Der Jaeger
Generational EBUG
I'm all about Buffalo going hard after Stamkos...you have the opportunity to add a player like that, you do so. Worry about the back end when it's time to worry about the back end...it's worked just fine for Chicago after going all-in on Hossa. Different landscape of course, but similar situation of adding the final piece in free agency. Bonus that Stamkos is younger and better.
Since defensemen typically take longer to develop, and we already have our franchise forwards, why would Murray wait?
Chicago had Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson all on the team before they ever signed Hossa. They signed him on July 1st, 2009.
Keith was drafted in 2002.
Seabrook was drafted in 2003.
Hjalmarsson was drafted in 2005.
It worked fine for Chicago because they worried about the backend first, and had their top three already on the team (plus drafted Cam Barker and Anton Babchuk high in the draft) well before the drafted Toews and Kane. Regardless of how Keith and Hjalmarsson developed, the Blackhawks spent three first round pick on defensemen before drafting Toews and Kane.
Murray needs to be in defense development overdrive mode right now.