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?
- sbroads24

Ya, totally agree
I loved Myers in that Philly series
I'm glad we finally started to see him play like that again, bc it was a rough couple years for him
Reason for hope going forward for sure
I appreciate your optimism with him, I'm just more cautious bc of the setbacks he's had though

We really need nhl training camp to start......or booze

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.


- Maximum Signal

Just look at Chara's first four years and compare them to Myers


Chara

Offense
Year Team GP G A Pts +/- PIM Hits Bks FW FL FO% PPG PPA SHG SHA GW SOG Pct
1997-98 NYI 25 0 1 1 1 50 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 0 10 .000
1998-99 NYI 59 2 6 8 -8 83 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 1 0 0 56 .036
1999-00 NYI 65 2 9 11 -27 57 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 1 1 47 .043
2000-01 NYI 82 2 7 9 -27 157 0 0 0 0 .



Myers

Offense
Year Team GP G A Pts +/- PIM Hits Bks FW FL FO% PPG PPA SHG SHA GW SOG Pct
2009-10 BUF 82 11 37 48 13 32 91 137 0 0 .000 3 13 0 1 1 104 .106
2010-11 BUF 80 10 27 37 0 40 107 98 0 0 .000 3 11 0 0 5 122 .082
2011-12 BUF 55 8 15 23 5 33 78 70 0 0 .000 3 4 0 0 1 84 .095
2012-13 BUF 39 3 5 8 -8 32 58 56 0 0 .000 1 2 0 0 2 48 .063
2013-14 BUF 62 9 13 22 -26 58 107 81 0 0 .000 3 6 0


It goes to show bigger guys can take longer to reach their potential.

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
- jdfitz77

Is it ? Another good year this year . His bridge deal ends and the Subban contract has now set the bar . The Salary cap goes up . No telling what he gets . Who is being a jerk . Stating the reality of the Myers deal and also have the foresight to see he is not even near his potential yet . And not seizing the opportunity to bash the kid .

It seems Buffalo fans seem to dwell on bashing their best player . Now that Miller is not around it seems to be Myers. We have lots of potential coming up great . But none of them have shone in an NHL game yet . Myers has . He is really starting to come into his own . But the usual suspects around here could never accept that . Like I said to bad we could not have drafted Ekblad and traded Myers. So you could all jump on Ekblad first bad game he had.

Is it ? Another good year this year . His bridge deal ends and the Subban contract has now set the bar . The Salary cap goes up . No telling what he gets . Who is being a jerk . Stating the reality of the Myers deal and also have the foresight to see he is not even near his potential yet . And not seizing the opportunity to bash the kid .

It seems Buffalo fans seem to dwell on bashing their best player . Now that Miller is not around it seems to be Myers. We have lots of potential coming up great . But none of them have shone in an NHL game yet . Myers has . He is really starting to come into his own . But the usual suspects around here could never accept that . Like I said to bad we could not have drafted Ekblad and traded Myers. So you could all jump on Ekblad first bad game he had.
- Maximum Signal

Still no reason to be an ass and call out the poster, engaging in discussion is one thing but it's not like his reasoning is based of nothing. Subban has all the numbers and accolades that can be used as leverage even if it was during a shortened season. Another good year wouldn't get Myers 9 mil even on the open market, he'd have to do what Subban did.(and I happen to like his current deal and am a big myers fan).

It's not un reasonable to be cautiously optimistic given what we've seen

Still no reason to be an ass and call out the poster, engaging in discussion is one thing but it's not like his reasoning is based of nothing. Subban has all the numbers and accolades, another good year wouldn't get Myers 9 mil (and I happen to like his current deal and am a big myers fan).

It's not un reasonable to be cautiously optimistic given what we've seen
- Sabresfan-365

No reason to continually talk the kid down either . Opinions around the league are a lot higher on Myers than they are on these boards . Why do you think Myers was the center of many trade rumors ? Other teams are just hoping we do not realize that this kid has a much higher ceiling and has not come near it yet . Before the Lottery many around here insisted that we need to trade Myers and draft Ekblad.

Is it ? Another good year this year . His bridge deal ends and the Subban contract has now set the bar . The Salary cap goes up . No telling what he gets . Who is being a jerk . Stating the reality of the Myers deal and also have the foresight to see he is not even near his potential yet . And not seizing the opportunity to bash the kid .

It seems Buffalo fans seem to dwell on bashing their best player . Now that Miller is not around it seems to be Myers. We have lots of potential coming up great . But none of them have shone in an NHL game yet . Myers has . He is really starting to come into his own . But the usual suspects around here could never accept that . Like I said to bad we could not have drafted Ekblad and traded Myers. So you could all jump on Ekblad first bad game he had.
- Maximum Signal

You're being a jerk with the constant Ekblad comments
And for the record..
When did I ever "bash" Myers?
Having an opinion that he won't become a "shutdown" defenseman isn't bashing someone
U take small parts of comments I make out of context and then blow it up to start an argument
That's how u wanna have "fun" then so be it
But don't bother involving me anymore
Its ridiculous
If u can't just have reasonable discussion with me without trying to pick a fight... Then please don't comment on my posts... And I won't on yours
This bullsh!t has gona on way too long
And frankly,
U ruin the fun I have on this site talking to other posters

No reason to continually talk the kid down either . Opinions around the league are a lot higher on Myers than they are on these boards . Why do you think Myers was the center of many trade rumors ? Other teams are just hoping we do not realize that this kid has a much higher ceiling and has not come near it yet . Before the Lottery many around here insisted that we need to trade Myers and draft Ekblad.
- Maximum Signal

I NEVER "insisted" anything at all like that
What I said (a million times) was that I thought Ekblad had a higher ceiling than Myers
Never said I wanted Myers traded, just that getting Ekblad would make him expendable if we wanted to make a trade for a young forward
I also said (the entire time) that I'd have taken Reinhart if we had the #1 pick, it just wouldn't be the end of the world for me if we ended up with Ekblad

This is prob about the 10th time I've had to make a similar post correcting your mischaracterization of my posts

And for the record...
If anyone was bashing a player it was u with all your mocking posts about his exceptional status

No reason to continually talk the kid down either . Opinions around the league are a lot higher on Myers than they are on these boards . Why do you think Myers was the center of many trade rumors ? Other teams are just hoping we do not realize that this kid has a much higher ceiling and has not come near it yet . Before the Lottery many around here insisted that we need to trade Myers and draft Ekblad.
- Maximum Signal

Most people aren't talking down, they're just hesitant to buy in, and it's not un reasonable. He has a high ceiling and he's performed at that level but showing a bit of concern for a guy who had his share of mishaps is not un warranted. He carries risk with him, I for one believe that he will return to top pairing form but I could just as easily be wrong and he could be our version of Jack Johnson.

You're being a jerk with the constant Ekblad comments
And for the record..
When did I ever "bash" Myers?
Having an opinion that he won't become a "shutdown" defenseman isn't bashing someone
U take small parts of comments I make out of context and then blow it up to start an argument
That's how u wanna have "fun" then so be it
But don't bother involving me anymore
Its ridiculous
If u can't just have reasonable discussion with me without trying to pick a fight... Then please don't comment on my posts... And I won't on yours
This bullsh!t has gona on way too long
And frankly,
U ruin the fun I have on this site talking to other posters
- jdfitz77

Who is arguing . Just stating the facts . Folks around here want to discount this kid . And always insist we could do better. You are missing the point of the blog in the first place. And who is too say Myers would not be performing at the same level as Subban if surrounded by comparable talent ? The point of the blog was he deal does not look bad now . Folks wanted to say Ekblad was better when he had not played in one NHL game. The two best defense men at the world juniors were better than Ekblad and both already belonged to Buffalo Sorry if you feel I am too protective of Myers but I feel many around here under value him. I just don't think we have come close yet to seeing what this kid will be able to do.

Most people aren't talking down, they're just hesitant to buy in, and it's not un reasonable. He has a high ceiling and he's performed at that level but showing a bit of concern for a guy who had his share of mishaps is not un warranted. He carries risk with him, I for one believe that he will return to top pairing form but I could just as easily be wrong and he could be our version of Jack Johnson.
- Sabresfan-365

But history shows players with that large of a frame take a little longer to reach their ceiling . That is the biggest point . But some around here do not want to acknowledge that.

I NEVER "insisted" anything at all like that
What I said (a million times) was that I thought Ekblad had a higher ceiling than Myers
Never said I wanted Myers traded, just that getting Ekblad would make him expendable if we wanted to make a trade for a young forward
I also said (the entire time) that I'd have taken Reinhart if we had the #1 pick, it just wouldn't be the end of the world for me if we ended up with Ekblad

This is prob about the 10th time I've had to make a similar post correcting your mischaracterization of my posts

And for the record...
If anyone was bashing a player it was u with all your mocking posts about his exceptional status
- jdfitz77

All I mocked was how people wanted to keep citing his exceptional status which was given to him at 15 . Like that was why he would dominate right away in the NHL. Exceptional status means nothing till they perform on high level playing in the NHL Forwards adjust a lot more easily to the NHL than defense men do . The development of defense men just does not happen that easy .

But history shows players with that large of a frame take a little longer to reach their ceiling . That is the biggest point . But some around here do not want to acknowledge that.
- Maximum Signal

Credit to homie here as he has pointed it out before, at some point we have to acknowledge that Myers can't fall into the he's young category anymore. I get that some players take more time to develop but he will be 25 this season. The time for him to step up would be now and it's possible that he may not be capable of it.

If he doesn't step, after this season his value will diminsh with each passing year because he'll no longer be a young defencemen who could reach a certain potential and just needs a change in scenery. He'll be the player who never did and his trade value will reflect that.

Credit to homie here as he has pointed it out before, at some point we have to acknowledge that Myers can't fall into the he's young category anymore. I get that some players take more time to develop but he will be 25 this season. The time for him to step up would be now and it's possible that he may not be capable of it.

If he doesn't step, after this season his value will diminsh with each passing year because he'll no longer be a young defencemen who could reach a certain potential and just needs a change in scenery. He'll be the player who never did and his trade value will reflect that.
- Sabresfan-365

He was already stepping up last season while surrounded by AHL talent. Murray has stated that we need to get some talent around him for him to reach potential . Again Big men just take longer to develop . They seem to have to adjust to using their frame at this level . Myers stick work I feel was his biggest improvement last year . He is really learning to use his reach to his advantage defensively.

Credit to homie here as he has pointed it out before, at some point we have to acknowledge that Myers can't fall into the he's young category anymore. I get that some players take more time to develop but he will be 25 this season. The time for him to step up would be now and it's possible that he may not be capable of it.

If he doesn't step, after this season his value will diminsh with each passing year because he'll no longer be a young defencemen who could reach a certain potential and just needs a change in scenery. He'll be the player who never did and his trade value will reflect that.
- Sabresfan-365

He was really good at 23-24 this season. I'm not sure what else he has to do besides stay healthy. On a good team he probably would have had 20 more points just on secondary assists alone.

He faced the toughest competition while being out out with the worst line mates. He had the lowest offensive zone start % of all the D that got regular playing time

All on the worst team in hockey and still managed to have some "difference making" games despite those disadvantages.

He was really good at 23-24 this season. I'm not sure what else he has to do besides stay healthy. On a good team he probably would have had 20 more points just on secondary assists alone.

He faced the toughest competition while being out out with the worst line mates. He had the lowest offensive zone start % of all the D that got regular playing time

All on the worst team in hockey and still managed to have some "difference making" games despite those disadvantages.
- sbroads24

No arguments here, I'm just trying to see both sides to it. I can understand why people would be skeptical. People like to see big numbers or big achievements before they dub someone a #1. Hard to do that when you're on such a crappy team, it's why I think the next year or two are key for him. I'd like to see him get even better as the team gets better and I believe he can.

No arguments here, I'm just trying to see both sides to it. I can understand why people would be skeptical. People like to see big numbers or big achievements before they dub someone a #1. Hard to do that when you're on such a crappy team, it's why I think the next year or two are key for him. I'd like to see him get even better as the team gets better and I believe he can.
- Sabresfan-365

I understand the skepticism too until it gets to a certain point where people forget how he played this year or even his second year.

His age is irrelevant now. He would have been one of the better defensemen in the league if this team was better last season. Again that's just my opinion but I think he's closer to an all-star player than he is a 4th defensemen

I understand the skepticism too until it gets to a certain point where people forget how he played this year or even his second year.

His age is irrelevant now. He would have been one of the better defensemen in the league if this team was better last season. Again that's just my opinion but I think he's closer to an all-star player than he is a 4th defensemen
- sbroads24

Anyone saying he is a 3 or 4 defenseman is just a basher . He is a good 2 at worst with the potential to be a fine 1.

Meszaros makes Myers expendable..

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

I see where you're coming from. I'd almost argue the contract after the bridge wouldve been more in line with 5/22.5 especially based on his performance the last 3 yrs.

Def a risk taken that wasnt needed, but based on where we're at today it definitely works for a 2nd line pairing at minimum.

Well it's going up because revenue is. This is the deal both sides agreed to.

I see the big problem being the Orpik's making 5.5 million, not PK making 9 million.
- RogerRoeper

It is inflation. As the cap keeps climbing so will player salaries.

He was already stepping up last season while surrounded by AHL talent. Murray has stated that we need to get some talent around him for him to reach potential . Again Big men just take longer to develop . They seem to have to adjust to using their frame at this level . Myers stick work I feel was his biggest improvement last year . He is really learning to use his reach to his advantage defensively.
- Maximum Signal

I think his physicality was his biggest improvement followed closely by using his reach better. If he continues to be a beast physically look out. Loved that part of his game last yr despite the suspension

Meszaros makes Myers expendable..
- mhp

Myers > Meszaros

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.
- Jammerz04

So Dion is worth, what 3.5 million? Thanks.

When is the next lockout scheduled for ?