I easily would.
- sbroads24

I can't stop saying it. Barring any ridiculous trades, our defense is going to be disgusting in a few years.

And now I personally have to pay pk 9 million a year. Looks like I am gonna have to switch to a generic grey poupon

If he continues on from where he left off last season - and that's a big "if", because he hasn't shown that he could in the past - then he's a legit #2.
- grand-magus

Agree
He needs to play at that level for longer than one season at a time to be considered a legit top pair defenseman
If he plays this year like he did the last half of last season...
Then I'm on board

Not that I don't like him, or think that he can't be consistent... I just need to see more

I don't know if I'd call Myers a #2 right now
- Danformo

I think at this point too we can stop discussion Myers "potential". He's probably playing at 85-90% of his potential. He signed a huge deal because of his Calder trophy. At the time his deal was seen as huge and risky. Now it's top pairing money still but not "after new TV deal money" which is basically what agents are selling GM's on because everyone knows the cap is going to keep rising for prob 4-5 yrs at least. That and the whole "UFA years" deal because everyone in hockey knows that GM's overspend terribly for mediocre talent and overspend grossly on premium talent.

As for a question posed about the Habs window, i think our window is just opening with the emergence of Galchenyuk and Gallagher. As to that patch, Subban, price and you have a nice core which you can build around and we have a few very nice prospects. This is just the beginning for the Canadiens, I believe. And I think Pleks is gone next IMO. Handing the reins to the young guys who have proved they can play and lead.

If he became elite we would've had to pay him about 7mil a year
What the simple math says...
Is that paying him 5.5mil for 7yrs doesn't save us money if we had signed him to a bridge contract and then had to "pay him"

So how was it a bargain?
Sure, his cap hit is 5.5m instead of 7.0m for years 4-7
But it was also 5.5m for years 1-3 when it could've been 3.5m

Since there would literally have been ZERO savings...
That deal made NO sense

Also, on a cheaper bridge contract Myers would be even easier to trade if we decided to move in a different direction
A 5.5mil cap hit really doesn't give much flexibility... Only compared to if we signed him to a 7mil a year deal... But if it got to that point we wouldn't wanna trade Myers anyways bc he'd have developed into a stud dman
- jdfitz77

Who cares about savings? Or actual dollars..

I feel like no one understands the point of the blog.

Myers gets criticized for not being a franchise defensemen with his big contract. Now guys like Brooks Orpik make 5.5, while franchise defensemen are getting signed to 9 mil per year AAV deals.

So if Myers say doesn't even ever become a legit #1, and stays a good 2nd pairing player his contract still isn't all that bad

I think at this point too we can stop discussion Myers "potential". He's probably playing at 85-90% of his potential. He signed a huge deal because of his Calder trophy. At the time his deal was seen as huge and risky. Now it's top pairing money still but not "after new TV deal money" which is basically what agents are selling GM's on because everyone knows the cap is going to keep rising for prob 4-5 yrs at least. That and the whole "UFA years" deal because everyone in hockey knows that GM's overspend terribly for mediocre talent and overspend grossly on premium talent.

As for a question posed about the Habs window, i think our window is just opening with the emergence of Galchenyuk and Gallagher. As to that patch, Subban, price and you have a nice core which you can build around and we have a few very nice prospects. This is just the beginning for the Canadiens, I believe. And I think Pleks is gone next IMO. Handing the reins to the young guys who have proved they can play and lead.
- SmielmaN

It's not potential anymore, he was the best player on the ice for many games.

At this point he needs a supporting cast and to stay healthy and he will be one of the best. Just my opinion. I have had faith In the guy while 90% of the fans wanted his head and he's changing a lot of people's opinions

In the past he was 21-23 years old on a team that was free falling.

The lockout season was the only one that I would look at his numbers (relative to the rest of the team) and say he wasn't always at least our 2nd best defensemen
- sbroads24

Ok...
But that's not the same as a #2 on a good team
And obviously our goal is to be at least good, hopefully great

Last season showed him trending in the right direction again though, no denying that

The cool thing is,
I think he'll at least be a good 2nd pair guy
And since I think Ristolainen will be our "shutdown" guy on the top pair anyways...
That'll work just fine
Plus it'll give Myers some more freedom to use his offensive abilities if he's not constantly having to go against Crosby, Stamkos, etc

It's not potential anymore, he was the best player on the ice for many games.

At this point he needs a supporting cast and to stay healthy and he will be one of the best. Just my opinion. I have had faith In the guy while 90% of the fans wanted his head and he's changing a lot of people's opinions
- sbroads24

I agree and you guys have some awesome prospects to help. Just a matter of time really. With Gorges there he should help settle some guys down and take on specific roles and should help form a "unit" mentality hat will help all the young guys learn how to be nhl'ers. Buffalo might not be a playoff team next year but they won't be pushovers either.

Who cares about savings? Or actual dollars..

I feel like no one understands the point of the blog.

Myers gets criticized for not being a franchise defensemen with his big contract. Now guys like Brooks Orpik make 5.5, while franchise defensemen are getting signed to 9 mil per year AAV deals.

So if Myers say doesn't even ever become a legit #1, and stays a good 2nd pairing player his contract still isn't all that bad
- sbroads24

All he has to do, to shut the critics up, is build on the last half of last year (where he showed some good physicality, he started to rush the puck again, played smart, stopped tripping over his size 48's, etc.) and come into camp IN SHAPE and just go out and play hockey, and let his talent take over.

Ok...
But that's not the same as a #2 on a good team
And obviously our goal is to be at least good, hopefully great

Last season showed him trending in the right direction again though, no denying that

The cool thing is,
I think he'll at least be a good 2nd pair guy
And since I think Ristolainen will be our "shutdown" guy on the top pair anyways...
That'll work just fine
Plus it'll give Myers some more freedom to use his offensive abilities if he's not constantly having to go against Crosby, Stamkos, etc
- jdfitz77

Agreed on Ristolainen. I think he will be great in this league.

As far as Myers being a #2 on a good team.... He was our #1 the last two times we went to the playoffs, and was great in the Philly series.

I have a feeling if the Sabres are competent this year, Myers will shine

It's amazing how many Laughs fans here are hating on Myers lol. The guys better then anybody you guys have. Phaneuf $7+ mill a year? Lol at least $3 mill more then what the guy is worth. Keep talking Laugh fans!!! Myers and Gorges this year will be an unbelievable pairing. I wouldn't be surprised if Subban's output declines with the absence of Gorges.

In conclusion great contract for a good young up and coming defensemen.

Seeing tweets that Compher has looked really good so far in the scrimmage against Sweden. Fasching had a good 1st period but the U.S are down 3-0

Who cares about savings? Or actual dollars..

I feel like no one understands the point of the blog.

Myers gets criticized for not being a franchise defensemen with his big contract. Now guys like Brooks Orpik make 5.5, while franchise defensemen are getting signed to 9 mil per year AAV deals.

So if Myers say doesn't even ever become a legit #1, and stays a good 2nd pairing player his contract still isn't all that bad
- sbroads24

Maybe I am missing the point of the blog
But my point is...
That contract made ZERO financial sense at the time
Sure, 5.5m is Ok (I guess) for a good 2nd pair guy NOW... But at the time it wasn't
It was an unnecessary risk
U could make an argument that giving him that big deal actually set his development back
Did he become complacent? He did admit to coming into vamp out of shape
Of is it just the pressure of living up to that deal that messed with his head?
Whatever the reason...
The point that I am making is that the finances didn't dictate the risks in giving a big $$$ long term deal to a young player
Only reason to do that is if it eventually saves u $$$
But that contract didn't...
So it was a bad move

Guys relax Myers will fine and I have no problem with his cap-hit. Start judging his play in the 2016-2017 season when he has players around him.

It's not potential anymore, he was the best player on the ice for many games.

At this point he needs a supporting cast and to stay healthy and he will be one of the best. Just my opinion. I have had faith In the guy while 90% of the fans wanted his head and he's changing a lot of people's opinions
- sbroads24

I wonder if his biggest critics even watch many of his games ? He has turned the corner . I will am saying it again . Players of his size take longer to develop as they are taking longer to learn to use their massive frames . Heck at Myers age Chara was a throw in on a trade . Pronger was just starting to come into his own . Myers probably could have used another year in Junior to adjust a little more to his frame . But he played too well his rookie season to send him back down.

You cannot teach size . And his skating ability for a man that size is off the charts. But the Myers haters and the uninformed seem to think it is a reason to bash him whenever his name is mentioned. He has come nowhere near his potential yet. Just wait till he gets talent around him and is not paired with in a AHL defense man in Webber.

Maybe I am missing the point of the blog
But my point is...
That contract made ZERO financial sense at the time
Sure, 5.5m is Ok (I guess) for a good 2nd pair guy NOW... But at the time it wasn't
It was an unnecessary risk
U could make an argument that giving him that big deal actually set his development back
Did he become complacent? He did admit to coming into vamp out of shape
Of is it just the pressure of living up to that deal that messed with his head?
Whatever the reason...
The point that I am making is that the finances didn't dictate the risks in giving a big $$$ long term deal to a young player
Only reason to do that is if it eventually saves u $$$
But that contract didn't...
So it was a bad move
- jdfitz77

Opinions vary.

All he has to do, to shut the critics up, is build on the last half of last year (where he showed some good physicality, he started to rush the puck again, played smart, stopped tripping over his size 48's, etc.) and come into camp IN SHAPE and just go out and play hockey, and let his talent take over.
- grand-magus

I think as he gets older, he will get better. He was immature at 22 and the team was a train wreck. I think the stability of this team will help out guys like him the most

Maybe I am missing the point of the blog
But my point is...
That contract made ZERO financial sense at the time
Sure, 5.5m is Ok (I guess) for a good 2nd pair guy NOW... But at the time it wasn't
It was an unnecessary risk
U could make an argument that giving him that big deal actually set his development back
Did he become complacent? He did admit to coming into vamp out of shape
Of is it just the pressure of living up to that deal that messed with his head?
Whatever the reason...
The point that I am making is that the finances didn't dictate the risks in giving a big $$$ long term deal to a young player
Only reason to do that is if it eventually saves u $$$
But that contract didn't...
So it was a bad move
- jdfitz77

We all know Darcy gave him the big deal a couple of years early . It might of actually hurt Myers getting the big pay day early . But not anymore than playing under a couple of coaches that stifled his game though. In a couple of years though his cap hit will be amazing and allow us to perhaps spend the money in other needed areas . That is the point . Not how much money we would save. The point is it gives us financial flexibility later on .

We all know Darcy gave him the big deal a couple of years early . It might of actually hurt Myers getting the big pay day early . But not anymore than playing under a couple of coaches that stifled his game though. In a couple of years though his cap hit will be amazing and allow us to perhaps spend the money in other needed areas . That is the point . Not how much money we would save. The point is it gives us financial flexibility later on .
- Maximum Signal

The 1.5mil difference isn't gonna make much difference for us as far as cap room goes
We'll still have most our good young talent on deals that aren't paying them big money until after this current deal for Myers had expired

The 1.5mil difference isn't gonna make much difference for us as far as cap room goes
We'll still have most our good young talent on deals that aren't paying them big money until after this current deal for Myers had expired
- jdfitz77

The moral of the story is that Myers should no longer be considered "paid like a franchise defensemen" making his cap hit not so bad after all.

Agreed on Ristolainen. I think he will be great in this league.

As far as Myers being a #2 on a good team.... He was our #1 the last two times we went to the playoffs, and was great in the Philly series.

I have a feeling if the Sabres are competent this year, Myers will shine
- sbroads24

IMO, I wouldn't say we were "good" those years...
We lost in the 1st round for a reason
Do u remember our other defensemen in that Philly series?
After Myers, it was Butler & Gragnani with the 2nd and 3rd most icetime
So being the "#1" in that defensive corps wasn't much of an accomplishment
But I do agree, Myers was freaking awesome in that Philly series
But until last year, he had shown very little physical play, and I think his confidence was clearly shaken

Looks like he's back on track though
That's what matters
Our defense could be so talented a few years from now that there won't even be much difference between the top pair and the 3rd pair...
Imagine how sick that would be!

The 1.5mil difference isn't gonna make much difference for us as far as cap room goes
We'll still have most our good young talent on deals that aren't paying them big money until after this current deal for Myers had expired
- jdfitz77

And what if the bridge deal was three years and it led to Subban type money . 1.5 becomes 3.5 and that does make a big difference . Even 1.5 could make a difference in 3 years when you are looking to make a deal at the deadline for a rental . Deals are all relative to when they were negotiated . But more relative down the road , when the team would like the extra cap space. The deal did not tie our hands when it was made and may untie our hands later on. But as I said this just gives the bashers a reason to post as usual . That was the point of the blog .But the haters feel the blog was just a call to the bashers to come out . Damn if we only could have drafted Ekblad and traded Myers.

The moral of the story is that Myers should no longer be considered "paid like a franchise defensemen" making his cap hit not so bad after all.
- sbroads24

I agree with that...
But it was still a bad deal at the time

U think it'll be Gorges that gets paired with Myers?
That seems to make the most sense to me

IMO, I wouldn't say we were "good" those years...
We lost in the 1st round for a reason
Do u remember our other defensemen in that Philly series?
After Myers, it was Butler & Gragnani with the 2nd and 3rd most icetime
So being the "#1" in that defensive corps wasn't much of an accomplishment
But I do agree, Myers was freaking awesome in that Philly series
But until last year, he had shown very little physical play, and I think his confidence was clearly shaken

Looks like he's back on track though
That's what matters
Our defense could be so talented a few years from now that there won't even be much difference between the top pair and the 3rd pair...
Imagine how sick that would be!
- jdfitz77

We have the potentially best blue line in the conference in a few years.

Do you think maybe one of the reasons we weren't a great team was because Butler and MAG was in our top 4?

Also was Sekera hurt in that series?

And what if the bridge deal was three years and it led to Subban type money . 1.5 becomes 3.5 and that does make a big difference . Even 1.5 could make a difference in 3 years when you are looking to make a deal at the deadline for a rental . Deals are all relative to when they were negotiated . But more relative down the road , when the team would like the extra cap space. The deal did not tie our hands when it was made and may untie our hands later on. But as I said this just gives the bashers a reason to post as usual . That was the point of the blog .But the haters feel the blog was just a call to the bashers to come out . Damn if we only could have drafted Ekblad and traded Myers.
- Maximum Signal

Its a pretty big reach to think Myers could've earned a 9mil per deal

And why is it so hard for u to have a discussion without trying to start sh!t?
Aren't u like 50 or something?
Give it a rest
We're all Sabres fans here
There's really no reason for u to be suck a jerk