The combined prediction of Hamilton signing a 7 or 8 year deal is near 90%. The point is he'll want a max length deal with whatever team he signs with.

He's also pretty damn good.
- kingcong39

I don't think he's reaching free agency.

I'm torn. He did a lot for this franchise. He also wasn't here for as long as I would've liked to consider retiring.
- RhinoFan

he didn't play long enough or do enough.. i would tell him thanks for your service but not retire his number... but what do i know

he didn't play long enough or do enough.. i would tell him thanks for your service but not retire his number... but what do i know
- SabresFaninIndiana

That's fair. Probably lean that way myself, have a Ryan Miller bobblehead night and call it a day.

I do think he was good enough that I wouldn't be mad if they did though.

I'm torn. He did a lot for this franchise. He also wasn't here for as long as I would've liked to consider retiring.
- RhinoFan

That's why I think the Luongo/Florida comparison is his best bet. They both played parts of 11 seasons with their teams. Neither won anything. I wouldn't retire his number but that's the case for it to be done.

Good on him if they decide to do it though. I really don't have strong feelings either way

I don't think he's reaching free agency.
- BINGO!

We have a Ristolainen on clearance if you're interested

he didn't play long enough or do enough.. i would tell him thanks for your service but not retire his number... but what do i know
- SabresFaninIndiana

He was here longer than both Pat LaFontaine and Danny Gare. If he doesn't get his number retired, longevity won't be the reason.

he didn't play long enough or do enough.. i would tell him thanks for your service but not retire his number... but what do i know
- SabresFaninIndiana

He played more games than Hasek.

Hasek obviously way better, and had a bigger impact though.

I dunno.

We have a Ristolainen on clearance if you're interested
- TheSabresTaco

ah haha

I don't think he's reaching free agency.
- BINGO!

They are both predicted to get big increases.

Do you think Carolina is ready to offer $72M for 8 years for Hamilton?

Lack of a cap increase is going to bite into what he can get, I think.

Still, yeah, he's due a big raise. That's a big part of why the Canes didn't add any money during the season and dumped Dzingel like they did. Clearing cap space for next season because they have to sign Hamilton AND Svechnikov.
- BINGO!

Agreed, which is why he's only predicted to get essentially the Pietrangelo deal, instead of more in terms of AAV.

Definitely deserves that much. The olympic mvp should be enough considering how few Americans get it.

That 06-07 season, he went 40-16-6 in 63 appearances...miraculous. Stacked team for sure, but he was so dominant.

Do you retire his number? Seems a little overboard, but have heard it tossed around.
- RhinoFan

Tough call. I wouldn't if I were the Sabres. Close but not close enough.

They are both predicted to get big increases.

Do you think Carolina is ready to offer $72M for 8 years for Hamilton?


- kingcong39

i don't think he's getting that, but even if he did, Canes have nearly 30 million in space for next season. they have the room to do it if that's what it ends up taking.

That's why I think the Luongo/Florida comparison is his best bet. They both played parts of 11 seasons with their teams. Neither won anything. I wouldn't retire his number but that's the case for it to be done.

Good on him if they decide to do it though. I really don't have strong feelings either way
- jcragcrumple

I can't really see him next to Dom in the rafters? That visual doesn't work for me

I don't think he's reaching free agency.
- BINGO!

8yr. $8m give or take 500k if he likes his situation in Carolina

Agreed, which is why he's only predicted to get essentially the Pietrangelo deal, instead of more in terms of AAV.
- kingcong39

Maybe a hot take but I think they're going to try and get him on a shorter term deal. Probably about 3 years for both Dougie and Svechnikov to walk them both right up to when the cap is projected to start increasing again.

8yr. $8m give or take 500k if he likes his situation in Carolina
- Michael Pachla

I'd be fine with it. We're talking a top ten (Maybe top 5?) guy at his position in the NHL. You don't let guys like that go just as your contending window opens.

I'd be fine with it. We're talking a top ten (Maybe top 5?) guy at his position in the NHL. You don't let guys like that go just as your contending window opens.
- BINGO!

He's 27 and at the top of his game. Time for term imo

I can't really see him next to Dom in the rafters? That visual doesn't work for me
- Michael Pachla

Tough act to follow

I can't really see him next to Dom in the rafters? That visual doesn't work for me
- Michael Pachla

Hasek and Hasek-lite... I see no wrong with it.

Maybe a hot take but I think they're going to try and get him on a shorter term deal. Probably about 3 years for both Dougie and Svechnikov to walk them both right up to when the cap is projected to start increasing again.
- BINGO!

Sorry but no way Hamilton takes 3 years. He'd be 31 and would likely get a very different offer in terms of money at that age. It's max term or nothing because several teams will do it.

Maybe a hot take but I think they're going to try and get him on a shorter term deal. Probably about 3 years for both Dougie and Svechnikov to walk them both right up to when the cap is projected to start increasing again.
- BINGO!

I'm thinking that for Reinhart and Sabres.

Between 3-5

Sorry but no way Hamilton takes 3 years. He'd be 31 and would likely get a very different offer in terms of money at that age. It's max term or nothing because several teams will do it.
- Carubba-Kaleta

I think you might see some UFA's take 2-3 year deal so they can cash out when the cap goes up significantly.

At 31 he can still sign another 5 year deal and get more AAV

Maybe a hot take but I think they're going to try and get him on a shorter term deal. Probably about 3 years for both Dougie and Svechnikov to walk them both right up to when the cap is projected to start increasing again.
- BINGO!

I agree with the poster who said no way Hamilton accepts a 3 year deal.

If his agent pushed him to sign a deal like that, he should fire his agent.

I think you might see some UFA's take 2-3 year deal so they can cash out when the cap goes up significantly.

At 31 he can still sign another 5 year deal and get more AAV
- Stripes77

I dont see anyone signing 31 year old dmen for 9 mil per but ok.

Eklund: Morris' Final ENTRY Before we Pick Our NEXT GREAT SABRES BLOGGER!
- Eklund

Holy S, Morris cited his references? Do you go with the professionalism of Morris or Lumber Hacks, the Encyclopedia of Sabres Nostalgia? Tough choice. Lumber Hacks has the best stories. He gets my vote.