No grievances were filed.
- Wetbandit1

This.

When it's bad, everyone just wants to pile on the owners/management based on speculation

Oh, they did Berglund dirty! Bull crap.

And these are the same people who jerked off when his contract came off the books and the same people secretly wishing Okposo had a more serious issue so he'd retire.

Hypocrites.

That's different from what your initial question was.
- Wetbandit1

I view stay in russia as staying there and never coming here


did you go to Lockport?

This.

When it's bad, everyone just wants to pile on the owners/management based on speculation

Oh, they did Berglund dirty! Bull crap.

And these are the same people who jerked off when his contract came off the books and the same people secretly wishing Okposo had a more serious issue so he'd retire.

Hypocrites.
- Powerslave

and they told me I was full of sh!t for saying berglund would be off the books when they suspended him

I view stay in russia as staying there and never coming here


did you go to Lockport?
- homiedclown

It needed that qualifier.

and they told me I was full of sh!t for saying berglund would be off the books when they suspended him



- homiedclown

Botterill likes Adam Fox and Duchene is on his list of players

Botterill likes Adam Fox and Duchene is on his list of players
- SABRES 89

Interesting. Fox seems like he’s going to College UFA status though as he’s refused to sign in both Calgary and Carolina. Duchene I saw mentioned to us a few times this year by various sources so I wouldn’t be shocked if we took a run at him.

It needed that qualifier.
- Wetbandit1

only on hockeybuzz

Botterill likes Adam Fox and Duchene is on his list of players
- SABRES 89

Interesting. Fox seems like he’s going to College UFA status though as he’s refused to sign in both Calgary and Carolina. Duchene I saw mentioned to us a few times this year by various sources so I wouldn’t be shocked if we took a run at him.
- Pegullaville

He wanted him before the trade deadline, going to be very difficult to sell the Sabres with any FA and any player that has to waive.

Botterill likes Adam Fox and Duchene is on his list of players
- SABRES 89

Have to wait a year for Fox

Have to wait a year for Fox
- gerbe75pts

trade for his rights

So, I've been too busy the last few days to frequent here.

Is the rumor that Skinner's agent told the Sabres he certainly will not be re-signing with them true?

Botterill likes Adam Fox and Duchene is on his list of players
- SABRES 89

I won’t be thrilled if they give Duchene 8 mil and Skinner walks

Have to wait a year for Fox
- gerbe75pts

No you don't if he goes out now, if he stays you do

I won’t be thrilled if they give Duchene 8 mil and Skinner walks
- sbroads24

If Skinner walks, things are going to get very difficult to get players to sign here, it's hard enough as it is now.

If Skinner walks, things are going to get very difficult to get players to sign here, it's hard enough as it is now.
- SABRES 89

I’m a Botterill fan, if he walks it’s really, really hard to stick up for him at that point

so would it have been better for terry and kim to keep tim murray?
- homiedclown

It goes without saying.

It goes without saying.
- Hatboro_Swords

So shut up.

I think the Skinner situation is the barometer for this team moving forward.

The only way Skinner re-signs, is if GMJB has a legit plan moving forward for this team.

I’m a Botterill fan, if he walks it’s really, really hard to stick up for him at that point
- sbroads24

We all post on here and everyone goes back and fourth with this team about players we like and don't like, players we want and don't want, coaches we want and don't want. What is going on here is very serious, this organization is not getting better, it's getting worse, 5 times worse. Pegula hasn't a clue, Beane know's what he's doing with the Bills ( some what) and that's why Pegula feels comfortable without anyone else in the way. There is a real problem here and other players in the league see it and know it and they also see how our Leader and Captain handles himself and how he handles being a leader, i'm not picking on Eichel but he is the face and players see it.