I still think we sign O'Connor. We get Eichel and O'Connor. its like 2 first round picks right there.
- ImThatGuy

i'm ok with that...

bring him in as sabres back-up, let ullmark and Makarov take the reigns in rochester

http://www.nfl.com/photos/0ap2000000323761?campaign=Twitter_gallery_starwars
- buffalofan19

We would get the jar jar binks looking helmet

From what I saw of O'Connor in the frozen four I have zero interest in him.
- Pierceme69

yeah he pissed me off to no end I want no part of him

go check oout the new draft lottery article. they pulled the sabres ball and it did not count

and that's why I hate O'Connor right now but I don't see him going back if he does I'll start to wonder if he's going to do that loophole and just sign with Boston as a free agent
- gerbe75pts

Doesn't the loophole only work if a player plays 4 years of college hockey AFTER getting drafted? Or does 3 years still work?

From what I saw of O'Connor in the frozen four I have zero interest in him.
- Pierceme69

I think loss of focus is what happened. He had teams calling him non-stop during the frozen four to get meetings and visits set up.

Being in college
Playing in college frozen-four
taking calls from teams to determine what is best for your future.

A lot to take in.

go check oout the new draft lottery article. they pulled the sabres ball and it did not count
- hafgod

No they didnt.

go check oout the new draft lottery article. they pulled the sabres ball and it did not count
- hafgod

No they didnt.

i'm with ya on that, but there is a difference between eichel and reilly, Schultz or gadreau...imo, it's better to compare eichel to toews and van riemsdyk...

I can understand why people might get a little anxious, but I won't go there
- Michael Pachla

The one I can think of is Blake Wheeler but you know me I always worry

i'm with ya on that, but there is a difference between eichel and reilly, Schultz or gadreau...imo, it's better to compare eichel to toews and van riemsdyk...

I can understand why people might get a little anxious, but I won't go there
- Michael Pachla

The one I can think of is Blake Wheeler but you know me I always worry

Doesn't the loophole only work if a player plays 4 years of college hockey AFTER getting drafted? Or does 3 years still work?
- SolidGoldBricks

he was never drafted

the sabres have been keeping the goalie-pipeline well stocked...they'll have a draft pick joining fa Makarov in Rochester next season and they have an intriguing prospect in cal Peterson who will be a sophomore at notre dame...

who starts for the sabres next year is questionable, but I was impressed with lindback, they can make a good case for O'Connor and they have the financial flexibility to go after one of those Ottawa goalies
- Michael Pachla

I hear you. I also think a ton of it has to do with your goaltending coach. Islander fans have always been critical of Snow's hiring of Mike Dunham(Snow has a penchant for hiring people with new england accents/Capuano, Thompson, dunham, cmac, strait and with all i mentioned that seemed to be the only requirement). I was hesitant to jump on that band wagon but the fact that we haven't been able to turn out an even decent back up since he was hired speaks volumes.

go check oout the new draft lottery article. they pulled the sabres ball and it did not count
- hafgod

That's a generous way of putting it. That whole conspiracy theory is dumb. Every one of those ball machines sucks multiple balls up once in a while. Only the first one counts.

Doesn't the loophole only work if a player plays 4 years of college hockey AFTER getting drafted? Or does 3 years still work?
- SolidGoldBricks

good question I think all he has to do is play 3 years after he is drafted

he was never drafted
- Michael Pachla

I'm thinking of all of the Eichel speculation, though.

The one I can think of is Blake Wheeler but you know me I always worry
- gerbe75pts

good point...blake wheeler's a pretty good nhl'er

Doesn't the loophole only work if a player plays 4 years of college hockey AFTER getting drafted? Or does 3 years still work?
- SolidGoldBricks

good question I think all he has to do is play 3 years after he is drafted

I'm thinking of all of the Eichel speculation, though.
- SolidGoldBricks

pretty sure it's four years of college eligibility...not 100% certain...too much work...I doubt it goes beyond this year, but if jack goes back, i'll only worry if he decides to go back for his junior season

good question I think all he has to do is play 3 years after he is drafted
- gerbe75pts

Mathlete time

So Eichel has 3 years left of NCAA eligibility. He gets drafted by Buffalo, and decides to return to college. Buffalo has 3 years to sign him to his ELC before he becomes a FA again.

So he plays 3 more years at BC, effectively wasting those 3 years that Buffalo had to sign him, BUT Buffalo could still sign him to play the remainder of the NHL season (it ends after the NCAA season) if he was willing to do that. So I guess the ball is in his court still. I think I've answered my own question.

I was simply curious if the year he already played in the NCAA came into effect at all.

From what I saw of O'Connor in the frozen four I have zero interest in him.
- Pierceme69

Gaffs happen to every goalie, in every league. I don't think it's a cause for concern. sign him to a 2 year deal, have him back up one of Lindback, Neuvirth, Enroth, Niemi, anyone and see how he does.

I think he's better than the three big mistakes he made.

Tampa Bay doesn't play today ? well that sucks

Tampa Bay doesn't play today ? well that sucks
- gerbe75pts

Yeah the travel days are weird... only some teams get them.

Mathlete time

So Eichel has 3 years left of NCAA eligibility. He gets drafted by Buffalo, and decides to return to college. Buffalo has 3 years to sign him to his ELC before he becomes a FA again.

So he plays 3 more years at BC, effectively wasting those 3 years that Buffalo had to sign him, BUT Buffalo could still sign him to play the remainder of the NHL season (it ends after the NCAA season) if he was willing to do that. So I guess the ball is in his court still. I think I've answered my own question.

I was simply curious if the year he already played in the NCAA came into effect at all.
- SolidGoldBricks

I am not of 100% brain capacity today, but I don't think that Eichel will choose to be back at BU if Murray explains why he can have him play right now. I think it's time to get the team on the ice that will be here in the future. Barring any injuries, I fully anticipate that Eichel will be in Buffalo on opening night 2015.

We would get the jar jar binks looking helmet
- gerbe75pts

You disappoint...

Tampa Bay doesn't play today ? well that sucks
- gerbe75pts

I don't get it either. Anaheim had a bigger travel day than Tampa/Detroit, and yet they are playing tonight.