I'd say the keep him until next deadline (2018), or at the very least, next off season.
- walshyleafsfan

I just feel like with an extra year at 4.25 more teams would be willing to give up more for him.. knowing that they'll have him his entire contract year where he'll play above average, probably have a career year.

Sure..

But JVR isnt really that go to guy.. He's nothing special defensively, doesnt do much to fire the team up (unless he scores).. He doesnt show a lot of emotion.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Well you could say that about alot of offensive players in the league....

What matters is that he actually does score enough no?

Touché

I'd like to see what they name the team first!

Some of the leaked potential names are horrendous.....Las Vegas Bluebirds?
- nikel

I'm guessing this is simply a PR exercise - continue to float weak sauce names, so that when you finally unveil the real name, it looks great in comparison.

In the words of one of America's greatest businessmen:

"So take it from me, Thornton Melon, if you want to look thin, you hang out with fat people."

I can't argue with Garth's intelligence (or lack of it)....but (aside from creepy shirtless pics of Eichel)how is this one any different, in the realm of lacking intelligence/substance?.....serious question
- nikel

Read it.

There is a HUGE difference in Mike summarizing his thoughts and guessing at some odds, without writing sonnets or drooling over a guy for months.

Furthermore, Mike did this without making ridiculous, over the top, homer statements about how awesome GMTM is, or the entire Sabres team is, or Pegula, or the city ...

Mike also didn't take stupid shots at other teams by saying Vesey would have to be a savior (all the while saying he would likely get 1st line LW duties in Buffalo).

The Augello post does not even compare in the slightest to the Garth post that is just an extension of the whole gong shown on Garth's blog for the past few months.

Mornin' homies. Is the Vesey clock ticking yet, or does it start at noon or something?

Hmm, I dunno.

Being a Buffalo sports fan comes with a fair degree of pessimism, we hope for the best but expect the worst!
- nikel

So GMTM will make an attempt to sign Vesey, but it will go wide right?

Mornin' homies. Is the Vesey clock ticking yet, or does it start at noon or something?
- 1979AD

I think it started at midnight.

I think it started at midnight.
- RickJames77

do you remember a player by the name of alexander daigle?

there is no such thing as guaranteed in the nhl

young players go through slumps... you want older guys around to help them through it. also... even more importantly... older guys to put out on the ice when things arent going well for the kids which is inevitable
- Dozzer

Not jumping into this debate but I had a thought. I only know the top line obvious stuff about Daigle because I was like 6 when he was drafted.

Do we think the likelihood of a 1st overall pick/very low pick being a bust/mediocre is significantly less because of how intensely scouted kids are now? When did it become standard to start scouting kids so young?

(Obviously there are a million other things that could change a player but I mean in general)

I think it started at midnight.
- RickJames77

start at midnight tonight, he's a free agent tomorrow

I think it started at midnight.
- RickJames77

Sweet. Can't wait for Garth's rage blog.

Hmm, I dunno.

Being a Buffalo sports fan comes with a fair degree of pessimism, we hope for the best but expect the worst!
- nikel

I am sure a huge number of Tampa fans were convinced that Stamkos was gone.

While I admit it does not look great for Buffalo, there is every chance that Vesey was absolutely not signing until he was a FA, but he might well feel that Buffalo is a good match.

Just because Garth is -insert comment here- doesn't mean there aren't some good reasons to consider Buffalo. They have some good young players.

I think it started at midnight.
- RickJames77

1201am tomorrow

start at midnight tonight, he's a free agent tomorrow
- mattmoulson

I don't think this is accurate. Everything says he's an FA as of Aug 15th. Not saying you're wrong, but seems contrary to what I've read over the last 6 months.

start at midnight tonight, he's a free agent tomorrow
- mattmoulson

I don't think this is accurate. Everything says he's an FA as of Aug 15th. Not saying you're wrong, but seems contrary to what I've read over the last 6 months.

I don't think this is accurate. Everything says he's an FA as of Aug 15th. Not saying you're wrong, but seems contrary to what I've read over the last 6 months.
- RickJames77

Well at least you're not saying he's wrong.

I think Jays fans should just enjoy watching a good team
- senstroll

I think that's the "Toronto" shining through. Everything is doom and gloom

They are no doubt a good team and I watch about 60-70% of the games so it can get on your nerves watching certain things go wrong that seem like they should be simple/obvious.

I don't think this is accurate. Everything says he's an FA as of Aug 15th. Not saying you're wrong, but seems contrary to what I've read over the last 6 months.
- RickJames77

Not only was I wrong but I double posted

I don't think this is accurate. Everything says he's an FA as of Aug 15th. Not saying you're wrong, but seems contrary to what I've read over the last 6 months.
- RickJames77

Everybody has been wrong for 6 months.

Buffalo has his rights through the end of the 15th.

I am sure a huge number of Tampa fans were convinced that Stamkos was gone.

While I admit it does not look great for Buffalo, there is every chance that Vesey was absolutely not signing until he was a FA, but he might well feel that Buffalo is a good match.

Just because Garth is -insert comment here- doesn't mean there aren't some good reasons to consider Buffalo. They have some good young players.
- Aetherial

That look great in

I don't think this is accurate. Everything says he's an FA as of Aug 15th. Not saying you're wrong, but seems contrary to what I've read over the last 6 months.
- RickJames77

There seems to have been some confusion over semantics, but apparently the CBA says that the team with rights has up to and including August 15th.

I'll double check and confirm.

There seems to have been some confusion over semantics, but apparently the CBA says that the team with rights has up to and including August 15th.

I'll double check and confirm.
- Atomic Wedgie

Generalfanager confirmed - tomorrow

Not only was I wrong but I double posted
- RickJames77

Generalfanager confirmed - tomorrow
- Tumbleweed

It makes sense.

Cars on my street have to switch over to the other side at midnight tonight, so it only stands to reason that hockey players would switch teams at midnight tonight.

I think that's the "Toronto" shining through. Everything is doom and gloom

They are no doubt a good team and I watch about 60-70% of the games so it can get on your nerves watching certain things go wrong that seem like they should be simple/obvious.
- markmark

Like what?