YES !!!!!! Let's be a mediocre team for ever !!!!!! We did that for how many years ????? That sure was fun
- gerbe75pts

might as well be the laffs.

You do realize the Lightning had the top pick in 98 and 99(which was traded)?

Drafted top 10 in 00( 2 top 10 as they traded #5 overall and had 8th), 01 (3rd overall), and 02 (traded to Philly 4th overall).

But they didn't tank?
- dadeadhead

No we didn't tank, we just sucked

My disagreement with the Kane trade aside, I don't see anything "impressive" about what Murray has done.

He didn't pull off a Gaustad type trade, or even get decent value for any player moved yesterday.

He did his job. He moved a couple FA's that any GM/team would move in our situation
- sbroads24

I'm not enamored with the Kane trade honestly.

I also feel that was a deal that we won't see the total outcome for 3ish years.

Posts getting deleted on here left and right.

That is all he can honestly be given credit for in my opinion.
- BuffaloHardHat

Great article Michael - always blows me away how quickly you can put these together.

It's an embarrassment how the Buffalo media, and a large portion of the fan base have reacted to the trade deadline. Buffalo news stinks in general, but how does anyone expect to get to the bottom of the standings with class? There's nothing classy about a poor product. Murray took guys that were going to leave for NOTHING in the post-season, and receive a return on them. Not great - but picks are picks, and when Murray's bread and butter is inside the draft-room, I'm comfortable with that.

The Sabres already got our blockbuster trade with Kane and Bogo - what did this fan base really expect? Seriously? The saying is old because it applies - If you want to make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs.

And then there's this

http://bleacherreport.com...uel-and-kyle-orton-as-qbs

might as well be the laffs.
- TheSabresTaco

He should go be leafs fan he just does not (frank)ing get it ... The goal is many cups not a make the playoffs the last day team

Great article Michael - always blows me away how quickly you can put these together.

It's an embarrassment how the Buffalo media, and a large portion of the fan base have reacted to the trade deadline. Buffalo news stinks in general, but how does anyone expect to get to the bottom of the standings with class? There's nothing classy about a poor product. Murray took guys that were going to leave for NOTHING in the post-season, and receive a return on them. Not great - but picks are picks, and when Murray's bread and butter is inside the draft-room, I'm comfortable with that.

The Sabres already got our blockbuster trade with Kane and Bogo - what did this fan base really expect? Seriously? The saying is old because it applies - If you want to make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs.
- Poopspawn

But the children, how will the children ever recover from this. Can you imagine hwat those 7 or 8 year old's think of this!!!!!

Integrity will forever be lost on them!

No we didn't tank, we just sucked
- uf1910

And so does this team.

Darcy started the blow up process albeit a few years too late.

Murray is here to finish it.

It remains to be seen how it works out.

I can't wait for tonight's game red lights on all game

But the children, how will the children ever recover from this. Can you imagine hwat those 7 or 8 year old's think of this!!!!!

Integrity will forever be lost on them!
- ImThatGuy

Connor McDavid will learn them up right quick

This was kicked around a bit in the previous blog. I don't think anyone is slapping Uncle Tim on the back. Tearing down isn't that hard and that isn't a lot of glory in it. What he does next is what we will use to grade him. I'd take another Kane trade (lesser pieces for bigger pieces) all day long.
- Slump Buster

I think it will be a while, but he has made some moves that will need to pan out for his "plan" to work or succeed.

He's banking on

Kane turning it around (off the ice)
Risto/Zads who he didn't draft to pan out to be really,really good
To easily find a goalie when we are ready (which can be done)
To draft 1 or 2 this season (which is probably going to happen)

Great article Michael - always blows me away how quickly you can put these together.

It's an embarrassment how the Buffalo media, and a large portion of the fan base have reacted to the trade deadline. Buffalo news stinks in general, but how does anyone expect to get to the bottom of the standings with class? There's nothing classy about a poor product. Murray took guys that were going to leave for NOTHING in the post-season, and receive a return on them. Not great - but picks are picks, and when Murray's bread and butter is inside the draft-room, I'm comfortable with that.

The Sabres already got our blockbuster trade with Kane and Bogo - what did this fan base really expect? Seriously? The saying is old because it applies - If you want to make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs.
- Poopspawn

Murray is orchestrating much bolder moves which is way more polarizing.

He is doing things Darcy was unable to do or was not allowed to do. Its different so apparently it is Worse/Wrong

He should go be leafs fan he just does not (frank)ing get it ... The goal is many cups not a make the playoffs the last day team
- gerbe75pts

b-b-but....HONOR!! a-a-and...INTEGRITY!!

The sooner some people realize that (sadly) those values and morals get you nowhere in sports, the better. Just look at the NFL, MLB, NBA...

I'm not saying it's right. It's just reality.

Murray is orchestrating much bolder moves which is way more polarizing.

He is doing things Darcy was unable to do or was not allowed to do. Its different so apparently it is Worse/Wrong
- RynoBull

There is a middle ground between being really bold, and being really conservative.

Personally I wanted to go after Kane. But I didn't think he was a break the bank to get kind of player.

Darcy would have never considered it, Murray was willing to do anything to get him.

I would have been in the middle

You're a black hawks fan think before you speak
- gerbe75pts

no he is not

you have so much to learn

no he is not

you have so much to learn
- homiedclown

There is a middle ground between being really bold, and being really conservative.

Personally I wanted to go after Kane. But I didn't think he was a break the bank to get kind of player.

Darcy would have never considered it, Murray was willing to do anything to get him.

I would have been in the middle
- sbroads24

Let me ask you this Broads... what is your on-ice opinion of Kane?

YES !!!!!! Let's be a mediocre team for ever !!!!!! We did that for how many years ????? That sure was fun
- gerbe75pts

Gerbs, I certainly do not want to be a mediocre team forever I mean I am getting up their age so I don't want to wait forever.
There are indeed others that feel that same exact way I do.
But hey, you think the only way you stop being mediocre is to deliberately ice the worst possible team you can?
There are better ways to move away from mediocrity other than to deliberately tank Gerbs.
My counter idea - hire the right management personnel, get all the players and coaches on the same page, draft well, play the game right, win hockey games .
The old fashioned way, by earning your way to attain the coveted prize.
I am not going to sit here and berate y'all that are on board with the tank, that is how you want this done, maybe impatience plays a role, not sure.
But it's the way you want it done and I don't but that's okay too.
Will I enjoy McDavid or Eichel if we get them?
Of course I will.
I will just not have enjoyed the way we arrived to pick them up, but that's me.

b-b-but....HONOR!! a-a-and...INTEGRITY!!

The sooner some people realize that (sadly) those values and morals get you nowhere in sports, the better. Just look at the NFL, MLB, NBA...

I'm not saying it's right. It's just reality.
- TerryPegula

Tim Tebow disagrees


Choir boys do not win titles

- dadeadhead

it had to be said

People wanted change, now they don't like it, wanted Darcy gone, now they don't like it, want McEichel, but want to play good, wanted to tank in the begininng of the year, now they say it's wrong. I give up.

I can't imagine what they'll be saying about this team tonight on NBC Sports... it's going to be comical.

Michael, great article

There are better ways to move away from mediocrity other than to deliberately tank Gerbs.

- BuffaloHardHat

Name them, the floor is yours.