It was a third round pick and we had what 3 or 4 of them. No doubt, at every turn, the Sabres are trying to get better. Now we just need to plan for Kane's replacement when he shipped out the final year of his deal.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I don't necessarily think it was the smartest risk to take but at the same time in the big picture it's pretty much a non-issue and at least it shows the GM is willing to be aggressive to improve the team.

Kinda reminds me of PC moving Hall, except a lot less poopty. I say this only in the sense that it shows the GMs willingness to take risks to get things done.

Trolling over.

you think so??? I think they're at least 2 top players away from contending right now.
- prock

That's what the last sentence clarified. They can make playoffs and maybe squeeze through with some luck. I think they're more primed than Boston or New Jersey for the next two years. I agree with you.

Not me. I support what he is doing. He ain't perfect but who is. Much rather have Murray as GM than 90% of the GM's in the league. It is easy to be an armchair critic and say "I told you so" after the fact.
- SabreWest

It was an acceptable gamble that didn't work out. Big deal. Murray got to talk to Vesey early and often to get his message out. A lot of 3rds are wasted anyway like hiring old school GMs and drafting poor prospects. Your team is improving through the draft so be patient and keep your faith.

Another one! I love it!
- Bobd62

Congrats ! We'll take Nash off your hands.

I don't necessarily think it was the smartest risk to take but at the same time in the big picture it's pretty much a non-issue and at least it shows the GM is willing to be aggressive to improve the team.

Kinda reminds me of PC moving Hall, except a lot less poopty. I say this only in the sense that it shows the GMs willingness to take risks to get things done.

Trolling over.
- RonPielep

Here is a look at Edmonton's third round picks...


http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00005632.html



The odds were in favor of taking a chance.

TM took a calculated risk and I give him credit for taking a chance. Past management would sit on the sideline trying to convince us we had no chance. Now that this is over let's get back to completing the rebuild. As long as he didn't go to the Leafs.


I really have no problem with GMTM, but I think most Leafs fans would also say.
As long as he didn't go to the Sabres. Garf & all you Sabre homers can start the pity
party. Like I said, at least GMTM tried, but he's classy enough to not attend the party.

Vesey might get wrecked when he plays the likes of TOR,BUF,BOS etc.....
especially on the road.....oh & by the way GO LEAFS GO GO LEAFS GO
- paulozz

First off. I have no problem with where or who he signed with. It was his choice and well within constraints of CBA. Good luck to him. As for pity party some will have one and some will lay blame at feet of TM for a situation out of his control. The entire out come was in the hands of Vessy as with ANY FA. People can whine all they want, the kid was going to sign where he thought it was best. The only way to have any chance to sign FAs is to Win. As for being a homer DAMN RIGHT I AM!! I live to support my teams. I have a right to praise them, criticize them and support them 100%. If you can't do this then your not a fan. The difference is I know what I say has no bearing on any out come and I also realize that when I get up in the morning and nothing will change. Knowing when you take it too seriously is when you've crossed the line. You can comment and make any snide remark you want, because what you think or say will not change how I feel, I am a Sabres fan, life long and yes a HOMER and will be til the day I die!

Here is a look at Edmonton's third round picks...


http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00005632.html



The odds were in favor of taking a chance.
- rmiethaner

My only grievance would be it just seemed unnecessary. Vesey and his entourage told everyone they were going to Free Agency. It seemed like they never once strayed from that positioning. Why wouldn't Murray wait until this week to talk to him? Why waste a pick? If they don't value picks (3rd round and beyond) I'm hoping Shanny has a standing order for a 2nd round pick for whatever Buff has 3rd round and beyond.

It just seemed so unnecessary

My only grievance would be it just seemed unnecessary. Vesey and his entourage told everyone they were going to Free Agency. It seemed like they never once strayed from that positioning. Why wouldn't Murray wait until this week to talk to him? Why waste a pick? If they don't value picks (3rd round and beyond) I'm hoping Shanny has a standing order for a 2nd round pick for whatever Buff has 3rd round and beyond.

It just seemed so unnecessary
- walshyleafsfan

That's fair.

Congrats ! We'll take Nash off your hands.
- Pegullaville

Imo they shouldn't trade him. I'm hoping for a good year but if he sucks I don't care who gets him just get his money off the cap

My only grievance would be it just seemed unnecessary. Vesey and his entourage told everyone they were going to Free Agency. It seemed like they never once strayed from that positioning. Why wouldn't Murray wait until this week to talk to him? Why waste a pick? If they don't value picks (3rd round and beyond) I'm hoping Shanny has a standing order for a 2nd round pick for whatever Buff has 3rd round and beyond.

It just seemed so unnecessary
- walshyleafsfan

It's all about the odds. He took a shot on giving up a 6% or 7% chance(a 3rd round pick) to talk to a guy for a couple months that will 99% be playing in your top 6/9 in a few months. I'll do that everyday of the week. Murray is playing the long game. Eventually the odds work out. Or you're just really unlucky. Err, wait...

I give Murray a lot of credit he's made moves to better this team and some people like it and some don't. It's better then all the excuses we would get out of Darcy, no way he would have had the balls to do anything close to what Murray has done. Once again I know some will not agree with Murray but I do.
- SABRES 89

agreed

don't get me wrong, getting okposo to sign here is a big deal but


he lost out on
stamkos
babcock
vessey


maybe winning fixes that, so get off his a$$ and get this team winning so we land these type players

Let's all not come down on Turbo, he stood by what he was told and I give him credit for that. My source isn't always right things change at the last minute.
- SABRES 89

Yes, like Eklund.

We all have sources

I give Murray a lot of credit he's made moves to better this team and some people like it and some don't. It's better then all the excuses we would get out of Darcy, no way he would have had the balls to do anything close to what Murray has done. Once again I know some will not agree with Murray but I do.
- SABRES 89

I'm on board with Murray. and no doubt he has a plan B. Eichel doesn't play another year without a legit LW.

agreed

don't get me wrong, getting okposo to sign here is a big deal but


he lost out on
stamkos
babcock
vessey


maybe winning fixes that, so get off his a$$ and get this team winning so we land these type players
- homiedclown

I wouldn't necessarily say anyone lost out on Stamkos. (Unfortunately). No disrespect for either city, but if he was seriously considering leaving the state of Florida (on a contender) for Buffalo or Toronto, he's an idiot.

agreed

don't get me wrong, getting okposo to sign here is a big deal but


he lost out on
stamkos
babcock
vessey


maybe winning fixes that, so get off his a$$ and get this team winning so we land these type players
- homiedclown

If Stamkos signed elsewhere I'd say yeah, he lost out, but he stayed with his team. He didn't get him, sure, but Stamkos also didn't switch teams. Also 28 other teams missed on Stamkos and Vesey. Babcock was probably a good half the league that would've dumped their coach if they knew they had a chance. Sometimes you have to look at it from the other side. It's not like these guys were only allowed to sign here or where they signed.

I wouldn't necessarily say anyone lost out on Stamkos. (Unfortunately). No disrespect for either city, but if he was seriously considering leaving the state of Florida (on a contender) for Buffalo or Toronto, he's an idiot.
- walshyleafsfan

As usual someone said what I did with half the words.

Whatever.
- rmiethaner

A lot of angry people today.

A lot of angry people today.
- Wetbandit1

I used Edmonton because that is his team. Not as a deflection.

You can use any team, except Detroit.

Welshy just articulated his point a lot better, which I agreed with.

A lot of angry people today.
- Wetbandit1

I'm not really angry at Vesey. The kid is a grade A moron and a prima-donna. I realized that as soon as the crap with Nashville started. He'll rot in NYR. I'm just glad he didn't go to Toronto or Boston. I am however mad at Chris Drury. Guy played a few meaningless years there and I know for a fact openly despises Buffalo even though it was the birth of his career resurgence. We need a LW. I prefer signing Pirri or Hudler. But I'm open to trading for one as well. Eichel can't play with the same players this year on his left side

I wouldn't necessarily say anyone lost out on Stamkos. (Unfortunately). No disrespect for either city, but if he was seriously considering leaving the state of Florida (on a contender) for Buffalo or Toronto, he's an idiot.
- walshyleafsfan

you need to land bigger fish than an over the hill moulson and gionta though

you need to land bigger fish than an over the hill moulson and gionta though
- homiedclown

Moulson was a move to prove that a free agent would sign with us. Gionta was to make it look like we were still trying (even though we were tanking, and he wasn't a threat to the tank). Two fragile, yet pivotal years.

you need to land bigger fish than an over the hill moulson and gionta though
- homiedclown

look at it this way, homie...even with those over the hill twins (not to mention the smelly gorges) plus a bad, injury-shortened season from ennis as well as a crappy year from the Latvian stinkbomb in addition to the youth, influx of new players, injuries, and adjustments to Bylsma, the sabres still finished 13 points out of the last playoff spot, only one year removed from back-to-back last place finishes...

overall they were competitive but couldn't do it in tight games...they went 16-14-11 in one-goal/o.t. games...that's a .390 win percentage, fourth worst in the league plus they were 2-7 shootouts...the two wins were near the bottom of the league (only two teams were worse) and their seven losses were second worst in the league (philly, 8)

look at it this way, homie...even with those over the hill twins (not to mention the smelly gorges) plus a bad, injury-shortened season from ennis as well as a crappy year from the Latvian stinkbomb in addition to the youth, influx of new players, injuries, and adjustments to Bylsma, the sabres still finished 13 points out of the last playoff spot, only one year removed from back-to-back last place finishes...

overall they were competitive but couldn't do it in tight games...they went 16-14-11 in one-goal/o.t. games...that's a .390 win percentage, fourth worst in the league plus they were 2-7 shootouts...the two wins were near the bottom of the league (only two teams were worse) and their seven losses were second worst in the league (philly, 8)
- Michael Pachla

I'm not on the cliff

Nylander backed me away from it

If Stamkos signed elsewhere I'd say yeah, he lost out, but he stayed with his team. He didn't get him, sure, but Stamkos also didn't switch teams. Also 28 other teams missed on Stamkos and Vesey. Babcock was probably a good half the league that would've dumped their coach if they knew they had a chance. Sometimes you have to look at it from the other side. It's not like these guys were only allowed to sign here or where they signed.
- Wetbandit1

We had a meeting with him, he didn't sign or go to FA

Not anyone's fault. Same with Babcock. Same with Vesey.

At some point, you need to start landing people.

In 3 years we have Okposo and O'Reilly (He agreed to a big wxtension)

Both took large contracts to get them here.

At some point GMTM needs to show he'd a savvy GM, and not just someone who will pay anything to land a player he liked in Ottawa

I'm not on the cliff

Nylander backed me away from it
- homiedclown

yeah...he traded for Vesey four days before drafting a left-winger in nylander...plan-b maybe?