At this point, just be happy if they can pull off Dudley...

Meddling ownership, rookie GM, rookie head of scouting, inexperienced re-tread coach w losing record...


Maybe, just maybe... Dudley could stable this ship.
- SuperCat

Well keep your eyes and ears open

Tyler johnson I think from tampa? I would be okay with that. Stop gap for cozens and mitts at center.
- Sabretooth9

Agreed, he’d be a real nice fit. But as someone pointed out last week... T. Johnson has a NMC.

It wouldn’t make sense for any player to waive a no movement to leave Tampa to go to Buffalo.

Not only would you be going from first to worst... but Fla has no state taxes. Not to mention little fan/media pressure and warm weather.

Might be able to swing a cheap trade for Eric Staal as a stop gap?

At this point, just be happy if they can pull off Dudley...

Meddling ownership, rookie GM, rookie head of scouting, inexperienced re-tread coach w losing record...


Maybe, just maybe... Dudley could stable this ship.
- SuperCat

If anything it will take the heat off of them as the front-office face of the organization. Brian Burke said on GR that one of the obligations of the GM, and to an extent imo front office personnel, is to do community-based public appearances. If I remember correctly, it was somewhere around 80-90. Add that to various pressers foisted upon them and they could meld into the background more.

I don't think I'd be too far off in saying that everyone involved in that Zoom presser last month would rather have had a Duds-type, grizzled front-office veteran answering tough questions instead of Terreee and Kym. Those two included.

salary cap for 20-21 will be 81.5 mil per friedman

No-move and no-trade clauses now travel with a player who has agreed to lift one, even if they haven’t kicked in (previously, the acquiring team had to agree).

• Players aged 35 and over can sign multi-year deals that are flat or ascending and there will be no cap hit if they retire before the deal is up (previously, the cap hit stayed no matter what).

• Year-by-year variability: six-year contracts that are front-loaded and worth at least 7.5 per cent of the cap cannot exceed 35 per cent between the highest and lowest salary amounts. Rules for other contracts remain the same (I’ve heard players and teams will consider back-loading new contracts because escrow is capped at a lower number and cash flow should improve for clubs).

• No changes to signing bonuses

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...pa-continue-negotiations/

are you gonna make the same excuse for mitts who was in a third-line center role with the likes of sobotka, okposo, tage, elie, e-rod at the beginning of '18-'19?
- Michael Pachla

It’s utter BS to call it an “excuse” in Sam’s case

If u think that was putting him in a position to be successful, then you’re crazy

Pouliot & Griffith haven’t played in the NHL since for a reason

It’s utter BS to call it an “excuse” in Sam’s case

If u think that was putting him in a position to be successful, then you’re crazy

Pouliot & Griffith haven’t played in the NHL since for a reason
- jdfitz77

You didn't answer the question.

You didn't answer the question.
- Michael Pachla

Bc there’s no correlation to Sam’s specific situation
It’s irrelevant


If u wanna change the discussion to Mitts,
then fine

But trying to say a small sample size with BS talent on the wings qualifies as Sam getting a “legit” shot is just bananas imo
It was set up for him to be unsuccessful

And didn’t Sam actually “drive play” on that line,
they were just unsuccessful at putting the puck in the net?
Not surprising with those wingers... is it???

Well keep your eyes and ears open
- Buff36

That sounds good to me!

If we sign dudley ........ that is step one on Pegula rehabbing their image.

Sabres blue and gold jerseys will have to be good and keep up the positive news.

Bc there’s no correlation to Sam’s specific situation
It’s irrelevant


If u wanna change the discussion to Mitts,
then fine

But trying to say a small sample size with BS talent on the wings qualifies as Sam getting a “legit” shot is just bananas imo
- jdfitz77

That wasn't the first time he was tried at center. His first season was that nine-game stint and it didn't work out. Which isn't a problem. The next season Bylsma started him on the wing and put him in front on the PP. It worked well.

Next season, Bylsma had him on the wing even with Jack out. Bylsma tried him at center but moved him back to wing. Then came those 16 games under Housley before Phil moved him back to wing

Nope.
Adding more crap adds up to a bigger quantity of crap.

You're giving up a bonafide 1RW, for maybe a 3C and a 3rd pairing...losing 20 goals on a goal starved team?
Makes zero sense, IMO.
- IonSabres

Fair enough

Good points, I'm just concerned about Sam's big payday.

Sam's played well with eichel and vice versa

Could be another skinner contract though.

Saving the $ for dahlin/ollie/ cozens

Fair enough

Good points, I'm just concerned about Sam's big payday.

Sam's played well with eichel and vice versa

Could be another skinner contract though.

Saving the $ for dahlin/ollie/ cozens
- Boss34

I think Sam takes a 1 year deal ...... I think the current state of the NHL finances, his contract for long term would be lower than pre corona virus times.

So take a 1 yr deal and then cash in when the NHL is in a better place.

That is my opinion

I think Sam takes a 1 year deal ...... I think the current state of the NHL finances, his contract for long term would be lower than pre corona virus times.

So take a 1 yr deal and then cash in when the NHL is in a better place.

That is my opinion
- Sabretooth9

How about 3yr./$20M or 4yr./$26M?

How about 3yr./$20M or 4yr./$26M?
- Michael Pachla

That seems okay and in the middle ...... for both player and team.


I think I read the salary cap will be the same for 2 to 3 years of the CBA gets signed.

So that could be a good deal.

I think Sam takes a 1 year deal ...... I think the current state of the NHL finances, his contract for long term would be lower than pre corona virus times.

So take a 1 yr deal and then cash in when the NHL is in a better place.

That is my opinion
- Sabretooth9

I appreciate your opinion 👍
1 year for 5.5 - 5.8 million

That wasn't the first time he was tried at center. His first season was that nine-game stint and it didn't work out. Which isn't a problem. The next season Bylsma started him on the wing and put him in front on the PP. It worked well.

Next season, Bylsma had him on the wing even with Jack out. Bylsma tried him at center but moved him back to wing. Then came those 16 games under Housley before Phil moved him back to wing
- Michael Pachla

All while he was very young
And not in great situations
And for short stints

Not really putting him in good situation to succeed in

I believe there’s reason to think, that as Sam has grown & gotten better as a player, that’s it’s POSSIBLE he could be an effective 2C

I mean... we tried Sobotka there...
but it’s a forgone conclusion that Sam couldn’t have done it?

All while he was very young
And not in great situations
And for short stints

Not really putting him in good situation to succeed in

I believe there’s reason to think, that as Sam has grown & gotten better as a player, that’s it’s POSSIBLE he could be an effective 2C

I mean... we tried Sobotka there...
but it’s a forgone conclusion that Sam couldn’t have done it?
- jdfitz77

He couldn't handle 3C with Jack and ROR in front of him. I don't see how one could think he'd handle 2C.

Agreed, he’d be a real nice fit. But as someone pointed out last week... T. Johnson has a NMC.

It wouldn’t make sense for any player to waive a no movement to leave Tampa to go to Buffalo.

Not only would you be going from first to worst... but Fla has no state taxes. Not to mention little fan/media pressure and warm weather.

Might be able to swing a cheap trade for Eric Staal as a stop gap?
- SuperCat

You lost me there.
Sure, compared to rabid TO or Montreal.

He couldn't handle 3C with Jack and ROR in front of him. I don't see how one could think he'd handle 2C.
- Michael Pachla

Mike, seriously? You don't believe a player at age 18 or 19 would develop? Lol!

Sam's game that last 2-1/2 years is a completely different than the first 2-1/2. That is called development. Comparing his capabilities now to back 3 years ago is crazy...I'm quite sure given 30 - 40 games at C with skilled NHL wingers he could figure it out, perhaps better tha others we may trade for.
But, we don't know because he was NEVER given a reasonable chance.

Just was talking to my Buddy and he said that he had a conversation with a former work associate at Empire Sports, if everything goes as planned Rick Dudley will be taking a Consultant or Advisory Roll in Hockey Operations with the Sabres and it could be announced next week.

Just was talking to my Buddy and he said that he had a conversation with a former work associate at Empire Sports, if everything goes as planned Rick Dudley will be taking a Consultant or Advisory Roll in Hockey Operations with the Sabres and it could be announced next week.
- Buff36

Sounds like hes a part time employee ...... based on that news. But either way, that is good news!

Sounds like hes a part time employee ...... based on that news. But either way, that is good news!
- Sabretooth9

Well we shall see if it goes down, sounds pretty good though and gives Adams and Krueger a ear to chew in.

Just was talking to my Buddy and he said that he had a conversation with a former work associate at Empire Sports, if everything goes as planned Rick Dudley will be taking a Consultant or Advisory Roll in Hockey Operations with the Sabres and it could be announced next week.
- Buff36

worst kept secret in the NHL right now

Well we shall see if it goes down, sounds pretty good though and gives Adams and Krueger a ear to chew in.
- Buff36

should have happened 5 or 6 years ago IMO

Just was talking to my Buddy and he said that he had a conversation with a former work associate at Empire Sports, if everything goes as planned Rick Dudley will be taking a Consultant or Advisory Roll in Hockey Operations with the Sabres and it could be announced next week.
- Buff36

I don't believe it ...





(that you have a buddy).

worst kept secret in the NHL right now



- homiedclown

Well we shall see Homie, things have fallen through before because of the idiots at the top.