Nor should he, they match effort but Gerbe dwarfs Kaleta's point totals.

This is probably an unpopular stance but I think the Sabres 4th line could use a tad more offense punch to it. I'd like to see a line of :

Foligno-McCormick-Tropp

Ellis can be the 13th forward or be buried in the minors and Kaleta can be non-qualified. It's a cheaper line with more offensive upside.
- SabreHess

I'm telling you.. Jerrod Smithson is the perfect 3rd or 4th liner. He has the size.. he is a good defensive player.. he is a veteran of the game... and he is a BEAST on faceoffs!

Fla got him from NSH for a 5th rounder I think when NSH set their sights to Gaustad.

A

Am I forgetting anyone?
- JVince117

I think Thorton could be had if the sharks miss the playoffs

perfect center for vanek moving forward

I think Thorton could be had if the sharks miss the playoffs

perfect center for vanek moving forward
- homiedclown

IF your completely unsubstantiated assumption is true, I'd be on board with that 100%.

It's no big Joe's fault Marleau and Heatley disappear as soon as the playoffs get physical. Vanek and Pommer might not fare any better, but I'd rather have him than not.

So what you are saying is that a team with huge cap space would be willing to ship out its #1 center, for a #2 center, a #4 center and a draft pick. Instead of trying to build around the guy, they would instead be willing to dismantle their team even further and backload with Sabre rejects and prospects.

Did I follow your logic correctly?
- Full Throttle

Duchene and O'Reilly say hello by the way. Stastny and Hejduk are the only leftovers from their previous dominant group. Hejduk is gonna retire at years end.. Duchene has been learning for years now.

Duchene, O'Reilly, Landeskog, and Eric Johnson are the corners of that franchise to build around. Duchene and O'Reilly are a very very nice #1 and #2 center combo.

I think Thorton could be had if the sharks miss the playoffs

perfect center for vanek moving forward
- homiedclown

that would be interesting. I personally would rather have the much younger Pavelski or Clowe than Thornton or Marleau who only have another 3-5 years left in their tank of above average hockey.

I also think Pommer is the guy we need to base who we are building around on the top line.

I'm telling you.. Jerrod Smithson is the perfect 3rd or 4th liner. He has the size.. he is a good defensive player.. he is a veteran of the game... and he is a BEAST on faceoffs!

Fla got him from NSH for a 5th rounder I think when NSH set their sights to Gaustad.
- JVince117

He (frank)ing sucks!

Duchene and O'Reilly say hello by the way. Stastny and Hejduk are the only leftovers from their previous dominant group. Hejduk is gonna retire at years end.. Duchene has been learning for years now.

Duchene, O'Reilly, Landeskog, and Eric Johnson are the corners of that franchise to build around. Duchene and O'Reilly are a very very nice #1 and #2 center combo.
- JVince117

IF you think that is true, why would they want a 4 mill center that is a Top 6 player that will be an UFA at the end of next year? or a bottom 6 Center, with Top 6 potential?

that would be interesting. I personally would rather have the much younger Pavelski or Clowe than Thornton or Marleau who only have another 3-5 years left in their tank of above average hockey.

I also think Pommer is the guy we need to base who we are building around on the top line.
- JVince117

There are less than 10 great playmaking centers in the national hockey league. Joe Thornton is one of the best 5 of them. Five seasons of an effective Thornton is worth far more than what Pavelski or Clowe can bring to this team. The Sabres haven't had the likes of Thornton since LaFontaine/Hawerchuck.

not to be a d!ck but...


YA DON'T SAY!!??

There is no other center available besides Stastny that we could realistically pry away from his team without majorly overpaying. Not only that... .But Stastny is signed for another what 3-4 years? Getzlaf is a free agent after next year.

Spezza isn't being moved
Staal isn't being moved
Backstrom has a full NTC and now has concussion issues
Lecavalier is too expensive and declining (he would be the next highest % to move)

Colin Smith is a RFA
Robidas could be available but no one likes him
Olli Jokinen is a cheap free agent center but will be the most sought after in UFA

Am I forgetting anyone?
- JVince117

Uh robidas sp? Is a defensemen.

Riberio is a center though.

IF you think that is true, why would they want a 4 mill center that is a Top 6 player that will be an UFA at the end of next year? or a bottom 6 Center, with Top 6 potential?
- Full Throttle

Because if 4M is the price they have to bare for a veteran type player to come in for 1 year and get rid of Stastny then they would...? Because it helps us out a lot?

Uh robidas sp? Is a defensemen.

Riberio is a center though.
- dadeadhead

yea thats who I meant... I meant Riberio.

IF your completely unsubstantiated assumption is true, I'd be on board with that 100%.

It's no big Joe's fault Marleau and Heatley disappear as soon as the playoffs get physical. Vanek and Pommer might not fare any better, but I'd rather have him than not.
- SabreHess

it was brought up on xm the other day

if the sharks fail to make the playoffs, perhaps it is time to turn the team over to Pavelski and Couture

There are less than 10 great playmaking centers in the national hockey league. Joe Thornton is one of the best 5 of them. Five seasons of an effective Thornton is worth far more than what Pavelski or Clowe can bring to this team. The Sabres haven't had the likes of Thornton since LaFontaine/Hawerchuck.
- SabreHess

2 questions...

1.) What would we realistically have to give up for a player like Thornton who is top 5 Center material

2.) Why would you think that SJ would be willing to get rid of him first and not Marleau?

Because if 4M is the price they have to bare for a veteran type player to come in for 1 year and get rid of Stastny then they would...? Because it helps us out a lot?
- JVince117

Too Bad real life wasn't more like your NHL 12 game.

2 questions...

1.) What would we realistically have to give up for a player like Thornton who is top 5 Center material

2.) Why would you think that SJ would be willing to get rid of him first and not Marleau?
- JVince117

1. Roy, Adam and A #1
2. To help us out?

2 questions...

1.) What would we realistically have to give up for a player like Thornton who is top 5 Center material

2.) Why would you think that SJ would be willing to get rid of him first and not Marleau?
- JVince117

They might move both al la Philly with Richards and Carter.

2 questions...

1.) What would we realistically have to give up for a player like Thornton who is top 5 Center material

2.) Why would you think that SJ would be willing to get rid of him first and not Marleau?
- JVince117

1.
sekera, adam and a first rd pick would start the conversation
probably have to add a pick and prospect to seal the deal

2.
Marleau has been a shark for his entire career

1. Roy, Adam and A #1
2. To help us out?
- Full Throttle

Stafford a 1st and a 2nd gets him Imo.

2 questions...

1.) What would we realistically have to give up for a player like Thornton who is top 5 Center material

2.) Why would you think that SJ would be willing to get rid of him first and not Marleau?
- JVince117

1)Roy, Adam, Sekera, and a 1st (maybe both 1st rounders)

2)I don't know that they would, Homie brought it up, personally I think they'd be nuts to deal Thornton...Marleau however is expendable

1. Roy, Adam and A #1
2. To help us out?
- Full Throttle

So let me ask you the same thing..

Why would they want to pay Roy 4M and Adam to sit deep in their depth chart?

Now 1 thing I just found out is that... SJ will have 8M in cap space with only 14 skaters signed for next year. They might HAVE to shed some cap in order to get more quality players on their roster.

They might move both al la Philly with Richards and Carter.
- dadeadhead

So let me ask you the same thing..

Why would they want to pay Roy 4M and Adam to sit deep in their depth chart?

Now 1 thing I just found out is that... SJ will have 8M in cap space with only 14 skaters signed for next year. They might HAVE to shed some cap in order to get more quality players on their roster.
- JVince117

The same question I asked you about the Avs. Weird. It makes more sense for SJ that the Avs. You can't build around an aging star, you can build around Stasny

1.
sekera, adam and a first rd pick would start the conversation
probably have to add a pick and prospect to seal the deal

2.
Marleau has been a shark for his entire career
- homiedclown

If that would be all it would take to "start" the conversation than you can count me in. Throw in like Pysyk or Schiestal or Brennan.

I personally want Gerbe to be traded too. 1.5M for him is just too much for what he brings that money could be much better spent on Konopka and the raise for Ennis/Kaleta.

- homiedclown

The same question I asked you about the Avs. Weird.
- Full Throttle

I know I was just curious of how you would answer it.