Two different sports..... I forgot that NHL players are drafted between the ages of 21-24 and can hop into the league right away even if they were 5th round picks or undrafted for that matter.
- Pegullaville

Just a reminder: in case you forgot:

Some players come over from other countries and other hockey leagues and play well.

Panarin - rookie of the year in 2016 Calder trophy at 24 years old

Undrafted free agent

Just keeping you on your toes pegullaville

Another click on the pitch count, Fitz is going for a record of long lonely nights.
- washedup20

I drank beer with my friends. Almost everyone did. Sometimes I had too many beers. Sometimes, others did. I liked beer. I still like beer.

Define what severely overpay means?

You think he won't consider Buffalo unless they overpay by more than a million annually? $2 million annually?

I generally think the overpay to be in Buffalo refrain is nonsense.

Pay the player the fair market value and they will sign.

What that is for a player like Duchene, I have no idea.
- kingcong39

The FA thingy is a mix of
- Supply and Demand
- Perception
- Individual Preference

Some players in high demand and more tied to financial considerations than professional success will sign with the highest bidder. Others desiring Championships will sign for less based on the perception the clu. Has a very good chance to win.
There are other factors for sure.

Net net is it is hard to predict what anyone will do.

Just a reminder: in case you forgot:

Some players come over from other countries and other hockey leagues and play well.

Panarin - rookie of the year in 2016 Calder trophy at 24 years old

Undrafted free agent

Just keeping you on your toes pegullaville
- Boss34

Victor Olofsson was a 7th round pick and can very well be a contributor on this team also. Talent can be found anywhere but I’ll take my chances at the top of the draft.

Good players can be found anywhere

We need to lose and finish top 10 to draft
Keep tanking


Which is it?
- Boss34

We all know the odds of finding elite talent is significantly higher at the top of the drafts.
If your banking on acquiring an elite player you should move towards the the highest selection possible.
Additionally, talent can be uncovered in later rounds and outside the draft in UDFA. I however wouldn't bank on it and I sure wouldn't ignore it either. We know several teams have a history of uncovering these gems, which helps to separate them from those who do not.

Therefore the answer is both, not one or the other.
Pegs has it correct.

If Panarin and Bobrovsky both go to Florida, maybe we can swing Trochek out of there. I'd love him on this team and they're gonna have to move a few bodies to make room and cap.

We all know the odds of finding elite talent is significantly higher at the top of the drafts.
If your banking on acquiring an elite player you should move towards the the highest selection possible.
Additionally, talent can be uncovered in later rounds and outside the draft in UDFA. I however wouldn't bank on it and I sure wouldn't ignore it either. We know several teams have a history of uncovering these gems, which helps to separate them from those who do not.

Therefore the answer is both, not one or the other.
Pegs has it correct.
- IonSabres

If Botts can make the moves to bring in veteran talent without depleting our entire pipeline, this should hopefully be the earliest we draft for a long time (barring missing the playoffs by a hair and winning the lottery).

However going for broke to try to make the playoffs this year would of done more damage long term then good.

If Botts can make the moves to bring in veteran talent without depleting our entire pipeline, this should hopefully be the earliest we draft for a long time (barring missing the playoffs by a hair and winning the lottery).

However going for broke to try to make the playoffs this year would of done more damage long term then good.
- Pegullaville

Who said go for broke?

Too many people ignore the middle ground - in everything.

We all know the odds of finding elite talent is significantly higher at the top of the drafts.
If your banking on acquiring an elite player you should move towards the the highest selection possible.
Additionally, talent can be uncovered in later rounds and outside the draft in UDFA. I however wouldn't bank on it and I sure wouldn't ignore it either. We know several teams have a history of uncovering these gems, which helps to separate them from those who do not.

Therefore the answer is both, not one or the other.
Pegs has it correct.
- IonSabres

Thanks ion, I didn't understand flaccoville's post until you clarified it.

Of course , there is more talent at the top of the draft with nhl and NFL

Everyone brought this arguement up continously.

The counter argument was, guys can be found anywhere in the draft or free agency

He just kept beating the "tank" drum

Now he is telling others that : there is more then 1 way to build a team.

I find it ironic. He has flip flopped. Thus my post.

Who said go for broke?

Too many people ignore the middle ground - in everything.
- Der Kaiser

There was no middle ground between finishing 5th last and having a team capable of winning a playoff series.

Columbus made the moves that they did due to the impending UFA status of their star players and they didn’t really have much of a choice. That roster on paper was also much better then the typical 8th seed. What moves would Buffalo have made in order to defeat Tampa ? Would losing a first round playoff series be better then selecting 7th in this years draft and having cap space and assets to go in any direction this offseason ?

If Panarin and Bobrovsky both go to Florida, maybe we can swing Trochek out of there. I'd love him on this team and they're gonna have to move a few bodies to make room and cap.
- BeadyEyedDouche

Hoffman

Good players can be found anywhere. The Broncos have had an undrafted free agent make their team 13 out of the last 15 years. Phillip Lindsay was a Pro Bowl RB last year and Chris Harris is a top 5 DB in the league the past 5 years.

I'm not saying David Sills is going to have that kind of impact but don't close the door on a guy before he's even had a practice with the Bills.
- Pegullaville

THey are usually found in the draft. But year, bring up the one offs, I can this the thousands that arent.

Seldom does a UDUFA have an impact in the NFL.

Thanks ion, I didn't understand flaccoville's post until you clarified it.

Of course , there is more talent at the top of the draft with nhl and NFL

Everyone brought this arguement up continously.

The counter argument was, guys can be found anywhere in the draft or free agency

He just kept beating the "tank" drum

Now he is telling others that : there is more then 1 way to build a team.

I find it ironic. He has flip flopped. Thus my post.
- Boss34

I stand by the tank and even seeing the success of lower seeds these playoffs I think we are better off picking 7th this year and building the best team we can for the future so we can eventually be that lower seed that upsets the big dog.

However like Tampa and Boston have proven, talent can be found in any round. It’s not impossible to find good players outside of the top 15 picks, odds show though that finding those players are much easier picking top 10. Also those later round picks will take a lot longer to reach the NHL.

I stand by the tank and even seeing the success of lower seeds these playoffs I think we are better off picking 7th this year and building the best team we can for the future so we can eventually be that lower seed that upsets the big dog.

However like Tampa and Boston have proven, talent can be found in any round. It’s not impossible to find good players outside of the top 15 picks, odds show though that finding those players are much easier picking top 10. Also those later round picks will take a lot longer to reach the NHL.
- Pegullaville

Fitz is this you?


Seriously, you are going to stand by the tank regardless.

To some degree , I actually agree with you.

Just giving you some friendly jabs, it's been slow around here lately.

Sabres are going to actually try and win next year.
These tank guys are definitely hard to find.
The skill is for sure later in the draft

We need to plug in some tough guys to play against

Which should be easier, then finding dahlin, eichel and mitts. That was alot of anguish.

There was no middle ground between finishing 5th last and having a team capable of winning a playoff series.

Columbus made the moves that they did due to the impending UFA status of their star players and they didn’t really have much of a choice. That roster on paper was also much better then the typical 8th seed. What moves would Buffalo have made in order to defeat Tampa ? Would losing a first round playoff series be better then selecting 7th in this years draft and having cap space and assets to go in any direction this offseason ?
- Pegullaville

The posters who desire the go for 8th and see what happen don't seem to remember ( already) how far away the roster was, and the proof was right there at 74 points, not 94.
They didn't need just a 2C, they needed:
-heart
-grit/sanpaper/truculence/difficult to play against
-2C
-1&3, or 2&3 RW
-#2D
-#1 G
- Coach who knows what he is doing.

But let them keep beating the drum.

Hoffman
- SABRES 89

I like the Hoffman idea.

Wonder if there is still "baggage" with the girlfriend drama

Probably wouldnt sign e Karlsson, after we sign the swedish coach though 😀

THey are usually found in the draft. But year, bring up the one offs, I can this the thousands that arent.

Seldom does a UDUFA have an impact in the NFL.
- Mentalorgasm5

Put the beer down and stop typing with your toes.

The posters who desire the go for 8th and see what happen don't seem to remember ( already) how far away the ristercwas, and the proof was right there at 74 points, not 94.
They didn't need just a 2C, they needed:
-heart
-grit/sanpaper/truculence/difficult to play against
-2C
-1&3, or 2&3 RW
-#2D
-#1 G
- Coach who knows what he is doing.

But let them keep beating the drum.
- IonSabres

Sabres finished 20 points out, but lets be realistic:

There would have been a lot more effort and heart if it were close. Especially if we brought in a real 2C.

Losing adds to more losing

Phil was probably the worst coach in the nhl
That definitely wasnt gonna change

Sabres finished 20 points out, but lets be realistic:

There would have been a lot more effort and heart if it were close. Especially if we brought in a real 2C.

Losing adds to more losing

Phil was probably the worst coach in the nhl
That definitely wasnt gonna change
- Boss34

We can agree to disagree, it's good.
I think my list is much closer to reality than just the 2C.
And my list also does not address all that is necessary to build a contender as it did not identify upgrades to
-Scandella
-Bogo
-Sobotka
-Larry
-Girgs
-Okposo

6 of 23, a full 25+% of the roster.

We can agree to disagree, it's good.
I think my list is much closer to reality than just the 2C.
And my list also does not address all that is necessary to build a contender as it did not identify upgrades to
-Scandella
-Bogo
-Sobotka
-Larry
-Girgs
-Okposo

6 of 23, a full 25+% of the roster.
- IonSabres

I think we agree %100 on the Sabres being p*says.
They lack toughness and if they are going to ever compete in the Stanley cup playoffs, they need to add muscle.

Okposo- were stuck
Larry or girgs could be the 16th guy on a playoff team

Way too many below average guys

Fitz is this you?


Seriously, you are going to stand by the tank regardless.

To some degree , I actually agree with you.

Just giving you some friendly jabs, it's been slow around here lately.

Sabres are going to actually try and win next year.
These tank guys are definitely hard to find.
The skill is for sure later in the draft

We need to plug in some tough guys to play against

Which should be easier, then finding dahlin, eichel and mitts. That was alot of anguish.
- Boss34

I never said anything about having to tank next year though. Botts has a whole offseason to add to this roster. I just don’t understand what trades Botts was going to make this year that were going to make us a playoff team without selling off multiple prospects and picks that would have been worth it. We got Montour, which I thought was impressive. The rest of the deals made though league wide included rentals.

Niederiter would have been nice but the Wild coveted a 21-24 year old Centre which they got in Victor Rask. Tanner Pearson is a nothing player. McCann is nice but Pittsburgh had to take back Bjugstad who is another cap burden we don’t need.

Would keeping ROR have made us a playoff team ? We had the Eichel-ROR duo for multiple years and it led us to Dahlin. We are going to get a top 6 forward at pick 7 that will fit in with our timeline better then ROR would have anyways. We just need to hope Thompson becomes a contributor and the STL pick adds to the pipeline or is moved to bring in immediate help. We have the cap space to make FA signings and trades to win as soon as next year.

I never said anything about having to tank next year though. Botts has a whole offseason to add to this roster. I just don’t understand what trades Botts was going to make this year that were going to make us a playoff team without selling off multiple prospects and picks that would have been worth it. We got Montour, which I thought was impressive. The rest of the deals made though league wide included rentals.

Niederiter would have been nice but the Wild coveted a 21-24 year old Centre which they got in Victor Rask. Tanner Pearson is a nothing player. McCann is nice but Pittsburgh had to take back Bjugstad who is another cap burden we don’t need.

Would keeping ROR have made us a playoff team ? We had the Eichel-ROR duo for multiple years and it led us to Dahlin. We are going to get a top 6 forward at pick 7 that will fit in with our timeline better then ROR would have anyways. We just need to hope Thompson becomes a contributor and the STL pick adds to the pipeline or is moved to bring in immediate help. We have the cap space to make FA signings and trades to win as soon as next year.
- Pegullaville

This year and last were neccessary to get moulson and pommer off the books.
It lessened the okposo and bogo deals as well

This is not a playoff roster.

Maybe eichel would be a playoff performer.

The posters who desire the go for 8th and see what happen don't seem to remember ( already) how far away the roster was, and the proof was right there at 74 points, not 94.
They didn't need just a 2C, they needed:
-heart
-grit/sanpaper/truculence/difficult to play against
-2C
-1&3, or 2&3 RW
-#2D
-#1 G
- Coach who knows what he is doing.

But let them keep beating the drum.
- IonSabres

7th overall pick addresses one of those needs long term. New coaching staff will also help. The continued development of Dahlin, Mittelstadt, Eichel (we have not seen the best of him yet), and Reinhart (Still has some growth left in him) will help. Grit can be added in the offseason. Veteran talent can be acquired this offseason to provide depth. I have no idea where the #1 goalie is coming from though.

Sabres finished 20 points out, but lets be realistic:

There would have been a lot more effort and heart if it were close. Especially if we brought in a real 2C.

- Boss34

there was no effort after the 10 game win streak

pretty sure we were in first place then

from december on, it was the worst sabres hockey I have ever seen, including bankrupt years and nolan part II


worst thing is we added montour, and the D looked worse, no clue how that is possible

7th overall pick addresses one of those needs long term. .
- Pegullaville

in theory


I assume nothing at this point