What if the Sabres draft a goalie in the first would that mean they will be trying to trade Miller during the summer.....Thoughts
- evatnorth

No one really stands out in this years draft as far as goalies are concerned. Not the same kind of hype that was built around guys like Price and Fleury so I wouldn't see the point in drafting one in the first round.

Sound effective.
- HonkFortheGoose

Enroth Leggio tandem next year. So we can get the 1st overall! Start rebuilding

Enroth Leggio tandem next year. So we can get the 1st overall! Start rebuilding
- Cheeseballin

I cannot handle watching a team this bad again next year, so I'll pass.

I don't even like the fact that my team has been bad for a 48 game season. I think I might cause harm to myself if I have to watch it for 82

I cannot handle watching a team this bad again next year, so I'll pass.

I don't even like the fact that my team has been bad for a 48 game season. I think I might cause harm to myself if I have to watch it for 82
- HonkFortheGoose

Oh boy you better prepare yourself then. We are years away.

Oh boy you better prepare yourself then. We are years away.
- Cheeseballin

There's a difference between being awful like they were this year and at least being competitive. They're not going to be great next year, but I'm not looking for them to win the Cup. Just be more entertaining and be able to compete on a nightly basis.

The fact that they've been doing that over the last 2 weeks proves that they're not quite as far off as a lot of people think. That being said, there's still some serious changes that need to be made to this team. Starting with the GM position.

There's a difference between being awful like they were this year and at least being competitive. They're not going to be great next year, but I'm not looking for them to win the Cup. Just be more entertaining and be able to compete on a nightly basis.

The fact that they've been doing that over the last 2 weeks proves that they're not quite as far off as a lot of people think. That being said, there's still some serious changes that need to be made to this team. Starting with the GM position.
- HonkFortheGoose

So basically the last 5 years

I'd trade Catenacci first. He's a headcase. He has a huge attitude problem and is small.

He'd be the most likely to get moved before Girgorenko or Girgensons. Especially because I doubt he plays center when he get to the higher levels anyway.

Girgensons has had more of a down year than I think most people expected, but we all need to realize that he's an 18 year old playing in a league with guys that are 2+ years older than him. He is more of a grinder type guy, but he's got way more upside than Gaustad ever did.
- HonkFortheGoose

Up until this season,
The good young prospect I was most willing to move was Catenacci
But he's had a huge year in terms of development
The talk of him being an NHL winger was mostly bc of his lack of a defensive game... However, he has improved in that regard so much that he may be able to play Center in the bigs
And he's kept his offensive production up
I think he'll be a 20goal scorer in the NHL & provide scrappy play like Ott or Kaleta... Whether its at center or on the wing I'm not too concerned

There's already a lot of young talent in the system.

Ennis
Foligno
Tropp
McNabb
Pysyk
Girgensons
Armia
Grigorenko
Flynn

There would probably need to be another player or two to acquire in some way or another, but there's already young talent here.

EDIT: I just reread what you said and wanted to add more. They have plenty of young leadership here already as well. Hodgson, Foligno, and Girgensons. But it helps them to develop if they have a veteran leader to learn from
- HonkFortheGoose

Fair point, I just think it's worth considering at the very least. I mean if the Rangers offered someone like Kreider for Ott, that's very tempting don't you think? Last year there was a lot of talk up here in Canada about how the Canucks considered flipping Hodgson for Ott. If the price is right it's awfully tough to say no.

Side note: not relevant to your point but anyone know who the top free agent is this year with perry and getzlaf resigned? Just curious is all.

So basically the last 5 years
- Cheeseballin

No. Because I want them to progress every year. I was saying what I want for next year. They need to get better each year. Not play like poop for the first half of the season and then decide it's time to get their asses in gear and just miss the playoffs.

Enroth Leggio tandem next year. So we can get the 1st overall! Start rebuilding
- Cheeseballin

Trade Miller to the highest bidder, sign Budaj this summer as a backup to Enroth. Call me crazy but I think Enroth can play .500 hockey in a full season (que in the he lost 16 games in a row.) This team needs to figure out what they want to do with Miller, it's either trade him this year or he will probably resign in Buffalo to finish out his career.

Up until this season,
The good young prospect I was most willing to move was Catenacci
But he's had a huge year in terms of development
The talk of him being an NHL winger was mostly bc of his lack of a defensive game... However, he has improved in that regard so much that he may be able to play Center in the bigs
And he's kept his offensive production up
I think he'll be a 20goal scorer in the NHL & provide scrappy play like Ott or Kaleta... Whether its at center or on the wing I'm not too concerned
- jdfitz77

There's no room for him to play center here with Hodgson, Grigorenko, and Girgensons. He's going to end up on wing, mostly because of his size. Notice I didn't even have Ennis in there? He still has to compete with him too. Just not enough room for him to be a center. It's actually a really good problem to have.

I agree with this. I think either way you look at it, Ott is one of the vets they shouldn't look to move. That being said, if they got a killer return for him, I'd be ok with it. But you're not going to get that from a team that's on the cusp in the first place. You may get an uproven guy or two and a pick. And then who do you have to mentor them?

I don't like a 1st as the main compensation for him since whatever team that is would probably end up picking in the 20+ range in the draft. I think he's more valuable to the team than that.
- HonkFortheGoose

We "shouldn't" move Ott...
But does he wanna stay here for our "rebuild" or does he want a shot at the cup sooner than later?
Because if he isn't going to sign an extension here, then there is no pint in keeping him around
ESP when we should be able to get a very good return for him

Trade Miller to the highest bidder, sign Budaj this summer as a backup to Enroth. Call me crazy but I think Enroth can play .500 hockey in a full season (que in the he lost 16 games in a row.) This team needs to figure out what they want to do with Miller, it's either trade him this year or he will probably resign in Buffalo to finish out his career.
- buffalokb

I'm still a big fan of Enroth so I wouldn't mind him being the starter (Miller is working a 912. save percentage or something like that so it's not like he's set the bar really high). My only issue would be I don't like Budaj

No. Because I want them to progress every year. I was saying what I want for next year. They need to get better each year. Not play like poop for the first half of the season and then decide it's time to get their asses in gear and just miss the playoffs.
- HonkFortheGoose

Sounds like the sabres job requirements .

There's no room for him to play center here with Hodgson, Grigorenko, and Girgensons. He's going to end up on wing, mostly because of his size. Notice I didn't even have Ennis in there? He still has to compete with him too. Just not enough room for him to be a center. It's actually a really good problem to have.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think Girgensons will end up on the wing, same with Catenacci

Trade Miller to the highest bidder, sign Budaj this summer as a backup to Enroth. Call me crazy but I think Enroth can play .500 hockey in a full season (que in the he lost 16 games in a row.) This team needs to figure out what they want to do with Miller, it's either trade him this year or he will probably resign in Buffalo to finish out his career.
- buffalokb

Per my source . Miller will not resign in Buffalo. It's either trade or he walks next year.

Fair point, I just think it's worth considering at the very least. I mean if the Rangers offered someone like Kreider for Ott, that's very tempting don't you think? Last year there was a lot of talk up here in Canada about how the Canucks considered flipping Hodgson for Ott. If the price is right it's awfully tough to say no.

Side note: not relevant to your point but anyone know who the top free agent is this year with perry and getzlaf resigned? Just curious is all.
- Sabresfan-365

I like what Kreider did for them in the playoffs last year, but I don't know that I've heard his name at all this year. I'm sure part of it has to do with the Rangers getting Nash and all of that, but you still need some sort of leader here to help the youth. I think Ott is the perfect guy for that because there's a little of everything in his game. Offense, defense, penalty killing, power play time, faceoffs. He's a melting pot of everything. Does he do one of those things great? No, but he does all of them above average, IMO and I think it's a good mix to have in a player that is mentoring the next generation on the team.

I think Girgensons will end up on the wing, same with Catenacci
- sbroads24

I think he's gonna end up at center. He's playing wing in Rochester, but that happens with guys a lot at first. It's what they should have done with Grigorenko when he was here.

I think he's gonna end up at center. He's playing wing in Rochester, but that happens with guys a lot at first. It's what they should have done with Grigorenko when he was here.
- HonkFortheGoose

They should have played him when he was here.

“@MikeCorcoranNHL: Scouts at #TBLightning #Sabres tonight : Tor, Ott, Det (x3), Cal, Chi and CBJ.” 3 from Det...hmmm.

“@MikeCorcoranNHL: Scouts at #TBLightning #Sabres tonight : Tor, Ott, Det (x3), Cal, Chi and CBJ.” 3 from Det...hmmm.
- adambuffalo

Det Scouting Leo most likely. Maybe they want St.Louis?

“@MikeCorcoranNHL: Scouts at #TBLightning #Sabres tonight : Tor, Ott, Det (x3), Cal, Chi and CBJ.” 3 from Det...hmmm.
- adambuffalo

That doesn't surprise me, they're nearing the end and may be looking for one last run. Ottawa is interesting as well.

Det Scouting Leo most likely. Maybe they want St.Louis?
- Cheeseballin

That's probably going to be the biggest deal that goes down at deadline day. It just seems like a perfect fit.

From a Source:
(LeBrun)

As one team executive told me recently, just about anyone is available in Buffalo, but one name that’s out there a ton is defenseman Jordan Leopold. He’s a UFA after the season, so it makes sense the Sabres would dump him.