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It certainly doesn’t have to be Rust. Putting his name out there is fuelled primarily by the reports that he is available and someone the Sabres have engaged in serious talks about acquiring. Beyond that, he ticks the following boxes. veteran proven winner from a winning program proven top 6 production Contract that fits under the cap up-tempo pace-pushing style not afraid of contact or sacrifice responsible Track record of positive analytics I don’t agree with your concerns that he’s another Peterka defensively. I know his charts weren’t impressive defensively last year, but this is not a guy whose known to shirk his own zone. What I don’t like about Rust is the age and the potential for,drop-off or the price I hear we might have to pay. But I think it would be hard to find a better fit for this particular season’s needs and the futures that I’d like to pay

Still need to get one of those HAT hats. 😉

I’m not sure I love the Rust idea, or even understand the love for it. Sure, he replaces the offense that we lost in JJP. But he also brings right back the horrible defensive void that we thought we were righting the ship on while trading Peterka. I know we’re hungry for an offseason that says we tried and are trying to compete, but simply adding a big name for the sake of adding a big name doesn’t exactly accomplish that. This team vitally needs to get better at defensive team hockey, and I would argue the forwards are the biggest culprit. It was nice to add defensemen that seem like they’ll help, but going out and adding a veteran version of Peterka just to do so feels like it’s 1 step forward and 2 steps back I’d love and am clamoring for another middle 6 guy, and I’m also worried about the goals and offense we’re losing with Peterka. But you need to add one responsibly, and not just add one for the hell of it IMO

Can’t wait for the Devils to post after a 7-2 victory over Buffalo Sabres Playoff Appearances since 2011

Which is why my personal expectation is that they'll be employees of the team and given some sort of role that makes sense for them to be travelling with their team. The rule specifically states the EG doesn't have to be a team employee; but can't see how they make sure he's available for all home and away games if he isn't. Stuff like equipment manager, pro scout, corporate ticket rep, some form of accountant, owner's kid, etc.

But it hasn’t been easy for Kevyn to ship out a top pairing defenseman for a top 6 forward. He kept telling us defensemen are a valuable “currency”, but so far, he hasn’t been able to get it done. And it’s not even that we want a JJP back, but at least a winger who can score 20 or so goals who’s defensively adept. It’s fine we are keeping Byram (for now), but to me, this is just because Kevyn failed to consummate a decent trade. This feels like a default move rather than something deliberate.

They would have to pay them well enough to be able to be free to work an NHL schedule.

They're still operating under the "old" rules. Multiyear contracts within 1 year of renewal can be extended and 1 year contracts can be extended after January 1. As the new CBA doesn't kick in until September 16, 2026 expect that players who's contracts expire at the end of this season can still get in on 8 year deals if they qualify (have been with their current team since the trade deadline) and 7 year deals if they don't qualify for the 8 year deal. As mentioned above, not positive how the league will handle contracts signed in the July 1 - September 15 period. Technically the old CBA will still be in force, so expect they can still get 7/8 year deals rather than just 6/7 year deals; but don't know that for certain. Put that at ~85% certainty. It IS the way the agreement is written until 9/16/26.

None in the last three years definitely kills my thought. I mean, maybe 3 years after those guys have flamed out they can go this route, but they’re definitely not earning a job after that.

Nope. Just that they can't have played in the NHL and can't have played more than 80 pro games and none within the past 3 seasons. No stipulations about him practicing with the team at all. These guys are literally beer league players that need to be available for every game. So, most likely its throwing a bone to every team's Ryan Vinz as he now gets to travel to all the away games.

NO HE CAN'T. The CBA EXPRESSLY disallows it. The CBA prior to this one, the one from 2005 disallowed it. The 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it. The 2025 MOU to the 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it. Renegotiation HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. But sure, the NHLPA will go against what THEY HAVE NEGOTIATED into practice for the past TWENTY YEARS. Suuuuuuuurrrrre they will. He CAN sit out. And lose money. It ends up in the team's court whether he just rots or if they void the contract. But HE has NO WAY to force them to let him out of his contract. If the team decides to suspend him, he doesn't get paid and he doesn't end up costing them cap space because he isn't earning any money. So again, HE CAN'T JUST DEMAND A RENEGOTIATION.

They can sign him right now if they want to, right? I know there was a post-January limitation if you’re on a one-way deal, but I have no idea if that’s may have changed with the previous updates. I haven’t paid close enough attention to see if any of next year’s free agents around the league have gotten any new deals yet.

Does it say anything about them getting practice time? I wonder if some of those late round lottery ticket draft picks that didn’t work out could stay around and try to earn a job that way.

Bad way to try and win a cup.

I bet the union would very much be opposed because if Tage can do it, anyone can do it. If anyone can do it, why should the owners give out fully guaranteed contracts? There's actually a mechanism in the cba for sitting out. I don't know it well, but it's there.

The new CBA takes effect in September 2026. Realistically, would expect the 8 year deals to be gone by the end of this current league year. MAYBE you can get away with them in that period from July 1 to mid-September next year, but don't know for sure the league will allow it.

He could sit out and demand a renegotiation. I doubt the union would oppose a player asking for more money to equate to his market value.

So we play Dallas at some point

Google said his most common linemates were tuch and thompson. Its certainly possible that loss can be absorbed. Plus....our prospect pool of mature players seems to have left handed wingers ready to contribute. We traded in our useful commodity for a partner for OP.

The new CBA will limit you to 7 years. I’m not sure exactly when the cutoff is for sneaking in 8 year contracts. My gut tells me that if a contract starts in 2016, it will fall under those new rules, but I don’t know if that’s the case.

I think I saw Byram making attempts to hit people last season. I dunno, there are several unknown variables leading into next season. I mean, there's a good chance we don't miss Peterka's output at all. It's not like he was amazing. A first pair of Dahlin and Byram should be satisfactory defensively and will likely be a legit offensive threat. It could be alright.

Even with bringing in Rust or the like, it'll be hard not to feel like the Sabres should be renamed Lucy. When the extent of the coaching change was "bring us the head of the S&C coach" we were in for a loooooooong off-season. Thing is, it doesn't HAVE to be this way. Which just makes everything else so darn frustrating as we keep desperately hoping not to hear Sonny and Cher singing in the AM but keep finding ourselves hearing it over and over and over. But IF they do make that one extra futures for actual player move; we might finally get to hear some other ###### 70's song to wake up to. 😉 Hearing Eric Carmen belting out "please, go all the way" would be much better. 😉 (But at any rate, please dear God, don't let it be Muskrat Love. That might be worse than never moving forward again. 😉 )

Connor is gonna get paid. Do you think the Jets are going to risk him walking like Ehlers? And Sabre fans, how do you feel about 30 year old Alex Tuch at $10 x 8? My guess is that Adams assumed the Sabres would be a playoff team the last two years and he would be extending Peterka and Quinn on big deals, trading Tuch for futures, and getting ready to promote Rosen.

Well, at least we know for sure GA has NOT hijacked your account. 😉