Just look at last offseason- we got two very well-respected veterans to sign with us and other to waive his NTC. These guys are everywhere. I am sure we could have gotten Ott back if we wanted him (thankfully we didn't). I like Sharp just fine but no point in giving up a high pick or more to get him for a year or two.
- Slump Buster

Don't kid yourself. Nobody was coming anywhere near the money Buffalo was offering for the two UFA's, and Josh Gorges was told he needed to expand his No movement list. Let's face it, the stars aligned for all parties involved. Buffalo was willing, in fact it needed to, spend stupid amounts of money, and they ended up giving it to players that nobody else would.

So then you aren't protecting your franchise center without having a veteran play with him. Crosby had veterans on his wing when he started his career so did Toews, Stamkos did, etc.

It's about not letting another team just worry about shutting him down. You basically shelter him on his own line.
- Stripes77

Huh?
Ennis is at least comparable to Sharp at this point... Probably better
You don't need someone OLD to help Eichel,
You need someone GOOD

PS...
Eichel has been playing with SCRUBS and was able to more than hold his own today against Russian All-Stars... Mostly matched against Malkin, who's commonly held as one of the best players in the game

(shrug) so what? We were also trying to get to the cap floor. It doesn't change the point. When we are good again we won't have to do that.
- Slump Buster

It's almost 9 million tied up in 2 years from now on two very mediocre players. You are right, vets are everywhere, just not good ones

Don't kid yourself. Nobody was coming anywhere near the money Buffalo was offering for the two UFA's, and Josh Gorges was told he needed to expand his No movement list. Let's face it, the stars aligned for all parties involved. Buffalo was willing, in fact it needed to, spend stupid amounts of money, and they ended up giving it to players that nobody else would.
- buffalofan19

I don't agree with some of that (Moulson said he was offered similar money in other cities). It still doesn't change the point - you can find veteran leadership anywhere.

Don't kid yourself. Nobody was coming anywhere near the money Buffalo was offering for the two UFA's, and Josh Gorges was told he needed to expand his No movement list. Let's face it, the stars aligned for all parties involved. Buffalo was willing, in fact it needed to, spend stupid amounts of money, and they ended up giving it to players that nobody else would.
- buffalofan19

They got Andrej Mezaros for 4 mil to come here, doesnt mean I want him paired with Risto for the next few years

Yea I don't think they are moving him. Public shaming hurts trade value. They are trying to light a fire under him.

I remember getting laughed at for suggesting he had effort issues by Wing fans. It was one of the reasons he fell to 20
- sbroads24

That all makes sense
But if he is available, I'd def see what they'd want for him

Just look at last offseason- we got two very well-respected veterans to sign with us and other to waive his NTC. These guys are everywhere. I am sure we could have gotten Ott back if we wanted him (thankfully we didn't). I like Sharp just fine but no point in giving up a high pick or more to get him for a year or two.
- Slump Buster

Edmonton disagrees

I don't agree with some of that (Moulson said he was offered similar money in other cities). It still doesn't change the point - you can find veteran leadership anywhere.
- Slump Buster

Not term, though, at least from any GM that was serious about winning, which the Sabres weren't.

It's almost 9 million tied up in 2 years from now on two very mediocre players. You are right, vets are everywhere, just not good ones
- sbroads24

I believe Gionta only has two more years. I was way down on Gionta at the beginning but the fact is they were much better when he came back in December and he was (unfortunately) a witch in the last month of the season. The guy wasn't brought in to be a top 6 forward.

Did they overpay for him? Absofreakinglutely, and I couldn't care less. He'll be off the books before we come anywhere near thinking about the cap. I'd rather overpay for him and have him off the books when others are ready to stop in (and get paid).

They got Andrej Mezaros for 4 mil to come here, doesnt mean I want him paired with Risto for the next few years
- sbroads24

Good point. But I think Mezsaros - like Gionta - served another purpose. They thought that they would turn him around and then flip him at the deadline for a good pick. In essence using Uncle Terry's money to try to get more stuff. It didn't work that way, unfortunately (or fortunately).

I don't value veterans as heavily as some do, but I don't think you can find them anywhere, at least not good ones.

I don't know why people are acting like Sharp is washed up, he's a year removed from a 70 point season.

I think the constant rumors of him being a serial home wrecker affected his year. I would rather trade a 2nd rounder for him, than trade Grigorenko or Pysyk and a 1st for O'Reilly
- sbroads24

He's fine NOW, but do u want to re-sign him when he's 36+ ?
That's how old he'll be when we are ready to compete for a Cup
Seems like a waste to me

I believe Gionta only has two more years. I was way down on Gionta at the beginning but the fact is they were much better when he came back in December and he was (unfortunately) a witch in the last month of the season. The guy wasn't brought in to be a top 6 forward.

Did they overpay for him? Absofreakinglutely, and I couldn't care less. He'll be off the books before we come anywhere near thinking about the cap. I'd rather overpay for him and have him off the books when others are ready to stop in (and get paid).
- Slump Buster

You couldn't (and shouldn't) care less because the whole purpose of this year was to come in last and get one of McDavid or Eichel. Now that you're trying to win games again, the approach needs to change. A guy like Sharp also comes off the books when Gionta does, and he actually has more ability to improve the win column.

He's fine NOW, but do u want to re-sign him when he's 36+ ?
That's how old he'll be when we are ready to compete for a Cup
Seems like a waste to me
- jdfitz77

Why do you have to re-sign him? If he helps the team like he should, great. If not, then you walk away.

You couldn't (and shouldn't) care less because the whole purpose of this year was to come in last and get one of McDavid or Eichel. Now that you're trying to win games again, the approach needs to change. A guy like Sharp also comes off the books when Gionta does, and he actually has more ability to improve the win column.
- buffalofan19

The point against Sharp is that we are at least a couple of years from being legit. Why bother with more vets that won't be here then? We've got that box checked already.

Good point. But I think Mezsaros - like Gionta - served another purpose. They thought that they would turn him around and then flip him at the deadline for a good pick. In essence using Uncle Terry's money to try to get more stuff. It didn't work that way, unfortunately (or fortunately).
- Slump Buster

I guess what my reasoning for wanting a guy like Sharp is that I think it can benefit guys like Reinhart or Eichel, and you don't have to overpay or give out a 5 or 6 year deal to get him here.

For example, I doubt someone like Marty St. Louis would sign here unless we gave him 4 years of guaranteed money, which would be insane

Nobody is going to sign him to an offer sheet. All any team accomplishes by doing that is doing St. Louis' work for them.
- buffalofan19

StL isn't gonna sign him to a 10mil a year deal
Another team might
If I were Toronto I'd certainly try

I still think that Murray is going to pull off something dramatic this summer and that this desire for a top-6 young winger will take care of itself.

StL isn't gonna sign him to a 10mil a year deal
Another team might
If I were Toronto I'd certainly try
- jdfitz77

Toronto is looking at another couple of years of bottom-5 finishes. I don't think they would risk St. Louis letting him walk.

I still think that Murray is going to pull off something dramatic this summer and that this desire for a top-6 young winger will take care of itself.
- Slump Buster

I have this feeling, as well.

StL isn't gonna sign him to a 10mil a year deal
Another team might
If I were Toronto I'd certainly try
- jdfitz77

They would move other players if need be to sign him to a huge contract.

Huh?
Ennis is at least comparable to Sharp at this point... Probably better
You don't need someone OLD to help Eichel,
You need someone GOOD

PS...
Eichel has been playing with SCRUBS and was able to more than hold his own today against Russian All-Stars... Mostly matched against Malkin, who's commonly held as one of the best players in the game
- jdfitz77

Cause Tyler Ennis has won a playoff series let alone 2 Cups? Tyler Ennis has put up over 70 points in a year before? I'm not comparing skill set I'm comparing experience. Crosby had Mario and Guerin Stamkos had St Louis who the hell does Eichel have? Matt Moulson? Sharp is and will be better in 2 years than Moulson.

Cause Tyler Ennis has won a playoff series let alone 2 Cups? Tyler Ennis has put up over 70 points in a year before? I'm not comparing skill set I'm comparing experience. Crosby had Mario and Guerin Stamkos had St Louis who the hell does Eichel have? Matt Moulson? Sharp is and will be better in 2 years than Moulson.
- Stripes77

Ennis is a better player than Sharp right now. Sharp also had the benefit of playing behind elite talent. Not sure what your point is.

Why do you have to re-sign him? If he helps the team like he should, great. If not, then you walk away.
- buffalofan19

If we aren't competing for a Cup in the time we have Sharp,
Why do we NEED him?
Makes more sense to just sign another Vet if for some reason Gionta & Moulson can't provide the leadership that Sharp supposedly can.
If we are going to trade for someone,
He should be here for the long run...
Not just 2 years
I don't see what Sharp can provide in that time span that's so valuable

Ennis is a better player than Sharp right now. Sharp also had the benefit of playing behind elite talent. Not sure what your point is.
- Slump Buster

I would actually say he's played with elite talent, not behind it. Behind implies he doesn't play on the same line as the elite talent, and for most of the past 5 years, he has.

If we aren't competing for a Cup in the time we have Sharp,
Why do we NEED him?
Makes more sense to just sign another Vet if for some reason Gionta & Moulson can't provide the leadership that Sharp supposedly can.
If we are going to trade for someone,
He should be here for the long run...
Not just 2 years
I don't see what Sharp can provide in that time span that's so valuable
- jdfitz77

The problem is we don't just need vet players. We need guys that can teach the youth about how to win. We need guys who have been there and competed for it year after year. There's something to be said about having a roster full of guys that don't have any or very little playoff experience.