Well I think it's a reasonable target. Unless the fairy 2C mother is going to drop Malkin in our lap, I'll take a Bjugstadt or Bonino in the interim
- jcragcrumple

There's no need to haul in the Fitz debate for this. But 2nd line centers can be had if you're not offering 4th round picks for them.

Step up the god damn standards. (frank). I'm so sick of settling for hot dumpster juice and getting on this (frank)ing board talking about oh cool we can pair that rotting pumpkin with Jack or Dahlin and we'll be (frank)ing GREAT

Just get an actually good player. For (frank)ing once. Skinner? Awesome. Jokiharju? Awesome. Keep doing those things. Stop trading trash for trash.

He did all that on a team that was loaded with depth, something this team doesn't have. This team needs a 2nd line center. He isn't one.
- buffalofan19

The 17-18 panthers were loaded with depth?

I fully admit to not being in tune with the stories around the league as I used to be. I don't watch the NHL Network much anymore except around World Junior time, and I rarely read any blogs but this one.

However, Eklund asked if this Elvis guy in Columbus was the story of the year? His bringing it up was the first I had heard of it.

This is Buffalo. We don't get that lucky.
- buffalofan19

Au contraire!

Au contraire!


- TheSabresTaco

Touche.

Maybe Bjugstad is the next Chris Drury. What do I know.

I fully admit to not being in tune with the stories around the league as I used to be. I don't watch the NHL Network much anymore except around World Junior time, and I rarely read any blogs but this one.

However, Eklund asked if this Elvis guy in Columbus was the story of the year? His bringing it up was the first I had heard of it.
- buffalofan19

Kind of wondering about that myself. I chalked it up to Ek being Ek.

Kind of wondering about that myself. I chalked it up to Ek being Ek.
- Pairo11

Surprised he's not tugging it to a Matthews vs Marner debate with himself every night.

17-18:

49 points

Last year:

26 points in 64 games spread across two teams.

Is he hurt a lot? Yes, yes he is. But that may lower the asking price for a center who actually has the ability to score 50 points in a season. And at $4.1m per, the contract won't kill you next year


- jcragcrumple

The ability to score 50, but has never scored 50 and will be 28 to start next season. Faceoffs under 50%. Hit 20 goals once 5 years ago. Had over 20a and 30a once each.

This would be another Frolik trade. May help a little, but money and assets would be better used elsewhere. At least Frolik helps the PK. Not sure Bjugstad would improve anything. Especially at $4.1m for another year.

Before the season I mentioned trading for Rust and not many wanted him. 21g 22a in 35 games this year would have been a nice add.

The ability to score 50, but has never scored 50 and will be 28 to start next season. Faceoffs under 50%. Hit 20 goals once 5 years ago. Had over 20a and 30a once each.

This would be another Frolik trade. May help a little, but money and assets would be better used elsewhere. At least Frolik helps the PK. Not sure Bjugstad would improve anything. Especially at $4.1m for another year.

Before the season I mentioned trading for Rust and not many wanted him. 21g 22a in 35 games this year would have been a nice add.
- adambuffalo

Was definitely in for a Rust trade. However, he's really stepped up in Guentzal's absence. Even playing at last year's levels he'd have been useful here.

The 17-18 panthers were loaded with depth?
- jcragcrumple

1. Aleksander Barkov (C) 79 27 51 78 14 9 |
2. Vincent Trocheck (C) 82 31 44 75 54 -9 |
3. Jonathan Huberdeau (LW) 82 27 42 69 32 -2 |
4. Yevgeni Dadonov (RW/LW) 74 28 37 65


is solid depth to me

The ability to score 50, but has never scored 50 and will be 28 to start next season. Faceoffs under 50%. Hit 20 goals once 5 years ago. Had over 20a and 30a once each.

This would be another Frolik trade. May help a little, but money and assets would be better used elsewhere. At least Frolik helps the PK. Not sure Bjugstad would improve anything. Especially at $4.1m for another year.

Before the season I mentioned trading for Rust and not many wanted him. 21g 22a in 35 games this year would have been a nice add.
- adambuffalo

I'll address these point by point:

*Ok, he has the ability to hit 49 points, not 50- which he did in 17-18

* 28 next year? So what? That's not 35

*under 50% on faceoffs is pedantic. His career is 49%

He has size and scoring ability from the center position. This would not be a Frolik trade.

For the record, he only had 7 PP points in 17-18 out of his 49.

It would sure be nice to have some even strength production with Skinner

1. Aleksander Barkov (C) 79 27 51 78 14 9 |
2. Vincent Trocheck (C) 82 31 44 75 54 -9 |
3. Jonathan Huberdeau (LW) 82 27 42 69 32 -2 |
4. Yevgeni Dadonov (RW/LW) 74 28 37 65


is solid depth to me
- hubie

He was 5th in scoring for forwards on their team

The two guys right under him were old friend Jamie McGinn and Jared McCann. It was hardly a stacked team

Wonder if Koivu would consider waiving to go to Pittsburgh? Bjugstad from Minny, played college there and they tend to like bringing in hometown players.
Koivu gets a shot at the Cup and can just return to Minny next season.
I could see that type of deal, unless Boston gets Kreider, then the Pens might aim higher (Toffoli? )

No Sabres hockey for another week is brutal.

Granted, I just get frustrated watching/talking about them, it's still more fun when they play.
- thatsapickle

That certainly is a pickle.

He was 5th in scoring for forwards on their team

The two guys right under him were old friend Jamie McGinn and Jared McCann. It was hardly a stacked team
- jcragcrumple

Well your changing words now you are now saying stacked. You said solid depth and thats a lot more depth than we have had in a long time.

Well your changing words now you are now saying stacked. You said solid depth and thats a lot more depth than we have had in a long time.
- hubie

I did say "loaded with depth". It was hyperbole on my part.

They had far more depth that year than the Sabres do now.

Well your changing words now you are now saying stacked. You said solid depth and thats a lot more depth than we have had in a long time.
- hubie

Here's the original quote I responded to:

"He did all that on a team that was loaded with depth"

4 good forwards is not "loaded with depth" imo. We have 4 good forwards this year and no one would accuse the sabres of being loaded with depth

He had 49 points in 17-18 and we have no centers

It's not hype, it's just a realistic option at a position of need. He provides faceoff support and size at a desperately needed position and the contract situation is nearly perfect
- jcragcrumple

The $4.1m would be better used resigning Larsson and Girgs rather than paying a 3rd center to play 2C.

The $4.1m would be better used resigning Larsson and Girgs rather than paying a 3rd center to play 2C.
- adambuffalo

The two ideas are not mutually exclusive

He can have erod and Sobotka's money

The two ideas are not mutually exclusive
- jcragcrumple

They are if you ever want to be a good team.

The two ideas are not mutually exclusive

He can have erod and Sobotka's money
- jcragcrumple

That's great. So where's the move that makes them a playoff team coming from, then?

That's great. So where's the move that makes them a playoff team coming from, then?
- buffalofan19

Olofsson-Eichel-Reinhart
Skinner-Bjugstadt-Mojo
Asplund/FA/Trade - Cozens - Tall guy or other
Logs

That's a lot closer.

You're never going to be one piece away until you start chipping away at the needs

Olofsson-Eichel-Reinhart
Skinner-Bjugstadt-Mojo
Asplund/FA/Trade - Cozens - Tall guy or other
Logs

That's a lot closer.

You're never going to be one piece away until you start chipping away at the needs
- jcragcrumple

Bjugstadt at your 2nd center spot maybe gets you 6 more points in the stands. Still not anywhere close. Like Taco said, they need to think bigger, much bigger.