The problem is the contracts immediately get more expensive when the cap goes up. They were never really in on Meier. KA calls on everyone, it's his job. Sabres recent prospects in the nhl: Peterka, Quinn, Power. 3 players that qualified for the calder. The whole argument of Sabres waiting too long on their prospects instead of making moves is incredibly false. Seasons the Sabres weren't terrible: 1. They don' t know if Quinn or Peterka can be a top 6 winger, and their next 4 are Olofsson Greenway GIrgensons and Okposo. They have NOTHING figured out long term at winger besides Tuch and Skinner. You really want a center with how bad our winger depth is? and you want to get rid of 2/3 of our best prospects to fill those holes to acquire him? It is a bad idea, a bad trade, and a bad fit. To suggest anything else is just saying "I want to watch him on my team" or "I play too much EA Sports". ....
Sabes improved and turned it on at the end; they have arrived and are real. Flawed, but real. Kudos for above honest analysis.
Now that said, I am inclined NOT to do this b'c cap reality etc,
and
dealing LaF elsewhere may be better strategic fit, but:
given the above^
possible 3 way?
IF NYR can negotiate + extend EP long term first w/no NMC [vigorous NTC may be ok] and
there are other pieces acceptable to NYR who have several players w/trade restrictions
and Rs can't add 10+ m salary w/o something balancing it out.
But given those prerequisites,
EP to NYR
LaF + Othmann to BUF
acceptable currency from BUF __________ to VAN