Coaches don't like it when scorers end up in the box. But when people on this team get attacked, Stafford is always one of the first guys to jump in and help. That's something that we've complained about this team the past few years.










Also, the following players have cap hits of 4 million or more:

Milan Lucic
Nik Antropov
Scott Hartnell
Joe Pavelski
Jason Blake
Michal Handzus
Travis Zajac
Nathan Horton
Marek Zidlicky
Michael Ryder
Ales Hemsky

EDIT: Sabretoothpick, I said anything 4 and under I'd keep him. Anything over 4, let him walk.

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Wheelhouse

That's not true. He's done it from time to time, but he's not consistently someone who jumps in when something happens.

Show me a time when someone on our team has gotten roughed up and Stafford has just sat there.

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Wheelhouse

If they had videos of Stafford being a pussy on Youtube, I'd be glad to post many examples.

Unfortunately, that's not usually compelling to watch.

Yeah. It's a shame you don't have any proof. Not even a memory of an event?

I've always known Stafford to be a guy who sticks up for team mates, as shown above.

When the Sabres were getting their asses handed to them physically by columbus, who was it to go out and drop the gloves with Umberger?

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Wheelhouse

Sorry I missed that, my bad.

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This made me laugh.

I give Stafford credit for sticking up for his teammates. Unfortunately I have yet to see Stafford win a fight.

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You're fucking kidding me, right? Maybe I should start taking notes about players like it's my job so I can refute points years later.

You've done well in picking a few instances that Stafford got into a fight. (Except for Kovie....really? ) I never said that he NEVER sticks up for his teammates, I'm simply saying that he doesn't do it every time like you assert.

I'm sorry that I dared question your candy and roses outlook on a player who's had a mediocre career. Clearly he should be signed to a massive contract because he's managed to put together one good 26 game stretch. While we're at it, they should trade for Clarke MacArthur, because he's putting up similar numbers as Stafford.

They could be the foundation for years to come!!! /sarcasm

I think it's funny that you think it's appropriate to say he's been a pussy plenty of times without even ONE memory of Stafford bailing out on a team mate.

Kovy was a fine example. He's a good fighter when he drops them. He ran after Lydman, and Stafford jumped in. So what exactly is your point there?

Go ahead and look at the numbers of the players on that list who have a 4 million dollar cap hit.

When you consider:

1. Stafford's progression as a player.
2. The trending style of the NHL game.
3. The number of larger skill forwards we have on this team (2 including Stafford.)
4. The average production of a 4 million dollar player.

It's not a bad deal for the Sabres to match that offer sheet.

He had a 45 point season in 08-09, and last year he had tons of chances and just couldn't finish for whatever reason.

Imagine what Stafford and Vanek could do if we had an upgrade at center.

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Wheelhouse

i still think stafford is going to be perfect for the top 6 right side while kassian is allowed to naturally mature. because big zack isnt going to step in right away and produce. its gonna take a while.

drew has always had the talent to produce, hes always been in position to produce.. and he has produced, at a decent clip, his whole career. im hoping this is him figuring it out, and hes on his way to a few 25-25 seasons with a 30-30 tossed in for good measure.

just what i think.

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Fighting is not the ONLY quality of a power forward, and not the most important feature by far. The most important quality to have is being physical. Stafford doesn't have that. He's not known for being a hitter or being gritty in the corners. Has he fought a few times? Yup. Often enough and well enough to be concidered tough? Nope. He doesn't use his size like a power forward would. He doesn't bang on the boards and no time in my fan career have I been like "Man, that Stafford is one tough dude."

When I think of power forwards I think of guys like Franzen, Lucic, Thornton, OV, Getzlaf and Inginla.....not Stafford.

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I never said he was the toughest guy in the league. But he has the size and the strength to win puck battles in the corners on dump ins and things like that.

He's our most sizable forward with skill. That's what I'm getting at.

Also, Stafford outscores Lucic and is on pace with Franzen. What does Franzen earn? 4 million per.

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Wheelhouse

Hockeyfights.com has Stafford at 4 regular season fights in his NHL career. They list Jochen Hecht with 5. (I know, it's not a perfect reference, but they're usually pretty good.)

DF has it right. Who cares how often they fight. (Although you bet your sweet ass I'm going to point it out now every time something happens on the ice and Stafford doesn't do shit.) A power forward drives to the net to score, and is a big body on the wall and in the corners.

Stafford is starting to drive the net, but he's still nothing special digging pucks out. Still doesn't play physical with any sort of consistency.

He may have the size, but it's not often you see him using it to win battles along the boards.

Harry Neale about Kovy:" I've seen him shadow boxing. The shadow won every time"

From your list I would take Lucic, Pavelski, Horton or Zajac over Stafford any time.
Real power forwards in my book from that list: Lucic, Pavelski and Hartnell. What's the difference between them and Stafford? Hitting, grit and actual power.

Edit: ...Lucic, Franzen etc. have proven themselves over a longer period of time and have earned their paychecks. Half a season or even 1 season is not enough to earn 4mil if you have 3 seasons against you.

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Hecht, 12 NHL seasons. Stafford, 5 NHL seasons.

He may not be spectacular at winning those battles, but who on this team with skill is better than he is at it? Pominville? Ennis? Connolly? Hecht?

He's not spectacular, but all of our skill players outside him and Vanek suck at it.

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Wheelhouse

Hey, all I'm saying is that when you called him a power forward.....I laughed. He has potential to be one since he's big but is he one? No. As for contracts, production etc....that's another matter all together. He's an asset for sure but how much of a paycheck he's worth at the end of the season is yet to be seen.

And the risk reward issue is a tough one for me since we've been burned by Connolly. Call it PTSD if you want but Timmy has potential oozing out of his ass but he seems to be either lazy or hurt all the time. I'm sick of it. Wth Staff you have a guy who up until this season has been known for being a bit lazy and a big underperformer who doesn't use his size like he should. Not worth the gamble in my opinion unless he can prove otherwise.

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Among the blind the one-eyed is king. Doesn't justify to overpay him like the rest of the bunch.

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Did you see the list of players who are paid 4 million?

4 million would not be overpaying by much for Drew Stafford.

He's going to earn at least 3 per from the Sabres as it is this offseason.

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Wheelhouse