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Forums :: Blog World :: GARTH'S CORNER: Greeley
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GARTH'S CORNER
Buffalo Sabres
Location: @SabresBuzz
Joined: 09.15.2005

Apr 30 @ 9:44 AM ET
GARTH'S CORNER: Greeley
Pet.m.d.
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Joined: 06.29.2017

Apr 30 @ 10:02 AM ET
Love it Garth, keep' em coming.

Congrats on drafting the next captain of the long swords
LeafGuy89
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: ON
Joined: 05.13.2017

Apr 30 @ 11:24 AM ET
Imo, Hurricanes didn't lose, sure they didn't land 1st overall pick. But, they still jumped from 11th to 2nd which is a win in my eyes.

If any other team managed to get that lucky, they would be ecstatic!
TheSabresTaco
Buffalo Sabres
Location: For me. jack Eichel is bobby ryan….that's it. - Octavarium, NY
Joined: 05.05.2011

Apr 30 @ 11:44 AM ET
Imo, Hurricanes didn't lose, sure they didn't land 1st overall pick. But, they still jumped from 11th to 2nd which is a win in my eyes.

If any other team managed to get that lucky, they would be ecstatic!

- LeafGuy89


He's just being a dork.
Mahoney87
Joined: 02.28.2012

Apr 30 @ 12:07 PM ET
Jumping from 11th to 2nd in the draft is hardly the epitome of losing bud
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Apr 30 @ 12:17 PM ET
Imo, Hurricanes didn't lose, sure they didn't land 1st overall pick. But, they still jumped from 11th to 2nd which is a win in my eyes.

If any other team managed to get that lucky, they would be ecstatic!

- LeafGuy89


We, uh, are.

Pretty happy to be able to grab Andrei Svechnikov instead of... *checks list*.... Joel Farabee?
Pet.m.d.
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Joined: 06.29.2017

Apr 30 @ 1:06 PM ET
Garth, you changed the title on me....Carolina didn't lose anything. They are a very good young team in my opinion, much like Florida. I thought V. Rask was gonna take a step for them but it doesn't appear he did (still like the player). I guess my thought is this, where do they go for a number 1 center? Eric Stahl perhaps?
NewfieStud
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 03.04.2013

Apr 30 @ 5:15 PM ET
The Sabres are the 2018/19 Stanley Cup champs! The 82 game season and 4 rounds of playoffs next year will just be a formality.
Gordzilla
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Chatham, ON
Joined: 01.06.2016

Apr 30 @ 5:58 PM ET
Hardly consider jumping from 11th to 2nd pick a loss. That time they won the cup and Beat the Sabres along the way still outweighs anything. Must be a screwy situation there for Buffalo asst GM to turn down the GM job in Carolina.
Old Pappy
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 07.06.2006

Apr 30 @ 6:45 PM ET
Man, I haven't been on this site in about 3 years.. and Garth is still lost in space. Carolina lost to Buffalo......LOL!
RicoMartin
Buffalo Sabres
Location: whitby, ON
Joined: 01.28.2007

Apr 30 @ 11:01 PM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.
sskkoo1
Buffalo Sabres
Location: You are all Weirdos, NY
Joined: 06.06.2012

Apr 30 @ 11:29 PM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin


Even if something as unlikely as this ever comes to fruition, where's the cap space to pull this off? Plus Tavares is a UFA, the Islanders can't get him to do anything anymore, he's completely in the driver's seat. And, why would the Sabres want to trade fro Tavares when they can just make him an offer on July 1st like everyone else?
Larsson_fan
Edmonton Oilers
Joined: 10.08.2016

Apr 30 @ 11:38 PM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin



Somebody must have watched “ Draft day” with Kevin Kostner.
Gordzilla
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Chatham, ON
Joined: 01.06.2016

Apr 30 @ 11:47 PM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin


Just wow !


ChrisMS
Joined: 05.02.2012

May 1 @ 9:14 AM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin


you realize that the new negotiating window basically eliminates the rights trading?
hehateme
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 04.11.2017

May 1 @ 10:18 AM ET
Garth is this you?
RhinoFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Visionville
Joined: 10.12.2015

May 1 @ 3:05 PM ET
The Sabres are the 2018/19 Stanley Cup champs! The 82 game season and 4 rounds of playoffs next year will just be a formality.
- NewfieStud


Doubt that, but I like the optimism. Keep up the good work!
RhinoFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Visionville
Joined: 10.12.2015

May 1 @ 3:07 PM ET
Hardly consider jumping from 11th to 2nd pick a loss. That time they won the cup and Beat the Sabres along the way still outweighs anything. Must be a screwy situation there for Buffalo asst GM to turn down the GM job in Carolina.
- Gordzilla


It was down to 3 teams for Dahlin, the Sabres were selected and beat out Carolina, I think that's all that is being said here.

We lost to B-mour's nose, it still haunts me to this day.

And I guess Carolina had some problems coming up with the coin??? Not sure what that's about.
MR.Hunter
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: ON
Joined: 06.22.2016

May 2 @ 3:30 AM ET
Rico Martin ...it been a while since you've posted ..I needed that ..thank you
Symba007
Montreal Canadiens
Location: You are all perennial cynical sissies , ON
Joined: 02.26.2007

May 2 @ 8:38 AM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin

drugs are bad
BernardShakey
Joined: 08.16.2016

May 2 @ 9:16 AM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin


Winner of the most delusional fan contest in s landslide
Aetherial
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Has anyone discussed the standings today?
Joined: 06.30.2006

May 2 @ 7:03 PM ET
Somebody must have watched “ Draft day” with Kevin Kostner.

- Larsson_fan


Most absurd movie ever.
Larsson_fan
Edmonton Oilers
Joined: 10.08.2016

May 2 @ 7:40 PM ET
Most absurd movie ever.
- Aetherial

100% Bubba
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

May 3 @ 4:04 AM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin


I know there’s ppl who like to read your posts bc they are EPICALLY RIDICULOUS...

But really,
your nonsense is just a waste of time

Good grief
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

May 3 @ 8:01 AM ET
Its been a while since I posted anything about our sabres team. Sometimes when things are so bad, its better not to say anything.

Now that the first move of the off season is official and only requires the formalities of the draft to occur, it seems reasonable to look at what other moves should be made.
Like the Bills, the Sabres don't necessarily need to worry about Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Boston, but they certainly should not stay away from making bids on the same opportunities that may be available on the market to those teams. Consider these options:

1) the media has Tavares heading for Montreal or Toronto or even to the Rangers. Why not Buffalo? Tavares is familiar with the area, it is close to Toronto and he knows how his uncle was treated very well here. Tavares is not someone who wants the pressure of the limelight that Toronto, Montreal or New York can bring, so Buffalo might work for him. If I were Botterill, I would make a call to Snow and put this offer on the table: Tavares, Bellows, and the Islander 2018 #11 pick for O'Reilly, Lehner, Gerginson, Beaulieu and Buffalo's 1st pick in 2019.....all on the condition that Tavares signs a contract with Buffalo......as the draft approaches, someone will send the Islanders a pick to negotiate with Tavares, and so why wouldn't Buffalo send them a 3rd round pick ahead of time to at least present a sign and trade offer.....this would be a pre-emptive strike, but also a huge step up. Toronto would have to offer Kadri, or Nylander or Marner with Gardner and Montreal would have to start with Pacioretty or Drouin to get Tavares....otherwise we wait for free agency and hope.

2) Assuming that #1 comes together, with the Islander #11 pick, offer that and our 2nd round pick in 2018, our pick from San Jose and Scandella and Reinhart for Karlson and Ottawa's #4 pick in 2018. With the #4 pick, hope to choose Brady Tkachuk. At the very least, we put in an offer that the leafs and other teams will find it difficult to match or beat.

3) If #1 and #2 work great, if they don't then we should consider trading O'Reilly, Begosian and our first round pick next year and second round pick this year for Montreal's first pick this year, Pacioretty, and Weber.

What is important here, is that we need to be active, shaking the trees and surrounding these young players with proven veteran leaders. Whether it is Tavares, Karlsson, Weber or Pacioretty, we need to show people we our committed.

The line up starts to look like this if you can make #1 and #2 work and this is before free agency starts:

Moulson?/Bailey/Nylander/Smith) Tavares Okposso
Rodrigues Eichel Pominville/O'Reagan
Tkachuk Mittlestadt Bellows ( a young 3rd line like Roy, Vanek & Afiigenov were)
Nolan Larsson Baptiste/Wilson/Pouloit (if we bring him back to form a shut down line)

Defense
Karlsson Dahlen
Ristolainen McCabe
Guhle Nelson
Begosian Pilut/Antipin (maybe not Antipin unless he goes to minors for seasoning)
Falk (if we bring him back and we should)
Gorges (if we bring him back as a 7th or 8th defenseman or to help in Rochester)

In free agency, if we don't get Tavares and move O'Reilly, we should consider Paul Statsny on a 2 year contract. Perhaps if we don't move Begosian in another deal, we look at Jason Spezza as well in a trade offer straight up for SPezza, if we cant get a veteran like Statsny ith his talent and faceoff ability here to replace O'Reilly.

If we deal Reinhardt, then we should also make a pitch for JVR out of Toronto and if we cant get Statsny, we should not dismiss Bozak either as a third line option. Then there is Evander Kane is he someone we want back or not?

If we get Pacioretty, we should look at Lar Eller, who played well with Pacioretty before, but has been a good 3rd line center, and these two could fit with Pomiville nicely.

Alternatively, I would also look at bringing back free agents Roy and Vanek to play with Pominville on a 4th line, or to double shift Eichel with Vanek and Pomiville and then with Rodriges and O'Reagan if we don't get some of the other top free agents......they will cost little, but have one more chance to bring glory to this team.

Other UFA options:
Back-up goalies: Chad Johnson, Aaron Dell (best choice), Carter Hutton (back-up), or someone like Ben Scrivens and maybe even take a flyer on Jonathan Bernier

Back-Up defensemen: Jack Johnson might be an interesting pick-up who just may want a change in scenery and be willing to come and play in Buffalo as a 2nd pairing defenseman on a decent deal; Calvin Dehan as a penalty kill shutdown 5th defenseman....an upgrade over Gorges and Falk, but cost would be a factor; Ian Cole more mobile, but older is another possibility for the 6th or 7th position

Forwards: Besides, Statsny, Eller, Roy, Vanek, Pouloit, Wolski, a couple of forwards to help the 4th line might be of interest, especially for the penalty kill or for shut down purposes late in the game: Komorov, Letetsu, Riley Nash

I would also look at Canadian Olympic Players like Ben Scrivens as a back-up goalie, Mat Robinson, who has incredible skating speed and passing abilities and despite his age he has an excellent accurate shot and would be a great 6th/7th defenseman, and Wojtek Wolski, who has great speed and talent as well.....some of these are stop gap measures, but what these guys and the other free agents I have listed have is a commitment to win and in a competition for Olympic spots, these Olympic players showed incredible desire to get a spot over 200 other guys and they then tried like heck to win a medal.

- RicoMartin


RICO!!!!! Come back to the Pach blogs!!! We miss you!
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