This below is why the Sabres are pissed, and I bet it was at least one other team who kick started all this talk by saying they called to inquire about Eichel's availability.

@CMDeDominicis I think the implication is that another team leaked it to damage Buffalo as a potential destination which would hinder them trying to spend/improve.

If you take the fact that he threw his 3rd TD pass with 6 and a half minutes left in Q3 and the last drive started with about 4-4.5 to go, it was one quarter of bad football, not a half.
- buffalofan19

U can nitpick if u want
Obviously u got what i meant

But it makes sense, if ROR was paid the 7.5M bonus would he have been traded? It was a rush deal to not pay that 7.5M and the Sabres got butt franked for it
- Leninthebuff

You're also missing the chasm in ability and performance between O'Reilly and Eichel.

The reason they're not trading Eichel is because he's a fantastic player.

That’s a tough one. Laf is pretty far ahead of Byfield. Like Ovechkin good. He was over two points a game last year. I know Byfield was close, but Laf has done it for a longer time
- SDSabre

He's 9 months older though, roughly a seasons worth. Byfield is a 6'4" 225lb Center at age 18. Let's see what he does this year.
I am biased towards Byfield though.

This below is why the Sabres are pissed, and I bet it was at least one other team who kick started all this talk by saying they called to inquire about Eichel's availability.

@CMDeDominicis I think the implication is that another team leaked it to damage Buffalo as a potential destination which would hinder them trying to spend/improve.
- kingcong39

And if they're smart, they'll nip this in the bud. But it's the Sabres, soooooo....

Ray Bourque played in an era where the goalies weren't all 6'4" and didn't wear pads like linebackers.

Heiskanen, Hughes, Makar. Look at their supporting casts. It does make a huge difference.

How many years did it take for Hedman to figure it out?

Dahlin is who he is. He'll figure it out, too.
- Powerslave

All valid points power.

Those other defenseman are a big reason, their teams made huge playoff pushes.

MacKinnon-makar
Peterson- hughes
Seguin- heiskinin

We have the eichel - dahlin

The rest of our team isnt comparable

This below is why the Sabres are pissed, and I bet it was at least one other team who kick started all this talk by saying they called to inquire about Eichel's availability.

@CMDeDominicis I think the implication is that another team leaked it to damage Buffalo as a potential destination which would hinder them trying to spend/improve.
- kingcong39

Interesting take, but I would think how poopty the Sabres have been has already hindered them as a destination.

Interesting take, but I would think how poopty the Sabres have been has already hindered them as a destination.
- Buff36

In this offseason, if the Sabres show players the money, they'll sign, as it sounds like money is going to be like water in a desert for players this offseason.

You're also missing the chasm in ability and performance between O'Reilly and Eichel.

The reason they're not trading Eichel is because he's a fantastic player.
- kingcong39

I agree and don't want him traded, all I'm saying is that bonus part makes sense if there is any truth about trading him. Personally I tell him to suck it up, you have a contract so honor it, end of story.
I don't blame him for wanting to win and if it forces the owners and GM to work their butts off to improve the team I'm all for it.

He's 9 months older though, roughly a seasons worth. Byfield is a 6'4" 225lb Center at age 18. Let's see what he does this year.
I am biased towards Byfield though.
- IonSabres

Byfield has the higher ceiling however has much more risk that may inhibit him from reaching that ceiling.

I would ultimately pick Laf just because I believe he’s a winger whom will be able to drive his own line at the NHL level (really only a handful of wingers who can)

Although I would not be surprised in the slightest to see Byfield become an Eichel lite and people look at this like the Taylor Hall/Tyler Seguin dilemma.

Skins should bounce back, but great point

That's why we need dahkin to score goals.

More than other teams, we lack goal scorers

He actually has the talent to score.

The Larry's lack that ability
- Boss34

Harder to score when the coach wants the D to stay back.
Watch where Hedman scores from tonight...should be at the top of the slot.

This below is why the Sabres are pissed, and I bet it was at least one other team who kick started all this talk by saying they called to inquire about Eichel's availability.

@CMDeDominicis I think the implication is that another team leaked it to damage Buffalo as a potential destination which would hinder them trying to spend/improve.
- kingcong39

People were and are still saying that this story was not true, had no legs, Jack doesn't want to be traded, the Sabres weren't talking trade. Guess what? It's got big legs.

U can nitpick if u want
Obviously u got what i meant
- jdfitz77

My point is he actually played well at times in the 2nd half as well. Even considering the interception that wasn't really one, the real reason they almost lost is that the defense couldn't get off the field.

He's 9 months older though, roughly a seasons worth. Byfield is a 6'4" 225lb Center at age 18. Let's see what he does this year.
I am biased towards Byfield though.
- IonSabres

I get all that. I just think the chasm between Laf and Byfield is actually bigger then Byfield and Stutzle

My point is he actually played well at times in the 2nd half as well. Even considering the interception that wasn't really one, the real reason they almost lost is that the defense couldn't get off the field.
- buffalofan19

Offense didn’t get many 1st downs between those TD drives
Allen looked confused by what the Rams were doing on defense for the majority of the half

Sorry u can’t accept it
But very few defensemen are “goal scorers”
And DEFENSEmen don’t have to score goals to be excellent players
- jdfitz77

Heres a list of defenseman with 4 goals last season

Brendan guhle
Boquist
Caleb jones
Haydn flurry
Philippe myers
Will butcher
Travis demott
Tucker polman
Brett pesce.

Tied with dahlin for 89th for goals by defenseman

Nice list huh?

Rams were 9-7 last year
I don’t consider that “good”

Let’s just see what the rest of the season brings
I see no reason to make any declarations at all after ONLY 3 games
- jdfitz77

No one cares

In this offseason, if the Sabres show players the money, they'll sign, as it sounds like money is going to be like water in a desert for players this offseason.
- kingcong39

And I agree, it's the perfect offseason for the Sabres and what is happening.

I get all that. I just think the chasm between Laf and Byfield is actually bigger then Byfield and Stutzle
- SDSabre

There’s some out there who think Stutzle could go 2nd over Byfield

And why’s with all this trade Eichel talk I’m seeing today?
Did he ask out or something???

Offense didn’t get many 1st downs between those TD drives
Allen looked confused by what the Rams were doing on defense for the majority of the half
- jdfitz77

When the opposing team doesn’t punt once, that's on your defense. Allen still moved the ball on every one of those drives except the phantom interception.

Heres a list of defenseman with 4 goals last season

Brendan guhle
Boquist
Caleb jones
Haydn flurry
Philippe myers
Will butcher
Travis demott
Tucker polman
Brett pesce.

Tied with dahlin for 89th for goals by defenseman

Nice list huh?
- Boss34

So what? Doesn’t matter
Defensemen aren’t goal scorers
Again... sorry YOU can’t get over that
But it’s the way it is
Especially on poor offensive teams like us who focus heavily on playing defensively

There’s some out there who think Stutzle could go 2nd over Byfield

And why’s with all this trade Eichel talk I’m seeing today?
Did he ask out or something???
- jdfitz77

Yeah, bob McKenzie reported that teams called, were told pay the (frank) up or hell naw, then finished it with he’s not going anywhere. So naturally we’re all teasing him

When the opposing team doesn’t punt once, that's on your defense. Allen still moved the ball on every one of those drives except the phantom interception.
- buffalofan19

29 unanswered points is a total team collapse, including the offence.

When the opposing team doesn’t punt once, that's on your defense. Allen still moved the ball on every one of those drives except the phantom interception.
- buffalofan19

He looked VERY shaky in the 2nd half,
even in the final drive

When the opposing team doesn’t punt once, that's on your defense. Allen still moved the ball on every one of those drives except the phantom interception.
- buffalofan19

2nd half was on the defense, they couldn't get of the field. I think they said before that last drive the Rams had gained 256yrds to the Bill's 64. Well the Allen fumble didn't help either, but the D was bad.