sam is a helluva complimentary player...how much should they pay him?...$6m?...$7m...is he worth $8 or 9m...that's where we're getting into expensive wingers that don't help the cap...

40 goals is more important than 40 assists...and I really like skunk
- Michael Pachla

It's a tough decision, and it might be best to decide this summer. Would have to think 7m is the floor, but it sure feels like other deals + his points are trending up from there.

I like him too, and consider him a complimentary player as well. When I think about 8x8, I'm very hesitant. I don't quite consider him a core player. I'm certain his camp is sure he is.

The roster needs, at minimum, 5 new regulars.
- Sabresfan-365

sure they do...but where you gonna find them and what will the cost be to get them here?...some might be willing to pay $9m for duchy and/or $6m for hayes which would equate to overpayments for each...

the overpayment for skinner at $9m instead of 8 is a 12.5% premium which is typically far less of a premium than what they'll be paying to lure ufa's to buffalo on july 1

keefe would be a good choice, if they could get him to buffalo...leaman i'm not so sure about
- Michael Pachla

Those that cover the league credit a decent amount of Providence's success to leaman, Baker loves him if he's someone you like to follow. But he's been known for having fresh ideas and working well with younger players. Seems like a good fit

Im obviously missing some kind of joke here. That post is clearly about Columbus' AGM lol
- Sabresfan-365

Going by those 2 you posted that’s how you want your gm to Operate I assume

Those that cover the league credit a decent amount of Providence's success to leaman, Baker loves him if he's someone you like to follow. But he's been known for having fresh ideas and working well with younger players. Seems like a good fit
- Sabresfan-365

I'm not comparing Leaman, or anyone for that matter, to Housley.. but honestly what makes anyone so sure that a guy is going to fail or succeed in a particular location. Like honestly. What the (frank) do any of us know?

Those that cover the league credit a decent amount of Providence's success to leaman, Baker loves him if he's someone you like to follow. But he's been known for having fresh ideas and working well with younger players. Seems like a good fit
- Sabresfan-365

Going by the report yesterday I don’t even think he’s in the running

Looks like we’re going safe as possible

Defence is just as important as offence. Whatever gap there is in goals vs assists, it's washed out by the fact that Reinhart is at least competent in his own end.

He's also younger.
- Sabresfan-365

almost anybody can play defense...many can set up...but sniper's are hard to come by

almost anybody can play defense...many can set up...but sniper's are hard to come by
- Michael Pachla

lol wut

I'm not comparing Leaman, or anyone for that matter, to Housley.. but honestly what makes anyone so sure that a guy is going to fail or succeed in a particular location. Like honestly. What the (frank) do any of us know?
- TheSabresTaco

We know nothing about coaching or scouting, but it's more fun to pretend we're experts. It's a long summer.

I'm not comparing Leaman, or anyone for that matter, to Housley.. but honestly what makes anyone so sure that a guy is going to fail or succeed in a particular location. Like honestly. What the (frank) do any of us know?
- TheSabresTaco

I only go off the surface level stuff because thats all we really know. There's enough there that makes Leaman an intriguing option. Could it blow up like Hakstol in Philly? sure. Could it succeed like Montgomery in Dallas? sure.

As for who will fail, there's way more data on that. We see it every year. The same group of incredibly mediocre coaches are cycled through and each time it's "totally going to be different" but isn't.

Those that cover the league credit a decent amount of Providence's success to leaman, Baker loves him if he's someone you like to follow. But he's been known for having fresh ideas and working well with younger players. Seems like a good fit
- Sabresfan-365

that's great...but can he coach at the nhl level?...Housley had great ideas, but he didn't know how to coach...with all that this team has been through, some of it self-inflicted, they need someone who will get them winning on the ice, not on the chalkboard, and use what talent they have or may have to get them on the right track...leaman, for as great as he may be, just might not be the right guy for this job...I have reservations about keefe for that very same reason although he seems to have a midas touch

[quote=gerbe75pts]

Still not sold on Duchene. I agree he reverts to a 55pt guy as our 2C.

Going by the report yesterday I don’t even think he’s in the running

Looks like we’re going safe as possible
- gerbe75pts

Report on GR says Tippett or Martin are front runners. Most coaches don't want to accept an offer from a lame duck GM. Imagine the same for Tippett. We might have a shot at Martin though. He blows and won't get any other offers. More brain damage from the GM.

I wish lol. They'll probably just package one of Johnsson/Kapanen with Zaitsev to clear some room.
- Sabresfan-365

You write that as if it will be some easy to do task, which is far from reality with Zaitsev's contract and on ice play.

Going by those 2 you posted that’s how you want your gm to Operate I assume
- gerbe75pts

I too thought it was pretty clear based on the comparables he cited.

Chayka is basically a give us your garbage and we'll take something extra for it.

[quote=Sabresfan-365]I only go off the surface level stuff because thats all we really know. There's enough there that makes Leaman an intriguing option. Could it blow up like Hakstol in Philly? sure. Could it succeed like Montgomery in Dallas? sure.

As for who will fail, there's way more data on that. We see it every year. The same group of incredibly mediocre coaches are cycled through and each time it's "totally going to be different" but isn't./quote]

But that's not true, sometimes.

Pete DeBoer
Bill Peters
Craig Berube
John Tortorella
Peter Laviolette
Gerard Gallant

Here's a pile of retreads that seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. You can even throw in a Jaques Martin type in Claude Julien, who did some pretty nice things with the Habs this year.

Retreads can be poopty. But they definitely don't have to be, and there's a fair chance they won't be.

[quote=RhinoFan]

Better then anything else we have I’m sure the “stats guys” will know but he’s really good at faceoffs 🧐 but he doesn’t punch people in the face

that's great...but can he coach at the nhl level?...Housley had great ideas, but he didn't know how to coach...with all that this team has been through, some of it self-inflicted, they need someone who will get them winning on the ice, not on the chalkboard, and use what talent they have or may have to get them on the right track...leaman, for as great as he may be, just might not be the right guy for this job...I have reservations about keefe for that very same reason although he seems to have a midas touch
- Michael Pachla

The Hype Train will always be chugging, it takes some open mindedness to look past it.

Rickard Gronborg would have made an amazing coach, said no one with absolute certainty.

You know who sounded amazing before he was hired? Ol' Gum Chewer. No one. Knows. poop.

[quote=Sabresfan-365]I only go off the surface level stuff because thats all we really know. There's enough there that makes Leaman an intriguing option. Could it blow up like Hakstol in Philly? sure. Could it succeed like Montgomery in Dallas? sure.

As for who will fail, there's way more data on that. We see it every year. The same group of incredibly mediocre coaches are cycled through and each time it's "totally going to be different" but isn't./quote]

But that's not true, sometimes.

Pete DeBoer
Bill Peters
Craig Berube
John Tortorella
Peter Laviolette
Gerard Gallant

Here's a pile of retreads that seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. You can even throw in a Jaques Martin type in Claude Julien, who did some pretty nice things with the Habs this year.

Retreads can be poopty. But they definitely don't have to be, and there's a fair chance they won't be.
- TheSabresTaco

I don't know that I'd include Peters on this list. This was his first playoff appearance and they got dummied

I don't consider Berube a retread, pretty limited HC experience no?

Sure, some of the old school guys can still get it done, but they aren't the guys available to us right now ( going off Vogl's list )

I too thought it was pretty clear based on the comparables he cited.

Chayka is basically a give us your garbage and we'll take something extra for it.
- kingcong39

I want my GM to operate using all available resources. I do not want the guy who thinks his eyes are always right, his 80 year old scouts eyes are always right, and that truculence will bring us the stanley cup.

You write that as if it will be some easy to do task, which is far from reality with Zaitsev's contract and on ice play.
- kingcong39

Giving up a top 6 forward to move a contract is easy? It will be a tough pill for them to swallow, but a rebuilding team will at least be interested.

Report on GR says Tippett or Martin are front runners. Most coaches don't want to accept an offer from a lame duck GM. Imagine the same for Tippett. We might have a shot at Martin though. He blows and won't get any other offers. More brain damage from the GM.
- Hatboro_Swords

I don't know that I'd include Peters on this list. This was his first playoff appearance and they got dummied

I don't consider Berube a retread, pretty limited HC experience no?

Sure, some of the old school guys can still get it done, but they aren't the guys available to us right now ( going off Vogl's list )
- Sabresfan-365

nitpicking aside, they're all guys that were fired at least once. And I would bet my family on, when these guys were canned, fans of this team were grossed out by the thought of them coaching the Sabres at their respective times of unemployment.

The point is, the guys on the street don't sound good because they're on the street. If hired, they may or may not succeed. Praising or hating whatever the next hire is because he's "not your guy" is absurd and short sighted. I'm certain it will happen, but whomever the hire is, give the guy a (frank)ing chance.

Report on GR says Tippett or Martin are front runners. Most coaches don't want to accept an offer from a lame duck GM. Imagine the same for Tippett. We might have a shot at Martin though. He blows and won't get any other offers. More brain damage from the GM.
- Hatboro_Swords

Hopefully the next coach doesn't get a raw deal like GMTM

I believe in Tippett's ability to coach. He's succeeded before and hopefully can do it again. I'm rooting for him to be the hire, if our pool is simply ex NHL head coaches. And hopefully, if he's the hire, he succeeds here.