drinkTHEkoolaid Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Laraque said that he has been told by an agent that the Sabres are looking to trade Evander Kane. "It seems now they want to pull the plug on it. I'm not sure you could give that guy away with all his baggage http://www.wgr550.com/Laraque-on-WGR-Sabres-trying-to-trade-Evander-Kane/22797023 I'm not against trading him but he's a top line winger. That's not easy to replace and we would be trading from a position of weakness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 That's a huge hole to replace if traded and there is no way they get anywhere close to his value in a trade. But these are all rumors, every team knows about Kane's struggles off the ice and will fleece the Sabres in a trade. I think if they really want him gone, they try at the trade deadline or expose him to the expansion draft. He would probably love to play for Vegas... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 That makes two of us. Bills/Sabres is my guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 That's a huge hole to replace if traded and there is no way they get anywhere close to his value in a trade. But these are all rumors, every team knows about Kane's struggles off the ice and will fleece the Sabres in a trade. I think if they really want him gone, they try at the trade deadline or expose him to the expansion draft. He would probably love to play for Vegas...i was thinking about exposing him in the expansion draft as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 My $$ is still on Okposo as the most likely FA signing for Buffalo. Great complement to Eichel as a digger and a scorer. Sign Vesey and that's a heckuva 2nd line behind Kane-ROR-Samson. Have Zemgus center Ennis and Foligno and you've got a real solid top-9. Even a 4th line of Gionta-Larsson-Deslauriers/Bailey/Fasching looks nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Okposo to Bflo rumors heating up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) My $$ is still on Okposo as the most likely FA signing for Buffalo. Great complement to Eichel as a digger and a scorer. Sign Vesey and that's a heckuva 2nd line behind Kane-ROR-Samson. Have Zemgus center Ennis and Foligno and you've got a real solid top-9. Even a 4th line of Gionta-Larsson-Deslauriers/Bailey/Fasching looks nice. A player whose name has been mentioned on WGR (speculation game) is Vanek. He is one of the most talented players at re-directing pucks around the net. As a second line forward on the power play unit that skill set would be an asset. I agree with you that Okposo would be an excellent fallback position for the Stamkos failed pursuit. What will bolster this team, maybe even more than new additions, is internal improvement and luck. Can Ennis regain his form and find linemates who are a good fit for him? Foligno periodically makes scintillating plays but can he smooth out his game and consistently play at a high level? Zemgus is more of a third line center (as you noted) but playing with better playmakers he should/could be more productive. You unintentionally bring up an intriguing issue? Should Rheinhart be on a line with O'Reilly or Eichel? If Vesey is added to the roster I will consider this offseason a big success. Okposo to Bflo rumors heating up You are raising my expectations. If this acquisition doesn't materialize I will hold you accountable for my personal deflation! Don't count your chickens...you've got a blogger quoting a former player who says the Sabres "might" consider moving Kane. I'll wait for something a little more concrete. It's amazing how so many people make judgments on assumptions without regard to the actual facts. The moralists are more than willing to condemn people for something that they think has happened when in reality they don't know what actually happened. Letting the process run its course is not only a cliche but it is also the right thing to do. Edited July 1, 2016 by JohnC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 I wouldn't bet on Vanek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 A player whose name has been mentioned on WGR (speculation game) is Vanek. He is one of the most talented players at re-directing pucks around the net. As a second line forward on the power play unit that skill set would be an asset. I agree with you that Okposo would be an excellent fallback position for the Stamkos failed pursuit. What will bolster this team, maybe even more than new additions, is internal improvement and luck. Can Ennis regain his form and find linemates who are a good fit for him? Foligno periodically makes scintillating plays but can he smooth out his game and consistently play at a high level? Zemgus is more of a third line center (as you noted) but playing with better playmakers he should/could be more productive. You unintentionally bring up an intriguing issue? Should Rheinhart be on a line with O'Reilly or Eichel? If Vesey is added to the roster I will consider this offseason a big success. You are raising my expectations. If this acquisition doesn't materialize I will hold you accountable for my personal deflation! Well, the team seems to be intent on playing Samson on one of the "top 2" lines; I don't think so rigidly. IMO, I think balance in the top 3 lines is more important. I'd probably pair a guy like Bailey with ROR and Kane, leaving Vesey and Okposo (assumptions obviously) with Eichel. That allows Reinhart to center Girgensons and Ennis, bumping Foligno to the 4th line with Gionta and Larsson. I think that's a more balanced, consistent lineup. Now I understand that it requires guys like Bailey and Ennis to make certain strides, but it clearly offers the most scoring potential IMO. I wouldn't bet on Vanek. Doesn't strike me as a Murray guy at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) Guest on GR 550 said Okposo wants 7 years $ 7M per I would not trade Kane unless someone gave a fair return for him. The Sabres gave up a lot to get him. Edited July 1, 2016 by ALF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Hammersticks Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Guest on GR 550 said Okposo wants 7 years $ 7M per I would not trade Kane unless someone gave a fair return for him. The Sabres gave up a lot to get him. Yeah, appears as though the market for Kane right now is non-existent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Yeah, appears as though the market for Kane right now is non-existent. I think the market is there, he's a very good player with off ice issues, that's not going to scare away too many GM's. The problem is that every team hears the rumors that the Sabres are looking to deal him because of this off ice issue, which makes a fair or close to even trade all but impossible. But don't be fooled thinking many teams wouldn't want him on their team, off ice issues and all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 NHL Rumors @NHLRumorsDaily 5m5 minutes ago Okposo signs with Buffalo on a 7 year deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Jimmy Vesey update, Joe Haggerty the Bruins beat reporter was doing a radio show this morning and reaffirmed his stance that Jimmy is more likely to sign in Buffalo. He commented on Vesey and his family not liking how Jimmy Hayes was treated last year and the pressure he faced (Hayes is from Boston). This goes with the local stuff I have heard about Vesey's dad not wanting him to sign here and play under Julien. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Incarcerated Bob (?) says Okposo to Buffalo, 7 yrs, 6 mill per yr @stepnerwkbw Source tells me it "would take something drastic" for Kyle Okposo not to sign with #Sabres. @WKBW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) https://mobile.twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/748900472984072192 Must be an exciting time for Sabres fans. Edited July 1, 2016 by Commonsense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 I guess he takes Ennis's spot in the top-6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Lucic to Oilers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Okposo! https://mobile.twitter.com/john_wawrow/status/748912752249438208 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 7yrs 6M AAV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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