Yep. Then we have our top 2 centers for the next decade
And ennis is proving to be good at center as well
- jdfitz77

Wish ennis was a little taller . but I like his style

So who here still thinks Darcy needs to be fired?

Serious question.
- BuffaJoe

Well, if we're just going by his actions under Pegula

Traded for Boyes- loss
Regehr trade- win
Ehrhoff signing- win
Leino signing- loss (so far)
suckered into re-signing Stafford- loss
did nothing in Nov, Dec, Jan when the team needed help- loss
Guastad for a 1st- win
Hodgson trade- win

A lot of good moves, some questionable

He's definately been a lot more active but he needs to keep it up.

I'm definately interested to see what he does at the draft and this summer.

The more Darcy does, the more pressure there will be on Lindy. I still don't think Ruff is the right coach for this team

Yep. Then we have our top 2 centers for the next decade
And ennis is proving to be good at center as well
- jdfitz77

Something more for us to think about.
Plug in Hodgson with Gerbe and Kaleta and he plays the same way he did in Vancouver with the muckers he had tehre as linemates; plug him with Vanek and Kaleta and he might get 10 goals and 10 assists for the balance of the season; put him in with Ennis on the wing who he worked with at the World Juniors and with Pominville/stafford on the wing and that could prove interesting too.

At the end of the day, the starting line-up tomorrow is better than it was yesterday with Hodgson. Kassian and Gragnani are interchangeable parts this year. Hodgson needs only to replace Gaustad.....let's see if this team now makes the playoffs.

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.
- rcostel77

that;s what Darcy Said.....and i agree, they will address it this summer, i hope.... i just wish he had made one more deal to get Ott....or some other cheaper tough guy to help us for the stretch

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.
- gibby111

He's still quite young, and has immense potential. The last time the Canucks traded for somebody like him they traded away the guy Hodgson is always compared to in Vancouver for Bert. The fans here hated the deal at the time, but I loved it. PF's take a little longer to develop.

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.
- gibby111

I think he dominated the OHL when he was a man playing against kids. I've noticed too how many times he turns away on a check. At least a couple of times a game it's been happening. I was pretty pumped to see him get a crack at the Bruins last week, but he was a ghost in a game you would think would fit his supposed "style". It's too bad. I had high hopes for him and who knows, he could still turn into a beast, but I am pretty happy with the return.

Boyes and Hecht will not be offered much as UFAs; but I could see them getting 1 year conbtracts from Buffalo for $1 million each.....hopefully Hecht can rebound from his injury and Boyes has a rebound year.

The young bucks will need 1 more year, and these guys might be good to keep around (Only if cheap) as the team's 13th and 14th forwards.

Boyes and Hecht will not be offered much as UFAs; but I could see them getting 1 year conbtracts from Buffalo for $1 million each.....hopefully Hecht can rebound from his injury and Boyes has a rebound year.

The young bucks will need 1 more year, and these guys might be good to keep around (Only if cheap) as the team's 13th and 14th forwards.
- RicoMartin

I am absolutely baffled no one offered a mid-round pick for Boyes.

I think he dominated the OHL when he was a man playing against kids. I've noticed too how many times he turns away on a check. At least a couple of times a game it's been happening. I was pretty pumped to see him get a crack at the Bruins last week, but he was a ghost in a game you would think would fit his supposed "style". It's too bad. I had high hopes for him and who knows, he could still turn into a beast, but I am pretty happy with the return.
- The_Inkwell

Kass still has a ton of potential and size and is really just starting to be molded into an NHLer. I think getting out from the Sabres org. will do him some good.

definitely quite happy with the moves Darcy made today. took it all the way up to the end, but hey, i think it was worth the wait. you get a good young talented player in Hodgson, a 7th defenseman in Sulzer and a 1st round pick after letting go of Gaustad, Kassian, MAG and a 4th round pick.

Kassian might become the next Cam Neely or Todd Bertuzzi. he also might not become either one of those two players. did we get weaker? yes. did we get better? on paper, i think we did. now we have to see how things work out and see what happens with those 4 picks in the first two rounds this June. you either get 4 promising prospects or make some moves packaging up roster players or prospects and those picks to move up further in the draft or get your next top center or another top forward.

this might come as a sign of giving up to some people. sure, anything can happen in the playoffs. any team can get hot in the last 10 or so weeks of the season and roll into the playoffs hotter than hell. this Sabres team could still squeak into the playoffs. do i want them to? no. i personally feel as though they'd bow out in the 1st round anyway.

let's hope the moves made today prove me dead wrong.

Well, if we're just going by his actions under Pegula

Traded for Boyes- loss
Regehr trade- win
Ehrhoff signing- win
Leino signing- loss (so far)
suckered into re-signing Stafford- loss
did nothing in Nov, Dec, Jan when the team needed help- loss
Guastad for a 1st- win
Hodgson trade- win

A lot of good moves, some questionable

He's definately been a lot more active but he needs to keep it up.

I'm definately interested to see what he does at the draft and this summer.

The more Darcy does, the more pressure there will be on Lindy. I still don't think Ruff is the right coach for this team
- RayHatesDomi

True. Lindy seems more tired than ever, and though this has been a tough season, it's filtering down to the players as a nonchalant environment. Not good.

Boyes will be gone this year obviously, and I don't think Stafford can really be as bad as he's played this season, and hopefully Roy, who probably needed the "shake up" as much as anyone (barring the last few games) hopefully got a little scare from all the rumors flying around about him today. Maybe he'll step it up a notch as a "thanks for not trading me" gesture.

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

Like offering Columbus our first 4 picks this year?

definitely quite happy with the moves Darcy made today. took it all the way up to the end, but hey, i think it was worth the wait. you get a good young talented player in Hodgson, a 7th defenseman in Sulzer and a 1st round pick after letting go of Gaustad, Kassian, MAG and a 4th round pick.

Kassian might become the next Cam Neely or Todd Bertuzzi. he also might not become either one of those two players. did we get weaker? yes. did we get better? on paper, i think we did. now we have to see how things work out and see what happens with those 4 picks in the first two rounds this June. you either get 4 promising prospects or make some moves packaging up roster players or prospects and those picks to move up further in the draft or get your next top center or another top forward.

this might come as a sign of giving up to some people. sure, anything can happen in the playoffs. any team can get hot in the last 10 or so weeks of the season and roll into the playoffs hotter than hell. this Sabres team could still squeak into the playoffs. do i want them to? no. i personally feel as though they'd bow out in the 1st round anyway.

let's hope the moves made today prove me dead wrong.
- EricNearBuffalo

I'll post it first: Stafford and Nashvilles first at the draft for Dustin Brown and a pick.

I'll post it first: Stafford and Nashvilles first at the draft for Dustin Brown and a pick.

- nfph

Or Our 1rst round pick and roy for 1rst overall

I just read that the trade also included Tyler Myers... seemed to have gotten left out of the press release.

I just read that the trade also included Tyler Myers... seemed to have gotten left out of the press release.
- Scooby_Doo

Lulz

Or Our 1rst round pick and roy for 1rst overall
- gibby111

Roy out, better center back. That's about it.

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'
- RicoMartin[s what happens when you have a hangover. lol

Its there, 12PM... timing might be a little off, just a generalization, I think i depicted today accurately!

With the way the market was this year, i had a feeling Goose was going to fish a 1st. A part of me believes the intangibles he brings is worth it. Not even joking here either.

I didnt even pay attention to when you mentioned Hodgson last night. But it only made sense that if we were getting rid of Gaustad we absolutely needed a C in return in another deal. I'm also glad they gave Kassian away. Cody is averaging only a minute more than Kassian and is 5th in rookie scoring. Hes a 2-way scorer. Something we needed.

Kass still has a ton of potential and size and is really just starting to be molded into an NHLer. I think getting out from the Sabres org. will do him some good.
- nfph

This is something that has crossed my mind many times. Did the Sabres clip his wings so to speak ? You can't help but think that a team like Boston or Philly would embrace his wild side, but the Sabres aren't really like that. If he turns into a complete bad ass in Vancouver it would be an eye-opener as to how the Sabres develop players. But if Hodgson turns into a 30-goal, 70-point center, will it even matter? Time will tell I guess.

Anyone see Travis Turnbull play?

My guy at TSN says this guy may be a hiddne gem for the 3rd or 4th line center position....the next Gaustad.....anybody want to take a shot at that? I thought he plays wing.

Also, Riley Boychuk might bring toughness that Kassian has yet to show this year.

This is something that has crossed my mind many times. Did the Sabres clip his wings so to speak ? You can't help but think that a team like Boston or Philly would embrace his wild side, but the Sabres aren't really like that. If he turns into a complete bad ass in Vancouver it would be a eye-opener as to how the Sabres develop players. But if Hodgson turns into a 30-goal, 70-point center, will it even matter? Time will tell I guess.
- The_Inkwell

We would both be happy, so here's to that last scenario.

Why doesn't anyone answer RicoMartin's thought-provoking questions?

I'll post it first: Stafford and Nashvilles first at the draft for Dustin Brown and a pick.

- nfph

been hittin the Anchor Steam since lunch?

having Dustin Brown would make the team better, but that gives you basically 2 top line RWs on the roster. i'd personally package up Staff, our 1st rounder and maybe one of the 2nd rounders and go after a true #1 center.

been hittin the Anchor Steam since lunch?

having Dustin Brown would make the team better, but that gives you basically 2 top line RWs on the roster. i'd personally package up Staff, our 1st rounder and maybe one of the 2nd rounders and go after a true #1 center.
- EricNearBuffalo

It'd have to be Roy, or else you've got Hodgson back on the third line again in a season when you've got to try and sign him.

True. Lindy seems more tired than ever, and though this has been a tough season, it's filtering down to the players as a nonchalant environment. Not good.

Boyes will be gone this year obviously, and I don't think Stafford can really be as bad as he's played this season, and hopefully Roy, who probably needed the "shake up" as much as anyone (barring the last few games) hopefully got a little scare from all the rumors flying around about him today. Maybe he'll step it up a notch as a "thanks for not trading me" gesture.
- BuffaJoe

I hope you are right. Roy really didn't want to be traded and carried on about it.