He's been on the outs for his team lately. We wouldn't give up much for him. He's a perennial 20 goal scorer. He has a rocket shot and would be useful on the power play. Excited?

He is...
ALES KOTALIK!

Kovalev, Zherdev, Kovalchuk, Schneider...why do people keep lusting after player that are exactly what we got rid of in Kotalik with a higher price tag? The team is built on playing sound defense and being accountable. None of those players fit that bill. Why would we want any of them?

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Normally I wouldn't bite on this. But, since you compared Kotalik to Kovalchuck here are some numbers you should really consider looking at.

http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8469454

Not that it surprises you, but those numbers are consistant and oh........looky there, even with a bad supporting cast around him his numbers are still very good.

Geez, he looks like a 26 year LWer that I would love to have on the Sabres.
Isn't that what Vanek's numbers are suppose to look like?

Lets compare, shall we?

http://sabres.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470598

I don't quite think the comparison to Kotalik is a very fair assesment of Kolvalchuck, if however you wish, you can compare Vanek to Kotalik

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

He's not directly referencing Kotalik to Kovalchuk, but saying that some fans demand a player similar or with better skills, but with a MUCH higher pricetag that still doesn't play Lindy Ruff's system.

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mechaphil

Actually Phil, he did.

"Kovalev, Zherdev, Kovalchuk, Schneider...why do people keep lusting after player that are exactly what we got rid of in Kotalik with a higher price tag?"

No biggy though, I am well aware getting Kovalchuck here is slim at best. But man o man, what I wouldn't give to have him here to help out on the offensive issue.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Oh OK, you're right...on both points. I'm gonna laugh ridiculously at whoever picks up his price tag this upcoming summer.

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mechaphil

Well okay, it wasn't my intent to directly compare Kotalik and Kovalchuck. My point is that its ridiculous for people to keep clamoring for goal scorers without any regard to other aspects of their game.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I got ya Criminal, and you are correct by the way, Kovalchuck is not a defensively minded player.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Right now; today: Vanek and Pominville and a 2nd for Rick Nash. Serious as a heart-attack.

I'll stop barking about Kovy and his possibilities in a New York second if Buffalo made this happen.
I would love to have Nash. Anyone have his agents phone number? Ice, can you make the call? Someone get Darcy on the line

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

No way we get Rick Nash. He's the heart and soul of that Jacket team.

so old... I think we need a thread for the "get rid of Vanek" topic
I hope Darcy will trade Van to see if u are right or not.

It would very interesting to see him playing for another team.

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HOCKEY IS BACK!

I don't think getting rid of Vanek is the goal Yoshi, but he is a commodity and like any other commodity he can be utilized as a tool to help the Sabres.
But, as others have so rightfully pointed out, the team is winning right now. I feel no pressure to bring in further talent until the trade deadline, but the problem I have with that is the price to bring in that talent goes up at the deadline. So my logic is if we are going to grab someone to help the team out, the sooner, the "cheaper" .

But I also wouldn't mind seeing Sharp from Chicago in Buffalo, and I wouldn't give up Vanek for him, but Pomminshit errr......Crapinville (Whatever people are calling him these days) is a player I would seriously consider dumping. His numbers on salary go up as his contract matures and although he really is a decent 2 way player, he is by no means worth 5+ million a season.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

The goal (stated in this thread) is to acquire a power-forward.

If you think we can get Rick Nash for Gerbe and Stafford and MacArthur...well, god bless you.

One trades value for value...what would make Columbus surrender Nash, if not for someone of the same potential or calibre. To sweeten the deal, one would have to "above and beyond" what they expect to get for him...quite simple. Yes?

Get off my goddamn back and stop putting words in my mouth.

I could easily be screaming for Vanek's head, if that were my intent. It is not.

Would I take Kovalchuk? Cautiously, yes.

Do I think there are better options out there based on the way we play? Definitely.

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Wheelhouse

I completely agree PSP. And my apologies if I sound so "LOUD" when I speak of Kovalchuck. You are correct, "cautiously" is the word here.

You see, the one problem I have is I don't really see any other talent readily available to achieve the numbers I am looking for. Not to say they don't exist mind you, I just haven't done all of my homework on this. I have been a bad, bad, bad boy. I think a spanking is in order, where the hell is my wife?

All right now, don't start lining up to answer that last question.
Its bad enough she takes me shopping .

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Does anyone believe that Darcy will trade Vanek?

keep it real.

Christmas is over.

We (the Sabres and me ) should get rid of Pommes and Hecht.

(Pommes = French Fries , Hecht = a common fish) ---> the FISH & CHIPS CONNECTION

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HOCKEY IS BACK!

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Any trade that involves Thomas Vanek at this point it utterly ridiculous;

Vanek put in 40 goals and 23 assists last year, people said he needs to pass more, at this point he's got more assists than goals, people say he's over rated...hrmm, what does the guy have to do? He's not Gretzky, He's not Lemieux, he's not Lindros, he's THOMAS VANEK...he's done everything right his whole career, never gets in trouble, plays much more solid 2 way hockey this year, works his ass off, and plays hurt...what more does the guy have to do? You want him to drive the team bus, clean out the locker room, murder your neighbor? What does it take for people to realize he's our best forward, and we simply are playing a defensive system so our stats are down...you think a 1 way pure scorer is going to come in and this team will light the world on fire?

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Mathieu Schneider is on waivers. PP QB. Done deal.

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mechaphil

When people stop analyzing Vanek because of his contract, and start objectively looking at his game, maybe that will change.

Until then, people will keep considering him a bum unless he puts up Ovie type offensive numbers, regardless of the fact that he's not that kind of player.