Hypotheticals are exactly that, hypothetical in nature. What if the best "value" player isn't on the Blues and thus isn't available for Miller. The picks can be traded later (at the draft perhaps) to any multitude of teams for any multitude of players in any multitude of scenarios. As it is you and a couple of other Sabre fans tell me it is better to only make a Miller deal for some 1st or 2nd line young forward on the Blues or Caps (who are pretty much your only market for Miller but I digress). Whereas maybe either the Blues or Caps offer higher value in picks then come draft time a forward on a different team is available, and the Sabres then having even more draft pick ammunition can make the deal for that better young forward. This is obviously asinine to keep arguing with Sabre fan(s) about this, so go ahead and make your hypotheticals about how much the Blues or Caps will give you. Last time I checked there are 27 other teams besides Buffalo/StL/and Washington yet (according to you and others) your best deal will only come from those 2. My point is maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. Take the best value regardless of whether it is picks or some precious forward who is supposedly going to put the Sabres over the top and keep the fans coming.
- uf1910

Again I will state that there are only 21 teams Miller can be traded to since he has a limited no movement clause. Of those 21 teams what teams would make sense to deal for a pending UFA goalie? I can come up with 2. Washington and St Louis. The other teams that are interested in Miller would most likely be interested in him when they don't have to give up anything for him aka Free Agency. There are a few other teams that could be interested in him depending on how their season is going closer to the deadline (The Islanders come to mind). However since they are already down a first round pick because of the Vanek deal they are not likely going to be a good trading partner. The only other way more teams show interest in Miller is if their starting goaltender gets hurts. Thinking the Ducks and AVs here.

Now back to your best value argument. Nobody is saying this young forward is going to put the Sabres over the hump. That sounds like a statement someone who can't comprehend what's being said says. The young forward is to be used to help in a rebuild and contribute right away. If you look at the next 2 years and the draft picks the Sabres have they have 3 firsts and 5 seconds. They have plenty of ammunition to make those trades you are talking about. In fact if you add more picks to your arsenal it can diminish their value in those potential trades. Value isn't just about numbers. Value is about getting the best bang for your buck THAT MAKES SENSE. A trade of Miller for 4 draft picks so to say makes very little sense. But a Miller trade and getting a return of a young forward with a pick gets you much better value when trying to build a team

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

Signing Hossa and letting Havlat pound sand? Maybe?

still hoping they resign miller. the market for goalies is screwey. wouldnt shock me if moulson doesnt bring back as much as miller does if they both get moved. the market for goal scorers is, basically, everybody. if moulson goes to a team fighting for a playoff spot, it could end up being 10-15 picks higher than the blues pick. im guessing ott would bring back something nice too, gamers like him with some grit that can take faceoffs are always in demand at the deadline.

I'd say that wouldn't even be close to what the sabres would want, I bet it'd look something like berglund, halak and a 1st. Miller is a top 5 goalie in the league, you gotta pay, and heavily, for on of those.
- Girouxsalem90

Agreed.
Especially if you think he is the piece that gets you the Cup.

Assuming the Blues aren't on Millers no go list

Signing Hossa and letting Havlat pound sand? Maybe?
- Ogilthorpe2

Honestly ogi, that was tallon as you can remember

The boldest move since bowman took over was getting versteeg back or trading for oduya

Take your pick

Signing Hossa and letting Havlat pound sand? Maybe?
- Ogilthorpe2

Which were the final moves that Tallon did as he polished off his Stanley Cup winning team just in time for Bowman to slide in, fire Tallon and take all the credit...

Honestly ogi, that was tallon as you can remember

The boldest move since bowman took over was getting versteeg back or trading for oduya

Take your pick
- FourFeathers773

I agree. And in those two trades, Bowman gave up 2 prospects that were already considered to be trade bait to lesser talented teams, and 2 2nd round picks, respectively... He must have been taking on a lot of risk in all those rumors over the years...

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
15-day (6 games) without pay suspension for John Tortorella. $25,000 fine for Bob Hartley.

James Mirtle @mirtle
Colin Campbell: "Mr. Tortorella failed in his responsibility to the game."

There's no way the Jets trade Kane this year, especially to a power team in their own division.

i hope MG goes big and picks up Evander. He'd be crazy awesome in Vancity on a number one line with Kesler and Kassian. Playing in his hometown area.

Triple K line.

Sedins would move down to the 2nd line.

MG has the pieces, he has to use them though...

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
15-day (6 games) without pay suspension for John Tortorella. $25,000 fine for Bob Hartley.

James Mirtle @mirtle
Colin Campbell: "Mr. Tortorella failed in his responsibility to the game."
- Fruitcakenipple

oh my
I did not think they would have the balls to go through with it

Torts

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

This theory works if zero other teams in the NHL offer anything for Miller. The Sabres will get a first and a top prospect for Miller in the end. The first might be conditional based on Miller resigning.

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

No offense but


If Tim Murray 's first trade was Ryan Miller for Paajarvi, he may never live that down.

Face the facts, it will take one of Rattie, Jaskin, Tarasenko or Schwartz, plus a pick.

Face the facts, it will take one of Rattie, Jaskin, Tarasenko or Schwartz, plus a pick.
- Powerslave

Ab-so-freaking-lutely not. Not going to happen. Not even close.

Torts
- goavsgo10

murray does not seem like an ego guy. i have faith that he will make the apporpriate moves. a projected really weak draft comming up. no clear go to #1 and not very deep. top 5 is still a good draft pick. so if we move miller to a playoff team we better get more than this years 1st.

I'd rather have Rattie or Allen.
- mhp

In the immortal words of Judge Smail...

You'll get nothing and like it!!!!!

No offense but


If Tim Murray 's first trade was Ryan Miller for Paajarvi, he may never live that down.

Face the facts, it will take one of Rattie, Jaskin, Tarasenko or Schwartz, plus a pick.
- Powerslave

You are seriously out of your ever-lovin' mind if you think the Blues trade any one of those players for a rental.

Schwartz and Tarasenko are going nowhere. Period.

The team's two best prospects will not be traded for a rental.

Put it this way - would you trade Grigorenko and a pick for Halak, even if you desperately needed a goalie to make the playoffs?

Wouldnt Rattie just be your Stewart replacement when he becomes a UFA next season? Think you will resign him for 5m+
- DDM-Coga

Stewy needs to be gone ASAP, but Jaskin will stick long before Rattie and prefers to play RW as a LH shot. Jaskin is more developed physically and strong on the puck. Rattie is leading the Wolves in goals, but still has a lot to accomplish adjusting to the pro game. He's exceptionally puck smart so he'll get there, but 1 or 2 more years in the AHL will do him some good. With the depth this team has on the wing, there is no point rushing him.

You are seriously out of your ever-lovin' mind if you think the Blues trade any one of those players for a rental.

Schwartz and Tarasenko are going nowhere. Period.

The team's two best prospects will not be traded for a rental.

Put it this way - would you trade Grigorenko and a pick for Halak, even if you desperately needed a goalie to make the playoffs?
- bluenatic411

Would I trade Grigs and a pick for a player that would make my team the cup favorite? Yes, probably.

You are seriously out of your ever-lovin' mind if you think the Blues trade any one of those players for a rental.

Schwartz and Tarasenko are going nowhere. Period.

The team's two best prospects will not be traded for a rental.

Put it this way - would you trade Grigorenko and a pick for Halak, even if you desperately needed a goalie to make the playoffs?
- bluenatic411

Simple enough , Miller will go elsewhere . Some other GM will decide he needs him to make his playoff run. Murray is not going to be low balled by St' Louis. There are other teams that will make moves. It is the nature of the beast. Without making a move The Blues need to book their tee times now. Because you know the other favorites in the west will be making moves.
Happy Golfing !!!

This theory works if zero other teams in the NHL offer anything for Miller. The Sabres will get a first and a top prospect for Miller in the end. The first might be conditional based on Miller resigning.
- BuffaloDAS

From whom? The only other team that may have any interest at all is the Caps and they have no cap room to take on even 1/2 of his contract.

In the end, Doug Armstrong will not negotiate against himself. The JayBo trade last year required a bold move at the final hour because Detroit came in the fray at the last minute. The goalie market is so entirely different than it is for skaters because you can only play one at a time. As a buyer, you have a better idea who you're competing against and you have more leverage.

The Sabres will get a 1st in the deal because someone will eventually pay that price. Anything more is just gravy, and Paajarvi will probably be a better sweetener than anyone else will offer. Like it or not, that is about the best Tim Murray will be able to do.

From whom? The only other team that may have any interest at all is the Caps and they have no cap room to take on even 1/2 of his contract.

In the end, Doug Armstrong will not negotiate against himself. The JayBo trade last year required a bold move at the final hour because Detroit came in the fray at the last minute. The goalie market is so entirely different than it is for skaters because you can only play one at a time. As a buyer, you have a better idea who you're competing against and you have more leverage.

The Sabres will get a 1st in the deal because someone will eventually pay that price. Anything more is just gravy, and Paajarvi will probably be a better sweetener than anyone else will offer. Like it or not, that is about the best Tim Murray will be able to do.
- bluenatic411

When will you get it through you head . It will not happen at that price. We have a new GM that is not going to let his first transaction be hosed on the hottest goalie in the league right now. Keep posting the same things over and over. It will not make it come true. Let's hope your GM has more sense.

Plus making an aggressive move shows Miller you believe in him and it gives you the inside track at signing him before he becomes a UFA.