Wow, the USA just blew a huge lead incuding a match point and lost to the Russians in volleyball. #choke
- joevthree

Also, USA-Serbia in Water Polo is equivalent to Bears-Packers or Flyers-Penguins.

Thank you, Doc Emrick.

Also, USA-Serbia in Water Polo is equivalent to Bears-Packers or Flyers-Penguins.

Thank you, Doc Emrick.
- buffalofan19

I can't stand Doc Emrick. Pompous know-it-all.

The Isles or Sabers (maybe detroit because of all their cap space). might have offered a giant contract to Doan but Doan probably wants a contender if he leaves. In vancouver he would be a piece of the puzzle adding vetern leadership to the roo
and is a 3 hour drive from Kamloops (30 minute plain ride). I truly think Doan ends up with a contract 3-4 years in length at around 5.1 million a season.

The Isles or Sabers (maybe detroit because of all their cap space). might have offered a giant contract to Doan but Doan probably wants a contender if he leaves. In vancouver he would be a piece of the puzzle adding vetern leadership to the roo
and is a 3 hour drive from Kamloops (30 minute plain ride). I truly think Doan ends up with a contract 3-4 years in length at around 5.1 million a season.
- Sirfunkyton

Buffalo isn't that far off from being a contender. I hate to sound like an excuse-making homer but many of Buffalo's shortcomings had to do with way-more-than-normal injury issues. It could be Vancouver that ends up getting him, but if he doesn't choose Buffalo, it will have more to do with the fact that he doesn't want to go to the East more than it does that Buffalo is not a contender. Buffalo isn't anywhere near the Islanders in that regard.

The go to is Famous Grouse.
- nfph

Noted.

Buffalo isn't that far off from being a contender. I hate to sound like an excuse-making homer but many of Buffalo's shortcomings had to do with way-more-than-normal injury issues. It could be Vancouver that ends up getting him, but if he doesn't choose Buffalo, it will have more to do with the fact that he doesn't want to go to the East more than it does that Buffalo is not a contender. Buffalo isn't anywhere near the Islanders in that regard.
- buffalofan19

If nothing else the Sabres will have regained thier underdog status. Seeing as how they didn't get any big names in free agency this year and missed playoffs last year. The Sabres play so much better as the thorn in the side underdog than they do the favorite.

The Joe Thornton trade talk needs to stop.
If anyone could give a reason that SJ would want to trade Thornton or why Thornton would want to leave SJ, I'd love to hear it.
For SJ, Thornton is the face of the franchise, their top line center, most points on the team, most takeaways and he's their captain. I have a hard time believing that they would lose that unless the return is huge.
For Thornton, he lives in SJ, his brother (who is his agent) also lives in SJ, he has a family there, the weather is awesome and the Sharks are HUGE in SJ. He also has a no trade clause folks so good luck getting him to waive that.

As for Doan, I wouldn't give him anything more than $5 million a season.
- Hasek2theSharks

How about Pavelski? What kind of return would you expect if they traded him?

GARTH: Report: Doan To Sharks?
- garth

Buffalo isn't that far off from being a contender. I hate to sound like an excuse-making homer but many of Buffalo's shortcomings had to do with way-more-than-normal injury issues. It could be Vancouver that ends up getting him, but if he doesn't choose Buffalo, it will have more to do with the fact that he doesn't want to go to the East more than it does that Buffalo is not a contender. Buffalo isn't anywhere near the Islanders in that regard.
- buffalofan19

Although I agree that the injuries were an issue last year and contributed to our demise, I must take issue with the fact that that you could know how the season would have gone, had no injuries occurred. There is no way of knowing this with any degree of certainty, whatever your feelings are about it. To say that with no injuries we would have been a legitimate contender, or that the injuries were the only shortcoming is fallacious.

Many could argue that team toughness, leadership, coaching styles/systems, team chemistry or the way the team was built, had more to do with our circumstances than injuries. Every team has injuries, and the Sabres didn't even lead the league in man games lost, in fact many teams with more man games lost were true contenders. There is a list here; http://www.sabresinseven....the-nhl-2011-2012-season/
It has been updated since the end of the season, so do not be confused by the original publish date.

You can see that Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Philly, Oilers, Wild, CBJ, Canadiens, and the Flames all lost more man games to injuries than Buffalo. And some of these teams were high seeds for the playoffs and did contend.

I admire anyone who sticks up for their team and its players. So I am a fan of you buffalofan19. But I fear that you do sound like an "excuse-making homer". And it is likely that Doan does not see this organization as being as close to winning a cup as the other clubs with whom we are competing.

Why would doan and his agent take a $2- $2.5 million haircut just to play for the Sharks.


Totes brah. Kegger!

How about Pavelski? What kind of return would you expect if they traded him?
- ZootAllures

Miller, Ennis and Meyers would do...maybe. Not ever going to happen, Just like Jumbo Joe isn't going anywhere. Garth needs to stop this rumor because it simply is not true and never will be

My thoughts on Doan are that he is likely to go to the Rangers. They have a lot of cap space, have a track record of overpaying FA's, and lead the East in points last year. They have since added an All-Star to the roster. They have a coach that has won a cup, and they were the first team that Doan visited.

Many people believe that it was Buffalo that offered Doan the 4 years 30 M. I have my doubts about that, I have always thought it was the NYR.

Miller, Ennis and Meyers would do...maybe. Not ever going to happen, Just like Jumbo Joe isn't going anywhere. Garth needs to stop this rumor because it simply is not true and never will be
- svolheim

Cool story bro......add Niemi and Clowe or Vlasic to Pavelski then we might be able to talk about Miller, Ennis and Myers.

Miller, Ennis and Meyers would do...maybe. Not ever going to happen, Just like Jumbo Joe isn't going anywhere. Garth needs to stop this rumor because it simply is not true and never will be
- svolheim

Pavelski's career high is 66 points, which is pretty mediocre. You need to fall out of love with your own players bud.

For what its worth, TSN guys are saying that Buffalo put out the huge contract for Doan and told him that they respect his feelings for wanting to stay in Phoenix. They were clear that they will be patient and will wait to the very end for his decision, with the hope that he checks in with Buffalo last before he makes his final decision.
Realisticaly, there really is not anyone else that can provide Doan the kind of cash up front that he would need, and by doing so Buffalo eliminates a competitor or sets up another dance partner for themselves, whether it is SJ or Vancouver.

Thronton is not likely to be traded, unless Buffalo sends back some significant inexpensive ready to play assets. SJ is not going to bring in Doan and then get rid of someone like Thronton. More likely it is Havlat, or Boyle or Marleau or even Pavelski and to a lesser extent perhaps even Clowe, if they don't think he is going to re-sign in SJ.

Clowe and conditional pick (if he does not re-sign in Buffalo) for McCormick and Adam.....if Doan signs in SJ.....that would be my move.

Then try and get an older center like Arnot/Moore or trade for Cullen or Brodziak and see where this gets you.

Pavelski's career high is 66 points, which is pretty mediocre. You need to fall out of love with your own players bud.
- nfph

i wouldnt say 66pts mediocre but for all the hype you hear about him (pav) you would think/expect more

but the sharks wont trade him unless they "win" the trade

i wouldnt say 66pts mediocre but for all the hype you hear about him (pav) you would think/expect more

but the sharks wont trade him unless they "win" the trade
- dmarsden2988

It's ok for a #2 center.

There's a difference between winning a trade and coming up with a counter offer that's borderline trolling.

It's ok for a #2 center.

There's a difference between winning a trade and coming up with a counter offer that's borderline trolling.
- nfph

i didn't even read what he said, i was just saying in general

i wouldn't trade myers straight up for him or vanek

Miller, Ennis and Meyers would do...maybe. Not ever going to happen, Just like Jumbo Joe isn't going anywhere. Garth needs to stop this rumor because it simply is not true and never will be
- svolheim

Wow, didn't think my question was that outlandish.... How many other untouchables are on your team? (And I thought we over valued our players!)

For what its worth, TSN guys are saying that Buffalo put out the huge contract for Doan and told him that they respect his feelings for wanting to stay in Phoenix. They were clear that they will be patient and will wait to the very end for his decision, with the hope that he checks in with Buffalo last before he makes his final decision.
Realisticaly, there really is not anyone else that can provide Doan the kind of cash up front that he would need, and by doing so Buffalo eliminates a competitor or sets up another dance partner for themselves, whether it is SJ or Vancouver.

Thronton is not likely to be traded, unless Buffalo sends back some significant inexpensive ready to play assets. SJ is not going to bring in Doan and then get rid of someone like Thronton. More likely it is Havlat, or Boyle or Marleau or even Pavelski and to a lesser extent perhaps even Clowe, if they don't think he is going to re-sign in SJ.

Clowe and conditional pick (if he does not re-sign in Buffalo) for McCormick and Adam.....if Doan signs in SJ.....that would be my move.

Then try and get an older center like Arnot/Moore or trade for Cullen or Brodziak and see where this gets you.
- RicoMartin

Your theory sounds right on, however, Clowe for McCormick/Adam? Doesn't seem like enough to get Clowe.

Although I agree that the injuries were an issue last year and contributed to our demise, I must take issue with the fact that that you could know how the season would have gone, had no injuries occurred. There is no way of knowing this with any degree of certainty, whatever your feelings are about it. To say that with no injuries we would have been a legitimate contender, or that the injuries were the only shortcoming is fallacious.

Many could argue that team toughness, leadership, coaching styles/systems, team chemistry or the way the team was built, had more to do with our circumstances than injuries. Every team has injuries, and the Sabres didn't even lead the league in man games lost, in fact many teams with more man games lost were true contenders. There is a list here; http://www.sabresinseven....the-nhl-2011-2012-season/
It has been updated since the end of the season, so do not be confused by the original publish date.

You can see that Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Philly, Oilers, Wild, CBJ, Canadiens, and the Flames all lost more man games to injuries than Buffalo. And some of these teams were high seeds for the playoffs and did contend.

I admire anyone who sticks up for their team and its players. So I am a fan of you buffalofan19. But I fear that you do sound like an "excuse-making homer". And it is likely that Doan does not see this organization as being as close to winning a cup as the other clubs with whom we are competing.
- Sabretooter

Man games lost don't always tell the whole story. If you have one guy injured for a whole season, that's the same thing as losing 8 guys for 10 games each. Depending on who that is, the latter could have a bigger effect. At one point, they had 10 or 11 regulars out at the same time. Do I know for sure that wouldn't have enough of an effect to get them into the playoffs? I guess not, but it's not just about the amount of man games lost, it's also about when they occurred and how many occurred at the same time. Buffalo got the short end of the stick in that regard.

Your theory sounds right on, however, Clowe for McCormick/Adam? Doesn't seem like enough to get Clowe.
- joevthree

Agreed, but I think that since he is thinking salary dump for SJ after signing doan we could get a player on the cheap. Throw in a 1st and it might get it done.

8 million for Doan?!? He's worth half of that! If Doan is worth 8 then Brown is worth 10... What a crock, these idiot GM's need to stop throwing this money around at players. Quick signed for less than 6 mil after winning a Conn Smythe and had a Vezina finalist year... Doan should be signed for 4-4.5 a year... 8 is a joke. Hell, anything north of 6.5 is a joke...

8 million for Doan?!? He's worth half of that! If Doan is worth 8 then Brown is worth 10... What a crock, these idiot GM's need to stop throwing this money around at players. Quick signed for less than 6 mil after winning a Conn Smythe and had a Vezina finalist year... Doan should be signed for 4-4.5 a year... 8 is a joke. Hell, anything north of 6.5 is a joke...
- bluecoconuts

Anything north of 5.5 is a joke, honestly, especially if he is looking for 4+ years. I could see a desperate/determined team giving 8 million for one season but a cap hit of 5-6+ for a few seasons could really hurt a team once this CBA gets settled.

Pavelski's career high is 66 points, which is pretty mediocre. You need to fall out of love with your own players bud.
- nfph

Pavelski's value is more than just points. The guy can play center or wing, point man on the power play, is a good penalty killer, top 10 in faceoff %, and can score 30 + goals. He's only 28 and is only going to get better. He's was picked for Team USA in 2010 for a reason. There isn't a team who wouldn't want this guy for only 4 million a year.