Quoting: mhockey91
Disagree. Skinner set the price of the market when he signed his 9 mil deal. Had he hit the open market, Kevin hayes would’ve fetched less. Skinner resigned in buffalo because as mentioned he got PAID. What real incentive is there to play in buffalo? It’s not a great city, the team has been bottom 10 for the last 5+ years, and it doesn’t have a rich hockey history like for example Detroit.
I also disagree. Buffalo is a far nicer place to live than most people think, probably better than at least half of the other NHL cities out there. I've been there numerous times and would have no qualms about signing there as a UFA - especially considering most UFA's are married with small children and their idea of a "cool" place to live is different from (say) a 22-year-old.
And as far as history, Buffalo has as rich a history as any non-original-six franchise. Having joined the league in 1970 along with the Vancouver Canucks, the Sabres kicked off their first NHL season by selecting HHOFer Gilbert Perreault in the amateur draft. He, along with Rick Martin and Rene Robert, formed the famed French Connection line, one of the best lines in hockey through the 70's.
Many, many great players are forever connected to the Sabres, including Pierre Turgeon, Alex Mogilny and Pat LaFontaine. They've been to the finals twice, most of us remember the Hasek / Satan-led team losing a heart-breaker foot-in-the-crease overtime game to the Stars.
Of course, today's foundational players Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin also make the team and attractive destination for talent, as they're well set up for the future.