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They aren't getting direct compensation from another team, but they are not getting 'nothing', again, they are getting cap space. When you are a 'cap team', as the Leafs usually are, that can at times be even more valuable than a player return in a trade, if that new player is taking up cap space that limits your other options.

Samson out after a hit to the knee. I'd call it a dirty hit but at this point it's difficult to call any hit on a Panther "dirty".

If Mitch Marner signs with another team then the Leafs will have let him walk without receiving any compensation. I just don't see that happening (although there may be nothing they can do about it if he doesn't want to be there). I would highly disagree that the Leafs think they're better off or equal without Marner in the lineup plus Matthews has been equally as bad in the playoffs.

Yes, but those usually are late July / early August. By the time they roll around, Byram will likely have been traded.

Its not really "for nothing". What would it take to re-sign him? $13m per year? maybe a bit less or more. If you let him 'walk away', you aren't getting nothing, you are getting that $13m per year to work with that you didn't have before. As good as he has been in the regular season, they may think they don't need him in the regular season to get to the playoffs, and for that $13m, either via free agency or trade, they can get maybe 2 good-to-very-good pieces (think a $6m guy and a $7m guy)....that they think will be better suited to help the team than Marner has been.

Correct call

Typically a 1 year deal at that point would be the result of an arbitration hearing or a contract to avoid arbitration.

That is an incredible camera angle.

Overall I agree with this except for the Sabres' part. I think the colors are right for our sweaters; always liked the original color combo. It is curious that the Sabres took basically the same exact color scheme as the Blues three years later.

It'll be quite the party atmosphere in Sunrise.

I think the Maple Leafs will let Tavres sign elsewhere and re-sign Marner, I just don't see how you let a talent like that walk for absolutely nothing. Either way I think he would use us to get a better deal somewhere else, why in the world would he come here if he can get the same money elsewhere on a better team? The only plus I see is that he's Canadian and maybe being that we'd be closer to his home may be the only positve and literally the only positive.

Yes Selke nominated Marner doesn’t fall under “forwards who can defend” also, no more instantly disqualifying take nowadays than, “the Buffalo Sabres have enough scoring” Verging on parody - - - there is no argument re: “should” we add a player better than anyone else on our team. Whether we will, well obv prob not

Wow, Carolina with zero chance... And they're at home

Panthers are a grinding team. They beat you up. sabres have how many willing to grind?

Their late 90s sweaters were so much better I’m actually not a fan of the way colors have trended THIS blindingly bright in recent years. Sort of a clap back to all the darker stuff earlier. The neon green of Dallas is too much and this may be blasphemous after begging for Royal for so long but like…our Royal blues are essential glow in the dark. I also don’t see why we need to have a near identical shade to St. Louis

The point I'm making and stressing is that just because you can't get the bonanza deal done doesn't mean that you can't make enough smart moves that will consequentially improve your roster. The model to follow are the Washington Capitals. Over the past two years, their GM made at least a half a dozen deals that weren't headline deals, yet dramatically remade the team. Including in those deals were the addition of their two goalies who were an excellent tandem. It can be done. If you have a GM who is creative and enterprising, there are good deals to be made. The Sabres are in a lot better position to participate in the market than most teams. We have a number of good prospects in the system, some players on their current roster that can be dangled (most notably Byram), some cap room and draft pick to parlay. It can be done!

Panthers 2-0.

Adams needs to get off his butt too. I'm reading that Ottawa's primary off season concern is getting a top 4 D man so there's competition if one is in fact available. Sitting back and looking for the perfect trade or trying to win that trade isn't going to get it done. Unless of course they are interested in Byram.

You want me to be blatantly honest? No. No I do not see anybody wanting to come here unless maybe they were born in Buffalo and even then. Why would they? If I was a hockey player in the NHL you'd have to offer me a boatload of cash for any bottom feeder team and a perennial loser like Buffalo? Not a chance. Only if I had no other options. I'm just dreaming about type and style and what the team needs. I'm tired of supporting a loser and making/accepting excuses.

It’s significantly more likely Levi is never an nhl goalie at all than a good one. Man, that was a WILD time for a while. The suggestion he wasn’t Hasek was a hot take

Right. Forgot about that. Well, higher or not at all then. I just want moves and progress. Rolling out the same basic thing with Norris and Levi is going to fail.

14 year drought and we are still seeing “be careful with draft picks” posts super-serum, captain buffalo fans Never change

Sure they are

The $'s remaining in the '25-'26 cap are immaterial to signing a guy like Tuch to a new deal that starts in '26-'27. So, Tuch doesn't matter for that exercise. Really am leaning towards an expectation that they do bring in a vet goalie but with UPL going out the door this off-season as well. So, the goalie won't eat too far into the cap unless someone you find a situation like the Swamp Cats for some reason souring on Bob and being open to trading him; and that sort of move isn't likely to happen. Demko's the most likely established guy that MIGHT become available and he only costs $5MM against the cap in his last season. And, personally expect both Byram and Samuelsson going bye-bye this off-season, so there's money on the backline getting freed up. (Though also personally expect moving Byram to be opening a brand new hole in the lineup.) So, don't expect Bernard-Docker going away and would be mildly surprised if Clifton went away either.