There may not be huge turnover in Pittsburgh. Shero is a smart guy. I bet some of those guys get extensions before their current contract even expires. Pittsburgh is generally very good as far as depth in the organization goes as well, so the guys they do lose will be replaced by younger, cheaper guys who will fill the same roles as the ones that left.
- HonkFortheGoose

but you can't say that they will instantly be able to fill those spots with youth and stay at the same level of play... Buffalo is still waiting on Ennis, Gerbe, Sekera, Stafford, etc to fill in...

he almost fell flat on his face coming out for warm up too...rough night
- Homer

Thomas looked very uncomfortable the whole time he was in there last night..

Thomas looked very uncomfortable the whole time he was in there last night..
- SabresFaninIndiana

but you can't say that they will instantly be able to fill those spots with youth and stay at the same level of play... Buffalo is still waiting on Ennis, Gerbe, Sekera, Stafford, etc to fill in...
- MillerTime1130

There may be some growing pains, sure. But in the list you made a few posts back, you're completely off base on many of them.

I can absolutely see Crosby signing another contract for the same cap hit per year as he has right now.

Orpik is getting older and hasn't improved his play from his last contract, so how does he get a raise?

Tyler Kennedy is a 3rd line guy, so I doubt Shero gives him anywhere in the realm of 4m. If that's what he wants, I'm sure he'll be one of the guys Shero lets walk.

Those are just the ones I could remember off the top of my head.

he almost fell flat on his face coming out for warm up too...rough night
- Homer

Drunk?

I'll start a rumor!

Umm, Thomas?
- Homer

hes rank 0, i hope he dies of scurvy.

More than half the Conference makes the playoffs. They put together a nice little stretch with Drury and Briere, but thats about it. Since those guys left there have been two 1st round exits and two non playoff seasons. This season is looking like a non playoff year as well. Say they do sneak in, it would also look like another first round exit.

The problem with the non playoff seasons is that they are still picking in the middle of the draft.
- Gunner Staal

Picking that high in the draft has had cup winning results for two teams, Pittsburgh and Chicago. It's not just enough to pick really high in the draft, you have to have that high of a pick when an absolute stud is there. Crosby and Malkin are two of the best players in the world. Toews' leadership is 2nd to none, and Kane, to me, is a distant 4th as what he brings. The rest are very good players, but other than Seguin, who Boston traded for, who else has really paid contender-type dividends? Picking that low in the draft is just one way to go about it, but it's definitely not the only way. If Columbus somehow wins that lottery, and Pittsburgh even picks 2nd, they don't even win the cup in 2009.

You are kidding right??

You think that Malkin or Crosby would come back for 8.7M.. no they would want pay raises..

Stall will want to go from probably 4 million to 5.5 a year if not more..

Kunitz and Neal will both want to be paid about 4.5 with the years that they have had recently..

Tyler Kennedy will be deserving a major pay raise from 2 million to about 4 or so..

Oprik and Letang included as well.. you don't think that them getting 3.75 now that someone would pay them 4.5 or 5 mil a year?

All of these players would get big money thrown at them in the open market so don't count on them taking hometown discounts to stay in Pitt
- MillerTime1130

some good points in here.

Har-Trick last night for this guy. . .

Thomas looked very uncomfortable the whole time he was in there last night..
- SabresFaninIndiana

he has never played well against the sabres. worst GAA and SV% against any team...also miller 13-1-4 in last 18 home games against the b's.

i would have been uncomfortable too if i were thomas.

There is nothing that points to huge turnover.
- Gunner Staal

The other thing that you always talk about is taking advantage of rookie contracts so that more big name players can fit onto a team much like Pitt and Chicago have done lately..

Well guess what..

Only 4 players that are waiting to come up in Buffalo are making over 750K
Pitt has 12 players all making more than 750k.. so much for cheap younger players!

Looks as if Vanek will return to the lineup Friday.

he has never played well against the sabres. worst GAA and SV% against any team...also miller 13-1-4 in last 18 home games against the b's.

i would have been uncomfortable too if i were thomas.
- adubs14

For some reason, if Drew Stafford could face Tim Thomas every night, he'd have about 40 goals a year. Stafford has his number.

For some reason, if Drew Stafford could face Tim Thomas every night, he'd have about 40 goals a year. Stafford has his number.
- buffalofan19

he could alternate with games in Edmonton..

he could alternate with games in Edmonton..
- SabresFaninIndiana

HAHAHA so true... Stafford only plays good against them...

Vanek is a Senator killer too.. didn't he have a 5 or 6 point game against them last year?

I know that Miller cannot seem to beat Chicago or Pitt though which pisses me off..

Thomas looked very uncomfortable the whole time he was in there last night..
- SabresFaninIndiana

He was probably pissed off. Dude was supposed to have the night off. Crappy employers, those Bruins.

Looks as if Vanek will return to the lineup Friday.
- Doug Allen

Good news there I hope...

I hope they keep Leino and Pominville together thou.. they know exactly where eachother are at all times it seems like lately...

Leino - Roy - Pommer
Vanek - Ennis - Gerbe
Boyes - Gaustad - Kaleta
Kassian - Adam - McCormick

I know Kassian will actually be Ellis and that McMusle will play pivot but I can dream

Good news there I hope...

I hope they keep Leino and Pominville together thou.. they know exactly where eachother are at all times it seems like lately...

Leino - Roy - Pommer
Vanek - Ennis - Gerbe
Boyes - Gaustad - Kaleta
Kassian - Adam - McCormick

I know Kassian will actually be Ellis and that McMusle will play pivot but I can dream
- MillerTime1130

they better bring in Kassian

Good news there I hope...

I hope they keep Leino and Pominville together thou.. they know exactly where eachother are at all times it seems like lately...

Leino - Roy - Pommer
Vanek - Ennis - Gerbe
Boyes - Gaustad - Kaleta
Kassian - Adam - McCormick

I know Kassian will actually be Ellis and that McMusle will play pivot but I can dream
- MillerTime1130

wheres stafford? also, best line of the past 4 games has been gerbe/ennis/staff, no way lindy breaks them up.

on the other hand, i REALLY dont want to see vanek playing with ellis/adam. id like to see:

leino roy pommer
gerbe ennis stafford
vanek adam boyes
mccormick goose kaleta

wheres stafford? also, best line of the past 4 games has been gerbe/ennis/staff, no way lindy breaks them up.

on the other hand, i REALLY dont want to see vanek playing with ellis/adam. id like to see:

leino roy pommer
gerbe ennis stafford
vanek adam boyes
mccormick goose kaleta
- adubs14

On his way to NJ to bring back Parise with him..

No good call.. I did forget to put Stafford in my group..

Stafford has like 3 goals in the last 14 games.. idk how he be on the most productive line?

On his way to NJ to bring back Parise with him..

No good call.. I did forget to put Stafford in my group..

Stafford has like 3 goals in the last 14 games.. idk how he be on the most productive line?
- MillerTime1130

Because Ennis and Gerbe have been productive.

wheres stafford? also, best line of the past 4 games has been gerbe/ennis/staff, no way lindy breaks them up.

on the other hand, i REALLY dont want to see vanek playing with ellis/adam. id like to see:

leino roy pommer
gerbe ennis stafford
vanek adam boyes
mccormick goose kaleta
- adubs14

I agree with the first two lines. Ruff loves Ellis way too much Mccormick most likely sits
Than again I wouldn't be surprised if Adam sits next to Ruff in the press box

they better bring in Kassian
- French-Connection

2 days in a row ? Now that van is playing no chance in kass getting a call.

I agree with the first two lines. Ruff loves Ellis way too much Mccormick most likely sits
Than again I wouldn't be surprised if Adam sits next to Ruff in the press box
- Doug Allen

i wouldnt be surprised if adam sits, although then youve got boyes playing center, which isnt great

I agree with the first two lines. Ruff loves Ellis way too much Mccormick most likely sits
Than again I wouldn't be surprised if Adam sits next to Ruff in the press box
- Doug Allen

Remember ruff handed the keys to patrick and wasn't gonna interfere. so maybe ellis does sit .