i think getting a quality starting goaltender, on the cheap, for the next 4 years is a big plus in the equation. IF gmtm is right about lehners ability. I think it couples well with the fact they may have to overpay oreilly a million or two. It will make his contract seem a little more palatable.

and on top of that .. a goalie was drafted at #22

it all works for me and i'm looking forward to next season, good or bad they will be interesting watch for a change!!

I havent read anything on these posts but now that Buffalo has done a crap ton to the roster what is the expectations for them this year? playoffs? in the mix but not quite there?

Agree.

Agree.
- BuffaloHardHat

OKay

I havent read anything on these posts but now that Buffalo has done a crap ton to the roster what is the expectations for them this year? playoffs? in the mix but not quite there?
- RatedR80

I'm hoping I'd they bring in another dman or two, that this year they jump up to around the 20th spot.

I'm hoping I'd they bring in another dman or two, that this year they jump up to around the 20th spot.
- Mentalorgasm5

Im certain your lottery days are over barring inury of course but looks alot better tpday then at the end of last year

NO WAY....Pysyk is going to step in and just eat minutes up, not make mistakes, feed our forwards and overall play with a chip on his shoulder, like a real NHLer who was forced to play in the minors all last year and now has his chance.

Our D is arguably better because Pysyk has a spot now (I said the same on page one of this blog).
- LandlordTom

The d looked like 6 people going their own way more often then nor

Z was a big reason for that
So was Nolan

I expect 6 to play as a unit this season

Honestly, I still don't get the sense of urgency to BURN our 21st overall for Lehner.
We are not ready to win anything yet.
We have number of prospect goalies in minors, and, hopefully, one of them would be an NHL starter.
Again, why did we go out of our way to sign Lehner for?
- Sabresfan88

Because if you enter an NHL season with expectations other than tanking, and your starting goalie is someone with little #1 experience on a good team (and I like Lindback and Neuvirth) then it tells your up-and-coming stars that they are still 3-4 years away from being good. Trading for someone with at least some experience on an etablished team who has #1 potential sends a better message that we are not just waiting to develop someday. One thing to be said about Lehner is he is confident.

I don't hate the Legwand "throw in".... If he stays he's a good mentor for the kids this coming season.

I havent read anything on these posts but now that Buffalo has done a crap ton to the roster what is the expectations for them this year? playoffs? in the mix but not quite there?
- RatedR80

This question needs to wait a few more weeks for a realistic answer imo

The best news is that we have no need for a top 6 forward. We have 7 under contract multiple years (once ROR signs) that will fill those 6 spots well. With the cap space we have it leaves a great chance to add defense. Exciting times for the franchise.

This question needs to wait a few more weeks for a realistic answer imo
- homiedclown

True enough its usually best to wait till after free agency but its fun for our franchises to dream regardless

NO WAY....Pysyk is going to step in and just eat minutes up, not make mistakes, feed our forwards and overall play with a chip on his shoulder, like a real NHLer who was forced to play in the minors all last year and now has his chance.

Our D is arguably better because Pysyk has a spot now (I said the same on page one of this blog).
- LandlordTom

Yea, but Pysyk was gonna be up whether Zads moved out or not... So technically we still woulda been better with Zads.

What's the deal with McCabe I've always been happy with his play when called up?

It puzzles me why some here think of Sekera as a FA option. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player for this team, but when he was traded to Carolina he didn't have very nice things to say about Buffalo. So I feel like he definitely doesn't want to be back here when he has better opportunities elsewhere.

Yea, but Pysyk was gonna be up whether Zads moved out or not... So technically we still woulda been better with Zads.

What's the deal with McCabe I've always been happy with his play when called up?
- JCSabs06

Not defending moving Zads, but with him gone Pysyk has every chance to show he belongs top-4, which is where I predict he'll be by years' end, even if we get another d. Yeah, Pysyk was gonna be up, but this trade shows me the organization believes he is going to be way more than a 6-7 guy, which is prolly where he is stuck while Zadorov is around,getting minutes.

It puzzles me why some here think of Sekera as a FA option. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player for this team, but when he was traded to Carolina he didn't have very nice things to say about Buffalo. So I feel like he definitely doesn't want to be back here when he has better opportunities elsewhere.
- SabresNHL

Him saying the weather in Carolina is better than buffalo means he trashed the city/organization when he left?

Him saying the weather in Carolina is better than buffalo means he trashed the city/organization when he left?
- Mentalorgasm5

Are you sure that's all he said? I could've sworn he said something else negative about the team.

Not defending moving Zads, but with him gone Pysyk has every chance to show he belongs top-4, which is where I predict he'll be by years' end, even if we get another d. Yeah, Pysyk was gonna be up, but this trade shows me the organization believes he is going to be way more than a 6-7 guy, which is prolly where he is stuck while Zadorov is around,getting minutes.
- LandlordTom

That comment was taken out of context. He was talking about the weather.

Are you sure that's all he said? I could've sworn he said something else negative about the team.
- SabresNHL

He clarified it after the fact.

He clarified it after the fact.
- sippyd

Ah okay. Thanks for clearing that up.

The d looked like 6 people going their own way more often then nor

Z was a big reason for that
So was Nolan

I expect 6 to play as a unit this season
- homiedclown

Terry Murray will make sure of it.

Terry Murray will make sure of it.
- mhp

After listening to his interview, I really like him. Finally we will have an exciting team and no more boring hockey.

Matt Irwin ?

It puzzles me why some here think of Sekera as a FA option. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player for this team, but when he was traded to Carolina he didn't have very nice things to say about Buffalo. So I feel like he definitely doesn't want to be back here when he has better opportunities elsewhere.
- SabresNHL

Buffalo, San Jose, New Jersey is where I see the best spots for Sekera. True he didn't have nice things to say but I think it was more about the weather than anything else. It's a new leadership group with Murray and Bylsma and we have plenty of cap space. Maybe he'll have a change of heart. Money talks.

After listening to his interview, I really like him. Finally we will have an exciting team and no more boring hockey.
- sippyd

Concern about the D and goaltending but yes sippy, it should be alot more fun to watch them. They can solve the D in the next week.