The problem is that the Sabres need offense prospects more than D. My guess is that they wouldn't settle for less than Laughton, Hagg, 2014 2nd rounder and 2015 1st rounder. That's a pretty steep price.

Remember in their eyes, neither Laughton or Hagg is a sure thing, especially Hagg; a mid round 2nd in this years draft is a crapshoot, and while the first in 2015 is really nice, there is a good chance its pick #20+ if the Flyers have a good year.
- BiggE

Good points. At that point, I don't think it's worth that. That's a hell of a price

I think that would get it done, but I'm not sure I would do that. I would trade Laughton and maybe a 2nd for Ehrhoff.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd absolutely do that deal, but I think Buffalo will want more.

Good points. At that point, I don't think it's worth that. That's a hell of a price

- Giroux_Is_God

Yup, the problem is that when it comes to quality dmen, demand is much greater than supply. Its economics 101, even us film majors get it!

I could see this playing out a lot of different ways. I thought the Flyers were going to sign Mac by now. They may be further apart than we think. Flyers may say "If Mac wants $5M and Niskanen wants $6M, we might as well sign Niskanen"

I think the primary point is that the Flyers need two skilled dmen for next season. If Kimmo retires, they need two. If he comes back, they'll need one more.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think, regardless of how they do in these playoffs, the blue line is gonna be different next year. They have a piece of two they could move in the offseason.

And they need to figure out how they view their situation down the middle (i.e.--do they have too many centers?, especially with Laughton likely to make decisions very difficult.

They have a #2 defenseman already, in MacDonald.
- MJL

He's not signed yet, and having Coburn and MacDonald as your top two guys is not ideal. Neither of them produce much offense.

The problem is that the Sabres need offense prospects more than D. My guess is that they wouldn't settle for less than Laughton, Hagg, 2014 2nd rounder and 2015 1st rounder. That's a pretty steep price.

Remember in their eyes, neither Laughton or Hagg is a sure thing, especially Hagg; a mid round 2nd in this years draft is a crapshoot, and while the first in 2015 is really nice, there is a good chance its pick #20+ if the Flyers have a good year.
- BiggE

Also, at this point, Ehrhoff is probably their best player. Logic says the price will be steeper for a team's best player relative to market value, etc

Did you guys notice how well Grossmann was skating with the puck last night?
Carrying it up ice and joining the rush. What got into him?

I'm still not thrilled with their 5 on 3.
Ugliness.

If they trade Ehrhoff and he retires with one year left on his deal the Sabres get hit with a $10m cap penalty.

They shouldn't trade Ehrhoff.

Also, at this point, Ehrhoff is probably their best player. Logic says the price will be steeper for a team's best player relative to market value, etc
- Giroux_Is_God

Exactly, even though they are in total rebuild mold, they will most likely want a solid vet like Erhoff to be there to help mentor all the kids on D that will be breaking in.

Niskanen makes me nervous. I'm always wary of guys who have a "breakout" year prior to becoming a UFA. Unless they win the cup, I think Kimmo comes back for one more year and in that case problem solved. If he does retire however, I think they try to fill the void via trade rather than overpay for Niskanen or any other questionable UFA.
- BiggE

I've already given my thoughts on Niskanen. I don't see him as anything close to a lock to perform that his current level consistently. Also, as the top UFA defenseman, he's going to want big money and big term...which is what we're supposedly trying to avoid with our home-grown defensemen. I'd rather try to sign a guy to a 2-year or less deal.

If possible, I'd rather explore a trade. I think Vancouver's about ready to blow it all up, and would like to try to pry Garrison or Edler out. Barring that, maybe we could get Brian Campbell out of Florida.

Also, at this point, Ehrhoff is probably their best player. Logic says the price will be steeper for a team's best player relative to market value, etc
- Giroux_Is_God

Also they have already paid 18 million of his 10 year, 40 million dollar deal during the last 2 seasons, in actual dollars he's only owed 22 million over the next 8 seasons. Yet another reason why it will cost a poopload for any team to acquire him.

I've already given my thoughts on Niskanen. I don't see him as anything close to a lock to perform that his current level consistently. Also, as the top UFA defenseman, he's going to want big money and big term...which is what we're supposedly trying to avoid with our home-grown defensemen. I'd rather try to sign a guy to a 2-year or less deal.

If possible, I'd rather explore a trade. I think Vancouver's about ready to blow it all up, and would like to try to pry Garrison or Edler out. Barring that, maybe we could get Brian Campbell out of Florida.
- jmatchett383

I'd take Campbell if Florida is willing to eat 25% of the contract/cap hit. If not, I'll pass.

If they trade Ehrhoff and he retires with one year left on his deal the Sabres get hit with a $10m cap penalty.

They shouldn't trade Ehrhoff.
- Feanor

Ehrhoff's deal expires at age 37. I don't see him retiring early unless an injury occurs. That can happen at any point with either team.

I think, regardless of how they do in these playoffs, the blue line is gonna be different next year. They have a piece of two they could move in the offseason.

And they need to figure out how they view their situation down the middle (i.e.--do they have too many centers?, especially with Laughton likely to make decisions very difficult.
- johndewar

I think so too. I just think Homer has shown he doesn't want to break up the young nucleus. He is much more willing to overpay in FA than trade a young piece.

I think so too. I just think Homer has shown he doesn't want to break up the young nucleus. He is much more willing to overpay in FA than trade a young piece.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, probably true. However overpaying for a UFA can hurt just as much or more than trading a young piece. With their depth at center, I'd rather move one in the right deal than badly overpay for an overrated UFA.

Tough playoff road ahead, for sure. I know many of us want the Pens in the 1st round, but (assuming the Flyers win that series) it practically guarantees the Bruins in the 2nd round. Could be an early exit.

On the other hand, I guess teams re-seed in the 2nd round based on points? So it could be Boston in the 2nd round no matter what.

Ehrhoff can log a lot of minutes and play in all situations. He'll also give the team points and the ability to run the point on the PP. Thats pretty much everything Kimmo does.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think that Ehrhoff is in the same class as Timone is defensively, as a #1 shut down defender. That's why I don't see him as a direct replacement for Timonen. I think Ehrhoff would certainly upgrade the Flyers defense as a whole.

Yeah, probably true. However overpaying for a UFA can hurt just as much or more than trading a young piece. With their depth at center, I'd rather move one in the right deal than badly overpay for an overrated UFA.
- BiggE

I just don't know what the right deal is. The cost of defenseman is incredibly high. I think thats why Homer has decided to use FA.

I'm not sold on MacDonald as a top pair guy, I think thats what hurt him in NY. I really like him as a guy who can anchor the 2nd pair and eat a lot of minutes.
- BiggE

I don't think he is either. I'm just making a point. I think MacDonald is a solid top 4 all around defenseman, as you said.

Tough playoff road ahead, for sure. I know many of us want the Pens in the 1st round, but (assuming the Flyers win that series) it practically guarantees the Bruins in the 2nd round. Could be an early exit.

On the other hand, I guess teams re-seed in the 2nd round based on points? So it could be Boston in the 2nd round no matter what.
- FlyerGuy

I'm more of a "be careful what you wish for" type.

You are going to play tough teams no matter what at this point.

I just don't know what the right deal is. The cost of defenseman is incredibly high. I think thats why Homer has decided to use FA.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm ok with this, for what it's worth.

It's worth nothing, but I'm still ok with this.

Tough playoff road ahead, for sure. I know many of us want the Pens in the 1st round, but (assuming the Flyers win that series) it practically guarantees the Bruins in the 2nd round. Could be an early exit.

On the other hand, I guess teams re-seed in the 2nd round based on points? So it could be Boston in the 2nd round no matter what.
- FlyerGuy

No, if they end up with the Penguins, they'd play the winner of NYR/CBS. Likewise, if they play NYR, they'll play the winner of Pit/CBS. The 1-2-3 seeds are locked in the conference semis bracket, along with the wildcard team that each division winner plays. You don't play the 1/2/3 seed of the other division until the Conference Finals.

He's not signed yet, and having Coburn and MacDonald as your top two guys is not ideal. Neither of them produce much offense.
- Feanor

I agree.

Ehrhoff's deal expires at age 37. I don't see him retiring early unless an injury occurs. That can happen at any point with either team.
- PhillySportsGuy

If he has a career ending injury, he won't retire.

He's not signed yet, and having Coburn and MacDonald as your top two guys is not ideal. Neither of them produce much offense.
- Feanor

What would you think of a top pair of Coburn-Streit? Coburn's our best all-around defender and could help out with some of Streit's defensive shortcomings when matched against top competition.