you see Pat, to me that's how you build a team. find your #1C, whatever the cost. I don't care who he is. find it. build your center line with Suzuki on the 2nd, Dvorak on the 3rd... then you fill the holes on the wings. until then, more of the same. Koivu, Plek, DD, Danault... all decent centers who payed #1 when they should have been #2.
and Suzuki could be the next one on that list. we don't know yet.
- fidopro

Well, it looks like the cost will be a poopty season this year and hope we get lucky enough to draft Wright. That's the only realistic scenario I see us getting a good 1-2.

Also DD wasn't even a remotely decent 2nd line center imo.

he might not reach "superstar" status but I think Suzuki has everything it takes to be a legit #1C.

and yeah the center position in MTL is kinda like the goalie situation in Philly (up until recently at least lol). it's been an issue on this team for way too (frank)ing long.
- Pat1993

he might become a legit #1C, we sure hope he will. but he's not there yet.

Well, it looks like the cost will be a poopty season this year and hope we get lucky enough to draft Wright. That's the only realistic scenario I see us getting a good 1-2.

Also DD wasn't even a remotely decent 2nd line center imo.
- apex123

they were already thin at center, losing 2 was not a good idea.
I'll give it to you for DD. still he was able to make Pacioretty produce at a very high level. something Evans could never do imo, to follow up on earlier posts.

they need a #1C, like since before FaceBook was invented
- fidopro

As long as the management and ownership don't grow a pair and tell the fanbase that they HAVE to tank for several years and rebuild through high lottery draft picks, this team will still be searching for water in the desert. #1 centers are franchise players that you don't ramdomly find very often outside the top 5 draft picks. Even the dumpster fire Sabres won't let neck injured, get me the hell out of Buffalo, Eichel go unless they receive a king's ransom in return.

As long as the management and ownership don't grow a pair and tell the fanbase that they HAVE to tank for several years and rebuild through high lottery draft picks, this team will still be searching for water in the desert. #1 centers are franchise players that you don't ramdomly find very often outside the top 5 draft picks. Even the dumpster fire Sabres won't let neck injured, get me the hell out of Buffalo, Eichel go unless they receive a king's ransom in return.
- AK27

doesn't have to be a McDavid. with Suzuki as a #2, just a legit #1C would do.

Here's the thing: The people who want them to trade for that #1 don't want to give up the assets.
Eichel is the best example. Getting him would be the best thing for our team now based on performance.

Now? Crapshoot no matter what surgery he has.

Sure, he goes back to top performance? Awesome.

If not, we blame the team, despite yelling for him.

Montreal is a no win team, unless it's guaranteed. Period.

they were already thin at center, losing 2 was not a good idea.
I'll give it to you for DD. still he was able to make Pacioretty produce at a very high level. something Evans could never do imo, to follow up on earlier posts.
- fidopro

it's apparent that MB has neglected the center position during his tenure, but with Danault and KK there isn't a whole lot he could have done, the former wanted out (I don't think it had anything to do with money or even his role with the team, I think he was simply fed up of MTL) and the latter was offered ridiculous money that wasn't worth matching. I guess you could argue KK's offer sheet wouldn't have happened if MB had refrained from offer sheeting Aho, but I still find it was a reasonable move (imagine if Aho was a hab right now, tabarnak...) and Carolina's reply with KK was disproportionate, and kinda immature lol.

Here's the thing: The people who want them to trade for that #1 don't want to give up the assets.
Eichel is the best example. Getting him would be the best thing for our team now based on performance.

Now? Crapshoot no matter what surgery he has.

Sure, he goes back to top performance? Awesome.

If not, we blame the team, despite yelling for him.

Montreal is a no win team, unless it's guaranteed. Period.
- Darksyde

you'd be surprised to see who I considere untouchable

Here's the thing: The people who want them to trade for that #1 don't want to give up the assets.
Eichel is the best example. Getting him would be the best thing for our team now based on performance.

Now? Crapshoot no matter what surgery he has.

Sure, he goes back to top performance? Awesome.

If not, we blame the team, despite yelling for him.

Montreal is a no win team, unless it's guaranteed. Period.
- Darksyde

yeah trading for Eichel seems way too risky given his complicated medical situation and the cost for acquiring him, unless it gets to the point where the Sabres become really desperate to trade him and MB uses that as leverage to lower the price tag, which sounds very unlikely.

yeah trading for Eichel seems way too risky given his complicated medical situation and the cost for acquiring him, unless it gets to the point where the Sabres become really desperate to trade him and MB uses that as leverage to lower the price tag, which sounds very unlikely.
- Pat1993

like I said, doesn't have to be a superstar. just a legit #1C. hell, Hertl would do!

yeah trading for Eichel seems way too risky given his complicated medical situation and the cost for acquiring him, unless it gets to the point where the Sabres become really desperate to trade him and MB uses that as leverage to lower the price tag, which sounds very unlikely.
- Pat1993

correct

like I said, doesn't have to be a superstar. just a legit #1C. hell, Hertl would do!
- fidopro

and there's definitely a sponsorship just waiting to happen



(I know I know, not the same spelling, but either the company or Tomáš could always change their name to make it official)

correct
- TheSabresTaco

TheSabresTaco, good evening. (sweet avatar btw lol)

so what's going on with his neck surgery anyway, I know he wants a procedure that the sabres' medical staff disagrees with, but since we all know he won't be playing any games in Buffalo, couldn't he go ahead with it in the meantime, so that he becomes ready to play sooner..? it all seems so complicated and not advantageous at all for the sabres.

yeah trading for Eichel seems way too risky given his complicated medical situation and the cost for acquiring him, unless it gets to the point where the Sabres become really desperate to trade him and MB uses that as leverage to lower the price tag, which sounds very unlikely.
- Pat1993

With cap considerations and Eihel's salary, let alone the medical issues, I'd be surprised if there is an in-season trade at this point.

With cap considerations and Eihel's salary, let alone the medical issues, I'd be surprised if there is an in-season trade at this point.
- Mashadar

use Weber's LTIR money to pay Eichel, and then Shea can pull a Kucherov and come back right on time for the playoffs to make another serious run with Eichel, Weber and Price in the lineup.

use Weber's LTIR money to pay Eichel, and then Shea can pull a Kucherov and come back right on time for the playoffs to make another serious run with Eichel, Weber and Price in the lineup.
- Pat1993

playoffs?!?

playoffs?!?
- fidopro

hey man, let me enjoy the thought of this impossible scenario.

hey man, let me enjoy the thought of this impossible scenario.
- Pat1993

just kidding you, still 79 games to go
if I my calculations are correct, that's 79 goals!

just kidding you, still 79 games to go
if I my count is good, that's 79 goals!
- fidopro

Drouin with 59 goals, Wideman with the other 20.

Mash will then complain that Jonathan doesn't have enough assists.

Drouin with 59 goals, Wideman with the other 20.
- Pat1993

good start for Drouin, happy for him

TheSabresTaco, good evening. (sweet avatar btw lol)

so what's going on with his neck surgery anyway, I know he wants a procedure that the sabres' medical staff disagrees with, but since we all know he won't be playing any games in Buffalo, couldn't he go ahead with it in the meantime, so that he becomes ready to play sooner..? it all seems so complicated and not advantageous at all for the sabres.
- Pat1993

we're all involved with these discussions daily, and I can promise you it's even more complicated than you could imagine.

to answer your specific question, yes, he could, as a free American. However, if he does it, not only does the NHL's insurance not cover it (speculated) but the Sabres could easily suspend him for conduct detrimental to the organization. Yes he could defy the team, but he would risk not being paid.

He hasn't gone to arbitration because one of the leading surgeons for the surgery he desires does not believe it's a good choice.

now making the trade work for both parties? That's also a goliath of an equation.

good start for Drouin, happy for him
- fidopro

yup, one of the very few positives of this season so far, he does seem to be in a good place, really glad he stayed in MTL. let's hope this trend continues, both hockey-wise and for his mental health (he got better but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't have any anxiety/insomnia episodes ever again).

we're all involved with these discussions daily, and I can promise you it's even more complicated than you could imagine.

to answer your specific question, yes, he could, as a free American. However, if he does it, not only does the NHL's insurance not cover it (speculated) but the Sabres could easily suspend him for conduct detrimental to the organization. Yes he could defy the team, but he would risk not being paid.

He hasn't gone to arbitration because one of the leading surgeons for the surgery he desires does not believe it's a good choice.
- TheSabresTaco

really eh? was not aware of this. it does sound like there are layers upon layers of things to consider... sabres fans are probably hoping this gets resolved as soon as possible, I know if this happened in MTL it would be a complete circus.

edit: speaking of sabres fans, I noticed the stands were pretty empty for the home opener, holy. lol

Drouin with 59 goals, Wideman with the other 20.

Mash will then complain that Jonathan doesn't have enough assists.
- Pat1993

Please go see page 5, near the bottom.

You are welcome.