It's been well know that one of the two G's would be moved since both will be UFA's in July. It's also well know that TM prefers large goalies, and Lindback is 6'6" or about 8" taller than Enroth. Ruff has a history with Enroth, and that may have influenced the decision. BUF did not have a third (we do not know what the conditions are yet) and in a very deep draft this should be converted to a good prospect. In the end, I suspect TM told Neuvirth and Enroth that he was going to trade the one that did not sign an extension. The Sabres need help in G, but it's not like it mattered this year. At his size & age, Lindback may be able to settle into a stop-gap backup position until the long-term answer for between the pipes is settled.
TM's been waiting for a deal like this, trading away a bit of his large pool for a proven 30 goal scorer, myers and stafford aren't gonna help out the jets. Sabres got the best player in the deal for now, no telling how good lemieux will be, and kane's always an asset that you could trade in a few years if you get fed up with his attitude.
Sabre prospect ('13, 5th rnd) and Notre Dame freshman G- Cal Peterson made 55 saves in a 3-1 win over BC last night. Has had a pretty decent season on a young team. http://www.uscho.com/box/mens-hockey/2015/02/28/boston-college-vs-notre-dame/ http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=154539
The story I hear is that Bailey expected to be a Sabre. He was told that he wasn't going to play this season, and that opened the door when Toronto called. The Leafs will play him this season - and that's why he signed with them. The Sabres have flexibility with the organizational limit, so that's not the reason he wasn't signed. TM and Nolan both do not want to rush young players, and that's usually the best course. I hope this is not the fish that got away saga for Buffalo. The team needs big wingers but I do not expect he'll do anything special in the NHL.
Bailey's playing tomorrow night and probably the rest of the year. He was signed to an entry level deal with RFA elgibility at the end of next season.
If the Oilers are a joke, the Sabres are an embarrassment this year. The fans deserve this team. To be clear, I too want the coveted 20% chance to draft Connor McDavid and the 100% chance at him or Jack Eichel. Still, I wish the fans would maintain a semblance of dignity. They're not for the most part.
The fans are in full tank mode. Saturday night's loss in Denver shows that the team has not bought in. They started the 3rd down 0-4 and the game ended 3-5. There's little quit in this ragtag collection of teenagers, AHL talent, and guys that should be in beer leagues. Larsson is getting his chance - the team has allowed him to develop slowly - and it looks like he'll be a part of the improved team next year. E. Kane, McEichel, possibly Samson Reinhart, (although he probably needs time in Rochester), and a very solid D are legitimate reasons for optimism. I was happy to see Grigorenko play a decent two-way game in Denver. A nice audition for what could be his NHL home. Roy probably wants him, and Tim Murray wants O'Reilly, (and I do too). Grigs, the NYI 1st, and a D prospect (McCabe?), may be enough. If BUF is given the chance to negotiate with ROR, Pegula will charm him into a Sabres sweater long term.
Ristolainen is really growing on me. What the heck are they going to do with Hodgson? He's getting a raise every year through 2019? I like that Sabre fans are on board for the tank. I think it's great that they're acknowledging what everybody knows they're doing. Fans and the league will change the rules or get over it but I'm just happy that there isn't the normal levels of fluff and pandering and b.s on the national level. Almost no one is even trying to gloss over what's going on and that's welcome in my sports universe. I hope they win the lotto.
Well stated, Bob. You've literally made me feel better. The problem is that BUF fans appear to have lost any sense of objectivity and perspective. Players are chastised for a good game because "they're ruining the tank!" They're operating on the misguided premise that the future of the organization is predicated on drafting ONE player. Obviously I want McDavid or Eichel. Every single team does. Buffalo is only 2 points away from being assured of one of them. That player will accelerate the rebuild by at least one year. However, I have confidence that they'll be a good to very good team in 3 to 5 years regardless. Pysyk (felled by a mystery) reinforces that there are no guarantees, but logic dictates that about a dozen of their young players/prospects will be very steady to outstanding NHLers. Stars are in the future for 2 or 3 of them, (Gus, Samson, and the '15 1st). Booing the home team when they score IS seriously wrong and cheering opposing player's goals is disordered. It could become a serious problem if it dissuades a FA from signing with them in July. I'll get over my deep disenchantment with my fellow fans. One thing that I've always liked about being a Buffalo fan - even though I have not lived in WNY in nearly 40 years - is the extreme passion for our teams. Sports are supposed to be fun, and it's more fun to wear one's passion on one's sleeve. On the other hand, I appreciate objectivity as well. Lately, Buffalo has been devoid of that.
We'll get a good idea in the summer about the prospect pool I think. I think that's very realistic. Unless Uncle Terry gets itchy, I don't think they'll go after a major acquisition until the next deadline at the earliest. They have plenty of clock on most of the better prospects yet. Since it's Buffalo and not WPG, EDM, AZ, or even Ott and others, I don't think the booing will have any long term effect. They'll run into the same problem as last year, older vets aren't going to be excited about a long term project. Some boos shouldn't change much and once they turn the corner in terms of competitiveness, I don't think it will matter that they booed for the tank. I'm sure there's plenty of those types. I'm confident there's a strong contingent of Sabre fans that are just having fun with it too.
For clarity I'd rather copy quotes, but I cannot do that on the iPhone. BUF is in no need to import high priced FA's, but they could certainly continue to improve leadership (like Gionta, Gorges, and Moulson in 2014). Because they're on the roster this is a less critical need compared to a year ago. Still, this an extremely young team and various forms of leadership may be needed to reach each individual. The team should also selectively target less pricey (or shorter term deals) with complimentary players. For instance wingers and also depth d-men. They are safely above the cap floor but I still expect them to be mildly active in FA. Finally, especially if the team drafts in the top two, I think this will be a much more attractive team for FA's. I think they've already purged most of the malcontents. Nolan is almost certainly gone shortly after the season. If for some reason he hangs on then Cody Hodgson will be traded, (or bought out). Cody may not be the best "team" guy but he was drafted in the top ten because of his talent. I believe that for the right team and coach he'll show off his capabilities. Nolan has "reached" Tyler Ennis and everyone loves Gus Girgensons; these are players that have responded well to him. But I believe the reason is more based on their coachability rather than the coach. They'll be fine, and the team needs a new direction behind the bench. An unscientific surveying of the chatter tells me that the "tank or I'll kill myself" sentiment is widely prevalent. Part of that can be attributed to typical fan reaction to these circumstances, but if Buffalo fans were football players they'd be the WR's (prima donnas) on the team. You've hit on the reason why this is so unnecessary; it's possible to find fun in this mess. Many are too wound up to find it.
