I also thought it was a bit odd that both the Chicago game on Tuesday and the Minnesota game yesterday both actually started at 8:30 local time. I don't think I've ever once seen a game start at 8:30 pm here.
- HonkFortheGoose

I like Moulson but his foot speed keeps him out of a lot of plays. Great hands around the net but on the rush he's literally nonexistent.

Powerplay specialist.
- Pairo11

I've not been a fan of his since he came in the trade, so I'll knock him when I find a chance, but I can't disagree with the bolded. However, 5M for a guy that will be on the 2nd line - but should probably be on the 3rd, pretty well sucks.

Oh well, we're stuck with him so I'll just have to cope

Vegetables will kill you. I eat ZERO veggies.

True story.
- Pairo11

I've not been a fan of his since he came in the trade, so I'll knock him when I find a chance, but I can't disagree with the bolded. However, 5M for a guy that will be on the 2nd line - but should probably be on the 3rd, pretty well sucks.

Oh well, we're stuck with him so I'll just have to cope
- stashu

There was a reason why he was dropped a line on the island

If the team fixes the PP, Moulson will be more effective as the numbers will be there

I think Moulson will do fine with reinhart and a decent rw'er on the second line

I just know that gionta is not that winger

There was a reason why he was dropped a line on the island

If the team fixes the PP, Moulson will be more effective as the numbers will be there

I think Moulson will do fine with reinhart and a decent rw'er on the second line

I just know that gionta is not that winger
- homiedclown

I do like the idea of him on the powerplay, assuming he can be that guy knocking them in consistently. I won't fault him for his skill or ability in doing that in a Buffalo sweater as he's not really had a good team or good PP coaching. But should he fail at that even though the PP is good around him, then he'll be a failure.

I do like the idea of him on the powerplay, assuming he can be that guy knocking them in consistently. I won't fault him for his skill or ability in doing that in a Buffalo sweater as he's not really had a good team or good PP coaching. But should he fail at that even though the PP is good around him, then he'll be a failure.
- stashu

I doubt that becomes an issue for at least another couple years. Just look at what he did with Tavares on the PP. If they can get the PP going with good puck movement, he'll be plenty effective there.

I do like the idea of him on the powerplay, assuming he can be that guy knocking them in consistently. I won't fault him for his skill or ability in doing that in a Buffalo sweater as he's not really had a good team or good PP coaching. But should he fail at that even though the PP is good around him, then he'll be a failure.
- stashu

flip side to that

he was our best +/- player on any sabre playing more games then foligno

which is kind of overlooked when you consider he was probably on the ice for 90% of the empty net goals scored against the sabres

I doubt that becomes an issue for at least another couple years. Just look at what he did with Tavares on the PP. If they can get the PP going with good puck movement, he'll be plenty effective there.
- HonkFortheGoose

So damn annoying...this team hasn't had a good PP for so damn long, and even the PK has fallen off when it used to be very good. I know part of it reflects the poor squad, so these last 2 years don't count, but before that, with the magical 9th place teams, they were lacking.

So damn annoying...this team hasn't had a good PP for so damn long, and even the PK has fallen off when it used to be very good. I know part of it reflects the poor squad, so these last 2 years don't count, but before that, with the magical 9th place teams, they were lacking.
- stashu

The PP has been abysmal pretty much since Scott Arniel left. There was a large dropoff in how well that unit worked from 05-06 to 06-07, and that was with the same players as the previous years.

Considering that the team could pretty much score at will on 06-07, it was a bit odd that the PP was not as good as it was the previous year. They went from being 3rd in the league to 17th.

watch Murray hires his uncle Terry to coach the team

With Moulson, it seems to be all about having to pay somebody a decent salary to make the cap floor, but the length of his deal could hurt the team when they are good.

Between Moulson and Hodgson, you have $9M in cap space through 2017-2018.

By that year, you would hope the Sabres are a very serious team, and since both guys will likely be 3rd liners at best at that point as the odds are strong that some of their wing prospects will be ready for the 2nd or 3rd line, you'd also much rather use that $9M to sign a top 6 winger if needed, or even a true top line RW.

They had to pay somebody(s), but stop gaps for shorter term would likely have been smarter, unless TP is going to simply bury them in the minors or trade them for scraps when the time comes.

watch Murray hires his uncle Terry to coach the team
- homiedclown

- theblueandgold

http://emptynetsports.com...-kid-off-the-draft-stage/

With Moulson, it seems to be all about having to pay somebody a decent salary to make the cap floor, but the length of his deal could hurt the team when they are good.

Between Moulson and Hodgson, you have $9M in cap space through 2017-2018.

By that year, you would hope the Sabres are a very serious team, and since both guys will likely be 3rd liners at best at that point as the odds are strong that some of their wing prospects will be ready for the 2nd or 3rd line, you'd also much rather use that $9M to sign a top 6 winger if needed, or even a true top line RW.

They had to pay somebody(s), but stop gaps for shorter term would likely have been smarter, unless TP is going to simply bury them in the minors or trade them for scraps when the time comes.
- kingcong39

The problem with this is that it's a pretty hard sell to the player. They had to get guys to sign contracts, and to tell a guy like Moulson, "well we want you to sign this contract, but only for 2 years because we don't want you here once we start turning things around. "

Being that he was under 35 when he signed the contract, he could choose to retire prior o the end, which wouldn't hurt us cap wise or they could ask him to waive his NTC and move him if need be.

They aren't completely handcuffed.

http://emptynetsports.com/2015/04/petition-katz-kid-off-the-draft-stage/


- theblueandgold

Bad form.

http://emptynetsports.com/2015/04/petition-katz-kid-off-the-draft-stage/


- theblueandgold

The only person on that stage who should be wearing an Oilers jersey is Connor McDavid. Nobody else. It was annoying having Thurman Merman up there when he was like eight. He looks like he’s 20 now. We’ve been rebuilding for 100 years so there’s a chance he actually might be. And there’s a realistic possibility he hasn’t had a haircut since the ’09 draft either. That hair is such a piss off it’s insane. On the most special day of Darnell Nurse’s life the pictures he has on stage will be forever ruined by that bird’s nest to his right. Please don’t do this to Connor McDavid. Plus he’s horrible luck. Since Thurman’s been on the draft stage we’ve finished 30th, 30th, 29th, 24th, 28th and 28th. Do other teams let their kids go on the draft stage?

http://emptynetsports.com/2015/04/petition-katz-kid-off-the-draft-stage/


- theblueandgold

Shold keep Katz off the stage !

Scary, scary looking man. Well, he IS Canadian...

- jochfr

The problem with this is that it's a pretty hard sell to the player. They had to get guys to sign contracts, and to tell a guy like Moulson, "well we want you to sign this contract, but only for 2 years because we don't want you here once we start turning things around. "

Being that he was under 35 when he signed the contract, he could choose to retire prior o the end, which wouldn't hurt us cap wise or they could ask him to waive his NTC and move him if need be.

They aren't completely handcuffed.
- HonkFortheGoose

Not at all, agreed. It's going to be very interesting to see how they handle things, not next year, but in 2016-2017.

Moulson will still have another year left on his deal and Hodgson will have two.

That is the season where the team should be a strong team, and the offseason prior to that, is when you would think the light would definitely be green regarding bringing in a big time player, whether that be a forward (winger preferably), a defenseman, or both.

If the team thinks guys like Carrier, Bailey, Compher, Baptiste, Hurley, Fasching, and Karabacek are still three seasons away from being an NHL level player capable of making an impact, then it won't be an issue.

If any 2 of the above are ready to make an impact at the NHL level earlier than that, it's going to be tricky regarding Moulson and Hodgson.

Not at all, agreed. It's going to be very interesting to see how they handle things, not next year, but in 2016-2017.

Moulson will still have another year left on his deal and Hodgson will have two.

That is the season where the team should be a strong team, and the offseason prior to that, is when you would think the light would definitely be green regarding bringing in a big time player, whether that be a forward (winger preferably), a defenseman, or both.

If the team thinks guys like Carrier, Bailey, Compher, Baptiste, Hurley, Fasching, and Karabacek are still three seasons away from being an NHL level player capable of making an impact, then it won't be an issue.

If any 2 of the above are ready to make an impact at the NHL level earlier than that, it's going to be tricky regarding Moulson and Hodgson.
- kingcong39

coho is moved to a team that needs to get to the cap floor for a box of broken hockey sticks