We're trading Vanek for him, we gain offense and don't lose defense.

Neither backcheck so it's a great trade.

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we aren't getting a guy of his caliber as long as mediocrity is the GM. and the Landscaper calling the shots. point being kovalchuk is not going to be a sabre.

Disclaimer: I'd dare mediocrity to prove me wrong, if i made a difference.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

If Atlanta reportedly offered him an 8 year $80 million deal and he turned it down, then Ilya can go fuck himself. That tells me he either doesn't care about winning and is perfectly happy making a ton of money on a team and eating up a ton of that team's cap space...or he is sick of living in Atlanta during the season.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

To all Sabre Nation. PRAY LIKE CRAZY TONIGHT, God might be gracious and grant us this player... haha ya.... Wouldnt it be nice?

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

Accusing Regier of being 'Mr. Mediocrity' because he won't blow up his roster to try an overpay for Kovie is laughable.

Don't want him. Given Ruffs record with Russians it would be a cap desaster. This stupid moron turned down 8 million for 10 years ~~>80 ! millions he's NOT worth that much.

Mark my words we'll see him in the KHL next season

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Sloppy seconds = 6 games "clean" headhunting = nothing
it's obvious Bettman and Campbell are Pens cocksuckers

The over paid arguement actually works both ways.

Tampa Bay on the one hand got screwed with the Vinny contract, but Wash. and Pitt. found gold with their beast players (aka Ovechkin and Crosby). Its really hard to say what would happen if Buffalo landed a big time scorer. I don't think Buffalo has all of the pieces in place, but the team is fairly sound. If its a rental position, the price may be to steep. If its a package deal Darcy is doing the right thing by not putting the future of the franchise at risk.

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

The Sabres won't trade for Kovy and definitely won't trade for him and sign him to a big money extension.

The Sabres don't operate that way.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I don't think there is an NHL team out there that is in a position to take on an over $10M cap hit. If he turned down 8/$80M because he wants more, I don't think he'll find that kind of money on this continent.

Its possible he is just sick of playing for a losing team and wants to win. So he turned down the money for wins...

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

You really won't know the answer to that until he signs a long term deal.

Personally, I don't think Kovie cares about a Stanley Cup. I think he cares about his paycheck more than anything else. Just an opinion, we'll see how it plays out.

Ya I mean your definitely right. I have no definite way of knowing that for sure, but it kinda looks like that, at least it does to me, I mean because he has been with a losing organization, he is about to be traded, he turned down a huge contract. Its possible he wants more money, but your right only time will tell.

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

It could really go either way...Not liking the area, not liking the losing, or maybe the want to go play in Russia and get paid. Do Russians really care that much about winning a Cup as much as North Americans do?

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

Some Russians care, I'm sure OV wants to win it very badly, and I'm sure Malkin wanted to win it badly.

Reason why those two defected Russia to play in the NHL.

If Kovy does care that much about winning the Cup it could be a reason why he wants out of Atlanta.

So far the only teams he can go to are teams with Cap Space next year, and many of them are currently sitting out of a playoff spot, or are currently in a spot but needs to sign their UFAs and RFA's for next year.

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Agreed. His making it public that he wants the salary max makes him less attractive to other teams, because no one in their right mind would let one player take up 20% of the salary cap. You could never build around that salary; let alone keep up and coming players who's entry level deals are expiring.

I think he is a rental player who will play in The KHL next year. The only way he sticks around is if he has a team in mind he wants to play for here, and is willing to take the going rate, salary wise.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

He and his big, fat ego can bite me.

Ham

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Do you believe yet?

He's the Brett Farve of hockey!!

I am starting to have doubts that a trade is about to happen. If Atlanta had a deal in the works they would never be playing him tonight, and all signs are pointing to him being in the lineup against the Caps.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Calgary played Jokenen the day before he was traded.

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Just a little hunch, are you racist against Russians?

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