SHAAAUGHT!!!

After the Hall signing it's more Ka-who than Kahun. I saw an article earlier that he would be a good low cost option for a cash strapped team (2MM AAV/2 years). I would hope the Sabres are in on him at that price, but as you mentioned they are running out of spots so I'm not sure he's still in their plans.

Watching the interview it is apparent this is thoughtful man who knows exactly what he wants and is making a well-thought out and informed decision on his future. This makes the signing that much better to me. At first I thought this was a 1 year lets-take-advantage-of-open-cap-space-before-we-open-the-wallet-for-Dahlin&Joker-next-year signing for us and Taylor was just looking for a payday before he left for greener pastures next year. This really does seem like a tryout for both sides and I can't be happier.

What a great letter from Taylor about the signing. Also, he works out with Skinner in the summer. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/fans/letter-from-taylor-hall?fbclid=IwAR1K5gYAgQ1318nXpyEKpcA6GcYjeZT6GKSBnuyh5HtIszg7kWruZEhIyzE

If the Sabre's buy his contract out after next season it will only count $833K against the cap for 2 more years. That is the best part about this deal IMO...

This has to be it. No numbers have been reported yet, but just hearing the statement from "one" of his agents, looking at how his last deal was structured with over 2.8M in possible performance bonuses per year, and the fact the Sabres are worried about overpaying in arbitration, it has me thinking the player is asking too much given the current marketplace. Adams made a statement he wanted to give the Sabres "flexibility." I can't hate on KA not qualifying Kahun if that means the Sabres chose to not overpay a middle 6 winger, in a year with a flat cap, when there are other RFAs hitting the market like Duclair.

Agreed, but only on a 1 or 2 year deal. Anything longer is going to cost more. Maybe he feels he shouldn't take less money than his last contract, and it's hard to disagree with him in a normal year. But you know, flat cap...

But if that's what he was asking for I feel they would have qualified him and worked this out. I really didn't think he would be getting anything more than 3MM a year unless he is looking for term as well. I could see that complicating the discussion if he's looking for something like 7 years at 5MM. It's just a bit odd how this is going down. I can't wait to see how it plays out 🍿

My guess is the Sabres thought there would be no player with a discernible skillset left at 38, based on who they thought the teams from 34-37 would pick...

Tage's cap hit is 1.2MM this year, 1.4MM year 2, and 1.6MM year 3. If signing back loaded deals is the only impact of the "internal cap" I'm on board.

I'm curious if Casey gets a similar contract. Tage is one year older, taken around 20 spots later, but Tage projects as a winger while Casey still projects as a center.

Comparable to Marcus and he checks the money box for this season. Wouldn't be a slam dunk like the Staal trade, but this is exactly the type of move I expect KA is working on.

I've played in as many NHL playoff games as Risto. There are low cost veterans that are still serviceable on the market that would help this team on the ice - and in the locker room. Could Risto be the mentor to these younger Dmen? Probably. Is he the best guy for that role? Probably not.

Gryzlek is an undersized LD due a raise this year from the 1.4MM AAV from last season. He could fit into the role we wanted Pilut to play. Both McCabe and Dahlin are big bodies so he makes sense. And if there is an internal cap we could give him a 3-4 year backloaded contract to minimize actual salary paid in 2020-2021

I negotiate global supply chain contracts and COVID clauses are all the rage lol

I'm here to complain the Eichel trade thread wasn't shut down sooner

Yeah, I think that would help this blueline considerably. The problem with Chara this year (if you can call it that) was the Bruins rode him WAY too much. At this point in his career I would like to see him get something closer to 13-15min a night to get higher quality minutes out of him, instead of the 21min per night he had. I would be thrilled with any of these guys at $1.5MM for 1-2 years. They don't have to be the guy, they just need to help the team be better. I imagine Joker and Dahlin will be getting their minutes this year, even if both Risto and Montour return. Someone of the 3 (Risto/Montour/Miller)) will be moved this year. At this point I think its all about which team has a player we want and which one of the three do they rank they highest...

I heard KA is shopping Dahlin for a third line winger and cap space. Should I start a separate thread since this is just as likely as the Sabres trading Eichel this off-season? 😁

I want someone back there that can provide feedback on players around the league and show them what to look for on faceoffs, I want someone who's been through battles against guys/teams for years and come out on top, I want someone back there our younger guys can be proud to emulate, I want someone to teach based on experience and accomplishments, not because they had an impressive junior career and were a high draft pick. It's about maximizing return on young players. It's not just about putting in the time - ask 90% of the players in the AHL...

Exactly. I think we lose one one of the above, which further reduces our experience. I've seen some proposals for younger defensemen, which I don't think helps unless we also bring in a vet to help Dahlin and Joker with their development. Even if he is playing 3rd line minutes we need someone to mentor the younger guys, and I'm not sure there is anyone currently in the line-up that I'm thrilled with stepping into that role. McCabe is the guy I see as the leader back there right now, but he has very little experience playing in meaningful NHL games....

So I've been spending a lot of time looking at the Sabres roster to figure out what holes KA may be focusing on for a trade. After moving Scandella and Bogosian last season the Sabres are fielding a very young blue line, and I see this as a new weakness that needs to be addressed. We are all aware the Sabres need a LD, and may trade away one of our "older" RDs to get him or a forward, which further perpetuates the need to sign some experience on the backline. I can't imagine the Sabres are looking to lock up a new Dman on a long-term contract with Dahlin and Joker in line for raises with significant term. Is there anyone available out there that fits the mold of an experience LD that can be had for a season or 3?

I get it man; Sbotoka was a perfect example. On paper he should not have been that effective in a second line role, but they were getting things done those 2 weeks where Skinner - Mojo - and Sbotoka were all healthy. We need bottom 6 guys like Lazar that provide flexibility when injuries happen or lines need to be mixed up. Vesey and Frolik were not the type of players that can help with that, Lazar does.

I think we are all pretty close on this. As a stand-alone move signing Lazar doesn't make or break this team. To some of us the jury is still out on Lazars ceiling and/or where he slots in to the line-up. Depending on the overall team chemistry, it is possible he could play an effective 2nd line winger role on good Sabres team. He's fast, creative, defensively responsible, gives'r hard, and comes cheap. That might open up more money for a scoring 3rd line winger.

Exactly. There are usually one or two surprises during camp, and line-ups get juggled throughout the year. This is a quality signing that provides Krueger some flexibility in the line-up vs having a one-dimensional player in a bottom 6 role.

Everybody mentions him as a 4th liner, but I think that sells Lazar short. He was great at killing penalties, skated hard every shift, converted from a skilled to a banger type player, great attitude, and is the type of player that can complement a lot of lines in different ways. I think he could be effective from the 2nd line down to the 13th forward - depending on line chemistry. This is a great depth signing at a great price that has promising upside. 2for2 Mr. Adams. Well played sir. I don't think this signing impacts Larry's contract at all at $800K AAV. It's likely going to be what contracts are signed and trades occur for the top 9 forwards that dictate what type of money the Sabres are willing to spend on Larson and/or Girgs...

This is an impressive first move. I have a similar lineup: VO - Eichel - Samson Skinner - Staal - TBD Kahun - Cozens/Casey - Tage Lazar - Larson/Girgs - Okposo My guess is they are looking for a top 4 winger in free agency if they can't make another trade.