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🏒 FORWARDS – AI DATA LINES (12 starters) 🥇 Top Line: LW: Alex Tuch ($4.75M) – 😄 Chandler Stephenson (~$5.5M) – RW: Tage Thompson ($7.14M) 🥈 Second Line: LW: Jack Quinn ($0.925M) – 😄 Josh Norris ($7.95M) – RW: Jiri Kulich ($0.925M) 🥉 Third Line: LW: Beck Malenstyn ($0.8M) – 😄 Michael McLeod ($1.5M) – RW: Zach Benson ($0.925M) 4️⃣ Fourth Line: LW: Jordan Greenway ($3M) – 😄 Tyson Kozak ($0.8M) – RW: Lukas Rousek ($0.85M) 🛡️ DEFENSE – AI DATA PAIRS (6 starters + 1 depth D) 1️⃣ LD: Rasmus Dahlin ($11M) – RD: Michael Kesselring ($0.85M) 2️⃣ LD: Owen Power ($3.85M) – RD: Conor Timmins ($1.1M) 3️⃣ LD: Bowen Byram ($3.85M) – RD: Jacob Bernard-Docker ($0.925M) 🔹 Extra/Depth D on active roster: Ryan Johnson ($0.925M) 🥅 GOALTENDERS (2) ✅ Starter: Juuse Saros (~$7.75M) ✅ Backup: Devon Levi ($0.925M) 🔹 23-MAN ROSTER DEPTH (14F + 7D + 2G) Forwards: Tuch, Stephenson, Thompson, Quinn, Norris, Kulich, Malenstyn, McLeod, Benson, Greenway, Kozak, Rousek Defense: Dahlin, Power, Byram, Kesselring, Timmins, Bernard-Docker, Johnson Goalies: Saros, Levi 🟢 FIRST CALL-UP LIST (AHL/Rochester) 🔹 Peyton Krebs (waived, clears to Rochester; first 4C call-up) 🔹 Isak Rosen (injury replacement for top-6) 🔹 Lawrence Pilut (7D emergency; LD/RD flexibility) 🔹 Kale Clague (veteran LD depth) 🔹 Aleksandr Kisakov (speed winger option) 🔹 Veteran AHL goalie for emergencies (sign or recall Subban) 🔥 AI DATA Commanding Verdict: This roster brings elite balance: Saros-Levi in net, young second line with Quinn-Kulich pushing offense, McLeod/Benson locking down third, and a defensively responsible fourth line with physicality and upside. Bryson, UPL, Krebs, and Samuelsson are out to resolve logjams and stay under $90M.

You're accurate with most of what you mention here. I've admitted that I'm going to opine if I feel compelled, when IMO, a poster is being overtly and unjustly negative. I have a lot less venum attached to my posts than probably most would think. It's more of a mantle for me as I've also tried to articulate, probably poorly. What I disagree with you on is your view of the content itself. Including Byram as not being here and then not including what need his replacement would fill - is the definition of being wrong. It's 100% true he's a Sabres. There's no disputing that. We of course have our opinions and by nature are rooted in biases. However there are truths that should at least be the foundation of a discussion.

There part of the Marner Contract

🏒 FINAL FORWARD LINES (12 starters) 🥇 Top Line LW: Tyler Toffoli ($6.25M) – 😄 Chandler Stephenson ($5.5M) – RW: Tage Thompson ($7.14M) 🥈 Second Line LW: Alex Tuch ($4.75M) – 😄 Josh Norris ($7.95M) – RW: Jason Zucker ($5.5M) 🥉 Third Line LW: Jordan Greenway ($3M) – 😄 Michael McLeod ($1.5M) – RW: Jiri Kulich ($0.925M) 4️⃣ Fourth Line LW: Beck Malenstyn ($0.8M) – 😄 Jack Quinn ($0.925M) – RW: Zach Benson ($0.925M) 🛡️ DEFENSIVE PAIRS (6 starters + 1 roster depth D) 1️⃣ LD: Rasmus Dahlin ($11M) – RD: Michael Kesselring ($0.85M) 2️⃣ LD: Owen Power ($3.85M) – RD: Conor Timmins ($1.1M) 3️⃣ LD: Bowen Byram ($3.85M) – RD: Jacob Bernard-Docker ($0.925M) 🔹 Extra/Depth D on active roster: Jacob Bryson ($1.85M) 🥅 GOALIES (2) ✅ Starter: Connor Hellebuyck ($8.5M) ✅ Backup: James Reimer (or veteran backup, ~$1.5M) 🔹 23-MAN ROSTER DEPTH (Forwards/Defense beyond lines) ✅ Tyson Kozak or Lukas Rousek ($0.8–0.85M) – 13th forward on roster, ready for injury rotation ✅ Jacob Bryson ($1.85M) – 7th defenseman 🟢 FIRST CALL-UP LIST (Rochester/Depth) 🔹 Peyton Krebs (waived or sent to Rochester; first call-up if needed) 🔹 Tyson Kozak/Lukas Rousek (whichever not on 23-man) 🔹 Lawrence Pilut (LD/RD versatility) 🔹 Kale Clague (LD veteran) 🔹 Aleksandr Kisakov (speed winger option) 🔹 Isak Rosen (if retained in system) 🔹 Emergency goalie call-up TBD

I would let Dallas decide that on Byram. If they’re not interested so be it. Move on. Dallas has a big cap problem and Robertson could be available. The fear that Byram is pursuing a long term bonanza contract is a bit wild. He really has not proven he is worth that, and in Buffalo he doesn’t get the opportunity to prove he is worth a big contract, in Buffalo Dahlin is #1, and Power is being favored as the #2 power play defenseman. Leaving Byram out Byram may be happy to sign bridge with a contender like Dallas, or any other contender. Or he may like to join an up and coming team that needs his skills? We don't know what he wants, we only know he allegedly moved his stuff out of Buffalo, yet he says he is interested in re-signing.

🔥 Roger that, Commander—here’s the complete Sabres 2025–26 roster list with everyone currently accounted for: salaries, backups, potential trade pieces, and extensions. Once you confirm who’s truly in or out, we’ll lock lines and finalize. 🟢 GOALIES ✅ Connor Hellebuyck – $8.5M ✅ Veteran backup – ~$1.5M (placeholder; TBD) 🚫 UPL – $4.5M → traded or waived in Hellebuyck deal 🚫 Devon Levi – ~$925K ELC → traded in Hellebuyck deal 🟢 DEFENSEMEN ✅ Rasmus Dahlin – $11M ✅ Owen Power – $3.85M (current deal; extension future) ✅ Bowen Byram – $3.85M (current deal; extension future) ✅ Michael Kesselring – ~$850K ✅ Conor Timmins – $1.1M ✅ Jacob Bernard-Docker – ~$925K ✅ Ryan Johnson – ~$925K ✅ Jacob Bryson – $1.85M (moveable) 🚫 Mattias Samuelsson – $4.285M → traded in Hellebuyck deal 🚫 Connor Clifton – $3.3M → UFA after 2024–25; not re-signed 🔹 Depth/Rochester call-ups: Kale Clague, Lawrence Pilut 🟢 FORWARDS (Top 6 + Depth) ✅ Tage Thompson – $7.14M ✅ Alex Tuch – $4.75M (extension future) ✅ Josh Norris – $7.95M ✅ Jason Zucker – $5.5M (trade candidate if needed) ✅ Tyler Toffoli – ~$6.25M (or Guentzel/another top winger) ✅ Chandler Stephenson – ~$5.5M (or Monahan/another 1C) 🟢 FORWARDS (Bottom 6) ✅ Jack Quinn – ~$925K ✅ Jordan Greenway – $3M (trade candidate if needed) ✅ Michael McLeod – ~$1.5–2M (current deal; extension future) ✅ Zach Benson – ~$925K ✅ Jiri Kulich – ~$925K ✅ Beck Malenstyn – ~$800K ✅ Peyton Krebs – ~$1.45M (if not waived/traded) 🔹 Call-ups: Tyson Kozak, Lukas Rousek 🟡 FORWARDS/DEPTH NOT EXPECTED ON ROSTER 🚫 Sam Lafferty – $1.15M → UFA after 2024–25; not re-signed 🚫 Lukas Rousek/Kozak only count vs. cap if called up 🔥 DATA’s Commanding Checklist: You now have a full list: ✅ All active contracts, ✅ Players gone via trade (Samuelsson, Levi, UPL), ✅ Expired contracts (Lafferty, Clifton), ✅ Current roster with extensions future-dated (Tuch, Byram, McLeod) → no 25–26 impact.

Any time anyone talks about Benson not being hard to play against you get a thumbs dumb.

I work, a lot. I don't always read every post thoroughly. Feel free to quote it and tag me. That's all I am saying. And things that get buried in paragraphs stand out less than things in a single line. I'm not infallible. If you call it out I will take a look. I've seen you criticize Trump. I'm not a fan of either party so it doesn't matter to me when people critique their members.

Must’ve hit a Benson in the top six nerve.

Muel and Power

If they are, it's only on paper, which doesn't mean anything.

It also needs to clear labor laws in 2 countries. Personally would prefer to see the draft go back to 20 years old being the norm. But there are more moving parts than you are considering. Hockey, unlike football or basketball, has legitimate well established pro leagues in several other countries. How does raising the drafting age affect the interactions between the NHL and these other leagues? Do Swedes or Russians decide to sign longer contracts than they already do to stay in country at 17 or 18 keeping significantly more players from those countries out of the NHL until they are much older? Does a lack of access to as many young Euros materially affect league plans for expansion? (Personally would see that unforeseen consequence as a win as the league shouldn't expand IMHO; but am quite certain the league and the NHLPA would see that as a loss.) Does the CHL want to see a change like this, especially if "exceptional 18 & 19 yo's" can still be drafted? Don't their teams get a marketing benefit (in gate driven leagues) by having x # of "future NHLers" on their rosters? Does it affect ELCs and 2nd contracts, if not in principle but in practice? If it does result in ELCs shortening and 2nd contracts getting larger, with a hard salary cap, could see the union opposing it. If it would result in no effects on ELCs (other than essentially no more contract "slides" as there are no more signed teenagers) but 2nd contracts shrinking, the union might publicly oppose it but privately approve it (as the currently dues paying members end up taking home more pay). Not sure what you mean by this only matters for "like 1 18 year old per year?" Several kids that are 18 in the fall are ready for and get opportunities to play in the NHL at the end of their Junior/NCAA/Euro seasons and do end up playing at that point. They won't have that opportunity any longer.

That's because he is still a hack

The question should be : Are the Sabres better than their opponents? Even if they improve, they have to be better than their competition. Many of them also improved. I still don't understand Adams logic. For years he drafted soft players and now all of a sudden he realizes the team needs to be tougher to play against. Maybe he should have thought of that in 2021 when he drafted two marshmallows in the first round: Power and Rosen. Or in 2022 when he drafted tiny Savoie and Östlund in round 1. In 2023 he drafted tiny Benson. I like Benson, but he doesn't scare anybody. The point is that the Sabres aren't hard to play against because of Adams' and Forton flawed drafts. However, they still haven't lost any of their arrogance despite failing.

In 3 years this could lower one of our regular season losing streaks from 12 games to 11

Free agency Jeannot Boeser or Ehlers Jake Allen. Won't happen but if you add those 3 bodies you have a slim chance at playoffs.

My totally uneducated opinion is that more kids rely on the NCAA. Sure some end up in Europe, and some already stay in Europe when drafted. I think figuring out a way to put a cap floor on the AHL affiliates would be helpful. Maybe bigger roster sizes for both teams as well. Just my shoot from the hip ideas. I don't know though.

He's correct in that there doesn't seem to be any semblance of a plan in mind

Quite possibly which means KA doing 2 things at once which means it ain't happening as KA struggles with one thing at once

Because Dahlin Byram wasn't that good.

Cool then the irrelavance will continue when compared to other leagues,and teams will let kids with potential waste away in the dumbest most underfunded leagues in the world. There's like 1 18 year old per year that this matters for. Saying the NHLPA wouldnt be for it is silly. The amount of teenagers in the NHL is next to nothing comparatively. A total of 10 to start the 24-25 season. It's not that anybody is for it or against it It's that nobody gives a short to change it because they NHL is antiquated.

Then better hope the NHL trade deadline falls on a Friday or a LOT of teams will be running short benches the 1st day or 2 after the deadline looking to allow their younger players the opportunity to get into playoff games for their farm team once the NHL team's SC dreams have gone awry. And personally loved the idea that players will have to physically report to the farm club until getting to that part about also having to play in at least one game. Thought for, literally less than a moment, that there was finally a change in policy in the NHL that would actually benefit the Sabres. They could have a player in Rochester and back within 3 hours if he doesn't check his speedometer too closely and doesn't hit bad traffic/roadwork along the way.

Can reporters be waived by the team they are covering? 🙂

Plan A: It’s going to be Levi and UPL The GM gave the contract to UPL that says we believe you’re a legit NHL starter They let Levi develop and cook in the minors this year. They did everything they could to make sure he didn’t hit free agency after Northeastern. He was the main piece in your Reinhart trade. They want him to be the guy. He’s going to be 24 in December. Beginning to feel like it’s now or never with Levi. Golden opportunity to take the job and relegate UPL to a backup. Not sure who your 3rd option can be at the moment. Plan B: In season trade.