Erhoff bought out?

[casdhf]

Anyone understand this? I certainly do not. They should be able to trade him for something

[JATMtheJATM]

I don't understand it either. Its not like teams wouldn't be interested in him. I don't get it at all, unless the tank for mcdavid is really the goal here.

[coastal]

How does the recapture thing work if we trade him?

[JATMtheJATM]

How does the recapture thing work if we trade him?

it does not transfer to the team that trades for him. any recapture penalty is the sabres alone. even if he was traded. thats what i found out. i used cap geeks recapture feature and found that out.

[coastal]

Thx but what do we recapture?

my guess is three to four years from now when were making a push for the cup... we don't need to some salary cap bs happening because of him.

so bite the bullet now as he's not really part of the Cup plans anyways.

[DetDannyWilliams]

"I had meetings with agents noon till 7 yesterday, so I think I’m doing what everyone else is doing," Murray said today. "It’s no different. It’s just talking in generalities, ‘Would you have interest in our client?’ We’ll find out on July 1."
Murray said he's talked with the agents for Steve Ott and Matt Moulson, who played for the Sabres this season before being traded.
"I have talked about them up to this point," the GM said. "I have talked to both of their agents."
While a return of either player is unclear, the Sabres need to hand out big contracts in order to get to the salary cap floor. The cap has not yet been established.
"I can’t imagine that each guy I talked to yesterday that all their clients want to come to Buffalo, but they’re doing their job," Murray said. "Where are we from team one to 30 on their list as far as wanting to make Buffalo a destination? I don’t know."

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2014/06/sabres-murray-talking-with-agents-about-free-agency-including-reps-for-ott-moulson.html?ref=bcr

[DetDannyWilliams]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000562010407/f92a65b60c39f7ef281385eb1474c16b_normal.jpegJohn Vogl @BuffNewsVogl (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl) · 1h (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/483265957247610880)

The Sabres have started the process of buying out Christian Ehrhoff, Tim Murray says. Ehrhoff has option of going through waivers

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000562010407/f92a65b60c39f7ef281385eb1474c16b_normal.jpegJohn Vogl @BuffNewsVogl (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl) · 1h (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/483266369879027712)

Tim Murray believes the Ehrhoff camp will decline the waiver option, which would enable the Sabres to buy him out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000562010407/f92a65b60c39f7ef281385eb1474c16b_normal.jpegJohn Vogl @BuffNewsVogl (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl) · 1h (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/483266496156950528)

Murray will not put Ehrhoff on waivers. So the ball is in Ehrhoff's court.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000562010407/f92a65b60c39f7ef281385eb1474c16b_normal.jpegJohn Vogl @BuffNewsVogl (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl) · 1h (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/483266782275588096)

Tim Murray says he has contemplated buying Ehrhoff out from the moment the Sabres hired the GM. Ehrhoff's contract is a major factor.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000562010407/f92a65b60c39f7ef281385eb1474c16b_normal.jpegJohn Vogl @BuffNewsVogl (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl) · 1h (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/483267040942501888)

But frankly, Tim Murray says, Christian Ehrhoff's desire to not be part of the Sabres and defenseman's inability to improve team are huge.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000562010407/f92a65b60c39f7ef281385eb1474c16b_normal.jpegJohn Vogl @BuffNewsVogl (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl) · 1h (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/483267220454531072)

Sabres GM Tim Murray says he's made it clear that if someone doesn't want to be in Buffalo, he'll get them out. So bye, Christian Ehrhoff.




https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000562010407/f92a65b60c39f7ef281385eb1474c16b_bigger.jpegJohn Vogl‏<s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(177, 187, 195); ">@</s>BuffNewsVogl (https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl)

Christian Ehrhoff's contract combined with the cap recapture rules that would hurt Sabres if he retired early made him untradeable

[DetDannyWilliams]

It's official Ehrhoff is now an UFA!

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/3718938150/f718a05628dfbc376042877c10f7f0cd_normal.jpegBob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie (https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie) · 53m (https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/483275025194033153)

BUF's buyout of defenceman Christian Ehrhoff has been finalized. He's UFA.

[coastal]

It's a clean slate now.

[Downinfloflo]

Seen that coming...

[casdhf]

So what does our back 6 look like?

[DetDannyWilliams]

So what does our back 6 look like?

Weber Myers
McCabe Pysk
Ristolainen Zadorov

[coastal]

Leave Pysck, Zad and Risto down another year.

can they all play in Rochester next year?

[casdhf]

I agree. We can use sultzer. Do we have another pair?

[casdhf]

Tallinder and McBain

[SkateZilla]

who do we have left that's NHL Ready?

Hodgson and Myers? lol

[SkateZilla]

further more, wasnt he supposed to be one of the rebuild core guys with a 10 year contract?

I guess he wanted out and Murray said ok, bye.

[JATMtheJATM]

Thx but what do we recapture?

my guess is three to four years from now when were making a push for the cup... we don't need to some salary cap bs happening because of him.

so bite the bullet now as he's not really part of the Cup plans anyways.

Capgeek has all info on penalties. I'll look at it later. Its not huge.

[Ginger Vitis]

Leave Pysck, Zad and Risto down another year.

can they all play in Rochester next year?

Zadorov is not eligible for the AHL.. He would have to go back to Juniors

[DetDannyWilliams]

I agree. We can use sultzer. Do we have another pair?

Sulzer is UFA (don't think he's coming back)

[Downinfloflo]

Capgeek has all info on penalties. I'll look at it later. Its not huge.

LMAO.....Sabres could have had a cap hit of $10m for a guy who's not even on the team.

Just in time for the Sabres to have to resign some of their 1st rounders.

You are correct, it's not huge.....It was a ****ing disaster waiting to happen...

Erhoff wanted out of Buffalo, It works for both sides.

[DetDannyWilliams]

Tallinder and McBain

Tally is also UFA (he won't be back) and McBain is RFA (also heard that he won't be back)

[SpikedLemonade]

AND rumours of Myers being on the trade block.

You wonder why the NHL changed the draft lottery rules for next year...the Sabres are openly tanking and making a mockery of it.

[SkateZilla]

looks more like Murray is re-building the team completely from up coming talent and draft picks, he doesnt want anything ruff or darcy has tainted.

if anyone else is to go, it should be stafford. but we just used our 2nd buy out... so...

[DetDannyWilliams]

who do we have left that's NHL Ready?

Hodgson and Myers? lol

Stafford and they are in contract talks with Ennis and Foligno http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/224317-Sabres-start-contract-negotiations-with-Ennis-and-Foligno?p=3958879&viewfull=1#post3958879

[Ginger Vitis]

AND rumours of Myers being on the trade block.

You wonder why the NHL changed the draft lottery rules for next year...the Sabres are openly tanking and making a mockery of it.

Given you have wailed on this site for many years that the Bills should just suck so bad for a year or 2 so they can get a No.1 pick and you're completely frustrated with the Bills endlessly picking between 8 and 12 you complaining about what the Sabres are doing is hypocritical and hilarious at the same time

[SpikedLemonade]

Given you have wailed on this site for many years that the Bills should just suck so bad for a year or 2 so they can get a No.1 pick and you're completely frustrated with the Bills endlessly picking between 8 and 12 you complaining about what the Sabres are doing is hypocritical and hilarious at the same time

One year is fine.

How many years do the Sabres intend to be the doormat of the league?

[Ginger Vitis]

Chad Ruhwedel will have to be a guy who gets regular minutes.. And Tim Murray should keep giving the FU to the NHL by having Ruhwedel play 20-25 minutes a game and have John Scott play about 15 minutes a game

- - - Updated - - -


One year is fine.

How many years do the Sabres intend to be the doormat of the league?

One more year LMAO

[SpikedLemonade]

Chad Ruhwedel will have to be a guy who gets regular minutes.. And Tim Murray should keep giving the FU to the NHL by having Ruhwedel play 20-25 minutes a game and have John Scott play about 15 minutes a game

Bettman was an idiot for keeping the team in Buffalo when they went bankrupt.

[DetDannyWilliams]

Murray says that he has a list of players that he has given to ex assistant coach Joe Sacco who was re-assigned to scout.

One of the released assistants, Joe Sacco, has accepted his reassignment to pro scout with the Sabres.
"He’s been in the building the last, I would say, four days getting to understand our scouting program," Murray said. "He’s been on the computer, reading reports. I’ve given him our free agent list for July 1 even though he didn’t scout last year. I think as an assistant coach and a head coach the last few years, he has some insight on some players on that list. He’s excited and ready to go."
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2014/06/sabres-nolan-murray-continuing-search-for-assistant-coaches-sacco-accepts-reassignment-as-pro-scout.html?sp-tk=9F3C0F358DAA5EED18BFAE9B9AF77CBB5B7E24DA4D9141C9B7CBE164DBBD1E6EF27A01814B5B360A11F9EA55648E46DE5CB7CDC8733E51AF526101D147C3D0B377C076B3D76B0B6C383513A68A4EDE9478ED87D266DD80B8DD3D194E74CB8E70375D3A2421CFABD89B4B1B2AE8E74CD958F30275F214B8437BAFD1B3653232DD5F439322599FA92921D11E7D7AE940B8C0ED1526

[ckg927]

Leave Pysck, Zad and Risto down another year.

can they all play in Rochester next year?

Pysyk could, as he has less than 260 games of pro experience(he would be classified as a development player). So could Risto(he has 68 games total). Zadorov cannot; he'd either have to start the season in London(presuming he's one of the team's 3 overage players)or in Buffalo.

[ckg927]

One year is fine.

How many years do the Sabres intend to be the doormat of the league?

As long as it takes to build a team that we can be proud of.

Hell, it worked for Chicago and Pittsburgh, didn't it? Same with Los Angeles.

[ckg927]

Bettman was an idiot for keeping the team in Buffalo when they went bankrupt.

No. He wasn't. I have no love lost for Bettman on quite a few issues, but he was smart to keep the team here.

By your way of thinking, he's just as dumb for keeping Phoenix...sorry, Arizona...afloat while they got their financial house in order.

[SpikedLemonade]

No. He wasn't. I have no love lost for Bettman on quite a few issues, but he was smart to keep the team here.

By your way of thinking, he's just as dumb for keeping Phoenix...sorry, Arizona...afloat while they got their financial house in order.

That's right.

[tampabay25690]

So what does our back 6 look like?

YOUNG YOUNG YOUNG

[tampabay25690]

After I saw this earlier I put a call in to my guy.......
1 thing about Free Agents looking at BUFFALO they are all afraid of a fire sale again.
If we get some guys they will probably have NO TRADE clause just because of what happened last year...
Most players in the NHL know that Buffalo is in a HUGE rebuild but the future looking very good.

Still trying to get the whole scoop on EHROFF.

[coastal]

What scoop is there to get?

he didn't want to be a part of an intentional tank and was untradeable.

nothing more to it.

[SkateZilla]

Chad Ruhwedel will have to be a guy who gets regular minutes.. And Tim Murray should keep giving the FU to the NHL by having Ruhwedel play 20-25 minutes a game and have John Scott play about 15 minutes a game

- - - Updated - - -



One more year LMAO

John Scott is gone,

[SkateZilla]

After I saw this earlier I put a call in to my guy.......
1 thing about Free Agents looking at BUFFALO they are all afraid of a fire sale again.
If we get some guys they will probably have NO TRADE clause just because of what happened last year...
Most players in the NHL know that Buffalo is in a HUGE rebuild but the future looking very good.

Still trying to get the whole scoop on EHROFF.

I heard he didnt want to be hear so Murray sent him packin'.

it is odd that players that were content with losing are still here, and the ones that publicly said they didnt want to lose during interviews have been traded away etc.

Miller
Vanek
Ott
Erhoff

I can go on and on.

[JATMtheJATM]

Zad is not Ahl eligible

[coastal]

Zad is not Ahl eligible
Would u play those 3 next year?

[JATMtheJATM]

LMAO.....Sabres could have had a cap hit of $10m for a guy who's not even on the team.

Just in time for the Sabres to have to resign some of their 1st rounders.

You are correct, it's not huge.....It was a ****ing disaster waiting to happen...

Erhoff wanted out of Buffalo, It works for both sides.http://capgeek.com/recapture-grid or 3 million.

[JATMtheJATM]

Would u play those 3 next year?

I'd leave zad in the OHL one more year. Play McCabe, pysyk, ruh, myers, weber and sign a vet. Let risto start in the Ahl.

[SpikedLemonade]

I heard he didnt want to be hear so Murray sent him packin'.

it is odd that players that were content with losing are still here, and the ones that publicly said they didnt want to lose during interviews have been traded away etc.

Miller
Vanek
Ott
Erhoff

I can go on and on.

Disgraceful.

[ckg927]

I'd leave zad in the OHL one more year. Play McCabe, pysyk, ruh, myers, weber and sign a vet. Let risto start in the Ahl.

Agree on Zadorov; however, I'm not sure if The Big Show would be eligible for OA status. (I think he's 19, which means he could play 1 more season before getting to OA.) Risto still needs some seasoning in the AHL.

- - - Updated - - -


Disgraceful.

Basically, that sums up most of your posts on here.

[SpikedLemonade]

Basically, that sums up most of your posts on here.

Takes a special kind of loser to root for his team to lose for not one season but three or more.

[Downinfloflo]

http://capgeek.com/recapture-grid or 3 million.

Wonder why you left out the $5m and $10m dollar cap hits?

[JATMtheJATM]

Wonder why you left out the $5m and $10m dollar cap hits?
Not intentionally. I didn't see that. When you are wrong, you are wrong. I was wrong.

[ckg927]

Takes a special kind of loser to root for his team to lose for not one season but three or more.

And it takes a special kind of honk to drool all over a team that isn't even in the area while running smack on another team's fans, all to show he's smarter than others.

Isn't that right, CHOWD?

[OpIv37]

I really hope the "break it down" and "add young talent" phases of the rebuilding process can overlap, because it's scary to think we're still in the "break it down" phase after two horrendous seasons and the fire sale(s).

Also, we're stuck with Stafford for another year. ****.

[doug45]

They must have found out they still had a veteran on the team and got scared. No one to teach the new kids!!! Good one Murrey! oK what team is paying you to ruin the Sabers

[JATMtheJATM]

I really hope the "break it down" and "add young talent" phases of the rebuilding process can overlap, because it's scary to think we're still in the "break it down" phase after two horrendous seasons and the fire sale(s).

Also, we're stuck with Stafford for another year. ****.

theyll add pieces. as far as two horrendous seasons, i have to remind you, the sabres went on a tear in the lockout shortened season and actually had some games that had playoff implications. they finished at .500. while not a raging success, it wasnt as bad as many seem to think.

as far as pieces i hope to see them add, legwand is at the top of my list. i like his game.

[snow1989]

Everybody wants change, but no-one wants to pay for it......well duh! Cry about Leino, cry about Erhoff, cried about getting something for Miller, crying about getting 1st pick in 2015 draft ....cried the whole time because Darcy's "core" wasn't good enough....now the crying about getting younger. Murray has pulled the trigger and keeps reloading the gun and jettisoning all the baggage. I say GOOD! We're not going far next year...we all know it....so let the kids play, get the experience and if they can compete, then let them gel and in a year or two we may be legit playoff contenders.

We're going to have a whole lot of trouble getting any significant veteran to sign unless we throw ludicrous money at them....just plain fact... but a group of hungry, hardworking kids might just change that in the future...

I say...turn the kids loose....

[DetDannyWilliams]

They must have found out they still had a veteran on the team and got scared. No one to teach the new kids!!! Good one Murrey! oK what team is paying you to ruin the Sabers

UFA starts July 1st!!! this might be the busiest offseason the Sabres ever had! Murray says that there is a list and he says that he had talked to many players agents at the draft.

[JATMtheJATM]

Everybody wants change, but no-one wants to pay for it......well duh! Cry about Leino, cry about Erhoff, cried about getting something for Miller, crying about getting 1st pick in 2015 draft ....cried the whole time because Darcy's "core" wasn't good enough....now the crying about getting younger. Murray has pulled the trigger and keeps reloading the gun and jettisoning all the baggage. I say GOOD! We're not going far next year...we all know it....so let the kids play, get the experience and if they can compete, then let them gel and in a year or two we may be legit playoff contenders.

We're going to have a whole lot of trouble getting any significant veteran to sign unless we throw ludicrous money at them....just plain fact... but a group of hungry, hardworking kids might just change that in the future...

I say...turn the kids loose....

exactly. this is the painful, but necessary part of the rebuild. it sucks, for now. but the rewards of the future will erase these seasons soon enough.

[Mace]

It feels painful but makes sense, and gets familiar if you watch NFL football. Price, age, penalty, concept. A 34 year old Ehrhoff plugs in about as well on the Sabres in a couple years as a 51 year old Bruce Smith fits on the current Bills, and Ehrhoff is not gonna play out a last couple years for a simple million a pop at 36.

Was a win now contract, we didn't, let him go.

Don't have the vaguest clue how they're gonna get to the floor of the cap though. Sort of gives Ehroff a break not to be a part of it. Will be a hoot seeing who they overpay for not much. Doesn't matter, it's how "down the road" works now in sports. Yeah I might die too before we win a crap, but so it goes.

It's a jolt, but makes sense even if it tastes bad.

[GreedoII]

I trust what Murray is doing more than any person so I think it's a beautiful thing. Get rid of these bums and bring in your guys. Hopefully that turd Regier did them a favor with Zadorov/Risto/Girgy.

[trapezeus]

One year is fine.

How many years do the Sabres intend to be the doormat of the league?
the thing is if they get this rebuild right and the deep roster in rochester develops. they'll be the 2007 team but with size, skill and durability that that young class of pominville, vanek, roy, etc couldn't sustain.

if the nhl was consistent with its post lockout 2005 rules, then maybe those guys could have put together a good 3-7 years of dominance. but they weren't that skilled to begin with. they simply arbitraged the system.

the way murray seems to be building the team, he wants legit superstars developing with sizable player filling in the back lines. and like i said, if they get this right, they will have depth and talent to keep the team playoff relevant for 3-5 years with possibly a cup run in there.

who wouldn't take that. and it's not like they are starting from very scratch. they already are a year in with good players in the pipeline. and they have a coach who isn't on his way out. he's a guy who works well with young players.

[The Jokeman]

I agree. We can use sultzer. Do we have another pair?

He signed a five year deal to play in Germany on May 1st, http://www.diebytheblade.com/2014/5/1/5672168/alexander-sulzer-signs-five-year-deal-in-germany

[JATMtheJATM]

the thing is if they get this rebuild right and the deep roster in rochester develops. they'll be the 2007 team but with size, skill and durability that that young class of pominville, vanek, roy, etc couldn't sustain.

if the nhl was consistent with its post lockout 2005 rules, then maybe those guys could have put together a good 3-7 years of dominance. but they weren't that skilled to begin with. they simply arbitraged the system.

the way murray seems to be building the team, he wants legit superstars developing with sizable player filling in the back lines. and like i said, if they get this right, they will have depth and talent to keep the team playoff relevant for 3-5 years with possibly a cup run in there.

who wouldn't take that. and it's not like they are starting from very scratch. they already are a year in with good players in the pipeline. and they have a coach who isn't on his way out. he's a guy who works well with young players.

while i agree with this, i think the sabres door will be open for much longer then 3 to 5 years.

[The King]

I completely disagree with the way the Sabres are rebuilding. It's going to be at least 5 or 6 seasons until this team wins a playoff series.

[JATMtheJATM]

I completely disagree with the way the Sabres are rebuilding. It's going to be at least 5 or 6 seasons until this team wins a playoff series.

how so? they are building a well rounded team, stacked with defensive potential, and now a potential franchise forward in reinhart. and 3 firsts in a stacked draft next year. im unsure how some people cant see that sabres are treading in the right direction, and probably more quickly then they realize.

[coastal]

I completely disagree with the way the Sabres are rebuilding. It's going to be at least 5 or 6 seasons until this team wins a playoff series.
Pat Lafontaine called.. he wants his job back.

[The King]

how so? they are building a well rounded team, stacked with defensive potential, and now a potential franchise forward in reinhart. and 3 firsts in a stacked draft next year. im unsure how some people cant see that sabres are treading in the right direction, and probably more quickly then they realize.

Because potential doesn't equal wins. Do you know how many guys the Bruins have had in Providence with "potential"? You can't dump an entire roster and pray on potential. You keep Erhoff for another season and if his potential replacement shows he can play you buy him out then. The Sabres have created a ton of holes and they're left with nothing but unknowns.

If they hit on all cylinders great, but let's be honest there are going to be busts, there is also going to be a massive learning curve. The Sabres are going to have to overpay for Free Agents as well. Yes the Erhoff contract was bad, but you can't just cut guys without replacements.

By cutting Erhoff you're saying the Sabres have six defensemen better than him. And we all know that's not the case.

[chernobylwraiths]

I heard yesterday that Erhoff wanted out. That's strike one. I heard that people in the Sabres organization were saying that Erhoff cruised through much of last year, that would be strike two if true. Lastly, Murray said that one of Nolan's stipulations on signing the contract last year was that if anyone didn't want to be here, he didn't want them on the team. Now Erhoff is gone, and I don't think it is that big of a loss.

Myers started playing well down the stretch, Risto came back and was much better than earlier in the season, he should stay up. McBane was not offered a qualifying offer, that is another plus.

Offensively, we are attrocious without much chance to get better soon.

We DO need some vets in here that will help teach the youngsters, but they have to want to be here, and not just for the money. Ott comes to my mind as someone who shows leadership skills, maybe tone down the boneheaded stuff a little.

[JATMtheJATM]

Because potential doesn't equal wins. Do you know how many guys the Bruins have had in Providence with "potential"? You can't dump an entire roster and pray on potential. You keep Erhoff for another season and if his potential replacement shows he can play you buy him out then. The Sabres have created a ton of holes and they're left with nothing but unknowns.

If they hit on all cylinders great, but let's be honest there are going to be busts, there is also going to be a massive learning curve. The Sabres are going to have to overpay for Free Agents as well. Yes the Erhoff contract was bad, but you can't just cut guys without replacements.

By cutting Erhoff you're saying the Sabres have six defensemen better than him. And we all know that's not the case.

no, they cut ehrhoff because this was their last chance to buy him out and avoid a severe recapture penalty if he was traded. i think they could have kept him and had they done so, the recapture wouldnt have been as severe, but he was treading downward and this was their chance to rid themselves of his contract.

[trapezeus]

jatmthejatm, i was saying 3-5 to be conservative. i honestly think it could be a 10 year run with FA pieces added at times when rookie contracts expire to keep it moving. To me that is consistent with pegula's day one desire. i also forgive him on letting lindy/reiger run their course. as an owner, he must have seen some challenges like money and talent holding those guys back and wanted to see what they could do if they had no shackles. they failed, and he moved on.

The King, the difference is that the sabres pipeline isn't a bunch of 4th round picks showing their chops. they are high draft picks with high ceilings. it's true that they can't all pan out, but they can't all fail. and next year's draft really is going to be the haul if they get dealt the right hand. a top 2 pick, maybe the isle fall apart and are a top 5 pick, they could have a scary top line like crosby malkin or towes kane. And then they'll have money for free agents. in 2 years they should be a 8th seed to 5th seed team.

[The King]

I just keep thinking about the Oilers, they've had a top pick for like 3 consecutive years and haven't gotten any better.

They have had a top 10 pick every year since 2009 (6 in total). And 3 #1 overall picks.

The 2009 Oilers were 27-47-8
The 2014 Oilers were 29-44-9

It's nothing against the Sabres I root for them, it's just not a strategy you can bank on.

[JATMtheJATM]

I just keep thinking about the Oilers, they've had a top pick for like 3 consecutive years and haven't gotten any better.

They have had a top 10 pick every year since 2009. And 3 #1 picks.

The 2009 Oilers were 27-47-8
The 2014 Oilers were 29-44-9

It's nothing against the Sabres I root for them, it's just not a strategy you can bank on.

the oilers are an exception. plenty of teams of succeeded using the same plan. but its possible for that to happen.

[JATMtheJATM]

I just keep thinking about the Oilers, they've had a top pick for like 3 consecutive years and haven't gotten any better.

They have had a top 10 pick every year since 2009 (6 in total). And 3 #1 overall picks.

The 2009 Oilers were 27-47-8
The 2014 Oilers were 29-44-9

It's nothing against the Sabres I root for them, it's just not a strategy you can bank on.

the one thing though, is the oilers didnt really load up their D. they overloaded on forwards. most have had a good amount of success in the NHL, but they havent added those secondary pieces to help. and their defense is horrible, and they arent really addressing their goaltending. thats why i think the sabres will have better success. they are rebuilding at both ends, with good forwards and good defense. now, if we can only get a young blue chip goaltender to build around from the back end.....

[The King]

the oilers are an exception. plenty of teams of succeeded using the same plan. but its possible for that to happen.

It's not an exception is a pretty realistic scenario, it's why most GM's will hold onto mid-tier vets until they have young talent ready for the NHL.

Here's another stat for you. In the 2010 draft (which gives us 4 seasons of stats).

Only 13 players have played more than 100 games in the NHL. Thats out of 294 games they were eligible for.
Only 4 of them have played in 200+ games.

It takes time to contribute in the NHL.

[The King]

I'm not going to keep this dragging on… but you get my point. What the Sabres are doing is risky.

[JATMtheJATM]

It's not an exception is a pretty realistic scenario, it's why most GM's will hold onto mid-tier vets until they have young talent ready for the NHL.

Here's another stat for you. In the 2010 draft (which gives us 4 seasons of stats).

Only 13 players have played more than 100 games in the NHL. Thats out of 294 games they were eligible for.
Only 4 of them have played in 200+ games.

It takes time to contribute in the NHL.

of course it takes time. most firsts and beyond dont make the leap right away. its why zad, who is considered a top tier prospect, was sent back to the OHL last year. its why grigo should be making his professional debut this october in rochester. ect.

but i think 5 or 6 years is a little excessive. i expect them to compete in 3 years. maybe expect is the wrong word. i think they can, should everything go to plan.

[The King]

Can the fan base tolerate 3 more years of losing though? That's the other factor. If it does take longer than you expect will the GM be allowed to see their plan through?

[JATMtheJATM]

Can the fan base tolerate 3 more years of losing though? That's the other factor. If it does take longer than you expect will the GM be allowed to see their plan through?

thats a bridge we will have to cross if we come to it. i dont wanna assume too much.

[JATMtheJATM]

I'm not going to keep this dragging on… but you get my point. What the Sabres are doing is risky.

oh i get your point. we are both on opposite ends of the spectrum here. what you are saying is possible, i acknowledge there is a risk. i happen to believe the reward will come in a few years. they will be long years, but i think in three seasons, the sabres will be out of the woods and will be playing meaningful games down the stretch.

[SkateZilla]

Erhoff wanted out, He signed for 10 years thinking the team was committed to winning starting then, then the walls collapsed and a new "Rebuild" started.

He wasnt that good to begin with, everyone can rack up points passing to the Sedin Twins.

My issue is we are at $20 Million-ish just to get to the cap floor.... (give or take whatever the penalties and crap are.)

$9.016 Mill on the D,
that's with 4 Defensemen + 1 RFA Dman to resign leaving 1 spot open+a 7th to keep on call.

Tallinder Sulzer and McBain are going bye bye as well as UFA's

Myers will get creamed playing 1st Pair Minutes all season, and people will cry for him to be gone, just like last season. Leave him on line 2, sign someone to play top pair.

Weber, meh, has his stretches,

Ruhwedel, Ristolainen and McCabe, arent ready for Full time NHL. (with Ristolainen being the best of the bunch, and prolly able to do the 7th man job fine for stretches, but he's not 82 game ready)
Zadorov and Pysk are prolly top runners from the Prospects Pool.


As for Forwards, We dont even have 3 full lines, let alone 4.
So, Murray is gonna have to hand out 2 yr contracts at like 6+ Mill each to fill in the roster and hit the cap floor until the prospects develop enough.

Who the eff in that price range is gonna want to waste 2 years here? knowing the sabres are likely planning to tank for McDavid.

Compete for a Championship or spend 2 years Bullshi-ing and collecting a paycheck... and have your reputation go into the toilet so it's hard to get a contract after wards.

if Neuvirth couldnt handle the Caps defense, how well do you think he's gonna play behind a bunch of AHL Kids.

[casdhf]

We aren't going to pay men their worth. We are going to over pay for washed up players. Regher would be a good pickup

[trapezeus]

interesting points, skatezilla, regarding myers.

on one hand the team doesn't want to win next year, so they shouldn't get any additionaly help to finish in 10-8th place next year. but on the other you can't crush myer's trade value and/or confidence by subjecting him to an unwinnable battle.

However, these kind of battles can show you what someone is made of. Do they rise to the challenge or whimper away? if he comes through, that could be the development of him returning to his rookie season glamour and have the confidence that he belongs.

if not, we are fresh out of compliance buyouts. :-) in seriousness, if he can't be a real dependable vet on this super young team, that's it for him and its still a hefty contract to pay.

[don137]

I'm not going to keep this dragging on… but you get my point. What the Sabres are doing is risky.
Without drastic measures where were they going? The vast majority of fans understand what they are doing. With so many first and second rounders over the last couple of seasons and most likely a top two pick their is reason for optimism. No one expects them to hit on every pick either. The defensive pieces are there. Reinhart and Eichel or McDavid next year is two centers any team would want.

[Night Train]

The difference is, no false hope.

Everyone knows they are building from the bottom and it will take time. Murray is doing the best he can do now, which is establishing the right culture.

Erhoff had talent but was gutless. There was a Blues game where the Sabres were down 1 with several seconds left and Erhoff gained the puck at center ice, only to skate backwards to kill time and not even attempt to move forward and fire the puck.

I'm sure that film impressed Murray. :down:

[SkateZilla]

shoot we got what, 3 1st round picks next summer?

[doug45]

exactly. this is the painful, but necessary part of the rebuild. it sucks,

To rebuild you have to have something to BUILD on! With NO foundation(Veterans) nothing holds up! The Bills have been rebuilding for 13 years now!! Rebuilding is what the front office says when they can't make it work and just want to collect a big paycheck.

[doug45]

shoot we got what, 3 1st round picks next summer?

In the NHL draft picks are the same as lottery tickets and 99% of them are no good! For every 100 picks 1 or 2 work out.

[doug45]

The difference is, no false hope.

Murray is doing the best he can do now

That is the scary part!

[doug45]

of course it takes time. most firsts and beyond dont make the leap right away.

but i think 5 or 6 years is a little excessive. i expect them to compete in 3 years. maybe expect is the wrong word. i think they can, should everything go to plan.

Draft picks even good ones do take time and that is why you can afford one or two on the team...But not the entire team. And who are they going to learn from? That is why it will take 7 or 8 years to compete.

[JATMtheJATM]

Draft picks even good ones do take time and that is why you can afford one or two on the team...But not the entire team. And who are they going to learn from? That is why it will take 7 or 8 years to compete.

the vets they are bringing in? leadership can be found from trade and free agency.

besides, how are they going to learn from someone who doesnt want to be there? thats not the kinda guy i want around.

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In the NHL draft picks are the same as lottery tickets and 99% of them are no good! For every 100 picks 1 or 2 work out.

yeah, no. im not sure you have a clue what you are talking about.

[Dude]

This isn't baseball.

[doug45]

the vets they are bringing in? leadership can be found from trade and free agency.

besides, how are they going to learn from someone who doesnt want to be there? thats not the kinda guy i want around.

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yeah, no. im not sure you have a clue what you are talking about.

We will see!!!

[JATMtheJATM]

We will see!!!

They just got leadership. Problem solved.

[SkateZilla]

shoot, I need to stop doubting Murray's moves....

[Ingtar33]

looks like we're gearing up for another bottom 5 season. that said, this is the year you want to suck, and i like the moves Murry is making elsewhere. They probably don't make the team better today, but they're the type of moves you need to make to make the team better tomorrow, when you have some talent. Clearly setting the stage for when we get some top end talent in here.

[JATMtheJATM]

The thing is the Sabres got youth in trades this deadline as well, like carrier and fasching. Those guys are often overlooked.