All Activity

Better than 70% GF%? Wow! 😜

Damn palm trees !

Apparently a lot of other teams are building new practice facilities that not only have the training facilities but places to relax, places even for their families, and fans...that look to blow away what is offered in those areas at the harborcentre: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3018496/2022/01/06/the-nhls-building-battle-how-pricey-practice-pads-and-locker-rooms-are-reshaping-the-fight-for-free-agents/ A long article, but some key points: -The race to build the best facilities for players and staff has evolved from a competition among the richest teams to a necessity for all — a battle to boast the most comfortable lounges, the most convenient locations and the highest tech in sports and medical science. -Players, agents and opposing teams have noticed the league-wide efforts, particularly in newer buildings. -For any NHL team, the art of the wooing of an unrestricted free agent often includes a visit to the practice facility. While money and term are likely to be the most important factor for a player, multiple NHL agents said the quality of facilities can go a long way in giving that player a snapshot of how they’ll be treated if they sign with a team. -“For me after the financials, and the city fit, the reputation of an owner is one of the most important things I tell my players to consider, and what that owner’s reputation is for creating first-class services,” an agent said. “You ask what players who have played for them in the past say, but you also look for proof in the facilities.” -Another agent said the practice facility is an “immediate reflection of how much ownership actually cares about the players.” -The facility, in Robitaille’s mind, is never finished. He’s always looking for the next project or improvement, typically handled in the offseason. As he gave a tour of the facility in November, he stopped at one point to examine the players’ lounge and wondered aloud whether it could use some bigger windows and if the one wall could be moved to include a patio. “Embrace that L.A. lifestyle a bit more,” Robitaille said. “That’s something we should talk about doing in this space.” The Kings have also created synergy between their NHL and AHL teams under one roof. While the AHL Reign play games a 70-minute drive away in Ontario, the minor-league club practices and trains next to the NHL team. It’s a setup where players never have to worry about moving residences when getting called up, and the equipment staff only has to move equipment through a door connecting the Reign locker room to the Kings’ digs. The only thing that really changes for a call-up is he gets to park in the reserved VIP lot, as opposed to the public spaces.

What would you be proposing to flip.

In reading this thread what becomes apparent is that there are so many options to pursue. I will be highly upset this off-season if it becomes mostly a status quo off-season. The GM has assets to parley including cap space to work with that other teams don’t have. It’s my belief that with a few judicious moves this flailing team can be stabilized and made to be relevant again.

Maybe this was discussed already, the video is a year old, but I just saw it and found it interesting. Make the jokes about Palm trees, but when you consider Buffalo is Buffalo, the Sabres need to do BETTER than other teams to get players to want to come here/stay here. After watching this video...how much more do the Sabres have to pay someone vs a team like Florida (or the other teams that are doing stuff like this) just to be on even gound?

Ill say this, I prefer Schnieder, as I think him next to Power would be great for many years to come, but i could be down with Byram for Miller + Rempe to shore up the 4th line and add a bit of toughness up front I still would do Quinn for Hauge And then I think a deal with NYI for Mayfiled/Pulock or Kovacevic from New Jersey or even Samberg from Winnipeg (they probably will re-sign him as they likely let Ehlers walk. I think the most likely is a deal with NYI Islanders, they will sell off one or more of there defensemen for futures and thats something we need to be all over K Miller - Dahlin Power - Mayfield/Pulock Hauge - JBD Bryson, Perbix as extras And id lean Mayfield from the Island as he has the smaller contract and the cap fit of this defense would be very nice But yes Sammy and Cliffton have to go

Miller has 427 blocks and 568 hits over the last 4 seasons (106 blks and 142 hits per season). He is certainly a more physical player than Byram and is a better fit with Dahlin than either Byram or Power. Byram in his two full NHL season has 220 blocks and 169 hits (110 blks and 85 hits per season). As you have pointed out, pretty much anyone can play with Dahlin. Also adding Miller allows Dahlin to play on the right side where he is most comfortable. The handedness issue really goes to a pairing with Power. Power needs to play on the left side. Adding a Soucy (an RHD) or an Orlov (LHD, but plays R effectively as well) gets Power what he needs. JBD is also a RHD.

Dudley would just be such a big win for this franchise, and it all makes sense, local guy, could sorta semi retire while still helping in the shadows, his former and local team, I mean and from a professional stand point it would be quite a challenge to see if you can do what you did in Florida with Buffalo

it just makes so much sense, I think you do Byram plus our first for Weegar and Calgarys first, its a low first casue they lost theres in the Monahan debacle but that would be an overpayment id be okay with

Amen Brother. @JohnC raised a trade idea on another thread that I like as well that I think belongs here. What about K'Andre Miller for Byram as the basis of a trade with the Rags. The Rags could use a 2nd offensively gifted D behind Fox and the Sabres could use a good skating physical D with some scoring ability to play with Dahlin as I outlined above. Both are RFAs with Byram likely garnering a slightly larger contract. The Rags need to save some cap space, so the Sabres would likely need to get a contract back. The Rags acquired Soucy in a trade with Van late last season. He has one year left @3.25 but has a NTC. If Adams could convince Soucy to come, Miller and Soucy for Byram and an a prospect would be a deal I'd make in a minute. We'd have to find a taker for Clifton and Samuelsson, but I think that's possible. Dahlin - Miller Power - Orlov JBD - Soucy Bryson

If we could turn Sammy into Ferraro, again with picks and prospects im all for it The Miller idea is intersting, maybe they would be intersted in swapping Sammy plus plus, he would be great with Dahlin, much like Sammy to be honest but K'Andre has that mean bone that Sammy doesnt I also think Perbix is great in the Gilbert role

Too early to move on from Mule. Defenseman take time. Look at Forsling in Florida, claimed off waivers, now he is a super good player for them.

Nic Hauge has to be really looked at, Vegas will need to cut cap and he will get a raise probably to roughly 4 -5 million per year, he is left handed and an RFA, I proposed a Hauge for Quinn swap Vegas would be scared of an offer sheet for Hauge

Severson also played with Lindy in NJ so I think its possible For this my hope would be Kovacevic, he got in the dog house becasue he called out the team at one point in the season, he just was extended, but I dont think he has trade protection Id also say Mayfield from the Islanders, has a modified no trade clause, or Manson from Colorado if they need to cut cap which they will, he has a no move clause

I wonder if the Devils make a rhd available. Seamus Casey would be interesting to grab with a prospect flip.

I’m onboard a Byram/Weegar trade. More stay at home type, more physical and contract certainty. A number 1 PK guy on D. AAV is a nice fit too.

I wouldn’t mind this either. In fact, Marty Biron thought the Sabres should have pursued him years ago. I want say he was choice #2 or 3. Make it a real competition.

The issue isn’t which player is better. I agree with you that Bryan is the greater talent. However, it is essential that the blue line needs to be reconstituted in order to play a tougher brand of defense.

Agent for Byram says he has not asked for a trade.

Severson had kind of a rocky year in CBus is the only one of the trade targets i could see being available.

If we start to think alike I will be troubled and have to reconsider. 😀 I strongly agree with you that the blue line needs to be reconstituted and the goalie position needs to be addressed this off-season. I still believe that the goalie position is the first priority. Counting on UPL to be the primary goalie is a loser’s bet.

I think we can all agree that Miller is bigger and Byram is more skilled. Miller, statistically at least, hasn't shown to be any better than Byram in terms of his analytics, and despite his size he's not a banger. Is the thinking here that he's cheaper and better fit in terms of usage? Doesn't solve the handedness issue and I think Byram is the better player, but I could be argued into this as the basis of a trade.

Depends upon whether he can convince the GM (or ownership) to make changes at the coaching level, at the strategic level (what style the coaches should be coaching, and that's one thing that having Ruff behind the bench is good for is that he has run several different styles of play depending upon what players he has), and can he help grease the skids to make a trade or FA signing that the GM on his own would not have been able to make. Where he has more say is over changes to the rest of the hockey departments. My understanding is that pretty much all scouts and development coaches have their contracts expire in June and then they reup or move elsewhere in July. THOSE changes don't help much with the current season, but they do set the stage for potential major moves in-season and beyond.

I think Byram for Miller is the start of a very possible trade. I don't think they'll trade Borgen as they just extended him for 5 years @4.1. The Rags top 2 D if they trade Miller to us would be Schneider and Fox. They could use a second offensively gifted D like Byram to play with Borgen as part of their 2nd pair. I think they like the 3rd pair of Soucy and Vaakanainen. However, If the Rags need to balance out the money or achieve some cap savings, they could trade us Soucy (NTC) or Vaakanainen and then they'd have room to extend Zac Jones who actually average more PT per game last season with the Rags than Vaakanainen or Soucy. It's funny that you posted this idea here, as I was just about to post something similar in the new Defense thread.