Michael Pachla: With any kind of good coaching, Buffalo's D, as is, should make big strides A look back at the defense on the last Sabres team to make the playoffs

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I think at $1.3 million over the next two years, buying out Gorges is better than paying him $3.9 million to foul up the D this year.

So ignore McDavid gets 13+X 8, where does that put Eichel? 8X8?

I think at $1.3 million over the next two years, buying out Gorges is better than paying him $3.9 million to foul up the D this year.
- Pierceme69

or you keep him, play him sparingly and move him at the deadline for a low-round pick

So ignore McDavid gets 13+X 8, where does that put Eichel? 8X8?
- Larsson_fan

yup...maybe up to $9M

or you keep him, play him sparingly and move him at the deadline for a low-round pick
- Michael Pachla

I guess you could go this route but if we get another D in free agency do you want to pay a guy $3.9 million to be in the press box?

I guess you could go this route but if we get another D in free agency do you want to pay a guy $3.9 million to be in the press box?
- Pierceme69

I don't think they'll get a d-man in free agency...look at the choices...slim pickin' and I don't think they'll outbid another team of Shattenkirk or even smith or alzner

Michael Pachla: With any kind of good coaching, Buffalo's D, as is, should make big strides
A look back at the defense on the last Sabres team to make the playoffs
- Michael Pachla

And we may have to accept the fact that our D "as is" may be what we have going into 17/18 season. I don't like whats sitting on the UFA market for good D options right now. I also don't think we should compromise our team by giving up too much for a potential top 2 to 4 guy either.

And we may have to accept the fact that our D "as is" may be what we have going into 17/18 season. I don't like whats sitting on the UFA market for good D options right now. I also don't think we should compromise our team by giving up too much for a potential top 2 to 4 guy either.
- lulags

i'm not expecting much, if any, movement

Carry over....

I didn't really articulate that well. The NHLPA vets must be pissed bc they'll get priced out or take pay cuts bc the young guys take up a bigger slice of the same sized pie
- jcragcrumple


Yes I agree, but supply and demand. If Oilers dont offer that, McDavid can wait and someone will next year for sure.

How many other guys can say that? Just going to pick a couple. Mackinnon, Ekblad, Matthews, Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Tavares, Stamkos, P Kane, Erik Johnson, Crosby, Ovechkin. How many of those guys would get $13 mil if in same place as McDavid (going RFA)? I say Crosby, but not any other. (those are 1st overall picks)

So being the best player in league in your second season is very rare and any team would pay for McDavid.

Carry over....

I didn't really articulate that well. The NHLPA vets must be pissed bc they'll get priced out or take pay cuts bc the young guys take up a bigger slice of the same sized pie
- jcragcrumple


Yes I agree, but supply and demand. If Oilers dont offer that, McDavid can wait and someone will next year for sure.

How many other guys can say that? Just going to pick a couple. Mackinnon, Ekblad, Matthews, Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Tavares, Stamkos, P Kane, Erik Johnson, Crosby, Ovechkin. How many of those guys would get $13 mil if in same place as McDavid (going RFA)? I say Crosby, but not any other. (those are 1st overall picks)

So being the best player in league in your second season is very rare and any team would pay for McDavid.
- Lilroot9

I think the offer sheet rule needs to be amended as well. Offering team should be severely penalized (remember Vanek BS) if they try and strangle out a small market team. I'm sure someone will put a ridiculous offer sheet on Conner

Wouldn't Edmonton going after Vanek be considered one small market going after another?

I thought the penalty of the next four first rounders is severe enough.

If anything I want them to drop it so MORE offer sheets are done, especially in a cap environment, the playing field is level.

i'm not expecting much, if any, movement
- Michael Pachla

Noticed you said about the same thing after I posted this. I couldn't agree more. This years trades are out of control and the ridiculous asks for washed up guys like Phaneuf
are just furthering my belief that we may be better off looking for an upgrade on offense and keep D as is. If we can pull off another Beaulieu type deal I am all for that.

I think the offer sheet rule needs to be amended as well. Offering team should be severely penalized (remember Vanek BS) if they try and strangle out a small market team. I'm sure someone will put a ridiculous offer sheet on Conner
- lulags

He has 1 more full year before you can. They wont get that far.

speaking of big strides:

Noticed you said about the same thing after I posted this. I couldn't agree more. This years trades are out of control and the ridiculous asks for washed up guys like Phaneuf
are just furthering my belief that we may be better off looking for an upgrade on offense and keep D as is. If we can pull off another Beaulieu type deal I am all for that.
- lulags

i'm not opposed to adding to the forward group...and after watching he buf/philly highlights from april, 2011, I might not be opposed to having vanek back...dude was a filthy passer to go along with his scoring

We are 30% for Kovalchuck on the chart.

Wouldn't Edmonton going after Vanek be considered one small market going after another?

I thought the penalty of the next four first rounders is severe enough.

If anything I want them to drop it so MORE offer sheets are done, especially in a cap environment, the playing field is level.
- gcomella34

Agree. Treat your players well and pay them. I mean 4 1st round picks is a pretty good price, I mean, none might be top 20 but that is the risk part. If you bottom out during that first round pick period, the other team might make out better than you!

He has 1 more full year before you can. They wont get that far.
- Lilroot9

Forgot about that. Makes sense with the urgency to get a deal done

Noticed you said about the same thing after I posted this. I couldn't agree more. This years trades are out of control and the ridiculous asks for washed up guys like Phaneuf
are just furthering my belief that we may be better off looking for an upgrade on offense and keep D as is. If we can pull off another Beaulieu type deal I am all for that.
- lulags

upgrade upfront and really hope housely can do some magic with a few of the young guys here

We are 30% for Kovalchuck on the chart.
- SABRES 89

thats Yuge

Certainly would firm up the top 6. Maybe NJ would even take Ennis in return.

Where's our new defenseman

i'm not opposed to adding to the forward group...and after watching he buf/philly highlights from april, 2011, I might not be opposed to having vanek back...dude was a filthy passer to go along with his scoring
- Michael Pachla

I think Vanek would have to be excited about the prospect of coming to this team. I would love to have him and I'm sure the price would be right on him.