News Article: CBC: Sabres sniper Matt Moulson faces interesting times

[enthusiast]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/ho...ing-times-for-sabres-sniper-matt-moulson.html

Moulson has enjoyed his time in Buffalo. He likes the fans. He likes the organization. He likes playing for new president of hockey operations Pat Lafontaine and interim coach Ted Nolan. He likes his leadership role with his young teammates. He likes the improvement he has witnessed.

The Sabres have gone 4-2-1 in their last seven games entering their road contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.

"Definitely, I think there is," answered Moulson, when asked if there is a chance he could sign a new deal to stay in Buffalo. "I don't know what they think of me. I love playing for Teddy.

"Like I said before, the organization has treated myself and my family incredibly well. The people of Buffalo are great fans and it has been a lot of fun growing with these guys. From where we were to where we want to be is obviously a process, but I think we've made some huge strides."

Since the start of the 2009-10 season, only 11 players have scored more goals than Moulson.

Steven Stamkos 199 goals, 311 games
Alex Ovechkin 182 goals, 312 games
Corey Perry 151 goals, 327 games
Patrick Marleau 144 goals, 331 games
Phil Kessel 136 goals, 321 games
Jarome Iginla 131 goals, 327 games
Bobby Ryan 128 goals 330 games
Jeff Carter 127 goals, 285 games
Sidney Crosby 126 goals, 219 games
Patrick Kane 125 goals, 323 games
John Tavares 125 goals, 329 games
Matt Moulson 124 goals, 328 games
Daniel Sedin 124 goals, 303 games

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[La Cosa Nostra]

We need to keep Matty Moulson. He has been a great Vanek replacement. He is a steady honest goal scorer and a legit top 6 scoring threat.Its incredible that for a player supposedly who was "carried" by John Tavares that he has the same exact gpg.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

I'm fine with keeping him depending on the contract, we need some vets in the top 6 for the kids to learn from and it really shouldn't be Ville Leino

 

[Dreakon13]

I mean, we're going to have a cheap team in a few years. A big contract for a legit top 6 guy with some experience wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

If we do resign him though, cheaper the better (obviously)...

 

[TehDoak]

Trade him and we can talk to him in July. Plenty of wingers available. He doesn't have great footspeed now, in a few years he's going to be a PP specialist, and that's it.

I'd be fine giving him a 3 year deal at 5.5/year. 4 years is how far out I'd be willing to go. 5 years or more is a non starter.

 

[Namejs]

Trade him and we can talk to him in July. Plenty of wingers available. He doesn't have great footspeed now, in a few years he's going to be a PP specialist, and that's it.

I'd be fine giving him a 3 year deal at 5.5/year. 4 years is how far out I'd be willing to go. 5 years or more is a non starter.

I don't really see potential replacements of his caliber. They're all older and/or would ask for a much bigger contract. Moulson has been underrated, stats don't lie.

His current contract is excellent in terms of cost/efficiency. No reason to trade him, if he's willing to sign with us.

Besides, he turned 30 last month. Not exactly in a wheelchair yet.

 

[sjci]

He's gonna want more than 3 years. My guess is he'll want at least 5, Sabres would probably go with 4 instead. I wouldn't be shocked to see him get something between $5-$6 million. ANd with the cap going up to 71 mody likely, that number will easily fit, especially if we lose/drop/whatever Miller, Leino, Tallinder, Ott etc.

I was all for flipping him at the deadline for another 1st, but I really like what he's brought to the team and we do need some vets to balance out the young guys. We can't go full Edmonton here. He's got a nose for the net, players like that are needed on this team. I am still open to trading him, but now I really wouldn't mind too much if we decided to re-sign him

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

I'd welcome him back. 5 years for a smaller dollar amount every year of course compared to 4 or 3 at a higher dollar amount per year. 4 or 5 at a fair price is okay for me.

 

[Kublakhan]

Trade him and we can talk to him in July. Plenty of wingers available. He doesn't have great footspeed now, in a few years he's going to be a PP specialist, and that's it.

I'd be fine giving him a 3 year deal at 5.5/year. 4 years is how far out I'd be willing to go. 5 years or more is a non starter.

There comes a point where we have to keep someone..

 

[VaporTrail]

No need in giving some fans false hope for a winner...trade him for some assets, and continue the rebuild.

 

[BananaSquad]

Keep him and buy out Leino.

 

[Sean McG]

Trade him and we can talk to him in July. Plenty of wingers available. He doesn't have great footspeed now, in a few years he's going to be a PP specialist, and that's it.

I'd be fine giving him a 3 year deal at 5.5/year. 4 years is how far out I'd be willing to go. 5 years or more is a non starter.

People keep bringing up this idea, mostly with Ott, that Buffalo will re-sign their guys after trading them at the deadline. That basically never happens, at least with players like Ott and Moulson who are guaranteed to get multi-year deals on the market. It's not happening.


I wouldn't mind re-signing Moulson, but would probably put the limit at 4 years and a 5M cap hit (I think he'd easily get more in UFA). He is what he is, a pretty decent scorer and overall offensive player, and brutal defensively. His attitude about playing on a rebuilding team seems good, and he's easily the best top six winger option they have. With tons of cap space already and the cap only going up, it's obviously doable and at this point I'd say it's more likely he's re-signed than traded.

 

[1972]

No need in giving some fans false hope for a winner...trade him for some assets, and continue the rebuild.

How many second round picks do we need? We have a hell of a lot of picks already, if you have a guy who can score on your roster, is in a leadership role and wants to be here you need to consider it. You "false hope" comment is completely irrelevant.

 

[Beerz]

How many second round picks do we need? We have a hell of a lot of picks already, if you have a guy who can score on your roster, is in a leadership role and wants to be here you need to consider it. You "false hope" comment is completely irrelevant.

1st rounder.

 

[Insomniac99]

Trade him and we can talk to him in July.

^this

I want that 1st+prospect. Though it never seems to work out that a team who trades away a rental gets them back, it still would be worth pursuing.

 

[Paxon]

1st rounder.

Certainly realistic, certainly far from a guarantee

 

[Wisent42]

When we got Moulson in the Vanek-trade I thought "great, that will turn into another first rounder". And it still could. But, I think I'd prefer to re-sign him though. As stated, the kids need some vets to learn from and be sheltered by. Moulson is perfect for that role. He's had some struggles himself and has experience to share. Then again, if he is traded for another first rounder, I wouldn't hate it. But we've already got a lot of picks and prospects and at some point we need to decide what to build on. To me, Ott and Moulson should be a veteran part of that foundation.

 

[Kyndig]

Resign him.

He will be a good vet to have around for Reinhart and McDavid

 

[notdoneyet]

lock him up good player

 

[1972]

1st rounder.

Sure, probably a late one.

 

[KennyFnPowers*]

even having to think about this obvious choice.. it really gives perspective into the vast abyss that is Garth Snow's brain.

 

[sabresfan129103]

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of bringing Moulson back. We're going to need to add money anyways, so we might as well give it to him. He's a decent top 6 scorer who can provide some veteran leadership. Offer him a 5 year deal and see where it goes. Losing the 1st rounder for him at the deadline does suck, but we do need some veteran guys on this team.

 

[yahhockey]

In theory, if he were to get a five year deal by the time year four and five roll around we will have younger and better players on the top line and if we're lucky maybe even the second line so his minutes and scoring importance to the team isn't as high. Cap space isn't an issue and will only become less of an issue as the cap goes up in the near future. The younger players will mostly be playing out their ELCs or on a mid-priced bridge contract so there is plenty of money to go around. By all accounts he wants to be here, has a positive locker room presence and is embracing a leadership role with the team. I have no hesitation giving him a 5-6 mil deal for up to five years. His overall value to the team is greater than the late first round pick in the coming draft we would possibly receive for him.

 

[haseoke39]

How many second round picks do we need?

Package them for better picks/younger players. Envision your roster in 2019, I don't see Moulson being an important part of it.

 

[1972]

Package them for better picks/younger players. Envision your roster in 2019, I don't see Moulson being an important part of it.

and if you sign Moulson to a 4 year 20 million dollar contract and he continues to produce you can always move him down the road for maybe even a bigger return and still have him ease players in during the rebuild. We absolutely need to insulate these young players with good pro's or we will have no success.