Vancouver had interest in Gaustad, but chose to go toward Paulson instead; Kassian's name must have come up in those discussions. They also wanted a reasonably priced puck moving defenseman to take over from Erhoff on the 2n team PP....Gragnani was important in this deal. Nashville's 1st pick provides Buffalo with higher upside in the draft than would a pick from Vancouver or Detroit (who traded theirs) or even San Jose.
- RicoMartin

I think the playoffs may prove you wrong on that last point. Nashville has the best goaltender and the best shutdown D pairing. I think they outlast all three of those teams and make the finals.

Gizmo.. whats with the ducks tag ?
- cabin

going back now

You guys got a good one in Hodgson. I'm probably about the only guy in Vancouver not pissed about this deal. I think Gillis made us a more balanced team than we were yesterday. I think this may turn out to be a trade that helps both teams.
- whosyodaddy

I think so too. Vancouver needed to get bigger. Buffalo needed somebody dynamic up the middle. Both teams swapped first rounders to address their needs. This is the type of deal that, according to Brian Burke, Darcy Regier never makes.

B+, if Reiger had sent Adam to Dallas for Ott, I would be giving him an A-; if he traded Roy to get Brown....A+; Sekera for Gagner would have been great too!

These are still minor tweeks for next year.....wait and see.
- RicoMartin

agreed....i think we have 2 more games w the Bruins...and shipped out a lot of toughness today.....if they had brought in Ott i would be throwing a Parade for Darcy....but he didn't so i still have my doubts about him going fwd....again im a Huge Ott fan and am still happy w what Darcy did today

I dont think that's necessarily true.

Look at it like this instead: being a player who relies on hockey IQ and skill to make plays, there are some players Leino just looks better playing with then others.
- mochoson

The Leino that showed up this year is famous for some one man follies like bad turnovers and getting knocked over way too easily. But again, when he had better linemates, he definitely rose to the occasion.

You guys got a good one in Hodgson. I'm probably about the only guy in Vancouver not pissed about this deal. I think Gillis made us a more balanced team than we were yesterday. I think this may turn out to be a trade that helps both teams.
- whosyodaddy

Could have been 2 years before Kass made a permanent roster spot on the team unless we moved some others . He has gobs of skill just needs the opportunity to use it and he could have been wasting in the minors here.

I'm really excited for you guys...like a reset on a suck year. maybe even make the playoffs

our goalies are still struggling with beach balls.

You guys got a good one in Hodgson. I'm probably about the only guy in Vancouver not pissed about this deal. I think Gillis made us a more balanced team than we were yesterday. I think this may turn out to be a trade that helps both teams.
- whosyodaddy

I dont see how Kassian helps you guys out now though.

So what happens when we face Vancouver and Kassian is in the lineup this week?

What Sabre do you think Zach runs first?

Dont you think Zach tells his new Canuck teammates before that game to hit this group into the boards early and often because we dont have anyone to step up to the plate and put a stop to it ?

That Vancouver game should be a treat!
- TerryPegs

Bring up Joe Finley.....sedins don't like to hit or get hit either.....I'd be careful playing stupdi hockey.....Vancouver has more to lose to stupid injuries than Buffalo this year.

The Leino that showed up this year is famous for some one man follies like bad turnovers and getting knocked over way too easily. But again, when he had better linemates, he definitely rose to the occasion.
- BuffaJoe

Agreed . on the line with pommer and ennis he seemed like a total different player.

agreed....i think we have 2 more games w the Bruins...and shipped out a lot of toughness today.....if they had brought in Ott i would be throwing a Parade for Darcy....but he didn't so i still have my doubts about him going fwd....again im a Huge Ott fan and am still happy w what Darcy did today
- aschwach

We've beaten the Bruins in the last 2 games we played against them. A 6-0 drubbing, and a shootout win. Neither of these games were physical bouts.

Also, not sure if you guys are familiar with this, but Boston is 24th (bottom 25%) in the league in hits!

Nashville finishes no lower than 5th with the additions they made.

I dont see anyone below them catching them down these final 20. They will probably end up playing STL in the first round.
- theblueandgold

And if they finish 3rd they might play Chicago again...look out

The Leino that showed up this year is famous for some one man follies like bad turnovers and getting knocked over way too easily. But again, when he had better linemates, he definitely rose to the occasion.
- BuffaJoe

When he plays with line-mates that aren't of a high enough skill level, over-compensates and tries to do to much.

When he's with line-mates he's comforable with, he's spot on.

There were times last year and during our cup run were he was our best player on the ice game, after game, after game, after game. There's a reason he got that contract; he can somewhat live up to it with patience.

I think so too. Vancouver needed to get bigger. Buffalo needed somebody dynamic up the middle. Both teams swapped first rounders to address their needs. This is the type of deal that, according to Brian Burke, Darcy Regier never makes.
- buffalofan19

i think Burke is a blow hard most of the time....but hes right Darcy doesn't usually give up on his to tier talent...he must know something about Kassien...and again the return was too good to pass up.......

Supposedly part of the new CBA that will need to be negotiated is that the cap ceiling will be reset and lowered.
- Pierceme69

We'll have to wait and see
Doing everything I said was a pipe-dream anyways
But with us only losing Hecht & Boyes up front and no defensemen...
We have:
Adam, Tropp, Foligno at forward that can make an impact next year
Plus possibly Armia & Galchenyuk (if we get him) that if not ready next year, will be for sure the following year
Catanacci has had another good season too

On defense next year,
McNabb will be up for sure and Brennan & Schiestel can contribute
With Pysyk & Leduc as top prospects only another year or 2 away

We have all kinds of chips we can package to get the impact players Darcy decides are necessary
The only issue we might have with improving is staying under the cap

I dont see how Kassian helps you guys out now though.
- theblueandgold

I think he'll find a nice spot on this team. Playoff series are often battles of attrition, and Kassian will help us in that regard.

We'll have to wait and see
Doing everything I said was a pipe-dream anyways
But with us only losing Hecht & Boyes up front and no defensemen...
We have:
Adam, Tropp, Foligno at forward that can make an impact next year
Plus possibly Armia & Galchenyuk (if we get him) that if not ready next year, will be for sure the following year
Catanacci has had another good season too

On defense next year,
McNabb will be up for sure and Brennan & Schiestel can contribute
With Pysyk & Leduc as top prospects only another year or 2 away

We have all kinds of chips we can package to get the impact players Darcy decides are necessary
The only issue we might have with improving is staying under the cap
- jdfitz77

TSN is calling the Sabres winners just based on the Hodgson trade which came after the deadline (as in announced) and was a complete shocker to everyone.

Heres the timeline today combining most everyone's views that I read on here:

8AM: Anything happen yet?
9AM: He better do something!
10AM: *yawn* Why did I wake up so early?
11AM: Darcy sucks, he hasnt done anything. Hes sitting around doing nothing.
12PM: Check out this awesome photoshopped photo of Darcy lounging on a couch.
1PM: Darcy should be fired, the worst GM ever, guy sucks
2PM: Unbelievable. Another year same results. Darcy needs to go NOW!
3PM: DARCY SUCKS! HOLY poop THIS GUY IS USELESS!
3:01PM: Gaustad traded for a 1st, yesssssssssssss!
3:02PM: Our team is going to be so good, we got a first for Gaustad, yessssssss!
3:30PM: WHY KASSIAN!?!?!?!??!!??!?!?!?!
4PM: Darcy is a genius. Pure genius. Absolutely stole the show.

etc,etc,etc
- theblueandgold

You forgot the pictures and the fact that most suggested that Reiger would have to be out drinking with me for suggesting that he wanted a 1st pick for Gaustad and that he was trying to get Hodgson.....he got both....a little unorthodox, but that'[s what happens when you have a hangover. lol

I think he'll find a nice spot on this team. Playoff series are often battles of attrition, and Kassian will help us in that regard.
- whosyodaddy

He's an assert you can still move around as much as needed.

I know some people are upset at losing toughness by trading Kassian and Gaustad at the expense of acquiring skill - - Hodgson and a first round draft pick - - but grit and toughness are a lot easier to replace than skills and scoring talent. It will also be a lot less expensive getting third and fourth line tough guys and grinders than it is to sign top six talent.

Although I'm going to miss out on seeing Kassian develop into a monster, I have to say good work, Darcy.

next step: do whatever it takes to get galchenyuk

I think he'll find a nice spot on this team. Playoff series are often battles of attrition, and Kassian will help us in that regard.
- whosyodaddy

I was looking forward to Kassian playing this year and really thought we had a good power forward. The only thing that I liked about his game this year was his puck control along the boards. Like many have pointed out, his game really hasn't been as strong as we thought. Watching during the games he we curl away from hits and would not finish his checks. Starting to wonder if it was all reputation from his suspensions.

i think Burke is a blow hard most of the time....but hes right Darcy doesn't usually give up on his to tier talent...he must know something about Kassien...and again the return was too good to pass up.......
- aschwach

Oh, he doesn't make deals like this nearly enough, I don't disagree. I'm more saying this under the light of that perhaps Regier has finally learned something.

When he plays with line-mates that aren't of a high enough skill level, over-compensates and tries to do to much.

When he's with line-mates he's comforable with, he's spot on.

There were times last year and during our cup run were he was our best player on the ice game, after game, after game, after game. There's a reason he got that contract; he can somewhat live up to it with patience.
- mochoson

I can see that. I'd feel better if they shaved a mil of the deal, but even at that rate he'd be underperforming. I'd surely welcome a Leino worth 4.5.

next step: do whatever it takes to get galchenyuk
- buffalokb

Yep. Then we have our top 2 centers for the next decade
And ennis is proving to be good at center as well