That was a pretty dismal performance the past 2 years+ and hasn't had that much success on ice since he purchased the team, and while the prospects look very good that isn't a surefire way to

But having a almost historically bad season is nothing to be proud of or called "winning"

Every owner wants to win since all the extra $$$ and they like that ego boost it's just if they have pride or not to sink down and purposely tank rather than compete day in and day put even if they won't make the playoffs
- dmarsden2988

I guess this is the jealous attitude one shows when his organization clearly has no future and no current talent. I'd be upset too.

Eichel will be 19 or 15.

My bet is 19.
- TheSabresTaco

I think 19 as well. We will quickly forget that anyone ever wore it before him (with the possible exception of Kevin McGuire).

I think 19 as well. We will quickly forget that anyone ever wore it before him (with the possible exception of Kevin McGuire).
- Slump Buster

You can never forget Kevin McGuire.

I guess this is the jealous attitude one shows when his organization clearly has no future and no current talent. I'd be upset too.
- TheSabresTaco

And lost their only star, Parise who was smart enough to get out of there. All they have to look forward to is more over-the-hill players being signed. And will continue to finish near the bottom; but hey, they have pride and are not tanking. Lucky fans.

And lost their only star, Parise who was smart enough to get out of there. All they have to look forward to is more over-the-hill players being signed. And will continue to finish near the bottom; but hey, they have pride and are not tanking. Lucky fans.
- sippyd

They were kind of forced into those over-the-hill players because Lamoriello was such an (expletive) drafter

You can never forget Kevin McGuire.
- The Don

Who's Kevin McGuire?

They were kind of forced into those over-the-hill players because Lamoriello was such an (expletive) drafter
- Slump Buster

I wonder if their motto still is, "In Lou We Trust".

Who's Kevin McGuire?
- buffalofan19

I never knew he was even on the team.

Who's Kevin McGuire?
- buffalofan19

I think he meant Maguire. And he was just an angry SOB.

I think he meant Maguire.
- TheSabresTaco

Okay. Who's Kevin Maguire?

Okay. Who's Kevin Maguire?
- buffalofan19

Played in the late 80's as an enforcer.

Hope business in NHL resumes today!

Hope business in NHL resumes today!
- Cup Crazy '07

Honestly, I couldn't care less at this point. They're going to get a left-handed defenseman, who most likely isn't going to overwhelm anybody.

Not that they should acquire a world beater, but the fireworks are pretty much over with.

Honestly, I couldn't care less at this point. They're going to get a left-handed defenseman, who most likely isn't going to overwhelm anybody.
- buffalofan19

I'm already whelmed. The $abres are going to $ingle handedly going to $hut down the NHL because of ROROROROROROROR.

Honestly, I couldn't care less at this point. They're going to get a left-handed defenseman, who most likely isn't going to overwhelm anybody.

Not that they should acquire a world beater, but the fireworks are pretty much over with.
- buffalofan19

I agree. I just like knowing what the roster is going to look like.

I'm already whelmed. The $abres are going to $ingle handedly going to $hut down the NHL because of ROROROROROROROR.
- ImThatGuy

Katy Perry might come after the Sabres for copyright infringement

I'm already whelmed. The $abres are going to $ingle handedly going to $hut down the NHL because of ROROROROROROROR.
- ImThatGuy

If I weren't a Sabres fan, I would be more inclined to point out the fact that the Sabres ties themselves to a guy for 8 years (including the current year, which is the old contract) with little possibility of buying him out if things don't go as well as they hope. Unfortunately, strikes and lockouts have pretty much become the norm in pro sports.

If I weren't a Sabres fan, I would be more inclined to point out the fact that the Sabres ties themselves to a guy for 8 years (including the current year, which is the old contract) with little possibility of buying him out if things don't go as well as they hope. Unfortunately, strikes and lockouts have pretty much become the norm in pro sports.
- buffalofan19

Contract is only 3.5mil total more than Vanek got years ago. 49m vs 52.5m

Contract is only 3.5mil total more than Vanek got years ago. 49m vs 52.5m
- cabin

And that turned out to be a bad contract.

Toews makes $6.5 a year.
Toews Point Per Game average is .89
Toews has 3 cups.
Toews has 2 gold medals.
Toews in Yzerman 2.0 (my opinion)

ROR will make $7.5 a year
ROR Point Per Game average is .57
.....
.....
.....
ROR wants as much $$ and will anywhere to get it.

So, ya, I think its pretty unfair to compare the two. But if it makes you feel smart, go for it.
- Leniwm1

Toews' cap hit starting this season is 10.5, you moron. 13+ in actual salary too.

And that turned out to be a bad contract.
- buffalofan19

Obviously we should have taken the 4 1sts, but the contract wasn't terrible Vanek produced

Toews' cap hit starting this season is 10.5, you moron. 13+ in actual salary too.
- justplaintravis

The difference is still that Toews has proven he's worth that money and probably then some.

The reality is the Ryan O'Reilly contract is paying for potential, which is exactly what got this team in trouble in the first place. I'm okay with the gamble given what else they have, but the combination of assets given up, plus the money being paid, and the structure in which it is being paid, makes this deal a huge risk. This is far from a bargain, and will be very interesting to see how it plays out to say the least.

Obviously we should have taken the 4 1sts, but the contract wasn't terrible Vanek produced
- mattmoulson

I look at contracts as part of a big picture. The question shouldn't be "did player x's stats live up to the money". The question should be "how much better of a team did paying player x this kind of money make me?" The answer turned out to be "not that much".

And that's my concern with Ryan O'Reilly. He's going to make the Sabres a better team. I'm just not convinced he's going to make the Sabres that much better.

The difference is still that Toews has proven he's worth that money and probably then some.

The reality is the Ryan O'Reilly contract is paying for potential, which is exactly what got this team in trouble in the first place. I'm okay with the gamble given what else they have, but the combination of assets given up, plus the money being paid, and the structure in which it is being paid, makes this deal a huge risk. This is far from a bargain, and will be very interesting to see how it plays out to say the least.
- buffalofan19

I think it will be OK in the long run. ROR this year is going to be the focal point. IFF everything turns out he will be the third or fourth best piece at a going rate contract in a few years.

But is the $abre$ and they ruined everything.

The difference is still that Toews has proven he's worth that money and probably then some.

The reality is the Ryan O'Reilly contract is paying for potential, which is exactly what got this team in trouble in the first place. I'm okay with the gamble given what else they have, but the combination of assets given up, plus the money being paid, and the structure in which it is being paid, makes this deal a huge risk. This is far from a bargain, and will be very interesting to see how it plays out to say the least.
- buffalofan19

You make this sound like you're almost talking about Hodgson. I feel a lot more positive than you.