we arent actually doing this are we?
- LetsGoIsles

That's what was implied.

I'm just being sarcastic.

Just to get back on the Callahan issue. Keep in mind that he turned down a 36M over 6 yrs to stay the Captain of the Rangers. Most felt that was a solid offer and he said no and called Sather's bluff only to find out that Sather wasn't bluffing. If he can get north of 6M good for him but I doubt he signs for a 'reasonable' amount like some of you would like.

Just to get back on the Callahan issue. Keep in mind that he turned down a 36M over 6 yrs to stay the Captain of the Rangers. Most felt that was a solid offer and he said no and called Sather's bluff only to find out that Sather wasn't bluffing. If he can get north of 6M good for him but I doubt he signs for a 'reasonable' amount like some of you would like.
- climbdenali12

He is this years Clarkson.

Does Minny really have the cap space to give Vanek that 7m dollar contract? They still have to sign Granlund after next season...

Maybe the Flames flip the bill for Tim The Tool Man Callaghan? The Flames need RW badly and he could bring some good leadership to the rebuilding team. You know burkey loves his dirty yankees too!

Does Minny really have the cap space to give Vanek that 7m dollar contract? They still have to sign Granlund after next season...
- goavsgo10

Eh, Heatley comes off the books and the cap goes up. They have the space but I don't think it would be in their best interest

The difference between the Islanders and Sabres is the Islanders are doing the best they can. They sold tomorrow for today in trading for Vanek which means they believed they were ready to compete for the cup. They couldn't be more wrong. The Sabres told people they would tank and they did. They haven't even tried getting better. They are in complete control of their destiny. They have a historic # of first and second rounders coming up, one of the best rated prospect pools in hockey, a owner as rich and willing to spend as they come and an abundance of cap room. So go ahead, bash away about the 2013-14 Sabres.
- Buffalo-Sabres

i agree they thought they could compete this year and once again it was one of the most disappointing seasons that i can remember.

i disagree that "they sold tomorrow"...trading a 1st and 2nd (and moulson who was walking) while it was a risk and certainly one that didnt work out in their favor, it FAR from hurt the team.

A troll? Please, anyone that knows me knows I am far from it. Bringing up a Bills super bowl lose or a loss in the Stanley Cup finals is a troll thing to do.

The Sabres sucked this year, they will suck next year but are still in a better position building a winning team than your Islanders IMO of course before you take things way to serious and have a heart attack
- Stripes77

No they are not...

The Isles are very far ahead of the Sabres in a rebuild... you guys got another 5 yrs.


And you posting two pics of Snow is ok... but not me posting pics of Hull, and Wide Right are not???

Does Minny really have the cap space to give Vanek that 7m dollar contract? They still have to sign Granlund after next season...
- goavsgo10

Yes.


17 players signed with 22.7 mil in space(with a projected 71.1 cap)

No they are not...

The Isles are very far ahead of the Sabres in a rebuild... you guys got another 5 yrs.


And you posting two pics of Snow is ok... but not me posting pics of Hull, and Wide Right are???
- jimmc7722

Snow is now, wide right and No goal (It was a legal goal) are over two decades and over a decade respectively.

Last time I checked Snow is the current GM who traded away Moulson a first and a second for Vanek.

It's not my fault your Islanders have an incompetent GM who is handcuffed by a terrible owner

A troll? Please, anyone that knows me knows I am far from it. Bringing up a Bills super bowl lose or a loss in the Stanley Cup finals is a troll thing to do.

The Sabres sucked this year, they will suck next year but are still in a better position building a winning team than your Islanders IMO of course before you take things way to serious and have a heart attack
- Stripes77

i guess this is what the discussion boils down to....

i just dont think the sabres and islanders will be fighting for the bottom 2 spots next season...not by a long shot. gimme halak, a healthy tavares, a year of development and training for strome/nelson/lee, and a top 4 dman and the islanders are in the playoffs next year despite the coach.

i agree they thought they could compete this year and once again it was one of the most disappointing seasons that i can remember.

i disagree that "they sold tomorrow"...trading a 1st and 2nd (and moulson who was walking) while it was a risk and certainly one that didnt work out in their favor, it FAR from hurt the team.
- LetsGoIsles

I think we both can agree that

What hurt the team was Wang not allowing Show to eat part of Vanek's cap hit/salary to make a trade easier and getting a better offer for him.

What was traded to get Vanek compared to what he sold Vanek for is a joke. It can be argued that Murray got more for Moulson than Snow got for Vanek.

Just to get back on the Callahan issue. Keep in mind that he turned down a 36M over 6 yrs to stay the Captain of the Rangers. Most felt that was a solid offer and he said no and called Sather's bluff only to find out that Sather wasn't bluffing. If he can get north of 6M good for him but I doubt he signs for a 'reasonable' amount like some of you would like.
- climbdenali12

This whole scenario is unfortunate. He's going to get way too much money and whoever signs him will regret it. Basically some team desperate to get better will jump on the bandwagon because there's no one else available in the FA market. This happens every offseason. Then we wonder why we have lockouts every 6-7 years.

i guess this is what the discussion boils down to....

i just dont think the sabres and islanders will be fighting for the bottom 2 spots next season...not by a long shot. gimme halak, a healthy tavares, a year of development and training for strome/nelson/lee, and a top 4 dman and the islanders are in the playoffs next year despite the coach.
- LetsGoIsles

I think the Sabres will be down near the bottom 2.

The Islanders could go either way. Halak needs to sign there first. I think you need 2 solid D (one top 4 for sure) and you are putting a lot of weight on your young second line. I don't think they will be bottom 5 but I don't see the Islanders getting into the playoffs healthy Tavares or not.

i guess this is what the discussion boils down to....

i just dont think the sabres and islanders will be fighting for the bottom 2 spots next season...not by a long shot. gimme halak, a healthy tavares, a year of development and training for strome/nelson/lee, and a top 4 dman and the islanders are in the playoffs next year despite the coach.
- LetsGoIsles

Islanders definitely have a chance of making the playoffs next year, while the sabres do not. It's that simple.

Islanders definitely have a chance of making the playoffs next year, while the sabres do not. It's that simple.
- goavsgo10

The playoffs is not the ultimate goal though. Building a Stanley Cup winner is.

That doesn't happen with Wang and Snow in charge.

Does it happen with Murray and Nolan? Who knows but Murray's draft track record speaks for itself

I think the Sabres will be down near the bottom 2.

The Islanders could go either way. Halak needs to sign there first. I think you need 2 solid D (one top 4 for sure) and you are putting a lot of weight on your young second line. I don't think they will be bottom 5 but I don't see the Islanders getting into the playoffs healthy Tavares or not.
- Stripes77

Halak has good numbers with a solid front 6 in front of him. I'd suggest that they will be marginal at best and you will see Halak put up avg numbers. He also gets nagging injuries.

I just see them as a 9th-10th place team.

That said I don't think Buffalo will be selecting 1st or 2nd next season. I see them in the Calgary mold and will pick 4th-5th.

Just not putting all my hopes and dreams into McEichel.

Snow is now, wide right and No goal (It was a legal goal) are over two decades and over a decade respectively.

Last time I checked Snow is the current GM who traded away Moulson a first and a second for Vanek.

It's not my fault your Islanders have an incompetent GM who is handcuffed by a terrible owner
- Stripes77

last time i checked this wasnt a terrible deal when it was made.

Islanders definitely have a chance of making the playoffs next year, while the sabres do not. It's that simple.
- goavsgo10

Im fine with that. They can have at it.

I think we both can agree that

What hurt the team was Wang not allowing Show to eat part of Vanek's cap hit/salary to make a trade easier and getting a better offer for him.

What was traded to get Vanek compared to what he sold Vanek for is a joke. It can be argued that Murray got more for Moulson than Snow got for Vanek.
- dadeadhead

correct; the vanek for colberg deal was a tough pill to swallow.

but the vanek for moulson+ wasnt terrible, considering:
a) the trade was made early enough in the season that the islanders could have made the playoffs
b) that had him for the majority of the season.
c) exclusive negotiating time
d) had they resigned him, it would have been a great deal.

last time i checked this wasnt a terrible deal when it was made.
- LetsGoIsles

It was a deal to hopefully jump start the team and show Vanek their interest in resigning him long term.

That said, Vanek's prior non-loyalty and money hungry self (Offer sheet) was written on the wall.

Wow. That was the most readable article Ek has produced in about 3 years.

Keep it up Ek!

The playoffs is not the ultimate goal though. Building a Stanley Cup winner is.

That doesn't happen with Wang and Snow in charge.

Does it happen with Murray and Nolan? Who knows but Murray's draft track record speaks for itself
- Stripes77

i could be very wrong but based on your comments, you arent very aware of the islanders prospects and the future of the organization...

as for the 2nd bold, if you as islander fans for just ONE thing that like about snow, just about everyone will agree its been his drafting abilities and restocking the organization with quality prospects.

last time i checked this wasnt a terrible deal when it was made.
- LetsGoIsles

Depends on who you asked.

Vanek ultimately got the Sabres: 1 first and 3 seconds Moulson was moved for 2 seconds

Moulson 1 first and a second got you: 47 games of Vanek (he was good when he was there but it didnt work) Colleberg and a 2nd.

Sure its easy to look back at it now and say it was a terrible trade for the Islanders. Especially with having to decide on which 1st to give considering how the season ended. However Snow thought Vanek was going to put the Islanders over the hump when almost ever Sabres fan knew it wasn't going to happen. After years of watching him play most Sabres fans were pretty fed up with him.

Moulson was pretty much the same scorer as Vanek (more goals not as many points in the last few years) it was a good attempt to get better but it was made out of desperation.

As a Sabres fan I loved that trade immediately

Halak has good numbers with a solid front 6 in front of him. I'd suggest that they will be marginal at best and you will see Halak put up avg numbers. He also gets nagging injuries.

I just see them as a 9th-10th place team.

That said I don't think Buffalo will be selecting 1st or 2nd next season. I see them in the Calgary mold and will pick 4th-5th.

Just not putting all my hopes and dreams into McEichel.
- dadeadhead

More realistic then most fans.Id say bottom 5 to 10 unless the Sabres win the lottery which is highly unlikely with Buffalo s luck.