Having #1 centers as 2/3 would piss them off IMO
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Let's just say that would be an awesome problem to have!

Let's just say that would be an awesome problem to have!
- jdfitz77

Agreed.

Ya, I'm thinking that too
Although its curious
If tht was their plan, why not wait till next year to buy out Vinny?
Bc Barkov has to stay in Finland for at least 1 more year
- jdfitz77

Are you sure he has to stay in Finland another year? I thought he was gunna play next year. And if Vinny were to get hurt at the end of next year, then they cant buy him out and they would be screwed with the contract. Injured players cant be bought out.

I bet Darcy won't even attempt to go after Vinny or Danny let alone Jagr. Damn it.
- SABRES 89

What makes you think either of those washed up bums make any sense for Buffalo or any NHL team for that matter?

It would be awesome but we don't need too many pieces to compete again vs just letting most of the guys we have develop. Moving Erhoff would create a huge hold at D and would take at least 2/3 before we even consider that hole replaced. I don't think we should move Erhoff under any circumstances unless we're getting Jones.
- Cmulvey12

ESP if we trade Vanek & Miller, trading Ehrhoff would basically assure us of a top3 pick next year...
Ekblad is gonna be one heck of a defenseman also
And in this draft, I really like Ristolainen as well... Dude is big, nasty, & NHL-ready

It would be awesome but we don't need too many pieces to compete again vs just letting most of the guys we have develop. Moving Erhoff would create a huge hold at D and would take at least 2/3 before we even consider that hole replaced. I don't think we should move Erhoff under any circumstances unless we're getting Jones.
- Cmulvey12

We need a few stars to be a contender. If we have 5th, we get the last of the big 5 (probably nich), at 8 we get Nurse or Risto (Both NHL ready), then 16 best available.

ESP if we trade Vanek & Miller, trading Ehrhoff would basically assure us of a top3 pick next year...
Ekblad is gonna be one heck of a defenseman also
And in this draft, I really like Ristolainen as well... Dude is big, nasty, & NHL-ready
- jdfitz77

Trading Erhoff will cement buffalo as a place no free agent ever signs again. Well become Edm. Where we basically have to draft top 2 and hold you hostage just to play here.

Are you sure he has to stay in Finland another year? I thought he was gunna play next year. And if Vinny were to get hurt at the end of next year, then they cant buy him out and they would be screwed with the contract. Injured players cant be bought out.
- Djtyczy

Yep, he has a year left on his contract w his current team
And it actually might be two years b4 he can come over
Like Armia, he has mandatory military service of 6-12months to fulfill...
But he's only 17, and can't start that until he turns 18
(maybe there's exceptions made as to the start date, not sure... But it does have to be completed)

Trading Erhoff will cement buffalo as a place no free agent ever signs again. Well become Edm. Where we basically have to draft top 2 and hold you hostage just to play here.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Not necessarily
What if Ehrhoff would welcome the trade?
He may not wanna waste good years as a mentor when many contenders would like to have a player like him

Not necessarily
What if Ehrhoff would welcome the trade?
He may not wanna waste good years as a mentor when many contenders would like to have a player like him
- jdfitz77

Recent history suggests top tier free agents won't even talk to us. Trading Pommer, Regehr, Erhoff l and then having Miller and Vanek on the block just screams instability. Players will expect to have 2 playoffless seasons then be traded randomly.

Yep, he has a year left on his contract w his current team
And it actually might be two years b4 he can come over
Like Armia, he has mandatory military service of 6-12months to fulfill...
But he's only 17, and can't start that until he turns 18
(maybe there's exceptions made as to the start date, not sure... But it does have to be completed)
- jdfitz77

Yea, i bet there are exceptions he could probably do it over summers. Barkov is ready for the NHL now, Armia was not.

Recent history suggests top tier free agents won't even talk to us. Trading Pommer, Regehr, Erhoff l and then having Miller and Vanek on the block just screams instability. Players will expect to have 2 playoffless seasons then be traded randomly.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Alright we didnt get the top guys. Parise wanted to play in his home town, nothing against buffalo. Suter was going wherever parise was going. Richards wanted to play for his old coach. Nothing against buffalo.

Yea, i bet there are exceptions he could probably do it over summers. Barkov is ready for the NHL now, Armia was not.
- Djtyczy

Barkov can do the mandatory military service whenever he wants. Koivu didn't do it right away. So Barkov can come over when his contract with his Finnish team ends and play in the NHL for a few years and then take a year off and do his military service then. Most people just like to get it over with so they do it at 18 like Armia.

Trading Erhoff will cement buffalo as a place no free agent ever signs again. Well become Edm. Where we basically have to draft top 2 and hold you hostage just to play here.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Not to mention, it really makes no sense, didnt we already pay 18 million of his 40 million contract(or something along those lines)?

Recent history suggests top tier free agents won't even talk to us. Trading Pommer, Regehr, Erhoff l and then having Miller and Vanek on the block just screams instability. Players will expect to have 2 playoffless seasons then be traded randomly.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Fair enough...
But how many free agents are we gonna need to get if we have the kind of line-up I'm talking about?
Plus, in a couple years, when these kids grow into men... Guys are gonna want to come play with them... Just like they do w Crosby

Let me put it this way...
I believe Barkov is the beat player in this draft & will be an absolute stud
If we have a chance to get him, an it's Ehrhoff that stands in the way...
I'll make the deal, and worry about possible ramifications if/when they present themselves...
Bc it'll still be 3 years b4 we are competing for real anyways

Barkov can do the mandatory military service whenever he wants. Koivu didn't do it right away. So Barkov can come over when his contract with his Finnish team ends and play in the NHL for a few years and then take a year off and do his military service then. Most people just like to get it over with so they do it at 18 like Armia.
- bsabres716

I doubt he plays in the NHL for a year(s) & then goes back over and takes time off
Not when he can just fulfill it whole playing another year in Finland like Armia did
Makes more sense that way

Not to mention, it really makes no sense, didnt we already pay 18 million of his 40 million contract(or something along those lines)?
- Mentalorgasm5

That's a good point,
But that also makes him more valuable as a trade asset
Not my $$$ either though

Not to mention, it really makes no sense, didnt we already pay 18 million of his 40 million contract(or something along those lines)?
- Mentalorgasm5

Makes him more attractive, and money isnt a problem for ownership. As darcy said something like look outside the arena at the harborcenter construction, moneys not a problem.

I doubt he plays in the NHL for a year(s) & then goes back over and takes time off
Not when he can just fulfill it whole playing another year in Finland like Armia did
Makes more sense that way
- jdfitz77

I know. Like I said most people just like to get it out of the way. If the Lightning draft him and wanted him to play asap however, he could wait to do his service.

ESP if we trade Vanek & Miller, trading Ehrhoff would basically assure us of a top3 pick next year...
Ekblad is gonna be one heck of a defenseman also
And in this draft, I really like Ristolainen as well... Dude is big, nasty, & NHL-ready
- jdfitz77

Ekblad will be awesome, but again it will still take 2/3 years to develop. I wouldn't mind adding Ristolainen/Zadarov to bolster or strength but with Pysyk, McNabb and McCabe already into their development, I'll take those 3 Erhoff, Myers, Weber and Ruhwedal and say I'm confident going into the 2014-2015 season. Not to mention what our offence will look like...

I know. Like I said most people just like to get it out of the way. If the Lightning draft him and wanted him to play asap however, he could wait to do his service.
- bsabres716

He has to play at least 1 more year in Finland bc he is under contract...
Maybe the govt would let him start his service now though so he could get it out of the way...
Not sure how set the rule is that u have to be 18 +


I would absolutely love to get him though
Not only is he so offensively gifted that he's compared to the Sedins... He's also one of the best defensive forwards in the draft
Total package

He has to play at least 1 more year in Finland bc he is under contract...
Maybe the govt would let him start his service now though so he could get it out of the way...
Not sure how set the rule is that u have to be 18 +


I would absolutely love to get him though
Not only is he so offensively gifted that he's compared to the Sedins... He's also one of the best defensive forwards in the draft
Total package
- jdfitz77

Agreed. I think Barkov is going to be the best player from this draft

Ekblad will be awesome, but again it will still take 2/3 years to develop. I wouldn't mind adding Ristolainen/Zadarov to bolster or strength but with Pysyk, McNabb and McCabe already into their development, I'll take those 3 Erhoff, Myers, Weber and Ruhwedal and say I'm confident going into the 2014-2015 season. Not to mention what our offence will look like...
- Cmulvey12

Very true...
I like the idea of 75% of our team being within a couple years of each other though
They can all grow together

It's not like I'd be mad if we didn't trade Ehrhoff...
But it still gonna be a couple years before the youth we have now grows up enough to be truly effective difference makers...
And like Miller, Vanek, and possibly Ott...
I can see if he doesn't wanna wait around

If that's the case, and we have a chance to get Barkov... Then it's a win for both sides
I could see Carolina win the East next year if they trade for Ehrhoff

Agreed. I think Barkov is going to be the best player from this draft
- Cmulvey12

Last summer everyone pretty much got sick of me saying how good Galchenyuk was gonna be
Barkov is my guy this year (although I also love Lindholm & Ristolainen)
And if Jones fulfills his potential, wow... That kid really could be the next "Pronger"

Very true...
I like the idea of 75% of our team being within a couple years of each other though
They can all grow together

It's not like I'd be mad if we didn't trade Ehrhoff...
But it still gonna be a couple years before the youth we have now grows up enough to be truly effective difference makers...
And like Miller, Vanek, and possibly Ott...
I can see if he doesn't wanna wait around

If that's the case, and we have a chance to get Barkov... Then it's a win for both sides
I could see Carolina win the East next year if they trade for Ehrhoff
- jdfitz77

Definitely a possibility. My dream scenario is as follows:
Shinkaruk at 8
Trade Staf+Miller+16 to Pho for 11+Gormley
Trade Ennis+Sekera+11 for B. Ryan+
Hopefully trade for Bollans
Our 2014-2015 lineup(which is the year Regier should be targeting as the year we compete again):
Vanek-Grigs-Armia
Ryan-Hodgson-Shinkaruk
Girgs-Larsson-Foligno
Ott-Bolland/Porter-Kaleta/Tropp/Flynn

Erhoff-Psysk
Gormley-Myers
Weber-McNabb
Ruhwedal/McCabe

Hackett/Enroth
I may be dreaming a bit in order to receive the players I want, but as far as I'm concerned the trades seem to be of equal value and I strongly believe this would be a hell of a team and one that is difficult to play against