No. I simply pointing out the paradox that you've been collecting talent for years and are still nowhere near competing. In my opinion, if you want to compete, you're going to need leadership and proven winners to help guide the way.
- Bjm84

We've only been drafting high (and often) for two years now. We value Girgensons very highly and many of us think that he is the future captain. I like the players you offered, I just have no interest in moving him for anything less than an incredible return. We can find vets anywhere (as we did last offseason).

Perhaps. Guys that play that physical do not stay healthy though. Ryan Kesler comes to mind.

Crawford, Versteeg, Schmaltz for Grigorenko and Deslauries?
- Bjm84

I hit report by accident, please disregard.

But YES that trade i would do.

Perhaps. Guys that play that physical do not stay healthy though. Ryan Kesler comes to mind.

Crawford, Versteeg, Schmaltz for Grigorenko and Deslauries?
- Bjm84

Not for me but others might like it.

Well, at least I feel better knowing every fanbase overvalue's their teams young players not excluding myself. The irony here is that Buffalo hasn't gotten passed the quater final since 2007 nor qualified for the playoffs since 2010-2011, having 6 first round picks in that time, 4 of which were top 15. Dismissing trades which address obvious needs is pretty gutsy if you want to contend anytime soon.

Otherwise, I look forward to seeing the Sabres go from bottom feeders to contenders in 2018-2019.
- Bjm84

I'll give you a pass since you don't know much about this franchise. I'd say 17-18 though.

We're doing this thing slowly and without any of your or anyone else's bullpoop old players.

We had Ryan Miller " the almighty" and couldnt win... i d rather have all our #1s develope for another year or 2 and be a contender year after year like Chicago has done. They built on Kane and Toews(Best player in the league) We finally got rid of all the dead weight around here and started clean. Thinking about this team in the future is very exciting. Once they get there then we can worry about a top goaltender and the rentals to put us over the top. But again we are about 2 years out on that.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Yeah. I do think the Sabres are going to be something in a few years. No doubt. Ryan Miller was overrated though, Crawford has better than numbers than he did.

I'll give you a pass since you don't know much about this franchise. I'd say 17-18 though.

We're doing this thing slowly and without any of your or anyone else's bullpoop old players.
- TheSabresTaco

Glad we are on the same page Taco

No. I simply pointing out the paradox that you've been collecting talent for years and are still nowhere near competing. In my opinion, if you want to compete, you're going to need leadership and proven winners to help guide the way.
- Bjm84

Which may explain our hesitancy to send out a guy who could be wearing the C for this team when they're great for your spare parts.

You proposed a trade, people here didn't like it, no need to get all butthurt.

I hit report by accident, please disregard.

But YES that trade i would do.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

No worries on the report. It seems like that is a fair trade. Grigorenko has higher upside but also lower floor than Girgensons, correct?

Perhaps. Guys that play that physical do not stay healthy though. Ryan Kesler comes to mind.

Crawford, Versteeg, Schmaltz for Grigorenko and Deslauries?
- Bjm84

Again, I don't need Crawford taking up that much space for the cap. I know we have plenty of room right now, but he's 30 years old and by the time this team would be a legit contender, he's either going to be close to the end of his contract or it will be ending and we'll be starting over in terms of goaltender.

I'd rather make a trade for a much younger guy, deal with the ups and downs of a more inexperienced guy for a year or two and have him coming into his prime with the rest of the guys.

Which may explain our hesitancy to send out a guy who could be wearing the C for this team when they're great for your spare parts.

You proposed a trade, people here didn't like it, no need to get all butthurt.
- nfph

Hey, doesn't hurt to try...he's a great young player.

I didn't know that parting with one good but not elite talent and a depth player in exchange for Stanley cup winning goaltender, stanley cup winning depth scorer, and a prospect was "giving away all of our talent".
- Bjm84

Lets be honest you take versteeg off the team your still in the cup, you keept Scott Darling in net your still in the cup (well Western finals atleast) Schmaltz is intersting.

But the big hang up is Gus is our only All Star and fan favorite is an understatement of how we feel about him. Not to mention all of the salary we would save. Make it Saad or Terovinen (sp?) then I may pick up the phone.

Perhaps. Guys that play that physical do not stay healthy though. Ryan Kesler comes to mind.

Crawford, Versteeg, Schmaltz for Grigorenko and Deslauries?
- Bjm84

You'll find this odd, but now you're actually overpaying, IMO. So yes, I'd do that for sure.

PS- I'd be very happy if we had a Kesler on this team.

That's a pretty sub par list, i'd consider taking 2 in this draft.

Take 1 of Blackwood/Samsonov then Sandstrom later on.
- Sabresfan-365

just curious...subpar based upon what criteria?

Yeah. I do think the Sabres are going to be something in a few years. No doubt. Ryan Miller was overrated though, Crawford has better than numbers than he did.
- Bjm84

Its hard to look at Millers numbers he was Mr Softie... but towards the end he was facing 35-45 shots a game... with almost no defense and a team that couldnt score. It would of been nice to see him in his prime in 2-3 years with this team. Im not a crawford hater like most are outside of chicago i think he is very good, but Chicago is also my 2nd favorite team and obivous West team. lol

Hey, doesn't hurt to try...he's a great young player.
- Bjm84

Heart and soul guy, my comparable is Rod Brind'Amour (which gives him a LOT of room to grow, admittedly).

If you wanted to shed salary by swapping Crawford for Grigorenko (plus pieces to make it make sense), I'd entertain that all day.

No worries on the report. It seems like that is a fair trade. Grigorenko has higher upside but also lower floor than Girgensons, correct?
- Bjm84

Not sure how much you know about the Sabres from the late 90s-early 2000s, but I see Girgensons as the same type of player as Peca. He's definitely a fan favorite, and the guys (including the vets) gravitate toward him in the locker room. It's also been said by players on other teams that he's a pain in the ass to play against.

He's good on the PK, takes very few penalties, is a good skater, will play physical, and can play on the 2nd PP unit. He's not a defensive liability and has a good amount of offensive skill. He needs to work on his faceoffs, but that's pretty much it.

You'd have to really wow any of us around here to get us on board with any trade for him.

Heart and soul guy, my comparable is Rod Brind'Amour (which gives him a LOT of room to grow, admittedly).

If you wanted to shed salary by swapping Crawford for Grigorenko (plus pieces to make it make sense), I'd entertain that all day.
- nfph

Agreed, that is a much better trade. I am also hesitant to trade Deslauries as he will join Foligno to make a 4th line that I wouldn't want to play again. I am certainly overvaluing him - I just don't want to mess with that unless I am knocked over.

You'll find this odd, but now you're actually overpaying, IMO. So yes, I'd do that for sure.

PS- I'd be very happy if we had a Kesler on this team.
- nfph

Agreed. He's been one of my favorites for years. I loved that he was back to his normal self this year in Anaheim. The injuries really derailed him for awhile in Vancouver.

Grigorenko has higher upside but also lower floor than Girgensons, correct?
- Bjm84

I think Girgs maxes out at a fantastic second line do-it-all center. Grigorenko... it is tough to say. I don't see him being elite in any category but you can see he has some talent.

Fair enough. At least you're not being dismissive. Versteeg is a guy that can score 20+ but digrees that he has trouble staying on the ice due to injuries. I think you're undervaluing Crawford, which is fair, as most of people do.

Good luck finding a guy that is going to score 20+ goals, kill penalties, play physical and also stay healthy. If you find him, you'll have to give up a lot more than Girgensons to get him.
- Bjm84

His name is Girgensons. Found him.

Agreed, that is a much better trade. I am also hesitant to trade Deslauries as he will join Foligno to make a 4th line that I wouldn't want to play again. I am certainly overvaluing him - I just don't want to mess with that unless I am knocked over.
- Slump Buster

I'm very happy with Deslaurier, but he's far from irreplaceable. Versteeg could be a nice piece in the middle of this lineup, and will certainly provide more offense.

I'm very happy with Deslaurier, but he's far from irreplaceable. Versteeg could be a nice piece in the middle of this lineup, and will certainly provide more offense.
- nfph

We are thin at RW and he is only under contract one more year, so I wouldn't hate it so long as what's going back the other way isn't crazy.

His name is Girgensons. Found him.
- TheSabresTaco

Thanks, I just spit out my coffee.

I'm very happy with Deslaurier, but he's far from irreplaceable. Versteeg could be a nice piece in the middle of this lineup, and will certainly provide more offense.
- nfph

I agree there are a few guys in our pipeline who you can insert for Desi and get the same player. Similar how imo he made Foligno expendable

All of this just could have been solved by taking Fucale and not Compher
- hubie

not sure what needs to be "solved"