On to another topic. Does anyone else think next season hinges on who the sabres bring in to start in goal and how that guy performs? If we have a mediocre goalie, I can still see this team being bottom 5. I think its going to be 3 years until we finally make some noise.
- bjm1717

I feel like if we can score some goals, why not keep Lindback and try to find a vet in their early 30's who has a calm presence and doesn't mind only starting 15-18 games a year? Might be a stop gap solution until we find our "real" goalie, but I don't have much of a problem with Lindbacks play. On a good (scoring) team, letting in 2-4 goals a night shouldn't produce so many losses.

yup...pretty much, bill the cat
- Michael Pachla

Just started to catch up on this thread, loved the BC reference and had to comment. In junior high, I wore my "Billy and the Boingers" t-shirt once a week.

Its more of Buffalo has the best chance to draft him, so I should feel good about their odds. But apparently cannot because it is "stupid logic"
- ImThatGuy

Typical. Again, no one ever said you couldn't feel that way. I feel like I am talking my girlfriend off the ledge right now.

If knowing buffalo has a 20% chance at getting McDavid and that gets you all warm and fuzzy so be it.

I just wanted to make sure I validated your feelings.

The "douchebag" is strong with this group....

It's full of douche...

The "douchebag" is strong with this group....

It's full of douche...


- jochfr

It's kind of like "Lord of the Flies" but about hockey.

I feel like if we can score some goals, why not keep Lindback and try to find a vet in their early 30's who has a calm presence and doesn't mind only starting 15-18 games a year? Might be a stop gap solution until we find our "real" goalie, but I don't have much of a problem with Lindbacks play. On a good (scoring) team, letting in 2-4 goals a night shouldn't produce so many losses.
- seedy

I agree, I really liked how lindback played here...and he has the size Murray likes.

But what does the goaltending look like next year? In 3 years?

Maybe:

2015-16
Buffalo
Niemi
Lindback

Rochester
Makarov
Ullmark
Oconnor

I agree, I really liked how lindback played here...and he has the size Murray likes.

But what does the goaltending look like next year? In 3 years?

Maybe:

2015-16
Buffalo
Niemi
Lindback

Rochester
Makarov
Ullmark
Oconnor
- bjm1717

I wonder if Jimmy Howard will become available since hes not getting the start in the playoffs.

I agree, I really liked how lindback played here...and he has the size Murray likes.

But what does the goaltending look like next year? In 3 years?

Maybe:

2015-16
Buffalo
Niemi
Lindback

Rochester
Makarov
Ullmark
Oconnor
- bjm1717

I can see Lindback coming back. As noted, he's a large body type that Murray has said he prefers. I'd also be fine with Niemi here too. Double-hip surgery for Ullmark is kinda scary. His numbers in Europe looked promising and I was looking forward to seeing him play for Rochester next year.
Mak-daddy seemed to have typical young goalie ups and downs, so who knows? I'm not as concerned with goalie, as a position, as I am with building a stout defensive corps, though. I just feel like its a "finishing touch" move, more than something to establish first and build around.

I agree, I really liked how lindback played here...and he has the size Murray likes.

But what does the goaltending look like next year? In 3 years?

Maybe:

2015-16
Buffalo
Niemi
Lindback

Rochester
Makarov
Ullmark
Oconnor
- bjm1717

Has O'Connor been offered / accepted a deal yet?
Man what a way to lose $M's

Has O'Connor been offered / accepted a deal yet?
Man what a way to lose $M's
- IonSabres

So brutal. And to know that momentary lapse will follow you around for the rest of your career...I feel for the kid. I don't believe he's accepted an offer yet, but there is a Buffalo-esque quality to him now, and not in a good way. Typically, a guy waits till he's playing for a Buffalo team to yak one up like that. That said, I'd take a chance on him. Why not?

So brutal. And to know that momentary lapse will follow you around for the rest of your career...I feel for the kid. I don't believe he's accepted an offer yet, but there is a Buffalo-esque quality to him now, and not in a good way. Typically, a guy waits till he's playing for a Buffalo team to yak one up like that. That said, I'd take a chance on him. Why not?
- PrinceChill

One? He had 3, what a poor guy I feel bad for him.

One? He had 3, what a poor guy I feel bad for him.
- hubie

Ooh, I didn't know he completed the trifecta. Probably why he hasn't signed yet. Teams sending psychiatrists to break the kid down.

So brutal. And to know that momentary lapse will follow you around for the rest of your career...I feel for the kid. I don't believe he's accepted an offer yet, but there is a Buffalo-esque quality to him now, and not in a good way. Typically, a guy waits till he's playing for a Buffalo team to yak one up like that. That said, I'd take a chance on him. Why not?
- PrinceChill

Was not impressed at all. I would think mistakes like that effect a goalie for a long long time. Far more than positional players. Dude blew a championship on possibly the worst goal ever

I would have passed.
- cabin

Yep had the poops

Has O'Connor been offered / accepted a deal yet?
Man what a way to lose $M's
- IonSabres

Maybe waiting to see where Eichel goes?

Yep had the poops
- gerbe75pts

- dadeadhead

Probably not far from the truth.

Maybe waiting to see where Eichel goes?
- dadeadhead

is there an advantage of signing right away? I would think not

I can see Lindback coming back. As noted, he's a large body type that Murray has said he prefers. I'd also be fine with Niemi here too. Double-hip surgery for Ullmark is kinda scary. His numbers in Europe looked promising and I was looking forward to seeing him play for Rochester next year.
Mak-daddy seemed to have typical young goalie ups and downs, so who knows? I'm not as concerned with goalie, as a position, as I am with building a stout defensive corps, though. I just feel like its a "finishing touch" move, more than something to establish first and build around.
- PrinceChill

Yeah, I think if we kept Lindback, we would need capable veteran leadership to back him up. Playing 2 kids in tandem might not work. I watch Neimei out here a lot. Not sure if he is ready to play that role, but i have no problem with him at all.
The Ullmark thing is definitely scary. I assume TM will just continue to add to the goalie pipeline and hope someone rises to the top.

I know it won't happen, but I would like TM to put an offer sheet in for Toffoli. LA doesn't have a lot of cap space left.
- jzabawa

I wouldn't be surprised to see him offer sheet someone, not sure who, but someone seems like a good move for a team in the Sabres position. It also shows that person that they REALLY want that player in the city and on the team with a big role.

Burning question for me do I have to see Weber on this roster next season ?

Yeah, I think if we kept Lindback, we would need capable veteran leadership to back him up. Playing 2 kids in tandem might not work. I watch Neimei out here a lot. Not sure if he is ready to play that role, but i have no problem with him at all.
The Ullmark thing is definitely scary. I assume TM will just continue to add to the goalie pipeline and hope someone rises to the top.
- seedy

The goalie position is so unpredictable, that seems to be the best method. Stock the pipeline and see who pans out. But even then, you never know. Hammond sorta stunk in the AHL and then played out of his mind, right into the playoffs. Young goalies get traded, become studs, sign for big money, start to stink...etc.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him offer sheet someone, not sure who, but someone seems like a good move for a team in the Sabres position. It also shows that person that they REALLY want that player in the city and on the team with a big role.
- MikeyOz

Not many try the offer-sheet route, but TM seems like a guy who doesn't give a F, and might be up for it. Tarasenko could be another candidate, but it's highly risky sending away first round picks when you're a cellar dweller.

Not many try the offer-sheet route, but TM seems like a guy who doesn't give a F, and might be up for it. Tarasenko could be another candidate, but it's highly risky sending away first round picks when you're a cellar dweller.
- PrinceChill

But we have the picks we want(ed) yes the 1st round picks are precious but we have all seen how they also can mean squat. I do agree that next year we could still have a high percentage but the way the draft is now, we could finish 5 or 6 and still realisticly win the draft, it is so effed up.

Man offer sheeting Tarasenko geez would that p!ss off the Blues organisation, someone we don't play against regularly go for it!

But we have the picks we want(ed) yes the 1st round picks are precious but we have all seen how they also can mean squat. I do agree that next year we could still have a high percentage but the way the draft is now, we could finish 5 or 6 and still realisticly win the draft, it is so effed up.

Man offer sheeting Tarasenko geez would that p!ss off the Blues organisation, someone we don't play against regularly go for it!
- MikeyOz

No doubt. Boy, did he have a great year. You'd have to weigh the heavy contract against the picks. As per wiki, up to 8.4M/year, its 2 firsts, a 2nd and a 3rd. Tempting to me, even at that steep a price. We're well stocked with young talent and have cap space.