Garth, I have never heard of a mysterious free agent in Mid-February, how is it even possible?

They could certainly do that. They might keep Devine for the draft/scouting and hire Oster for contract negotiations of pending free agents and cap purposes, considering his background.
- mhp

That would work, I mean we already have over 50 scouts, why not have 2 AGM's??

That would work, I mean we already have over 50 scouts, why not have 2 AGM's??
- Buffalo_Boy

Habs have 3 I believe. 2 of them live in the Buffalo area...

O'Reilly will become a free agent in late February (one year from the date that he signed his one year offer sheet).

Exactly how does this work?

He can sign with any team after that date? Sounds pretty fishy to me.

OR do you mean, he can be traded after that date?

Garth, how I have never heard of a mysterious free agent in Mid-February, how is it even possible?
- benny948

EXACTLY!!!!!

He does not know what he writes. He just writes, or plagiarizes.

Exactly how does this work?

He can sign with any team after that date? Sounds pretty fishy to me.

OR do you mean, he can be traded after that date?
- ViolentEd1

Ik his contract is screwy after Calgary put an offer sheet on him and Colorado matched it, and I think it's be can't be traded until February. But I don't know for sure

I don't believe drafting is the problem its the development of these players thats the broblem they hit a wall and there development stalls or worse it stops. I'm not saying its the coaching staff fault its a little bit of both the players need to be more striaght with the coaches and start putting there input in to it as well. No body knows these players than the players them self. Just like no one knows you better than you.

Ik his contract is screwy after Calgary put an offer sheet on him and Colorado matched it, and I think it's be can't be traded until February. But I don't know for sure
- Buffalo_Boy

Yes its true

Ik his contract is screwy after Calgary put an offer sheet on him and Colorado matched it, and I think it's be can't be traded until February. But I don't know for sure
- Buffalo_Boy

Correct... O'Reilly can't be traded until the 1-year anniversary of his contract that he signed with the Avs. He then becomes a Restricted Free Agent again upon season's end, so he couldn't just sign with Buffalo at that point either without the risk that the Avs could match the offer sheet (like they did with Calgary) or working out a deal. I think there could be some potential behind a deal for a player like Ehrhoff to Colorado to make this happen, since they seem to need some more puck-moving and veteran leadership on their blueline... but I'm not sure if that would be the type of player the Avs would want in return. I don't think the Avs keep both Stastny and O'Reilly though after this season... so do you let Stastny walk for nothing or do you trade O'Reilly in the postseason?

On another note... I have been on here a few times preaching about drafting Reinhart because of the obvious need for Buffalo up front. He reminds me in some ways of watching a young Patrick Marleau (but it took Marleau a few years before he really found his consistency and all-around game). I have spent more time watching Ekblad lately and, quite frankly, even though I thought before he was the better of the two but not enough to draft him over our needs up front... it has become very apparent to me that he's going to be a superstar on the blueline in the NHL in time. I understand the need up front as much as anyone for Buffalo, but if they pass up Ekblad they could very well regret it. Ekblad is more offensive-minded than the blueline prospects we are all well aware of in the Sabres organization... but the best part is, he's big and physical too! And he skates very well, with and without the puck. Here's to hoping the Sabres make the right decision, whichever way that may lead them.

Correct... O'Reilly can't be traded until the 1-year anniversary of his contract that he signed with the Avs. He then becomes a Restricted Free Agent again upon season's end, so he couldn't just sign with Buffalo at that point either without the risk that the Avs could match the offer sheet (like they did with Calgary) or working out a deal. I think there could be some potential behind a deal for a player like Ehrhoff to Colorado to make this happen, since they seem to need some more puck-moving and veteran leadership on their blueline... but I'm not sure if that would be the type of player the Avs would want in return. I don't think the Avs keep both Stastny and O'Reilly though after this season... so do you let Stastny walk for nothing or do you trade O'Reilly in the postseason?

On another note... I have been on here a few times preaching about drafting Reinhart because of the obvious need for Buffalo up front. He reminds me in some ways of watching a young Patrick Marleau (but it took Marleau a few years before he really found his consistency and all-around game). I have spent more time watching Ekblad lately and, quite frankly, even though I thought before he was the better of the two but not enough to draft him over our needs up front... it has become very apparent to me that he's going to be a superstar on the blueline in the NHL in time. I understand the need up front as much as anyone for Buffalo, but if they pass up Ekblad they could very well regret it. Ekblad is more offensive-minded than the blueline prospects we are all well aware of in the Sabres organization... but the best part is, he's big and physical too! And he skates very well, with and without the puck. Here's to hoping the Sabres make the right decision, whichever way that may lead them.
- djc1877

Exactly how does this work?

He can sign with any team after that date? Sounds pretty fishy to me.

OR do you mean, he can be traded after that date?
- ViolentEd1

O'Riely will not be a free agent in February, Colorado can trade him in February if they want to but not before the reason is to force Colorado to pay most of the salary.

Correct... O'Reilly can't be traded until the 1-year anniversary of his contract that he signed with the Avs. He then becomes a Restricted Free Agent again upon season's end, so he couldn't just sign with Buffalo at that point either without the risk that the Avs could match the offer sheet (like they did with Calgary) or working out a deal. I think there could be some potential behind a deal for a player like Ehrhoff to Colorado to make this happen, since they seem to need some more puck-moving and veteran leadership on their blueline... but I'm not sure if that would be the type of player the Avs would want in return. I don't think the Avs keep both Stastny and O'Reilly though after this season... so do you let Stastny walk for nothing or do you trade O'Reilly in the postseason?

On another note... I have been on here a few times preaching about drafting Reinhart because of the obvious need for Buffalo up front. He reminds me in some ways of watching a young Patrick Marleau (but it took Marleau a few years before he really found his consistency and all-around game). I have spent more time watching Ekblad lately and, quite frankly, even though I thought before he was the better of the two but not enough to draft him over our needs up front... it has become very apparent to me that he's going to be a superstar on the blueline in the NHL in time. I understand the need up front as much as anyone for Buffalo, but if they pass up Ekblad they could very well regret it. Ekblad is more offensive-minded than the blueline prospects we are all well aware of in the Sabres organization... but the best part is, he's big and physical too! And he skates very well, with and without the puck. Here's to hoping the Sabres make the right decision, whichever way that may lead them.
- djc1877

I wouldn't be surprised at all, if Buffalo tires to grab 2 picks in Top 5...Ekblad would give Buffalo, in my opinion, the best defensive prospects in the league, and even with that other Top 5 pick, grab on explosive offensive guy like that German star playing in the WHL, I'm sure it wasn't a very competitive league, but if you look at his stats of a few seasons, I think he scored 148 points in about 30-40 games, regardless of league, that's very impressive!

That would work, I mean we already have over 50 scouts, why not have 2 AGM's??
- Buffalo_Boy

It sure beats the 'video scouting' Golisano provided Darcy with.

Garth great suggestion Brad Richards. Another career minus (-71) me first type player. And he'll be 34 this spring. And he's locked up till 2020 at 6.6 Mil. He would fit in though a 9% career shot percentage. Keep em coming. You are the next Seinfeld.

Mike's take on Nolan

How can Nolan say that the Grigorenko situation is non negotiable when he will not be involved in this situation. It sound like big words for such a little man. I like nolan as a coach but he need to rember his place in this business and not cross that line.

Superghosterenko!!!!!!!

Mike's take on Nolan

How can Nolan say that the Grigorenko situation is non negotiable when he will not be involved in this situation. It sound like big words for such a little man. I like nolan as a coach but he need to rember his place in this business and not cross that line.
- mike13wilkins

Nolan is an Evil Man!

Mike's take on Nolan

How can Nolan say that the Grigorenko situation is non negotiable when he will not be involved in this situation. It sound like big words for such a little man. I like nolan as a coach but he need to rember his place in this business and not cross that line.
- mike13wilkins

I think it will take a little time for Nolan to realize there is a GM now and his job is to coach and no longer have substantial input on the makeup of the lineup. He shouldn't have made that comment because that is the job of Murray to determine not an interim coach.

Mike's take on Nolan

How can Nolan say that the Grigorenko situation is non negotiable when he will not be involved in this situation. It sound like big words for such a little man. I like nolan as a coach but he need to rember his place in this business and not cross that line.
- mike13wilkins

That was Nolan's problem when he coached here the first time. Actually questioning the great John Muckler's personnel decisions. He's the coach who thinks he's a GM.

That was Nolan's problem when he coached here the first time. Actually questioning the great John Muckler's personnel decisions. He's the coach who thinks he's a GM.
- jerryl1964

This

That was Nolan's problem when he coached here the first time. Actually questioning the great John Muckler's personnel decisions. He's the coach who thinks he's a GM.
- jerryl1964

Ok so i'm not the only one that sees that thanks

Ok so i'm not the only one that sees that thanks
- mike13wilkins

Fire Nolan the stupid bastard !

Ok so i'm not the only one that sees that thanks
- mike13wilkins

Nolan left on his own. He WAS offered a one year contract. HE CHOSE not to take it. I was not sad when he did not take it. I saw his opposition and I thought it was bad for the team. He cost Muckler his job. Maybe if Muckler didn't get fired he might have brought in the final piece for us to win the cup in 99. I was really upset when they fired Muckler instead of Nolan. The legend of Nolan lived on because his fans were so vocal. And now he is back, giving us GM opinions from the bench.

30 teams ... How many wish Miller was their goalie ?

30 teams ... How many wish Miller was their goalie ?
- cabin

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