We already have Grigs, Hodgson, Armia, Girgs, Larsson, Foligno for our future forwards and Myers, Pysyk, McNabb and McCabe as our future D (Ehrhoff for a bit as well). Who did the Oilers have before they picked their top guys?
- Herzeleid

And we have Vanek Miller Stafford and other guys as trade bait to speed the process.

Makarov has a tendency to step up on the big stage. His problem is that when the stage isn't so big, he can be very average. That can be a killer. If you can't get to the big stage, how you perform there is irrelevant.
- buffalofan19

To be fair he hasn't had the best team either, and Fucale has MacKinnon and Drouin who without, probably wouldn't have won the Mem Cup.

Makarov has a tendency to step up on the big stage. His problem is that when the stage isn't so big, he can be very average. That can be a killer. If you can't get to the big stage, how you perform there is irrelevant.
- buffalofan19

Very average? Lead the WHL in wins, shutouts, was top 10 in sv% and GAA.

In February he went 15-0-0 with 2 shutouts, a 1.72 GAA and a .948 SV% and had an 18 game win streak this season.

We have been a bad team for awhile. Drafting a couple possible good players does not get a pass. Darcy never builds good teams because he looks for skilled guys and does not consider heart. Even look at a guy like Myers uber talented. Cant even take the time to get into shape before camp. That's not a guy I even want on my team. Would rather trade him and find a guy that cares. Connelly over Doan. From the rumors it took larry Quinn to get the drury trade done. Darcy is smart but in my opinion will never build a great team because he values skills over heart. Skill over ruggedness and defense.
- hafgod

So u want more of Matt Ellis???

I think it is interesting to note that on locker clean out day, Miller was wearing his 2010 Vancouver Olympics Cap, instead of a Sabres cap. Message????
This is the year of the Olympics, hopefully the Sabres understand the value Ryan holds this year, not only is he a great young proven Goalie, but he will be a marketing goldmine to whatever team he is playing for, maybe a team like Minnesota, or any other US team. Although, Edmonton would be crazy not to try to get him.

Right its by team so there has been turnover with GMs from other teams in that span of years.
- jc-13

ok makes sense forinstance minny past vs now is nite and day.

Vanek to NYI being talked about extensively today.

Not looking to include a prospect on BUF end. 3rd rd pick or worse is what Darcy is looking to add on only. Okposo is one player Sabres would like, who is also rumored to captain the NYI or Tavares which is the top guess now that Streit is gone.

Could get strome but means he adds a 1st this year which DR will not do.

Vanek + 3rd rounder for Okposo and 2nd is just a guess.

CAR needs a top 4 dman and believes Nurse could be that answer. if they can trade down and still get him they will. Also interested in Lindholm and Nichushkin/Drouin as possibilities. Seems obvious notes but wanted to state them.

Very average? Lead the WHL in wins, shutouts, was top 10 in sv% and GAA.

In February he went 15-0-0 with 2 shutouts, a 1.72 GAA and a .948 SV% and had an 18 game win streak this season.
- theblueandgold

Listen. I am more excited about his strong points than I am down on his weak ones, but the reality is, more often than not, he has been very streaky. Like was said earlier, the consistency part can be remedied in some players, and he might be one of them, but the reality is, the kid still has a ways to go. I'm not saying he's awful or even that he's "not the answer". His body of work still leaves a lot of unknowns.

Darcy is a reactionary GM, and it all starts with Keith Ballard, and Dennis Wideman.

Listen. I am more excited about his strong points than his weak ones, but the reality is, more often than not, he has been very streaky. Like was said earlier, the consistency part can be remedied in some players, but the reality is, the kid still has a little ways to go. I'm not saying he's awful or even that he's "not the answer". His body of work still leaves a lot of unknowns.
- buffalofan19

A lot of the opinions on Makarov regarding consistency came before the season he had this year. He does have a ways to go, but his body of work this past season has a lot of people changing their opinions.

Vanek to NYI being talked about extensively today.

Not looking to include a prospect on BUF end. 3rd rd pick or worse is what Darcy is looking to add on only. Okposo is one player Sabres would like, who is also rumored to captain the NYI or Tavares which is the top guess now that Streit is gone.

Could get strome but means he adds a 1st this year which DR will not do.

Vanek + 3rd rounder for Okposo and 2nd is just a guess.

CAR needs a top 4 dman and believes Nurse could be that answer. if they can trade down and still get him they will. Also interested in Lindholm and Nichushkin/Drouin as possibilities. Seems obvious notes but wanted to state them.
- Beezer33

Terrible deal for vanek i hope your wrong. NO WAY we trade him to the islanders unless we get 15th or nino or strome or reinhart.

Vanek to NYI being talked about extensively today.

Not looking to include a prospect on BUF end. 3rd rd pick or worse is what Darcy is looking to add on only. Okposo is one player Sabres would like, who is also rumored to captain the NYI or Tavares which is the top guess now that Streit is gone.

Could get strome but means he adds a 1st this year which DR will not do.

Vanek + 3rd rounder for Okposo and 2nd is just a guess.

CAR needs a top 4 dman and believes Nurse could be that answer. if they can trade down and still get him they will. Also interested in Lindholm and Nichushkin/Drouin as possibilities. Seems obvious notes but wanted to state them.
- Beezer33

Wait! So Darcy could have traded Stafford for Okposo around the trade deadline but chickened out, and now is offering up Vanek, a player who is 1000x the player Stafford is for Okposo? oh lord!

Vanek to NYI being talked about extensively today.
Not looking to include a prospect on BUF end. 3rd rd pick or worse is what Darcy is looking to add on only. Okposo is one player Sabres would like, who is also rumored to captain the NYI or Tavares which is the top guess now that Streit is gone.

Could get strome but means he adds a 1st this year which DR will not do.

Vanek + 3rd rounder for Okposo and 2nd is just a guess.

CAR needs a top 4 dman and believes Nurse could be that answer. if they can trade down and still get him they will. Also interested in Lindholm and Nichushkin/Drouin as possibilities. Seems obvious notes but wanted to state them.
- Beezer33

Source? I need a good read.

I am willing to wait and see what Darcy and the Sabres braintrust can do. They have a great track record so far. So many are upset when they let guys walk (Briere, Drury, Talinder, Lydman, Roy, etc...), but they seem to work out in our favor.

So u want more of Matt Ellis???
- JVince11

Nope. Less Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerby Drew Staffords. More David Backes type.

I am willing to wait and see what Darcy and the Sabres braintrust can do. They have a great track record so far. So many are upset when they let guys walk (Briere, Drury, Talinder, Lydman, Roy, etc...), but they seem to work out in our favor.
- 89mogo

How so? This franchise was set back 10 years (Going on 6 so far) with all of that taking place. Darcy is his stubborn self refused to negotiate in season.

Anyone notice how that all the sudden changed afeter 2007?

Vanek to NYI being talked about extensively today.

Not looking to include a prospect on BUF end. 3rd rd pick or worse is what Darcy is looking to add on only. Okposo is one player Sabres would like, who is also rumored to captain the NYI or Tavares which is the top guess now that Streit is gone.

Could get strome but means he adds a 1st this year which DR will not do.

Vanek + 3rd rounder for Okposo and 2nd is just a guess.

CAR needs a top 4 dman and believes Nurse could be that answer. if they can trade down and still get him they will. Also interested in Lindholm and Nichushkin/Drouin as possibilities. Seems obvious notes but wanted to state them.
- Beezer33

If this has any ounce of truth to it, Darcy should be fired on spot.

Source? I need a good read.
- RynoBull

That would be my phone. As much as everyone believes it is easy to pry Nino out of there the NYI still know he is worth more than people have been trying to give up for him. I just listed the framework of a potential deal. never said that was in stone. the islanders likst that and you work from there.

Vanek/2nd for NYI 2013 1st rd pick, Nino, Okposo would be very nice for Sabres.

If he goes there thats what i hope to see but expect nothing from DR.

That would be my phone. As much as everyone believes it is easy to pry Nino out of there the NYI still know he is worth more than people have been trying to give up for him. I just listed the framework of a potential deal. never said that was in stone. the islanders likst that and you work from there.

Vanek/2nd for NYI 2013 1st rd pick, Nino, Okposo would be very nice for Sabres.

If he goes there thats what i hope to see but expect nothing from DR.
- Beezer33

Im sorry but i dont believe that at all, vanek (an elite scorer) for okposo and a 2nd during a rebuild? No way. Vanek gets a first rounder+ a top prospect.

That would be my phone. As much as everyone believes it is easy to pry Nino out of there the NYI still know he is worth more than people have been trying to give up for him. I just listed the framework of a potential deal. never said that was in stone. the islanders likst that and you work from there.

Vanek/2nd for NYI 2013 1st rd pick, Nino, Okposo would be very nice for Sabres.

If he goes there thats what i hope to see but expect nothing from DR.
- Beezer33

Its fun to banter about that sort of trainwreck deal, but vanek will be a Sabre to start the season.

That would be my phone. As much as everyone believes it is easy to pry Nino out of there the NYI still know he is worth more than people have been trying to give up for him. I just listed the framework of a potential deal. never said that was in stone. the islanders likst that and you work from there.

Vanek/2nd for NYI 2013 1st rd pick, Nino, Okposo would be very nice for Sabres.

If he goes there thats what i hope to see but expect nothing from DR.
- Beezer33

Indeed it would

any rumblings on Miller?

Im sorry but i dont believe that at all, vanek (an elite scorer) for okposo and a 2nd during a rebuild? No way. Vanek gets a first rounder+ a top prospect.
- Djtyczy

does he mean Vanek + 2nd for Okposo, Nino and the Islander 1st?

Nope. Less Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerby Drew Staffords. More David Backes type.
- hafgod

Whats wrong with Ennis?

does he mean Vanek + 2nd for Okposo, Nino and the Islander 1st?
- Dwight K. Schrute

I would do that, but he said: Vanek and a 3rd for okposo and a 2nd

Im sorry but i dont believe that at all, vanek (an elite scorer) for okposo and a 2nd during a rebuild? No way. Vanek gets a first rounder+ a top prospect.
- Djtyczy

I agree that screams this Bernier deal to me

Vanek gets much more than that