Agreed see my previous post!
- Stripes77

We were typing at the same time . Great minds think alike.

A blues first round pick is almost like an early 2nd round pick. The Sabres don't need more picks they need young roster players with upside. Trading Miller to the Blues could be the push that makes them Cup favorites., Them winning the cup gives Buffalo the 30th overall pick. Not exactly a great return for Miller.

To get the most value I could see a sign and trade with the Blues.
- Stripes77

Wow guys read what I said. I didn't speculate as to what picks it would or wouldn't take. I simply said that if/when the Sabres trade Miller, they shouldn't pigeonhole themselves to take only this player or that player b/c that is what they need and they already have a slew of picks. If the package of picks has better value than Player X or Player Y then the right move for the Sabres is to take the package of picks regardless of what picks they already have.

Yes I am well aware. I am also aware of the Bolts "rebuild" in 2012 where we traded for multiple 1st and 2nd rounders (Downie, Kubina, Dominic Moore) only to turn around and come draft time package some of those picks for Lindback. Granted the Lindback deal hasn't turned out as Yzerman hoped, but as I said before...If you want to rebuild, you take the best value in return, period.

If you limit your trade deadline partners to whichever team has a piece or 2 that fills a rebuilding need AND has a desire to trade for Miller the chances of the Sabres getting back full value for Miller are slimmed greatly. However, maybe the Sabres acquire some extra picks (on top of what you already have) and it is even more ammunition to package together to go get the young player(s) you're looking for who may or may not be "available" at the deadline and whose team(s) may or may not have interest in Miller.
- uf1910

Shouldn't you be in a library somewhere reading a book, professor?

Yes I am well aware. I am also aware of the Bolts "rebuild" in 2012 where we traded for multiple 1st and 2nd rounders (Downie, Kubina, Dominic Moore) only to turn around and come draft time package some of those picks for Lindback. Granted the Lindback deal hasn't turned out as Yzerman hoped, but as I said before...If you want to rebuild, you take the best value in return, period.

If you limit your trade deadline partners to whichever team has a piece or 2 that fills a rebuilding need AND has a desire to trade for Miller the chances of the Sabres getting back full value for Miller are slimmed greatly. However, maybe the Sabres acquire some extra picks (on top of what you already have) and it is even more ammunition to package together to go get the young player(s) you're looking for who may or may not be "available" at the deadline and whose team(s) may or may not have interest in Miller.
- uf1910

You logic is flawed from the get go. You are talking about a goaltender not a 30 goal scorer which every team would want. How many teams would want Miller? Probably 4 or 5. How many of these teams would pay the asking price for a UFA to be? 1 or 2. Not to mention the fact Miller has a limited NMC. It is believed those teams on his no trade list are in fact teams that desperately need goaltending. There fore the only 2 logical destinations for him as an in season trade are Washington and St Louis. So you need to start a bidding war between those two teams. Chances are they get close to their asking price if not higher. Washington needs to address their goaltending before they lose the season and St Louis is already a contender that has a slight question mark in net. Adding a Ryan Miller makes them the favorites IMO. They would give up a prospect or two and a first if they think he makes that big of a difference

Hey Eck,
Any word on what Mesz is looking for in another contract? If he continues to play well, and if he is signed for a 3 year deal for the same salary or less, that might be worth considering.
I think after the Flyers rushed him back, he was very careful with his play. I really don't blame him too much for that, but I was a little surprised to see his comeback take so long. I guess a contract year really motivates some folks; hence, the 3 year deal. I wouldn't sign him for any longer, and if his agent pushes for more, then I would start to consider trading him.
If you look at the UFA's, there isn't really much there as far as D-men go. In addition, the Phantoms D guys probably need a little more time down in the AHL.
If Kimmo retires after this season, I guess Gus is the only other option to replace him.
In your opinion, who are the UFA's that the Flyers should look at? If the Flyers want to pursue one of them, they had better not wait too long after the Olympics, before these guys start being traded for, or signed to deals.
Thanks.

There is nobody the Jets would want, that the Hawks would part with to make any trade for E. Kane feasible cap wise. The Hawks are at the cap, so $5.0+ would have to go back to Winnepeg in any trade that brings E. Kane to Chicago. Baring injuries, at most the Hawks will add a depth bottom 6F or veteran botom pair D-man.

E. Kane to Chicago?
- Ogilthorpe2

Maybe Winnipeg wants Brian Bickell?

Wow guys read what I said. I didn't speculate as to what picks it would or wouldn't take. I simply said that if/when the Sabres trade Miller, they shouldn't pigeonhole themselves to take only this player or that player b/c that is what they need and they already have a slew of picks. If the package of picks has better value than Player X or Player Y then the right move for the Sabres is to take the package of picks regardless of what picks they already have.
- uf1910

They shouldn't pigeonhole themselves into a crappy deal just for the sake of making a deal . The real NHL does not work the same as the video game.

Do you think Paajarvi and a 1st from STL gets it done? The kid is going to be a great player once he gets strong enough not to get knocked off the puck. He just has no chance to crack the STL lineup on a regular basis as a winger unless someone else is hurt.

Steen + Schwartz + Berglund + Morrow = No room for MPS on LW.
Oshie + Tarasenko + Stewart + Reaves = No room for MPS on the RW.

Then you've got Jaskin and Rattie who will be looking to stick next season. Good problem to have but unfortunate for a really good player.
- bluenatic411

It might but my gut tells me no...he's still too unproven(5 pts so far this season) and your 1st is likely to be a 26 or > overall pick(not exactly a top 10 or even 20). Sure, there's the whole "Not going to overpay for a rental player" line but in the case of St. Louis i don't buy it. You guys have a Great young team and it shouldn't be hard to convince a great goalie to resign long term.

and don't forget....someone WILL overpay, they always do.

Wow guys read what I said. I didn't speculate as to what picks it would or wouldn't take. I simply said that if/when the Sabres trade Miller, they shouldn't pigeonhole themselves to take only this player or that player b/c that is what they need and they already have a slew of picks. If the package of picks has better value than Player X or Player Y then the right move for the Sabres is to take the package of picks regardless of what picks they already have.
- uf1910

Draft picks aren't going to help this team. Unless its for multiple 2015 first round picks that's the point. Do you really think new management in Buffalo is just going to accept draft picks for arguably one of the best goalies in the league? Come on now. Especially when it comes during a rebuild. You want top 5 first round draft picks in a rebuild OR you want young NHL players. A late first helps this team very little

You logic is flawed from the get go. You are talking about a goaltender not a 30 goal scorer which every team would want. How many teams would want Miller? Probably 4 or 5. How many of these teams would pay the asking price for a UFA to be? 1 or 2. Not to mention the fact Miller has a limited NMC. It is believed those teams on his no trade list are in fact teams that desperately need goaltending. There fore the only 2 logical destinations for him as an in season trade are Washington and St Louis. So you need to start a bidding war between those two teams. Chances are they get close to their asking price if not higher. Washington needs to address their goaltending before they lose the season and St Louis is already a contender that has a slight question mark in net. Adding a Ryan Miller makes them the favorites IMO. They would give up a prospect or two and a first if they think he makes that big of a difference
- Stripes77

My entire point is predicated on getting back the best value regardless of what that value is. That is what my entire point is as I responded to a Sabres fan saying they needed to get back a young scorer for Miller b/c that is what they "need". My point was you take back best value, and if that is picks they will have more options to actually fill that need instead of trying to use Miller to get that piece, b/c after all like you said the Sabres have limited options for a Miller trade.

The Chicago Blackhawks under Stan Bowman 'like to make bold moves' and 'take chances'? When has this ever happened?

Maybe Winnipeg wants Brian Bickell?
- TommyHawk

Handzus.

Draft picks aren't going to help this team. Unless its for multiple 2015 first round picks that's the point. Do you really think new management in Buffalo is just going to accept draft picks for arguably one of the best goalies in the league? Come on now. Especially when it comes during a rebuild. You want top 5 first round draft picks in a rebuild OR you want young NHL players. A late first helps this team very little
- Stripes77

Value, value, value. That is what my entire point was from the beginning.

One of your brethren was saying Miller should be traded for a young scorer b/c that is what you "need". My point was Buffalo should take back the best package value regardless of the makeup.

My entire point is predicated on getting back the best value regardless of what that value is. That is what my entire point is as I responded to a Sabres fan saying they needed to get back a young scorer for Miller b/c that is what they "need". My point was you take back best value, and if that is picks they will have more options to actually fill that need instead of trying to use Miller to get that piece, b/c after all like you said the Sabres have limited options for a Miller trade.
- uf1910

Best value isn't picks though. Especially coming from the Blues. Which is why they would need a young scorer coming back. Look at the makeup of the Sabres. A bunch of 3rd and 4th liners. They have maybe 1 true top 3 forward in Moulson who is most likely gone. This is a rebuild they have to keep the fans interested as well. Late first round draft picks wont make a difference to them for another 3-5 years if at all. It's not the way to do a rebuild ESPECIALLY when moving a top 5 goalie. I would take picks for Moulson and Ott but you can't just take them for Miller

He will be a St. Louis Blue by Feb 8th.
- cuethenoise

Doubtful. Unless the Blues empty the prospect and draft pool

Best value isn't picks though. Especially coming from the Blues. Which is why they would need a young scorer coming back. Look at the makeup of the Sabres. A bunch of 3rd and 4th liners. They have maybe 1 true top 3 forward in Moulson who is most likely gone. This is a rebuild they have to keep the fans interested as well. Late first round draft picks wont make a difference to them for another 3-5 years if at all. It's not the way to do a rebuild ESPECIALLY when moving a top 5 goalie. I would take picks for Moulson and Ott but you can't just take them for Miller
- Stripes77

C'mon ....Hodgson and Ennis are a 1st and 2nd liners

Value, value, value. That is what my entire point was from the beginning.

One of your brethren was saying Miller should be traded for a young scorer b/c that is what you "need". My point was Buffalo should take back the best package value regardless of the makeup.
- uf1910

Value is nothing unless it helps the team. Look at it this way. If you are shopping at a store and you have to make a meal, you can get a great value 3.99 a pound for chicken that comes with stuffing and a vegatable or 1.99 a pound for chicken if you get 5 or more pounds. The first deal is much better because you get more of what you need for a complete meal. The second deal sucks when you are trying to build something.

Its the same thing here. Ryan Miller could get you 4 draft picks which helps a bit or Ryan Miller can get you a player that adds to the roster is young and then an additional draft pick. That IS the better value

Doubtful. Unless the Blues empty the prospect and draft pool
- RynoBull

Won't happen.

A draft pick and a marginal prospect or two versus Miller walks at the end of the season for nothing.

Doug Armstrong will wait him out.

See the Jay Bouwmeester trade.

Blues will land Miller and you will be very disappointed at the return.

C'mon ....Hodgson and Ennis are a 1st and 2nd liners
- RynoBull

Hodgson is a second line center and Ennis is not a top line player. I did say top 3 not top 6

They bring a very large return, which is why star goalies are seldom traded. What would you expect as a return for hank, quick, price, or rask? But I think making the first rounder conditional would get it done, paajarvi won't though.
- Girouxsalem90

Difference being they are under contract...

Eklund: Rumor Update: 3 Prices for Miller, Meszaros, and another Kane in Chicago?
- Eklund

"Meszaros is one of the hottest D-men in hockey"

Won't happen.

A draft pick and a marginal prospect or two versus Miller walks at the end of the season for nothing.

Doug Armstrong will wait him out.

See the Jay Bouwmeester trade.

Blues will land Miller and you will be very disappointed at the return.
- bcallaway

We will see . It really comes down to whether your GM is ready to make the move to win a cup . The other power houses in the west will make those moves. A top flight goalie and the Blues become the Stanley Cup favorites. The stars do not align every year to win a cup. Get those golf clubs ready because come June the Blues will be watching the Stanley cup finals on TV. We wish our GM had made the extra move when the Sabres were at that level.

What was the last "bold" move by Chicago again?

You logic is flawed from the get go. You are talking about a goaltender not a 30 goal scorer which every team would want. How many teams would want Miller? Probably 4 or 5. How many of these teams would pay the asking price for a UFA to be? 1 or 2. Not to mention the fact Miller has a limited NMC. It is believed those teams on his no trade list are in fact teams that desperately need goaltending. There fore the only 2 logical destinations for him as an in season trade are Washington and St Louis. So you need to start a bidding war between those two teams. Chances are they get close to their asking price if not higher. Washington needs to address their goaltending before they lose the season and St Louis is already a contender that has a slight question mark in net. Adding a Ryan Miller makes them the favorites IMO. They would give up a prospect or two and a first if they think he makes that big of a difference
- Stripes77

What do you think the Caps would offer? Wilson + a 1st? Strong young player who could fit in well with a re-building team. I'd love to have him on the Oil.

What was the last "bold" move by Chicago again?
- AlfieFever

Easy.

They initiated talks with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last off-season.