I'd take a chance on Skinner for Hodgson+, but no thanks on Semin. I'd take 25 year old Hodgson at 4.25 mil over 31 year old Semin at 7 mil any day

I was trying to stay away from the production and just the comments about his health. Obviously you would take Crosby 10000 times out of 10. The point I was trying to make is that if you're afraid of one guy being one hit away, you could lose out. It's all a gamble.
- thatsapickle

It's all about weighing the risk. Skinners best year was 5 years ago and it was only 63 points. So if I am taking a risk on a player with a history of injuries I would rather take that risk on a player whose best season was more than 63 points and has done it more than once and more recently.

If Skinner was anywhere near Crosby I wouldn't be having this conversation. But $6 million a year for a player whose best year (5 years ago) was his rookie season and 63 points is a totally different conversation.
- Stripes77

So you didn't like his 33-goals and 54 points 2 seasons ago? How about the fact that he hasn't missed significant playing time since 2011 season? Seriously? I thought when I posted that most people would just mock me that I was nuts to suggest it, it never crossed my mind that anyone would actually be in favor of moving Hodgson but not be willing to do so for Skinner! And the one guy said he'd rather have Martin Erat?! Has he even watched hockey the past 2 seasons? The Erat trade to Nashville kicked Regier in the nuts... Darcy was on the verge of getting Forsberg for Stafford at that deadline and McPhee turned the table and made the deal with Nashville instead for Erat. That would changed things significantly for this team had the Caps gone with Stafford vs Erat instead.

So you didn't like his 33-goals and 54 points 2 seasons ago? How about the fact that he hasn't missed significant playing time since 2011 season? Seriously? I thought when I posted that most people would just mock me that I was nuts to suggest it, it never crossed my mind that anyone would actually be in favor of moving Hodgson but not be willing to do so for Skinner! And the one guy said he'd rather have Martin Erat?! Has he even watched hockey the past 2 seasons? The Erat trade to Nashville kicked Regier in the nuts... Darcy was on the verge of getting Forsberg for Stafford at that deadline and McPhee turned the table and made the deal with Nashville instead for Erat. That would changed things significantly for this team had the Caps gone with Stafford vs Erat instead.
- djc1877

You need to read, reid, raed more or whatever the hell it is you do and post significantly less. All I said was Skinner scares me due to his injury history.

The point homie was making is he would rather pick up a UFA and not have to trade pieces for them so he could package them for a D. Go to the corner and sit and breathe for a little bit.

Hodgson and Pick #31 (or Johan Larsson) to Canes for Jeff Skinner. Similar contracts, both had bad seasons last year, both have potential upside... Skinner is more proven than Hodgson, thus the added draft pick. Both players seem to have disappointed their respective team's upper management. Also, allows Canes to draft Marner without the worry of having 2 of the same type of player (smaller, speedy sniper).
- djc1877

LOL no

People don't want to pay ROR 7 mill but would trade Hodgson for a player worse then Leino ? not a chance in hell would I want Semin and his bad contract anyplace near the Sabres. In no way am I a Hodgson fan but not a chance I would do this deal. Risk over reward my a$$, with what this team is doing we don't need a 7 mill a year boat anchor.

I'd rather grab a UFA erat, williams, frolik

package a few players to get a front line winger or d man
- homiedclown

Jesus Christ no.

LOL no
- Wolfpack5

What he said.

It's all about weighing the risk. Skinners best year was 5 years ago and it was only 63 points. So if I am taking a risk on a player with a history of injuries I would rather take that risk on a player whose best season was more than 63 points and has done it more than once and more recently.
- Stripes77

I won't argue weighing risk, and I wouldn't really consider the Skinner deal. I don't think we need another undersized forward. I would rather keep Ennis and Gionta as our smaller forwards. There are other/better options to be had.

I was playing Devil's Advocate just because the injury risk is always there.

People don't want to pay ROR 7 mill but would trade Hodgson for a player worse then Leino ? not a chance in hell would I want Semin and his bad contract anyplace near the Sabres. In no way am I a Hodgson fan but not a chance I would do this deal. Risk over reward my a$$, with what this team is doing we don't need a 7 mill a year boat anchor.
- SABRES 89

I will ask you this, who is going to play RW for this team then? How the hell is Semin worse than Leino? Someone needs to score on this team.

Someone who averages over 52 points a year (including last years awful year) and I am only going back 5 seasons so I am leaving out his highest years. His contract isn't crazy long unlike Kessels.

People don't want to pay ROR 7 mill but would trade Hodgson for a player worse then Leino ? not a chance in hell would I want Semin and his bad contract anyplace near the Sabres. In no way am I a Hodgson fan but not a chance I would do this deal. Risk over reward my a$$, with what this team is doing we don't need a 7 mill a year boat anchor.
- SABRES 89

oh my

I will ask you this, who is going to play RW for this team then? How the hell is Semin worse than Leino? Someone needs to score on this team.

Someone who averages over 52 points a year (including last years awful year) and I am only going back 5 seasons so I am leaving out his highest years. His contract isn't crazy long unlike Kessels.
- Stripes77

No way do I want Semin, we can find a RW in no way would I trade for his sorry ass. We don't to get stuck with lazy ass players anymore. you can go back and fourth all day long with me on Semin and I will say the same thing, NOT A F$$KIN CHANCE. Let the Canes or another team get stuck with him.

No way do I want Semin, we can find a RW in no way would I trade for his sorry ass. We don't to get stuck with lazy ass players anymore. you can go back and fourth all day long with me on Semin and I will say the same thing, NOT A F$$KIN CHANCE. Let the Canes or another team get stuck with him.
- SABRES 89

If you could move Hodgson and a pick for him like homie suggested I would do it right now, tomorrow, yesterday and at the draft.

If you could move Hodgson and a pick for him like homie suggested I would do it right now, tomorrow, yesterday and at the draft.
- Stripes77

not for Semin, not a chance in hell.

Mike,

Great blog again. It's a good question but I want Semin as far away from Big Z and Gringo as he can be. We already hear things about lazy Russians and I don't want those 2 to learn from 1 of the best ones out there. Upside, there is none. Downside, he can ruin 2 others in the process. This from someone who isn't a Cody fan

I like Reilly Smith...

Mike,

Great blog again. It's a good question but I want Semin as far away from Big Z and Gringo as he can be. We already hear things about lazy Russians and I don't want those 2 to learn from 1 of the best ones out there. Upside, there is none. Downside, he can ruin 2 others in the process. This from someone who isn't a Cody fan
- sabrerob

At least somebody get's it.

not for Semin, not a chance in hell.
- SABRES 89

You're out to lunch on this one. You're given up a one dimensional player (a marginal one at best) for a better one dimensional player who has a shorter contract than Hodgson, still leaves you $32 million in cap space and if you want to move him at the deadline he would get more than Hodgson.

I will ask you this, who is going to play RW for this team then? How the hell is Semin worse than Leino? Someone needs to score on this team.

Someone who averages over 52 points a year (including last years awful year) and I am only going back 5 seasons so I am leaving out his highest years. His contract isn't crazy long unlike Kessels.
- Stripes77

Semin has been declining and he's over 30. That's a 1+1= no poop equation. I could say Mike Richards scores at a rate of 0.68 ppg.

not for Semin, not a chance in hell.
- SABRES 89

I'm on board with this.

not for Semin, not a chance in hell.
- SABRES 89

Think of all the toughness he could provide for Eichel.

You're out to lunch on this one. You're given up a one dimensional player (a marginal one at best) for a better one dimensional player who has a shorter contract than Hodgson, still leaves you $32 million in cap space and if you want to move him at the deadline he would get more than Hodgson.
- Stripes77

Call it what you want and don't tell me i'm wrong just because you don't agree with me, Semin is a sorry ass hockey player with a worse contract. Murray is not dumb enough to make a move like this. Go back and fourth all you want, won't change my opinion.

So you lose Cody, you might get 2 more of him if they learn from Semin. Stay away as far away as possible. I want those 2 to learn from Girgs and Risto as they are both young but. Showing what they need to do to be successful. I don't want them to learn from a $7 mil "boat anchor" (great call) to say I don't need to show up to make $7 million.

Semin has been declining and he's over 30. That's a 1+1= no poop equation. I could say Mike Richards scores at a rate of 0.68 ppg.
- TheSabresTaco

In 2011 54 in 77 games
In 2012 44 in 44 games
In 2013 42 in 65 games
In 2014 19 in 57 games

159 points in 243 games .65 ppg and that's taken into account his worst statistical year ever. You want to give Hodgson a chance to bounce back but not someone who has proven he can score?

If you take out last year those 3 previous seasons he is averaging .75 ppg yeah that declining production...

So you lose Cody, you might get 2 more of him if they learn from Semin. Stay away as far away as possible. I want those 2 to learn from Girgs and Risto as they are both young but. Showing what they need to do to be successful. I don't want them to learn from a $7 mil "boat anchor" (great call) to say I don't need to show up to make $7 million.
- sabrerob

I am not slapping a letter on his chest.

That's what guys like Gionta, Moulson and Gorges are for. Semin would be here to score nothing more.