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I agree there is no comparison, I'll take a Sabres game any day of the week over a football game to go to.

When Peterka plays defense like Reinhart and creates offense like Reinhart, then sure. And I mean 23yr old Reinhart Also it's only if we're getting a better player.

Where does this blind allegiance come from? They have shown nothing that tells us they know what they are doing. In fact, they even admitted that there was no plan for Byram when they traded Mitts. I’m relaxed, but only because it’s summer and they have made me just not GAF at all.

There's also the timing issue. If you're moving the pick, it needs to happen now. The prospects, you have a lot more time there. I know there could be plenty of debate over whether or not it's a viable strategy, but if you want to see what shakes free after free agency, the draft pick does not enter that equation. I completely agree that something has to be moved in the next month, preferably a lot of things. They have to realize that at this point. But then again they should have realized that two years ago but didn't. Hopefully that new voice in the room is a strong one.

Trading Peterka should not just be a fireable offense, but a criminal one. He is EXACTLY what this team should be trying to get more of. If he was on the Bruins or the leafs he'd be a superstar. Did we learn nothing at all from getting rid of Sam Reinhart?

This is way too trusting and way too sanguine, given the team's history over the past 14+ years. And it's more than a little patronizing.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6436425/2025/06/20/2025-nhl-mock-draft-the-athletic-hockey-show/ They have us taking McQueen. Martin (5oa) is long gone by then for those wondering.

As long as EEE is the mandate, winning doesn't matter. We are at 5 years + 4 days since Pegula's statement that the Sabres would be EEE (no such limitations on the Bills, naturally). He has not made a public Sabres statement that they're attempting to win since. Well... except that the Taylor Hall signing wasn't just playoff, but Stanley Cup contenders (which wasn't a public statement, simply released video).

Benson has two major areas to grow: 1) Cut down on the stick penalties. Eventually, the refs will let him get away with more garbage. But he has to keep his stick clear of skates because the slightest tap on a veteran scorer is going to lead to a tripping call (in the regular season). 2) Work on the shot. Reinhart did it. Dahlin did it. Heck, even Krebs has a better shot how. I have full confidence that Benson will also be able to put some mustard on it as his frame fills out. To your point, his baseline as defensively-responsible tenacious playmaker is something that be used on any line on any team in the NHL.

You are changing the topic. You said the Sabres had no plan. Now you're saying they had plans that didn't work out. Pick a lane. Adams definitely had a plan: to build a team through the draft with minimal free agent additions. He thought he had a team on the verge two years ago. He was wrong to stand pat. Now we are going to see the Sabres reshuffle the deck, dealing players, picks and assets. Why do you think Kiekäläinen is here? Will it work? Let's hope. But the Sabres have the chips to play with.

If JJP going to bridge for that amount why wouldn't we keep him? I get Robertson is a better talent but for the difference in cap space am not sure it's worth going after. Instead keep JJP and pursue a 2C or 2W. If he's available as some rumors suggest I'd go after Dawson Mercer.

You're preaching to the choir man, I think most of us would be happy if added Bear to our list of prospects if don't move 9OA that said I'd rather have NHL talent than prospects at this point.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6391288/2025/06/20/nhl-draft-2025-scouts-mcqueen-ryabkin/ Notes: the defense rankings are all over the place McQueen is going to 15 I think. Did well in interviews. Ryabkin I'm not interested in. Talent yes, dedication no. Pass.

Ah yes like the “plans” for the past 5 years under Adams and for the past 14 years overall. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

Because we hear nothing, we make up stores in a vacuum and convince ourselves it's what's happening. There was "no plan" until Kiekäläinen was hired. 🙄 Relax. Things will get done. Other teams may have thought they could take advantage of Adams, especially with agents feeding journalists stories hoping to put pressure on the Sabres. We have desirable assets and leverage. Eventually teams will come to the table with serious offers.

There are a number of appealing aspects to Benson. Because he is so young there is a potential that he will become a very good player. But for the sake of argument, if he doesn't reach the maximum of what some people expect of him, he's still going to be a solid player for us who has a grittiness to his game that this team desperately needs. So his lower baseline is still a desirable positive while his potential higher baseline is exciting to consider. Most young players who are developing, such as Quinn and JJP, have liabilities to their game that you have to contend with. That's not the case with Benson. Even with plenty of room to grow his game, I have never felt that he was a liability for us. That's not to say that he was a noticeable producer, but he was not player who hurt you while he was playing.

I actually think he can do it. He plays the game the right way, which I think is going to pay off for him real soon. He's still so young.

Some things are tough to measure. Development runway due to work ethic. Growth in size and strength. Desire to be an NHLer. Willingness to play a role that is outside of the current skillset. Team first attitude. Interviews at the combine attempt to dig into this but scouts could get a few nuggets during the year from coaches, staff, family and friends. Everyone will be promoting the kid and scouts have to glean through the information. I agree with many here that want some grit and compete if the Sabres keep the pick. Martin and Bear fit in that regard.

I stand by my view that Benson should have gone back to junior for at least one and probably two years. My reasoning has almost nothing to do with Benson and almost everything to do with my view that Benson making the team two years ago was, for me, the beginning signs that Adams was in way over his head. That said, I love Benson. When I look at our current roster, I see him on the wing with Norris and Thompson. A healthy Norris is kind of a veteran Kulich: a shoot-first, defensively responsible, two way centre. Thompson is an elite scorer who is also a good playmaker, and who has improved his defensive game. Benson is a very good defensive player with a growing offensive game and some elite playmaking skills. He is also a rat who will drag Norris and Thompson into the fight on January nights in random NHL cities. I think they can realistically combine for 75-90 goals and rarely get dominated by top lines. The big question mark on this line is not Benson (or Thompson).

Even with that move the Dallas Stars have major cap issues. They need at least 4 more forwards and will have to spend at least 1 mill on a defender to give them 7. At minimum that's 12f, 7d, 2g. That's 21 players and realistically they need another forward and defender but let's do bare minimum. They have 4.9 million to sign 5 guys to simply ice a full roster. That doesn't even account for injury issues. They need another move if not 2 to clear space. If you can sell them jjp and he bridges for 2x5 or 3x6 which is the estimates, you can add another 1.75-2.75 in cap while also not downgrading (if they believe that) your roster as much. I wonder if they'd dump Nils Lundqvist who's arbitration eligible for Kyrou who is on an ELC? Could save them another million bucks.

Only 6 players from the 2023 draft have played at least 10 NHL games to this point. Bedard 1st overall Fantilli 2nd Carlsson 3rd Smith 4th Michkov 7th Benson 13th Theoretically, 2025-26 should be Benson's rookie year by all accounts and yet he's managed borderline elite defense while playing for 2 different hc and being jerked around all over the lineup. Idk what his offensive ceiling is, but I don't think we'll find out for another 4yrs.

I’m not saying Kevyn was wrong giving him that contract. I’m saying trading Power would look as Kevyn being wrong twice.

It’s not going to be long before that deal is going to be perceived to be a bargain. @K-9 is spot on with his post on Power. Listen to him. Making transactions based on unrealistic expectations is self-sabotaging, as we all know.

I just don't see Benson ever being a top end guy (see 25G 60P) type which is the very least I want for a top 6 forward.