Sign Max to a long term deal.

[TRIPLE P]

I believe he is a RFA this year.... we need to sign in to AT LEAST a 4 year 12.5 million dollar deal.....

We have to keep him around...we've put 5 slow years in, in the old NHL we'd be stupid not to reap the benefits of our pateince...

[PG 13]

I believe he is a RFA this year.... we need to sign in to AT LEAST a 4 year 12.5 million dollar deal.....

We have to keep him around...we've put 5 slow years in, in the old NHL we'd be stupid not to reap the benefits of our pateince...


I understand where you coming from, and he's been great since the Olympic break, but I'd really like to see him keep it up in the playoffs. He's playing the best hockey of his career, but I need more than 20-30 games to be sure that he's turned the corner for good and is on his way to elite player status.

[beTough54]

I agree, but I don't think Max's agent would sign that deal.

[TRIPLE P]

I could be wrong because I haven't learned about the new CBS in hockey yet....

But is it not like the NFL were you can sign a guy to a long term deal, give him a bonus, and if he ends up sucking you can cut him?

[PG 13]

I could be wrong because I haven't learned about the new CBS in hockey yet....

But is it not like the NFL were you can sign a guy to a long term deal, give him a bonus, and if he ends up sucking you can cut him?

I'm pretty sure it's different. If you sign Max to a 4 yr 16 million contract, that includes a 4 million signing bonus, his cap number would be spread out evenly at 4 million per year. Max may be paid more money per year during the last year, but it has to be spead evenly.

I do remember this being the case, and it makes sense due to the fact that we heard about people like the Flyers ruining their cap for years to come by signing guys like Hatcher to 4-5 year deals. So even if the Flyers cut Hatcher, they'll still have him on their cap for 2010.

[CupCrazy]

I don't like long-term deals because they usually result in the player mailing it in for a few seasons and then he ramps it up in the final year of his contract.

I say keep signing these guys to 1 or 2 year deals...it may end up costing the team a little more money in the long run, but it'll keep the players motivated and playing hard.

[TRIPLE P]

I don't like long-term deals because they usually result in the player mailing it in for a few seasons and then he ramps it up in the final year of his contract.

I say keep signing these guys to 1 or 2 year deals...it may end up costing the team a little more money in the long run, but it'll keep the players motivated and playing hard.


Has Max ever "mailed it in" ....rarely IMO.... for better or worse, holding on to the puck to long, and possibly being a little selfish, I think the guy has always hustled.


I hear what you're saying... but its definatly a player specific theory

[PG 13]

Has Max ever "mailed it in" ....rarely IMO.... for better or worse, holding on to the puck to long, and possibly being a little selfish, I think the guy has always hustled.


I hear what you're saying... but its definatly a player specific theory


He does hustle, but that's be honest, over the last 10-15 games, is the first time he has ever backchecked in his life. Needs to keeps it up..

[MikePeca27]

I actually saw myself making the same comment about backchecking. I couldnt believe it when I saw 61 in the D zone.

[Iggy72]

Darcy has a lot to do in the offseason.
He has to decide about McKee and Max, and there's the situation with Briere. He also has to figure out where to send Marty if he is going to trade him. I would think that a 2 year + option would be a good compromise for Jay, Max, and Danny.

Pax.
Iggy72

[beTough54]

Don't forget a possible extension for Miller.

[two4trippn]

I think they will sell off a few of the names we got used to this season, keep McKee, even if its an overpay to some, and sign one name that will surprise most folks. The core is youth and there is an abundance. I do not expect Teppo or Biron to remain which pays 1 player. Pyatt & Grier walk and there's a glut with Briere, Drury, Hecht, and Dumont with Roy and Pominville earning more than 4th line ice time.

[beTough54]

I think they will sell off a few of the names we got used to this season, keep McKee, even if its an overpay to some, and sign one name that will surprise most folks. The core is youth and there is an abundance. I do not expect Teppo or Biron to remain which pays 1 player. Pyatt & Grier walk and there's a glut with Briere, Drury, Hecht, and Dumont with Roy and Pominville earning more than 4th line ice time.

It would take a trade for Pyatt to walk, I believe he is still an RFA.

[Thumper]

I think they will sell off a few of the names we got used to this season, keep McKee, even if its an overpay to some, and sign one name that will surprise most folks. The core is youth and there is an abundance. I do not expect Teppo or Biron to remain which pays 1 player. Pyatt & Grier walk and there's a glut with Briere, Drury, Hecht, and Dumont with Roy and Pominville earning more than 4th line ice time.

I think they'd be better off working on keeping what they have rather than worry about how to get Briere, Hecht, Drury, and Dumont, Roy, and Pominville more icetime. Everyone is getting plenty of minutes when they perform. That's this teams motto. You don't perform, you find yourself watching.

They can sign McKee if he wants to stay. What's more likely? That McKee would take a bit less money to stay with the Sabres? Or that the Sabres will match whatever the highest offer is if they want to keep him? Hopefully they can meet somewhere in the middle and wrap this guy up for another two years or so.

You mentioned the core youth; don't forget that Drury is only 29 and is still in his prime. Briere is even younger. Roy and J-Poms will be young pups for awhile.

If this team goes deep into the playoffs, the further they go, hopefully the easier it will be to keep this group together for a few years more.

[TRIPLE P]

Also, keep in mind that while we see the value in all of our players they aren't going to get the top player contracts because they don't put up ridiculous numbers....