What is the last team that won a Cup while their marquee player, their bona-fide leader, their go-to guy was bought as a free agent? Maybe it's too early but I can't think of one.

All Cup teams add pieces either as quality/value FA signings, and add trade-deadline pieces during Cup run years, but I am having a hard time with this.

Cup teams get there with players they draft (or acquire while they are very young) and develop, mainly.

Toews/Kane/Keith
Crosby/Malkin
Rask/Bergeron
Doughty/Quick

etc. etc. etc.

Maybe, just maybe we have those guys right now but because they are not old enough to buy beer yet, and because we as fans are so itchy to get there we think throwing 11 million at one player is the way to go, but history says it probably won't work.

Of course I like Stamkos. I want him on my team. But I'm skeptical getting him is not going to get us there in one or two years, and by the time we are ready we will be too handcuffed to get those FA players to make our push. Others who make the same point here get mocked by a few who only see 36 goals scored by a guy who , himself, has no Cups yet. Maybe if 91 had won a Cup I'd feel different, but then if that's the case he probably wouldn't be leaving Tampa.

Stinks, bum, 36, what-ever. We are going after him, no matter what says the clown and the guy with the makeup so I guess my opinion means squat, but I still like where this team is going if we do not land him.
- LandlordTom

Has a Stankos caliber free agent ever been available? I think that's what makes this so unique. I would typically agree with your concept here, but this guy is something I don't think I could pass up.

Thank you. I do trust TM at the end of the day.
- LandlordTom

I do agree with what you said earlier, have to be careful with the spending. It's fine to add pieces but Eichel, the Skunk and Risto need to be paid. When Skunk and Eichel are ready we should have other players off the books so that will help.

Has a Stankos caliber free agent ever been available? I think that's what makes this so unique. I would typically agree with your concept here, but this guy is something I don't think I could pass up.
- Deuce81

He's was as good as ours on draft day but Murray backed out, he wanted Eichel.

He's was as good as ours on draft day but Murray backed out, he wanted Eichel.
- SABRES 89

I'm glad Murray bailed, but that tells us that he wants Stamkos and is prepared to deal with that monster cap hit. I think it would require TM maintaining a constant long-term perspective with every single roster move. If he's as crafty as he seems, he should be able to swing it. Chicago has created the blueprint.

I'm glad Murray bailed, but that tells us that he wants Stamkos and is prepared to deal with that monster cap hit. I think it would require TM maintaining a constant long-term perspective with every single roster move. If he's as crafty as he seems, he should be able to swing it. Chicago has created the blueprint.
- Deuce81

If Stamkos hits the market like we all think he will, 5 or 6 teams will try for him if not more.

He's was as good as ours on draft day but Murray backed out, he wanted Eichel.
- SABRES 89

probably a good idea. as good as he is you need to take them when you have potential for a guy on an ELC.

If Stamkos hits the market like we all think he will, 5 or 6 teams will try for him if not more.
- SABRES 89

well then he will get max term and money.. that could really hurt a team

probably a good idea. as good as he is you need to take them when you have potential for a guy on an ELC.
- IndianaSabresFan

I think it's funny when I read other web sites that are Canadian because in there eyes, Stamkos as all but signed with the Leafs. I'm not shocked when I read that stuff but it's not a done deal by any means.

I'm glad Murray bailed, but that tells us that he wants Stamkos and is prepared to deal with that monster cap hit. I think it would require TM maintaining a constant long-term perspective with every single roster move. If he's as crafty as he seems, he should be able to swing it. Chicago has created the blueprint.
- Deuce81

While I have been supportive of getting Stamkos, Chicago only recently has been extremely handcuffed by the cap.

Prior to their new contracts kicking in this season, Toews and Kane "only" counted as about 18% of the cap. Their new contracts make them count as 29% (and the team is "struggling" in the playoffs, perhaps due to lack of cap space to make better moves).

Just playing devils advocate to point out some numbers, I still think a player of Stamkos's caliber on this team would be crazy.

While I have been supportive of getting Stamkos, Chicago only recently has been extremely handcuffed by the cap.

Prior to their new contracts kicking in this season, Toews and Kane "only" counted as about 18% of the cap. Their new contracts make them count as 29% (and the team is "struggling" in the playoffs, perhaps due to lack of cap space to make better moves).

Just playing devils advocate to point out some numbers, I still think a player of Stamkos's caliber on this team would be crazy.
- stashu

I agree, that cap hit will be crazy when Eichel/Reinhart need to be paid. I think the key questions are, what do the next contracts for Risto, Eichel, and Reinhart look like? Are any of them bridge deals? Could make a big difference.

I agree, that cap hit will be crazy when Eichel/Reinhart need to be paid. I think the key questions are, what do the next contracts for Risto, Eichel, and Reinhart look like? Are any of them bridge deals? Could make a big difference.
- Deuce81

I think there will be another 4yrs till they get their monster deals

I agree, that cap hit will be crazy when Eichel/Reinhart need to be paid. I think the key questions are, what do the next contracts for Risto, Eichel, and Reinhart look like? Are any of them bridge deals? Could make a big difference.
- Deuce81

I would love to have faith in humanity and think the guys would thinking "Damn, we have Stamkos on this team, and we're a pretty damn talented group ourselves...if we take 3 years at 5-6M, we might have a chance at a cup....oh, and on top of that, our next contracts could then be as high as Stamkos!!"

1. peters
2. vanek
3. corkum
4. spacek
5. essensa
- homiedclown

Just curious.. hahah why spacek?

Any mines
1. Roy
2. Kaleta
3.Peters
4. Gerbe
5.Luke Adam

I think it's funny when I read other web sites that are Canadian because in there eyes, Stamkos as all but signed with the Leafs. I'm not shocked when I read that stuff but it's not a done deal by any means.
- SABRES 89

I'm curious to see who will be available that we are not hearing about.
I have a feeling the Oilers and sens have the potential to make just dumb moves to trade contracts out

I would love to have faith in humanity and think the guys would thinking "Damn, we have Stamkos on this team, and we're a pretty damn talented group ourselves...if we take 3 years at 5-6M, we might have a chance at a cup....oh, and on top of that, our next contracts could then be as high as Stamkos!!"


- stashu

Eggzactly

Ouch. Right off the dome from a shot from Weber.
- Wetbandit1

That game was brutal last night...

Just curious.. hahah why spacek?

Any mines
1. Roy
2. Kaleta
3.Peters
4. Gerbe
5.Luke Adam
- yen6d1

I expected so much more from him


hardly ever showed emotion

Eggzactly
- cabin

Using that as an example:

18/19 top end roster:

Stamkos: 11M
O'Reilly: 7.5M
Eichel: 6M
Kane: 6M-6.5M (if re-signed, currently 5.25)
Bogosian: 5.1M
Reinhart: 5M
Ristolainen: 5M (not sure he'll get more than Gardiner did for TOR)
Moulson: 5M

That alone is a bit over 51 million, with the current cap at 71 million, I would think after 2 more full seasons the cap will be up to at least 75 million. That means those 8 players take up close to 2/3 of the cap with those numbers.

I don't think that's horrible since it contains all of the top end talent - including 2 who should be elite-level talents in Stamkos and Eichel. The biggest thing missing is a true #1/2 d-man that would go with Eichel, that would likely be another player making 6M+. If so, then not signing Kane would be good to help smooth out the cap space (obviously no Moulson would be even better)

That leaves about 24 million to fill out the rest of the roster. Not the best situation ever, but some fine top end talent.

Using that as an example:

18/19 top end roster:

Stamkos: 11M
O'Reilly: 7.5M
Eichel: 6M
Kane: 6M-6.5M (if re-signed, currently 5.25)
Bogosian: 5.1M
Reinhart: 5M
Ristolainen: 5M (not sure he'll get more than Gardiner did for TOR)
Moulson: 5M

That alone is a bit over 51 million, with the current cap at 71 million, I would think after 2 more full seasons the cap will be up to at least 75 million. That means those 8 players take up close to 2/3 of the cap with those numbers.

I don't think that's horrible since it contains all of the top end talent - including 2 who should be elite-level talents in Stamkos and Eichel. The biggest thing missing is a true #1/2 d-man that would go with Eichel, that would likely be another player making 6M+. If so, then not signing Kane would be good to help smooth out the cap space (obviously no Moulson would be even better)

That leaves about 24 million to fill out the rest of the roster. Not the best situation ever, but some fine top end talent.
- stashu

Good perspective. I secretly want Lehner to play just well enough to be our number one, but not so good that he gets crazy money come payday. Dream scenario is what I just described, but he is one of those guys that plays lights-out come playoffs.

Good perspective. I secretly want Lehner to play just well enough to be our number one, but not so good that he gets crazy money come payday. Dream scenario is what I just described, but he is one of those guys that plays lights-out come playoffs.
- LandlordTom

The thread is dead because of the new blog, but I agree on Lehner. 2.25M right now I think, a solid season next year and he's easily making 3.5 or more I would think - that or a very short (1 year, if he's stlil RFA after that) re-up for a small increase.

Rumor gaining steam about trading to Number 2.

http://www.buffalorumblin...-browns-no-2-overall-pick

Last time Whaley hinted at trading up, he did it. He's actually been pretty honest about his intentions regarding the roster, very similarly to Murray's style.

Rumor gaining steam about trading to Number 2.

http://www.buffalorumblin...-browns-no-2-overall-pick
- TheSabresTaco

I can make something gain steam by saying it myself more than once - which is what this story seems to sound like (the article mentioned the rumor is being brought up again by the same guy who started it).

I can make something gain steam by saying it myself more than once - which is what this story seems to sound like (the article mentioned the rumor is being brought up again by the same guy who started it).
- stashu

That might explain why Bills general manager Doug Whaley, in a Wednesday morning appearance on WGR 550's The Howard Simon Show, was only too happy to leave that door open when asked about the No. 2 overall pick rumor.

I can make something gain steam by saying it myself more than once - which is what this story seems to sound like (the article mentioned the rumor is being brought up again by the same guy who started it).
- stashu

Take it for what it is, but according to a close source I actually have, it's a real thing. That's not the same as saying it will happen. But it's an actual possibility that's truly being discussed.

Take it for what it is, but according to a close source I actually have, it's a real thing. That's not the same as saying it will happen. But it's an actual possibility that's truly being discussed.
- TheSabresTaco

I'm not trying to refute what you may have as info or anything, just stating that if I were to say today "There's talk that Ovechkin wants out and wants to play for a team that was a childhood favorite", and then follow that up days later with another statement - that's just me saying the same thing and perpetuating it rather than any other sources backing it up.

Your quote you made of Whaley doesn't exactly say much, btw. "Doug, would you trade for Pick X"

"I'll consider any move I can!"