I have to think there are things he'll do differently a second time around. I look at it like this. The things that are cause for a red flag are only problems when this team is in serious contention, and they're still a long way from that. When this team becomes as good as we all hope it to be (i.e. great), it may be time to revisit things. However, until then, they need a name. If they go from a highly sought after guy from Babcock to a guy like Luke Richardson, who, let's face it, is the supposed lead candidate mainly because he's familiar with Murray, it will be a letdown. Bylsma at least has name recognition.
- buffalofan19

I think he will have learned a bit from his first chance. Remember he is the fastest coach EVER to 200 wins and 250 wins. He beat Babcock in the finals, down 3-2. I really wanted Babcock but he is not without his warts.his player record is marginal at best. He's lost 3 series up 3-1 or 3-2. Would love to hire 2 strong assistant coaches - with the money not spent on cock why not get Richardson, Boucher and or cunnyworth as high paid asst coaches??

Don't be surprised when he can't make a trade then. Young star players aren't exactly available all the time
- sbroads24

Another thing I've REPEATEDLY said
Everyone's expecting some huge deals at the draft. That's easier said than done.
I wouldn't be shocked if he gives up a 2nd for a player like Shaw or Teravainen (if the Hawks can't afford them), but it's not like they'll trade Saad (most likely) or P.Kane.
Our hopes for a big deal should be tempered.

I do think he'll trade for a young goalie he thinks can be our #1 though

Not buying that. Its the Buffalo sports fan convincing themselves who ever is in front if them is the answer. Like when we didn't land Richards and got Leino and suddenly we have our #1 center and we're winning the cup. We do the same thing all the time with the Bills. Just because we can only get the 3rd or 4th best guy and we decide to overpay him doesn't make it a good idea.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I agree with you absolutely BUT look at Babcock's playoff record. Its tough to lose a series when up 3-1 or 3-2 and he's done it 3 times. This honestly was a worry of mine when I thought we were getting Babcock.

Babcock had been outspoken about getting NHL coaches' salaries on par or at least closer to the head coaches in other sports. He was going to get paid an unprecedented amount of money, no matter what. Did Pegula getting involved up his salary a bit more? Possibly, but the reality is this: whoever landed Babcock was going to make him the NHL's highest paid coach, and they were going to do it by a lot. The notion that Buffalo made Toronto overpay for him is more of a coping mechanism than the notion of Bylsma or anybody else being the next best option will ever be.
- buffalofan19

Yeah he was going to be the highest paid coach in the NHL but that doesn't mean a 3 fold increase in salary is justifiable. That doesn't even happen at the single most important position in sports, the NFL QB, in a 5 year period. There is a reason the contract amounts were what they were before. Around 2 million. Because that's what the position is worth. And there is no reason NHL coaching positions "should be on par" with other leagues. The NHL is not at the level of the NBA or NFL and is getting passed over by soccer. I blame most of it on Bettman.

Another thing I've REPEATEDLY said
Everyone's expecting some huge deals at the draft. That's easier said than done.
I wouldn't be shocked if he gives up a 2nd for a player like Shaw or Teravainen (if the Hawks can't afford them), but it's not like they'll trade Saad (most likely) or P.Kane.
Our hopes for a big deal should be tempered.

I do think he'll trade for a young goalie he thinks can be our #1 though
- jdfitz77

I'd be more than fine with a minor trade. I really don't want Murray to go nuts this offseason.

I agree with you absolutely BUT look at Babcock's playoff record. Its tough to lose a series when up 3-1 or 3-2 and he's done it 3 times. This honestly was a worry of mine when I thought we were getting Babcock.
- turbo044

Exactly. I never once said or even thought I wanted Babcock. I don't dislike him it just never crossed my mind as necessary. He's very good but he's human. He isn't three men wrapped into one but he'll be paid like it.

I agree with you absolutely BUT look at Babcock's playoff record. Its tough to lose a series when up 3-1 or 3-2 and he's done it 3 times. This honestly was a worry of mine when I thought we were getting Babcock.
- turbo044

It's one of those big name media things. Dig deeper into what they say and it's a diferent world. Lets see how the Leafs are doing with him in 3-5 years. We won't have to worry about them until then. Thats a good reason why I'm glad he went there instead of us.

I'd be more than fine with a minor trade. I really don't want Murray to go nuts this offseason.
- sbroads24

Same here. The next season after will need some additives to get us to the playoffs

Is rather see that pick used either at 21, or try and move up.

I think using a 2nd rounder to get a lower profile winger as a stop gap might be a better idea short term.
- sbroads24

We have a lot of quantity need more quality. I see us maybe trading our two 2nd rd picks and #21 to move up in the 1st. Wlthis coukd change if we can trade # 21 for a young player or if they love a goalie (blackwood??)/and want to use pick #31 on that gotta find a bit at to get tickets to the draft in Miami in June - this will be epic

Context is very important
- nfph

That's what made it funny!!!

I'd be more than fine with a minor trade. I really don't want Murray to go nuts this offseason.
- sbroads24

A lot of teams will have cap issues and we are WAY below the cap. We should look to do a NYI thing and relieve some teams of cap problems for minimal cost

I'd be more than fine with a minor trade. I really don't want Murray to go nuts this offseason.
- sbroads24

I'm ok with a big trade, as long as it makes sense.
Going after guys in their 30s just doesn't fit the current timeline.
I was psyched to hear Murray mention 24 or younger. That's a guy that can be here & grow with our young Core.

I'd be more than fine with a minor trade. I really don't want Murray to go nuts this offseason.
- sbroads24

The biggest personnel move by far I expect the Buffalo Sabres to make at the draft:

"With the 2nd pick in the NHL draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Jack Eichel, Center, Boston University".

A lot of teams will have cap issues and we are WAY below the cap. We should look to do a NYI thing and relieve some teams of cap problems for minimal cost
- turbo044

Agreed. That's what I'm hoping for

I'd like someone like Frolik in FA. Maybe Oduya

And a minor trade for someone

Same here. The next season after will need some additives to get us to the playoffs
- cabin

That's what I'm thinking. I also want to give some of the prospects another year and see where they stand

A lot of teams will have cap issues and we are WAY below the cap. We should look to do a NYI thing and relieve some teams of cap problems for minimal cost
- turbo044

Like what though?
Murray just said he's looking for younger players.
Teams are gonna trade their older, high priced players, not their young budding stars

The biggest personnel move by far I expect the Buffalo Sabres to make at the draft:

"With the 2nd pick in the NHL draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Jack Eichel, Center, Boston University".
- buffalofan19

This is Tim Murray were talking about


"Buffalo selects Jack Eichel" and that's probably the long version. Wouldn't surprise me if he just pointed at him.

Like what though?
Murray just said he's looking for younger players.
Teams are gonna trade their older, high priced players, not their young budding stars
- jdfitz77

Trades are a two way street. The young budding stars aren't usually available.

This is Tim Murray were talking about


"Buffalo selects Jack Eichel" and that's probably the long version. Wouldn't surprise me if he just pointed at him.
- Sabresfan-365

"You! Here! Now!"

That's what I'm thinking. I also want to give some of the prospects another year and see where they stand
- sbroads24

In that same respect...
Grigorenko & Hodgson should have better seasons, upping their trade value

Trades are a two way street. The young budding stars aren't usually available.
- sbroads24

That's pretty much what I said

That's pretty much what I said
- jdfitz77

I know, what I'm saying is that Murray might want to do something, but he might have to settle for something else. I expect him to add a player or two, it just might not be who he wants exactly

Agreed. That's what I'm hoping for

I'd like someone like Frolik in FA. Maybe Oduya

And a minor trade for someone
- sbroads24

I don't see why they'd sign here though?
They'll be able to sign with playoff teams

Our roster is kind of set for next year, unless we move guys out

Kane-Eichel-Ennis
Moulson-Reinhart-Hodgson?
Foligno-Girgensons-Gionta
Deslauriers-Grigorenko-Larsson
McCormick
Georges-Bogosian
Zadorov-Ristolainen
Weber-Pysyk
Ruhwedel

Maybe Reinhart & Zadorov go to Rochester to start?
That could open up a spot or two
But I think Murray will try to aim higher than a guy like Frolik or Oduya

The biggest personnel move by far I expect the Buffalo Sabres to make at the draft:

"With the 2nd pick in the NHL draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Jack Eichel, Center, Boston University".
- buffalofan19

Or in Murray speak, " buffalo takes jack"

I know, what I'm saying is that Murray might want to do something, but he might have to settle for something else. I expect him to add a player or two, it just might not be who he wants exactly
- sbroads24

If he can't add who he "wants" I think he might just stand pat with what we already have