I could keep being subtle about it, or you both could ease up on the personal attacks, or I could get much more obvious about making my point.

Up to y'all.
- nfph

(makes popcorn)

Don't forget about the $7m and better draft pick. Plus, what has Buffalo won WITH Vanek ? Not saying he's the problem but he damn well hasn't been the solution.
- Pairo11

Unless you getting into the top 5, moving up 4 spots isn't worth it, not that kind of blockbuster, anyway.

You definitely have to take a "what have you done for me lately" approach, though. And with Statsny, the answer is "not enough".
- buffalofan19

Then you take who he's played with in to consideration too. Roy has played with better/consistant linemates over his career. Step back and look at the whole picture.

I'm thinking a ban is in order. Maybe something along the lines of 3 months.

Unless you getting into the top 5, moving up 4 spots isn't worth it, not that kind of blockbuster, anyway.
- buffalofan19

I'd like to lose that contract though... And if I'm getting Charlie Coyle too ?

Yes please.

Don't forget about the $7m and better draft pick. Plus, what has Buffalo won WITH Vanek ? Not saying he's the problem but he damn well hasn't been the solution.
- Pairo11

I agree. I'm totally on board with trading Vanek for Coyle. The team needs to move in a new direction. It also sends a message to the rest of the room and the the league that they aren't afraid to make changes either.

Then you take who he's played with in to consideration too. Roy has played with better/consistant linemates over his career. Step back and look at the whole picture.
- dadeadhead

I am factoring that in. I'm not denying that Statsny is the better player. I just can't get excited about building a team around a guy like that.

I'm thinking a ban is in order. Maybe something along the lines of 3 months.


- Pairo11

4 hours, which is hopefully enough time to take a deep breath and try and play nice. If not, I'll consider 3 months next time.

Then you take who he's played with in to consideration too. Roy has played with better/consistant linemates over his career. Step back and look at the whole picture.
- dadeadhead

So we're saying that Vanek is consistent now??






Just kidding, just kidding. It is a valid point. Just still not enough to convince me the extra cash is worth it.

I agree. I'm totally on board with trading Vanek for Coyle. The team needs to move in a new direction. It also sends a message to the rest of the room and the the league that they aren't afraid to make changes either.
- HonkFortheGoose

You and I have been on the Charlie Coyle train for a while, but in a trade like that, I need a more than competent roster player coming back somewhere somehow. Coyle will not make the team on day 1.

I'd like to lose that contract though... And if I'm getting Charlie Coyle too ?

Yes please.
- Pairo11

He really stood out this year in the WJC. That Team USA was a trainwreck, but he busted his ass every game. With the flu and still managed 5 pts in 6 games.

For cap relief, a shake up of the core, the 8th overall draft pick, and a player that has shown a scoring touch as a big center on the World Junior Championship, collegiate, and junior level...yes.
- rcostel77

I get the cap relief idea but I think we want something in return for Vanek that we can use now. We're a pretty young team as it is and getting an unproven NHL commodity back doesn't help us in the immediate future.

I am factoring that in. I'm not denying that Statsny is the better player. I just can't get excited about building a team around a guy like that.
- buffalofan19

And I agree that there should be other options explored 1st.



I think the Sabres brass knows whats available and feel Stastny is one of the better options. I don't like the salary one bit, but say Vanek is moved? I like Stastny at his hit than Vanek at his.

This is pretty much what I've been saying. The slight differences in stats just don't justify the extra money per year. Period. That's the same thing I've been saying the whole time.
- HonkFortheGoose

bingo 2-2.5 more for homeboy is not worth it. i like the idea of statsny but that's about it at this point. i'd rather jetison roy and not do anything then jetison roy and get a more expensive guy.

And I agree that there should be other options explored 1st.



I think the Sabres brass knows whats available and feel Stastny is one of the better options. I don't like the salary one bit, but say Vanek is moved? I like Stastny at his hit than Vanek at his.
- dadeadhead

Fair enough.

You and I have been on the Charlie Coyle train for a while, but in a trade like that, I need a more than competent roster player coming back somewhere somehow. Coyle will not make the team on day 1.
- buffalofan19

Says who? Most people didn't think Couturier would make the Philly roster this year. That's part of why he fell so far in the draft. He was a huge/key player for them most of the season. More so than Schenn who was supposed to be ahead of him on the development curve.

We can't say he would or wouldn't. Either way, I'd love to see him in blue and gold. Whether it's this year or next year.

He really stood out this year in the WJC. That Team USA was a trainwreck, but he busted his ass every game. With the flu and still managed 5 pts in 6 games.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think he'll be a solid pro for a long time.

I agree. I'm totally on board with trading Vanek for Coyle. The team needs to move in a new direction. It also sends a message to the rest of the room and the the league that they aren't afraid to make changes either.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think the best way to send that message would be to fire Lindy. Making player moves to send a message to the league landed us Boyes and Leino.

edit: Philly tried the same thing and it landed LA the Stanley Cup.

So we're saying that Vanek is consistent now??






Just kidding, just kidding. It is a valid point. Just still not enough to convince me the extra cash is worth it.
- HonkFortheGoose

Consistant in that for 3 yrs it was Vanek/Roy/Afinogenov then for most of the next 3yrs it was Vanek/Roy/Stafford.

Stastny has had winger by committee.

Consistant in that for 3 yrs it was Vanek/Roy/Afinogenov then for most of the next 3yrs it was Vanek/Roy/Stafford.
- dadeadhead

I knew what you meant. I was just making a joke out of it.

Says who? Most people didn't think Couturier would make the Philly roster this year. That's part of why he fell so far in the draft. He was a huge/key player for them most of the season. More so than Schenn who was supposed to be ahead of him on the development curve.

We can't say he would or wouldn't. Either way, I'd love to see him in blue and gold. Whether it's this year or next year.
- HonkFortheGoose

I guess what I'm saying is, if you want to make Vanek for Coyle the center piece of a deal like that, I'm all for it. However, instead of merely moving up 4 spots in a weak draft, I'd rather get another cheaper roster player.

I knew what you meant. I was just making a joke out of it.
- HonkFortheGoose

You do, others will not.

Knowing how Darcy Regier operates, if a trade is going to happen, it will most likely be for someone none of us are talking about. He seems to be the master of "where the hell did that come from?". The Hodgson trade is just the most recent example.

I guess what I'm saying is, if you want to make Vanek for Coyle the center piece of a deal like that, I'm all for it. However, instead of merely moving up 4 spots in a weak draft, I'd rather get another cheaper roster player.
- buffalofan19

Personally, I would do it Vanek for Coyle straight up. We could just as easily get the same guy at 12 as we could get at 7 in the draft this year. It's just the way this draft class is, so you're right, the draft spot is a moot point.

I think the reason I could see this as a possibility is because it gives Minnesota a player that can contribute now, it makes us a younger team (which is the direction they seem to be moving in), and it frees up cap space for us to make other moves if they want. Seems like a win-win for me. Plus, we're not even taking their top prospect, because they consider that Granlund.

Knowing how Darcy Regier operates, if a trade is going to happen, it will most likely be for someone none of us are talking about. He seems to be the master of "where the hell did that come from?". The Hodgson trade is just the most recent example.
- buffalofan19

Very true. I think that's honestly why I like the Coyle idea so much. Who else really would even think of that? I'm pretty sure the fans on other boards aren't targeting him as a guy they want to try and get.