the extras are what they were brought in to be in the first place...Gionta, Moulson and gorges all served their purpose...all are close to being in their proper roles right now...Gionta comes off the books next year, gorges the following year and Moulson one year after that
- Michael Pachla

I get that. But the problem right now is that there's a pretty large gaping hole on defense and there's not much we can do to fill it right now due to not having any real resources available to make that kind of move now.

And the Pagulas think that know everything about sports. I guess 17 years out of the NFL playoffs is something to celebrate.
- PrinceLH

Not sure who that is....

And you can't really heap the 17 year drought entirely on the Pegulas, as they haven't been the owners that whole time.

Yeah, good call on Whaley. How does that dude still have a job?? Zero games for Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland, your first and second round draft picks. Come on. I hope they let Stephon Gilmore walk in the offseason. Dude is the next Jarius Byrd - super overrated, and not worth the money he'll get. I could go on about the Bills all day, so I'll stop now...

A couple of years ago, Murray decided that he'd stockpiled enough young assets, and he went all-in on Kane, Bogosian, O'Reilly, Lehner, and Kulikov. The problem is that only one of those guys is a useful long-term piece. Ironically, the one who drove his truck into a Tim Hortons the day after signing his contract

Now there's a gap in talent on the roster, and very few pieces left to deal. Tough spot, but he made his bed
- AxlRose91

Lawson played in 10 games...

just sayin

And the Pagulas think that know everything about sports. I guess 17 years out of the NFL playoffs is something to celebrate.
- PrinceLH

they've been at the helm for two of those 17 seasons

Illustrates how the Leafs season will go.


https://www.facebook.com/.../videos/1264047027021521/
- cabin

ouch

Yeah, good call on Whaley. How does that dude still have a job?? Zero games for Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland, your first and second round draft picks. Come on. I hope they let Stephon Gilmore walk in the offseason. Dude is the next Jarius Byrd - super overrated, and not worth the money he'll get. I could go on about the Bills all day, so I'll stop now...

A couple of years ago, Murray decided that he'd stockpiled enough young assets, and he went all-in on Kane, Bogosian, O'Reilly, Lehner, and Kulikov. The problem is that only one of those guys is a useful long-term piece. Ironically, the one who drove his truck into a Tim Hortons the day after signing his contract

Now there's a gap in talent on the roster, and very few pieces left to deal. Tough spot, but he made his bed
- AxlRose91

I get the criticism for the other trades (although the ROR trade looks good, and the Kane trade is becoming less of nightmare with his on ice play of late) but the Kuli trade isn't really that big of a deal. Traded Pysyk for Kuli, and while Kuli has played worse (also injured) the real piece in that trade was that Asplund was still on the board and Murray thought he should have gone way earlier. So he sent out on ok D for a slightly worse D on a one year deal and got the 33rd OA pick (along with sending out some later picks). That is not a bad trade, or at least we won't know if it is until Asplund is playing/doesn't make it.

This is a good day to stay off this blog.
- SABRES 89

nah...enjoy this one

"Play to your strength. If you have a positional weakness it's the GM's job to address it"

I'm glad you called out the GM, because I think this is the key issue with the floundering Sabres. Theoretically, given the timing of their tank, this team should be 1-2 years ahead of Toronto in its rebuild. But, clearly, they've fallen significantly behind

The Leafs have made nothing but intelligent moves - they've drafted well, they've exercised patience, and they've flexed their financial muscle in all the right ways. Buffalo, on the other hand, has been let down by Tim Murray. He's been flat out slaughtered in some major trades that have set this team back considerably (Kulikov trade, Kane trade, etc)

I think Pegula fires him after this season. Tough sledding ahead for Buffalo
- AxlRose91

I wouldn't say the Kane trade set the Sabres back but I think they could have managed assets more intelligently, it's not like the Jets are getting big production from Myers, Stafford, Armia. Lemieux has struggled to produce in the AHL, Roslovic might be the best piece

Hahahaha.....that's an interesting spin to put on a team that's gone 8-1-1 in its last ten games....
- AxlRose91

it's accurate though

http://www.espn.com/nhl/t...e/tor/toronto-maple-leafs

And the Pagulas think that know everything about sports. I guess 17 years out of the NFL playoffs is something to celebrate.
- PrinceLH

Whats an "Argonaut"? A Canadian astronaut? Do you even go to space or anything? Oh they play 3 down, 110 yard football, you know the "real" kind. Pound sand.

And the Pagulas think that know everything about sports. I guess 17 years out of the NFL playoffs is something to celebrate.
- PrinceLH

So have the Leafs sucked for the last 40 years because of Shanahan?

I get that. But the problem right now is that there's a pretty large gaping hole on defense and there's not much we can do to fill it right now due to not having any real resources available to make that kind of move now.
- HonkFortheGoose

the gaping hole has to do with injuries both up front and on defense...am waiting to see how this team performs with a forward group that's only missing one regular

I get that. But the problem right now is that there's a pretty large gaping hole on defense and there's not much we can do to fill it right now due to not having any real resources available to make that kind of move now.
- HonkFortheGoose

We do still have some to trade, not a ton but we do. Kane could be trade bait, Ennis if he ever stays healthy, Girgensons, obviously there are draft picks as well. If you're looking for a top 2 none of these guys will get you one but a top 4 is possible. At this point I think you ride the season out and see what happens with Guhle. Potentially teams might be willing to trade players before the expansion draft to not lose a guy for nothing.

those moves he made were very meaningful at the time
- Michael Pachla

True. I liked all of them minus the Lehner move. I thought that one threw a bone to Uncle Terry and we will never get any return on the gift.

I wouldn't say the Kane trade set the Sabres back but I think they could have managed assets more intelligently, it's not like the Jets are getting big production from Myers, Stafford, Armia. Lemieux has struggled to produce in the AHL, Roslovic might be the best piece
- mattmoulson

That's the key is asset management. At the time we were flush with assets but now it's hard to find a good piece we'd be willing to lose for a top 2 guy.

nah...enjoy this one
- Michael Pachla

Enjoy what, all the crap that will be posted.

True. I liked all of them minus the Lehner move. I thought that one threw a bone to Uncle Terry and we will never get any return on the gift.
- Pope of Pucks

Kris B says if we didn't make that deal we were likely taking Samsonov with that pick. I haven't paid attention to him since the draft but I believe he's still in Russia. It was still a pick I didn't want to spend.

Enjoy what, all the crap that will be posted.
- SABRES 89

Enjoy the Pahgoolah bashing

the gaping hole has to do with injuries both up front and on defense...am waiting to see how this team performs with a forward group that's only missing one regular
- Michael Pachla

Eh. I'm not convinced that Kulikov makes that much of a difference to be quite honest. And he's only signed through this year.

I get the criticism for the other trades (although the ROR trade looks good, and the Kane trade is becoming less of nightmare with his on ice play of late) but the Kuli trade isn't really that big of a deal. Traded Pysyk for Kuli, and while Kuli has played worse (also injured) the real piece in that trade was that Asplund was still on the board and Murray thought he should have gone way earlier. So he sent out on ok D for a slightly worse D on a one year deal and got the 33rd OA pick (along with sending out some later picks). That is not a bad trade, or at least we won't know if it is until Asplund is playing/doesn't make it.
- SDSabre

This is a lie.

True. I liked all of them minus the Lehner move. I thought that one threw a bone to Uncle Bryan and we will never get any return on the gift.
- Pope of Pucks

I think you're right with the last part

Oi, Lawson played in 5 games. And really, Ragland? The guy got injured, no GM is predicting that. I dislike Whaley but at least be accurate in your criticisms

Ironically, the one who drove his truck into a Tim Hortons the day after signing his contract
What about him? What's ironic? What? Did he accidentally the whole thing?
- Zschalberg

Huh? Is that a sentence? English, dude....

The ironic thing is that the kid who got wasted and plowed his truck into a Tim Hortons is actually the one who's ended up being of most value to your team. I thought that was pretty clear in my original note

And good call on Lawson. He did play several games. My bad

Enjoy what, all the crap that will be posted.
- SABRES 89

yup

True. I liked all of them minus the Lehner move. I thought that one threw a bone to Uncle Terry and we will never get any return on the gift.
- Pope of Pucks

This ignores the market at the time for available goalies, and the options we had available to get the player.

Given the decision that Lehner was the guy (as his price was cheaper than several other available goalies), the pick we used was the lowest winning bid we could make.

I don't mind debate about whether Lehner was the right guy, but the debate about the price is just misplaced.

Eh. I'm not convinced that Kulikov makes that much of a difference to be quite honest. And he's only signed through this year.
- HonkFortheGoose

we'll never know because he crushed his tailbone and that has affected him all season