Here is what everyone needs to be aware of with talking about picks and prospects for Miller. Tampa will be 2 Million over the cap with Miller and need to fill 1 forward and 1 defensive spot on the roster. Benoit Pouliot their biggest RFA which will get about 2 Million in a new deal. So Tampa will have to shed some salary somewhere.

This is what I am thinking because it will put Tampa in the best position for next year and will give them 2 Mill in cap space at the end of the trade for next year.

Miller, Leopold and a 2nd for Hedman, Connolly and a 1st. That is a likely deal because the only 2 other players that will give Tampa more than 2 Million in cap space is Malone or Purcell. Malone injury very unlikely to be traded until he is healthy, and Purcell is too key to TB offense right now. Hedman Its a good young player and is starting to come into his own but is not there year. Leopold for this years playoffs will be good enough to step into Hedman's shoes and then free up cap space later for Miller's 6.25 cap hit. Tampa cannot get by without Buffalo either eating cap space which is not very likely at all or making a hockey trade.
- hambolt

...

Girardi, Varlamov, Kunitz to name a few.
- TheSabresTaco

yea I am talking about small players, which is why i listed St Louis and Fleury, I do realize undrafted players and late round picks can be good. However, 5'8 players are not usually on that end of the spectrum.

To be honest, AHL MVP and rookie of the year do not mean too much. They are really impressive but take a look at the recent AHL MVPs and the list is not too impressive. Same with the AHL rookie of the year. I mean, the Sabres had 3 AHL rookies of the year in their minor league team for 3 straight years and only 1 of them is doing well.
- BuffSabs88

Judging a guy who hasn't completed one NHL season is just silly. This would be the equivalent of me saying that Seth Jones isn't worth much because he hasn't done anything at the NHL level, yet teams are going to be chomping at the bit to get him. Conacher's potential is sky high, and anyone who has followed him through his years at Canisius and in the AHL will tell you that.

I agree it will have to be at least Leopold added if not more on both sides
- Mathwil3

The day Leopold is worth a potential top-5 pick is the day I stop watching hockey.

On a side note. I hope the Kings offer Bernier package to Calg for Iggy and we can resign him for the rest of his career. And then get Bulin to back up Quick.
- poisondhearts37

That ship has sailed. He is unofficially a Bruin.

Judging a guy who hasn't completed one NHL season is just silly. This would be the equivalent of me saying that Seth Jones isn't worth much because he hasn't done anything at the NHL level, yet teams are going to be chomping at the bit to get him. Conacher's potential is sky high, and anyone who has followed him through his years at Canisius and in the AHL will tell you that.
- Michael_Stuart

Oh, I think Conacher is a good player and has a chance to turn into a great player. I guess I was just trying to play devil's advocate.

The day Leopold is worth a potential top-5 pick is the day I stop watching hockey.
- Michael_Stuart

I was not suggesting he was. I was giving an example of how more would be needed in order to get Tampa's 1st this year. No reason to be so dramatic

I was not suggesting he was. I was giving an example of how more would be needed in order to get Tampa's 1st this year. No reason to be so dramatic
- Mathwil3

You suggested that adding Leopold would be enough to get Tampa's first this year, did you not?

You suggested that adding Leopold would be enough to get Tampa's first this year, did you not?
- Michael_Stuart

No I suggested it would take more than Miller and started with Leopold and would probably have to include more.

Agreed on that, unless you are for sure in the playoffs giving up your first is not a smart move with the new CBA where everyone gets a shot at the No 1 pick if you dont make the post season.

It would have to work salary wise as well. The only salary I see working would be. Malone, Carle, Vinny, Headman, St. Louis. Four of which I cant see Yzerman wanting to give up and one of which Buffalo in this situation would not want, IMO.

Unless Lindback would be a piece coming back. It is interesting to talk about that is for sure.
- ImThatGuy

Except that's totally not true.

Also Tampa is one decent goalie and/or defense away from being a very good team. Tampa bays defense isn't any worse than buffalos and they certainly score enough to let miller win games.

No I suggested it would take more than Miller and started with Leopold and would probably have to include more.
- Mathwil3

It would take a hell of a lot to pry that pick out of Yzerman's hands.

yea I am talking about small players, which is why i listed St Louis and Fleury, I do realize undrafted players and late round picks can be good. However, 5'8 players are not usually on that end of the spectrum.
- Mentalorgasm5

David Desharnais I think is short.... but yea. You're right. I mean how many UNDRAFTED UNDERSIZED kids are really going to succeed? When being shorter than 6' is undersized, you need to have some severe talent that just doesn't bloom. That's highly uncommon. But once in a while those rough diamonds show themselves.

My sister had a few classes with Conacher and explained his odd situation to me a few months ago. Apparently he could have played in the CHL and likely could have been a mid round pick but chose to go to college in the states instead. By going to the tiny school of Canisius (go RIT btw) he was just simply looked over because of his small school and size. His talent and ability was and continues to simply be undeniable. I think he really will be a pretty good player in this league. A tier two type.

Except that's totally not true.

Also Tampa is one decent goalie and/or defense away from being a very good team. Tampa bays defense isn't any worse than buffalos and they certainly score enough to let miller win games.
- Putzfrau

Yes, that is true.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=658503

To TB:
Miller
Stafford

To BUF:
Connolly
Purcell
1st

-----
To LA:
Pominville
Regehr
3rd

To BUF:
Bernier
Toffoli

It would take a hell of a lot to pry that pick out of Yzerman's hands.
- Michael_Stuart

I would agree with that. I also think if folks think he would trade Hedman without a Kings ransom coming back are foolish.

I would agree with that. I also think if folks think he would trade Hedman without a Kings ransom coming back are foolish.
- Mathwil3

I'd agree completely with that. Trading Hedman creates a bigger hole on defense than we already have in goal. No point in fixing a problem by creating another. Like I've said, if Yzerman is going to trade for a goaltender, he'll do so from a position of strength (the wing).

To TB:
Miller
Stafford

To BUF:
Connolly
Purcell
1st

-----
To LA:
Pominville
Regehr
3rd

To BUF:
Bernier
Toffoli
- SabresRsmokiN

Both of those trades are incredibly tilted towards the Sabres.

To TB:
Miller
Stafford

To BUF:
Connolly
Purcell
1st

-----
To LA:
Pominville
Regehr
3rd


To BUF:
Bernier
Toffoli
- SabresRsmokiN

I'd be pumped by either of those deals......Time to prune this team to make way for future growth...However it's unlikely we get all that for Staff and Millsy

To TB:
Miller
Stafford

To BUF:
Connolly
Purcell
1st

-----
To LA:
Pominville
Regehr
3rd

To BUF:
Bernier
Toffoli
- SabresRsmokiN

I think if miller is moved, people will be surprised what the sabres get for him, Murray just got two 2nds.

Both of those trades are incredibly tilted towards the Sabres.
- Michael_Stuart

I wouldn't go that far! Wanna get crazy?
Miller
Vanek
Myers
-4-
Stamkos

I wouldn't go that far! Wanna get crazy?
Miller
Vanek
Myers
-4-
Stamkos
- SabresRsmokiN

Purcell is worth more than Stafford based on production, and Connolly + a potential top-5 pick is worth more than Miller given his contract having only one more year and the rumors that he might not be totally happy.

[quote=sabresnumberonefan]

Add a piece.. Take your pick TB
Gerbe
Leopold
Hecht
Porter
Leino
Adam

Yes, that is true.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=658503
- Michael_Stuart

Was under the impression you could only move up 4 places? /shrug oh well. Either way I'd say if Tampa bay doesn't have to back up the truck for miller to go for it. I think he could still have his years ahead of him and Tampa is actually not far off from being a good team.

Was under the impression you could only move up 4 places? /shrug oh well. Either way I'd say if Tampa bay doesn't have to back up the truck for miller to go for it. I think he could still have his years ahead of him and Tampa is actually not far off from being a good team.
- Putzfrau

Changed with the new CBA.

Both of those trades are incredibly tilted towards the Sabres.
- Michael_Stuart

Not sure if the LA trade is really that unfair.