can't agree with the "no upside" part...in the two years before last he scored 35 goals in 99 games while adding 51 assists...would have been the second highest goal-scorer on the sabres...

as prefaced, i'm well aware of the kind of player he is...I really am not looking at next season as being anything special and contrary to popular belief talented top-six players don't grow on trees
- Michael Pachla

Btw I appreciate that you come on here and have conversations with us minions. Its much appreciated.

Your'e defending two players over 30 in serious decline, one who has lost more than a step and the other who couldn't give any less of a poop over a guy just entering his prime. Yes, Cody Hodgson has less skill than Alex Semin and Mike Richards. But the contractual risk and just the fact that Semin is a disease and noted as such publicly, I want no part in him "When skill refuses to work hard.."

I want to give a guy with determination and youth to bounce back over even a hockey god who doesn't give a poop.
- TheSabresTaco

actually, his two years in Carolina are right in line with his career stats...and as was pointed out, he was playing injured, on a pretty crappy team working for a first time nhl head coach

"Peters, 48, has served as assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings for the past three seasons, working primarily with Detroit’s defensemen and penalty kill units."

how does that help semin?

can't agree with the "no upside" part...in the two years before last he scored 35 goals in 99 games while adding 51 assists...would have been the second highest goal-scorer on the sabres...

as prefaced, i'm well aware of the kind of player he is...I really am not looking at next season as being anything special and contrary to popular belief talented top-six players don't grow on trees
- Michael Pachla

I'm under the same thought for next season. I want effort and improvement of the youth. I don't expect playoffs but much, much better (can't be worse) hockey. I just don't want a player that is known for being lazy (2 teams soured on him) on my team. Can he score, probably/maybe but I don't like the type of player he is and would rather see the team grow together than see him here. Could he influence the other Russians. Maybe maybe not. Just don't think it is worth the risk. Yes Cody is terrible in the D zone but I'd rather buy him out than have Semin on the team

Horrible idea.

Hodgson had 1 bad year under a terrible coach. You guys are already throwing him under the bus. I'd much rather have CoHo here than Foligno. This year Hodgson will bounce back with a better coach in place. If he is involved in a trade for Semin then that 5th overall should be in the conversation as well. With a bunch of other things going their way from our side.

Semin and 5th overall for the 21st, our second 2nd rounder, a third next season, Hodgson, Foligno, Bailey and McCabe.
- Jammerz04

hodgson has one 20-goal season to his credit with nine of them coming on the powerplay...he had a 19-goal season with seven coming on the powerplay...take away his pp time and you have a six goal season

I'm under the same thought for next season. I want effort and improvement of the youth. I don't expect playoffs but much, much better (can't be worse) hockey. I just don't want a player that is known for being lazy (2 teams soured on him) on my team. Can he score, probably/maybe but I don't like the type of player he is and would rather see the team grow together than see him here. Could he influence the other Russians. Maybe maybe not. Just don't think it is worth the risk. Yes Cody is terrible in the D zone but I'd rather buy him out than have Semin on the team
- sabrerob

But that's not the point of this blog.

I was trying to discuss the points brought up in the blog.

I would rather buyout Hodgson as well but IF I am not buying him out and attempting to trade him I would do the swap.

I'm under the same thought for next season. I want effort and improvement of the youth. I don't expect playoffs but much, much better (can't be worse) hockey. I just don't want a player that is known for being lazy (2 teams soured on him) on my team. Can he score, probably/maybe but I don't like the type of player he is and would rather see the team grow together than see him here. Could he influence the other Russians. Maybe maybe not. Just don't think it is worth the risk. Yes Cody is terrible in the D zone but I'd rather buy him out than have Semin on the team
- sabrerob

I hear ya, rob...I get it...however I am of the opinion that he wouldn't harm the team as much as some might think

But that's not the point of this blog.

I was trying to discuss the points brought up in the blog.

I would rather buyout Hodgson as well but IF I am not buying him out and attempting to trade him I would do the swap.
- Stripes77

If you buyout Hodgson where do you get his expected offense?

If you buyout Hodgson where do you get his expected offense?
- Dangles13

After his 13 point season last year I am not too worried. As it fits right now I don't see him on the top 9

Kane Eichel Ennis
Moulson Reinhart Girgensons
Foligno Girgorenko Gionta

If you buyout Hodgson where do you get his expected offense?
- Dangles13

sign steven pinizotto?

After his 13 point season last year I am not too worried. As it fits right now I don't see him on the top 9

Kane Eichel Ennis
Moulson Reinhart Girgensons
Foligno Girgorenko Gionta
- Stripes77

I mean his expected offense, like if he bounced back to what he was.

I mean his expected offense, like if he bounced back to what he was.
- Dangles13

35-40 points. I think Grigorenko can do that.

sign steven pinizotto?
- Michael Pachla

Sign Mike Reilly!!

After his 13 point season last year I am not too worried. As it fits right now I don't see him on the top 9

Kane Eichel Ennis
Moulson Reinhart Girgensons
Foligno Girgorenko Gionta
- Stripes77

If he isn't in the top 6, buy him out. He can't play a bottom six role, he is too slow, doesn't hit and can't kill penalties. If he isn't on the team to score we have to get rid of him somehow.

I'm not crazy about Semin and wouldn't waste money on him. We aren't making the playoffs the next two years anyway so I would rather use some of our picks/prospects and trade for a RFA. Saad or someone like that and take a chance on him becoming a consistent 25 goal guy.

35-40 points. I think Grigorenko can do that.
- Stripes77

Fair enough. Is it worth buying him out when a team like Arizona needs to get to the cap floor?

Fair enough. Is it worth buying him out when a team like Arizona needs to get to the cap floor?
- Dangles13

I'm not sure what anyone would give up for him.

Buying him out put the Sabres with $38 million in cap space. They would have to get to the floor I believe as well.

If he isn't in the top 6, buy him out. He can't play a bottom six role, he is too slow, doesn't hit and can't kill penalties. If he isn't on the team to score we have to get rid of him somehow.

I'm not crazy about Semin and wouldn't waste money on him. We aren't making the playoffs the next two years anyway so I would rather use some of our picks/prospects and trade for a RFA. Saad or someone like that and take a chance on him becoming a consistent 25 goal guy.
- BigStew

This is precisely why I'd like to hold onto Hodgson, give him a chance to build his value. He really can't get any worse, and this team has nothing to lose.

I'm not sure what anyone would give up for him.

Buying him out put the Sabres with $38 million in cap space. They would have to get to the floor I believe as well.
- Stripes77

Arizona might give up a draft pick for him so they don't have to rush any forwards. Buffalo could use that cap space to sign some goalies and maybe throw a big contract at one of the top free agents.

Arizona might give up a draft pick for him so they don't have to rush any forwards. Buffalo could use that cap space to sign some goalies and maybe throw a big contract at one of the top free agents.
- Dangles13

Is there a top free agent this year? The UFAs this year are less than desirable from a big money perspective IMO.

Arizona might give up a draft pick for him so they don't have to rush any forwards. Buffalo could use that cap space to sign some goalies and maybe throw a big contract at one of the top free agents.
- Dangles13

Given who the top free agents I'd rather they didn't

'bout time you chimed in on this one
- Michael Pachla

he completes me

hodgson has one 20-goal season to his credit with nine of them coming on the powerplay...he had a 19-goal season with seven coming on the powerplay...take away his pp time and you have a six goal season
- Michael Pachla

that is one more then Tim Connolly ever had and just as many as T.J. Oshie has had in the NHL

After his 13 point season last year I am not too worried. As it fits right now I don't see him on the top 9

Kane Eichel Ennis
Moulson Reinhart Girgensons
Foligno Girgorenko Gionta
- Stripes77

we need a coach that rolls 4 lines and thinks outside the box

Given who the top free agents I'd rather they didn't
- Sabresfan-365

There isn't a guy out there I'd be upset they didn't pursue. Very underwhelming class

Is there a top free agent this year? The UFAs this year are less than desirable from a big money perspective IMO.
- BigStew

There isn't really a top billing guy but maybe Williams, Vermette or Joel Ward could come in as a mentor, though they don't really deserve big contracts.

There isn't really a top billing guy but maybe Williams, Vermette or Joel Ward could come in as a mentor, though they don't really deserve big contracts.
- Dangles13

I don't mind Williams but would pass on the other guys.