Cage

Two come to mind: 1. Skinner for prospect Cliff Pu and a pick. If not for Kreuger's mismanagement of Skinner (and others), this would be an all-time trade. Outside of the RK issue, Skinner has been a top line star for the Sabres. His last two years have erased him from "worst contract" discussions. It was a resounding win for Sabres 2. Alex Tuch / Peyton Krebs / Östlund + trade. At the time Adams had was trying to earn his credibility with the fans, Buff media and across the league as a GM that people thought was just given the job to be the owners guy. Articles and discussion on this board at the time were certain he would get fleeced and end up with limited value from trading Eichel. Up until Eichel's success in this year's playoff run, the consensus around the league would be that the Sabres won that trade. Notwithstanding Adams set up as a foundation of the new team culture focusing on players that "want to be Sabres". Despite LV winning the cup, I don't think anyone would want a do-over on one of the toughest trades (and the ramp-up to it) in team history

Keith Ballard.... he ended up playing 604 NHL games. He was an our #1 pick, 11th overall in 2002. He's the only first round draft pick of the Sabres that I have absolutely no recollection of.

Will add 30 lbs?? I thought he was already pretty big. Is he a rail?

I just don't have a feel for hockey trades in the draft the way I do for football.... not sure who's interested in him, but maybe using him to trade one of our 2nd's up into the first??

Isn't this a forum to talk about the Sabres, their players and prospects?

I'm surprised it wasn't reported here, but Kamarov and the Quebec Ramparts won the CHL's Memorial Cup last weekend. He was not only on the championship team, but opened the scoring with a huge goal! Congratulations to Russian #4 who will be joining the Amerks the season after next. I believe he has one more year in Juniors... https://thehockeynews.com/news/quebec-remparts-capture-the-memorial-cup-in-patrick-roys-final-game

Who is he again???

I have to say that I don't even get this affiliation anymore. Who on this team do we even care about?? I think the NHL should expand the number of players that can be signed in the system by 10, so that more fringe draft picks can be brought in on ELCs and make teams like the Cyclones worth caring about. Maybe if they did and we could start these players in Cincinnati then Brandon Hagel wouldn't be playing for TB Lightning,

Doing the math reaching 500 goals is another 5+ seasons at 30 goals per year. That would elevate over HoVG. Most of those would likely be playoff years given the trajectory of the team. Assuming he puts up another 20-30 playoff goals in that span and the Sabres advance some rounds in that time, I'm sure he would be on that trajectory. But that's a heavy pace for a good number of years. I wonder how many players have scored nearly 200 goals in their 30s? Scratch that... no need to post open ended questions these days to wonder about. ChatGPT says that Gordie Howe scored 358 goals turning 30. Other notable players with over 200 goals scored after turning 30 include Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, Marcel Dionne, and Phil Esposito.... so I guess IF he did that he'd be in pretty good company.

I think we should let him ride and develop. It's too early to make definitive statements about his final role. Hasn't enough crow been eaten on Thompson and Mittelstadt the last couple years. Even on Dahlin some people wanted to explore turn into a winger, because he'll "never" make it as a defenseman. Krebs is 22 and just had his first full season in NHL. Let him develop and we'll see. People were ready to kick Mittelstadt to the curb at mid-season. He's 24 and ended the year on a terrific hot streak. Now he's apparently cemented.

How many times have you seen him play?

Then the good guys will have to score 8

Tuch OT winner against Bruins. Bruins are top team in the league and had 2 man advantage in 3rd period that was killed off and then tying the game late in dramatic fashion. I think its the run-away winner!

They haven't come out yet. He releases one per day on a countdown basis. We shouldn't lose track of the fact that #5 is despite the graduation of Quinn, Peterka, Power and Krebs, who all below the 22 threshold, but have made it to NHL, so not included. Corey Pronman, who specializes in prospects as well published a top 150 under under 23 list across the league. The Sabres had 12 players on that list and three in the topi 10 with Dahlin (#1), Cozens (#5) and Power (#10). The next closest team only had 9 players on the list. Some had only 1

This stuff happens. They can't be afraid to take a chance on a kid who played well in Jr/NCAA/overseas.. lets not forget that Brandon Hegel was a similar pick that played well in Jr and they passed on him. Would be nice to have him on the Sabres now. Keep signing them...

That summarizes it best! We only need to look at the recent progression with UPL to understand that all he has to do is play well to get the opportunities. When UPL came up he didn't play that well at first and we continued to lament that all this team needed was reliable goaltending. Then he settled in and hit a streak and now we're lamenting that he shouldn't be sent down. For Portillo, come in, be awesome and the chances will come. It doesn't matter who the organization is predisposed to "like". We've seen that there are plenty of goaltending injuries throughout a year and if he's good, he'll be the man. As stated above, the Sabres must be one of the most fun franchises to play for. If he doesn't get that, then he's not really following hockey.

I recall when he was the coach and my father took me to some Sabres games. After the game, fans would hang out by the locker room entrance and after the players showered/changed they would exit through the locker room door. Usually we could get autographs that way. Joe Crozier came out and I got his autograph and he gave me his sharpie pen that he signed it with! I was very excited and being a little kid proceeded to get home and lose the treasured pen. The next game, I pleaded with my father to stay afterwards and wait for the players. I came across Coach Crozier again. When signing, I told him I had lost the pen and he gave me another one..... which I managed to hang onto for a few weeks. That's my memory... RIP

Most players that have Sabres on NTL did so as they signed contracts as we were under Kreuger and Housley. I have to believe they took some big steps in turning that ship last year. I wonder if how many signings THIS off-season included them on NTL??

It'll be a reduced line-up. Looking at last year's roster it doesn't appear we'll see overseas players (Sweden, Finland, Russia) nor NCAA players as Power, Ryan Johnson weren't in the line-up last year. Plus, I imagine they'll hold back Quinn, Krebs and Peterka as they don't have anything to prove anymore.

Here's a good summary of where each of them will likely play next year. For Ostland and Kulich there appear to be a number of options... https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2022/07/buffalo-sabres-sign-three-draft-picks.html

Only players on their initial ELC are waiver exempt. He's long past that

It was a Goalie for Goalie trade. Who are we trading to them??

I don't know any of these guys, but was looking at some of the goalie write-ups and they're uninspiring to say the least. Doesn't appear to be a good draft to pick Gs

Should they now try to trade-up from 28.... not sure how far they might move up w/ their 3rd? 3-4 slots??

I like that idea better