fowler plays n the top pair, plays 23 minutes a night. most on the blue line. 25 in the playoffs.

yet you don't want to trade the #8 pick for him. How good are the chances that pick turns into what fowler is or the forward equivalent? people place way to much value on picks vs established players.

fowler plays n the top pair, plays 23 minutes a night. most on the blue line. 25 in the playoffs.

yet you don't want to trade the #8 pick for him. How good are the chances that pick turns into what fowler is or the forward equivalent? people place way to much value on picks vs established players.
- rinaldo

I guess I just see him more as a lower 2/higher 3 guy (which isn't terrible) and would rather roll the dice to possibly land a number 1/2 guy. I get what you're saying, and think he's a very good player and would love to have him, just not for 8. I'm thinking long term, and would like the Sabres to win the cup. I just don't think you do that with him playing top line minutes. Ana hasn't done it with him there, why would that suddenly change with a worse (currently) Sabres team. I guess that's my point.

I guess I just see him more as a lower 2/higher 3 guy (which isn't terrible) and would rather roll the dice to possibly land a number 1/2 guy. I get what you're saying, and think he's a very good player and would love to have him, just not for 8. I'm thinking long term, and would like the Sabres to win the cup. I just don't think you do that with him playing top line minutes. Ana hasn't done it with him there, why would that suddenly change with a worse (currently) Sabres team. I guess that's my point.
- SDSabre

many top pairing dman haven't won a cup on the teams they have played for. doesn't make them any less a top pairing guy.

many top pairing dman haven't won a cup on the teams they have played for. doesn't make them any less a top pairing guy.
- rinaldo

I get that. But not all of them have been on cup contending/favorites for 4/5 years. Ana has had top flight forwards, solid goaltending and haven't even made a SC finals. I'm not blaming him and would love to have him. Just don't want it to be for the 8OA. If it happens, it happens and guys a lot smarter than me deemed it a worthy deal. Just saying IMHO Fowler for 8 straight up isn't a deal I would make.

fowler plays n the top pair, plays 23 minutes a night. most on the blue line. 25 in the playoffs.

yet you don't want to trade the #8 pick for him. How good are the chances that pick turns into what fowler is or the forward equivalent? people place way to much value on picks vs established players.
- rinaldo

I agree with this...people put too much stock in draft picks, they believe in the "unlimited potential".

I agree with this...people but too much stock in draft picks, they believe in the "unlimited potential".
- jzabawaj

I also understand this. But there's also a possibility that Fowler isn't the ultimate answer? I mean, he's getting shoved down the Ana depth chart by 3 younger, and what is be perceived as better players. He has a reasonable hit at 4M/year. If he's that good, why not keep him as your second pairing/first pairing guy and have a solid D-core. There has to be a reason they are willing to move on from him, and like I said his hit isn't overly large. If he's this surefire top line player with a 4M dollar hit, you don't move him. For anything.

I also understand this. But there's also a possibility that Fowler isn't the ultimate answer? I mean, he's getting shoved down the Ana depth chart by 3 younger, and what is be perceived as better players. He has a reasonable hit at 4M/year. If he's that good, why not keep him as your second pairing/first pairing guy and have a solid D-core. There has to be a reason they are willing to move on from him, and like I said his hit isn't overly large. If he's this surefire top line player with a 4M dollar hit, you don't move him. For anything.
- SDSabre

I think they would like to keep him, but with the expansion draft coming up, there's a very good chance he'd be selected by LV, so it makes sense for them to trade him now. Considering how great Theodore looks and the emergence of Manson over the past year Fowler appears to be the odd man out.

Right now the players they will most likely protect are as follows:

Lindholm
Vatanen
Bieksa

Getzlaf
Perry
Kesler
Silfverberg
Cogliano
Perron
Rakell

Gibson

Which would leave Fowler, and Manson exposed, if you protect one of them, cogliano, rakell, and perron becomes exposed, on top of the Fowler/Manson, so it would make much more sense for them to trade a D now to avoid losing an above average player next year.

I think they would like to keep him, but with the expansion draft coming up, there's a very good chance he'd be selected by LV, so it makes sense for them to trade him now. Considering how great Theodore looks and the emergence of Manson over the past year Fowler appears to be the odd man out.

Right now the players they will most likely protect are as follows:

Lindholm
Vatanen
Bieksa

Getzlaf
Perry
Kesler
Silfverberg
Cogliano
Perron
Rakell

Gibson

Which would leave Fowler, and Manson exposed, if you protect one of them, cogliano, rakell, and perron becomes exposed, on top of the Fowler/Manson, so it would make much more sense for them to trade a D now to avoid losing an above average player next year.
- Girouxsalem90

True. Didn't think of the expansion draft. Does Bieska have a NMC. I would leave him exposed 4M cap hit? No thanks. And I was referring to his value within and outside the franchise. Teams see that he's being viewed lower than the other three guys coming up, so if that's the case why? I don't have the answer, and like I said would like him, but not for the 8OA.

True. Didn't think of the expansion draft. Does Bieska have a NMC. I would leave him exposed 4M cap hit? No thanks. And I was referring to his value within and outside the franchise. Teams see that he's being viewed lower than the other three guys coming up, so if that's the case why? I don't have the answer, and like I said would like him, but not for the 8OA.
- SDSabre

Yeah Bieska has a NMC unfortunately, and I don't blame you for not wanting to move #8, I probably wouldn't want to do that either if it were the flyers in buffalos shoes. Just pointing out that they're hand is being forced more than they have a true desire to move him based on his performance. I can't however see why they'd want to move him over Manson. Maybe its because Fowler will fetch a better return, or they're more comfortable with Manson's "safer" game over Fowlers high risk style. Or the most likely scenario is that they like to remind of Charles Manson's murderous rampage, thus striking fear in the heart of opponents.

U are nuts! Um if I recall fowler was benched a lot the last couple years because his play wasn't that great! #8 + ? For fowler is def not worth it! Fowler for Ennis and girgensons/pysyk is the most I'd give up! Figures someone with gardiner In their name and his pic comes up with this kind of crap trade!

U are nuts! Um if I recall fowler was benched a lot the last couple years because his play wasn't that great! #8 + ? For fowler is def not worth it! Fowler for Ennis and girgensons/pysyk is the most I'd give up! Figures someone with gardiner In their name and his pic comes up with this kind of crap trade!
- firelarry

He didn't come up with it
Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 17h17 hours ago

BUF amongst a number of teams interested in Fowler, but Sabres not believed to be keen on giving up No. 8 pick in the draft.

Girgensons would add immediate grit, grind and offence to the Ducks lineup.

"Offense"?
He averages 23 points per season, the kid is a 3rd liner at best.

ducks have no need for pysyk they have lots of Dmen, you aren't getting fowler for spare parts sabre fans

U are nuts! Um if I recall fowler was benched a lot the last couple years because his play wasn't that great! #8 + ? For fowler is def not worth it! Fowler for Ennis and girgensons/pysyk is the most I'd give up! Figures someone with gardiner In their name and his pic comes up with this kind of crap trade!
- firelarry

stop making poop up this is not true

U are nuts! Um if I recall fowler was benched a lot the last couple years because his play wasn't that great! #8 + ? For fowler is def not worth it! Fowler for Ennis and girgensons/pysyk is the most I'd give up! Figures someone with gardiner In their name and his pic comes up with this kind of crap trade!
- firelarry

your gm gave a up 1st for lehner, refusing to give up the 8th overall for a good young defenseman that can qb a pp isn't an unrealistic asking price given defensemen are hard to find.

your gm gave a up 1st for lehner, refusing to give up the 8th overall for a good young defenseman that can qb a pp isn't an unrealistic asking price given defensemen are hard to find.
- Isles_since_6

That was our 2nd pick at 21.

That was our 2nd pick at 21.
- cabin

and fowler is worth far more than lehner.

and fowler is worth far more than lehner.
- Isles_since_6

And.... I think everyone would agree that 8>>>>>>>>>21. So what's your point?

Look let's both just be happy Vanek turned down our contract extension offers

your gm gave a up 1st for lehner, refusing to give up the 8th overall for a good young defenseman that can qb a pp isn't an unrealistic asking price given defensemen are hard to find.
- Isles_since_6

Whether or not Fowler is good is highly debatable, he's been disappointing ever since his rookie season. He is young though yes, and thus the potential isn't gone.

I wouldn't give up a top 10 pick for him though, not with what he's shown the last few seasons. Lindholm on the other hand, I wouldn't think twice about it

Leave it to Evander Kane to spoil the party.

Fowler is a massive career minus 3-4 defenseman that could walk in 2 years and they think Buffalo would give up a pick that'll land a potential top pairing defenseman that you control for 10 years? Uh, yeah, no. That would be insanity.

Career minus on a very good team at that.

Leave it to Evander Kane to spoil the party.
- Losman

what happened there?

Fowler is a massive career minus 3-4 defenseman that could walk in 2 years and they think Buffalo would give up a pick that'll land a potential top pairing defenseman that you control for 10 years? Uh, yeah, no. That would be insanity.

Career minus on a very good team at that.
- Kalahad

they took Nylander

fowler played first pairing D on one of the best teams in the league. somehow you don't think he's good enough for the Sabres first pairing?

they took Nylander
- GardinerExpress

So a top star wing? Waaaaay better then the next Matthew Carle.