Quoting: Fjordy
Well, I don't agree. You're forgetting, the team sucks for 12 years, that's not how it works, "We have to wait another 3-5-10 years", no, man, enough of this ****. We already have a great pool of prospects, but there are also gaps in the roster that need to be filled in order for this young team to thrive. Meier is a much more versatile player than Skinner. He is 26 years old, I don't think he will fall off a cliff at 30 years old, if he is 2-3 years older, I would not make such a deal.
Because the team has been bad you have to make desperate moves? I don't get it. Do you want to be bad for even longer? Just trading for players doesn't make you good. Take a look at Ottawa. Sabres shouldn't trade a 1st until they prove they can make the playoffs.
The contract would kick in at 27. Most power forwards have steep declines in their 30s. Look at recent guys like Corey Perry, Jamie Benn, Milan Lucic, Ryan Kesler, Bobby Ryan, Wayne Simmonds, David Backes, Nick Foligno, Dustin Brown, Andrew Ladd, James Neal.... Overpaying for Meier (probably want 9M+ for 8 years in Buffalo) would just make your cap a mess. Trading for Meier would be a move that a playoff team would make.
Team should be smart. Make smart moves in the summer. Try to take advantage of team in a bad cap situation. Not panic because of a losing stretch.