2014 Offseason League Signings and Trades

[marcaractac 3,960]

I still say no to Myers but that's just me. I would much rather over pay for Niskanen. Better player, slightly higher cap hit, without giving up the assets...

If a trade for Myers happens today, I would imagine it would be due to a lot of uncertainty after speaking with the Niskanen camp. Myers would be a good alternative, just more of a risk.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

If a trade for Myers happens today, I would imagine it would be due to a lot of uncertainty after speaking with the Niskanen camp. Myers would be a good alternative, just more of a risk.

It sounded to me like there was uncertainty with Boyle, not niskanen. It seemed pretty clear they want niskanen and will do whatever it takes. Perhaps they want two dmen

[krsmith17 7,191]

Absolutely, I just wouldn't want to give up the assets for Myers. I'd have no problem giving up assets for a more established player, but not a player that has been in a downward spiral since winning the Calder Trophy back in '09-10...

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

If a trade for Myers happens today, I would imagine it would be due to a lot of uncertainty after speaking with the Niskanen camp. Myers would be a good alternative, just more of a risk.

I don't really know much about Myers but didn't he have a great first couple seasons but then take major step backwards? What's the story there?

Has he found his stride again?

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Vancouver traded the 3rd round pick they just got in the Kesler deal for Derek Dorsett

[kipwinger 8,492]

I still say no to Myers but that's just me. I would much rather over pay for Niskanen. Better player, slightly higher cap hit, without giving up the assets...

I agree, trading for Myers is a bad idea. He's ALREADY getting over paid, and you'd have to give assets to get him. The very thing people worry about with Niskanen is already a reality with Myers. And even if Niskanen gets over paid (which I don't think he will), you don't lose assets acquiring him.

Myers gets paid (5.5 million) to give you the same offensive potential as Niskanen and none of the defense. But he's big, and everybody knows that NHL GMs go weak in the knees (and soft in the head) if a player is big; regardless of whether he uses that size for any practical advantage or not.

[LeftWinger 4,934]

trade for Myers....sign Niskanen...i could live with that.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Can someone explain to me why my quote button won't work. I also can't paste anything into the text box. It was all working fine up until a couple months ago, now all of a sudden there seems to be some sort of glitch...

[marcaractac 3,960]

I don't really know much about Myers but didn't he have a great first couple seasons but then take major step backwards? What's the story there?

Has he found his stride again?

I do think a lot of that has to do with the Sabres as a whole really. Myers has the tools, I think a fresh start could work wonders for him. Especially to have a vet like 55 to play with and learn from.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

I do think a lot of that has to do with the Sabres as a whole really. Myers has the tools, I think a fresh start could work wonders for him. Especially to have a vet like 55 to play with and learn from.

Agreed. His first two seasons buffalo was a competitive team. Since then the team tanked and he went with them.

[anthonyn66 89]

I like Myers better than Niskanen because Myers has more upside and has the potential to be a #1 D on our team for a long time

Niskanen I think would be a risk as well, I mean one season inflating his cap value by a lot, he could either turn out like O'Reilly or like Clarkson or Nathan Horton

[kipwinger 8,492]

I do think a lot of that has to do with the Sabres as a whole really. Myers has the tools, I think a fresh start could work wonders for him. Especially to have a vet like 55 to play with and learn from.

Big risk to take for a guy who's never produced any better than Matt Niskanen, plays half the defense, costs 5.5 million a year, and would require a significant package to acquire (per reports).

Why not just spend a little more (maybe) on the guy who does everything better and keep all your trade assets?

[marcaractac 3,960]

Agreed. His first two seasons buffalo was a competitive team. Since then the team tanked and he went with them.

Exactly. It is difficult to learn how to play in this league when the team around you is falling apart and lacks leadership. Look at Edmonton. Loaded with talent, nobody to learn from. Nobody to teach their top players how to play a complete game, etc.

While I don't think Myers is the ideal solution, it isn't a move I'd be unhappy to see. It would make the team better.

[kipwinger 8,492]

Exactly. It is difficult to learn how to play in this league when the team around you is falling apart and lacks leadership. Look at Edmonton. Loaded with talent, nobody to learn from. Nobody to teach their top players how to play a complete game, etc.

While I don't think Myers is the ideal solution, it isn't a move I'd be unhappy to see. It would make the team better.

Depends on the package. If we lost any of our good young forwards I'd be pissed. That's a lot to give for a guy with as many check marks against him as Myers has.

Smith, prospects, and picks (on the other hand) I'd be fine with.

I like Myers better than Niskanen because Myers has more upside and has the potential to be a #1 D on our team for a long time

Niskanen I think would be a risk as well, I mean one season inflating his cap value by a lot, he could either turn out like O'Reilly or like Clarkson or Nathan Horton

You've obviously not watched a lot of Myers if you think he's got the upside to be a #1. He's big. That's it. He doesn't play defense worth a damn. He's just got a big shot from the point and stands up to the forecheck well.

[marcaractac 3,960]

Depends on the package. If we lost any of our good young forwards I'd be pissed. That's a lot to give for a guy with as many check marks against him as Myers has.

Smith, prospects, and picks (on the other hand) I'd be fine with.

I agree that it depends on the package. But including Smith would not improve the defense now. Buffalo is in full rebuilding mode. We can get Myers without roster players if it came down to it. Probably throw Kindl their way just to clear roster space. My guess is if we traded for Myers, it would be a dman prospect going the other way, along with a 1st and dumping someone like Kindl just to clear a roster spot.

Of course I'd 100% rather see Niskanen here. But if that can't happen, Myers would be a nice addition. Despite his regression, I think a fresh start can steer his career in the right direction.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

If a trade for Myers happens today, I would imagine it would be due to a lot of uncertainty after speaking with the Niskanen camp. Myers would be a good alternative, just more of a risk.

I have to imagine that if Myers is traded for this has to be true. Holland is not going to give up picks and prospects when he can sign a guy for free. Niskanen would have to tell us no chance before holland trades. He isn't stupid.

[marcaractac 3,960]

I have to imagine that if Myers is traded for this has to be true. Holland is not going to give up picks and prospects when he can sign a guy for free. Niskanen would have to tell us no chance before holland trades. He isn't stupid.

Something I just thought of. Maybe Holland is after Myers now because once Niskanen is signed many more GM's will start calling about him? Perhaps make a trade before a bidding war starts. Once Niskanen is off the market, teams will be desperate to upgrade their defense. Maybe trading for Myers now is a surefire way to acquire a need at a lower cost.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

@Real_ESPNLeBrun: As @DarrenDreger predicted earlier, @ArizonaCoyotes announce they're buying out Mike Ribeiro

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Per dreger Vancouver is now shifted it's focus on getting the first pick overall. Doesn't Benning take a break?

Edited June 27, 2014 by Datsyukian-Deke

[LeftWinger 4,934]

Ribeiro out...make way for Helm, Smith, 1st for Yandle... Lol, that's my package for everyone...

[wings4thecup06 504]

@Real_ESPNLeBrun: As @DarrenDreger predicted earlier, @ArizonaCoyotes announce they're buying out Mike Ribeiro

Apparently due to personal issues not cap clearing exercise…interesting.

Sarah McLellan ‏@azc_mclellan 13m

Maloney said this move was purely about behavioral issues and not cost-saving move. Ribeiro has been seeking help this summer, Maloney said.

Per dreger Vancouver is now shifted it's focus on getting the first pick overall. Doesn't Benning take a break?

Sounds like he's realised they need to blow it all up and start over. Gillis left it in a horrendous state. They had 2 franchise goalies and lost both of them because of how badly the situation was managed. The return they got is either unproven (Markstrom) or still developing (Horat). Interesting to see if he can move Edler.

[Legendary D In 03 50]

Apparently due to personal issues not cap clearing exerciseinteresting.

Sarah McLellan ‏@azc_mclellan 13m

Maloney said this move was purely about behavioral issues and not cost-saving move. Ribeiro has been seeking help this summer, Maloney said.

Sounds like he's realised they need to blow it all up and start over. Gillis left it in a horrendous state. They had 2 franchise goalies and lost both of them because of how badly the situation was managed. The return they got is either unproven (Markstrom) or still developing (Horat). Interesting to see if he can move Edler.

Good for him. It takes a lot to seek help, for whatever you're going through.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Apparently due to personal issues not cap clearing exerciseinteresting.

Sarah McLellan ‏@azc_mclellan 13m

Maloney said this move was purely about behavioral issues and not cost-saving move. Ribeiro has been seeking help this summer, Maloney said.

Sounds like he's realised they need to blow it all up and start over. Gillis left it in a horrendous state. They had 2 franchise goalies and lost both of them because of how badly the situation was managed. The return they got is either unproven (Markstrom) or still developing (Horat). Interesting to see if he can move Edler.

Well look at ribeiros picture on nhl.com he looks like he is on drugs for sure.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Well look at ribeiros picture on nhl.com he looks like he is on drugs for sure.

YOUR FACE LOOKS LIKE IT'S ON DRUGS

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.

Hmmm...lower than expected? Don't know who CG's "sources" are, FWIW.

Edit for Dreger:

@DarrenDreger: Salary cap for 2014-2015. Cap is at $69. Lower Limit is $51 million.

Edited June 27, 2014 by BottleOfSmoke

[krsmith17 7,191]

I think that is great new for us. Terrible news for the Hawks, which is... Great news for us...