[Trade] [STL/BUF] R.Miller & S.Ott for Halak,Stewart,Carrier,2015 1st,conditional 2014 1st

[YogiBerra]

If the Blues either re-sign Miller OR reach the Western Conference finals, Buffalo instead of getting that third-round pick, gets the Blues' first-round pick this June (they have the first-rounder in 2015 from this deal); but St. Louis would then get Minnesota's second-round pick this June (obtained earlier by the Sabres) plus Buffalo's third-round pick this June.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/i...er-pick-change

This makes the trade a little more even giving up your first three years in a row would be tough without having a lot of seconds to back it up.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Will be interesting to see what they do this summer. Say they give in and pay Callahan 50 million over 7 years and 35 to Bolland for the same term to get to the floor. 5 years from now these guys are major boat anchors on this team of 22 year old superstars looking for second contracts. they might better off paying guys short term like Butler/Stempniak. They will need to spend 25 million to fill 10 spots just to hit the floor, and are offering up a terrible team.

I wouldn't be surprised at all of the Sabres sign Callahan. Now they have a solid top-six veteran forward and heart and soul captain to set the tone for the rebuild. I don't think they'd sign more than one 5 year contract though. More overpaying middling veterans on 2-3 year deals to round out the roster.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Red John

Many seem to disagree but this is a hell of a first trade for Tim Murray. Keep in mind he had a goalie going UFA he was going to lose anyway. Throw in a terrible goalie market with really only one suitor.

The biggest thing was getting a 2015 1st rounder. That was huge; that draft is going to be stacked. Yes he had to take back Stewart but another conditional 2014 1st? And a 2nd from this past year (Carrier). Best case scenario Stewart looks interested next year and actually chips in some offense.

It wasn't really a bad deal for the Blues as these are the kind of trades you make to win the Stanley Cup and its nice to see them finally going all-in instead of being perennial bridesmaid.

But man the Sabres hit this out of the park.

Has any team had the amount of first round picks the Sabres have for the past few years and this and next year? Unbelievable asset management by that franchise and the kicker is that outside of Vanek they really haven't unloaded what I would call truly elite players to get all these 1st round picks. Miller is a quality starter but I wouldn't put him in the group of top goaltenders in the league. Amazing deal for the Sabres and if Buffalo picks the right players in the upcoming drafts they could be setting themselves up to be the next worst to first organization.

[sureLoss]

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Rumors abound of a potential shakeup in the executive suite of Buffalo Sabres. I've asked the principals for comment. No response thus far.

[Coach]

St Louis is scary after this deal. Significant upgrade in goal and get a better two-way power forward.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Let's assume the Blues pick is 25th in 2015 (picked at random but probably the highest it will be), here's the last 15 guys selected 25th:

Michael McCarron
Jordan Schmaltz
Stuart Percy
Quinton Howden
Jordan Caron
Greg Neimsz
Patrick White
Patrik Berglund
Andrew Cogliano
Rob Schremp
Anthony Stewart
Cam Ward
Alexander Perezhogin
Steve Ott
Mikhail Kuleshov

People look at these draft picks and think, they're going to get the Ott or Ward from that list but there are more likely to get a guy who barely plays in the NHL.

Fans overrate picks and prospects like crazy these days. Easiest job in the world for fan support is to be a rebuilding GM. People were starting to like Feaster who's history showed him to be terrible when he started to acquire the magic jelly beans of prospects/draft picks. Its virtually a no-lose situation for a GM. If you acquire an established player people know what you've got right away, but a draft pick you've got 4 years of waiting to see the return.

are you daft?
i for one am hoping to god that our 'magic bean' (johnny gaudreau) comes to full fruition. the future of the flames may depend on it.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by handgroen

are you daft?
i for one am hoping to god that our 'magic bean' (johnny gaudreau) comes to full fruition. the future of the flames may depend on it.

The future of the Flames lies entirely with an NCAA prospect who's yet to play a professional game............that sucks.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by handgroen

are you daft?
i for one am hoping to god that our 'magic bean' (johnny gaudreau) comes to full fruition. the future of the flames may depend on it.

The media/Oilers fans spent 3-4 years telling us about the Oilers and building something special... when its clear they had no idea what they are doing. But Lowe got a pass for years despite having the worst team in the league for ages. Magic jelly beans.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

The media/Oilers fans spent 3-4 years telling us about the Oilers and building something special... when its clear they had no idea what they are doing. But Lowe got a pass for years despite having the worst team in the league for ages. Magic jelly beans.

i understand what you mean, but i guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one. very envious of what buffalo has done asset management wise in the last calendar year.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I wouldn't be surprised at all of the Sabres sign Callahan. Now they have a solid top-six veteran forward and heart and soul captain to set the tone for the rebuild. I don't think they'd sign more than one 5 year contract though. More overpaying middling veterans on 2-3 year deals to round out the roster.

So how do the Sabers sign a guy like Callahan? 50 million over 7 years...56?

There isn't a UFA on the face of the Earth who will sign with Calgary unless they cough up 14 million a season. Why should Buffalo be that much different. They look to be the A's bad or worse than Calgary for the next two seasons.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

There isn't a UFA on the face of the Earth who will sign with Calgary unless they cough up 14 million a season.

Come on now.